Manchester United enquired about our stars, claims Galatasaray vice-president

Galatasaray vice-president Ali Durust has claimed Manchester United enquired about the availability of goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and defender Semih Kaya in the aftermath of the club's 1-0 Champions League defeat at Old Trafford.

 Sir Alex Ferguson's charges narrowly won their European opener thanks to an early Michael Carrick goal and despite keeping a clean sheet, the Scot has been rumoured to be searching for a centre-back, having been recently linked to Torino's Angelo Ogbonna.

 However, after seeing the 21-year-old Kaya – a product of the Turkish club's academy - perform against his team and making his interest known, Durust ruled out a potential move.

 He told reporters: "Semih came from our youth academy. He is a valuable member of our squad. "We didn't set an asking price for him.

 He is indispensable at that moment. "Muslera has the same value too. Both of them are in our future plans. We never want to sell them."

 The Uruguayan shot-stopper foiled Nani from the penalty spot and put in an assured display against the Red Devils, later admitting he held the English top-flight in high esteem.

 "The Premier League is my childhood dream," Muslera said. "I would like to make this dream come true in the future. But right now I'm totally focused on Galatasaray's success."

 The 26-year-old goalkeeper was part of Uruguay's memorable run to the World Cup 2010 semi-finals and is entering his second year at Galatasaray after moving from Lazio in 2011.

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Liverpool beat Arsenal to sign Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin on a season long loan

The Reds offered to pay a larger proportion of the 23-year-old's £115,000 a week wages, swinging the deal in their favour.

 Sahin, who has 31 caps for Turkey, will undergo a medical ahead of the match against Manchester City on Sunday. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is now considering a number of other targets.

 Sahin had been expected to join Arsenal, having privately expressed a preference for the north London club.But the deal stalled when Real and Arsenal could not agree a £14m option to buy the player at the end of the loan.

 Liverpool and Real then agreed a deal, with Sahin's agent meeting Liverpool officials earlier in the week to agree terms.

 Real boss Jose Mourinho had given the go ahead for Sahin to move to the Premier League after the playmaker struggled to make an impression at the Bernabeu since a move from Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund last summer.

 Sahin signed a six-year deal with the La Liga outfit but made just 11 appearances for them last season as they won the Spanish league title.

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Hail Cezar : Azpilicueta eager to help Chelsea to more trophies

Chelsea's latest signing Cesar Azpilicueta has expressed his desire to help the Blues bring in further silverware this season.

 The Spaniard, who featured for his country at the London 2012 Olympics ths summer, completed a £6 million move from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille on Friday.

 And he has already set his sights on helping the Stamford Bridge side build on their FA Cup and Champions League successes of last term.

 "I am very happy to play for Chelsea. I want to play my part to the club's project and help them grow.

 I'm eager to help the team bring home trophies," Azpilcueta told reporters "The Premier League is a difficult competition, but I want to adapt to it quickly. I hope to integrate myself into the group and play as soon as possible.

 When later asked whether Spanish duo Oriol Romeu and Juan Mata had influenced his decision to join the west London club, he responded: "I was guided"

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Emmanuel Adebayor completes £5m move to Tottenham

Emmanuel Adebayor has completed a £5m move to Tottenham Hotspur from Manchester City.

 The Togo striker impressed during a loan spell with Spurs last season, scoring 17 Premier League goals. Adebayor will be among the top-earners at White Hart Lane, but City will subsidise the 28-year-old's wage, having paid him £175,000 per week.

 The former Arsenal man revealed the news on Twitter: "Tottenham here I come! I'm hungry for goals. Get ready."

 Adebayor had two years to run on his City contract, having been sent out on loan for most of the previous two seasons to Real Madrid and then Spurs.

 "I am pleased to be signing for Spurs on a permanent basis after finally agreeing my departure with Manchester City," Adebayor added.

 "It may have taken longer than expected but I am delighted to be back at Tottenham Hotspur.

 I really enjoyed my time here last season and I am hoping we can achieve great things together again." It is understood Spurs refused to break their strict wage structure to accommodate Adebayor.

 But with the player refusing to accept a big pay-cut, the Premier League champions were forced to accept having to continue to pay the player the difference between his new wage of around £80,000 and his earnings at City in order to complete the deal.

