<
        >

          Arsenal still making market moves

          • ESPN staff
          • Nick Ames
          Jul 11, 2014, 10:35 PM

          Here's another dose of Transfer Talk to get you through the final hours before the World Cup wraps up in Brazil this weekend...

          22:58 BST: That's about it for today, but fear not, we'll be back tomorrow for more transfer news and gossip. See you then.

          22:46 BST: Esteban Cambiasso's future is currently up for debate given that he is a free agent at the moment after being released by Inter Milan. One place he won't be going to, though, is Sampdoria, nor the rest of Serie A, according to Blucerchiati president Massimo Ferrero. "I've contacted Cambiasso, but he won't play again in Italy to avoid betraying Inter," Ferrero told Gazzetta dello Sport.

          22:19 BST: More fun and games from Jack Sullivan... If he came from Madrid then that would rule out Enner Valencia! Who could be on their way to West Ham?!

          22:03 BST: Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala has apparently been seen at Manchester airport today, having reportedly undergone a medical at Manchester City... Read the full story here.

          21:27 BST: Some more from Jack Sullivan's Twitter account now... And remember, Jack Sullivan is West Ham owner David's son!

          The word on the street is "The Eagle" is Ecuador international Enner Valencia, so watch this space, Hammers fans.

          20:46 BST: We told you earlier that Adrian Lopez has moved from Atletico Madrid to Porto, although the details of the deal seemed to be pretty scarce... Well, Atletico have since released a statement saying: "Atletico Madrid and Porto have reached an agreement for the transfer of Adrian Lopez to the Portuguese club. The Asturian striker leaves for the team that is coached by Spaniard Julen Lopetegui and with whom he has passed his medical. From the club we wish Adrian the best of luck in this new stage of his footballing career.''

          20:24 BST: Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa looks as if he could be heading for the Newcastle exit door this summer...

          St Etienne apparently lead the chase for the defender...

          20:00 BST: Another small development in the Angel Di Maria transfer saga... Much has been said today about Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United's interest in the Argentina international, but according to the Independent, the midfielder is ready to snub the English side as he wants to play Champions League football next season. Ouch.

          19:46 BST: An update next on Manchester United's reported pursuit of Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal... According to the Daily Mail, United directors met with the Chile international's agent, Fernando Felicevich, on Friday after his other client, Alexis Sanchez, signed for Arsenal. The Red Devils are believed to have already made a bid of 35 million pounds for Vidal.

          19:28 BST: Find the full story here on Graziano Pelle's move from Feyenoord to Southampton...

          19:17 BST: West Ham have been linked with a move for Dnipro's Yevhen Konoplyanka in recent days, yet they appear to have failed in their bid to lure him to Upton Park...

          Jack Sullivan, in case you're wondering, is Hammers owner David Sullivan's son, so is a pretty well trusted source!

          19:00 BST: Leeds United have already announced the signing of Tommaso Bianchi today, and they are apparently keen on securing the services of another Italian. According to agent Giuseppe Riso, AC Milan striker Andrea Petagna has attracted interest from the Championship club, owned by fellow Italian Massimo Cellino.

          "Andrea will leave AC Milan on loan to gain experience," he told calcionews24.com. "There are a few Serie B teams interested in him, like Crotone, Latina and Perugia, while in Serie A Cesena like him. I know that Cellino's Leeds like him too, so we'll see what AC Milan decide to do."

          18:39 BST: Porto's Jackson Martinez is a striker in demand this summer, with the man himself revealing just as much to La FM. "I have a contract for two more years with Porto and I know there is interest from several clubs," he said. Martinez, who has a reported 40 million-euros buyout clause in his contract, has been linked with moves to Liverpool, Arsenal and AC Milan this summer.

          18:22 BST: And here is that full story for you now on Porto's signing of Adrian Lopez...

          18:15 BST: DONE DEAL! Southampton have completed the signing of Graziano Pelle from Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee. The Italian forward, who has previously worked under Saints boss Ronald Koeman at two different clubs, has signed a three-year deal.

