Barcelona agree €14m deal for spain star

Barcelona have announced on their official website that they have agreed a fee with Valencia for the signing of Jordi Alba. 

 The Blaugrana had long been linked with a move for the left-back, and are now one step closer to completing the deal after negotiating a €14 million fee. 

 Alba will undergo a medical next week, and sign a five-year deal upon successful completion of his physical examination. 

Barcelona announce that today an agreement with Valencia has been reached for the transfer of Jordi Alba, pending a medical examination. 

The player will undergo in Barcelona next week," an official statement reads. "The cost of the transfer will be €14m and the player will sign a contract for the next five seasons. 

Alba, 23, is a product of the Barcelona youth academy, but failed to break into the first team at Camp Nou and left the club in 2005. 

 He will now return to his boyhood outfit after spells with Cornella, Gimnastic and Valencia.

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Bayern Munich confirm Mandzukic deal

Bayern Munich have confirmed that striker Mario Mandzukic will be moving to the Allianz Arena on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee. 

 The Bavarians have lost Ivica Olic this summer, and although they have re-signed Claudio Pizarro, they were also linked with a move for Manchester City's Edin Dzeko. 

 However, they were priced out of a move for the Bosnian, and turned their attention to the Croatia international, who scored three goals at Euro 2012. 

 Bayern general manager Christian Nerlinger admitted that the 26-year-old's performances in the tournament were a factor behind the move, along with his consistent performances for Wolfsburg last season. 

We are delighted to bring a top Bundesliga striker like Mario Mandzukic, and we have also seen in Euro 2012 matches that he has special skills," the 39-year-old told the club's official website. "He will continue to strengthen our squad. 

Mandzukic moved to the Bundesliga from Dinamo Zagreb in 2010, and is Bayern's third summer signing alongside Pizarro, and former Borussia Monchengladbach defender Dante.

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Ivanovic urges Modric to snub United and Real for Chelsea move

Branislav Ivanovic has told Luka Modric to abandon a move to Real Madrid or Manchester United and join European champions Chelsea instead. 


The in-demand Tottenham playmaker was the Blues top transfer target last summer but opted to stay at White Hart Lane for another season. 


 Tottenham's failure to reach this year's Champions League - as a result of the Blues beating Bayern Munich in the final last month - has made the Croatian reconsider his future with a big-money exit looming. 


 And Ivanovic has urged one of the star men at this summer's Euro 2012 to head to Stamford Bridge. 'I know there was interest in the transfer window before,' he told reporters. 'Chelsea as a team have needed a player with these qualities. 


He would fit in quickly and strengthen the squad. He has been in England a long time and knows about the way football is played on the island and the mentality of the players. 


He has exceptional quality, and moving to a bigger club is necessary for him to take the next step in his career. 'I think at Chelsea he would adapt instantly and become a better player.


 He should come to Chelsea - it won't go wrong!' Real boss Jose Mourinho is a big admirer of Modric, as is United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, while French giants Paris St-Germain could also enter the running for the 26-year-old.

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Tottenham Demand £19m Plus Two Real Madrid Players for Modric Deal

Luka Modric’s transfer from Tottenham may see Real Madrid’s Nuri Sahin and Ricardo Carvalho move the other way. 

Transfer speculation involving Modric has been commonplace this summer, with the Croatian expected to leave Tottenham for one of the big two in La Liga, Barcelona or Real Madrid.

 Although the White Hart Lane faithful are hoping Modric stays with the club, it appears increasingly unlikely as Spurs have neither Champions League football nor an influential manager to convince their talismanic playmaker of future silverware. 

Croatian legend Davor Suker has encouraged Modric to move to the Santiago Bernabeu instead of the Camp Nou, and it appears that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy would also prefer to do business with Los Blancos. 

Newspaper The National reports that Levy is willing to enter negotiations with Real, if the Spanish club offer Sahin and Carvalho, in addition to a 25 million Euro bid. 

 Daniel Levy may well be ready to relent and allow Luka Modric to complete a move away from White Hart Lane, a year after the White Hart Lane chairman steadfastly refused the Croatian’s request to join Chelsea. 