 The development completes a protracted saga, which has dragged on throughout the summer after a disagreement over Adebayor's right to a loyalty bonus pay-off from City.

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Inter closing in on Man city star

Nigel de Jong is one step closer to leaving Manchester City for Inter as Roberto Mancini has given the Netherlands international the green light to move on.

 The Nerazzurri already secured the services of Gaby Mudingayi from Bologna earlier this summer to add some steel to their midfield, but Andrea Stramaccioni is not impressed with the Belgian.

 The Inter coach has therefore demanded the arrival of another holding midfielder, and the 2010 Champions League winners see De Jong as the perfect addition to their squad.

 De Jong joined City from Hamburg in January 2009 and quickly became an important first-team member at the Premier League side.

 However, he is no longer a certain starter under Mancini, and the Citizens are ready to cash in on the 27-year-old.

 The Dutchman's contract with the Premier League champions is due to expire in the summer of 2013, and an offer in the region of €9 million could be enough to lure him away from City.

 Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder recently stated that De Jong would be a great signing for the Serie A giants, and the attacking midfielder has already been in touch with his compatriot to convince him that a move to Italy would be the right step.

 The Nerazzurri face stiff competition in the race for De Jong's services, though, as AC Milan are closely monitoring his situation as well.

 Even though Inter remain confident of getting their man, they have lined up Napoli's Walter Gargano as a possible alternative for De Jong, in case they miss out on the combative midfielder.

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Man City close to €30m Jovetic swoop

The Premier League champions made a move for the Montenegro forward after missing out on Robin van Persie to rivals Manchester United after a long pursuit.

 City have indicated to the Serie A club that they are willing to meet their €30 million (£23.6m) valuation of the 22-year-old forward.

 Sources have us that negotiations between the clubs are progressing well and City are increasingly confident of capturing Jovetic before the end of the window.

 The Premier League champions made their move at the end of last week after being beaten to the signature of Robin van Persie by rivals Manchester United.

 But manager Roberto Mancini has made it clear to the City hierarchy that the club require another forward, even though they already have Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dezko, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and John Guidetti on their books.

 Jovetic, who joined Fiorentina from Partizan in 2008, was the subject of strong interest from Juventus earlier this summer but the Serie A champions were unwilling to pay more than €20m (£15.7m) for the player, who prefers to operate in the No.10 role behind the main striker.

 The Montenegrin has told Fiorentina that he wants to leave the club following a summer in which a considerable turnover of players has led him to doubt their prospects this season.

 New manager Vincenzo Montella has recruited a trio of playmakers in former Liverpool man Alberto Aquilani, Matias Fernandez from Sporting Lisbon and Borja Valero from Villarreal. "Jovetic is not happy with the situation at Fiorentina," a source told Goal.com.

 "He is the star of the team but wants to be part of a team of stars." Dzeko is expected to be the City first-teamer who makes way for Jovetic, with Juventus and Milan among the clubs closely monitoring his situation.

 City are also confident that they will sell Adebayor to Tottenham for €6m (£4m) by the end of the window and are in negotiations to offload Santa Cruz as well.

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(Image) Alex Song Arrives at Barcelona to Complete Deal to Sign for Nou Camp Giants

Song to barca a done deal

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Rennes Confirm Yann M’Vila Is In Talks to Sign for Tottenham and Not Arsenal

Ligue 1 outfit Rennes have confirmed that midfielder Yann M’Vila is closing in on a move to Tottenham – despite interest from Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal.

 Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has long admired M’Vila and was understood to be close to signing the 22-year-old in June.

 But the youngster’s poor disciplinary record – highligted when he clashed with French teammates at Euro 2012 – was thought to have put Wenger off a deal.

 Alex Song’s imminent departure for Barcelona has led to speculation that Wenger is set to return with a fresh bid for M’Vila but Rennes have confirmed they are in advanced negotiations with Tottenham.

 “Yes, we are dealing with Tottenham, the offer is still a bit low, but we are confident,” a spokesperson for the French club told Italian website Calciomercato. It is understood that the clubs are still someway apart in their valuation of the combative midfielder, with Rennes holding out £17m.

 The news comes just days after Spurs head-coach Andre Villas-Boas ruled out a move for M’Vila, telling reporters: “[M'Vila] is an interesting player but I don’t think he will join Tottenham.