          18.07 BST: More news coming out of Porto now... According to Football Italia, the Portuguese side have left Rolando out of their squad that is heading for the Netherlands for preseason training, which suggests they are prepared to let him go.

          The defender spent last term on loan at Inter Milan and they are apparently keen to make that move permanent. Roma and Besiktas have also been credited with an interest in a player believed to cost in the region of eight million euros.

          17.55 BST: Here is that story in full for you now on Arsenal attacker Wellington Silva's apparent loan move to Almeria...

          17.41 BST: Porto look to have completed the signing of Adrian Lopez from Atletico Madrid after tweeting a picture of the player travelling with the rest of the squad to the Netherlands as part of the club's preseason preparations...

          More details on the deal to follow as soon as we get them...

          17.30 BST: Crystal Palace are believed to be edging closer to signing Cardiff's Frazier Campbell after meeting his £600,000 release clause. Leicester City were also said to have met the clause but couldn't agree terms with the striker. However, the 26-year-old is said to be looking forward to joining up with Tony Pulis and a deal is expected in the next few days.

          According to The Metro, the south Londoners also maintain interest in Tottenham midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has reportedly been told he can leave White Hart Lane if a club comes in with an £8 million offer.

          17.25 BST: Stoke are apparently trying to reduce the fee they will have to pay to land Oussama Assaidi according to the Daily Mail. Liverpool are asking for £7 million for the young winger but Stoke are looking to pay closer to £4 million. Mark Hughes and the Potters seem to think that because the Reds got £75 million for Luis Suarez, they may be open to losing some cash on Assaidi. Not sure that is how this transfer thing works...

          17.21 BST: Arsenal fans may be forgiven for not knowing who Wellington Silva is but he is one of your players. He was signed in 2010 as a highly-entertaining and promising winger but has been unable to make a single appearance for the Gunners due to work permit issues. Well, any chance or hope those at the Emirates had of seeing him this season have been scuppered because his agent has told the Express Wellington will be out on loan again this season. Agent Alex Soares said: "A deal has been agreed between Arsenal and Almeria for Wellington Silva to go on loan for the season. He had the choice to go to a number of teams in Spain, but Silva has decided to join Almeria."

          17.15 BST: Manchester City may not shed too many tears given their impending signing of Elaquim Mangala but according to reports in Italy, Roma's Mehdi Benatia, who has been the subject of City interest, is now interesting Bayern Munich. Calciomercato.com say Roma are bracing themselves for a bid from the German champions.

          17.10 BST: Spanish outlets going mad now claiming PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is in Madrid finalising a deal for Angel Di Maria.

          17.05 BST: Arsenal's search for a new goalkeeper to back-up and compete with Wojciech Scszesny looks set to continue a little longer but the emergence of a new and cheap option in Nice's David Ospina could see the search shortened. Available at around £3 million according to The Mirror, the Colombian represents the best value with Reading's Alex McCarthy valued at £6 million and Cardiff's David Marshall fetching a fee of £10 million.

          16.58 BST: Uruguayan duo Jose Maria Gimenez and Cristian Rodriguez could be leaving Atletico Madrid this summer. AS report, with Diego Godin and Miranda still in the side, Gimenez will probably be farmed out on loan in order to gain much needed first team experience. His compatriot Rodriguez has asked the club to be allowed to leave as he is not entirely satisfied with his current status at Vicente Calderon as a substitute.

          16.50 BST: Wow. Could be a huge swap of players. Can't wait to see how this one plays out.

          16.40 BST: Napoli want to swap one Swiss midfielder with another Swiss midfielder to join the other two Swiss midfielders they already have at the Stadio San Paolo. No, really. According to Swiss outlet Ticinonline, Granit Xhaka is wanted by Rafa Benitez who is willing to offer £5 million and Blerim Dzemaili to land his man.

          16.31 BST: Looks like West Ham's marquee signing is edging closer and closer.

          16.27 BST: Newcastle's continuing and seemingly everlasting French revolution looks set to continue with the news emerging today from the Daily Mail that they are close to signing Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette. Not sure how accurate this one is, saying a £6 million fee has been agreed, when previous reports suggested the French striker would only go through with a deal if it were to a Champions League club. Which Newcastle are not.