Perhaps the Tottenham chief merely wanted to avoid selling to a fellow Premier League side but in order for a deal to be struck with Real Madrid it seems that the North London club are keen to sell on their terms.

 Tottenham could well do with new defensive options given that Ledley King is out of contract and William Gallas & Michael Dawson are injury concerns.

 However a move for veteran Ricardo Carvalho is clearly not a long term solution to this problem, indeed many had thought that Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen was the player set to resolve that issue.

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Montpellier confirm Giroud exit amid gunners interest

Montpellier president Louis Nicollin has confirmed that Olivier Giroud is leaving the club amid rumours the forward is close to joining Arsenal. 

 The Ligue 1 champions have already agreed a fee with the north London outfit for the France international and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said last week that the deal was '90 percent done'. 

 While Nicollin refused to disclose any details regarding the proposed transfer, he did admit that the player would be departing the Stade de la Mosson. 

I wish him well because he's a good kid," the Montpellier supremo told French newspaper Midi Libre. Meanwhile, Nicollin's son Laurent, who is the club's deputy chairman, all but admitted that Giroud's transfer to Arsenal was effectively a done deal. 

The negotiations have gone very well," he told RMC Sport. "We have been in agreement for some days now." Giroud hit 21 goals during his club's title-winning campaign and he has been linked with various clubs around Europe in recent months, including Bayern Munich. However, Arsenal have met the striker's release clause, which is believed to be 15 million euros, and the 25-year-old has agreed to a deal with the Gunners which will treble his current wage. 

 Giroud will be the English side's second high-profile signing of the summer, with Germany international Lukas Podolski already having been acquired from Cologne.

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Juve chasing defender Ogbonna

Juventus are ready to enter the race to sign Torino's highly rated defender Angelo Ogbonna.

 The 24-year-old has impressed for Il Granata, and was a key player in the side's promotion from Serie B last term.

 The centre-half's performances at club level have won him a place in the Italy squad for Euro 2012, but as yet he has not been given a chance to star.

 With AC Milan supposed front-runners for the player's signature this summer, Antonio Conte's men may well be ready to weigh in with an offer to their cross-town rivals also. 

 Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici is believed to be an admirer of Ogbonna, and will try to convince the Scudetto winners' board to make an offer for the defender this summer.

 It is also thought that Milan's capture of Francesco Acerbi will cool their interest in the Torino man adequately to allow Juventus to lead the chase for his signature.

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Manchester City step up interest in Cavani & Falcao

The Premier League champions have made enquiries for the prolific Napoli and Atletico Madrid centre-forwards as they turn their attentions away from Robin van Persie. 

 Manager Roberto Mancini has placed the South American strikers at the top of his shopping list as the Premier League club try to off-load up to four senior front men this summer and free up £600,000-a-week from the wage bill.

 City’s interest in Robin van Persie has cooled after learning that Arsenal would want more than £25m for the player, who turns 29 in August.

 City have placed a £15m limit on the Dutch spearhead.

 As it stands, the club’s top striker targets are Atletico Madrid’s Falcao and Napoli forward Cavani, with both clubs quoting prices of £40m for their prize assets.

 Mancini tried and failed to land Cavani in the two previous summers but he is also being strongly pursued by Juventus.

 There is believed to be doubt over whether the prolific Uruguayan, 25, is willing to remain at San Paolo after Napoli missed out on Champions League qualification.

 City have received some encouraging signs from Atletico in their pursuit of Falcao, who ended his debut season in Spain with 36 goals, including the opening two in the club’s 3-0 Europa League final win over Athletic Bilbao.

 Atletico still owe Falcao’s former club Porto around half of the initial £34.7m deal that took him to the Spanish capital last summer in a Portuguese record transfer.

 Given the parlous state of Atletico’s finances and the good relationship the two clubs struck up last summer when City paid the £38m for Sergio Aguero up front, the Premier League champions are hopeful they can negotiate a deal for the 26-year-old Colombian, who has scored 108 goals in three seasons in Europe since leaving Argentine giants River Plate in 2009.

 City’s plan is to break even in the transfer market this summer while, at the same time, substantially trimming the wage bill.

 Some of the club’s biggest earners have been put up for sale as the club attempt to utilise their salary budget more effectively.

