Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Monday, August 11.
So, with the start of the new Premier League season less than a week away, some of England's biggest clubs are expected to add to their squads over the coming days.
We will keep you updated on any deals that are finalised, as well as any fresh speculation that materialises and not just from these shores, but also the other big leagues. Stay tuned.
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Morning all. Where does the time go? It doesn't seem that long ago that the Premier League finished, now it's about to start again! As such, we're expecting some transfers to be completed today as managers begin to put the finishing touches to their squads. We'll have it all covered right here.
Let's have a look first of all at the stories that have been making the biggest headlines over the last few hours:
Arturo Vidal's agent to meet Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal today?
Memphis Depay coy on Tottenham Hotspur link
Rafael da Silva one of seven Manchester United players facing axe?
Garry Monk pessimistic over Jonathan de Guzman return
Will Buckley wanted by Sunderland?
It seems that Manchester United are going to be one of the busiest clubs between now and the end of the window. They've been heavily linked with the likes of Arturo Vidal, but he could be beaten through the Old Trafford entrance by Ajax's Daley Blind, who has revealed that he would be open to the prospect of signing on for the Red Devils.
Another line from United is the report that seven players, including somewhat surprisingly Rafael da Silva, have been told to find other clubs. To find out who else the Daily Mail believes are up for sale, click here.
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At the other end of the country, Southampton won't be signing Philipp Wollscheid on loan. The Bayer Leverkusen defender has insisted that if he were to leave his current employers, it would be on a permanent basis. The Saints have recently been linked with a loan move for the 25-year-old.
Could Connor Wickham be on the move? According to Sky Sports News, West Ham United have made a bid for the Sunderland striker. He has one year left to run on his deal at the Stadium of Light and talks over extended terms are said to have stalled. He scored some important goals towards the end of season, so losing him would be a blow for the Black Cats.
How many players have Chelsea loaned out? Well, add another to the list because Marko Marin has had a medical with Fiorentina:
In attesa dell'ufficialità, Marin sta svolgendo le visite mediche! In giornata su http://t.co/rI7eUxb8HG il servizio pic.twitter.com/G1XCp2Qo15
— ACF Fiorentina (@ACF_Fiorentina) August 11, 2014
And that is my stint done for today, but don't fear because I'll be handing you over to Matt Law now for the next three hours. Over to you, Matt...
Thank you Liam! Well, what will today bring? This week promises to be extremely busy with the Premier League season fast approaching.
A bit of news from Spain, where Barcelona are reportedly preparing to send Spanish midfielder Sergi Roberto on loan. The 22-year-old has been with the Catalan outfit since 2006 and enjoyed a breakthrough season last term, making 27 appearances in all competitions. However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barca boss Luis Enrique believes that the midfielder's development will be best served by a loan stint.
DONE DEAL! Birmingham City have completed the signing of David Davis from fellow Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old signs a two-year contract with the Blues, with the option of a further year.
Back to Spain for a moment and Aston Villa are reportedly close to signing midfielder Carlos Sanchez from Elche. The Colombian impressed for his club side last season, but drew interest from a wider audience after a solid World Cup for his country in Brazil.
DONE DEAL! Manchester City have signed Porto's French defender Eliaquim Mangala on a long-term deal. More here.
Various reports on Twitter are claiming that Manchester United have no interest in signing Fiorentina's Juan Cuadrado despite talk of a move for the Colombian. It is all becoming a bit of a farce now!
For all the latest transfer news, be sure to check out our 1pm update here.
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A bit of news from France and a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has denied that he had a conversation with Swedish coach Stefan Hansson, where he reportedly said that he wants to return to Juventus. The Paris Saint-Germain forward has claimed that he has "never met" Hansson and denied that he is pining for a return to Juve, who he represented between 2004 and 2006.
Want a run through of the latest club-by-club transfer talk from the Premier League? No problem, have a read here.
Barcelona will reportedly sign a new right-back this summer, with three names in the picture. Dani Alves is expected to remain with the Catalan outfit despite talk of a move, but according to Sport, Barca boss Luis Enrique wants a new full-back on the right side of the field.
