It Was A Good Weekend For The U.S. Men's National Team

Without even playing a game this weekend, it was a great time to be a member of the U.S. men's national team. On Friday, striker Jozy Altidore's long rumored transfer from Holland's AZ Alkmaar to England's Sunderland finally became reality. He is scheduled to have a medical with the English Premier League side tomorrow and that's when the details will be sorted out. In addition, goalkeeper Brad Guzan signed a four-year deal with Aston Villa, meaning he'll stay there through the 2016-17 season.

Altidore's move is the headline since the 23-year-old has been playing the best soccer of his young life in the past season (both with his club and for his country). He scored 31 goals in all competitions for the Dutch team and helped them win their first Dutch Cup in 31 years. It was one thing for U.S. fans to read about that but never really see those games however he's been able to transfer that over to the U.S. with goals in his last four contests: in the friendly vs. Germany and three World Cup qualifiers (Jamaica, Panama and Honduras).

The good part for Altidore-assuming that the move happens-is that Sunderland should offer playing time right off the bat. He was really young when he competed for Hull City in 2009-10, making it no wonder that he struggled so much for a bad team. He is guarantted to have more expectations with Sunderland but that's a positive thing since he has shown lately that he is becoming the great player on a consistent basis that we've all been waiting for.

Guzan is still living in Tim Howard's long shadow for the U.S. but he has more than made a name for himself at Aston Villa. Last season he became the full-time starter and he responded with his best professional season. He is 28 and in limited time playing for the U.S. when Howard was unavailable (due to injuries or mandated rest), he has shown that he could be counted on should something happen to Howard when it really matters.

From Aston Villa's website
"This is just the start now, the start of hard work. We have to build on last year and go forward and that is very much the collective mindset at the club.

"For me, it's an honour and a privilege to play for Aston Villa Football Club and to commit my future long-term. I'm overjoyed by it.

"To have this opportunity to commit my future, with the plans and the future being what they are going forward, it's tremendously exciting and I know that's not just for me but for everybody, including the fans."

UPDATE 7/10: Jozy got a four-year deal worth $13 million.
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Clint Dempsey Scores The Opening Goal In Fulham's 2-1 Win Vs. Sunderland

This morning, U.S. men's national team superstar Clint Dempsey scored a wonderful goal for Fulham (seen above). The free kick from outside the box was the opening goal as Fulham won 2-1 vs. Sunderland. It was Fulham's finale at Craven Cottage for 2011-12.

It was the 23rd goal of the season (and 50th EPL strike of his career) for Dempsey in all competitions and 17th in English Premier League matches as he continues to push the limits on his record-setting goal scoring pace. He has one more match with Fulham, they go to Tottenham next Saturday (10 a.m.). The match has plenty of meaning for Spurs since they are in a battle with Newcastle to the last fixture for the all-important fourth spot (and Champions League berth) in the EPL.

As Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl pointed out last week in a great article, it will be an interesting summer for Dempsey since he has proven himself more than enough at Fulham. The question is if he'll take his immense talents to a bigger club (Liverpool?) next season; that seems to be the only way he can have a shot at making the Champions League and therefore truly test himself at the top level for clubs.

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Other transfer news

So many things going on as far as the transfer window is concerned since it ends this Monday.

Fulham captain Danny Murphy has signed a deal that will keep him at Craven Cottage through the summer of 2012.

"I'm delighted to have signed a contract extension this morning," Murphy told the club's official website. "As a Club we've achieved great things during my time at Fulham so far, not least our highest ever League finish and reaching the Europa League Final, and it is a great source of pride for me, as club captain, to have played a role in some truly historic moments for Fulham Football Club.

"We've made great progress as a club, on and off the pitch over the past few years, and with the chairman's continued support, I believe we've got many more great years ahead of us.

"On Sunday we've got a massive game against Spurs in the FA Cup and as a team we will give our all tomorrow afternoon to earn a place in the fifth round. I'm sure it's going to be a great atmosphere at the Cottage and hopefully we can continue our impressive start to 2011."

Murphy joined Fulham from Tottenham in the summer of 2007 and has made 119 Premier League appearances for the club.

Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given wants to drop down to the Championship in order to play more often and regain his form.

The Ireland 'keeper saw Roberto Mancini opt to make Joe Hart his No. 1 at Eastlands and he has cut a frustrated figure through the autumn and winter. He has made few comments about his future but, after Mancini said last week that he was reluctant to let Given leave as it may leave him short should Hart pick up an injury, he has now signalled his determination to move on.

Given is prepared to drop down the divisions and is hopeful a recall clause may persuade City to let him head out on loan.

"I just want to play football," Given is quoted as saying in the Irish Times. "I do not want to go for an entire season without playing, which is how it's looking if I don't get games.

"I am prepared to go to a Championship club immediately to get some games and to be on a 24-hour call-back to Manchester City. That would benefit me, by getting me match-sharp, and City, who would have an experienced, match-sharp goalkeeper to come in if Joe got injured. I'd hope it would also benefit the club I'd be at. There are a couple interested."

