Latest Football Transfer News 19-07-2012

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Saints focus on Lens

Sky Sports sources reveal Southampton interest
Last Updated: July 19, 2012 11:31am


Jeremain Lens: Southampton target


Sky Sports understands that Southampton have made a move for Dutch international forward Jeremain Lens.
Dutch sources have revealed to Sky Sports that the newly-promoted Premier League outfit have made an audacious attempt to land the PSV star.


Lens, who has four caps to his name, has been a key member of PSV's side since joining from AZ Alkmaar in 2010.
He has scored 19 goals in the two seasons, playing either behind the main striker or out wide.
Nigel Adkins is understood to have identified Lens as one of his top summer targets and the club have made their move.


Earlier this month, Lens was reported to be attracting interest from England, and that has now transpired to be Southampton.
PSV have just completed the signing of Luciano Narsingh from Heerenveen which could pave the way for Lens's departure.

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AZ waiting on Elm decision

Dutch club in talks with sought-after midfielder
Last Updated: July 19, 2012 1:50pm


Rasmus Elm: Sweden international has been linked with move away from Alkmaar


AZ Alkmaar technical director Ernest Stewart is hoping highly-rated midfielder Rasmus Elm makes a decision over his future soon.
The Sweden international has been linked with a move away from the Eredivisie club, with Manchester United and Bundesliga club Hamburg thought to be interested.


The 24-year-old, who is out of contract at AZ next summer, maintains he is happy in Alkmaar but has previously hinted he would be open to a move abroad.
The Dutch club, who recently signed Elm's brother Viktor from Heerenveen, could sell the Swede during the current transfer window to avoid losing him on a free transfer when his contract expires.
Decision

Should he chose to stay, AZ will be keen to tie him down on a new contract.
But technical director Stewart says the club are waiting on a decision from free-kick specialist Elm before making any move.
He told De Telegraaf: "We have talked with Elm and his agent and hope to know what Rasmus wants soon.
"After that we'll know what we can do."

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Mascherano set for new Barca deal
Last Updated: July 19 2012, 17:27 BST

Javier Mascherano is on the verge of extending his contract with Barcelona until 2016.



Javier Mascherano: Happy at the Nou Camp
The former Liverpool man's current deal runs until 2014 but he is keen to extend his stay in the Catalan capital.
He told Mundo Deportivo, "(The new deal) is on the right track and I hope it will be closed shortly. I am happy, I feel valued and I want to continue for many years.


"Signing for Barca was the best decision of my life. I have won people's confidence and now I want to maintain it."
The Argentina international also hinted that his future lies at the back rather than the holding midfield role he deployed in England and previously in his homeland.


"In this club I feel more comfortable playing as a central defender than a midfielder but I will play where I am asked."
Mascherano, meanwhile, backed his compatriot and team-mate Lionel Messi to retain the Balon d'Or as the world's best player later this year.
"As regards the Balon d'Or, it is a personal decision, a question of preferences, but I would vote for Messi followed by Xavi and Andres Iniesta. For me titles count but they are up against a kid that has scored more than 80 goals this season."

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Robinho poised for Milan stay

Club reluctant to let Brazil star leave
Last Updated: July 19, 2012 9:47pm


Robinho: Could now stay at AC Milan after it was revealed the club are unwilling to sell him this summer


Brazilian striker Robinho looks set to stay at AC Milan after it was revealed the Italian club are reluctant to agree a deal with Santos.
The former Manchester City star has been linked with a move away from the San Siro this summer as the Serie A outfit looks to slash its wage bill.
Brazilian side Santos, where Robinho began his career and also enjoyed a loan spell there in 2010, have been heavily linked with a swoop for the forward.


Reports in Italy had suggested that they had sent a couple of high-ranking officials to Milan to try and conclude a deal for the 28-year-old.
A swap deal was also mooted involving 22-year-old goalkeeper Rafael, who recently became a full Brazil international.
Rafael's agent Paulo Affonso revealed that talks with Milan had taken place over a deal for the youngster and that they had included Robinho in those discussions.
However, he also confirmed that those talks had stalled, with the Rossoneri reluctant to let Robinho go.
Available

"We're always available to talk to Milan as they are a big team," Affonso told Globo Esporte.
"The meeting went well, but we couldn't reach a deal involving Robinho, because Milan can't afford to lose him now.
"That's their decision and made the negotiations stall."


Regarding Rafael, Affonso added: "Rafael plays for a big team and favours the top leagues such as Italy, England or Spain.
"I have two offers from second rate markets, but neither Santos nor Rafael are interested in those offers.
"Milan are still interested in Rafael, but he is completely focused on the Olympics and won't say anything before the competition is over."