Transfer news...

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Samir Nasri – Attacking midfielder, Arsenal

Age 23

Price £28m

Nasri has been a hit at the Emirates since joining from Marseille in 2008, but the 23-year-old is out of contract at the end of next season and both Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly looking to make a summer swoop for the French international. With clubs in Italy also interested, there is a chance Arsenal may let him go for the right price.

Who might be interested in him: Manchester City, Manchester United

 

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Romelu Lukaku – Striker, Anderlecht

Age 18

Price £20m

Scored 31 goals in 61 matches since breaking through into Anderlecht's first team as a 16-year-old. He is being closely tracked by Premier League clubs due to his physique.

Who might be after him: Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Milan

 

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Gregory van de Wiel – Right-back, Ajax

Age 23

Price £15m

An attacking full-back, Van de Wiel is another impressive product of the Ajax academy. Helped the Amsterdam side lift their first Eredivisie title since 2004.

Who might be after him: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich

 

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Alex Song – Defensive midfielder, Arsenal

Age 23

Price £15m

Song is a rumoured transfer target for Inter after impressing at the base of the Arsenal midfield.

Who might be interested in him: Inter

 

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Eljero Elia – Winger, Hamburg

Age 24

Price £17m

Has reportedly fallen out with the management at the Imtech Arena. A pacey winger whose reputation has grown since his move to the Bundesliga.

Who might be after him: Liverpool, Milan, Inter, Juventus

 

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Juan Mata – Winger, Valencia

Age 23

Price £25m

Valencia's money worries means they may be forced to cash in on their prize asset if the right offer comes along. Mata's release clause is rumoured to be around €60m, but the club could certainly be persuaded to sell for less.

Who might be after him: Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool

 

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Gary Cahill - Defender, Bolton

Age 25

Price £20m

Seen by some as the future of England's central defence. Developed hugely since moving to the Reebok Stadium three years ago. The strongest interest is believed to be coming from Eastlands.

Who might be after him: Manchester City, Arsenal

 

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Alexandre Pato - Striker, Milan

Age 21

Price £30m

Pato has been at Milan since 2007 and may decide he needs a change of scenery after winning his first Serie A title. Chelsea are looking to rejuvenate their squad and have tried to sign the Brazilian striker before.

Who might be after him: Chelsea

 

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Fernando Llorente – Striker, Athletic Bilbao

Age 23

Price £30m

Now a regular in the Spain squad, the 6ft 5in striker has been prolific for club and country. Heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, though Bilbao, understandably, don't want to let him go.

Who might be after him: Liverpool, Tottenham, Real Madrid

 

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Ashley Young – Winger/Forward, Aston Villa

Price £15m

Young managed to grab 10 goals this season in a campaign that saw Villa close to being dragged into the relegation mire. The lure of European football could tempt him away from Villa Park.

Who might be after him: Liverpool, Manchester United

 

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Pablo Osvaldo – Striker, Espanyol

Age 25

Price £15m

Born in Buenos Aires but with an Italian passport, Osvaldo has been one of the revelations of the Spanish season. Fast, aggressive, strong and a very good finisher.

Who might be after him: Fulham, Tottenham

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

what a sizzling hopes and wishes of stronger teams.............................the season is yet to commence in earnest

 

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[h=1]Carlos Tevez staying at Manchester City, Roberto Mancini says[/h] • Inter rejected swap involving Samuel Eto'o, manager says
• Roberto Mancini hints at move for Arsenal's Samir Nasri

• Edward Gibbes
• The Observer, Sunday 3 July 2011 Article history
  
  
  Carlos Tevez will not now be waving goodbye to Manchester City, according to Roberto Mancini. Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters
  
  Roberto Mancini has said Carlos Tevez will not be leaving Manchester City this summer, after the club failed to agree a swap deal with Internazionale for the Italian club's striker Samuel Eto'o. Mancini also said a deal for the Partizan Belgrade defender Stefan Savic has been done and hinted at an interest in Arsenal's Samir Nasri.
  "Yes, of course Tevez will stay, he is a fantastic player," the former Inter manager Mancini said. "There was talk of an exchange with Eto'o but Inter did not want to sell. I would say a deal for Savic has been done, but Nasri? No, not yet."
  City have been linked with a variety of players in the transfer window and Mancini did nothing to quell speculation, naming a selection from Serie A. "I like Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani. I like Javier Pastore a little less. Then, when I think of Udinese, I can think of Pablo Armero and Mauricio Isla. And I must say Antonio Di Natale. It's a pity that he is now getting on in years."
  Nasri himself was reported on Saturday to have bemoaned his lack of trophies since arriving at Arsenal in 2008, saying that money is not his motivating factor. Negotiations have stalled on a new deal at the Emirates and, with the Frenchman's contract running out next summer, Arsenal may choose to cash in on him now rather than wait and lose him on a free transfer. Nasri's situation has sparked reported interest from both Manchester clubs and Chelsea.
  
