The Central Defender trying to come in from the Cold and other Transfer News

It looks as if the Joleon Lescott saga will soon be coming to an end. Soccernet reports today that Lescott will not be in the squad for Everton's Europa League fixture this week and is training on his own "away" from the first team squad while he patiently awaits his financial riches and move to Manchester City. The rumor now is that Richard Dunne may move to Everton to replace Lescott. I'm on record that the amount Manchester City is asking for Lescott is absolutely mad and I can't understand why David Moyes hasn't jumped at this opportunity, especially if its possible that Dunne comes back in return. Granted Dunne looked a bit plodding against Blackburn on the weekend and did send in a handful of own goals last season, but the year before he was Manchester City's most valuable player. A manager of David Moyes skill can surely take a player like Dunne, couple him with a healthy Jagielka and get on with things. It's clearly past any point of return with reports that Lescott stayed firmly planted in the middle of the pitch during warmups on Saturday with nary a venture towards the Everton supporters.

Sure Manchester City is paying an absurd amount for Lescott but you have to like the latest in a series of moves by Mark Hughes. Not only has he gained a quality defender, he's really starting to build a squad of hard working, no-nonsense Premier League vets with the likes of Gareth Barry, Craig Bellamy, Carlos Tevez and Lescott. It's a nice balance on the pitch and the locker room for the likes of Robinho, Adebayor, etc. They clearly opened my eyes on the weekend.

Over at the 'other' Manchester squad you have what could be the workings of another Christiano Ronaldo type exit. In the years leading up to the Ronaldo exit to Real Madrid you had the constant speculation on how it was Ronaldo's "dream" to play in Madrid. The same situation may be playing out with Nemanja Vidic who's agent told a Catalan radio station that it would be Vidic's "dream" to play for Barcelona. Like in the situation of Ronaldo it was quickly "denied" the next day by the same agent. I'm not sure how you can deny something you told a radio station, which I'm assuming was recorded, but his agent did that very thing. The Vidic rumors have been floating for over a year so there's probably some validity to them. For all the success of Manchester in becoming one of the top three clubs in the world it's still hard to fight off the draw of the Spanish clubs with the various weather and tax related benefits.

Finally we have Fulham making the moves that I'd like to see Aston Villa making as the Cottagers are rumored to have finalized the deal for Jonathon Greening from West Brom. Couple the Greening move with the move for Damien Duff and Fulham continues to pick up quality players on the cheap, improving a squad that surprised last season. Adding two additional pieces like Duff and Greening not only gives you versatility from a first team option, in builds depth for the crazy fixture congestion that comes with playing in the Europa League this year. It prevents them from pulling a Martin O'Neil and deciding that a tournament you've busted ass to get to the knockout rounds off doesn't mean anything because you're in Premier League contention so it makes sense to send a bunch of teenagers to the Ukraine to get destroyed. I'd never give up my Aston Villa fandom but Fulham is becoming this nice little club that I root for on days when Villa isn't playing, playing Fulham, or is getting housed at Villa Park by Wigan. You have the quaint little home ground that actually has the word "cottage" in it's name. Then you have their propensity to sign and actually play American's such like Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey. It's an all-around positive thing.

Jozy's on a vacation far away...Hull City?

According to the always unreliable Goal.com a handful of Premier League clubs, most notable Hull but also Fulham and Everton are rumored to be courting American striker Jozy Altidore. I'm a big believer in his ability and do feel the Premier League is perfect for Altidore during the run up to next years World Cup. Personally I'd like to see Altidore go to a club that he'll get a good amount of playing time but not one that will be perpetually on the edge of relegation like Hull. As far as the three contenders mentioned I really like the possiblity of Fulham. Clearly they have a strong record of courting American players, such as Clint Dempsey, Brian McBride, Carlos Bocanegra, Kasey Keller, etc. With the struggles of Bobby Zamora, Altidore could get a real opportunity for playing time along with Andy Johnson. More importantly it would also tandem Altidore with Clint Dempsey giving two potential key cogs in the American attack the ability to play together for a solid season. Fulham will also be part of the Europa cup, which along with the Premier League, Carling Cup and FA Cup will give them fixture congestion and would likely give Altidore some solid playing time.

As far as the other two clubs I have mixed feelings. Hull would clearly afford Altidore the ability to play immediately and often, but the club will be fighting for their life and is one of the major bets for relegation this year. Everton will also deal with fixture congestion and could afford some quality playing time as a third striker, but is much more set at forward than Fulham and Hull. With the presence and Louis Saha and Jo and the fact that they like to feature a 4-5-1, Altidore may find it a struggle, like in Spain, to get into the squad.

Beyond all of this is the question of whether these clubs would spend 11 million on Altidore. It's a big sum for three clubs who get by on youth development and wise decisions in the transfer market. Spending such an amount on Altidore would definitely increase his profile and probably put a decent amount of pressure on him to perform. It would be nice to see him land on the right team--- with Fulham being a fantastic option. As an Aston Villa fan he's a player I'd like to see them consider, with Carew rumored to be leaving and Agbonlahor often inconsistent. He'd be a good fit.

All of this begs the question on why Villareal is seemingly giving up on him so quick? They bought him for 10 million and are selling him to turn a quick million dollar profit based on the conjectured number. You have to wonder if he failed to impress in training to the point that they were willing to quickly turn such a physically talented and youthful player. As a US fan I'm not complaining. He has the ability to be the best US talent ever and the Premier League is the ultimate stage. He'd look awful nice at Craven Cottage or Villa Park.

August5th Update: According to The Hull Daily Mail the Tigers are are talking to Villareal and Altidore on a one year loan deal. This makes sense for both clubs. With Hull devoid of any striking talent they could use the services of Altidore, who in turn could really benefit from some playing time in the Premier League in the run up to the World Cup.