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Qpr move for Chelsea’s Alex after failing with Christopher Samba bid
Mark Hughes has delved into the transfer market just hours after taking over at Qpr, making a bid for Chelsea defender Alex and weighing up a moves for Blackburn’s Christopher Samba and Barcelona winger Alexander Hleb.

Hughes has reportedly been promised a transfer kitty of up to £30 million for the January transfer window, in order to help QPR avoid relegation.
Chelsea’s transfer-listed defender Alex is top of Hughes’ wanted list, and although it appeared the 29-year-old would return to his native Brazil, Rangers have made the first move and lodged a bid this morning.
On top of Alex, Hughes is chasing Blackburn skipper Samba, who he brought to English football from Hertha Berlin, but has already had a £5 million bid rejected.
QPR are also considering a move for former Arsenal and Birmingham winger Alexander Hleb, who is currently training with German minnows FC Augsburg, and has been made available for transfer by Barcelona.

SOURCE: Metro

Mark Hughes is not wasting time is he, the Welshman has barely been in the job for five minutes and already he is hot on the heels of some very interesting potential January transfer deals. Clearly after eight games without a win and with QPR dangerously close to the drop zone, chairman Tony Fernandes is keen to offer his new manager the funds to help the West London club turn the corner and retain a spot in the top tier.

Chelsea defender Alex may well be keen on the short move to Loftus Road and indeed the Brazilian has already had a transfer request accepted by Andre Villas-Boas. The experienced centre back is after first team football and Hughes is after a solid defender and it seems this may be an ideal solution for all concerned.

Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean will surely resist selling Christopher Samba as the Congo international as the Ewood Park side clearly need all the quality players they have to help avoid relegation and the big centre back is tied to a long term contract and therefore is unlikely to be sold to a direct rival.

Alexander Hleb has become the forgotten man at the Nou Camp and has been on various loan deals for the past three seasons and there are big question marks over just what the Belarus international can offer given his rather average spell at Birmingham City last term, also any move for the attacking midfielder would probably entail large wage demands.

This trio would cost around £16m to bring in, which is more or less what the Super Hoops hope to make from the sale of Moroccan Adel Taarabt.

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Qpr are eyeing Barcelona flop Alex Hleb.

The People says Hleb is keen on a return to London – with Qpr boss Neil Warnock showing an interest.

Warnock wants to strengthen his midfield and sees bagging the Belarusian on loan as a tantalising prospect.

Hleb, 30, will be back at Barcelona next month when his loan spell at German side Wolfsburg ends.

Knowing there will be no opportunities at the Nou Camp, Hleb would welcome a chance to play at Loftus Road.

SOURCE: Tribalfootball

This may well be a very smart move for QPR to consider. Whilst it’s probably true that Pep Guardiola wouldn’t recognised Alexander Hleb if he walked past him on a Barcelona street, such have been his lack of first team chances over the years, the Belarus international still has something to offer.

Though the attacking midfielder failed to come to life at Birmingham City the 30 year old still have the ability to make an impact at Loftus Road, though injury issues may be the biggest obstacle for the Minsk born flair player to overcome.

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25.  Stephen Fletcher (Burnley to Wolverhamton Wanderers, undisclosed)

Alexander Hleb has revealed that he loves former club Arsenal and would like to return at the end of the season.

The playmaker is currently on loan at Birmingham City from Barcelona but his lack of form and fitness has limited him to just 11 league starts at St Andrew’s.

And the Belarus international has admitted the Blues style of play has forced him to look for a summer move.

“No. I don’t stay here and I don’t want to stay,” said Hleb, according to The Daily Mirror.

“I enjoyed my time but this is not my way of football. Here you just need to fight, run and not much passing.

“This is for me something new. I will give my best for this club, but I prefer to play football.”

The midfielder previously spent three seasons in England’s top flight with Arsenal before departing for Spain in 2008, and he is now eyeing a move back to north London.

The 29-year-old continued: “I would like to stay in the Premier League – and I know which club. We will speak and hopefully everything will be good.

“I love Arsenal and they are always in my heart. If I have a chance to go back then I will.

“In life everything is possible.”

SOURCE: Goal.com

Alexander Hleb left Arsenal for Barcelona knowing that he was taking a calculated risk that most Gunners supporters could see would end in this manner. The Belarus international thought he could make a name for himself at Barcelona and demanded an exit from the North London side who put him on the footballing map, it was a decision that angered many and has proved to be something of a mistake.

Now every chance he gets Hleb states that he wishes he had never left, as though repeatedly making such a statement will make Wenger consider purchasing the former Stuttgart man a possibility. No chance.

Take into account that Hleb struggles to get a start at Birmingham City and has not been all that impressive when Alex McLeish has opted to play him, then take into account the fact that next month the Minsk born attack turns 30 and you realise that any dream he has of playing in an Arsenal shirt will have to exist only in his back yard or his dreams.

