Michael Bradley

[Superfries88']

Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Middlesbrough and SPL team Celtic have been told by Dutch club Heerenveen, that any offer for Michael Bradley would have to be substantial for the Dutch side to let him leave the Abe Lenstra Stadion.

21-year-old USA International Bradley has been at Heerenveen since he joined from MetroStars in 2005, with the midfielder making 55 appearances for the Dutch side.

Bradley has refused to sign a new deal with Heerenveen and only has a year left on his current contract. Which has alerted Boro, Rovers, Everton and “Old Firm’ side Celtic, with Ligue 1 club AS Monaco also linked with the American.

However any club making an offer has been warned by Heerenveen director Yme Kuiper that although they are resigned to losing Bradley, they will keep him if a suitable bid is not made.

“Bradley is allowed to leave us, but only for a realistic transfer fee,’ said Kuiper.

“If that does not come along, it is better that he stays with us. Bradley is a good football player who can certainly be of value to us.”

Bron: premiershiplatest.com

[mitrita]

www.noshortcorners.com

"Wat is er aan de hand?"
No, NSC hasn't suddenly switched languages. The title is Dutch slang for "What's goin' on?" - a question being asked thousands of times daily by impatient stateside fans that can't figure out why the Eredivisie season kickoff is rapidly approaching with Michael Bradley still in a Heerenveen uniform. After all, he's been linked with interest from about a dozen Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Premiership and Scottish Premier League clubs for months on end, including several teams that have yet to fill the roster hole he'd fit. And yet, when he returns to training from extended USMNT duty on Friday, there will be no standing offers for his services. The long wait has BigSoccer observers bickering over his asking price, the likelihood of a move, and of course, whether Bradley is worth all the fuss in the first place. As for the transfer fee sought, I think many American fans are ignoring the shrewd sales nature of Heerenveen, who have already pocketed over €20 million for Miralem Sulejmani and Gianni Zuiverloon during this offseason. "Bradley may leave, but only for a realistic offer," Frisians exec Yme Kuiper stated Wednesday. "If that is not the case, it's better that he stays to play for us... Heerenveen can surely appreciate his value."
And by 'value', he isn't necessarily referring to the price tag, which seems to be in the €4-6 million range, depending on how many clubs are interested at any given point in time.Despite having only one year remaining on his contract, Bradley has H'veen negotiating tough for three reasons: #1) he is a 21-year old U.S. international starter that scored 19 goals across all competitions last season, #2) Heerenveen don't believe they have an equal or better player ready to step into his spot immediately, and most importantly, #3) the team can easily recoup any potential "non-sale loss" by having the American help them advance in this year's UEFA Cup and KNVB Cup, as well as enjoying his contribution as they chase another lucrative European berth for next season. Put simply, they don't have to sell Bradley - so why would they accept a lowball offer? Anybody who thinks Heerenveen are going to be bargained down that easily clearly has no experience with Dutch business folk.
Some have also proffered that his participation in the Olympics caused interference, but it certainly didn't stop Olympic teammates Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Brad Guzan and Brian McBride from moving to new addresses.
I think more than anything he was hurt by Euro 2008, which resulted in an abnormally slow moving European transfer market and an extra number of hot midfield topics, such as Portugal's João Moutinho (also an Everton target). Most of the teams chasing Bradley have been very busy - if not dizzy - shoppers this summer (Celtic, Hamburg, Middlesbrough, Monaco, Newcastle, Werder Bremen, etc.), while others suffered through protracted offloads of outgoing players (Blackburn, Everton, Hamburg, etc.) that held up resulting business.
While it's also possible that admirer Marco van Basten jumps in with a late Ajax bid to fill one of his two remaining roster needs, Bradley has already asserted publicly that he's ready for a new adventure away from the Netherlands (by the way, I totally disagree with his assessment that the Eredivisie does not give a good platform for his skills).
I don't know exactly why, but I remain confident that a nice Bradley transfer will shake loose before August 31st (coincedentally, the same day his Blue White Vikings open their 2008/09 Eredivisie slate with a visit to promoted Volendam).
But who knows? Maybe the chicken littles back home are right. Maybe nobody is going to pay good money for him. Maybe Mikey will turn out to be like the great movie released in March that Oscar forgets to nominate by the end of the year.
Maybe, indeed. If no one names the right price, it's certainly possible that Heerenveen will decide it's better business to get full use of him this season and let him go free next summer... but I still say he ends up at Everton.
Naturally, if they can snag Steven Appiah on the bounce, finally get Sporting Lisbon to accept a Moutinho offer, talk Rennes out of Stelhane M'Bia or grab a reluctant Tiago on loan, I will change my assessment. It just seems like slow transfer movers tend to find each other when the window begins to close and the Toffees are in dire need of central midfield help.
Of course, the only thing happening slower than Goodison Park summer moves is my acceptance that Dr. Kelso is really gone from Sacred Heart hospital forever.