Chelsea is ready to offer a record $40 million pounds for Fernando Torres.

It is understood that having failed with offers of £28 million and £32 million, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to sanction a bid of £35 million plus the £5 million-rated Daniel Sturridge in order to bring Torres to Stamford Bridge.

That offer would represent a British transfer record, but it remains to be seen whether it would be enough to convince Liverpool to sell the striker, who has scored 65 goals in 102 Premier League games for the club since his move from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007.

Torres has made his own perspective clear having shocked the club's fans by submitting a written transfer request on Friday. Liverpool subsequently announced that the request had been denied as manager Kenny Dalglish is determined to retain the services of the Spain international.

However, it is understood that Torres is desperate to play Champions League football - a scenario that looks deeply unlikely at Liverpool for next season, even if the club are on the brink of signing Ajax forward Luis Suarez for £22.8 million.

Chelsea have left it late in the transfer window to secure Torres but hope to sign the striker prior to the deadline closing on Monday night at 2300 GMT.

The Blues are also considering whether to increase their offer for Benfica defender David Luiz to £25 million after seeing talks collapse with the Portuguese club on Friday.

It is understood Abramovich has been advised to complete the two transfers in January, rather than the summer, in order to make it easier for Chelsea to comply with UEFA's incoming Financial Fair Play regulations.

A source told ESPNsoccernet: "The snag over Luiz for example has been quite small, but Abramovich has been told that he must spend now because if he wants to keep within the new rules, it will be more difficult in the summer.

"January is not normally the time when the big clubs recruit in this way, but it is an exception because of what is coming up in the summer."

Manchester United is interested in Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

A dependable presence in South Africa last summer for the World Cup finalists, the Ajax goalkeeper is highly rated across the continent. And now United coach Rene Meulensteen has confirmed the 28-year-old - who only has a year left on his current deal with the Eredivisie club - has attracted Sir Alex Ferguson's interest.

"Stekelenburg is indeed the 'keeper who is at the top of our wanted list," Meulensteen said. "We naturally talk a lot among ourselves about who should replace Van der Sar. Alex Ferguson has spoken about Stekelenburg with Edwin and that does not seem strange to me at all."

United's goalkeeping coach Eric Steele acknowledged earlier in the week that the club had three targets in mind who could potentially succeed Van der Sar, who will retire at the end of the current campaign, with assistant manager Mike Phelan suggesting on Thursday that Sporting Lisbon's Rui Patricio is also someone of interest to the Old Trafford hierarchy.

"He's a young keeper with enormous potential - we've known Rui Patricio for a long time and we've also played against him a few times," Phelan said of the 22-year-old. "The only thing I can confirm is that we haven't made any offer."

Tottenham won't sell Gareth Bale according to head coach Harry Redknapp

Bale is one of the most talked about players in Europe, having twice this season tormented European champions Inter Milan in the Champions League. His form in the Premier League has been of a consistently high standard and his wicked left foot has seen him become the subject of widespread transfer speculation.

It was claimed this week that Inter were readying a summer bid believed to be in the region of £40 million, although this was swiftly played down by the Serie A giants. The chatter has not been missed by Redknapp and he has once again made it clear that Tottenham have no intention of selling a player they bought for £5 million from Southampton in 2007.

"We won't be selling Gareth Bale in the summer, it's up to the chairman but I'd be very surprised if we were interested in selling him at any price," Redknapp said. "You have special players in your team and if we're going to be a top team you've got to keep your top players, you can't be selling Gareth Bale.

"You've got three or four players who can make a difference and he's one of those players. And, if you lose him, you can't replace him. Where are you going to replace him? You go and get one from here, one from there, another one.

"When he gets the ball something happens, he can do something that no one else can do. We can't afford to lose him."

Redknapp has revealed that midfielder Tom Huddlestone has suffered a setback in his bid to return from the ankle injury that has sidelined him since September.

"Tom's had a setback and it seems he's going to be longer than we expected," Redknapp said. "His ankle is sore. He tried to do a bit of running and is still a long way away.

"We will have to look at his situation with regard to the 25-man squad. I am hoping he'll be okay as he is important to us and is a fantastic player."

Spurs fail to get Nolan Carroll.

Tottenham Hotspur have failed with a reported offer of £25 million for Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll.

Harry Redknapp has been linked with a move for the England international, 22, for much of January and it is understood that Spurs firmed up their interest with a formal offer.

However, Newcastle rejected the bid, reported to be in the region of £25 million, and have instructed Tottenham they do not want to lose Carroll before the transfer window closes.

The striker, who travelled to Sweden on Friday to address a troublesome thigh injury, has scored 11 goals for the club this season.

Carroll's impressive form for the Magpies saw him win his first international cap in the game between England and France in November.

Spurs want Scott Parker from West Ham.

West Ham have rejected a last-ditch bid by Spurs to snatch Scott Parker in exchange for Robbie Keane. The Hammers are still hoping to sign Keane, although negotiations are now sure to run until the final day of the transfer window on Monday.

