Focus FootballMAGAZINE

GFH CAPITAL COMPLETE LEEDS UNITEDTAKEOVER

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Giggs, Scholes & Ferdinand

Going Nowhere!

Lambert: Benteke not for sale in January

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GFH CAPITAL WILL NOT

Speaking on Friday morning, GFH Capital board member Salem Patel, outlined the future of the West Yorkshire football club with hopes of providing a “sustainable and successful future

for Leeds United Football Club”. Patel said: “Leeds United is a great football club. It has history, pedigree and a fantastic base from which to build the club up. We hope to bring back the type of atmosphere we witnessed on Wednesday [during Leeds’ defeat to Chelsea in the Capital One Cup] it was absolutely fantastic on the night.” He continued: “We want to create a sustainable, successful future but we are not going to be spending crazy money. We looked at a number of clubs but this was

the most attractive. We wouldn’t have bought a club like this if we were not willing to make that investment”. Fellow GFH executive, David Haigh, has sat on the Leeds United board since earlier this month and with the takeover completed, Patel and Hisham Alrayes who was not at the press conference will join him. Haigh explained the clubs intentions for the transfer window: “January is not a great time to do business. Thankfully we already have a good squad and we have

Salem Patel - A board member of GFH Capital

The new owners of Leeds United, Dubai-based investment group GFH Capital, announced their intentions in a press conference at Elland Road this morning with reports suggesting the value of the takeover is in the region of £52 million.

SPEND CRAZY MONEY

a few players coming back from injury. Neil has already publicly stated what he wants and we are going to do our best to help him achieve that.” Finally Haigh explained about the background of GFH Capital, dispelling many rumours of a similarity between them and QADBAK, the investment group headed by fraudster Russell King, which bought Notts County in 2009. He said: “We are transparent and bought this club with cash. We are a Dubai- based regulated

bank, owned by a Bahrain-based regulated bank. We are listed on four stock exchanges, including London”. Leeds are currently 12th in the nPower Championship and face Middlesborough on Saturday before travelling to Nottingham Forrest on Boxing Day. With a strong run of form in the league behind them, Leeds United fans will be hoping this takeover will be the catalyst of a push for promotion to the Premier League this season.

David Haigh - The executive who set up the deal

PAUL LAMBERT HOPES TO KEEP CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

The 22 year old Belgium international has been a revelation for Villa since his £8 million move from Genk, scoring eight goals in 17 appearences. As a result, he has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs but Lambert says he

doesn’t see the sense in selling him so soon after buying him. He said: “There’s no point in us even being here if it’s a case of bringing people in and then letting them go. What’s the point in that? We’re trying to build something here which can take a few years and you need good players with you to achieve that.” He continued: “There’s no point in them coming for half a season or a year and then we let them go. That’s not the right way.”

Benteke was vital in securing last Saturday’s 3-1 win at Liverpool, scoring two and setting up the third. Three of his goals have come in the Capital One Cup, which helped Villa to reach the semi-final, where they will play Bradford City over two legs in January. Lambert will be looking to strengthen his squad next month, he explain: “That’s the plan, to look at that. I will talk and see what we have. I don’t think you stand still. I think you’ve got to look to improve.

Aston Villa Manager Paul Lambert

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert says he has every intention of holding on to in form striker Christian Benteke in the January transfer window.

GIGGS, SCHOLES AND FERDINAND GOING NOWHERE - FERGUSON

Speaking in his press conference ahead of United’s game against Swansea on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson insisted that the clubs more experienced players will still be at Old Trafford for the 2013/14 season. Asked about their futures, Ferguson dismissed the claims saying: “It’s speculation.. I wouldn’t pay too much credence to it” Reports had suggested that 38 year old midfielder, Paul Scholes, had told “friends” he would be quitting the game for a second time at the end of the season. Fergie said: “I would be surprised if Paul had spoken to someone without speaking to me - and he hasn’t - so we can dismiss that.” Looking at Giggs and Ferdinand’s futures, Sir Alex said: “Ryan could play for another year or two. Rio has been terrific. The speculation comes from our policy of only giving older players one-year contracts.”

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Contract News Who has signed on the dotted line?

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Old Trafford on Friday, keeping him in Manchester until the end of the 2015/16 season. He said: ”I have always felt that this is the right club for me,”

Liverpool starlet, Raheem Sterling, has signed a long term contract at the club, agreeing a five-year deal. “It’s every 18-year-old’s dream. I’m just really grateful to be at such a big club like this,” he told the clubs website.

Jack Wilshire, one of England’s most exciting midfielders has signed a deal until 2018. Wilshire was out injured for 15 months but signed a new contract alongside four other Arsenal players. Manager Arsne Wenger said: “Jack is certainly the best known, the leader of the group.

Other Signings Include:

Carl JenkinsonAlex Oxlade-ChamberlainAaron Ramsey Kieron Gibbs

FORMER CHELSEA AND LIVERPOOL PLAYER BANNED FOR 11 GAMES

The 29-year-old former Chelsea and Liverpool player, was also sent off in the 2-1 derby loss at Galatasaray, and rigorously denies the claim he spat.The Turkish Football Federation however backed referee Halis Ozkahya’s claims and issued the

extensive ban. Meireles said: “I will be taking legal action against him to prove my innocence.”He also denies a claim by referee Ozkahya that he made a homophobic gesture at the official. Meireles continued “I don’t know what the hand gesture for calling somebody gay is in Turkey but what I did was entirely based around the referee being a coward and bowing to the pressure,” the Portugal international added.

“Look at my hairstyle, what I wear, I’m not a prejudicial person, my hand gesture was in no way, shape or form a homophobic one. “The referee’s accusations are outrageous and defamatory. I have an eight-year-old child, can you imagine if kids start saying your father spat at a referee?”Meireles left Stamford Bridge in September to join Fenerbahce in an £8m deal.

Raul Meireles has been banned for 11 games after being accused of spitting at a referee whilst playing for Fenebache.

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