Bolton Get Sturridge Instead of Vela

There have been some massive transfers this deadline day involving big players, big clubs and big money. This transfer isn't as big as those including Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez or Andy Carroll, but it sees Danny Sturridge of Chelsea joining Bolton Wanderers in a loan deal until the end of the season.

After Chelsea's £50 million signing of Fernando Torres from Liverpool, Sturridge will obviously find it harder than it already has been for him to grab a place in the first team ahead of Drogba, Anelka and now the new Spaniard. A move away which guarantees him games is a great move for the promising young English forward where he can prove his obvious talents ad grow as a player with some decent time on the pitch at an increasingly talented Bolton side.

Bolton had tried to sign the Arsenal striker Carlos Vela, but the Mexican's agent was a big stumbling block for the transfer, and in the end, Vela joined West Brom from Arsenal rather than Bolton. Sturridge is, nevertheless, a big scoop for Bolton.
It seems both parties are very pleased with the transfer. Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager said of his new signing:

"I'm really pleased to have Daniel with us,"

"He's a terrific young talent and one of the most exciting strikers in the country. We're all looking forward to working with him."

While Sturridge, who was linked to a move to Liverpool in a part exchange deal for Torres said:

"I spoke with the manager and he outlined what he hopes to achieve and his plans. It was an easy decision to sign for Bolton Wanderers and I'm looking forward to linking up with the squad on Tuesday."

The 21 year-old also said that Jack Wilshere, the Arsenal midfielder who spent a good spell at Bolton on loan had encouraged him to join the Bolton set up:

"I'm good friends with Jack (Wilshere) and he told me all about the club too. He said how much he had enjoyed his time here and how good the set-up was."

Today's Transfer News

There has been a surprising amount of big name and big money moves going on this window, especially considering that the January window is usually quite slow and over hyped. Names such as Fernando Torres, Gareth Bale, Andy Carroll, Sulley Muntari and Stephane Sessegnon are the big names today, the day after Luis Suarez finally signed for Liverpool.

First of all, is Luis Suarez the partner or replacement for Torres at Anfield? The Spanish striker has submitted a transfer request to his club which has swiftly been rejected with a club statement asking Torres to honor the commitment he made to both Liverpool and the fans. His current contract ends in 2013, and it is believed that Chelsea have offered £35 million for the privilege of Torres playing in the blue shirt. Liverpool are now awaiting an improved offer, and despite a reported bid of £40 million and Danny Sturridge in the pipeline, Liverpool will do everything they can to fend Chelsea off their star striker.

Gareth Bale hasn't expressed his desire to leave Tottenham like Torres has Liverpool, but he is certainly attracting attention from top clubs around Europe. Inter Milan have felt the full force of Bale's brilliant left foot already and feel it would be better for them if he was on their side rather than the oppositions. However, they don't want to pay the £40 million valuation that Spurs have placed on Bale. Inters sporting director said that he received an email from the Tottenham chairman stating £40 million wouldn't be enough, and the Inter director replied by saying that the large amount isn't compatible with their strategies.
Perhaps Liverpool should value Torres at something ridiculous and get rid of pursuers that way?

Newcastle have rejected a bid for Andy Carroll of £23 million. The Magpies have once again been forced to reiterate the simple fact that the England striker is not for sale, and a Newcastle source called the bid 'paltry in the current climate'. The strikers 11 goals this season have helped his club to a respectable 9th in the League, and it his frightening presence up the field that has made him such a threat for Newcastle against opposing defenders that is attracting Spurs. Spurs know from Bale, that clubs with good players can be ever so stubborn about letting them go.

As Newcastle try to fight off interest for top players, their local rivals Sunderland are bringing them in as they try and snatch a European place. Inter Milan may not want to part with £40 million, but they don't mind letting Sulley Muntari go. Muntari is no £40 million, but he is still a good player, and certainly someone who can help out alongside Lee Cattermole in the Sunderland midfield.

Muntari is on loan until the end of the season, and the 26 year-old said of his move: "It feels great to be at Sunderland and to be back in English football. I'm very happy and from what I have seen here, it's going to be great."

Another 26 year-old joining Muntari at Sunderland is Stephane Sessegnon, for £6 million. The midfielder, who is described by his new manager Steve Bruce as someone who "can play on the left, on the right, through the middle - he's lightning quick and he's a match-winner." Bruce added that he thinks that Sessegnon will be a crowd favourite at the Stadium of Light. He has a while to prove his worth to the fans, as he signed a three and a half year deal at Sunderland.