Valencia have confirmed the signing of Lucas Orban from Bordeaux on a five-year contract. The 25-year-old, who has become Valencia's sixth major signing of the summer, is expected to be presented as a Los Che player later this afternoon.
#BenvingutOrban
VÍDEO
Lucas Orban completó la revisión médica junto a Divina Pastora Seguros: http://t.co/ABbDaV7Grh pic.twitter.com/f3RhMkzBuA
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf) August 11, 2014
Ajax defender Daley Blind is now 1/3 with Sky Bet to make the move to Manchester United.
West Ham United have reportedly had their bid for Connor Wickham turned down by Sunderland. It was claimed earlier today that the Hammers had submitted an offer of £4m for the England Under-21 international. However, the Black Cats reportedly have no interest in letting the striker leave.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly told Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira that he will sign the German international on a free transfer next summer. Khedira has just 12 months remaining on his current deal with Los Blancos and as it stands, contract talks between the two parties have stalled. Some free transfer that would be!
AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing Cameroon midfielder Stephane Mbia. The 28-year-old, who represented his country at this summer's World Cup, is currently available on a free transfer after leaving Queens Park Rangers at the end of last season.
Right, that is just about it from me this afternoon. However, be sure to remain with us as I pass the baton onto Jack Prescott. Over to you Jack!
Thank you, Matt! Right, let's start with a bit of gossip involving Hull City. Besiktas manager Slaven Bilic has reportedly made Hull winger Ahmed Elmohamady one of his major transfer targets. The Turkish outfit recently signed Demba Ba from Chelsea and it has been claimed that Bilic has identified Elmohamady as the ideal winger to provide the crosses for his new striker.
Huddersfield Town midfielder Adam Clayton reportedly failed to turn up for a medical at Middlesbrough and now the proposed move between the two clubs could be ruined. A deal between the two Yorkshire clubs had been agreed, with Jacob Butterfield believed to be heading in the other direction, but now Clayton appears to have taken matters into his own hands.
Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that his club has not made an offer for Ravel Morrison. A report over the weekend claimed that Solskjaer was eager to sign the England Under-21 international, with a fee in the region of £3m mooted.
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Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair has suggested that he could leave the club if he does not play more this season. The 25-year-old has made just three starts for the Premier League champions since joining from Swansea City in 2012.
Ajax head coach Frank de Boer has urged Daley Blind to think strongly about his future. The Netherlands international has been linked with a switch to Manchester United in recent weeks and when asked about that speculation at the weekend, the 24-year-old hinted that he would be interested in a move to Old Trafford.
Stoke City have reportedly made a £5m bid for Norwich City attacker Nathan Redmond. The 20-year-old joined Norwich from Birmingham City in 2013, but is expected to depart the Canaries this month following their relegation to the Championship.
West Bromwich Albion are reportedly considering a move for West Ham United winger Matt Jarvis. Jarvis, 28, made the switch to London from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2012, but has largely struggled to find his best form for the Hammers.
More from Stoke now with manager Mark Hughes playing down suggestions that Peter Crouch could leave the club this summer. Both West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers have been credited with an interest in the former England forward.
DONE DEAL! Championship side Reading have announced the signing of centre-back Anton Ferdinand on a two-year contract. The 29-year-old, formerly of West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland, returns to England after a year playing in Turkey with Antalyaspor, where he said he was hampered by off-field issues.
Arsenal have reportedly renewed their interest in Olympiacos defender Kostas Manolas. The centre-back, who impressed for Greece at this summer's World Cup, is believed to be valued in the region of £8m by his club.
That's all from me for today, but Pascal Lemesre will now be with you for the next couple of hours to keep you updated with all of the latest news and gossip in the transfer window. Goodbye!
Thanks Jack! And there is news of a confirmed transfer to bring you...
DONE DEALS! A couple of confirmed loan moves to bring you. In the Championship, Bolton Wanderers confirm that they have re-captured Joe Mason on loan from Cardiff City.
Manchester United youngster Angelo Henriquez, meanwhile, has joined Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. More on that, here.
