Damallsvenskan Newsblog - Stensland to replace Valkonen in Umeå?

Kolbotn's Ingvild Stensland will stay behind after the UEFA Women's Cup semifinal in Umeå this coming weekend for contract talks with the Swedish champions. At the same time a Sanna Valkonen move from the club to either AIK or Finnish HJK Helsinki sounds more and more likely. Finding a good defender to replace her should be a top priority for Umeå. And signing Stensland could probably make Lise Klaveness stay on for another year.
Stensland is under contract with Kolbotn for the 2007 season, but her contract states that the club shall not stop a move if it gives her a full time professional deal. There will most likely be a transfer fee, but nothing that Umeå can't afford to pay.
Västerbottenskuriren: Norska förstärker UIK - Valkonen väljer AIK
Østlandets Blad: Stensland i samtale med Umeå

In other Umeå news, the USA club FC Indiana has notified UIK that they are interested in Marta (not the first time we've heard that) and, more interesting, Anne Mäkinen. Mäkinen, who has spent most of her football career in USA (college, WUSA and W-league) has earlier declared that she might return to USA at one time or another.
Marta has hired herself a new agent, Fabiano Farah, who also manages the affairs of Real Madrid star Ronaldo. Umeå's manager Roland Arnqvist doesn't think that will be any problem in their contract negotiations. They have had some preliminary talks "and he seems like a reasonable guy", Arnqvist says.
Västerbottenskuriren: Ronaldo och Marta har något ihop..., Amerikansk klubb jagar Marta och Mäkinen