Latest Transfer Update at 05-08-11

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Cesc Fabregas: Set for Arsenal outing
FABREGAS SET TO FACE BENFICA

Cesc Fabregas looks set for his first Arsenal pre-season appearance in Saturday's final friendly against Benfica, but it remains to be seen whether the wantaway Spain midfielder will feature in the Champions League play-off against Udinese.
Fabregas was all smiles as he joined in with the rest of the Gunners squad for training at London Colney on Friday morning ahead of the flight to Portugal.
Barcelona want to take their former trainee back to the Nou Camp, but will have to significantly up a £27million offer for Arsenal to cash in on their captain.
However, should Fabregas - who has, officially at least, been troubled by a hamstring problem - feature against Udinese, the first leg set for Emirates Stadium on August 16, then he would be ineligible to play in the competition for the defending champions should a move go through ahead of the transfer deadline.
Arsene Wenger will be in need of all the help he can muster, serving a one-match touchline ban himself following UEFA disciplinary action in the wake of his rant against Swiss referee Massimo Busacca in last season's away defeat to Barcelona.
Midfielder Samir Nasri was also sanctioned by UEFA for his outburst at Busacca, and will not be available, nor will striker Robin van Persie, whose suspension for a controversial sending off was carried over into Arsenal's next Champions League tie.
While Arsenal were spared a long-haul trip to eastern Europe in today's draw, the timing of the play-off tie - needed after a spectacular end-of-season collapse - will see the Gunners face a testing schedule which also includes Barclays Premier League fixtures at Newcastle and Manchester United, with Liverpool set to come to Emirates Stadium on August 20.
Although Fabregas was expected to be among the travelling squad, neither Jack Wilshere nor Theo Walcott trained with the rest of the group this morning because of ankle problems, which could also impact on their involvement in next week's England friendly against Holland at Wembley.
Contract rebel Nasri was another absentee, as he nurses his own minor ankle complaint.
Wilshere, 19, accepts he is facing another step on what has been a rapid rise next season.
"I don't really feel any more pressure now," Wilshere said in a Q&A at Arsenal's Members Day.
"I play in a good team so the players around me make it easier. There is a bit more responsibility though.
"At this stage last year I had not played a game for Arsenal. I was just trying to prove myself. I am still trying to prove myself now really. I am just trying to keep my place in the team."
Wenger, meanwhile, continues to try to strengthen the squad, but has so far been frustrated in his moves for Valencia winger Juan Mata, along with English defensive duo Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka.

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Craig Bellamy: Celtic talks stall
CELTIC BID FOR BELLAMY STALLS

Neil Lennon admits his efforts to bring Craig Bellamy back to Celtic have come to a standstill.
The Bhoys have been tracking their former loan star for much of the summer, with it clear that he has no future at Manchester City.
The Wales international has revealed that he would favour a permanent switch during the current transfer window, seriously denting the hopes of those who were looking for a loan deal.
Celtic, though, believe they can put a package together that will appeal to Bellamy and convince him that his future lies in Glasgow.
They are, however, making slow progress and the deadline for players to be registered for the Europa League arrives on Monday.
Lennon has not given up hope of getting a deal done by then, but he has conceded that talks have stalled.
He said: "I hope to have someone in before the deadline but I can't say yes or no.
"I am working very hard in the background to get players in.
"It's all gone quiet (on Bellamy). You would be interested in a player of Craig's quality but we have nothing more to add to that at the minute.
"I haven't spoken to him for a fortnight now but we will do that through his representatives."
Meanwhile, Lennon has confirmed that contract talks with club captain Scott Brown are progressing positively.
He added: "We want him here and he wants to stay. I think we are pretty close and pretty soon we will hopefully have a result on that."

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Costel Pantilimon in action against City last season.
MAN CITY POUNCE FOR PANTILIMON

Manchester City have signed goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon from Poli Timisoara.
The 24-year-old Romanian joins the club as cover for number one Joe Hart following the departure of Shay Given to Aston Villa.
Pantilimon made his senior international debut in 2008 and played against City twice in the Europa League last season, conceding three times.
Pantilimon, who was signed for an undisclosed fee, is expected to overtake Stuart Taylor and Gunnar Nielsen - City's other keeping options - to act as Hart's deputy.
Given joined Villa after losing his battle to displace the England goalkeeper.
Pantilimon is Roberto Mancini's fourth summer purchase, following left-back Gael Clichy from Arsenal, defender Stefan Savic from Partizan Belgrade and Argentina star Sergio Aguero, who arrived from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth around £38million.
Arsenal and Inter Milan had also been interested in the player, according to reports.

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Steven Gerrard: Pleased with Liverpool's deals
GERRARD EXCITED BY NEW FACES

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has expressed his delight at the calibre and quality of signings the club has made this summer.
The Reds have spent big in the transfer market this summer with manager Kenny Dalglish adding four new faces to his squad.
The Anfield club have added Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing from Sunderland and Aston Villa respectively along with landing Blackpool midfielderCharlie Adam and Brazilian goalkeeper Alexander Doni from Roma.
Gerrard, who is set to miss the start of the new Premier League season, believes the signings will be beneficial because they will add strength in depth ahead of a long and hard campaign.
"I believe we've made some very good signings this summer, with Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Doni all coming in," he told the club's official website.
"Hopefully there will be one or two more arriving before the transfer window closes. You always want competition for places because it's a long season.
"Obviously it gives the manager more options and it also pushes the players on because they know not everyone can start every game."

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Madjid Bougherra: Leaving Rangers
BOUGHERRA SET FOR RANGERS EXIT

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has confirmed that a fee has been agreed with Qatar side Lekhwiya for Madjid Bougherra.
The Scottish champions have accepted an offer of £1.7million for the Algerian defender and his Ibrox exit now appears imminent.
McCoist said: "A fee has been agreed with the Qatar club in the region of £1.7million.
"There are just bits and pieces to be tied up there. I think that deal is just about done. He won't be playing against Chelsea (on Saturday)."
Rangers completed the signing of Kyle Bartley on a second loan spell from Arsenal on Thursday night.
And McCoist revealed that fresh bids were submitted earlier in the week for Roland Juhasz at Anderlecht and ADO Den Haag's Wesley Verhoek.
He said: "There is a bid in for Verhoek which went in on Tuesday or Wednesday, as there is for Juhasz. We've not heard from either club yet."