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Blackburn 'making progress' on midfielder capture

9:45am Thursday 17th July 2008

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Paul Ince is closing in on his first signing as Blackburn Rovers boss.

Ince has been tracking an international midfielder, and the Telegraph can reveal that discussions with the overseas player have already taken place.

His main priority in the transfer market this summer is a rightback and an attacking midfielder, as well as keeping hold of established stars such as David Bentley, Roque Santa Cruz and Brad Friedel.

And as the squad jetted off for a training camp in Germany yesterday, Ince looked to be a step closer to securing his first deal in the Ewood hot-seat.

Rovers chairman John Williams said: “We are making progress with an international midfielder. We’ve had a number of discussions, but there is still some work to do.”

One player who wasn’t at the training camp last night was Segundo Castillo.

Rovers are still waiting for permission from his club side, Red Star Belgrade, to take the Ecuador midfielder to Bavaria, but they are hopeful the player will join them on Sunday.

However, the 26-year-old, valued at £6 million, cannot play in Rovers’ friendly against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Austria on Monday evening because he is still registered as a Belgrade player.

One man who is available is Robbie Fowler, and he will be looking to play some part in the game in a bid to impress Ince and prove his fitness.

Friedel and Bentley also made the trip to Germany, despite both being linked with high profile moves to Aston Villa and Spurs respectively.

There were no further developments on either player last night.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill is keen to sign Friedel ahead of Friday night’s UEFA Cup deadline.

And contrary to reports, Spurs have still not made a bid for Bentley.

Ince said last night: “There no updates on any transfers. It’s very quiet.

“But it’s fantastic that Roque Santa Cruz says he wants to stay at Rovers.

He’s coming off a fantastic season, and it’s the best news so far for both me and the fans.

“He’s a smashing fella and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

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Your Say YourBlackburn Citizen

Trev Manchester, The real deal... says...
9:51am Thu 17 Jul 08

michael bradley...?

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Jason, Accrington says...
10:06am Thu 17 Jul 08

I cant even speculate who this midfielder is, i aint got a clue!

Hope it is Bradley though!

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Trev Manchester, The real deal... says...
10:40am Thu 17 Jul 08

hope this aint true!

http://www.teamtalk.
com/football/story/0
,16368,2483_3828819,
00.html

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BlueMG, Blackburn says...
11:07am Thu 17 Jul 08

Hope the rumour isn't true about Carson/Friedal.

Bradley looks a good player.

Versatile. Plays defensive role for International and forward role for club.

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jukes, leicester says...
11:29am Thu 17 Jul 08

i'd be gutted if friedel went. hes absolute class. but. if he was to be allowed to leave i'd go for carson. i think 4mill is a steal considering he's and england international and liverpool wanted 10mill about a month ago

regarding the midfielder i know its a long shot but aimar would be class. bradley didnt look that good against england. that was his chance to impress.

hope bentley goes tho. about had enough of the gobby two faced little ****

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Trev Manchester, The real deal... says...
12:05pm Thu 17 Jul 08

aimar signed for benfica lad

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moomintroll, salford says...
1:13pm Thu 17 Jul 08

please don't be quinton fortune. surely not?!

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moomintroll, salford says...
1:21pm Thu 17 Jul 08

michael bradley....sure why not.
seb larsson....hmmm not sure.
someone like engelaar or appiah would be sweet.

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johnny rover, Manchester says...
3:05pm Thu 17 Jul 08

Unsure why everyone is so keen on Michael Bradley. Do they all follow Dutch soccer? I have only seen him once - the recent England USA game - and he was really poor. Couldn't make a tackle (God knows how many fouls he gave away) or a pass. Could some kind person who has watched Bradley many times please enlighten me?

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Trev Manchester, The real deal... says...
3:26pm Thu 17 Jul 08

johnny rover wrote:
Unsure why everyone is so keen on Michael Bradley. Do they all follow Dutch soccer? I have only seen him once - the recent England USA game - and he was really poor. Couldn't make a tackle (God knows how many fouls he gave away) or a pass. Could some kind person who has watched Bradley many times please enlighten me?
V England, his manager played him as a defensive midfielder when his strength is mainly as an attacking midfielder, get on youtube, he's quick, a good passer and finisher and an able replacement for soon to go bentley.

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Romeington, Preston says...
4:36pm Thu 17 Jul 08

Bradley would not play right wing. I think we should sell bentley purely beacause he wants to go. I see pennant as a ready made replacement. Also if we sell Freidel to villa i would be more than happy with carson coming in. This would be a great long term signing, friedel only has a few seasons left and yes he is a ledgend but i think bringing in carson would be a good move. Then sign this castillo for holding role and bradley for attacking which leaves a right back then we are sorted but with extra bentley money we should be able to find a pretty decent one

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Spanish_Rover82, España says...
5:07pm Thu 17 Jul 08

I would sell Bentley and bring in Seb Larsson and Yossi Benayoun. Castillo is a possibility but i don't know much about him. Good to see Bosingwa saying he most looks forward to the battle against Pedersen; should give him a confidence boost. Fowler is a shocker, really hope Ince sees sense and doesn't sign him. Friedel's not going anywhere, Ince has re-itterated enough times he wants to keep him.

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RishtonSteve, Rishton says...
9:46am Fri 18 Jul 08

Well looks like Brad is on his way..thought Rovers were "his" club and he wanted to stay forever so to speak. Greed even takes over the decent guys it seems. Or, he has seen enough in a week to see things are heading in the wrong direction. We need to get Carson in quickly in this case, or we will be left with Robinson as the alternative...The midfielder we are allegedly talking to is the Chilean superstar who certainly I have never heard of. Let try and be positive but Ive much sympathy with Simon Jordan at this moment in time. Disillusioned. But lets wait and see..

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Ribble Rover, Ribble Valley says...
10:07am Fri 18 Jul 08

Paul Ince hopes to pull off a £3.5million swoop for Chilean superstar Carlos Villanueva within days. http://uk.youtube.co
m/watch?v=FShuT_aBqP
Y

Samll but skillful midfield playmaker...

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Spanish_Rover82, España says...
10:20am Fri 18 Jul 08

I had a dream last night that Brad was "sacked" but we signed Robert Green. Then i see in the paper this morning Green's unhappy and could be off.. Make of that what you will.

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Ainzy, Darwen says...
10:30am Fri 18 Jul 08

Hope this mystery midfielder is this Carlos bloke just watched the youtube clip seems like a very good player just the attacking kind of player we need.


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