Transfer News

Bent set for move to Fulham.

Aston Villa forward Darren Bent will secure a loan deal to Fulham if he comes through a medical on Thursday.

Although Fulham boss Martin Jol rejected reports that a move for the unsettled striker was imminent, his Villa counterpart Paul Lambert confirmed on Thursday that Bent's transfer would go through barring any hitch with fitness checks in London.
"He's just away down to Fulham," said Lambert. "I think it's well-documented now that he's down there having a medical and that's the last I've heard."
Bent was the subject of a £4m bid from the Cottagers earlier in the summer, which was rejected by Villa, but the two clubs have reached an agreement with a view to a season-long loan.
It is also a big blow for Crystal Palace who had looked favourites to snare the 29-year-old.
Bent was a peripheral figure for Aston Villa last season, often left on the sidelines with Christian Benteke making his mark in Lambert's side.
And with new attacking options now available to Lambert, the Villa boss has opted to offload the striker they bought in January 2011 for around £24m from Sunderland.

Wenger vows to keep hunting.

Manager Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will continue to push all the way for new signings despite a frustrating period so far in the transfer market.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis may have talked up the club's new "financial firepower" at the end of last season, but so far the only confirmed signing has been France Under-21 striker Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer from Auxerre.
After failing to land Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain earlier in the summer, the Gunners have also been foiled in their attempts to sign Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and Bayern Munich's midfielder Luiz Gustavo.
As the clock ticks towards the September 2 deadline, Wenger told Arsenal Player: "We are active. We are in a situation like Manchester United, like Chelsea, where everybody expects signings and at the moment not a lot has happened.

Transfer News

No Arsenal deal for Perez.

Atletico Nacional have announced that Sebastian Perez will not be joining Arsenal following a recent trial with the Gunners.

Colombian midfielder Perez, 20, has spent some time with Arsenal this summer and played in their 3-1 pre-season friendly victory over Manchester City at the weekend.
However, he has not been granted a work permit and his club have confirmed that there will be no move to Emirates Stadium.
Asked about Perez's work permit situation, Atletico Nacional director Victor Marulanda is quoted as telling winsports.co: "We already knew that and were waiting for the response, but that wasn't possible and the player will keep working with us.
"The possibility of joining Arsenal has been ruled out."

Redknapp holds Parker hope.

Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp remains optimistic regarding his chances of landing Scott Parker from Tottenham Hotspur.

The 32-year-old midfielder has slipped down the pecking order at White Hart Lane following the summer arrivals of Paulinho and Nacer Chadli.
Former Spurs boss Redknapp hopes he can tempt Parker to Loftus Road and throw him into a Championship promotion push.
Reports have claimed that the England international underwent a medical at QPR on Tuesday and that a deal is close to being completed.
There remains a chance that a late bid from a rival could leave Redknapp empty-handed, with Fulham and Crystal Palace among those reported to be plotting a raid for Parker, but the R's are confident they will get their man.

Transfer News

Gourcuff wants Arsenal move.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has told L'Equipe that Yoann Gourcuff would be prepared to accept a pay cut in order to seal a switch to Arsenal.

The France international has long been linked with a switch to Emirates Stadium, and talk of transfer this summer has resurfaced.
Lyon would be prepared to part with Gourcuff's salary if a suitable offer is tabled, and the 27-year-old would prefer a deal to be done to take him to the Premier League.
Aulas insists no loan agreement will be sanctioned with another French club - amid talk of interest from Lorient - meaning the ball is now back in Arsenal's court as the countdown to deadline day continues.
He told L'Equipe on Gourcuff, who netted once and provided two assists as Lyon started the new season with a 4-0 mauling of Nice on Saturday: "Can you see us paying part of his salary for him to play against us with another French club? We've never considered that and it would be even more stupid now than it was a fortnight ago.
"All that I know, if I understood correctly, is that he was ready to lower his salary to go to Arsenal, but that's not the same thing.
"I spoke to his lawyer two weeks ago and he asked for the power of attorney to negotiate a transfer. I said no, but I would be keen to offer a non-exclusive power of attorney to see what happens."

West Ham seal Downing switch.

West Ham have completed the signing of winger Stewart Downing from Liverpool.

The 29-year-old has joined Sam Allardyce's side on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £5m.
Downing, who has won 34 caps for England, follows striker Andy Carroll in making the summer switch from Anfield to Upton Park and is looking forward a new chapter in his career.
"I'm very excited. It's a great opportunity for me being here, it's a great club and I'm really excited to get going," Downing told the club's website.
"I'm ready and I'm fit for the first game against Cardiff City. I've played a decent few games for Liverpool in pre-season, so there will be no problems on that front.
"It's all happened quickly, but I'm really excited and hoping to play a part on Saturday."
Downing began his career with Middlesbrough, making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2002.
He joined Aston Villa following Boro's relegation from the Premier League in 2009 and was voted their Player of the Season for 2010-2011.

Transfer News

Arsenal hold Gustavo talks.

Arsenal are in talks with Bayern Munich over midfielder Luiz Gustavo, although the Brazilian is interesting a number of clubs.

Talks are ongoing between Arsenal and the German giants over a potential deal for the midfielder.
A deal of £15million is being reported and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed over the weekend talks were ongoing.
It has been claimed that a deal was close, but Bayern's CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says Gustavo has a number of different options and he had not yet decided on his destination.
"Luiz has offers from England, Spain, Russia and Germany. The player has not made a decision, yet," he is quoted by Abendzeitung Muenchen.
Reports in Italy also claimed that Napoli could be ready to join the hunt for the 26-year-old.

