Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live transfer blog on Saturday, August 23.
There is now just a little over a week to go until the transfer window slams shut and with plenty of business still expected to be concluded, it's going to be a busy few days.
With matches to be played, Saturdays are often quieter, but that does not mean that some big deals will not go through. Stay tuned because we will have all the biggest news and speculation covered right here.
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Morning all. Is today going to be the day that Mario Balotelli's return to England is confirmed? Rest assured, should that, or any other deal go through, we will have it covered right here.
Let's start, as always, with a look at some of the transfer-related stories that have been making the headlines over the last few hours.
Mark Hughes: 'Asmir Begovic will not be leaving'
Arsenal in Kostas Manolas talks?
Report: Lukas Podolski wanted by Juventus
Mario Balotelli agrees to take pay cut to join Liverpool?
Steve Bruce lodges bid for Irish defender Brian Lenihan?
As mentioned in the introduction, the big one we are waiting for today is Mario Balotelli, who is thought to be on the verge of returning to England with Liverpool. The former Manchester City frontman is known to be on Merseyside, having arrived yesterday, and is believed to have already undergone a medical. Surely it's just a case of putting the finishing touches to the contracts.
Some big speculation coming out of Spain. It's well known that Angel di Maria is looking to leave Real Madrid, with Manchester United thought to be interested. However, according to a report in Iberia, Real's big rivals Barcelona have submitted a bid for the Argentine. Surely those two won't do business, will they?!
Talking of Man United, could they be about to loan out three English players? According to The Mirror, Louis van Gaal has told Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverley and Wilfried Zaha to prove themselves elsewhere for a season, which is thought to have sparked interest from a host of other Premier League clubs.
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Down in the Championship, Blackburn Rovers have broken their silence on Jordan Rhodes. Hull City were interested in the Scot, but Rovers have insisted that they do not want to sell the striker. To read the statement in full, click here.
However, despite that statement from Blackburn, Hull boss Steve Bruce remains keen to sign Rhodes. To find out what he's had to say, click here.
And that is my stint done on this blog for today, but coming up now is Sian Cowper, who will be with you for next few hours. Over to you, Sian...
Thanks Liam. League Two side Accrington Stanley have brought in a new keeper, signing Queens Park Rangers' Joe Lumley on a one-month loan.
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been linked with moves to a number of clubs this summer, but appears to have pledged his future to the Italian champions, reportedly agreeing a new five-year contract.
Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson was thought to be on the verge of a move to Hull City last month, but then the speculation went quiet. Well, it seems that the move could be back on, with the latest reports suggesting that the 30-year-old will move to the KC Stadium is Sevilla's Federico Fazia joins Spurs.
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is thought to be attracting interest from several clubs, with some keen to sign him this summer, while others are hoping to get him for free next year. The German international admits that "anything is possible".
Barcelona are thought to have been chasing Sao Paulo defender Douglas through the summer, and it is believed that the Catalan giants will complete a deal for the 24-year-old within the next week.
If you are just joining us this afternoon, you can catch up on all of this morning's transfer headlines with our 1pm Transfer Talk Update.
Earlier, we told you that Michael Dawson could be on his way to Hull City, with the move dependent on the arrival at Federico Fazio at White Hart Lane. Well, the latest speculation seems to indicate that the Sevilla defender could be joining Spurs sooner rather than later.
Southampton have already lost a number of their first-team players this summer, and it looks like another could be heading for the exits. Arsene Wenger is apparently keen to bring in Victor Wanyama as cover for injured Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski appears to be attracting a lot of interest from Serie A at the moment. The German international was linked with Juventus earlier this week, but it now appears that Napoli would be also be keen to sign the 29-year-old.
Celta Vigo forward Nolito was thought to be heading to Everton earlier in the summer, but it now looks like he'll be staying in Spain, having signed a new five-year contract with the club.
You'll no doubt be aware that AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli is closing in on a move to Liverpool. There were reports that the Premier League side wanted the Italian to agree a code of conduct clause in his contract, but his agent has denied that that is the case.
Here's some more from Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola. He's told an Italian newspaper that joining Liverpool could be the striker's last chance to be a success at a big club.