Greg Seltzer

[Marça]

Gezien het feit dat zowel Hanssen als Roorda nog niet fit zijn, Thomas Prager mag (en misschien gaat) vertrekken en Viktor Elm pas in januari komt mag Michael Bradley wat mij betreft wel blijven. Bovendien verwacht ik dat Dingsdag toch weer een linie gaat terugzakken.

Als je 4-3-3 gaat spelen heb je dan een mooi middenveld met Grindheim, Bradley en Pranjic. Daar achter heb je dan momenteel niet eens zoveel keuze meer. Svec en Smarason misschien, terwijl Kalou bij PSG volgens mij ook wel op het middenveld heeft gespeeld. Als Roorda en Hanssen weer fit zijn kunnen ze bij dit rijtje aansluiten, maar ik weet niet hoe lang hun herstel nog duurt.

[yearbyred]

Signing for Middlesbrough ?

[SCH-FAN]

Signing for Middlesbrough ?

I don't know, do you have more information??

[yearbyred]

No - just a rumour on the Boro message board.

We shall see.

[Blizzard]

I wouldn't be suprised since Garreth Southgate seems to like players from the Dutch Eredivisie. Imho it would be good for Heerenveen as well since he's got a one year contract only.

[mitrita]

www.noshortcorners.com

#2 - Expect some Michael Bradley movement in the coming days. Word has it Middlesbrough have or are about to bid, although UK reports have wildly overshot the amount (they claim £6 million when it's actually closer to $6 million). My Spidey sense tells me Everton won't be far behind with a better offer. Celtic also appear to have maintained interest and have just dealt box-to-box midfielder Evander Sno to Ajax.

And if these three transfer kitties go to war, the one you can score will be the Toffees.

UPDATE: Hamburg director of scouting Bernd Legien confirmed to me just now that the club have extensively watched Bradley, including Wednesday night's U.S. win at Guatemala, but refused to be drawn into divulging whether or not they would make an offer. Obviously, with Vincent Kompany and Rafael van der Vaart money in hand, an HSV bid could certainly complicate Everton's chances, much less everyone else's.

[mitrita]

soccer 365.com

FootMercato reports that once rejected Monaco has resurrected their interest in Heerenveen midfielder Michael Bradley, but Soccer365 was informed by club exec Yme Kuiper that no official offers for the U.S. international were on the table as of Tuesday lunchtime...

yankedaround

Tasty Rumors: More Michael Bradley Whispers…

Looks like some teams are skulking in the shadows as they appraise Michael Bradley before the end of August. Hamburg’s scouting director was apparently in attendance for the US match versus Guatemala last Wednesday (must’ve really wanted to see Bradley badly if he trekked to Guat). He did confirm that he was there to watch Bradley, but he would not say whether a bid was in the cards. This also comes to light as the Sun recently reported that Gareth Southgate is once again considering Bradley as a replacement for George Boateng. This comes after Southgate has recently failed in signing Reading’s James Harper. My Thoughts: Bradley to the Bundesliga isn’t a horrible move. It is an upward step, albeit not as elevated as a move to Everton or even Middlesborough. Hamburg finished 4th in the Bundesliga last season and have been in the top 10 the last 6 seasons; their club does have some pedigree. The match quality is good in Germany and it would be a good stepping stone for Michael, but you have to imagine that he has his eyes set on a move to England. Whether or not that can happen in the next few days, remains to be seen.

