Latest Transfer Update at 25-06-2012

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Montpellier: Arsenal have signed Giroud

• Last Updated: June 25 2012, 16:32 BST

Montpellier president Louis Nicollin claims Arsenal have completed the signing of France forward Olivier Giroud.

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Olivier Giroud: Montpellier say he has joined Arsenal

Giroud, part of Laurent Blanc's Euro 2012 squad which was knocked out by Spain in the quarter-finals on Saturday, is thought to command a transfer fee in the region of £13million.
The 25-year-old scored 25 goals for his club last season to help Montpellier win the Ligue 1 title, igniting the interest of several top clubs.
Last week, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger revealed a deal was "90%" complete as he looked to add the promising Frenchman to his squad, which has already been bolstered by the arrival of Germany marksman Lukas Podolski.
Speaking to French newspaper Midi Libre, Montpellier president Nicollin confirmed the transfer had now been completed after Arsenal met the player's release clause.


Nicollin said: "I wish him well."
Arsenal have not yet made any official comment, but Press Association Sport understands an announcement by the Barclays Premier League club is imminent.
Once the transfer for Giroud is formally complete, Arsenal could then look to offload some of their fringe players, including Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner and Morocco international Marouane Chamakh as well as Mexico forward Carlos Vela and Brazilian midfielder Denilson.
However, Nicollin maintained a move to take Chamakh in the opposite direction back to France was not part of the Giroud deal.
Wenger, who is at the European Championship working as a media pundit, is convinced Giroud can be a big hit at Arsenal.
"I think he has exceptional potential and will integrate very well in our collective and our way of playing," he said last week.
"He is a real team player and knows how to combine with other players and I'm sure he will do well with us."


(reopens) Bendtner spent last season on loan at Sunderland.
The 24-year-old played for Denmark at Euro 2012, scoring twice in the 3-2 defeat by Portugal.
The player's agent maintains there is "global" interest in his client.
Speaking to Denmark newspaper bold.dk, Bendtner's representative Jesper Lynghus said: "The interest is overwhelming, just as it should be after the way Nicklas performed at Euro 2012.
"We are getting closer day by day.
"We are not commenting on individual deals at the moment, but it is fair to say the interest in Nicklas is global."
Fulham, meanwhile, are reported to be ready to step up their interest in a £5million move for Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey following the departure of their captain Danny Murphy to Blackburn.

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Wigan to wait on new signings
Last Updated: June 25 2012, 12:12 BST

Wigan will not begin their summer recruitment drive until after the conclusion of the European Championship, according to chairman Dave Whelan.


Martinez: Has been out in Poland looking at players


Latics manager Roberto Martinez has been out in Poland doing some work as a television analyst while also looking at players.
At the end of the season the Spaniard said he hoped to be able to complete some business at least during Euro 2012 if not before but Whelan said they would not be making any moves until after the tournament.


"Roberto is still over at the Euros, watching plenty of matches and plenty of players," he told the Wigan Evening Post.
"We have a number of scouts over there as well so we are having a good look at the players on offer.


"I've no doubt there will be some movement on that score, but it won't be until after the tournament has finished, that's for sure."
Martinez has a number of gaps to fill in his squad with goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and midfielder Mohamed Diame having already found new homes at Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham respectively, and defender Steve Gohouri, midfielder Hendry Thomas and striker Hugo Rodallega also all out of contract.

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Cassano staying at Milan, says agent
Last Updated: June 25 2012, 14:03 BST

Antonio Cassano's agent has reassured AC Milan fans the striker will not leave the club this summer.


Antonio Cassano: Will remain with Milan


The Italy international recently hinted he could leave the Rossoneri outfit in the coming months.
The Italian media have linked the 29-year-old with a return to Sampdoria this summer, while Primera Liga side Malaga are also reportedly keen to acquire the former Real Madrid player.
"I don't think Cassano will ever return to Sampdoria," Cassano's agent Giuseppe Bozzo said to Gazzetta dello Sport.
"With regards to his future, there are absolutely no problems with AC Milan. He will remain at Milan."


Cassano made just 16 league appearances for Milan this season after being sidelined for six months following minor heart surgery back in October.
Cassano, who joined Milan from Sampdoria in December 2010, is under contract with the Rossoneri outfit until June 2014.
He is currently on international duty with Italy at the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.

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Mancini: I want to keep Kolarov
Last Updated: June 25 2012, 11:53 BST

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has dismissed speculation that he is looking to offload Aleksandar Kolarov this summer.


Aleksandar Kolarov: Set for Man City stay


The Serbia left-back joined City from Serie A side Lazio in 2010 in an £18million transfer deal and helped the club to the Barclays Premier League title this season.
However, he played second fiddle to Gael Clichy for large parts of the campaign, sparking speculation about his future as Inter Milan and Juventus were linked with a move for the 26-year-old.
However, Mancini has insisted Kolarov remains part of his plans.


"Kolarov? He is a great left-back and I would like to keep him," Mancini told Italian TV station Sky Sport 24. "We have very good players and there many clubs interested in them, which means that we have done our jobs well.
"We know his (Kolarov's) value well and we want to keep him."
Kolarov, who made just 12 league starts for City this season but was often preferred to Clichy in the Champions League, is under contract until June 2015.