  "We already earn huge wages," Nasri said. "The priority is to make a big career and to win titles … With no titles under your belt, you can't be in the list for the Ballon D'Or. I came to England to get trophies because I haven't won anything in my career. I am hungry for titles. I play football because I love this sport and want to feel the emotion of winning. Lifting a trophy all together, this is the beauty and sense of team sports."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Carlos Tevez staying at Manchester City, Roberto Mancini says[/h] • Inter rejected swap involving Samuel Eto'o, manager says
• Roberto Mancini hints at move for Arsenal's Samir Nasri

• Edward Gibbes
• The Observer, Sunday 3 July 2011 Article history
  
  
  Carlos Tevez will not now be waving goodbye to Manchester City, according to Roberto Mancini. Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters
  
  Roberto Mancini has said Carlos Tevez will not be leaving Manchester City this summer, after the club failed to agree a swap deal with Internazionale for the Italian club's striker Samuel Eto'o. Mancini also said a deal for the Partizan Belgrade defender Stefan Savic has been done and hinted at an interest in Arsenal's Samir Nasri.
  "Yes, of course Tevez will stay, he is a fantastic player," the former Inter manager Mancini said. "There was talk of an exchange with Eto'o but Inter did not want to sell. I would say a deal for Savic has been done, but Nasri? No, not yet."
  City have been linked with a variety of players in the transfer window and Mancini did nothing to quell speculation, naming a selection from Serie A. "I like Ezequiel Lavezzi, Marek Hamsik and Edinson Cavani. I like Javier Pastore a little less. Then, when I think of Udinese, I can think of Pablo Armero and Mauricio Isla. And I must say Antonio Di Natale. It's a pity that he is now getting on in years."
  Nasri himself was reported on Saturday to have bemoaned his lack of trophies since arriving at Arsenal in 2008, saying that money is not his motivating factor. Negotiations have stalled on a new deal at the Emirates and, with the Frenchman's contract running out next summer, Arsenal may choose to cash in on him now rather than wait and lose him on a free transfer. Nasri's situation has sparked reported interest from both Manchester clubs and Chelsea.
  
  "We already earn huge wages," Nasri said. "The priority is to make a big career and to win titles … With no titles under your belt, you can't be in the list for the Ballon D'Or. I came to England to get trophies because I haven't won anything in my career. I am hungry for titles. I play football because I love this sport and want to feel the emotion of winning. Lifting a trophy all together, this is the beauty and sense of team sports."
  
  

 

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[h=1]Chelsea consider entering the race for Arsenal's Samir Nasri[/h] • Chelsea may make an offer for Nasri if Luka Modric pursuit fails
• Midfielder has only 12 months remaining on his contract

• Dominic Fifield
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 1 July 2011 22.30 BST Article history
  
  
  Arsenal's Samir Nasri has attracted the attention of Chelsea who are considering an approach for the midfielder. Photograph: Akira Suemori/AP
  