 City will listen to offers for Carlos Tevez, who earns £198,000-a-week, Edin Dzeko, who gets £130,000-a-week.

 Emmanuel Adebayor (£170,000-a-week), Wayne Bridge and Roque Santa Cruz (who both earn £90,000-a-week), who all spent last season on loan, can also leave.

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Roma star decides against Liverpool move

Liverpool target Bojan Krkic has committed his immediate future to Roma amid reports of further interest from the Premier League.

 Krkic, who moved to Roma in the summer of 2011, endured a mixed first season in Serie A, managing just seven goals in 33 league outings.

 The former Barcelona forward had been tipped to follow recently-departed manager Luis Enrique out of the Stadio Olimpico exit, but he insists he wants to continue his progress in the Italian capital, despite mooted interest from Liverpool.

I will return to Rome because I think is the best option," he told reporters.

 "I am very happy and satisfied with my first year there. Everything depends on the season I have this year.

 "It will be the highlight of my career. I want to focus on Serie A, which is quite hard, and to do my best."

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Athletic Bilbao star set to snub Man United and Man City

Manchester United and Manchester City look set for a massive transfer snub - with Javi Martinez close to joining Bayern Munich.

 The German giants are still reeling from their Champions League heartbreak to Chelsea and now they're planning on a squad overhaul this summer - with Martinez in their sights.

 City and United both want the Athletic Bilbao star, who is currently at Euro 2012 with Spain.

 Indeed, City believed they would sign the defensive midfielder but it appears their move has been hijacked.

 Munich have approached Bilbao and are keen on striking a deal quickly, with Martinez said to be open to a switch to Germany.

 The 23-year-old, who can also play in the centre of defence, would command a fee in excess of £25m.

 Bayern can pay that with no problem and they are increasingly confident of landing Martinez.

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Official : Manchester United complete Kagawa signing

 The Japanese playmaker has signed a long-term contract with the Old Trafford club after      successfully undergoing a medical and gaining a UK work permit.

 United have now announced that the Japanese international has passed a medical and obtained a UK work permit.

 Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken of his delight that the 23-year-old is on his way to the Red Devils.

 Shinji is an exciting young midfielder with great skill, vision and a good eye for goal," he told reporters. 

I am delighted he has chosen to come to United. I believe he will make an impact upon the team very quickly as he is suited to United's style of play.

We are all looking forward to working with him." Kagawa has also spoken of his excitement at getting started. "This is a challenge I am really looking forward to," Kagawa told ManUtd.com.

 The Premier League is the best league in the world and Manchester United is such a massive club.

 "This is a really exciting time for me and I can't wait to meet the team and start playing."

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Juve seal Giovinco deal

Juventus have confirmed that Sebastian Giovinco will return to the club next season.

 Giovinco, 25, began his career with Juve but spent the last two seasons with Parma, with the two clubs each holding 50% of his sporting rights.

 Having netted 15 goals in Serie A last season and establishing himself as an Italy international, Juve have now formally announced that they have regained 100% of the player's rights after agreeing an €11 million fee.

 A club statement read: "Juventus announces that it has resolved in its favour the agreement with Parma relating to the playing rights of footballer Sebastian Giovinco.

 The transfer was resolved for a fee set at €11m to be paid by Juventus over the next three seasons.

 The contract signed with the player is in effect until June 30, 2015.

 Parma, who had prematurely announced the deal on Tuesday, had gained their 50% share of Giovinco's rights for €3.75 million.

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Manchester United Want to Hijack Barcelona Deal For Spain’s Jordi Alba

Manchester United are hoping to beat Barcelona to the signature of Valencia left-sider Jordi Alba.

 The Spanish international is hot property after standing out for the World Champions at Euro 2012 and is set to seal a move away from the Mestalla this summer.

 Negotations with Barcelona, who have 7 internationals currently alongside Alba in the Spain squad, are at an advanced stage but United boss Sir Alex Ferguson still hopes to beat the Catalonians to the 23-year-old’s signature.

 United are in the market for a left-back, with current incumbent Patrice Evra on the decline and youngster Fabio da Silva set to be loaned out this month.

