Latest Transfer Update at 09-06-11

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Manuel Neuer - moves to Bayern Munich.
NEUER COMPLETES BAYERN SWITCH

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has completed his transfer to Bayern Munich after passing a medical.
The 25-year-old flew into Munich on Wednesday morning to complete a deal that ties him to the Allianz Arena for five years.
Bayern announced last week that they had signed the sought-after goalkeeper from Schalke, but had to wait until today to put the finishing touches on the transfer after he had been away on international duty with Germany in Azerbaijan.
Neuer's switch to Bayern had been expected since April when he confirmed he would not extend his contract at Schalke.
In the interim he was linked to Manchester United after impressing in Schalke's champions League semi-final defeat to the Red Devils, however, he admitted at his unveiling today he only ever intended to join Bayern.
"I feel this is the right move because I am the Germany goalkeeper and Bayern Munich is the best club in Germany," he told Bayern Munich's official website www.fcb.tv.
"I'm glad that everything is now behind me.
"I am looking forward to this challenge, the first training sessions and training camps."
Neuer is the first major signing for new boss Jupp Heynckes with the club having also plumped for Brazilian defender Rafinha as they look to rebuild after a relatively poor season last time out.
The Bavarians only snuck into third place in the Bundesliga table, crucially qualifying for the Champions League to salvage something from a disappointing campaign, but goalkeeper proved a problem position for them.
Neuer believes he can help turn the club's fortunes around as he looks to cement his growing reputation with silverware.
"I know definitely what I want," he added.
"I look forward to these five years. I know Munich and I think I will feel comfortable here."
"I know this is not normal for me, this is all new territory. But I look forward to it."

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Odemwingie - set for fresh talks.
NEW TALKS OVER ODEMWINGIE CONTRACT

West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie's representatives will hold fresh talks with the club over a new contract for the Nigerian international during the next few days.
Odemwingie had a memorable first season for the Baggies, scoring 15 goals and playing a major role in keeping them in the Barclays Premier League.
The 29-year-old has a year left of his current contract plus a 12 month option.
But Albion are keen for the player to sign an improved long-term deal to stave off interest from other clubs.
Odemwingie said: "A few days ago, I was supposed to have a meeting with the West Brom leadership on the current contract.
"However, it did not take place and the meeting has been rescheduled for the next couple of days (with his representative)."
Odemwingie is currently on holiday in the United States and there is nothing untoward about the contract talks being delayed.
There has been intense speculation about the future of the Nigeria international since the end of the season.
But the Baggies have not received an official approach.
Albion want to secure Odemwingie's services after losing the battle with Swansea for Watford striker Danny Graham who is moving to the Premier League newcomers in a £3.5million deal.
West Brom had previously made a £2.5 million bid to the Hornets.

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Gervinho - wants to leave French champions.
GERVINHO EYEING MOVE TO ENGLAND

Ivory Coast star Gervinho has confirmed he wants to leave French champions Lille and move to the Premier League.
Lille coach Rudi Garcia confirmed to skysports.com earlier this week that the club did not want to lose both Gervinho and Eden Hazard, but conceded one could go.
Gervinho, who is being chased by Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle, now appears the most likely departure after confirming his intention to leave.
He also underlined it was ambition to move to England, despite interest from Spain.
"My mind is made up, I am leaving," Gervinho told skysports.com.
Gervinho has just one-year left on his current deal, which means Lille are likely to cash in on him this summer.
"I have made my mind up. I will soon meet the club and let them know, but they understand my feelings that I want to prove myself in a top league in Europe.
"My agents are moving things as I want, people know where my future lies, it is in England."
Meanwhile, Gervinho confirmed his intention to help Ivory Coast win the African Cup of Nations next year after he helped them qualify for the finals last weekend.
"We qualified our country for the African Nations Cup, we need to go for that and try to win that competition for our country, which has been suffering in the past ten-years of conflict," he added.
"Hopefully we have entered the time of peace."