 “The player is a player of defensive characteristics. We had initial interest in M’Vila but we have moved on from that one and are now looking for a more creative player.”

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Van Persie compatriot on verge of Manchester United move

Vitesse left-back Alexander Buttner has revealed he is on the verge of signing for Manchester United in a £3.9 million deal.

 The 23-year-old, who was close to joining Southampton earlier this summer before a move fell through, has been identified by manager Sir Alex Ferguson as the man to compete with Patrice Evra on the left flank at Old Trafford.

 United have also been targeting Leighton Baines this summer, however Everton’s reported £17m valuation of the England international has seemingly prevented Sir Alex from landing the left-back.

 But Buttner, who was in Netherland's preliminary Euro 2012 squad and has also been monitored by QPR and Fulham this summer, has conceded a move to Old Trafford is now close. "This is really a dream come true," he told Dutch TV station Omroep Gelderland.

 “It was all arranged very quickly and of course I am very delighted. Happily everything is coming to an end."

 United are currently short of left-back cover after Fabio joined QPR on a season-long loan deal, and are on the verge of a defensive injury crisis following the news that Rio Ferdinand could be set for a two-month spell on the sidelines after breaking down during training. Buttner came through the youth team ranks at Vitesse after joining from Ajax in 2005.

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Arsenal close to signing Song's replacement

Arsenal are close to completing the loan signing of Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin.

 The 23-year-old, who has also been targeted by Liverpool this summer, is set to join on a season-long basis with a view to a permanent move.

 His arrival should be confirmed early next week as Arsenal look to replace Alex Song, who is on the verge of a £15m transfer to Barcelona.

 Turkey international Sahin made 11 appearances for Real last season. He joined the Spanish giants from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year contract in May 2011 but has struggled to establish himself at the Bernabeu.

 Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who worked under Real coach Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, was hopeful of pushing through a deal for Sahin last week.

 Real Madrid's former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has also attempted to persuade Sahin to move to Anfield.

 But Sahin is set to join Arsenal, who started the season with a goalless draw against Sunderland on Saturday.

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Chelsea target Hulk keen on Premier League switch

Porto forward Hulk admits that he is keen on a move to either the Premier League or La Liga, citing them as the biggest leagues in the world.

 The 26-year-old, who has scored an impressive 52 goals in 96 league appearances for the Portuguese giants, has been linked with a number of club this summer including Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

 After representing Brazil at the Olympic Games, the forward has turned his attention back to domestic football and has listed England as one of his preferred destinations. "I have left a door open for being transferred to another league," Hulk told reporters.

 "I have preference for playing in the Premier League or the Spanish Liga, because they are the two leagues that are the most seen all over the world.

 "I didn't talk too much with my agent about the chance of being transferred, because I have been on duty with the Brazilian national team at the Olympics.

 "This could be the time for me to move. I would feel comfortable with moving clubs and the English league is one that appeals to me."

 With a release clause of £78 million [€100m], it would appear that only the biggest clubs stand a chance of securing highly rated Brazilian, and the striker admitted that discussions will take place with his agent at the beginning of next week.

 "I am going to talk about my future from Monday," he stated. "My future is in the hands of God."

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Azpilicueta set to seal €10m Chelsea move

Cesar Azpilicueta is poised to complete a €10 million (£7.9m) move to Chelsea early next week.

 The Marseille defender’s representatives were in London on Friday to discuss personal terms and put the finishing touches on his switch to Stamford Bridge.

 Sources have it that Azpilicueta will play for Marseille in their Ligue 1 home fixture against Sochaux on Sunday before joining Chelsea early next week.

 The two clubs have finally reached agreement on the fee to bring an end to a summer-long pursuit.

 Chelsea released Jose Bosingwa earlier in the summer and have spent most of the window pursuing Azpilicueta as a replacement.

 The former Spain Under-21 international, who represented his country in their disastrous Olympics campaign, is expected to slot straight into Roberto Di Matteo's team at right-back, where his main competition comes from veteran Paulo Ferreira and the versatile Branislav Ivanovic.

 A product of Osasuna's youth system, he made his La Liga debut aged 17 and was a first-team regular at 18 before moving to the Stade Velodrom in 2010.

 A knee injury kept him on the sidelines for six months in his first season at Marseille in but he went on to fully establish himself in the team last season.