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Birmingham City midfielder Alexander Hleb has attacked Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola for picking his team on nationality rather than on ability.

The 29-year-old is on a season long loan at St Andrew’s from the Nou Camp after he was unable to hold down a first-team spot since leaving Arsenal in 2008.

The Belarus international played 19 games for the Catalan giants but spent last season with Stuttgart and this season in the Premier League.

Hleb has attacked Guardiola by claiming his team selections are racially motivated rather than based on tactics.

Barcelona are widely regarded as the best team in the world and have won plaudits for their investment into youth players from Spain.

“Barcelona is the biggest club in the world but it is difficult when you are not from Spain,” Hleb said on Sky Sports.

“It has happened with everybody (not being picked) with (Thierry) Henry, everyone. Josep Guardiola picks the Spanish players.

“I’ve not had a lot of chances to play there. I prefer to stay in the Premier League.”

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Since Arsene Wenger became Arsenal manager in 1996 he has revolutionised the club.

From playing style to dietary requirements he has forever stamped his impression over the club.

Gone are the George Graham ‘boring, boring Arsenal’ days and fans are now treated to free-flowing, sumptuous football all in the pleasure of the best stadium in the Premier League.

Wenger was instrumental in the building of the stadium too as he has been in picking the team that plays his style of football – the Arsenal way.

But here at COS we feel he may need some assistance in deciding who his all-time greatest side would be – and that is where you guys come in.

Over the next few days, you can vote for the best player in each position and we will reveal the team when all the votes are in.

In this episode we look at left-wingers, so stay tuned and the only way to make sure your choice is selected is to vote on the Poll to the right of your screen.

Robert Pires -

The enigmatic Frenchman dazzled fans with his silky skills and cool finishes. He also liked a bit of facial hair too. Was a star performer in 2002, when Arsenal won the league and in the Invincible team of 2004. Maybe never quite recovered from his cruciate ligament operation but was a class act.

Alexander Hleb -

The Belarussian had dangerously quick feet and superb balance. His ability to take the ball under pressure and find half-a-yard epitomises Arsenal’s play. Did not quite have the pace to take advantage of his talents but was well-liked until his move to Barcelona.

Marc Overmars -

The man who secured the 1998 double when he scored in the 1-0 victories over Newcastle in the FA Cup final and Manchester United at Old Trafford. His pace and skills scared defenders senseless as Arsenal destroyed teams on the counter-attack. A Gunners legend.

Tomas Rosicky -

‘The Little Mozart’ is known for his skill and his ability to orchestrate the midfield with his passing. Wenger describes him as a player with remarkable vision and first touch. Suffered a major knee injury robbing him of some pace but few were better than him at finding a pass when he was in his peak.

Andrey Arshavin -

The colourful Russian who once had a remarkable record of shooting five times and scoring five times at Anfield. His goals in the 4-4 thriller with Liverpool will go down in Premier League history. His pace, quick feet and superb balance terrorises all defenders. He doesn’t track-back but he doesn’t need to.

Arsene Wenger & Arsenal Search For Best XI: Goalkeeper

Arsene Wenger & Arsenal Search For Best XI: Right-Back

Arsene Wenger & Arsenal Search For Best XI: Left-Back

Arsene Wenger & Arsenal Search For Best XI: Centre-Back

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Week 5 saw another exciting weekend of football, though with injuries to some key players, notably Cesc Fabregas, some managers will be looking to make multiple transfers this week. Chelsea once again took home a comfortable victory, with Florent Malouda scoring particularly highly, but thanks to Dimitar Berbatov, a player recommended on www.fantasyfootballassistance.com only 2 weeks ago, Manchester United kept some pressure on them. Looking ahead to week 6 though, which players are now viable options for your team?

John O’Shea wasn’t a regular in the Manchester United side during the 2009/10 season, playing only 15 matches in the Premier league. Despite this, he has seemingly secured a place in the side this year, having played every minute of football so far this season. Valued quite reasonably, O’Shea is a relative bargain considering his secure place in the United side, and with Jonny Evans possibly about to be replaced by the returning Ferdinand, a direct swap could be a possibility. Even if you don’t have Jonny Evans, we still believe O’Shea is a good option for your team. Considering his value, his secure place in a top team (and therefore the probability of clean sheets) and the possibility of assists with Berbatov’s form in the air, we believe O’Shea is a must have for any team.

Marouane Chamakh joined Arsenal in the summer on a free transfer, having spent the previous 10 years at French club Bordeaux. Playing in the center forward position, Chamakh has made a considerable impact since joining Arsenal, finally providing them with some striking power while Van Persie sits on the sidelines. In the first 5 games Chamakh has scored only twice, but in addition he has gained two assists. Moreover, he has played in all 5 games, and with Van Persie injured is almost a confirmed starter for the upcoming games. Whats more, Arsenal play West Brom in week 6, and considering the Baggie’s defensive frailty, a huge points score could be possible.

