Celtic granted special dispensation to sign John Guidetti

John Guidetti: Has joined Celtic

FIFA have granted Celtic special dispensation to sign striker John Guidetti on loan from Manchester City.

The Scottish champions failed to complete the necessary paperwork before Monday's transfer deadline, but an appeal to FIFA was submitted on their behalf by the country's football authorities.

That appeal has succeeded, and the 22-year-old Swede is free to move north on a season-long loan as planned.

A FIFA spokesperson said: "After checking the documentation received and the information contained in the international transfer matching system managed by FIFA TMS, the Scottish Football Association was informed today that the envisaged loan deal may proceed."

Guidetti found first-team opportunities limited at the Etihad after moving from Sweden as a 16-year-old and has spent several spells out on loan with Burnley, Stoke and most notably Feyenoord where he scored 20 goals in 23 games.

The Swede is excited by the prospect of life in Glasgow and said: “I feel in great shape as it’s been great to get a long pre-season with City. But I miss getting to play games, it’s what I live for."

Meanwhile, the club have revealed that their Europa League participation has resulted in a number of league fixtures being moved to accommodate Thursday night European football.

The home game against Motherwell for Ronnie Deila's scheduled for Saturday, September 20, will now go ahead on Sunday, September 21 with a 3pm kick-off.

Hamilton Academical's visit to Celtic Park, due to take place on October 4, will now take place on Sunday, October 5 with a 3pm kick-off.

The Kilmarnock Parkhead clash scheduled for Saturday, October 25 will now kick-off at 3pm on Sunday, October 26.
The away tie against Aberdeen set for Saturday, November 8, will take place at Pittodrie on Sunday, November 9 with a 12.30pm kick-off time.

Finally, Celtic’s home tie with St Mirren scheduled for Saturday, December 13, will now go ahead on Sunday, December 14 at 3pm.

Celtic have also been informed that their trip to Dingwall on Saturday, October 18 to face Ross County will kick off at 12:45pm.

Giroud Plus £35M’ Move To Land This Man Makes Sense

 

Arsene Wenger is preparing to launch a player-plus-cash move to land Edinson Cavani from PSG.

According to the Independent, Wenger is growing frustrated of Olivier Giroud’s inconsistency and is
 planning to offer the French forward plus £35 million upfront in order to secure the services of Cavani.

We have been tracking the Uruguayan for some time now and have again been linked with a move for him this summer as we look to strengthen our striking options.

The PSG striker is said to be unsettled at the Parc des Princes, but the Ligue 1 club are only willing to sell if the player’s £51 million buyout clause is met.

Due to a rib injury suffered by Zlatan Ibrahimovic last weekend however has Laurent Blanc pondering whether to sell Cavani at all. But the PSG boss may consider doing business with Wenger if Giroud was part of a potential offer.

As for Giroud, well he hasn’t exactly settled as well as many had hoped and his future looks in doubt at the Emirates due to his inconsistent performances.

Giroud’s off-field antics last season didn’t do him any favours with Wenger either, with previous reports suggesting his wife was looking to persuade the ex-Montpellier to return to France in March.

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We have already forked out over £60 million for new recruits this summer, with Alexis Sanchez being the marquee signing thus far, but Wenger is shrewd when it comes to buying and a £51 million move for Cavani would be paying over the odds and a lot of cash to part with.

But Giroud plus £35 million could just tempt PSG to sell, while the French club would get a proven striker in the Ligue 1, Arsenal would be getting a forward known for goals, goals, goals.

Cavani scored 25 goals in his debut season for PSG since his move from Napoli, where he found the net 104 times in three seasons at the Serie A club.

This would be a great deal to undertake and hopefully it comes to fruition.

If we manage to sign Cavani for just £35 million then that would be seen as a bargain but pundits and fans alike.

Giroud is struggling and although he had a decent season for us last term, getting rid of him in order to see Cavani in the red and white of Arsenal would be worth it.

A sensible and thought out reported proposal. I hope to see it come to pass.

Milan Looking To Take Rabiot On A Two-year Loan

ADRIEN RABIOT is a target for Milan’s midfield but they must have him renew his contract first with Ligue 1 champs Paris Saint-Germain.

The transfer market ends in about two weeks and those days will be very interesting for the fans of the

Rossoneri as Milan are on the market to sign a striker (to replace Mario Balotelli), a right winger (Alessio Cerci) and a midfielder.

Milan Channel confirmed today that yesterday Milan made some contacts regarding a midfielder and it’s

believed that Paris Saint-Germain’s Adrien Rabiot is a real target of the Diavolo, along with Napoli’s Blerim

Dzemaili, Lyon’s Clement Grenier & Shakhtar’s Fernando.


