Latest Football Transfer News 26-07-2012

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Mancini bemoans lack of signings
Last Updated: July 26 2012, 11:47 BST

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has shoved the responsibility for the lack of new faces at the Etihad Stadium this summer on Blues' football director Brian Marwood.



Roberto Mancini: Wants to improve squad
City are keen to sign Robin van Persie, with Mancini believing it is crucial to strengthen in order to defend their Premier League title.
So far though, with City unable to off-load any of their unwanted high earners, there have been no signings, with Arsenal snubbing an initial approach for Van Persie.
And, ahead of the Blues' friendly with Arsenal in Beijing tomorrow, Mancini, while not mentioning Marwood by name, made it clear where he feels the responsibility lies.


"For this question, speak to the man in charge," Mancini told reporters at a press conference in the Chinese capital.
"I am not in charge of this.
"It is important [to get players quickly] because, after what we did last year, we must continue to win.
"This year will be harder than last so we need to improve our team.


"We have a man who works for this and we hope that they can do a good job."
Mancini has previously made his admiration for Van Persie well known.
However, aware he will be facing Arsene Wenger tomorrow, the Italian opted to tread a delicate path.
"Van Persie is an Arsenal player, not our player," he said.


"He is a fantastic player, but we have four strikers and with those strikers we won the title last year.
"Van Persie is a fantastic player, but he is an Arsenal player."

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Bayern chief in Bender chase

Midfielder caught the eye playing for Germany during Euro 2012
Last Updated: July 26, 2012 4:56pm


Lars Bender: The Germany midfidler is stuck in a tug-of-war between his club Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich


Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has re-opened Bayern Munich's war of words with Bayer Leverkusen over their highly-rated midfielder Lars Bender.
The Bayern chief executive insists the German international is interested in a move away from the BayArena despite his protests.
The 23-year-old recently signed a new deal to keep him at Leverkusen for another five years and released a statement in an effort to end speculation over his future.


But Rummenigge has added fuel to the argument between the clubs that has been dragging on for weeks by claiming the midfielder would be happy to switch clubs.
"We are aware that the player has a keen interest in joining Munich," he said. "If there is a transfer at the end of the road, well, it is something I am not able to predict.
"There is still the question if there is any transfer fee that would see both clubs agree on. Anyway, in football these days you also need a bit of patience."

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CSKA closing in on Elm deal

Sweden international chased by leading clubs in Europe
Last Updated: July 26, 2012 6:53pm


Rasmus Elm: Alkmaar midfielder set to end his three year tenure at the club


AZ Alkmaar's Rasmus Elm is poised to reject Fiorentina and join Russian side CSKA Moscow.
The 24-year-old has been chased by the two sides after his impressive displays last season alerted teams to his potential.
However, Elm's agent Patrick Mork confirmed the Serie A side had been unable to reach an agreement with Alkmaar over the Sweden international.


Mork told tuttomercatoweb.com: "Rasmus is now in Munich undergoing a medical and next Sunday he will travel to Moscow to sign a deal with CSKA."
On the speculation linking Elm's with a move to Fiorentina, he added: "Florence is a beautiful city and they are a good team, but the two clubs were not able to reach an agreement."

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Garay rules out Roma move

Argentine defender feels settled in Portugal
Last Updated: July 26, 2012 10:40pm


Ezequiel Garay: Being strongly linked with a move to Italy


Ezequiel Garay is aware of reports linking him with an imminent move to Serie A giants Roma, but claims to be perfectly happy at Benfica.
Roma are in the market for defensive reinforcements and are said to have identified Garay as a top target.
An offer is believed to have been tabled, with the Italian outfit keen to know where they stand.


Argentine centre-half Garay has sought to rubbish the rumours, though, by insisting that he has no desire to leave his current surroundings.
"I've always enjoyed it here, right from day one," he told Record.
"I have no reason to leave. I'm happy. I have not asked about offers from abroad: they are just inventions (of the press) anyway."