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Shane Long - Reading striker.
LONG NOT FAZED BY UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long returns from his latest international adventure uncertain over where he will be playing next season.
The 24-year-old Reading frontman took out his frustration over starting Saturday night's Euro 2012 qualifier in Macedonia on the bench on Italy defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro Gamberini as Ireland further enhanced their growing reputation with a famous friendly win in Liege.
Successive victories over Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Macedonians and the Italians inside 15 tough days at the end of a gruelling season may have gone some of the way towards easing the bitter sting of npower Championship play-off final defeat to Swansea.
But for Long, the summer break could represent a crossroads in his career.
His 25 goals for the Royals, as well as his performances on the international stage, have alerted a series of suitors to his talent with Celtic, Newcastle and Everton among the clubs linked.
Reading boss Brian McDermott has admitted he could be powerless to prevent Long from leaving the Madejski Stadium if the right offer is made, but the player remains relaxed about the situation.
Long said: "I don't know, we'll see what happens, really. I am just going to take a few weeks out now and relax and if anything does come my way, I'll have a look at it. We'll see what happens."
Asked about the reported interest in him and McDermott's assessment of the situation, Long replied: "They have to come in first, so we will see what happens.
"But as it stands, I am a Reading player and I am looking forward to a Reading season unless that changes over the next few weeks.
"It's been a long season at Reading. We finished on a bit of a down, but it was good for me.
"I played over 50 games last season and I learnt a lot.
"I am looking forward to next season, but all the same, a few weeks out will be nice."
Long's emergence as a genuine candidate for a place in Giovanni Trapattoni's starting line-up has been one of the major pluses of the last 12 months or so, although with West Brom's Simon Cox and Stoke's Jon Walters all pushing hard behind skipper Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle, competition for places is intense.
However, while that may make his task all the more difficult - Cox got the nod in Macedonia when many expected Long to deputise for the injured Doyle - he knows that can only be a good thing for his country.
The striker said: "There is competition for places up front and it improves the people who are playing because they know if they don't do it on the pitch, they are going to be replaced by someone who is raring to go.
"It's a nice problem for the manager to have and hopefully we are in his thoughts for the next two games."
It is not just in attack that Trapattoni now has options, a fact which was eloquently demonstrated on Tuesday night as a side largely comprised of understudies took on and defeated a strong Italian outfit.
The win may have come in typical style for a team set up by the 72-year-old, whose mantra of hard work, commitment and winning mentality has been drummed into his players over the last three years, but it was no less deserved as a result.
Keith Andrews' fine opening goal, a 36th-minute piledriver from 20 yards, came against the run of play, as did substitute Cox's last-minute clincher.
But in the meantime, Italy were unable to pierce a solid wall of Irish resistance to the extent that keeper David Forde barely had a save to make.
Coming as it did on the back of the three previous wins and with most of Trapattoni's big names either rested or unavailable, it left him with a pleasant problem when the squad meet up again in August for a friendly against Croatia before the crucial Euro 2012 qualifiers with Slovakia and Russia the following month.
Long said: "It's nice to put a few problems in the manager's head, I suppose, and I suppose it's nice for him to know he can look at his bench and trust the players going on to the pitch.
"It's been a good trip - we have had four games, four wins, four clean sheets and scored 10 goals, so it's been a good all-round trip."

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Bryan Robson - steps down as Thailand boss.
BRYAN ROBSON QUITS THAILAND POST

Former England captain Bryan Robson has stepped down as manager of Thailand.
The 54-year-old told the Football Association of Thailand he wished to leave, and they agreed to part company.
Robson remains an official ambassador of his former club Manchester United, and will continue in that role.
United today stated on their official website that Robson's recent cancer scare was not behind his decision to leave the Thailand post.
The former United captain underwent surgery for throat cancer on March 3, and said doctors were optimistic he would make a full recovery.
He experienced mixed fortunes with Thailand, winning just seven of 18 matches since taking charge in September 2009.

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Heitinga - frustratied at lack of European football.
HEITINGA RULING NOTHING OUT

Everton defender John Heitinga admits he misses European football and is ruling nothing out this summer.
The 27-year-old Holland international switched to Goodison Park in £6.2 million transfer from Atletico Madrid in 2009 and played 26 times for the Toffees last term.
While Heitinga still has three years left on his contract, he admits to a frustration in not playing European football.
He told The Sun: "I can honestly say I feel annoyed at having the day off when I'm on the couch watching Champions League football on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
"It's the same on Thursdays with the Europa League. European football is a big miss for me.
"Everton is a genuine big people's club. The atmosphere at Goodison is unrivalled, and I'm playing in a fantastic league.
"But I am ruling nothing out this summer. I have three years left on my contract and could see it through - but a new possibility could come up.
"In that case I will think about leaving."
While Heitinga says former club Ajax is in his blood, he is not planning an immediate return to the newly-crowned Dutch champions.
He said: "Ajax are not on my agenda for now. They are my club for life and I will rejoin them some day but not now."

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Young - reported talks with the Red Devils.
MAN UNITED IN YOUNG TALKS - REPORT

Ashley Young's representatives have reportedly held talks with Manchester United.
The 25-year-old Aston Villa winger has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer after admitting he wants to challenge himself at a higher level.
No comment has been made by either club but Young's representatives have been in discussions with United this week.
Sir Alex Ferguson is already set to strengthen his squad with the arrival of Phil Jones and Young could be the second English player to make the switch to the Premier League champions during the transfer window.
The England international enjoyed a fruitful season with Villa last term, producing a number of impressive displays despite it being a difficult year of transition at the club.
Young has already revealed that he wants to play in the UEFA Champions League, suggesting that he is set on an exit from Villa Park.
The former Watford midfielder has risen to prominence in recent years and is now considered an important player by England coach Fabio Capello, most recently scoring against Switzerland in a Euro 2012 qualifier last weekend.

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Neymar - a wanted man.
NEYMAR AGENT HINTS AT REAL MOVE

The agent of Brazilian wonderkid Neymar is refusing to rule out the striker joining Real Madrid this summer.
The 19-year-old is widely regarded as the best young player in the world, and Santos have already fended off bids of around £30million to keep him.
Chelsea and Barcelona have been tracking Neymar for a number of years, but it appears Spanish giants Real are leading the race for his signature.
The teenager's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, has revealed a move to the Bernabeu is not out of the question.
He told Spanish newspaper MARCA: "What if it means going to sign for Madrid? In football anything is possible."
Ribeiro claims Santos spurned a £32m offer for Neymar from Chelsea last summer, and insists the youngster's price tag is at least £41m.
He said in The Sun: "Last year Santos received an offer of £32m from Chelsea and it was rejected. Now he would not leave for less than £41m.
"Neymar is like Messi. Soon he will be the best in the world because he is a player unlike any other. He is just 19 but all the big clubs are following him."