Latest Football Transfer News 06-07-2012

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Milan rubbish Cesar talk

Galliani dismisses speculation linking Milan with Inter keeper
Last Updated: July 6, 2012 11:49am


Julio Cesar: Has been linked with a summer move to AC Milan


AC Milan vice-president Adrian Galliani has poured cold water on reports claiming the club are interested in signing goalkeeper Julio Cesar from Serie A rivals Inter Milan.
Julio Cesar has been strongly linked with a move away from Inter this summer, with the Nerazzurri outfit set to sign Udinese keeper Samir Handanovic as his replacement.


The custodian has previously said he intends to honour his contract at Inter, which runs until 2014, but the Brazilian was not included in the squad list for Inter's summer training camp on Friday.
Reports in Italy claim AC Milan have joined in the race to sign the Brazil international, who is also a reported target of Roma and Manchester United.


But Galliani said to Gazzetta dello Sport: "He (Julio Cesar) is a very good goalkeeper but we are not interested in him.
"We already have three goalkeepers and we are fine as we are.
"We recently signed Gabriel, a young Brazilian goalkeeper."
Robinho

Galliani also denied Milan had received an offer from Primera Liga side Malaga for Brazilian forward Robinho.
Malaga are reportedly willing to offer €15million to acquire the South American, who is under contract with the Rossoneri for two more seasons.
"We have not received any offers for Robinho and I'm not aware of any interest by Malaga," said Galliani.
Robinho joined Milan from Manchester City in 2010.

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Forlan set for Brazil - agent

Agent claims frontman will end his contract with Inter this weekend
Last Updated: July 6, 2012 11:18am


Diego Forlan: Will depart Inter for Brazil, according to his agent


The agent of Inter Milan's Diego Forlan claims the striker's contract will be terminated this weekend and he will move to Brazil amid reports linking him with Internacional.
The Uruguay international has failed to make an impact with the Nerazzurri since signing from Atletico Madrid last summer, having struggled for form and fitness.
Former Manchester United frontman Forlan made only 14 appearances on his debut season in Serie A, scoring just two goals.


Brazilian club Internacional have previously expressed their interest in signing the 33-year-old should he become available on a free transfer.
And according to the player's agent, Jorge Baidek, that will be the case when Forlan ends his deal at Inter Milan on Saturday.
Baidek told Lancenet: "I'm a naturally cautious person, but things are right on track.
"I've talked to the player - his contract (with Inter Milan) will be cancelled tomorrow and then I'll take him to Sao Paulo and from there to our next step."
He added: "I'm optimistic. I can't say anything before his contract is cancelled...but it's well on track."

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Toure: RVP would help Man City
Last Updated: July 6 2012, 11:19 BST

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure believes former Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie would boost their chances of winning the Champions League if he opted for a move to the Etihad Stadium.



Van Persie: Backed to help Man City's Champions League bid
City had been linked with the Holland international even before he announced on Wednesday he would not be extending his contract, which has a year to run, with the Gunners.

• Profiles

• Robin van Persie
• Kolo Toure

Having played with him at Arsenal, Toure is well aware of what Van Persie can offer a side and would welcome him at City.
"Robin is a top player. I've played with him, I know him and he's a great man," the centre-back is reported as saying by the Manchester Evening News.


"At City we have great players and the club does what it wants in transfers.
"But for me, if Robin comes it's great because I know what he can do.
"You have to build your squad every year to do better; to win the Champions League is very difficult as we have seen."

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Villa sign Matt Lowton
Last Updated: July 6 2012, 16:49 BST

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Sheffield United right-back Matt Lowton for an undisclosed fee, the midlands club have confirmed.



Matt Lowton (centre): Completes Villa move
Blades academy product Lowton has put pen to paper on a four-year contract which will keep him at Villa until the summer of 2016.

• Player Profile

2. Matthew Lowton

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*Current Season

The deal is believed to be worth around £3 million and Lowton will provide competition for last season's first choice right-back, Alan Hutton, and deputy Eric Lichaj.
Lowton becomes new Villa manager Paul Lambert's second signing after the capture of midfielder Karim El Ahmadi from Feyenoord.
The Scot successfully brought players from the lower leagues through the ranks when in charge at Norwich and Lowton fits his criteria in terms of being a hungry player who is keen to succeed.
Lowton, who had two years remaining of his United contract, made nearly 100 appearances for the Blades since making his first team debut during the 2009-2010 campaign.


Championship sides Ipswich and Derby have been strongly linked with a move for Lowton since the Blades lost the League One play-off final to Huddersfield in May.
But the player is keen to try to impress at Premier League level and will be part of the first team squad being reshaped by Lambert.
Lowton said: "It's every boy's childhood dream to play in the Premier League and it was one of mine.
"This opportunity is fantastic and I thank the manager for giving it to me. Hopefully I can repay the faith that's he's shown in me and keep going at a higher level.

"It's every boy's childhood dream to play in the Premier League and it was one of mine."
Matt Lowton

"Just from driving up to the training ground you can see the difference in the quality of things. The training ground looks spectacular and the pitches look phenomenal.
"It's a massive club in the Premier League with a big fan base and I'm looking forward to getting to work as soon as I can."
Lowton admits his attacking instincts are his main asset.
He said: "I played the majority of last season at right back but I have played right midfield and central midfield as well.
"I think my main asset is going forward and my technical ability but obviously I'm going to try and add whatever the manager is after from me.
"These are exciting times for me and I can't wait to go out and start playing."


Lambert said: "Matthew is a really talented young player who brings a lot of things that can really benefit the club.
"He's a good player already and he's only young so he has the potential to be a really good player for us.
"He's hungry to succeed and to go further in the game, both of which are attributes that we want at this football club and that we are looking for.
"We won't put any pressure on him, we just want him to go out and enjoy playing.
"What he's done so far at Sheffield United has been great so hopefully we can progress him a bit and he'll do very well for us."

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No progress in Vertonghen talks

Defender's agent to meet Ajax again regarding Spurs move
Last Updated: July 6, 2012 9:28pm


Jan Vertonghen: Defender is still to reach an agreement with Ajax which will allow him to join Tottenham


Jan Vertonghen's agent is expected to hold further talks with Ajax in a bid to reach an agreement which will allow the defender to join Tottenham Hotspur.
The Belgium international has expressed a desire to leave the Dutch champions in order to finalise a summer move to the Premier League with Spurs.


He has returned to pre-season training while talks continue, but the deal has stalled over a disagreement between the player and Ajax over a clause in his contract which he claims entitles him to 15 per cent of any transfer fee.
The 25-year-old has even suggested he could see out the remaining year of his contract in Amsterdam and leave on a free transfer next summer if a deal is not reached.


A meeting was held with Ajax on Friday morning when Vertonghen's management agency had been optimistic of reaching an agreement.
However, his agent Nakhli Mondial confirmed that the discussions had not been successful and a further round of talks are in the pipeline.
Nakhli said: "We have nothing agreed at this moment.


"The talks were not easy but we are going to try again, maybe on Saturday."
Spurs have already finalised the signing of Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson since the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas as manager and are also closing in on Manchester United youngster Ezekiel Fryers.