Chris Smalling's giant leap - From Rags to riches
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Manchester United have made a shock move for Fuham defender Chris Smalling.
Sky Sports says Fulham have accepted a bid from manchester united for England U21 defender Smalling.
The 20-year-old defender has become the subject of intense speculation during the January transfer window, with a number of clubs tracking his progress.
Smalling has made rapid progress since joining fulham from Maidstone in 2008, and made his first Premier League start against Chelsea on 28th December 2009.
Taken from ; http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-accept-man-utd-offer-smalling-revealed-600801
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true or not lol
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seems true enough leh...
hah!
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On 26 January 2010, it was reported that Fulham had accepted a bid from Manchester United of approximately £7-8 million for centre-back Smalling, amid additional interest from Arsenal who remain interested in signing the player.[7][8]. On the 26th of Janurary Fulham F.C official website announced it had accepted a bid believed in the region of 8 million pounds from Manchester United.but arsenal are going to bid 9 million pound
From wiki, I don't believe till I see it happen on tv or MU's web. -
unless it appears at soccernet
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this is true -.-
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it's everywhere
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Originally posted by Franceso Totti:
unless it appears at soccernet
ok you've got it
it's on soccernet
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=731476&sec=transfers&cc=4716
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is he good w potential meh?
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Cool, our first signing of 2010!
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Originally posted by sand king:
Cool, our first signing of 2010!
havent havent, now in talks after utd's bid was accepted
but it's just a matter of time one luh
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Chris Smalling heading to Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson makes his move to beat Arsenal to Fulham defender
Rapid rise: Cottagers defender Smalling
Manchester United have made their move to sign Chris Smalling from Fulham. The Cottagers are believed to have accepted a bid from the Premier League leaders for the £8million-rated defender.
United look set to pip Arsenal to Smalling's signature after the Gunners were reported to be weighing up a move.
The 20-year-old, who was playing for Maidstone United in the Ryman Premier League before joining Fulham in March 2008, made his first start for the Cottagers last month and has broken in to England Under 21s.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was keen to snap up Smalling to initially act as cover for William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen.
Wenger has not given up hope of completing a deal for Smalling despite United taking pole position.
'It just looks like Manchester United offered more money than us, but as long as the player has not signed anywhere it is not the end of it,' he said.
'Let's see what happens there. We will not come out on what we are doing exactly. It has come out [elsewhere], but that does not mean it is true. If we have anything more to tell you we will let you know.'
Smalling is regarded as one for the future but United made their move as doubts persist over Rio Ferdinand's long-term fitness while fellow centre-half Nemanja Vidic is continually linked with a move to Spain.
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said last week that Arsenal had yet to make an official approach for the player.
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is vidic leaving any time soon?
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I think he's to back John O'Shea up.
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maybe a long term replacement for rio, as he is always injury prone.
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Its not a done deal... Looks like still a rumour, but a very believable one with Wenger still fighting for him... Wenger has something up his sleeve to take him to Arsenal...
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true
arsenal might launch an 11th hour bid to snatch him away from utd
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I guess this guy is one for the future... At 20 yrs old only, he can learn 2, 3 yrs under Rio and Vidic before seeing how good he really is... At present, he seems ok but a giant of a defender at 1.94 and 90 kg... Rio is only 1.88 and 77kg... while Vidic 1.85 and 84kg.
This guy got the size and some skill... But still got some way to go but at $8m, I guess its ok cos he is only 20 yrs old so if he don't work out, can sell him off again in a few years time...
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played one match in the bpl then sign liao...8 millions somemore..worth it meh?
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PROMISING DEFENDER JOINS NEXT SEASON
United swoop for Fulham youngster Smalling
Chris Smalling: Highly-rated youngster has attracted the attention of the Premier League's big guns.
Manchester United have agreed terms to sign defender Chris Smalling from Fulham but his new club have confirmed he will only play for them from the start of the 2010-11 season.
A club spokesperson told United's official website: "Manchester United has agreed terms for the transfer of Chris Smalling from Fulham.
"Chris has agreed personal terms with the club and will join for the beginning of the 2010-2011 campaign. He will remain at Fulham until the end of the current season."
Smalling, who impressed on his Premier League debut against Chelsea last month, has only two league appearances under his belt but has played four times in the Europa League for the Cottagers this season. He will now have the chance to gain further experience with Fulham this season, under the terms of the agreement struck between the clubs.
Arsenal had been heavily linked with the England Under-21 international, but United made the first and decisive move.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had stated that he has also made an offer for Smalling and maintained that until the ink was dry, no deal could be considered done. The Frenchman will now need to cast his eyes elsewhere in his hunt for a reserve to Thomas Vermaelen and William Gallas.
It is believed a fee in the region of £8 million has prised the talented centre-back away from Craven Cottage and should he sign for United, he would bolster Sir Alex Ferguson's defensive options, though many would observe that his signing opens the way for the mooted departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Smalling's playing style more resembles the Englishman than the hard-bitten Serb.
Smalling, 21, previously played for Maidstone United and was plying his trade in the Ryman Premier League - the seventh tier of the English football pyramid - only two years ago.
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Chris Smalling completes switch to Manchester United as Arsenal lose out on Fulham defender
Rapid rise: Cottagers defender Smalling
Manchester United have completed their swoop of Chris Smalling from Fulham.
The Cottagers accepted a bid from the Premier League leaders for the £8million-rated defender.
He will join United at the end of the season. United have pipped Arsenal to Smalling's signature after the Gunners were weighing up a move.
A United spokesperson said: 'Manchester United has agreed terms for the transfer of Chris Smalling from Fulham.
'Chris has agreed personal terms with the club and will join for the beginning of the 2010/2011 campaign. He will remain at Fulham until the end of the current season.'
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It has been a while since United signed a defender.
Good buy nonetheless. But i would think he's only worth like 4-5million though. -
Maybe its a blessing that Arsenal did not get him
We had too many 20" yr old anyway
And though i am kinda surprised a defender was signed so early for Man Utd, for future
And since campbell is back, we have enuff Central Defenders for Arsenal
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Originally posted by pierre^^:
Maybe its a blessing that Arsenal did not get him
We had too many 20" yr old anyway
And though i am kinda surprised a defender was signed so early for Man Utd, for future
And since campbell is back, we have enuff Central Defenders for Arsenal
well, we can't tell the future, can we?? maybe, he will turn out to be the best buy or the biggest flop. but to get him @ 20, MU will managed to get at least 10yrs from him, and effectively, get a replacement for the backline, it looks a good buy.
but why now?? hmmm...
campbell?? even more surprised at this cause Wenger has never gone back to get a player he sold until now. maybe, he is helping him to reclaim a WC spot like SAF with owen.. LOL..
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Arsenal still confident of signing Smalling despite Man United claims
Manchester United claimed to have signed 20-year-old Chris Smalling from Fulham last night in a deal worth £4million.
However, Arsenal believe they can still win the signature of the player who was with non-league Maidstone United 18 months ago.
United announced the deal, which includes loaning him back to Fulham for the remainder of this season, on their website.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's bid has also been accepted by the Cottagers though and he believes he can beat off his rivals, just as he did when signing Aaron Ramsey after United's website announced the Welshman had joined them.
Wenger said: “As long as the player has not signed anywhere it is not the end of it. Let’s see what happens there.
“We will not come out on what we are doing exactly but as you say it has come out on television but that doesn’t mean it is true. I am sorry for the TV channel. So let’s see.”