Balotelli to join Liverpool for €20m: “This is my last day here”

Didac agent: “It will be a definite goodbye to Milan”

Ribery Not Ready For Bayern Return - Guardiola

Franck Ribery

Franck Ribery remains at least two weeks away from a return to competitive action with Bayern Munich, according to Pep Guardiola.

Frenchman Ribery, who recently announced his retirement from international football, missed the World
Cup due to a back injury and has been troubled with knee problems in recent weeks.

Ribery played in Bayern's pre-season friendly against Guadalajara in New York at the start of the month, but coach Guardiola has ruled the former Marseille man out of Friday's Bundesliga opener at home to Wolfsburg - although fellow winger Arjen Robben could feature.

"Franck will be out for two or three weeks through injury," said the Spaniard on Thursday. "He still needs time.

"Arjen is fit but hasn't played yet. I'll have to see who is in the best shape. Then I'll decide who plays."

Guardiola is looking forward to his second season in charge at the Allianz Arena and hopes to see a slicker version of Bayern this year as they look to win a third straight German title.

"The Bundesliga is our main objective, it's the most valuable title," he added. "We'll work for it every day.

"I want my side to play better and quicker this season.

"Wolfsburg have some outstanding players, they're very well organised. It will be a good test."

Ribery is not the only player unavailable for Guardiola on Friday, with Rafinha (ankle), Javi Martinez, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcantara (all knee) also sidelined.

Agent Says: Destro likes Chelsea

Mattia Destro’s agent has revealed that his client would be interested in a move to Chelsea.


The Roma striker had been rumoured to be part of a swap deal that would see Fernando Torres move to the Italian capital.

And although that seems unlikely, the youngster’s representative has admitted that the Italy international would be keen on joining the Premier League outfit.

“Destro likes Chelsea,” Renzo Contratto has told reporters.

“Chelsea are interested, that is true, but the rumours of a swap with Torres are not.

“However, Roma do not want to sell Mattia, and Mattia would be more than happy staying in Rome.”

Marco Reus Held Talks With Arsene Wenger Over Arsenal Transfer

Marco Reus could be on the move

Arsenal are ready to revive their interest in Manchester United target Marco Reus after Arsene Wenger held positive talks with the Borussia Dortmund star in London.

The London Metro cites a report in Spanish newspaper Vozpopuli, which claims the Gunners boss had a secret meeting with the Germany international earlier this summer to discuss the prospect of a transfer to north London.

It's been widely reported that the 25-year-old midfielder turned down the offer of a new contract at the Westfalenstadion, fuelling rumours of a possible exit before the close of the transfer window.

Related articles

- Hans-Joachim Watzke refuses to rule out Marco Reus sale

- Marco Reus victim of Puma campaign going wrong

- Franz Beckenbauer warns Dortmund can't keep Marco Reus

Uncertain future

Jurgen Klopp will be determined to keep Reus for the 2014/15 campaign, but as the Daily Star reports the fact the player's £27.9 million buyout clause comes into play at the end of the season, Dortmund might struggle to turn down a big money offer from one of his suitors this summer.

Arsenal were encouraged by negotiations with the player and his agent in the English capital, but opted to put the transfer on hold after Reus suffered an untimely injury that ruled him out of the World Cup in Brazil.

Now back in full training, the Gunners are planning to make a renewed push for his signature, and hope to lure him to the Emirates Stadium before September 1.

Man United interest

Louis van Gaal has also been credited with an interest in bringing Reus to Old Trafford, but the Red Devils are trailing their Premier League rivals in the race to land him.

Interest in Reus isn't exclusive to England, with reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid and Barcelona also mooted as admirers of the Dortmund vice-captain.

Reus has netted an impressive 42 goals in 90 appearances for Dortmund since joining from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2012, and is widely considered one of the best players in the Bundesliga.

It's questionable whether Arsenal need another winger particularly after paying big money to bring Chilean star Alexis Sanchez to the Emirates Stadium, but Wenger is unlikely to allow a player of Reus's quality to join Manchester United.

Lazio Announce Gentiletti Signing

Santiago Gentiletti

Lazio have announced the signing of defender Santiago Gentiletti from Argentine side San Lorenzo.

The Biancocelesti have been busy throughout this summer’s transfer window but were known to be looking

for more defensive reinforcement, something they have now done.

“He is a complete player,” President Claudio Lotito said of the 29-year-old. “We are talking about an

important result for Lazio.

“From next season, Lazio will be able to count on the contribution of the best defender in the South

American Champions League.”