Celtic warned over Finnbogasan.

 Celtic have been warned it will take a big fee to persuade Heerenveen to sell Alfred Finnbogason.

Scottish champions Celtic are thought to be weighing up a move for Finnbogason as they look to bring in a striker to help fill the void left by Gary Hooper's departure to Norwich.
Celtic are thought to have watched Finnbogason score in Heerenveen's 2-0 win over NAC Breda on Saturday, while a number of other clubs are also thought to be keeping tabs on the Icelandic international.
Heerenveen sporting director Gaston Sporre admits they will listen to offers for Finnbogason, but that it would have to be a big fee to sell him.
"He's good for at least 20 goals a season for us and we won't sell him for a reduced fee," said Sporre.
"If we get a concrete offer for him we will negotiate, but our aim is to keep him here at Heerenveen. He hasn't told us he is unhappy or asked for a transfer. We will wait and see."
Heereveen coach Marco van Basten also claimed it would take a lot of money to prise Finnbogason away from the club.

The Dublin Decider

Here is the result of the Dublin Decider match between Celtic FC and Liverpool FC:

Celtic 1-0 Liverpool.

Celtic ended Liverpool's decent pre-season run of results with a 1-0 victory in the Dublin Decider at the Aviva Stadium.

Amido Balde struck the only goal in the Irish capital as Brendan Rodgers' side were beaten for the first time in six friendly games.
Liverpool lacked threat going forward in the absence of Luis Suarez, although the reappearance of substitute Daniel Sturridge after injury was a promising sign.
Sturridge had been out since May with a damaged ankle but managed 45 minutes and was twice close to a goal, first with a lob and then with a fierce shot into the side netting.
By that stage, Liverpool were behind to a strike from the lively Balde, who turned Andre Wisdom and fired a shot through Simon Mignolet's dive (13).
Liverpool tested Lukas Zaluszka plenty before the break, Stewart Downing and Philippe Coutinho going close, while Sturridge's movement caused problems after half-time.
But the scoreline stayed the same in Liverpool's final game before next week's opener against Stoke.

Transfer News

AVB shuns Bale questions.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas refused to be drawn any further on the future of Real Madrid target Gareth Bale - but stressed the midfielder would link up with Wales next week.

Bale was a notable absentee as Tottenham rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against Espanyol at White Hart Lane on Saturday afternoon, when summer signing Roberto Soldado marked his home debut with a goal from the penalty spot in the first half.
It was a sound performance from Spurs, who look well-equipped to challenge for the top four of the Barclays Premier League once again.
But the debate surrounding whether or not talismanic winger Bale will remain past the September 2 transfer deadline will continue to make the headlines as the Spanish giants are said to be ready to spend the best part of £100million to land him.
Villas-Boas said: "The only thing I can say about the stories is I am not going to comment because everybody has speculated a lot. There are some different stories, some which are not true, with people inventing without knowledge of what is going on.
"The only thing I can tell you is the player is under the treatment of the medical department for this pain in the foot which is disturbing him.

RVP tells Wayne to remain red.

Robin van Persie is keen for unsettled forward Wayne Rooney to remain at Manchester United, with the Dutchman admitting that one of the reasons why he moved to Old Trafford was to team-up with the talented Englishman.

Rooney is wanted by one of United's main title rivals, Chelsea, who have made two unsuccessful bids for the 27-year-old.
Rooney's United future has been unclear since the end of last season but Van Persie is in no doubt that he wants his team-mate to remain at the club.
"I hope he stays. Not only is he a great goalscorer, he does so much work across the pitch. "He hates to lose and that's why you see him one minute pressing for goal, the next minute defending ferociously. He is an asset to any team.
"He will come good again. He is a strong lad."
Meanwhile, United manager David Moyes has confirmed that he is not unhappy about Rooney linking up with the England squad.
Rooney has not played for United in pre-season due to injury and is set to miss Sunday's Community Shield against Wigan.

Transfer News

Tottenham in Capoue talks.

Tottenham are in talks with Toulouse over the signing of midfielder Etienne Capoue, Sky sources understand.

The France international, a defensive midfielder who can also play at the back, has been attracting interest from Cardiff, who had an £8.6m bid for him accepted only for the deal to fall through.
Spanish side Atletico Madrid have also expressed an interest but Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas looks to have stolen a march on them, with Toulouse president Olivier Sadran suggesting the player could be on his way to White Hart Lane.
Capoue scored seven goals in 34 league appearances for Toulouse last season and would be Spurs' fourth signing of the summer if the deal goes through.
Brazilian playmaker Paulinho, Belgian winger Nacer Chadli and Spain striker Roberto Soldado have already moved to north London.
But it is the future of an existing Totenham player that continues to make the headlines, as Gareth Bale continues to be heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Bernard seals Shakhtar move.

 

Shakhtar Donetsk have announced the signing of Bernard.

The Brazilian international midfielder has penned a five-year deal with the Ukrainian giants.
He arrives from Atletico Mineiro after a fee in excess of £20million was agreed.
Arsenal and Tottenham had both been strongly linked with a move for the 20-year-old, but Shakhtar moved to secure a deal as their desire to snap up top Brazilian talent continued.
Currently they have nearly a dozen Brazilians in their first-team squad.