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United and Juventus target "Llorente" seeking Bilbao exit

Athletic Bilbao president Josu Urrutia has confirmed that Fernando Llorente does not want to renew his contract with the La Liga side.

 The 27-year-old striker's current deal is due to expire at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, and the Basque club were keen to extend the Spain international's stay.

 However, Llorente has seemingly set his sights on a transfer amid interest from some major European clubs, and will not extend his contract with last year's Europa League and Copa del Rey finalists.

 "Llorente has told us that he does not want to renew his contract with the club," Urrutia told reporters.

 "In case Llorente leaves the club, we will not sign another attacker. I can tell all clubs that want to sign one of our players that we are not a selling club.

 They will have to pay a player's buy-out clause." Serie A champions Juventus as well as Manchester United have been heavily linked with Llorente.

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Song admits Barcelona interest

Alex Song has indicated that Barcelona have shown interest in him but denied that he wants to leave Arsenal for the Spanish giants.

 Speculation has been growing after reports in Spain claimed Barca made a £11.7 million bid for the 24-year-old. Zenit St Petersburg are allegedly among other interested clubs.

 Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta have both spoken out to express their delight at the links with the Cameroon international, in similar style to 'tapping up' claims preceding former Gunner Cesc Fabregas' move to Catalunya last summer.

 The defensive midfielder, who has grown into a vital part of Arsene Wenger's team, has admitted the interest from "the best team in the world" but moved to strongly dismiss any suggestions that he is ready to leave the Emirates.

 "I am not going to lie if I said there is no interest but I am at Arsenal and I am happy at Arsenal," he told reporters.

 "Barcelona are the best team in the world, and speculation will always continue until the window closes."

 Song, who moved to north London from SC Bastia for a fee of £1m in 2006, has two years remaining on his current contract with Arsenal, although reports suggest he is open to extending his deal.

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Everton, City agree Rodwell fee

Jack Rodwell appears on the verge of joining Manchester City after Everton agreed a fee with the English Premier League champions.

 Everton confirmed in a statement released on their website they had reached an agreement with City over the transfer of the midfielder. Rodwell will undergo a medical with City on Sunday.

 The 21-year-old came through the youth ranks at Everton and has made over 100 first-team appearances under manager David Moyes.

 His career has stalled somewhat due to regular injury problems and he was restricted to just 14 league games last season.

 Rodwell had been widely expected to make Stuart Pearce's Great Britain squad for the London 2012 Olympics, but was forced to withdraw after suffering yet another injury blow prior to the tournament.

 Rodwell handed his first full England cap by Fabio Capello in November 2011, making a substitute appearance during a 1-0 friendly victory over Spain.

 The former Under-21 international is set to become Roberto Mancini's first purchase of the close season should the move be confirmed.

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Napoli looking to make a swoop on Chelsea’s overcrowded midfield

Napoli are looking to take advantage of Chelsea’s increasingly-growing midfield contingent, with the Serie A side in discussions with the Blues over a cut-price deal for Portuguese international Raul Meireles.

 Meireles has already played for three different clubs in the last two years, having first moved to Liverpool from Porto for £10.2 million in 2010, and then again to Chelsea the following season for a fee of around £12 million.

 However, despite making a total of 45 appearances for the Blues in the previous season, the 29-year old’s future is again at risk after manager Roberto di Matteo’s spending spree over the summer.

 Meireles does not want to fall behind in the Chelsea pecking order and warm the bench at Stamford Bridge, while Di Matteo could help the Blues’ rising wage bill by offloading the Portuguese international.

 Napoli, who have been monitoring Meireles’ situation all summer, have been alerted by this, with manager Walter Mazzarri keen on adding the heavily experienced midfielder to his side.

 The Partenopei have money to burn as well, having sold striker Ezequiel Lavezzi to PSG earlier in the summer, and are ready to part with £8 million for the central midfielder.

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Manchester United confirm new Robin van Persie bid

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Manchester United have launched a fresh bid to sign Robin van Persie, and insists he’s prepared to fight to land the Arsenal captain.

 After seeing his side lose a penalty shoot-out to Barcelona following a 0-0 pre-season draw, Fergie officially acknowledged United’s interest in the Dutch striker, but revealed he has so far been stonewalled by the Gunners board.

 ‘We've made a bid,’ Ferguson said. ‘They've been trying to negotiate with other clubs. We have to persevere. Hopefully it comes our way.