 The Red Devils have been strongly linked with a move for Everton’s Leighton Baines but view Alba as a younger, more technically gifted alternative.

 Barcelona, however, remain in pole position to sign the £12 million-rated star and could conclude a deal as soon as Spain finish their Euro 2012 campaign.

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Hulk tells PSG: I want to join Chelsea

Porto striker Hulk says he does not want to move to PSG - as he holds out for a move to Chelsea.

 The 25-year-old looked set for a £38m move to Stamford Bridge recently but the potential deal has been held up as the two clubs continue to discuss terms over the fee.

 Hulk is eager to join Chelsea and has spoken of his intention to play in west London - but PSG are in the running too.

 The Ligue 1 club, banked by ambitious Qatari owners, want to sign Hulk but he says he doesn't want to move to Paris, with Chelsea his favoured destination.

 Hulk told reporters "Chelsea are the champions of Europe and any player would like to go there.

 "I would like to go there more than any other club. But I have to remember that I have a contract at Porto and I am very happy here too.

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PSG set to rival Manchester United for Modric

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti has added the 26-year-old to his wish-list, with the oil-backed club reportedly prepared to offer in excess of £30 million for his signature.

 Such an offer would be difficult to match by Manchester United, who have already had a £22m bid rejected by the north London club. 

 The news comes in the wake of an impressive performance by Modric during Croatia’s 3-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their opening Euro 2012 game.

 It also coincides with the news that the French club are willing to pay £40m for AC Milan defender Thiago Silva, as well as wrapping up the signing of Napoli’s Ezequiel Lavezzi.

 The recent transfer dealings of the Ligue 1 outfit suggest they are set to go all-out in pursuit of the French title that eluded them last time out.

 According to reports, Ancelotti had scouts at the Croatia game looking over Modric, and they cannot have failed to have been impressed by his performance.

 Spurs refused to let go of their star player last summer when Chelsea and United showed a keen interest, but they will have a fight on their hands this time round after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

 The diminutive playmaker refused to talk about his future when quizzed during the Euro 2012 build-up, seeming entirely focused on the campaign for his national side who next come up against Italy next Thursday.

 Modric told reporters: "I'm with the national team. I am a Spurs player and it’s not down       to me to speak about it."

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Kagawa to fly into Manchester for United medical

The Red Devils have agreed a deal to sign the Japanese playmaker from Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund this summer, which could eventually be worth over £17 million. 

 If the 23-year-old passes health checks this week, then the club must wait on a work permit application prior to completing his signing.

 A player has to have played in at least 75 per cent of his country's competitive matches in the last two years - something which Kagawa has not done.

 However, if he is accepted as an ‘exceptional talent’ it should ensure he eventually gets the paperwork required to move to Old Trafford.

 After a medical on Friday, the Dortmund player will leave Manchester at the weekend, by which time it is hoped he will have successfully proved his fitness to the Premier League giants and moved a step closer to securing his future.

 Speaking to the press last week, first team coach Rene Meulensteen hailed the qualities of Kagawa, who the club hope will help them keep pace with champions Manchester City and a revitalised Chelsea side in the race for the title next season.

 "I rate Kagawa very highly," he said. "He gets behind the opposition in the midfield which means that he can help in possession or be direct in moving forward.

 "He can play the ball quick, one touch or two touch and can create chances and score goals.

 "He has got the complete package of what you could want from attacking midfielder.

 In two seasons with Dortmund, Kagawa has won the Bundesliga title twice and one German Cup, having made 71 appearances and contributing 29 goals and 15 assists.

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Mega rich chiness club confirm Yakubu interest

Blackburn Rovers striker Yakubu could be on the move to wealthy Chinese club Guangzhou Fuli, according to reports.

 Yakubu was one of the few bright spots in a dismal Blackburn campaign, scoring 17 goals in the Premier League as Rovers, suffering a torrid time both on and off the pitch, slumped to relegation.

 The Nigerian has indicated that he could leave the Ewood Park club after their drop into the Championship.

 Reports in the Far East say he is Guangzhou's main target and could hold talks with the club as soon as the weekend.

 Guangzhou are reported to be prepared to offer the 29-year-old, who was a target for QPR earlier in the season, a contract worth €6 million a year.

