Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Monday, August 18.
Well, with the Premier League underway, managers in England's top flight are now more aware as to which parts of their squads are in need of bolstering.
It won't be long until the other major European leagues get underway as well, so plenty of business is expected to be concluded today and over the coming week.
Stay tuned right here for all the biggest done deals and latest speculation.
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Morning all. So, which club is going to spend the most money today? Rest assured that any done deals will be covered fully right here so stay tuned.
Let's begin with some of the stories that have been making the headlines over the last few hours:
Report: Manchester United agree £16m deal to sign Sporting Lisbon's Marcos Rojo
Morgan Schneiderlin 'changes his mind' about leaving Southampton
Manuel Pellegrini confirms Manchester City quartet are for sale
Alvaro Gonzalez wanted by Southampton?
Report: Arsenal close in on Eduaro Vargas loan
There are also plenty of other headlines in our 8am Transfer Talk Update, involving the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Southampton.
There have been few clubs that have been more active than Liverpool in the transfer market this summer, with eight players having arrived at Anfield. However, having sold Luis Suarez to Barcelona for a reported £75m, manager Brendan Rodgers has conceded that his squad could do with another striker.
© Getty Images
Staying with the striker theme, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Edin Dzeko should extend his contract at the Etihad Stadium in the near future. The Bosnian has been described by his boss as "a very important player for us".
There has been a departure from Ipswich Town this morning:
Good luck to @jackmarriott94 who has joined Carlisle (@officialcufc) on loan for a month to get some football. #ITFC
— ITFC Academy (@ITFC_Academy) August 18, 2014
Meanwhile, over in Italy, Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri has revealed that he is looking to add two more players to his squad before the transfer window closes. More recently, Colombian international Radael Falcao has been linked with a move to the Juventus Stadium.
And with that, my stint on this blog is over for the day. Don't fear, though, because Matt Law will be taking over for the next three hours to guide you through all the latest transfer news. Over to you, Matt.
Thanks Liam! A bit of news regarding Manchester United, Real Madrid and a certain Angel di Maria. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Angel di Maria is in his thoughts for tomorrow's Spanish Super Cup against Atletico Madrid. The Argentine has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks and did not feature in last week's European Super Cup against Sevilla. However, Ancelotti has confirmed that the attacker "is ready" for the first leg against Atletico.
Staying in the Premier League and Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland have reportedly joined Arsenal in the race to sign Napoli forward Eduardo Vargas.
Napoli centre-back Federico Fernandez is reportedly in Wales undergoing a medical with Swansea City ahead of a move to the Premier League outfit. Swans boss Garry Monk confirmed last week that a deal had been reached for the defender, who represented Argentina four times at this summer's World Cup.
Be sure to check out our 1pm transfer update for all the latest rumours and done deals.
Manchester United are also today being linked with a move for AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes. Has someone taken me back to 2005?
DONE DEAL! Chelsea have confirmed that midfielder Josh McEachran has joined Dutch side Vitesse on loan.
Confirmation of a loan move for @JMcEachran20... http://t.co/VmiuQ1tnyi #CFC pic.twitter.com/Mo6X9u9sdH
— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) August 18, 2014
Carlos Cuellar is reportedly undergoing a medical with Championship side Norwich City. The experienced centre-back is currently available on a free transfer after leaving Sunderland earlier this summer and has been linked with a number of clubs. However, according to Sky Sports News, Norwich have won the race for the 32-year-old, who is expected to sign a short-term deal upon the completion of his medical tests.
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Welcome to #CCFC Simeon Jackson! Striker signs a one-year deal with the #skyblues: http://t.co/qaipqCiCe1 #PUSB pic.twitter.com/PC6pJh9mkY
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) August 18, 2014
More on Jackson's move to Coventry can be found here, including quotes from head coach Steven Pressley.
With the transfer window fast drawing to a close, take a look at our club-by-club Premier League update here.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that he is not considering a change of system this season. It had been speculated that the Italian could alter his formation in the coming season in order to fit new signing James Rodriguez into the XI. However, Ancelotti has confirmed that he will continue with a 4-3-3 system. What does that mean for the futures of Angel di Maria and Sami Khedira? Both have been linked with moves to the Premier League in recent weeks.
Toby Alderweireld is reportedly a transfer target for a number of Premier League clubs. The Belgian centre-back moved to Atletico from Ajax last summer, but struggled to displace Miranda and Diego Godin in the club's first-choice XI. According to Mundo Deportivo, Alderweireld is keen to secure regular football, which has alerted the attention of a number of English clubs.
That is just about it from me this afternoon, but be sure to remain with us as I pass the baton onto Jack Prescott for the next few hours. Over to you, Jack.
Good afternoon! Let's start with a bit of news coming out of Italy with Fiorentina head coach Vincenzo Montella expressing his confidence that the Serie A club will be able to retain Juan Cuadrado's services beyond the end of the summer transfer window. Following his performances at the World Cup with Colombia, the winger has been linked with moves to both Manchester United and Barcelona.