  
  Chelsea are monitoring Samir Nasri's situation at Arsenal and could challenge Manchester United for the France international's signature should their pursuit of alternative targets, principally Tottenham Hotspur's Luka Modric, be frustrated.
  Arsenal have, as yet, failed to convince Nasri to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium, where the midfielder, a £15.8m signing from Marseille in 2008, has entered the final 12 months of his contract. United are expected to make a formal offer for the 24-year-old, with Arsenal wary of allowing the player to wind down his contract and leave for nothing next summer, but Chelsea are also actively considering stepping up their own interest given the Frenchman's anticipated availability.
  Nasri is not yet considered a front–line target by Chelsea's new manager, André Villas-Boas – who intends to scrutinise his squad when the players return to pre-season training next week – with the club having targeted Modric as their preferred creative midfield recruit. An opening bid of about £22m has been rejected by Spurs, and the Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, who will meet Modric's representatives next week, has made clear his objections to the prospect of losing the Croatia international. Should that pursuit continue to be blocked, Chelsea will switch their attentions more concertedly towards Nasri.
  The Frenchman is apparently undecided as to where his future lies, but is well aware that personal terms will be more lucrative at United and Chelsea. There is an acceptance, too, at Arsenal, who had hoped to tie the player down to a new five-year contract worth £90,000 a week, that they cannot compete financially with the midfielder's other suitors. Arsenal's position is further complicated by the possibility that Manchester City may enter the fray later in the summer, particularly if they fail to secure Udinese's highly-rated Chilean winger Alexis Sánchez.
  City anticipate securing the £7m signing of Arsenal's France full-back Gaël Clichy – another player who has entered the final year of his deal at the Emirates Stadium – next week, with the Londoners themselves close to getting Gervinho from Lille for about £10m. The Ivory Coast forward scored 15 goals en route to winning the French title last season but told France Football that he had "no hesitation" in agreeing the move to Arsenal.
  Adel Taarabt, the Queens Park Rangers midfielder who said last month that Chelsea and Arsenal were interested in him, has been targeted by Paris St-Germain following the club's takeover by Qatari Sports Investments. Reports in France suggest a bid of around £13.5m has been tabled by the French club for the 22-year-old, though QPR, who have yet to add to their ranks since their promotion to the Premier League, are expected to drive that price higher given that Spurs had a sell-on clause, believed to be 40% of the profit, inserted into the £600,000 deal that took Taarabt to Loftus Road last summer.
  Chelsea have allowed the Dutch international defender Jeffrey Bruma to join the German club Hamburg on an initial season-long loan, with the option of a further 12 months. Frank Arnesen is the sporting director at Hamburg and has moved for the 19-year-old just weeks after leaving a similar post at Stamford Bridge.
  The midfielder Jack Cork could also be on his way out of Chelsea as the Championship club Southampton are close to agreeing a transfer for the 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Burnley.
  
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Chelsea consider entering the race for Arsenal's Samir Nasri[/h] • Chelsea may make an offer for Nasri if Luka Modric pursuit fails
• Midfielder has only 12 months remaining on his contract

• Dominic Fifield
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 1 July 2011 22.30 BST Article history
  
  
  Arsenal's Samir Nasri has attracted the attention of Chelsea who are considering an approach for the midfielder. Photograph: Akira Suemori/AP
  
  
  Chelsea are monitoring Samir Nasri's situation at Arsenal and could challenge Manchester United for the France international's signature should their pursuit of alternative targets, principally Tottenham Hotspur's Luka Modric, be frustrated.
  Arsenal have, as yet, failed to convince Nasri to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium, where the midfielder, a £15.8m signing from Marseille in 2008, has entered the final 12 months of his contract. United are expected to make a formal offer for the 24-year-old, with Arsenal wary of allowing the player to wind down his contract and leave for nothing next summer, but Chelsea are also actively considering stepping up their own interest given the Frenchman's anticipated availability.
  Nasri is not yet considered a front–line target by Chelsea's new manager, André Villas-Boas – who intends to scrutinise his squad when the players return to pre-season training next week – with the club having targeted Modric as their preferred creative midfield recruit. An opening bid of about £22m has been rejected by Spurs, and the Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, who will meet Modric's representatives next week, has made clear his objections to the prospect of losing the Croatia international. Should that pursuit continue to be blocked, Chelsea will switch their attentions more concertedly towards Nasri.
  The Frenchman is apparently undecided as to where his future lies, but is well aware that personal terms will be more lucrative at United and Chelsea. There is an acceptance, too, at Arsenal, who had hoped to tie the player down to a new five-year contract worth £90,000 a week, that they cannot compete financially with the midfielder's other suitors. Arsenal's position is further complicated by the possibility that Manchester City may enter the fray later in the summer, particularly if they fail to secure Udinese's highly-rated Chilean winger Alexis Sánchez.
  City anticipate securing the £7m signing of Arsenal's France full-back Gaël Clichy – another player who has entered the final year of his deal at the Emirates Stadium – next week, with the Londoners themselves close to getting Gervinho from Lille for about £10m. The Ivory Coast forward scored 15 goals en route to winning the French title last season but told France Football that he had "no hesitation" in agreeing the move to Arsenal.
  Adel Taarabt, the Queens Park Rangers midfielder who said last month that Chelsea and Arsenal were interested in him, has been targeted by Paris St-Germain following the club's takeover by Qatari Sports Investments. Reports in France suggest a bid of around £13.5m has been tabled by the French club for the 22-year-old, though QPR, who have yet to add to their ranks since their promotion to the Premier League, are expected to drive that price higher given that Spurs had a sell-on clause, believed to be 40% of the profit, inserted into the £600,000 deal that took Taarabt to Loftus Road last summer.
  Chelsea have allowed the Dutch international defender Jeffrey Bruma to join the German club Hamburg on an initial season-long loan, with the option of a further 12 months. Frank Arnesen is the sporting director at Hamburg and has moved for the 19-year-old just weeks after leaving a similar post at Stamford Bridge.
  The midfielder Jack Cork could also be on his way out of Chelsea as the Championship club Southampton are close to agreeing a transfer for the 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Burnley.
  