          16.19 BST: Well well well. There is a turn up for the books. Many had expected Mathieu Valbuena to be heading to La Liga. And if not there then the Premier League. Could be a real coup this one.

          16.15 BST: El Mundo Deportivo have reportedly claimed Alex Song is now a target for French outfit Marseille.

          16.10 BST: Jack Rodwell's Manchester City future looked relatively bleak the moment he arrived from Everton but he now looks set to leave the club for sure now. Half the Premier League is interested in the youngster and The Sun now claim Valencia and Villareal are also looking to sign the 23-year-old.

          15.52 BST: In more Swansea-Napoli news (because that is now a thing), Huw Jenkins has confirmed the club are speaking to their Italian counterparts about a deal for Michu. Italian sources expect an official announcement at some point in the next 48 hours for a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of it for £10 million. Jenkins told the South Wales Evening Post: "Napoli have enquired about Michu and we have been talking to them and to Michu's agent. But there are other options and nothing is finalised yet. The nature of the transfer? We are discussing various options."

          15.45 BST: An update on the Elaquim Mangala situation.

          15.44 BST: Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins has told the South Wales Evening Post the club are not looking to sign another central defender amid speculation they were about to bid for Argentina's Federico Fernandez. He said: "I think Garry has got his four central defenders and until that changes, that's the way it will stay." Reports in Italy suggested Swansea were close to bidding for the Napoli man.

          15.35 BST: Emile Heskey - no, no-one is signing Emile Heskey, everybody chill again - has said Liverpool should sign James Rodriguez in order to replace Luis Suarez. Because that is reasonable. In an interview with Sony Web Chat he said: "The latter is only 23, so you would get a lot of mileage out of him. James would be my number one [target] if Liverpool could get him."

          15.28 BST: Chelsea fans calm down! You've nicked a wonderkid from Barcelona. His name is Josi Quintero, he is from Ecuador but don't be too alarmed when I tell you, he has been dubbed by the Metro as 'the new Antonio Valencia.' Calm down.

          15.20 BST: Take that Southampton naysayers!

          15.13 BST: Monaco are considering a cheeky bid for Wolfsburg midfielder Luis Gustavo. The Brazilian may have been a part of the nightmare that unfolded last week against Germany but was widely praised for an impressive World Cup campaign. According to Bild the French giants are going to look to poach the midfield enforcer but Wolfsburg are hopeful of keeping their man having signed him to a long term deal only 12 months ago.

          15.05 BST: Leeds can finally announce the signing of Tommaso Bianchi.

          14.57 BST: In yet more Everton news, Sky Sports claim the Toffees have made no offer to buy Elche's Colombian midfield enforcer Carlos Sanchez who had an impressive World Cup in Brazil. Read the full story here.

          14.52 BST: They may have lost Emre Can to Liverpool. And brought in Hakan Calhanoglu but apparently not to replace Lars Bender. Bayer Leverkusen hve told Arsenal to go looking for a defensive midfielder elsewhere by sporting director Rudi Voller. He told Kolner Stadt Anzeiger: "Firstly, we haven't received an official offer. Secondly, Lars wants to stay with us. And though we recruited Hakan Calhanoglu, Bender is not for sale. We have big ambitions."

          14.43 BST: Read the full story on Steven Defour's possible move to PSG.

          14.40 BST: Everton boss Roberto Martinez is determined to bring in Lacina Traore for a second loan spell from Monaco according to the Express. The Ivorian was blighted by an injury-plagued first spell with the club, when Traore scored within four minutes of his debut before picking up a hamstring injury and not playing again until the end of the season. However Martinez has confirmed they are 'in talks' with Monaco.

          14.31 BST: Lyon could be about to sign Lindsay Rose from Valenciennes for a reported fee of around £1.8 million according to L'Equipe. The French U21 international is set to sign a four-year deal at Stade Gerland.