[ALS 26.000]

Pffff, wat een gedoe rond hem. Blij wanneer dat geneuzel voorbij is over een paar dagen.

[Marça]

Zoals hij vandaag op de training speelde kunnen we hem nog mooi een jaar gebruiken als defensieve middenvelder. Heb dit al eerder gezegd, maar Michael Dingsdag op die positie lijkt me echt geen goede oplossing. Er werd vandaag wel getraind op die manier (met Dingsdag voor de verdediging), maar ik denk dat een middenveld Pranjic-Bradley-Grindheim op dit moment de beste keus is.

[TWR22]

Ongelooflijk als je leest dat Aissati minder gekost heeft dan 4 miljoen. En wij meer willen voor Bradley ... waarom hebben we in hemelsnaam geen 6 mio geboden voor Aissati, de toekomstige sterspeler van Ajax?

Ik zie Bradley niet meer vertrekken hoor.

[Gekko]

Omdat wij Aisatti niet wilden hebben. En hij niet hier wilde voetballen omdat er een kleine ballenbak bij MacDonald's is. Hij "is" te groot voor een clubje als de onze. Misschien redt hij het bij Ajax maar hier was hij niet gelukkig geworden (en wij niet met hem).

[TWR22]

Omdat wij Aisatti niet wilden hebben. En hij niet hier wilde voetballen omdat er een kleine ballenbak bij MacDonald's is. Hij "is" te groot voor een clubje als de onze. Misschien redt hij het bij Ajax maar hier was hij niet gelukkig geworden (en wij niet met hem).

Was mij onbekend, is dat echt zo? Ik denk dat hij het zeker gaat redden ja.

[SpongeBob]

Ik zie Bradley niet meer vertrekken hoor.

Nou dat dacht ik wel...
Volgend jaar loopt ie transfervrij weg... bye bye zwaai zwaai...

[TWR22]

Misschien komt ie weer bij zijn vriendje Alves ... wel slim van Boro: wie gaf hem vele vele steekpasses bij Heerenveen en kan dat weer doen daar?

[BS]

Zoveel hebben Bradley en Alves volgens mij niet samen gespeeld hoor.

[drika746]

Misschien komt ie weer bij zijn vriendje Alves ... wel slim van Boro: wie gaf hem vele vele steekpasses bij Heerenveen en kan dat weer doen daar?

Alves creëerde een heleboel zelf, een beetje "alle balllen op Alves", daarnaast maakte hij een hoop goals uit voorzetten van Pranjic en Yildirim/Poulsen en uit vrije ballen.

[Lipton]

Ik denk dat ie bedoelt dat Nilsson met zijn 11 assists op Alves naar Boro moet

[mitrita]

Mailonsunday.co.uk

Middlesbrough have revived their interest in Heerenveen’s American midfielder Michael Bradley.
Everton were also interested in Bradley, but he is back on Boro’s radar after they were priced out of a move for Reading’s James Harper

[robke]

Het zijn allemaal geruchten. Het zou mij niets verbazen dat de (grotere) clubs hem eerst een heel seizoen constant willen zien spelen. Afgelopen seizoen heeft Bradley eigenlijk alleen goed gespeeld toen Heerenveen in topvorm verkeerde en het mooiste voetbal van Nederland speelde. En een vraagprijs van 4 tot 6 miljoen schrikt de potentiële kopers dan af.

[Marça]

LC van gisteren:

Als Bradley blijft, dan blijft hij gewoon

Alsof hij de hele, lange voorbereiding van SC Heerenveen erbij was geweest. Zo vanzelfsprekend was de aanwezigheid van middenvelder Michael Bradley gistermiddag op Sportpark Skoatterwâld. De 21-jarige Amerikaan, vrijdag teruggekeerd na zijn deelname aan de Olympische Spelen en een WK-kwalificatieduel tegen Guatemala, is toe aan een volgende stap in zijn carrière.