Finally, Carlos Vela has officially joined West Brom on loan. The Arsenal striker was strongly linked to a move to Bolton, and Owen Coyle revealed that he had spoken to the players agent, but after being demanded to pay both the wages of the player and additional fees, pulled out.
Vela made only 13 appearances for Arsenal this season and 62 in total, scoring 11 times for the Gunners and the the West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo welcomed Vela to his club:

''I'd like to officially welcome Carlos, who is an exciting signing for this club. Carlos is a new attacking option for us who can play both centrally and in the wide areas.

''He also has great technical ability and pace and we're hoping he can make a big impact during the remainder of the season."

Arsenal Striker a Wanted Man

The January transfer market looks as if it may turn into a window for teams to send away their young players on loan to gain match experience and fitness, to return with a possible place for them in the team, and Arsene Wenger will do just that with his Mexican striker, Carlos Vela.

Bolton are a possible destination, and Owen Coyle has been tipped to make a move for the 21 year-old, having already taken Jack Wilshere under his wing in a successful loan period at the Reebok. Wilshere returned to Arsenal and is now a first team regular for Wenger, and often runs the Arsenal midfield - an advantage of loan deals that Vela should carefully consider.

As long as Vela sees his future in English football, he should probably choose to stay in the English League and play regularly to become familiar with the playing style. His other options include Italian side, Chievo Verona of Serie A, or a move to Spain in Deportivo La Coruna and Espanyol while Valencia are said to be front runners:

"With Valencia having been the front runners to sign the Mexico international, Italian outfit Chievo are the latest club to have taken a shining to the 21 year old."

With Manchester United preparing to send Macheda away on loan, and Danny Welbeck already in the middle of a very successful loan spell at Sunderland, it seems the loan is becoming a useful tool for the bigger clubs.

Wenger: Vela Can Leave

Arsene Wenger has said that his Mexican striker Carlos Vela will be allowed to leave Arsenal in January... on loan.

The 21 year old has started only 3 Premier League games in the last three seasons, as he is mainly used as a substitute. But now, he has fallen behind Robin van Persie, Marouane Chamakh, Andrey Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott in the attacking positions, and Wenger believes a loan move would do him good.

"Some of our offensive players aren't getting many chances - like Carlos Vela. Maybe he can go out on loan but we won't sell him.

"He needs to play and he's a top quality player. If there's a possibility, I have promised him I'll let him go out on loan somewhere."

The Mexican International has played 33 times for his country, scoring 9 goals, and rumours circulating suggest teams in Serie A are interested in signing him.

Braga 2 - 0 Arsenal - Watch Goals - Fabregas & Eboue Injured

Watch the goals on the links below.

Braga First Goal

Braga Second Goal

Tempers were running high after the game, with Arsenal furious with the referees decision not to give a penalty to Arsenal, which could have changed the game in Arsenals favour. Carlos Vela was booked for a dive when he was clearly brought down, but this cannot mask the poor perfomance from the London side.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was brought off in the 69th minute and Wenger said:

"Fabregas has a hamstring injury so it's difficult to predict how long he will be out for. But he will definitely be out for the weekend."

While Emmanuel Eboue was also added to the injury list after a nasty challenge on him from behind. Wenger said:

"Eboue will be out for a few weeks because he took a very bad tackle, unpunished. It is a medial knee ligament injury."

Wenger wasn't finished there however. He went on to claim his team are in an unlucky period of their season which will pass while he critisized UEFA's additional officials and branded the system "useless".

"We are going through a period where we have bad luck, we had Eboue kicked off the park without any punishment and we also had the penalty turned down.

"What was the fifth official doing? We have another proof that it is absolutely useless, this system.

"Then when we were 10 against 11, we made a mistake at the back, there was a minimum of communication and that's where we were punished."

"[Not having qualfied yet] is a concern, but we'll make it."

Defender Johan Djourou added:

"It's very hard to take."

The two goals came late on in the game - both in counter attacks from Braga in which Arsenal were left short at the back. Clinical finishing played a big part as you can see above, but Arsenal really should have been looking for a simple win against the Portugese club.

There will be calls again for Wengers reign to be over at Arsenal; extremist views, but views which are becoming more understandable as the dissapointing results keep coming in. It is hard to take for the patient Arsenal fans everywhere, but Wenger knows this. The bad results may be a wake-up call - a call that will alert Wenger to the need for improvements to his squad; a new goalkeeper? Stronger defenders? Or maybe it is simply a physcological problem.

Arsenal have good quality players, and they have a manager widely regarded as a football genius. It is odd then that they have so many weaknesses, or rather such a large single weakness.