          14.25 BST: A deal that was thought to be all tied up has been delayed would you believe. Roma's purchase of Marko Basa from Lille has been put on hold according to Tuttomercatoweb because Basa isn't doing enough to force Lille to sell. However with the future of Mehdi Benatia still to be decided, this transfer may become bit clearer in the coming days.

          14.18 BST: Inter complete YET ANOTHER signing.

          14.15 BST: Yaya Toure's future at Manchester City has been up in the air ever since 'birthday-gate' and his agent Dimitri Seluk has done little to douse the flames. He told The Times: "In football, you never know what happens tomorrow. I will see Yaya for a couple of days before he goes to America [on City's preseason tour] when we will talk about things. We will see what happens. If an important club like PSG or Real Madrid made a big offer it would be for Manchester City to decide what happens."

          14.06 BST: He may be a Chelsea player who hasn't played for the club after his loan spell at Vitesse Arnhem upon arrival, but Christian Atsu is still a wanted man. The winger impressed at the World Cup for Ghana last month and the Daily Mail reckons it was enough to grab the attention of West Ham and Aston Villa who are both looking to loan the 22-year-old next season.

          14.00 BST: Sooooo the last four days of speculation about his future were just that then... speculation.

          13.53 BST: Barcelona are keeping tabs on the availability of Jeremy Mathieu from Valencia according to AS. The big Frenchman could be available for £15 million but Barca want to pay just £8 million. Mathieu is determined to have the deal go through and has apparently told Valencia officials he wants to leave in an attempt to drive down his price and maintain the Catalan club's interest.

          13.42 BST: AC Milan could be about to try and sign Zenit St Petersburg's Italian defender Domenico Criscito as they look to rebuild their squad ahead of the new season. Sky Sport Italia also say Milan are after Hellas Verona's Romulo.

          13.35 BST: And yet MORE Atletico Madrid news. Yes, more... According to A Bola, Atleti striker Adrian is now in Porto and having a medical. Who knew!?

          13.30 BST: Juventus are looking to sell Chilean full back Mauricio Isla for around £8 million. The Bianconeri recently purchased full ownership of Isla from Udinese but are now looking to flog him with La Liga his expected next destination according to Tuttosport. Atletico Madrid, obviously, and Valencia are said to be interested.

          13.17 BST: It's looking more and more like there may be a sorry end to Petr Cech's Chelsea career. Number 1 at the club for ten years but the emergence of Thibault Courtois and Jose Mourinho's renowned ruthlessness could see him shunted out of the club with Monaco lurking, according to the Daily Star. Apparently the French club will be hoping Chelsea want to cash-in on Cech having given Mark Schwarzer a new one-year deal.

          13.10 BST: Looks like any rumours about Paul Pogba are well wide of the mark too according to super-agent Mino Raiola. There was talk Pogba had removed Juventus from his Twitter bio - never there in the first place. Also rumours he was in London for transfer talks - he was on holiday.

          13.01 BST: Reports Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Angel di Maria are wide of the mark, sources have told ESPN FC.

          12.55 BST: Just a few short weeks ago, DeAndre Yedlin was not even in the USA starting line up. Now he is being touted for moves across Europe with Gianluca Di Marzio claiming Roma, Napoli and Inter Milan all want to sign the young right-sided player.

          12.51 BST: Young and highly talented Ghanaian winger Majeed Waris is starting to get offers from around Europe according to his agent. The Spartak Moscow man is attracting the interest of clubs in Ligue 1 in France and will attract a fee of around 6 million euros. Get French Football News exclusively spoke with the player's agent, Phil Radley who said: "We are aware of real interest from two ligue 1 clubs, neither of which are Lens, but there is also interest outside of France. If a club can agree a transfer fee with Spartak then discussions in respect of he player can take place."

          12.43 BST: Veteran Portugal defender Bruno Alves could be looking for a way out of Fenerbahce after they were banned from European competition for two years. The 32-year-old's father Washington Alves, speaking to Radio Renascenca, said: "Fenerbahce will not participate in the Champions League and there may be a possibility of exit from Bruno [Alves], but I'm not convinced it's for Portugal." There are rumours he could be headed back to Porto but it is thought his high wages would disrupt any move for the defender.