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Gervinho 'chooses Arsenal' as transfer from Lille edges closer[/h] • £10m-rated Ivory Coast striker set to sign for Arsenal
• 'There's only a few details left to sort out,' says Gervinho

• Alan Gardner
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 1 July 2011 11.04 BST Article history
  
  
  The Lille forward Gervinho said he 'chose Arsenal because it's a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily'. Photograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
  
  Arsenal appear to be on the verge of agreeing a deal to sign Gervinho from Lille after the Ivory Coast forward said that he had decided to join Arsène Wenger's side.
  Gervinho, who is valued at around £10m, has been the subject of interest from several Premier League clubs after scoring 15 goals for the French champions last season. Arsenal have been in talks with Lille for some time but those discussions now look set to reach a successful conclusion.
  "I chose Arsenal because it's a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily," Gervinho told France Football magazine. "I could develop more over there. There's only a few details left to sort out.
  "[Is it] a risk? Not at all. I'm going to Arsenal to play. The best risk to take is to look to score goals and to play a lot. In football you have to take risks if you want to win. I'm going to Arsenal to win."
  
  The 24-year-old, who appeared at the last World Cup for Ivory Coast, will add to Wenger's options up front, though Gervinho is confident that he will be able to force his way into the starting line-up.
  "I had no hesitation. None. But in a transfer there's always a period of analysis and negotiations," he said. "All sides had to be satisfied so that things could develop smoothly. I'm going there to play, not to be on the bench. Arsenal love the game and I love teams that love the game.
  
  "The Premier League is a notch above. It's maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation."
  
  

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

[h=1]Gervinho 'chooses Arsenal' as transfer from Lille edges closer[/h] • £10m-rated Ivory Coast striker set to sign for Arsenal
• 'There's only a few details left to sort out,' says Gervinho

• Alan Gardner
• guardian.co.uk, Friday 1 July 2011 11.04 BST Article history
  
  
  The Lille forward Gervinho said he 'chose Arsenal because it’s a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily'. Photograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
  
  Arsenal appear to be on the verge of agreeing a deal to sign Gervinho from Lille after the Ivory Coast forward said that he had decided to join Arsène Wenger's side.
  Gervinho, who is valued at around £10m, has been the subject of interest from several Premier League clubs after scoring 15 goals for the French champions last season. Arsenal have been in talks with Lille for some time but those discussions now look set to reach a successful conclusion.
  "I chose Arsenal because it's a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily," Gervinho told France Football magazine. "I could develop more over there. There's only a few details left to sort out.
  "[Is it] a risk? Not at all. I'm going to Arsenal to play. The best risk to take is to look to score goals and to play a lot. In football you have to take risks if you want to win. I'm going to Arsenal to win."
  
  The 24-year-old, who appeared at the last World Cup for Ivory Coast, will add to Wenger's options up front, though Gervinho is confident that he will be able to force his way into the starting line-up.
  "I had no hesitation. None. But in a transfer there's always a period of analysis and negotiations," he said. "All sides had to be satisfied so that things could develop smoothly. I'm going there to play, not to be on the bench. Arsenal love the game and I love teams that love the game.
  
  "The Premier League is a notch above. It's maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation."
  
