Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Monday, August 25.
While a lot of people may have a day off work on what is the final Bank Holiday before the festive period, behind the scenes at football clubs, plenty of negotiations will be taking place.
Here, we will keep you updated with all the developments and latest speculation on a day which could potentially see the British transfer record being shattered. Stay tuned.
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Morning all. Well, what a day we could have store. Manchester United may well break the British transfer record by signing Angel di Maria from Real Madrid. But if that wasn't enough, Liverpool could well also bring Mario Balotelli back to the Premier League! Rest assured, we will have all the big deals covered right here so don't go anywhere!
First of all, though, let's take a closer look at some of the stories that have been making the headlines over the last few hours:
Angel di Maria 'to fly to UK today to hold talks with Manchester United'
Report: Tottenham Hotspur turn down Southampton's £12m Andros Townsend bid
Mario Balotelli 'to finalise Liverpool deal in Merseyside today'
Arsenal eye move for Wolfsburg's Luiz Gustavo?
Report: Fabio Borini prefers loan move to Sunderland
It's been a pretty busy summer for Newcastle United, but manager Alan Pardew has hinted that if he is to add to his squad further before the transfer window closes next week, he won't be signing British players. To find out why, click here.
Staying in the Premier League and Burnley manager Sean Dyche has insisted that he will not break the club's transfer budget to bring in new players: "It's a tough challenge still. The club have made it clear there are certain guidelines I have to work within, and that's part of my role," he told the Lancashire Telegraph.
With Angel di Maria expected to arrive at Manchester United shortly, what does that mean for Danny Welbeck? Reports have suggested that he has been told that he can leave the club, which is said to have alerted Everton boss Roberto Martinez.
© Getty Images
As well as the Di Maria deal, Balotelli is also expected to join Liverpool today. However, the club's former midfielder Gary McAllister has urged some caution, claiming that the Italian's arrival could "split" the Anfield dressing room.
Let's turn to back to Di Maria and his proposed switch to Man United for a few moments. Here, Sports Mole has given its verdict on the deal.
And that is my first stint on this blog done for today, but don't fear because Pascal Lemesre will be here shortly to take you through the next three hours. Over to you, Pascal...
Thanks Liam. Let's go the Championship first this afternoon, where Wolverhampton Wanderers are said to be closing in on the loan signing of George Saville, who helped Brentford win promotion from League One, like Wolves, last term.
1PM TRANSFER TALK UPDATE! Here's our lunchtime roundup, bringing you right up to date with the latest from transfer land.
FEE AGREED! A done deal is approaching in the Championship as Wigan Athletic at last agree to match Brentford's asking price for midfielder Adam Forshaw.
It looks like Brentford are a little annoyed at Wigan's pursuit of the player as they said this on their website: "Adam has headed north today to discuss personal terms with the Sky Bet Championship side, three places below The Bees and a point worse off."
It looks like Brentford are a little annoyed at Wigan's pursuit of the player as they said this on their website: "Adam has headed north today to discuss personal terms with the Sky Bet Championship side, three places below The Bees and a point worse off."
OFFICIAL: #watfordfc welcome back goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin after he signs a one-year deal with the club pic.twitter.com/pVNU0Oiuk7 — Official #watfordfc (@watfordfcsays) August 25, 2014
Here's more on the Hornets' re-capture of 27-year-old Irishman Gilmartin.
Andreas Cornelius's time with Cardiff City didn't work out, but he has since rediscovered his goalscoring touch with FC Copenhagen in Denmark, reportedly alerting Newcastle United, who could move for the 21-year-old.
Oxford United's season couldn't have started much worse in League Two. The U's are bottom and pointless in the fourth tier, but today announced the signing of former Brighton striker Will Hoskins.
At least they won in the first round of the Capital One Cup and tomorrow get to travel to Premier League side West Brom in the second round.
At least they won in the first round of the Capital One Cup and tomorrow get to travel to Premier League side West Brom in the second round.
Will Esteban Cambiasso be a Premier League player come the closing of the transfer window this time next week? The Argentine veteran has been linked with a move to newly-promoted Leicester City for much of the summer and Foxes boss Nigel Pearson has said that a deal can be done. Man Utd are also believed to be interested in the 34-year-old and will hope that their new Argentinian contigent can lure him to Old Trafford.
Righty ho, my three hours on the blog are over so it's back to Liam until 5pm. Mr Apicella...