          12.35 BST: Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta says he is going nowhere. And you better believe it! Read the full story here.

          12.30 BST: And over in Holland, former Newcastle man Luuk de Jong has signed for PSV Eindhoven. A flurry of lunchtime activity. Read the full story here.

          12.26 BST: In contrast, Sunderland fans, look now! Fan favourite Marcos Alonso appears to be a top target this summer.

          12.25 BST: Look away now Aston Villa fans. Just look away now.

          12.17 BST: Leicester City have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Sporting Lisbon's Islam Slimani. O Jogo claim that the Midlands club are willing to offer 8 million euros but his club won't sell for less than 12 million euros after his excellent World Cup with Algeria.

          12.12 BST: The story that just won't go away. Will he or won't he sign for New York City FC. Read the full story on Xavi being encouraged to head to the MLS.

          12.05 BST: Want some classic Marca anti-Barcelona propaganda? Look no further.

          12.02 BST: What West Brom can do, West Ham can also do. Apparently chairman David Sullivan says the Hammers' spending is set to continue.

          12.00 BST: It's official. Read the full story here.

          11.56 BST: The rather big story of the summer may well be Angel di Maria's impending move from Real Madrid. Well here is a rather comprehensive round-up of all the moves and shakes so far and ongoing.

          11.48 BST: The absolute latest up to date update on the developing Elaquim Mangala to Manchester City story from Sunday Mirror journalist Simon Mullock.

          11.45 BST: Goal.com are reporting Manchester United are set to continue trying to sign Arturo Vidal even though they've been rebuffed by Juventus, Juve don't want to sell, the player has no great desire to leave Turin and the Red Devils aren't in the Champions League. Not sure about this one.

          11.38 BST: Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson says the Foxes have not finished spending this summer. Ban Hamer, Matt Upson and Marc Albrighton have all been brought in on free transfers while a record £6 million offer for Leonardo Ulloa of Brighton has been rejected. Pearson, speaking to the Leicester Mercury, said: "There has been a lot of business this summer so far. It has been good we have been able to retain key players and added some players who will enhance the squad, which is positive."

          11.30 BST: Monaco's most wanted man James Rodriguez can't keep himself out of the headlines at the moment. His most recent outburst is that a move to Real Madrid would be a 'dream'. Of course it would be Ham-ez. Read the full story here.

          11.23 BST: There we go. Told you it was done... Read the full story here.

          11.21 BST: Atletico Madrid to Spain are like what Arsenal are to England. At least in transfer window terms. According to reports in O Jogo, the Spanish champs are getting close to the signing of Nico Gaitan from Benfica. Apparently Los Ches have offered some 25 million euros while Benfica are holding out for 30 million. The two clubs are also still in talks over the deal to take goalkeeper Jan Oblak to La Liga.

          11.14 BST: The Yann M'Vila deal from Rubin Kazan is close. But not yet done. Read the full story here.

          11.06 BST: The Express and Star have confirmed West Brom are close to signing Belgian left back Sebastian Pocognoli for around £1.5 million from Hannover in Germany.

          11.00 BST: I can promise you this translates as, 'Milan have signed Adil Rami on a three year deal'. This saga is FINALLY over. It has only taken just over a year. Awaiting official confirmation from Milan now.

          10.57 BST: Not many could argue against Stevan Jovetic having had an underwhelming first season in England. He was seriously injured early on and then only made a handful of substitute appearances for Manchester City on their charge to the title. He did however show glimpses of his huge talent and it would appear City have no desire to sell. Read the full story here.

          10.50 BST: The Daily Star, reporting on claims from Mundo Deportivo in Spain who have close links with Barcelona, claim Manchester United and Chelsea want to bring in former Arsenal man Alex Song. Reports suggest Barca would ideally want £20 million but would be willing to accept less in order to help raise cash to push through the Luis Suarez deal from Liverpool.

