Latest Transfer Update at 10-08-11

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Murphy: Signs for QPR
BRIAN MURPHY MOVES TO QPR

QPR have completed the signing of former Ipswich goalkeeper Brian Murphy on a two-year deal.
The 28-year-old Irishman has been on trial with the R's and will now vie for a first-team place with fellow shot-stoppers Paddy Kenny and Radek Cerny.
Murphy has been handed QPR's number 26 shirt and manager Neil Warnock believes the Waterford-born goalkeeper is an important addition to the squad.
"I am delighted," Warnock told the club's official website, www.qpr.co.uk.
"You need three senior keepers for the Premier League and we've got that now.
"Brian has had a super couple of weeks with us and was instrumental in us winning the Cup [Trofeo Bortolotti pre-season tournament] in Italy.
"He is a very capable understudy to Paddy, so him and Radek will offer great competition for the coming season.
"It was great to be able to have a good look at him before he signed.
"He fitted in so well with the rest of the squad during pre-season, and I could tell within two days that he was the one for us.
"His attitude is first class and he's got great mobility. He's got everything that we need."
The Irish goalkeeper spent spells with Manchester City, Oldham, Peterborough, Swansea, Bohemians and most recently Ipswich over his career.
Murphy made nine appearances for the latter last season and has now set his target on a place in the match-day squad at QPR.
"It is great to be here. I am really looking forward to the new season and working with the goalkeepers," he said.
"Since I have been here I have enjoyed it, and I think I have done okay.
"The manager and the coaching staff seem pleased so I am just delighted to have my future sorted out.
"I am here to work hard, and anything extra will be a bonus.
"I want to be in that 18-man squad every week, but I know every player here wants the same thing.
"It is going to be a massive season for the club and one that I am looking forward to being a part of."

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Balotelli: Linked with Napoli switch
NAPOLI RULE OUT BALOTELLI MOVE

Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis does not want to sign controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.
The Italy international has been hitting the headlines throughout the summer and City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted the antics have made him feel like he needs a psychiatrist.
Former Inter Milan striker Balotelli has also voiced his disappointment at life in Manchester, which has fuelled suggestions he is homesick.
City, though, have never publicly shown they want to sell the 20-year-old, and Napoli would not be interested regardless of the Premier League club's stance or the possible exit of Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Asked if Napoli wanted to sign Balotelli, De Laurentiis told Sky Sport Italia: "Absolutely not.
"He is funny, but it is too disruptive and I prefer that he applies his talents elsewhere."
Napoli would instead prefer to sign Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi, who was previously a target of Juventus, while Barcelona or Real Madrid are thought to be his dream clubs.
De Laurentiis said: "I understand the ambition of a young man to want to go to Barcelona or Real Madrid, it's normal.
"He (Rossi) didn't say no to me, though, but this was around four weeks ago.
"I will try to buy him this season, but I'm ready to leave him in Spain."

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Sol Bamba: Set for Blackburn move
ROVERS MAKE SOL BAMBA BID

Blackburn have made a bid for Leicester defender Sol Bamba and are "quite close" to agreeing a deal for the Ivory Coast international, according to Rovers boss Steve Kean.
Kean is looking to bolster his defensive options following the sale of Phil Jones to Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United.
With their ranks now depleted, Rovers are all the more determined to fend off any interest in the highly-rated Chris Samba.
Centre-half Bamba has impressed since arriving at Leicester from Clydesdale Bank Premier League club Hibernian in January, and Kean is hopeful a deal can be done to bring the 26-year-old to Ewood Park.
"We are quite close," Kean told Sky Sports News. "An offer has been put in and we are trying to progress that although it is slow. The good news is it hasn't been rejected so we are moving forward."
Kean added: "Even if Chris Samba had been playing and fit we have always been searching for a centre-back because we haven't replaced Phil Jones yet and we want to make sure we have good competition for places.
"We certainly need another centre-back."