ESPNsoccernet has been told that the Keane deal with Spurs will be concluded over the weekend and the deal signed on Monday morning.

But West Ham were forced to tell Spurs "no" for the third time regarding Parker, as Harry Redknapp has twice before tried to capture the midfielder. Redknapp was desperate to bring in his long-term target and offered £8 million plus the £6 million-rated Keane, but again West Ham turned them down, even though Spurs might have also thrown in Jamie O'Hara as part of the package.

West Ham want to take Keane on loan, paying a £1 million fee, with a view to a permanent deal on the condition that the Hammers stay in the Premier League at the end of the season. Spurs want a £6 million fee even if they go down, and that issue is the final piece of negotiations.

West Ham United chairman David Gold confirmed the move to sign Keane before the close of the transfer window, having also signed striker Demba Ba from Hoffenheim.

"Robbie Keane is a player we greatly admire. He is clearly available and quality players rarely are," Gold said. "We see him as a potential acquisition. We are looking at all players that are available from top-quality clubs.

"David Sullivan (West Ham's co-chairman) was up until the early hours of the morning still pursuing targets that we have. It will probably go right to the wire. We like to think we don't leave a stone unturned. Our people will go the extra mile to do whatever it takes to try to bring in players that otherwise you wouldn't get if you didn't pursue."

West Ham have also rejected moves by promotion-seeking Cardiff to bring Wales defender Danny Gabbidon home. Cardiff boss Dave Jones wanted the 37-times capped player - who spent five years with the Bluebirds. Cardiff offered £250,000 but it was instantly turned down.

Sunderland have indicated they would offer £3.5 million for Frederic Piquionne, which was also immediately rejected by West Ham. The offer arrived via an agent but was dismissed out of hand by the Hammers.

Sunderland secures loan of Sulley Muntari.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has finally made a transfer breakthrough when he secured Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari on loan for the rest of the season.

The 26-year-old Ghana international, who left Portsmouth for Inter in a ¬16 million move in July 2008, will join compatriots John Mensah and Asamoah Gyan at the Stadium of Light.

Bruce said: "Sulley is a fabulous acquisition for the club. When the opportunity arises to bring in a player of his ability - even in the short term you have to take it, and I'm delighted that we have been able to.

"His adaptability is a great asset. He did extremely well at Portsmouth so he knows the Barclays Premier League well and you have to be some player to move to Inter Milan for the fee that he did. He's a great addition."

Shady goals lead to shady fines in the EPL

One of the craziest finishes in recent EPL history took place on Saturday as Arsenal looked like they would hang on for a 1-0 win at Sunderland.

They survived the allotted four minutes of injury time so they were understandably shocked when Darren Bent banged home a rebound in the 95th minute. There was no reason for the additional time after the first four minutes and that's what Arsenal coach Arsene Wegner was so pissed that he reportedly pushed a referee following the goal.

Today, Wegner was formally charged by the Football Association with a misconduct charge.

The Arsenal boss remonstrated with match officials and appeared to prod the fourth official, Martin Atkinson, in the back. The FA has taken a dim view of his actions.

A statement from the FA read: "Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged with using insulting and/or abusive language and behaviour amounting to improper conduct. The charges relate to Wenger's conduct towards match officials at the conclusion of Arsenal's match against Sunderland on 18 September.

"Under The FA's new fast-track procedures, Wenger has until Thursday 23 September to respond to the charge and he has been offered a standard sanction of a one-match touchline ban and an £8,000 fine should he accept the charge. If he denies the charge, the case will be heard by a Regulatory Commission."

Wenger could not see why any additional time should have been played beyond the allotted added time.

Speaking after the match, refereed by Phil Dowd who sent of Gunners midfielder Alex Song for two yellow cards, the Arsenal manager lamented: "It was outside the four minutes. I know the referee can give more than four, it's a minimum of four minutes, but in the four minutes nothing happened to justify the extension of the time. But I cannot do anything about that."

Asked about a suggestion he had put his hands on Atkinson, Wenger replied: "Take the pictures and look at it. I complain to nobody, especially not to you."

Last season, Wenger received an apology from referees chief Keith Hackett over his dismissal during the Gunners' 2-1 loss to Manchester United during August 2009.

Wenger was sent to the stands by referee Mike Dean in the dying moments at Old Trafford on the advice of fourth official Lee Probert after the Arsenal manager kicked a water bottle following a disallowed goal which would have been a last-minute equaliser.

After his sending off, Wenger was unaware of where to go and firstly moved to the Arsenal dugout, then the main stand before being ushered along the touchline to the tunnel.

If it's true or not doesn't really matter since Wegner will likely pay in one form or another. I don't hold it against him one bit since it was a joke call that went against his team on the road against an underdog. Arsenal got jobbed: he knows it, Martin Atkinson knows it and the FA knows it too but the later two are trying their best to cover up for each other.