Vooralsnog blijft de buitenlandse interesse voor hem echter hangen in de geruchtensfeer. Geen probleem, zegt Bradley. "Als ik nog een jaar of een half jaar in Heerenveen moet blijven, dan is dat oké. Daar heb ik geen enkele moeite mee."

[mitrita]

noshortcorners

With teams continuing to come for Pranjic, his chance for a move has dropped a bit the last few days. Revived Monaco talk appears to have been a bit bunk as the team are close to landing Tiago from Juventus. Hamburg also appear to have turned to other targets, but the HSV message board fans all seem to agree that a Bradley bid should only be expected if David Jarolim leaves. What's more, Everton's loan move for Red Star Belgrade's Segundo Castillo would appear to at least heavily dampen their interest... then again, they look set to miss out on Stephane M'Bia of Rennes.

Bad news aside, teams like Celtic and Middlesbrough are still looking for a similar player, and one bid could bring others out of the woodwork. I don't know if €4.5 million would seal the deal, but it would certainly get the ball rolling. At this point, no outcome would surprise me much, but I still sense he could move by Monday (provided Danijel Pranjić stays put).

Then again, with new boss Trond Sollied apparently switching H'veen back to a 4-3-3, staying might not be so bad for Bradley after all.

UPDATE: Synchronized word out of England and the Netherlands says Middlesbrough either now have or are about to table an offer for Bradley, which will seemingly land in the €3.5-4.5 million neighborhood.

Whether it will be enough, I don't know, but I still believe such an action would prompt at least two other bids, with Everton a potential player after seemingly missing out on Stephan M'Bia of Rennes - but Galatasaray's Turkey midfielder Mehmet Topal is another similar fallback option for Davie Moyes.

The names Blackburn and Borussia Mönchengladbach also pop up now and then in their respective countries. I also would be thoroughly unsurprised if Celtic jump in.

I will try to get a hold of H'veen exec Yme Kuiper at the UEFA Cup draw in Monaco, but no promises.

[mitrita]

geruchten over een vertrek Boro worden steeds sterker ....

[yearbyred]

Don't think he is coming to Boro (not in this transfer window).

Gareth Southgate has said we won't be signing anyone before the deadline closes. So unless he is lying Bradley will not be coming.

[Muck]

Het lijkt erop dat we HSV ook kunnen doorstrepen, die hebben Thiago Neves van Fluminese gehaald.
Blijven zo niet veel smaken meer over.

[Onedayflyer]

Hij gaat dus naar Borrusia Munchen Gladbach volgens Eredivisie live.

[Crash]

SC Heerenveen ziet vlak voor de transferdeadline een belangerijke pion vertrekken. Michael Bradley zal de Nederlandse Eredivisie verruillen voor de Duitse Bundesliga. De Amerikaan zal zijn wedstrijden gaan spelen voor Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bij de Duitse promovendus zwaait de Nederlander Jos Luhukay de scepter.

Vorig seizoen liet de middenvelder al weten graag te willen vertrekken uit Friesland. Everton meldde zich voor de Amerikaan, maar beide partijen kwamen niet tot een akkoord. Ook op de afgelopen Olympische Spelen was Bradley actief. De 21-jarige middenvelder kwam in actie in het groepsduel met Nederland (2-2).

Bradley staat sinds 2005 onder contract in Friesland. Hij speelde 55 wedstrijden voor sc Heerenveen, waarin hij vijftien doelpunten wist te scoren. Opvallend detail daarbij is dat Bradley al zijn treffers vorig seizoen produceerde, toen hij 33 duels in actie kwam.

Bron: Soccernews, die het hebben overgenomen van Eredivisie Live

[zweed1]

Dan zitten we nu wel erg dun in de middenvelders. Roorda en Hanssen niet inzetbaar en altijd zeer blesurregevoelig. We hebben Prager, Poulsen en Bradley laten gaan. Dan hebben we nog over Grindheim en Pranjic, daarachter zitten wat talenten die nog veel moeten leren.

Erg vreemd dat Dingsdag nu op het middenveld moet spelen.

[Wiggs]

Bradley naar Monchengladbach volgens Yme op eredivisie live