Take Away English-The English Premier League 英超联赛（在线收听）

Pre-season Transfers 賽季前的轉隊球員

Although the 2005/2006 football season doesn't start until mid-August, Premiership clubs are in a state of frantic negotiation as they try to sign new players for the forthcoming season. The transfer market has started to heat up and whet the fans' appetite for the games to come. Champions Chelsea , look to strengthen their attack with the signing of England International Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City for £21 million. The 23 year-old step-son of the legendary Arsenal striker Ian Wright will be competing for a place with the injury prone Duff.

Footballers form a defensive wall

Whilst fans have welcomed the move at Chelsea , it has been greeted with dismay at Manchester City who saw Wright-Phillips as their key to a successful season. Many supporters fear that by cashing in on their talent they run the risk of future relegation .

FA Cup winners and runners up in the league last season, Arsenal will be looking to challenge to Chelsea this year. The big talking point was the sale of French international Patrick Viera.

Viera had an unsuccessful campaign last season, and is felt by many to be past his best . Meanwhile Arsenal manager, Wenger is confident that he will capture Brazilian striker Julio Baptista from Seville for £17.5 million, whilst a new one year deal for veteran striker Bergkamp keeps his attacking options open.

As for Manchester United, despite a squad featuring big name stars like Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney, last season was disappointingly lacking in silverware . However, comfortable wins over Hong Kong and Beijing Hyundai during their 2005 Far East tour indicate that they still have potential to succeed at the highest level.

One Manchester United player who has been of particular interest is Dong Fangzhuo. The 20-year-old midfielder , who previously played for Dalian Shide, scored against Hong Kong in his first game for United.

However, not all Premiership teams can afford to spend millions on new players. New-comers , Wigan have failed to make any big money, high profile signings. 『There's no panic on my behalf』 said manager Paul Jewell. 『I won't buy for the sake of it.』 Nevertheless, if his team suffers a few heavy defeats, he may be eating his words sooner rather than later!