Leicester City are understood to be closing in on a move for Marseille striker Rod Fanni. The 32-year-old has been told by the French club that he is free to leave this summer.
Toby Alderweireld is reportedly a transfer target for a number of Premier League clubs. The Belgian centre-back moved to Atletico Madrid from Ajax last summer, but struggled to displace Miranda and Diego Godin in the club's first-choice XI.
Manchester United are reportedly prepared to let midfielder Anderson join Sporting Lisbon as a part of the deal that would see Marcos Rojo move to Old Trafford. Speculation surfaced last week that Argentina international Rojo was a target of United, which prompted the defender to go on strike in a bid to force through the transfer.
© Getty Images
Roma are reportedly interested in signing Manchester City forward Stevan Jovetic. The 24-year-old moved to City from Fiorentina last summer, but scored just three Premier League goals during an injury-hit first campaign.
Derby County are understood to be interested in signing Stoke City defender Ryan Shotton. The 25-year-old has been with Stoke since 2005, making his first-team debut in 2007.
Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made Lewis Holtby available for transfer this summer. The 23-year-old joined Spurs from Schalke 04 in 2013, but has largely struggled to hold down a regular first-team spot at White Hart Lane and spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham.
DONE DEAL! Liverpool have confirmed that defender Tiago Ilori has joined Bordeaux on loan. The 21-year-old Portuguese has penned a season-long deal with the French club.
ANOTHER DONE DEAL! Chelsea winger Marko Marin has completed a season-long loan move to Fiorentina. The 25-year-old German joined the Blues from Werder Bremen in 2012 before going on to feature 16 times during his debut campaign.
Manchester City youngster Bruno Zuculini is reportedly on the verge of signing for Valencia on a season-long loan basis. The 21-year-old only arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Racing Club earlier this month and went on to feature in the Community Shield at Wembley.
That's all from me for now, but Pascal Lemesre will now be with you until 8pm to keep you up to date with all of the latest transfer news and gossip.
Thanks Jacky. A quick contractual update to bring you from Elland Road, where big striker Matt Smith has signed a two-year contract extension with Leeds United. More here.
We are delighted to confirm that Matt Smith has committed his future to the club by signing a new 3-year deal #lufc pic.twitter.com/a1fJmVkuiY — Leeds United FC (@LUFC) August 18, 2014
Villarreal have said that they are confident of keeping Matteo Musacchio this summer. The 23-year-old defender has reportedly been targeted by Tottenham Hotspur and other clubs in Spain.
TRANSFER TALK UPDATE! Get your evening fill of transfer news with our 7pm round right here.
Will Marouane Fellaini still be a Manchester United player come September? The latest rumours suggest that he could join Serie A side Napoli on loan. Read more here.
Time for me to have some tea, but Sian Cowper is here to guide you through the latest transfer news between now and 11pm. Sian...
Thanks Pascal. Villarreal midfielder Jonathan de Guzman is back with the Spanish club after a two-year loan spell with Swansea City, but it appears he could be on the move again later this week, as it's being reported that he will have a medical with Napoli on Wednesday.
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was left on the bench for the club's Premier League match against Burnley this evening. Despite seemingly making Thibaut Courtois his number one, Jose Mourinho insists that he does not want Cech to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Hull City still need a new striker after selling Shane Long to Southampton last week. According to the latest reports, the Tigers are preparing to bid £9m for Lorient and Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar.
Well that's all from me this evening, but stick around for the next three hours as Joe Fish will be along to bring you all the latest news from the transfer market.
A blow for League Two outfit Hartlepool United, who have revealed that star striker Luke James, who scored 16 goals in 49 hames last term, has handed in an official transfer request at Victoria Park.
Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino is using his Italian connections again, with the club in talks to sign Brazilian playmaker Adryan, who is currently on loan at Serie A outfit Cagliari.
Staying in the Championship, and Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has admitted that he would like to add one or two more to his squad this summer, but will only do so if the right player becomes available. The Cherries have already signed Callum Wilson, Dan Gosling and Junior Stanislas.
Reports claim that the Cherries may be after former loanee Andrew Surman at Norwich City, but Eddie Howe may be alerted by the news that Huddersfield Town's Oliver Norwood is supposedly available. Reading are believed to be leading the chase, though, and are preparing a bid for the 23-year-old.
Transfer business is on hold at Crystal Palace as the club look for a new manager following the shock resignation of Tony Pulis, who apparently left because of disagreements over their lack of incomings. Glenn Hoddle is believed to be the third man in the frame to replace Pulis, with Eagles co-chairman Steve Parish having already interviewed Tim Sherwood and Malky Mackay, according to reports.
Our final line of the evening comes from Tottenham, who could witness plenty of incomings and outgoings in the final two weeks of the window. A report claims that they are willing to let left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who still has a year left on his contract, leave for free this summer.
That's it from Sports Mole's transfer headquarters for now. Rejoin us at 9am for all of the latest done deals and speculation from around the footballing world. Until then...
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
