Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog for Sunday, August 3. The start of the domestic football season is getting ever closer, so transfer speculation will be getting ever more intense over the next few weeks. We will have all the latest updates as the day goes on!
One of the biggest transfer sagas this summer involves Real Madrid and Argentina winger Angel di Maria.
It has been reported that Bayern Munich have joined the race to sign the out-of-favour World Cup finalist.
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Another hot topic in the transfer rumour mill this summer is the future of Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony. Manager Garry Monk
has insisted that the Ivorian World Cup forward is "committed" to the Welsh outfit.
There has also been plenty of transfer speculation about Chelsea's goalkeeper Petr Cech. A mainstay at Stamford Bridge for the last decade, Blues manager Jose Mourinho has hinted that he
may dethrone the Czech stopper in favour of Thibaut Courtois. As a result, Real Madrid are said to be
monitoring the situation.
You have to feel for Southampton. They had an amazing season last year, but have found their team picked apart this summer. Morgan Schneiderlin is another one said to be on the radar of many clubs, with reports claiming that Tottenham Hotspur have
upped their bid to £20m for the French international.
Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Louis van Gaal, is on Napoli's radar, but according to reports, the Belgian's salary is too steep for the Serie A outfit, meaning that the Red Devils
will have to pay half his wages if they want to offload the Belgian for the season.
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Now for some news regarding Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira. The German has has a good 2014, claiming both the Champions League with his club and the World Cup with his national team. But according to reports, he is looking to
run down his contract at the Bernabeu before hooking up with former manager Jose Mourinho at Chelsea!
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, never one to hold back from saying what he believes, has
issued a parting shot at former defender David Luiz, claiming that the Brazil captain was no longer first choice at the back and will not be missed for his football.
Now for some confirmed transfer news. France midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, who was reportedly on the radar of Premier League clubs West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers,
has signed for Russian outfit Dynamo Moscow in a £7m transfer.
Notts County manager Shaun Derry has
reiterated his desire to sign former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll, claiming that he would have been 'a fool' not to monitor the 37-year-old, who is reportedly keen to return to the English leagues after a spell with Olympiacos in Greece.
I'm about to hand the reins over to Joe Sharratt, but before I go, here's one final transfer report, claiming that Southampton and Napoli
are to fight for Manchester City's Jack Rodwell. Remember to stay tuned to
Sports Mole for all the latest transfer gossip!
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Thanks Giuseppe, and hello everyone! There's plenty of transfer news flying about today as the new season edges ever closer. For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer though it's not all good news. His preparations for life in the Championship have been rocked by
reported interest in midfielder Jordon Mutch from Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers.
Done deal! After seemingly failing in their bid to bring Loic Remy back to Tyneside, Newcastle United have
confirmed the signing of Argentine striker Facundo Ferreyra on a season-long loan deal from Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk.
With Arsenal's move for Real Madrid's Sami Khedira stalling amid
rumours he will allow his contract to run out and join Chelsea on a free transfer, reports suggest Arsene Wenger could be
set to move for Atletico Madrid's defensive midfielder Joshua Guilavogui instead.
With so much news around potential incomings at Anfield, young defender Rafael Paez could be
heading out of the club as reports suggest he is set to join Serie B side Bologna on a season-long loan deal.
Norwich City are
set to complete the signing of Gary O'Neil, which could be a stroke of genius by Neil Adams. The midfielder has been promoted from the Championship in each of his last two seasons in the division, with Queens Park Rangers and West Ham respectively. Could he bag the hat-trick with The Canaries?
Another done deal as former Hull City midfielder Robert Koren has
joined Melbourne City following his release by the club this summer.
A bit of news from Europe now as Napoli's Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami - formerly of West Ham and the man who's incredible last minute run set up his country's winner in the
2-1 victory over Ecuador at the World Cup - has
joined Bundesliga side Hamburg on a three-year deal.
It's turning into a very busy day at St James' Park. After confirming the
loan signing of Shakhtar Donetsk striker Facundo Ferreyra earlier today, the Magpies are now being linked with a
£6m swoop for Sunderland striker Connor Wickham.
Poor Samuel Eto'o. After apparently being
mocked by Jose Mourinho over his age last season, the striker's proposed move to West Ham is now in doubt after Sam Allardyce revealed that the Hammers are looking for a
'younger player' than Eto'o. Still, the news appears to have alerted Tottenham Hotspur, with Mauricio Pochettino now reported to be ready to
make a move for the Cameroon star.
Just before I hand you back to Giuseppe Labellarte, there's a big story brewing with reports suggesting that Manchester United are
set to swoop for Atletico Madrid's Arda Turan in a player-plus-cash deal involving Shinji Kagawa. Stay tuned to
Sports Mole for more on that story as it happens and all the other latest transfer gossip!
Thanks Joe! I'll be taking you through the next couple of hours. Liverpool are said to be keen on AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, with an Italian newspaper reporting that the Italy forward
is available for a cut price as the San Siro club looks to trim its wage bill.