 "Yakubu is our first choice, and everything is going well now," Guangzhou's deputy director Lu Yi told Jinghua Times:"We hope he will be in Guangzhou this weekend.

 The Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is also expected to move to the Far East, where he is tipped to be reunited with his former Stamford Bridge team-mate Nicolas Anelka at Shanghai Shenhua.

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Barca eye Vermaelen: Arsenal man one of three Prem stars on their hit-list

New Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova will turn his attentions to raiding the Premier League if he fails to land Athletic Bilbao defender Javi Martinez.

 The Spanish giants have Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen, Chelsea's David Luiz, who they were linked with earliert this summer, and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and on their hit-list if they fail to get Martinez.

 Barca want to sign one top-quality defender this summer, and so far Martinez - who can operate in central defence or midfield - is proving to be too expensive.

 The news will cause despair among Arsenal fans, who are already dreading the sale of captain Robin van Persie this summer.

 Meanwhile, Vermaelen's clubmate Carlos Vela is desperate to join Real Sociedad permanently - but claims the Gunners are driving a hard bargain. 

 The Mexican forward, 23, spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad and would like to join them, but Arsenal are playing hardball over a fee.

 Vela's agent, Eduardo Hernandez, said: "He is very happy at Sociedad, he wants to stay there, but Arsenal are a complicated club to deal with."

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MANCHESTER UNITED will move to sign Porto winger if Nani’s contract talks break down

The Red Devils are becoming increasingly frustrated by Nani’s failure to commit his future to the club, even though his current deal does not expire until the summer of 2014.

 United have offered him a substantial pay rise taking his weekly wages to £130,000 a week. 

 But the deposed Premier League champions have already made contingency plans by lining up £20m-rated Colombian star Rodriguez.

 The 20-year-old livewire winger has impressed United’s scouts with his progress since signing from Argentinian side Club Atletico Banfield two years ago.

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My future is in Porto's hands, says Chelsea target Hulk

The Brazil international has been linked with a move for Stamford Bridge ever since Andre Villas-Boas moved to Chelsea from the Estadio do Dragao last summer, and reports have built up pace since the end of the Premier League campaign.

 Reports of a £38 million bid submitted by the Stamford Bridge has been speculated widely, but, as far, no move as materialised and Hulk has revealed that he is happy to stay at Porto.

 "I leave everything in the hands of Porto,” Hulk told O Jogo.

 “I am under contract and I have been happy at Porto for four years, where I have achieved everything.

 "I'll have the club in my heart no matter what happens this summer or in any other summer.

 Chelsea have already delved significantly into the transfer market following the impending arrivals of Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Kevin De Bruyne.

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Wigan rejects Chelsea offer for Moses

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has slammed Chelsea for their 'rubbish' offer for striker Victor Moses.

 The Nigeria international has been with the club since 2010, and has netted eight times in 72 league appearances for the Greater Manchester club.

 The 21-year-old played a major role in Wigan's survival last season, as Roberto Martinez's side avoided relegation from the Premier League yet again with a late surge in form.

 The former JJB owner has accused the Champions League winners of attempting to take advantage of Moses’ contractual position, as the former Crystal Palace man only has 12 months left on his current deal.

 "Number one, they have made an offer, and number two, they have not made a big enough offer," he revealed. "That is where it lies. The offer that Chelsea have made is no good. It is way too low.

 It is rubbish. If the price is right we would actually consider letting him go, yes, we have to do that.

 "But I think that it is the agent who will not allow him to sign an extension to his contract and he has another 12 months to run on it.

 "I think that the lad really needs another 12 months here at Wigan under Roberto for his own sake.

 That is what he does need so he can keep developing. According to reports, Wigan would be looking for at least £10 million for their player, but Whelan has revealed the bid was under £4m.

 "He played ever so well when we played Chelsea when we went down to Stamford Bridge but he does need another year here at Wigan," he continued.

 "We can only tell him that. It is his agent who dominates everything and all his agent wants is money.

 "I have said to Chelsea ‘thank-you for your offer but no’. What they are offering is not enough.

 I have not put a price-tag on Victor. "But let's say that what Chelsea have offered is a lot less than £4m. That is absolutely stupid."

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