Latest Football News 13-06-2012

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Salomon Kalou: Available as a free agent

KALOU WOULD CONSIDER REDS - AGENT

Salomon Kalou's agent claims his client would be willing to discuss a summer switch to Liverpool, but says there has been no approach as yet.
The Reds are still in the process of finalising their transfer plans, with Brendan Rodgers having only recently inherited the managerial reins from Kenny Dalglish.
The new boss at Anfield worked with Kalou during his time as a coach at Chelsea and is reported to be an admirer of the Ivory Coast international.
It is being suggested that an official approach could be on the cards, with Kalou's contract at Stamford Bridge having come to an end.
The likes of Newcastle and Schalke have also been heavily linked with the versatile forward, and his representative admits anything is possible.
Rodger Linse told the Liverpool Echo: ""There are conversations going on, and of course when that is happening then you must be careful what you say.


"Liverpool can speak for themselves, and Schalke can speak for themselves. That is fine.
"Of course Liverpool is a very big club, in terms of support and in terms of history.
"It is definitely positive to hear that a big club like them are showing an interest in Salomon, though it is too early to say anything definitive at this stage."
Comments attributed to Schalke manager Huub Stevens suggest Kalou is eager to try his luck away from England after six years as a Premier League performer, but Linse claims the 2012 Champions League winner could be persuaded to stay in the Premier League.
"He has been very happy at Chelsea," he added.
"He is a player with ambition, and he has managed to satisfy a lot of those ambitions over the last few years.
"He never quite made it to be a guaranteed starter with Chelsea, but his statistics were always good, and he won lots of trophies there.
"In many ways it will be difficult to find a better place to be, but he is open-minded, and would be happy to continue in England if the right club comes in."

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Carlos Cuellar: Linked with Sunderland

NO SUNDERLAND OFFER FOR CUELLAR

Sunderland have yet to make a move for out-of-contract central defender Carlos Cuellar, according to the player's agent.
The Spaniard became a free agent after leaving Aston Villa following the end of his contract.
Black Cats manager Martin O'Neill, who brought Cuellar to Villa four years ago, is thought to be interested in signing the 30-year-old.

The player has been linked with a return to Spain with Valencia and Osasuna, with Turkish giants Galatasary and Greek outfit Olympiakos also showing an interest.
Cuellar's agent, Pedro Bravo, said: "Sunderland have not made an offer for Carlos. They have not phoned me."

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Portman Road: Klug's spiritual home

KLUG BACK AT IPSWICH

Ipswich have announced that Bryan Klug has returned to Portman Road as the club's new academy director.
The former Town player is to take in a second spell with the club's youth sides, having previously held the post between 1998 and 2006.
During that time he oversaw the development of Darren Bent, Titus Bramble, Darren Ambrose, Owen Garvan and Danny Haynes.
Klug began his playing career with Ipswich, before going on to take in spells with Wimbledon, Chesterfield and Peterborough in the Football League.


Injury forced him to hang up his boots and he turned his attention to coaching.
He joined Ipswich's backroom team in 1987 and 11 years later took charge of the newly-established academy.
He guided Town to FA Youth Cup success in 2005, before moving up to first-team duties a year later as assistant to Jim Magilton.
In January 2009 he took on a new role as head of football development, but left a year later to join Tottenham as their head of player development.
Now one of the highest qualified coaches in the country, he is back where it all began.