  

 

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[h=1]Arsenal ready to make shock bid for Villa winger[/h] Published 23:05 02/07/11 By Marc Isaacs

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...yet-completed-his-signing-article755693.html#

Arsenal are ready to make a shock £20million move for Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing.
The fact Liverpool have not, as yet, completed the recruitment of the England international has prompted the Gunners' interest.
Manager Arsene Wenger seems resigned to losing star midfielder Samir Nasri and plans to waste no time bringing in a big-name replacement.
Downing, 26, may not be the first choice among many Arsenal fans but Wenger is determined to sign a proven Premier League player who will fit straight into his starting line-up.


Wenger is desperate to end a six-year spell without a trophy and looks to be going against his policy of bringing through the best young talent.
The potential arrival of Downing, and an experienced centre-back like Gary Cahill or Chris Samba, would mark a shift in recruitment policy which fans will welcome. Downing could provide the ammunition for another summer target Gervinho, who looks set to complete his move to Arsenal.
The England winger seems determined to leave Aston Villa as he wants to join a club challenging for silverware next season.
Although Arsenal still have a Champions League qualifier to face, Downing is desperate to play in Europe's biggest club competition.
And with the European Championships taking place next summer, Downing knows his chances of cementing his place in the England side will improve if he is playing regular first-team football with Arsenal.
Downing has a wealth of top-flight experience and Wenger is convinced he can make him an even better player if he joins the north London club.
Villa boss Alex McLeish has already seen Ashley Young join Manchester United this summer and will be reluctant to see another big name leave.
But if Downing has got his heart set on joining a top club, McLeish will find it hard to stop him leaving for the Emirates.
Wenger hopes a deal can be finalised before the team jets off on their pre-season tour of Asia next week. And resolving the futures of Cesc Fabregas and Nasri is critical for Wenger.
Barcelona remain in pole position to land Fabregas but the clubs have still not agreed a fee. Barca asked for time to review their offer after tabling a £27m bid but have still not substantially increased the amount.
Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has flown to Argentina to tie up the deal for Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez, who is playing for Chile in the Copa America.

Rosell returns to Spain on Tuesday, when he expects to announce that deals for both Sanchez and Fabregas have been completed.

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[h=1]Ronaldo plans to stay at Real Madrid with Mourinho [/h] Published 23:06 02/07/11 By Jim Hughes

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Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he will return to England and the Premier League.
But first the 26 year-old *Portuguese striker is determined to achieve his current sporting goal – to win the Champions League with Real Madrid.
Ronaldo, who left Manchester United for Madrid in an £80million transfer two years ago, was *flattered by Manchester City's *discreet overtures to him earlier in the summer.
Ronaldo said: "I think if I went from Spain it would be to the Premier League – but not now. First we have to win the Champions League. If I went back to the *Premier League it would have to be with a club in the north west. I don't like London."
That would clearly put City – or his old club United – in pole *position.
Sunday Mirror sport revealed last month how Ronaldo was being wooed by relatives of the *super-rich Abu Dhabi owners of Manchester City, with claims that the Sky Blues would pay him £350,000 a week to join them.
There was no suggestion that the club had made a direct approach but that a third party connected to Sheik Mansour had sounded out the player.
Ronaldo went on: "It's flattering to be offered like £20m a year – it's very good, but I spoke to my agent and I think it's better to stay in *Madrid because this year we're going to be the best. This *season we are going to be a big force. Jose Mourhino is staying at Madrid so I stay. If he went to Chelsea then I would have left. I would have gone to Manchester City. But now he's staying, I'm *staying."
There were *reports from Spain last season, *following Real's *embarrassing Champions League defeat by arch-rivals Barcelona, that the Real coach and star player were at war. Mourinho had attempted to beat Barca by killing their fluent, *passing style and *sacrificed Real's own attacking strengths to do it.
*Ronaldo admitted he was disappointed by the tactics that failed so badly.
But the duo have patched things up and Ronaldo has his own *reasons for viewing Mourinho as the ‘Special One'.
Ronaldo explained: "We went to a wedding together last week and we're on good terms and we have the same agent. He [Mourinho] is a nice person and we live in the same street."
And that leads to the next *potential step in the Mourinho-Ronaldo relationship. Cristiano wants to return to the north west of England. If the Special One *succeeds Sir Alex Ferguson they could they be reunited one day.
The Real Cristiano Ronaldo
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...urinho-is-still-in-charge-article755679.html#