No Laudrup contact from Swans World Soccer Shop

Michael Laudrup's agent claims he has not received an approach from Swansea, as the club try and fill the void left by Brendan Rodgers.

Laudrup: Yet to hear from Swans

After talks broke down between the Liberty Stadium club and Wigan assistant boss Graeme Jones, Barcelona legend Laudrup has been reported as a target.

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway, Brighton's Gus Poyet and Rayo Vallecano's Jose Ramon Sandoval have also been mentioned as potential successors to Rodgers, who joined Liverpool late last week.

Laudrup's last managerial job was with Mallorca, who he left in the autumn of 2011, and he is rumoured to be open to offers.

But his agent, Byram Tutumlu, has announced there has yet to be any contact from representatives at Swansea.

"We have not heard anything from Swansea," Tutumlu is quoted as saying.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17744/no_laudrup_contact_from_swans

Reds agree fee for Rodgers & co World Soccer Shop

Liverpool have reportedly agreed a compensation fee with Swansea for Brendan Rodgers and three of his backroom staff.

Rodgers: Compensation fee agreed between Liverpool and Swansea

The Anfield outfit now look to have removed the final obstacle in their search for a new boss with confirmation of Rodgers' appointment on a three-year deal expected to follow.

The Northern Irishman emerged as the leading candidate for the Merseyside vacancy in recent days after initially rejecting the opportunity to discuss the post.

Kenny Dalglish was sacked by the club's American owners, Fenway Sports Group, just over two weeks ago after overseeing a mixed season for the club.

Liverpool added silverware to their trophy cabinet in the shape of the Carling Cup and also reached the FA Cup final, but a dismal performance in the Premier League, where they finished in eighth and 37 points adrift of champions Manchester City, led to Dalglish's departure.

Rodgers has earned widespread plaudits for the style of play he has introduced with Swansea, having been appointed at the Liberty Stadium in July 2010.

The former Watford and Reading boss guided the Swans into the top-flight via the Championship play-offs and then established the Welsh club in the top-flight with an attractive brand of football.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez had also held talks with Reds owner John W Henry before being usurped in the race for the hot-seat by his Premier League rival.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17521/reds_agree_fee_for_rodgers___co

Rodgers favourite for Reds job World Soccer Shop

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has emerged as the new favourite to succeed Kenny Dalglish in the Liverpool hot-seat.

Rodgers: Hotly tipped to replace Dalglish

Wigan's Roberto Martinez was being strongly tipped to take over at Liverpool after talks with the club's American owners Fenway Sports Group in Miami last week.

But there was still no word from Martinez as he arrived back in Manchester today following a family holiday in Barbados and Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has issued a deadline of Thursday for an agreement to be reached.

The story took a new twist today with Rodgers, who originally turned down the chance to speak to FSG, appearing firmly back in frame with online bookies Sky Bet. He is now 1/5 to be appointed Reds' manager with Martinez out to 3/1.

It now appears to be definitely a two-horse race with Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp out to 12/1 after being as short as 2/1 early on Monday.

Football trader Joe Petyt explained: "When Martinez was photographed with FSG's John Henry in America he became the strong favourite but even during that time we saw sustained money for Rodgers.

"In the last 24 hours the amount of money we've seen on Rodgers has increased substantially which indicates to us that some people have heard that he's going to take the job."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17374/rodgers_favourite_for_reds_job

Sigurdsson signs with Swansea

Swansea City have agreed a club-record 6.8 million pounds fee for Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.

And the Welsh Premier League club have also denied claims that Liverpool have contacted them again over permission to speak with Brendan Rodgers for the managerial vacancy at Anfield.

Sigurdsson, the Iceland international, joined the Swans on loan in January, after struggling to nail down a first-team berth in Germany.

He proved to be a huge success, scoring seven goals in 19 appearances as the club finished 11th.

Swansea have moved quickly to ensure that deal became permanent, making the 22-year-old their first signing of the summer.

Sigurdsson began his senior career at Reading, where Rodgers previously spent an ill-fated spell in charge, making 38 league appearances in his first season but just four in his second.

This led to a move to the Bundesliga where he again was a key man in his debut year but fell down the pecking order before being loaned out to England.

The Icelandic attacker has seven caps for his national side and scored his first international goal during a Euro 2012 qualifier against Portugal in 2011.

His transfer fee almost doubles the previous club record of 3.5m pounds paid to Watford for striker Danny Graham last July.

Meanwhile, Rodgers, 39, has been touted to replace Kenny Dalglish after the Scot was sacked earlier this month.

A statement on the club’s official website said: “We would like to clarify the speculation in the press surrounding our manager Brendan Rodgers.

“We would like to confirm that there has been no contact from Liverpool and nothing has changed since our previous statement on the issue.”

Rodgers has already turned down the chance to talk to Liverpool.

An earlier statement from the Welsh club read: “Swansea City can confirm that an approach from Liverpool FC to speak to manager Brendan Rodgers was officially received by club chairman Huw Jenkins this morning.

“The club is pleased to confirm that Brendan has declined the current opportunity to speak to the Anfield club about the vacant position.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/sigurdsson-signs-with-swansea/95396/

Swans strike Sigurdsson deal World Soccer Shop

Swansea have had a club record bid of £6.8million for Gylfi Sigurdsson accepted by Hoffenheim, and have also agreed terms with the player.

Sigurdsson: Proved to be a big hit at Swansea

The 22-year-old arrived at the Liberty Stadium in January on loan, and he impressed during that spell by scoring seven goals in 17 appearances.

The German Bundesliga club signed Sigurdsson in 2010 in a £6.5million transfer from Reading.

Swansea's initial bid of £4million was rejected by Hoffenheim, who are keen to recoup the fee they paid for Sigurdsson.

Sigurdsson will be Brendan Rodgers' first summer signing as the Swansea manager looks to build on the foundation his team laid on their return to the top-flight last term.

The midfielder will undergo a medical this week before the deal can be officially finalised, according to a statement from the club.

The Icelandic midfielder was named March's Premier League Player of the Month, becoming the first Swansea player to win the award.

Sigurdsson's move will smash the club's record for a transfer fee, previously held by Danny Graham when he completed a £3.5million switch from Watford last summer.

"Swansea City can today confirm a transfer fee and personal terms have been agreed for Hoffenheim midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson," said a statement.

"A club record offer of £6.8million has been accepted by the German club, and the 22-year-old is expected in Swansea later this week to undergo a medical before the move is confirmed.

"The club are delighted to have agreed terms with both player and club following Sigurdsson's hugely successful loan spell last season."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17301/swans_strike_sigurdsson_deal

Swans buck Rodgers' Reds link World Soccer Shop

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins says reports that Brendan Rodgers will meet Liverpool to talk about the vacancy at Anfield are "pure speculation".

Rodgers: Swans claim talk is 'pure speculation'

Although Rodgers had previously stated his intention to remain with the Swans, having already turned down the chance to speak with Liverpool, it appears the Reds have not given up on the hope of talking to the Northern Irishman.

Reports have suggested the Reds are set to contact him this week but Jenkins told BBC Sport that was just "pure speculation".

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17300/swans_buck_rodgers__reds_link