Assuming Balotelli's move does go through, AC Milan will need a new striker. Well, the latest reports suggest that the Serie A side could make a move for Chelsea forward Fernando Torres.
Alan Pardew has been busy bringing new players to Newcastle United this summer, and seems there could be more to come. Neil Warnock has said that the manager told him that a 10th new signing will be revealed tomorrow.
Swansea City are thought to be preparing to make a move for Montpellier midfielder Benjamin Stambouli. He has been linked with a number of clubs this summer, but is believed to be keen to move to the Premier League side.
Cheltenham Town have announced that they have signed Bristol City midfielder Jordan Wynter on a one-month loan.
Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy has been widely expected to leave Loftus Road this summer, but with just a week remaining he's still with the club, and manager Harry Redknapp has insisted that the French international will be staying.
Hull City have had two bids turned down for Jordan Rhodes this week, but it doesn't seem to have distracted the striker, as he was on the scoresheet for Blackburn Rovers this afternoon, which has impressed his manager.
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is another player that has been linked with a move away from his current club this summer, but has so far failed to secure a move elsewhere. Jose Mourinho told reporters this afternoon that the Spaniard will not be leaving Stamford Bridge.
Southampton picked up their first point of the new Premier League season this afternoon, but Ronald Koeman has insisted that his squad could do with another attacking player.
Well that's all from me this evening, but stick around as Daniel Lewis will be here for the next four hours to keep you up to date with all the developments in the transfer market.
Thanks Sian! I'll start by bringing you some transfer news from the Championship. Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray says that he is 'desperate' to strengthen his squad before the window slams shut in a little over a weeks time.
BREAKING NEWS! Some big news coming in tonight regarding Angel di Maria's proposed move to Manchester United. This has been one of the big transfer sagas of the summer, but it looks to be coming to an end at last. Reports suggest that the Real Madrid winger could complete his move to Old Trafford at the beginning of next week. Click here to read more.
An update on that Angel di Maria transfer news now, and Spanish publication Marca have tonight reported earlier reports that the winger will likely complete his move to Manchester United next week. They quote the transfer figure at £56 million.
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Well we have looked at one potential player heading into the Old Trafford entrance, but what about players heading the opposite way? Well Danny Welbeck has been linked with a move away from the club, and North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are said to be interested in the England international's services. Find out more by clicking here.
Arsenal may have rescued a late point against Everton earlier today to maintain their unbeaten start to the new campaign, but former Tottenham Hotspur manager Glenn Hoddle insists that the Gunners need to strengthen this summer.
Sticking with the Premier League, Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has reportedly made capturing striker Mustapha Yatabare his main priority this summer. The 28-year-old scored 28 goals for Guingamp last season.
We brought you news earlier of Angel di Maria's imminent move to Manchester United, well should that transfer break down, Douglas Costa is said to be an alternative for the Red Devils. The Shakhtar Donetsk star has also been linked with AC Milan, Roma and Monaco this summer, so United would face stiff competition should they pursue the move.
AC Milan are reportedly eyeing up a move for Roma's Mattia Destro. Mario Balotelli is expected to leave the Italian giants next week, so Milan are very much in the market for a replacement, with Destro said to be top of the list.
There is a lot of transfer news concerning Manchester United tonight, and it is more good news as reports suggest that defender Chris Smalling could extend his current deal with the club.
Well that's all from me for tonight, so I'll now hand over to Alex Meyers who will be with you for the next few hours.
Thanks Dan! Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that he would be interested in taking Wilfried Zaha on loan from Manchester if the winger is available. The 21-year-old has made just two appearances for the Red Devils in the league and he had a spell on loan at Cardiff City last season.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld. It is believed that the Belgian does not feature in Diego Simeone's plans for the future and that he may be available for around £6m.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger turned down the chance to sign Mario Balotelli twice, according to a report. The Italian is close to a move to Liverpool, but despite being constantly linked to the Gunners all summer, they were never interested in bringing him to the Emirates.
That's all we've got time for this evening. I hope you have enjoyed our transfer coverage and don't forget we will be back later today with more of the latest gossip and completed deals. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