Thank you Pascal and afternoon all. Let's start this stint down in the Championship with Derby County, who are reportedly looking to make two loan signings from the Premier League. To find out which players they are, click here.
Staying in the Championship and Bournemouth, who are said to have made a move for Carlton Cole. One report has even claimed that they have had a £1m bid accepted for the striker by West Ham United, but they are leaving it up to the player to decide if the move is finalised.
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A picture for all you Liverpool fans:
Mario training at Melwood! First pictures here #LFC http://t.co/PmezD4Hszm pic.twitter.com/cfqhBkklur
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) August 25, 2014
DONE DEAL! Yet another signing at Leeds United. Denmark international Casper Sloth has arrived at Elland Road from AGF Aarhus for an undisclosed fee. I think that's now 14 new players that have joined the club this summer! More here.
And now I pass you over to Matt Law, who I believe will have a big transfer to break for you. Over to you, Matt...
DONE DEAL! Liverpool sign Mario Balotelli from AC Milan. More here.
So, Liverpool have indeed brought in Balotelli. What about Manchester United and a certain Di Maria? The deal could go through this evening or early tomorrow morning. Be sure to remain with us for the latest. I have a feeling that the next seven days are going to be slightly busy!
DONE DEAL! Derby County have signed Ryan Shotton on loan from Stoke City. The 25-year-old, who can play across the defence as well in midfield, has moved to the Championship outfit the remainder of this season.
More on Shotton to Derby can be found here, with Rams boss Steve McClaren having his say. Just a reminder that the deal reportedly includes a future purchase option.
According to reports on Twitter, Di Maria will arrive into Manchester at approximately 6.30pm UK time, before heading to Carrington. The deal is very close...
© Getty Images
Right, that is just about it from me this evening. However, be sure to remain with us as I pass the baton onto Sian for the next few hours...
Thanks Matt. If you have just joined us this evening, why not start with a look through our 7pm Transfer Talk Update to catch up on all of this afternoon's developments.
Former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o is still without a club, having been linked with West Ham, Ajax and Liverpool already this summer. However, it looks like he could be on his way to Everton, with the latest reports suggesting that he will undergo a medical with the Toffees tomorrow.
Earlier, we brought you news of Mario Balotelli's move to Liverpool after the deal was confirmed by the club. Brendan Rodgers has described the transfer as "outstanding value".
It sounds like there could be yet another new arrival at Liverpool before transfer deadline day. Israeli midfielder Michael Ohana has been on trial at the club at the start of the season, and is though to be on the verge of securing a place in the club's developmental squad.
Real Madrid's Angel di Maria arrived in Manchester earlier this evening to meet with Manchester United ahead of his proposed move to Old Trafford. The latest reports suggest that a British record fee of £59.7m has been agreed between the two clubs.
Speaking of the British transfer record, that honour is currently held by Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, who cost the club £50m in 2011. It looks like he could be heading away from Stamford Bridge though, as AC Milan have reportedly approached his agent with a view to securing the Spaniard on loan.
Hull City have submitted two bids for Blackburn Rovers striker Jordan Rhodes over the last week, but the Championship side have turned both of them down. However, it seems that the Scottish international is considering submitting a transfer request to force the move through.
That's all from me this evening, but stick around for the new few hours as Joe Fish will be here to keep you up to date with all the latest developments.
With Di Maria to Manchester United now drawing ever closer, former Red Devils captain Gary Neville has claimed that the Argentine's arrival will improve Juan Mata, rather than force him out of Louis van Gaal's starting XI. Some critics have suggested that Mata will fall into Di Maria's shadow.
Neville has had plenty to say following United's disappointing start to the season. He is excited by Di Maria's imminent arrival, but has stressed that a midfielder and defender must follow the Argentine to Old Trafford. Netherlands international Daley Blind has been tipped as a likely signing.
After learning of the news that leading striker Olivier Giroud could miss three months of the season with a broken ankle, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has reportedly drawn up a three-man list of forwards to help provide cover. Loic Remy, Danny Welbeck and Samuel Eto'o are said to be targets.
We finish with a line from across North London, and Spurs appear to be closing in on the signing of defender Federico Fazio, with Sevilla confirming that the Premier League club are willing to meet his £8m release clause. Fazio captained Sevilla to Europa League glory last term.
And that's your lot from Sports Mole's transfer headquarters, until 9am at least. Be sure to rejoin us then for news on the latest done deals and the rest of the transfer gossip. Until then...
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