Paul Konchesky moved to Liverpool as a late signing of the transfer window, and having slotted straight into the left back role he has started both Premier league games since his move. Valued as though he is a Fulham defender, Konchesky is considerably cheaper than the alternative Liverpool defenders who would understandably have been more popular at the start of the season, and with this in mind he represents a relative bargain. What’s more, Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures are very reasonable, facing none of last year’s European qualifiers until week 11. For this reason we believe Liverpool will keep many clean sheets in the future weeks, and therefore Konchesky could score highly.

Gamble – Alexander Hleb has played at the top level for many years, having spent time with Arsenal in the Premier league, Stuggart in the Bundesliga and the club that currently owns him, Barcelona, in the La Liga. However, at the end of the transfer window he was loaned to Birmingham City, and having recovered from his original leg injury, started the clubs recent match against West Brom. Despite the fact he was returning from injury, Hleb still looked sharp and could have scored much more highly on another day. Playing in an attacking midfield role he could score huge points this season, particularly if he plays regularly. Considering his bargain price, Hleb may be a player you cannot afford to avoid. He does however represent a small gamble. At 29 years old his best days are behind him, and with Birmingham manager Alex McLeish liking to put out a consistent side, there is a risk Hleb’s main impact will come from the bench. If this is the case he may not amass enough game time to score as highly as he could. The general opinion is that Hleb is worth this small gamble at his current price, and if you believe this to, we would suggest acquiring Hleb for your team as quickly as possible.

You can fine more useful Fantasy Football advice atwww.fantasyfootballassistance.com.

Join the COS Fantasy Football League

There is still loads to play for and remember we have these excellent monthly prizes on top of our own league’s £500 prize money.

It’s easy to sign up and be in with a chance of winning big. This season we’ve teamed up with Betfair, the fan v fan betting exchange, to offer some great monthly prizes.

To take part you’ll need to join our fantasy football league, but that’s as easy as pie. Simply CLICK HERE and pick your team and then simply join our league by selecting “Enter New League” and then simply enter our PIN NUMBER which is 1312 and hey presto you’re in!

The overall prize for the Absolute Radio League is a huge £20k, plus we are offering a £500 prize to the winner of our own CaughtOffside League, while monthly winners will pocket a cool £100 of Betfair credit. All of this, for nothing! What more could you ask for! The monthly prize will be on offer for the month of August to begin with so make sure you sign up before the season starts.

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Alexander Hleb’s medals are in Minsk, his ambitions lie in Birmingham City but his heart remains firmly in north London.
Two years away from Arsenal have done nothing to dim the feeling which he continues to have for his former club.
Fittingly, it was an old friend from the Emirates who was first on the phone to welcome the winger from Belarus back to the Premier League.

Cesc Fabregas might have headed to Barcelona in the summer. And his first sight would have been Hleb battering down the door of the Nou Camp to get away.

The pair meet face to face next month for a reunion which Hleb is already thinking about, even if his more immediate concern is whether he can shake off an ankle injury and make his debut against Liverpool on Sunday.
There is no question over how Hleb views his £15million move to Barcelona despite the Champions League winners’ medal which cosies up to the Arsenal runners-up gong at his mother’s house.
‘Not a lot of players say no to Barcelona,’ he admitted. ‘But if I’d known what was going to happen I would have said no. It was my fault I left Arsenal. Yes, I won the Champions League but I didn’t play a lot and I lost my form and I lost a bit of my confidence. (Daily Mail)

This must be the 100th time that Alexander Hleb apologises and cries over his leaving the Emirates for Barcelona and every time he does so he looks that little bit more tragic. The Belarus international upset many of his former supporters as he pushed for a move to join the Catalan giants but most people could have guessed how it would end for the talented attacking midfielder.

In just over two years in La Liga Hleb has managed just five domestic starts and is not likely to make that number six as he now finds himself at Birmingham City looking to reignite a career that was going stagnant at the Nou Camp.

His honesty may be refreshing but clearly Alexander has no one else to blame but himself, its time he moved on as Arsene Wenger and Gunners supporters clearly have done so.

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Birmingham have sealed a deal to sign Alexander Hleb on a one-year loan deal – and are close to adding Chile winger Jean Beausejour.
Manager Alex McLeish moved for Hleb after failing to tie up a move for Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia.

Hleb is being forced out of Barcelona and has rejected a switch to Benfica in favour of returning to the Premier League. (Daily Mail)

Well Alex McLeish has pulled off a masterstroke with this deal. Alexander Hleb may well have struggled to make it at the Nou Camp but he is still a very talented player who last term proved himself whilst on loan at Stuttgart.

The Belarus attacking midfielder has proven himself in the Premier League with Arsenal and will surely be a great signing for the St Andrews’ outfit who have already brought in good new signings in Ben Foster and Nikola Zigic as well as loan capture Matt Derbyshire.

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