Manchester United youngster Angelo Henriquez, meanwhile, has joined Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. More on that, here.
After leaving Newcastle United earlier this summer, Shola Ameobi has moved to Turkey with second-tier side Gaziantep Buyuksehir Belediyespor. That's a mouthful, eh pet?
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Moroccan centre-back Mehdi Benatia has been attracting plenty of interest this summer, but potential suitors will reportedly have to cough up £50m if they want to sign him from Roma.
7PM UPDATE! Our evening update brings you up to date on all the transfer headlines from this afternoon. Check it out here.
There's been plenty of Connor Wickham to West Ham rumours today, and the latest from Sunderland is that they want reportedly £8m for the young striker. That's the same fee that the Black Cats paid Ipswich Town for his services in 2011.
Where will Wilfried Zaha be playing football this season? Chances at Manchester United could be slim, but Nottingham Forest have kept quiet on rumours linking them with a loan move for the winger. Newcastle United are also thought to have shown an interest.
Time for me to bid you farewell, but the blog will keep on going as Sian Cowper guides you through the next few hours. Over to you, Sian...
Thanks Pascal. There had been talk of Sevilla defender Alberto Moreno joining Liverpool after making one final appearance for the Spanish side in the Super Cup tomorrow night. However, the La Liga side have revealed that they are yet to finalise an agreement with the Anfield side.
Accrington Stanley may have already played their first game of the season, but the League Two side have been adding to their squad today. Former Wigan defender Jordan Mustoe has signed a short-term contract with James Beattie's side.
Arsenal have been linked with quite a few players in recent weeks, but the latest reports suggest that a couple of strikers could be on their way out of the club. It's been speculated that Galatasaray are planning to bid for Joel Campbell and Lukas Podolski, who are valued at around £28m.
Aston Villa midfielder Aleksandar Tonev was linked with a move to Celtic earlier today. Well, the Scottish champions have confirmed this evening that the Bulgarian has joined them on loan for the season.
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira was linked with a move to Arsenal, while Chelsea and Bayern Munich are thought to be lining up a move for the German international should he be available on a free next summer. However, manager Carlo Ancelotti insists that Khedira is going nowhere.
Didier Drogba could miss the start of the Premier League season after picking up an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly. As a result, Chelsea have reportedly opened talks with Queens Park Rangers over striker Loic Remy.
Samuel Eto'o has been linked with West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers, Ajax, Roma and PSV Eindhoven since coming to the end of his contract at Chelsea. The latest club to reportedly express an interest in the Cameroon international is Liverpool.
Well that's all from this evening, but Joe Fish will be here for the next three hours to keep you up to date.
Spurs appear to have all but wrapped up the signing of USA international right-back DeAndre Yedlin, with his Seattle Sounders coach admitting that the transfer is around 48 hours from completion.
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One deal that Tottenham have already finalised is the transfer of Michel Vorm from Swansea City, but there is still some unfinished business there. Vorm's former employers FC Utrecht claim that they are entitled to a 30% sell-on fee and have reported Swansea to FIFA for their failure to pay it.
In League One, Gillingham manager Peter Taylor has admitted that he may be on the lookout for emergency goalkeeping cover after number one Stuart Nelson injured his hand in their 4-2 opening-day defeat to MK Dons. Glenn Morris and Tom Hadler will deputise for Nelson in the meantime.
Konstantinos Mitroglou appears poised to leave Fulham this summer, only six months after costing the Whites a club-record £11m. Reports claim that the Greek international striker will return to Olympiacos on a season-long loan, with Felix Magath reluctant to use him at Craven Cottage.
One final line to bring you before Sports Mole closes the curtain on another busy day in the transfer window is from Southampton, who are expected to be very active in the coming weeks as they look to replace their departed quintet of big names. Romanian defender Florin Gardos could be their man soon, having reportedly undergone a medical ahead of a proposed transfer from Steaua Bucuresti.
That's it from Sports Mole for tonight. Rejoin us tomorrow for the latest news and gossip. Until then...