 ‘We're trying our best but there's no progress at this moment in time. ‘We're not getting any breakthrough with Arsenal.

 It's difficult to say why they're operating this way. I don't know what their thoughts are because they're not giving anything away.’

 United have struggled for goals during pre-season, and Fergie is clearly aware of the need for fresh firepower, especially after losing Brazilian target Lucas Moura to Paris Saint-Germain.

 But the Red Devils manager insists he was never going to be dragged into a crazy bidding war with the French giants over an unproven youngster.

 ‘I find it quite amazing that a club can pay €45million for a 19-year-old boy,’ he added.

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PSG confirm Lucas deal

Paris Saint-Germain have announced that Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura is to join the club in January.

 Lucas, 19, had attracted attention from Manchester United and Inter Milan before PSG made their move, and a deal reported to be in the region of €45 million is now in place.

 A statement on PSG's official website read: "Paris Saint-Germain and Sao Paulo FC have reached today an agreement for the definitive transfer of Lucas Rodriguez Moura Da Silva.

 "The player and Paris Saint-Germain have also signed an agreement from January 2013 to July 2017. The player will join Paris Saint-Germain and his new team-mates in January 2013 for the second half of the season 2012-2013.

 "By signing a young talent of the quality of Lucas Rodriguez Moura Da Silva, Paris Saint-Germain is already preparing the future."

 PSG have invested heavily this summer, with the Lucas deal following the arrivals of stars including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

 Thiago Silva revealed PSG sporting director Leonardo, a former Sao Paulo player, had sought his advice before completing the deal.

 The defender told reporters: "Leonardo asked my opinion on Lucas. I told him only good things about him - not because he is my friend by because he has enormous technical quality.

 I will be happy to have him alongside me at PSG. He will play a big role. He is skilful in front of goal."

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Real issue €30m ultimatum for Modric

Real Madrid have handed Tottenham a €30 million 'take it or leave it' bid for Luka Modric, which has been rejected, according to our sources.

 Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has set the price for the Croatian midfielder at around £40 million, though £35 million (plus success-dependent add-on clauses) would be enough to clinch the deal.

 But Real are refusing to bid that high, and have told Levy that their latest offer will be their last - meaning Spurs are now "stuck with" the unhappy Modric as there are no other clubs willing to meet the North Londoners' valuation.

 A source says: "A year ago Daniel Levy could have sold Modric to Chelsea for £40 million but turned it down, believing that in a year's time he would be worth £50 million.

 "Well, the feeling was that he couldn't possibly have such a brilliant season as he had the year before, and his price has not gone up. Even if one of the big-spending clubs came in, they would be wasting their time as the player has made it clear he only wants to go to Real Madrid.

 "Unless something gives, and it doesn't look that way at the moment, then Spurs are stuck with Modric."

 Spurs fans might feel that Modric is a good player to be "stuck with", but new manager Andres Villa-Boas has his work cut out to motivate him if, as now looks likely, his dream move to Real collapses.

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Alvaro Pereira offered to Chelsea in cut price £15m transfer

The Blues are long-term admirers of the 26-year-old, and spent most of last summer trying to secure a transfer, only to be put off by Porto's £30 million valuation.

 Chelsea have since continued scouting the Uruguayan wing-back, and have now been told he is available for sale on the back of a mixed season at the Estadio do Dragao.

 Porto are ready to cash in and have told Chelsea they would accept an offer the region of £15 million. That cash would then be put towards new signings in a bid to tempt star names Hulk and Joao Moutinho into staying at the club.

 The decision to sell the outspoken defender comes as his agent admits he is considering his future at Porto, and may well seek a transfer before the window closes at the end of the month.

 'We think everything will go well and that he can leave the club, but right now we do not have any concrete offer,' agent Flavio Perchmen revealed. 'I spoke with Alvaro last week and he is calm. We are just waiting for an offer.'

 Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo is currently assessing his full-back options, with a deal close for Marseille star Cesar Azpilicueta, while contact talks with Ashley Cole and Ryan Bertrand have slowed in recent weeks.

 A fast, powerful and versatile player, Pereira can play in both full-back positions, but also on the left wing, where he is seen as an alternative to Wigan's Victor Moses. Chelsea are set to make a decision on whether to pursue the deal in the next few days.

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