          10.45 BST: Steve Bruce's Hull City could be the next destination for Manchester United's promising young midfielder Nick Powell. According to the Hull Daily Mail, Powell was close to joining the Tigers last season because ex-Utd boss David Moyes wanted the midfielder to step-up from the Championship but he ended up on loan at Wigan where he scored 12 times in 42 appearances.

          The same report claims Hull probably won't be signing Nicklas Bendnter on a free after his move to Eintracht Frankfurt draws closer.

          10.35 BST: Looks like Lazar Markovic's move to Liverpool is gathering pace.

          10.30 BST: Lyon are set to snap-up the £4 million signing of Ghana striker Jordan Ayew from Marseille. President Jean-Michael Aulas is said to be an admirer of the 22-year-old and according to Le Progres, wants to beat Mice and St Etienne to his signature. Having lost Bafetimbi Gomis and Jimmy Briand this summer, Lyon will be desperate to bolster their front-line.

          10.22 BST: Flamengo have confirmed highly rated teenager Caio Rangel is set to join Cagliari in Italy.

          10.20 BST: It's never good for a new record £30 million signing to have a Twitter campaign entitled 'Find Erik' running by mid-way through the season. Not entirely his fault due to injury and managerial politics but not great all the same. Anyway Erik Lamela has been talking to Tottenham Hotspur's official website and claimed he is raring to go next season amid rumours he could be on his way back to Italy.

          10.13 BST: Get ready for this morning's dose of silly transfer rumour. Edinson Cavani. Manchester United. Exchange. Wayne Rooney. I feel like that might be enough. In all seriousness, Le 10 Sport say PSG are willing to sell in exchange for Rooney because they need Cavani's wages off the bill. Mmmm because adding Rooney's won't hurt. File this under 'stupid.'

          10.04 BST: Chelsea are considering selling Romelu Lukaku abroad at a cheaper price given new interest from Wolfsburg according to The Telegraph. Tottenham and Everton have both been quoted £25 million for the prolific Belgian while the German side have been told he could be available for less.

          09.58 BST: Dejan Lovren has been the subject of a teenage-brat style tantrum in order to get a move from Southampton to Liverpool. Well Ronald Koeman, playing stern father, has told him he isn't going anywhere. Read the full story here.

          09.43 BST: Turn up for the books or what!? We all still think of Stoke in the Tony Pulis mould don't we?

          - Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) July 12, 2014

          09.37 BST: BEBE! Remember Bebe? He's the guy Sir Alex Ferguson signed on a whim for some £7.5 million three years ago. He made a hatful of appearances at Old Trafford before being shipped to every far flung corner of the globe on loan. Well now he is being linked with a move to Benfica. Read the full story here.

          09.30 BST: Liverpool could be spending that Luis Suarez money sooner than we know. According to Le 10 Sport, the Reds have turned their attention to £10 million Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette who wants out of the French club. Newcastle had been interested but the striker recently told his agent to find him only a Champions League club, which means Liverpool now head the race for his signature.

          09.20 BST: Another club in the north-east of England who are being a tad more frugal with their spending is Sunderland. They've received a £1.75 million offer for a 50% share in Argentine striker Nacho Scocco. The forward only arrived six months ago but the Black Cats are already looking to sell him though they have rejected the bid from Newell's Old Boys because they want to recoup the £3. 75 million they paid for him in January according to The Journal.

          09.14 BST: Newcastle look set to sign Remy Cabella from Montpellier according to The Journal. The Magpies are looking to revamp their squad and after signing Cabella, will be looking to bring in another five players. The fee is said to be around £12 million after having a £9 million bid rejected earlier this summer.

          09.10 BST: So Phil Thompson doesn't sound bitter AT ALL does he? He told Sky Sports News he thought Alexis Sanchez has made a 'big mistake' by not wanting to join Liverpool and heading off to Arsenal. Deary me Phil...

          09.00 BST: Various reports from around Europe are suggesting Porto's Elaquim Mangala is going to play for Manchester City next season and a deal is going to be announced imminently. All eyes on this one developing today.