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Eto'o: Could head to Russia
ANZHI CLOSE TO ETO'O AGREEMENT

Samuel Eto'o's Italian agent claims the Cameroon forward could soon be on his way to Russia.
It was revealed on Tuesday that Anzhi Makhachkala are prepared to dip into their deep pockets to finance a big-money move for the Inter Milan striker.
And Inter have announced they are prepared to consider the offer put to them.
Anzhi now believe they have every chance of luring one of the most potent forwards in European football to Russia.
Eto'o's representative believes an agreement could be struck, with initial talks regarding a transfer having already been held.
Claudio Vigorelli told sports.ru: "We have almost reached an agreement with Anzhi. We now hope that the clubs can agree with each other."
While Inter have done little to rule out an imminent exit for their 30-year-old striker, owner Massimo Moratti insists there is no guarantee that a sale will be sanctioned.
He said: "At the moment Eto'o is not going anywhere and we are not negotiating for someone else to come in.
"We are only answering other teams that are interested in our players.
"I don't want to offend those who have made interesting offers for our players, offers that are right for the players' value.
"Then it will be up to us and the player to decide if we want to accept an offer or not.
"I have to say that, luckily, almost all of our players are sought-after."

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Fabregas: Closing on Barca return
CESC FABREGAS INCHES CLOSER TO EXIT

Barcelona finally appear on the verge of bringing Cesc Fabregas back to the Nou Camp, with Arsenal reluctantly ready to accept less than their own valuation.
In what has become the most protracted transfer saga of recent times, the Gunners remained steadfast in their demands over a £40million fee for the club captain.
However, with the European champions not willing to improve significantly on their initial £27million offer and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitting the player was unsettled, it now appears as if the Emirates Stadium club will have to broker a cut-price deal to move on.
The package is reported to include a downpayment of 30million euros (£27million), with an additional 6million euros (£5.2million) in performance-based add-ons at a later stage.
There are also suggestions Fabregas is prepared to wave the £4million compensation he would be entitled to for the remainder of his long-term Arsenal contract, as technically the player never asked for a transfer.
Fabregas had, officially at least, been struggling for match fitness because of a hamstring injury which saw him miss the club's Asian tour and other pre-season games, while Wenger omitted his captain from the Emirates Cup.
Were Fabregas, 24, to feature in next week's first leg of Arsenal's Champions League play-off against Udinese, the midfielder would be ineligible for any other side later in the competition.
Fabregas joined Arsenal from Barcelona in 2003, and has made more than 300 appearances, scoring 57 goals.
However, despite winning both the European Championship and World Cup with Spain, club success has not followed for the midfielder, who missed the Gunners' shock Carling Cup final defeat at Wembley through injury.
Arsenal could also sell France midfielder Samir Nasri, who has yet to agree a contract extension, with Manchester City ready to offer £22million for the midfielder, who could leave on a free next summer.
Valencia midfielder Juan Mata is a long-time target of Wenger.
Arsenal winger Andrey Arshavin accepts there is little any club can do when a player has his heart set on a move away.
"The policy of our club [next season] is the same, but it is difficult to say anything specific now, not least from the fact that two leading players, Cesc and Samir, have not decided their future," Arshavin said in an interview with Russian newspaper Sport Express.
"The loss of any one of them would be enormous, and we naturally want to see Cesc and Samir play with us in the future - but if the player wants to leave the club...
"It is hard to say [whether they will stay]."
Wenger is determined to bolster his squad further following the £12million arrival of pacy forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton.
Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell is said to be close to a £1million move to Emirates.
Defensive reinforcements are top of the agenda, with a £6million move for Birmingham's centre-half Scott Dann said to be imminent after Arsenal failed to complete a deal for Everton's Phil Jagielka or Gary Cahill from Bolton.
Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner, linked with Stoke, has yet to find a new club, while utility man Emmanuel Eboue is expected to sign for Galatasaray.
Wenger will be hoping his internationals return fit and well to London Colney from tomorrow, with reports Arshavin picked up a knock during Russia's friendly against Serbia in Moscow.
England duo Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere are already doubts for Saturday's Barclays Premier League opener at Newcastle because of ankle injuries, along with striker Robin van Persie, who is carrying a similar problem.

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McCartney: Back at West Ham
McCARTNEY RETURNS TO HAMMERS

Sunderland left-back George McCartney has agreed a season-long loan deal with former club West Ham.
The 30-year-old spent two years with the Hammers between 2006 and 2008, with spells at Sunderland either side of that.
McCartney made 71 appearances for West Ham during that time, and is happy to become manager Sam Allardyce's sixth summer signing.
"It's brilliant to be coming back," he told West Ham's website. "For me personally it will be great to be playing again for a club like West Ham. It is a big opportunity for me and I can't wait to get started again.
"I am looking forward to being part of the manager's squad and the club's push for promotion."
Having fallen down the pecking order at Sunderland, McCartney spent the majority of last season on loan with Leeds, but was not made a permanent offer after he was criticised by chairman Ken Bates for his attitude.