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LONDON - They are among the worlds leading footballers and, unsurprisingly, the most coveted by rival teams. China Shoes Wholesale . With no competitive matches in Europe, its the intrigue about the futures of Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez and Cesc Fabregas that is largely filling the void during the off-season. European clubs could be on the verge of completing hundreds of millions of dollars in transfer business before the Sept. 2 cutoff, defying the economic climate on the continent and UEFAs relatively new Financial Fair Play rules. Or, quite possibly, very little money could change hands. Instead, the leading players will stay put and the European footballing landscape will remain largely unchanged. Its a situation that would become far clearer with public clarity from the players, who have gone very quiet recently. One of the biggest transfers to be mooted in the off-season has been for Bale, with Real Madrid the most active in the chase for the Tottenham forward. Leaving north London would seem logical. Financial considerations aside — the weekly pay packet in Madrid would likely be worth at least $300,000 a week — Bales chances of lifting a trophy would be significantly enhanced, and he would be able to display his talents in the Champions League again. While there has not been an official bid, Marca — the Spanish sports newspaper renowned for its close links to Madrid — has ramped up coverage of "Operation Bale," claiming in recent weeks that a transfer exceeding $100 million is imminent. So has Bale reaffirmed his loyalty to the team that turned him into one of Europes hottest properties? Not quite. "Im hoping to improve from last season," is one of the few vague public comments from the speedy Wales star this month. And in an usual move, Bales agent, Jonathan Barnett, went on Marcas television station in May to declare that they would listen to an offer from Madrid. Not that Bale and his agent have much say in the matter, since there are three years remaining on the players Tottenham contract. "The player is under contract at Tottenham," Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said Friday, confirming that talks over extending that deal are ongoing but unresolved. If Bale wanted to leave why not hand in an official transfer request? Its a question many have been asking of Rooney, who wants to end his nine-year Manchester United career, and Suarez, who wants to upgrade Liverpool for a more competitive club. "Its a bit of a red herring, theres no requirement you submit a transfer request," sports lawyer Ian Lynam said in a telephone interview. "Most players who move dont move on the back of a transfer requests." Suarez is one of the few leading players to publicly agitate for a transfer. Taking to the airwaves in his native Uruguay, the striker made it clear in repeated radio interview he wants to leave Liverpool despite having with three years to go on his contract. Madrid is his preferred destination — a move that could hinge on the Spanish sides pursuit of Bale — but the only offers so far have come from Liverpools Premier League rival, Arsenal — the latest worth 40 million pounds ($61 million). That Suarez is keen on joining Arsenal, which is in Europe next season unlike Liverpool, seems to be at odds with comments in May that escaping the English media "who are trashing me unfairly" is his reason for wanting to exit Anfield. In this, what price loyalty? Liverpool stood by Suarez when racially abused Manchester Uniteds Patrice Evra in 2011, an incident and eight-match ban that damaged the global standing of the 19-time English champions. That reputation was harmed further when Suarez bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a game in April, and was banned for 10 matches. Such incidents make it seem even more baffling that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, a proponent of high moral standards in football, would pursue Suarez, who still has six matches of his ban left to serve. Suarezs departure would leave Liverpool without its most prolific scorer. With Rooney, though, Manchester United, is steadfastly refusing to release an increasingly peripheral player. Bids from Chelsea have been rebuffed despite Rooney falling behind striker Robin van Persie in the United pecking order. Lynam disputes the notion that knowing a player is officially up for sale prevents clubs from extracting the highest transfer fee. "Technically the clubs dont have to sell a player and they can keep him," said Lynam of London-based law firm Charles Russell. "But the reality is there is a lot of power with the players and clubs are loathed to hang onto a player who really wants to move ... when you compare it to American sports, the level of power the players have in European football is significant." Rooney has not spoken publicly on the situation since Alex Ferguson disclosed before retiring as United in May that the disenchanted striker wanted out of Old Trafford. At the same time as denying Rooney an escape route, United has pursued Fabregas at Barcelona, while also being heavily linked with a highly ambitious bid to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Madrid. Seeking a big-name signing to start his managerial reign, David Moyes has embarked on a highly public quest to prize Fabregas from the Spanish champions with a series of hostile bids for the former Arsenal captain. "Its logical that weve had offers for Fabregas because he is a quality player," Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu said. "But he is not for sale." The same "not for sale" sign has been placed over Rooney by United, Suarez by Liverpool and Bale by Tottenham. The departure of one could set the wheels in motion for a series of blockbuster summer moves. For now, the transfer merry-go-round is barely moving. China Shoes .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. China Shoes Cheap . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. https://www.chinashoes.us/ .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Even with a batting championship practically secured, Jose Altuve will have to attend to some unfinished business when the Houston Astros end the season Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.Altuve, who owns a .338 average, also has a chance to finish as the American League leader in hits. The Venezuelan second baseman will enter the game with 215, one more than Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox.Hes got some goals in mind that hes not yet accomplished, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. He sees all sorts of numbers that he could get and make a special year even more special. When Altuve is zeroing in on things, he rarely gets denied. It wouldnt surprise me if he has a good day.Altuve said he is way different as a hitter this year than when he won his first batting title in 2014. Two years ago, Altuve finished with just seven home runs and 59 RBI. But with one game left this year, the infielder already has career highs of 24 homers and 96 RBI.Im trying to do damage at the plate, Altuve said. Before, I knew if I hit a weak ground ball, I could be safe. Then I understood that if you hit a double or drive in a run, its better than hitting a single. Im not trying to hit a home run every time. Im trying to look for my pitch and put a good swing on the ball.When Altuve won his last batting championship, he served primarily as a leadoff hitter. This season, he has batted mostly third.Hes done a great job of being a complete hitter this year wherever Ive put him, Hinch said. Hes taken it personally to improve hhis plate discipline. China Shoes Online. ltuve will face right-hander Jhoulys Chacin in Sundays finale. Chacin replaced right-hander Jered Weaver, who was scheduled to start on his normal turn in the rotation. But Weaver experienced tightness in his lower back during his last start Monday night, and felt stiff during a bullpen session Friday.Regardless, Weaver faces an uncertain future after Sunday. The 11-year veteran, who turns 34 on Tuesday, will be a free agent after spending his entire career with the Angels. Weaver will finish this season with career highs in earned-run average and home runs allowed after fighting nagging injuries and declining velocity for the past three years.Its a weird feeling, Weaver said about the uncertainty. Ive been here for 11 years. Its all Ive known.The possibility that his last start Monday night might his last with the Angels made Weaver wistful.I was telling a couple of guys that I was a little emotional coming down the tunnel here, Weaver said Monday night. I tried to say Hi to as many workers as I could.Meanwhile, right-hander Brady Rodgers will make his first major-league start for the Astros. Rodgers was named the Pacific Coast Leagues pitcher of the year and the Astros minor-league pitcher of the year after going 12-4 with a 2.86 ERA at Triple-AFresno.But since being promoted Sept. 2, Rodgers has allowed 10 runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings covering four relief appearances. ' ' '