          08.49 BST: The ongoing saga surrounding Angel Di Maria's future looks set to continue. According to AS in Spain, the Argentine has told Real Madrid he wants to join PSG this summer. However the article goes on to say Los Blancos would rather sell to Manchester United. It also says the offer on the table currently stands at 70 miillion euros while the European champions will be asking for at least 80 million.

          07.49 BST: And yet more on Luis Suarez. The BBC reports that Barcelona might not actually be able to publicly unveil their star signing because of his FIFA ban.

          07.30 BST: Liverpool did not have to give away too much of the Luis Suarez transfer fee to the striker's former club, according to the Dutch press.

          07.21 BST: Paris Saint-Germain look to be closing in on Toulouse full-back Serge Aurier.

          Green-eyed monster?

          Manchester City haven't exactly been backward in coming forward where this transfer window is concerned. They've already snapped up Willy Caballero and Fernando, but there's something else in the air as they look to take the attention away from those exhibitionists at Emirates Stadium and Anfield. Fernando's Porto teammate, French centre-back Eliaquim Mangala, is the subject of what the Express describes as a 32 million-pound bid by Manuel Pellegrini and Co., but Manchester United and Chelsea -- the latter newly bolstered by all that David Luiz cash (with or without the receipt) -- are said to be muscling in, too.

          Social media vibes late on Friday night were that the deal with City is close and a medical could be imminent, but with a lot of money swilling about and very few top-class centre-backs to go around, this might still have a ways to run.

          Arsenal making moves

          Arsenal are quite enjoying the centre stage they currently occupy and the Telegraph claims that German duo Sami Khedira and Sven Bender are their top targets for their troublesome defensive midfield position. Khedira would cost at least £20 million, and you rather think that he'll be otherwise occupied for at least the next 24 hours or so.

          But the plot thickens! Saturday's Mirror claims that Chelsea and Jose Mourinho want to spoil the party being prepared for Khedira north of the river. They claim that his £150,000-a-week wages might be rather rich for Arsene Wenger's traditionally frugal blood and that the Stamford Bridge club are set to step in -- with Ramires, should his eyes have dried after Tuesday's debacle in Belo Horizonte, a candidate to move the other way.

          Selhurst Lark

          It looks as if Tony Pulis has decided that the cap fits where relegated Cardiff City's star names are concerned. Two Bluebirds appear set to fly the nest to Selhurst Park; the Guardian reports that Crystal Palace have met striker Fraizer Campbell's release clause of £600,000 and should wrap that deal up over the weekend. It comes hot on the heels of Marouane Chamakh's new two-year deal at Selhurst Park, and will intensify the Eagles' competition for attacking places -- Cameron Jerome, Liverpool title vanquisher Dwight Gayle and Glenn Murray are among the others jostling for position. Campbell scored six times last term -- not a bad return in a Cardiff side that created precious little.

          He'll be joined, according to the Mirror, by centre-back Steven Caulker. That deal will cost Pulis rather more -- 8 million pounds and a salary of 42,000 pounds per week, so it goes -- and, even more impressively, the Eagles are believed to have fended off both QPR and former club Spurs for the imposing defender's signature.

          The pair could be joined in southeast London by Spurs midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson -- if Pulis will stump up Spurs' asking price of 8 million pounds.

          All eyes on Fabio?

          Over in Italy, you can't afford to take your eyes off Fabio Quagliarella's social media output this weekend. The Juventus striker, who only scored once last season and looks certain to leave, has been heavily linked with city rivals Torino, but he's staying coy. "The market is still open," Tuttosport quotes him as saying. "When there is any official move I'll be the first to declare it on my social media." So make sure you're the first to read it.

          Bulgar Tweet

          Meanwhile in Sicily, there's a done deal and, indeed, a first signing of preseason for Palermo -- newly promoted back to Serie A after taking the Serie B title. They've confirmed the signing of highly-rated 21-year-old midfielder Ivajlo Kocev from Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia on a three-year deal. The playmaker scored nine goals in the local league last season, although Italian football is of course a different challenge altogether.