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Now for some Championship transfer news, as Blackburn Rovers striker Ruben Rochida
has undergone a medical with La Liga side Granada, with the 23-year-old expected to put pen to paper tomorrow.
Bad news for West Bromwich Albion: record signing Brown Ideye is
set to miss the start of the Premier League season due to visa and work permit issues.
Exciting news for Tottenham Hotspur fans and for the Premier League in general as Eric Dier, arguably one of English football's greatest prospects playing overseas,
has signed for the White Hart Lane outfit from Sporting Lisbon!
Now for some transfer speculation that is sure to ruffle the feathers of Cardiff City fans: Celtic's Adam Matthews, who once turned out for the Bluebirds, is said to be
on bitter rivals Swansea City's radar!
Leeds United appear to have let a promising young signing slip, as 22-year-old Roma midfielder Federico Viviani's move to Elland Road is
reported to have collapsed.
Now for some Bundesliga
transfer talk - Kyriakos Papadopoulos, one of Greek football's hottest prospects,
has made the switch from Schalke 04 to Bayer Leverkusen.
Chelsea have already bought two players from Atletico Madrid this transfer window - Diego Costa and Filipe Luis - but, according to reports from Spain, they will not make it a hat-trick, because Miranda has allegedly decided
to turn down Jose Mourinho's side and stay at the Vicente Calderon!
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BREAKING NEWS! Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas has joined Real Madrid from Levante on a six-year deal! Watch this space!
And in the midst of this breaking news, I will now hand over the reins to Sian Cowper, who will take you through this evening! Remember to stay tuned to Sports Mole as we bring you all the latest transfer news!
Thanks Giuseppe! Blackpool's attempts to add to their squad have apparently hit a stumbling block. According to the latest reports, former Seasiders midfielder Faris Haroun has
rejected an offer to rejoin the club.
As we told you a little earlier, Real Madrid have announced that Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas has completed his move to the European champions from Levante. You can now read more details about the move
here.
West Ham United have admitted that they are looking to add another striker to their squad before the end of the transfer window, and have been linked with Stoke City forward Peter Crouch. However, the Potters' manager Mark Hughes has said the rumour is
"just speculation" and that he does not expect Crouch to be leaving the side.
Earlier this weekend, it was reported that Norwich City striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel was to undergo a medical with French club Saint-Etienne. Manager Neil Adams has confirmed that
that is the case, but that the deal is yet to be finalised.
Everton have been linked with a season-long loan for Chelsea winger Christian Atsu in recent weeks. While he hasn't mntioned any names, manager Roberto Martinez admits that he is
trying to add a winger to the squad before the end of this summer's window.
Many players are currently trying to impress clubs during trial spells. Among those is young Watford striker Ogo Obi, who has had a brief spell at Manchester United. The 16-year-old has reportedly caught the club's eye with his performances in the Milk Cup, and could reportedly be making a
permanent move to Old Trafford.
Former Crewe Alexandra striker Max Clayton has spent the last few days on trial Wolverhampton Wanderers, and manager Kenny Jackett admits that the club have been impressed by him so far, and will meet with him to
discuss his future.
Newcastle United made the seventh addition to their squad this summer by completing the loan signing of Facundo Ferreyra from Shakhtar Donetsk earlier. However, manager Alan Pardew says that the club will be
keeping their eye on the market for the rest of the window.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers described Mario Balotelli as a "big talent" earlier this weekend, leading to speculation that he was interested in signing the Italian. However, Rodgers has now said that he can "categorically"
rule out a move for the forward.
Earlier, we told you that Alan Pardew has insisted that Newcastle United were not done during this transfer window. Well, according to the latest reports, it seems he wasn't bluffing, as the Magpies are said to be on the verge of completing a
£3m deal for Nottingham Forest defender Jamaal Lascelles.
Well that's all from me this evening, but stick around as Phil Archbold will be here for the next three hours to keep you up to date with all of the latest dealings and speculation from the transfer market.
Thanks Sian! We'll start by heading up to the north east, where Sunderland are said to have lodged a bid for Palermo hitman
Abel Hernandez. The Uruguayan striker had a record of one goal in every two games in the Italian second flight last season.
Poor old Benfica! Their squad has taken a hammering in this transfer window, and Valencia are back looking to take a
third player from the Portuguese giants, with Enzo Perez the target this time.
Tottenham Hotspur's pursuit of defender Mateo Musacchio has kicked up a gear, with Villarreal admitting that the player is leaving and
reports emerging that a £17m deal has been agreed.
More from White Heart Lane now, as Spurs are reportedly ready to use Nacer Chadli as
bait to lure Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin to North London.
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has revealed that Gabriel Obertan's pre-season performances have put the Frenchman
back in contention for the Magpies when he looked certain to be moving on. Like a new signing?
One last bit of transfer news to bring you before we shut up shop for the night. Arsenal and Chelsea target Jackson Martinez has reportedly
lowered his release clause as part of a new contract, though it will not be active until next summer.
That's curtains for this evening folks, but we'll be back at 9am with all the latest
transfer talk and gossip. Good night!