With the transfer window about to open, what are the rumours going around relating to Peterborough United.
A number of players were left out of the squad completely for the last match of 2013 which immediately sparked off rumours that the players had been released. The players concerned were Tyrone Barnett, Nathanial Mendez-Laing, Gaby Zakuani and Kane Ferdinand but chairman Darragh MacAnthony quashed the rumour straight away.
However, Gaby Zakuani has travelled over to Greece to talk to Greek Superleague side Kalloni FC with a view to signing for the mid-table side. Zakuani has been on the transfer list all season without any interest shown in him until now. Zakuani advised Posh that he didn`t want to extend his contract as he wanted to play in the highest league possible.
He has since dropped down the pecking order at Posh with both Nat Knight-Percival and Shaun Brisley ahead of him. Young defender Liam Marshall was also on the subs bench at the weekend giving another hint that Zakuani could`ve played his last game for Posh. Another young defender that could be challenging Zakuani in the pecking order is Peter Grant after he was recalled from his loan spell at Histon. Zakuani may not be keen on a move abroad though as another little Zakuani is on his way soon.
Huddersfield Town are rumoured to be interested in Tyrone Barnett for around £800,000 should they lose their current striker James Vaughan.
Kane Ferdinand has spent time on loan at League Two basement outfit Northampton Town but was recalled to bolster the squad when a number of midfielders were out injured but now they`re returning, it looks like he could be moving on again either on a loan again or permanently.
Another player recalled early is striker Nicky Ajose. Ajose has been on loan at Swindon Town all season and has scored 10 goals in 21 appearances for the Wiltshire club. Is the reason for his recall so he can be in contention for the game against League One leaders Brentford (a team he scored against on Boxing Day!) on New Year`s Day or is it because he is being lined up for a loan to a different club. It is commonly known that although Swindon would like to keep Ajose, they don`t have the funds to buy him.
Striker Jaanai Gordon is due to complete his permanent transfer to Premiership West Ham United on New Year`s Day. The 18-year-old is expected to complete the transfer which is rumoured to be worth £3.5 million.
Attacking midfielder Lee Tomlin is expected to be the target of a number of clubs in January. Celtic put in a number of bids for the player on the Scottish transfer deadline day in August and could come back again with another offer while a few Championship sides debate whether to make a bid for the talented but petulant player.
Posh have already made a number of contacts regarding players they want to come in but for them to be eligible for the Brentford match, they will need to be signed initially on loan. Any permanent signings done on 1st January are not eligible to play until the 2nd January.
According to national newspapers, Billy McKay of Inverness Caledonian Thistle is attracting interest from a number of clubs including Posh. It would take a bid of £1 million to prise him away though.
Another player attracting interest from Football League clubs is striker Leon Mettam from non-league Worksop Town. He has scored an incredible 33 goals already this season which includes four hat-tricks. Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers are also rumoured to be interested in the striker. Mettam is 26-years-old which is outside the age range Posh normally look to which could rule him out of a move to Posh.
Joe Lolley from Kidderminster Harriers is a potential target for Posh. The 21-year-old has scored 6 goals in 17 appearances for the Harriers this season.
Posh`s summer target Stevie May has certainly proved himself in the Scottish Premiership this season. The striker is the top scorer for St Johnstone, who sit 6th in the league, with 11 goals. His value has increased from the £350,000, which was rumoured to have been agreed between Posh and St Johnstone, to £1 million. It is also rumoured that Manchester United are keeping tabs on the young Scottish International. Could he be one that got away after the public spat between MacAnthony and the Scottish manager?
Another player interesting Posh during the summer was the attacking midfielder Stefan Scougall. A deal had been agreed with Scottish Championship side Livingston for the 21-year-old but the deal broke down when the Scottish club wanted all the money up front rather than in instalments. It is believed Livingston are now interested in letting him go so could Posh rekindle their interest especially with Lee Tomlin expected to depart London Road either in January or the summer?
UP THE POSH
Photo courtesy of www.theposhpics.com
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