Latest Football Transfer News 29-07-2012

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Ajax closing on Sana

Dutch champions also sign PSG starlet Boccara
Last Updated: July 29, 2012 4:51pm



Ajax are set to sign Swedish midfielder Tobias Sana after reaching a verbal agreement with IFK Goteborg.

The 23-year-old will travel to Amsterdam for a medical at the Eredivisie club before putting pen to paper on a deal.
His agent, Anders Karlsson, told Fotbolldirekt: "There is a verbal agreement, then he will pass a medical."
Meanwhile, the Dutch champions have also captured 19-year-old midfielder Ilan Boccara from the Paris St Germain academy.
No regrets

The young Dutchman has signed his first professional contract with Ajax and is hoping for some playing time.
"I have no regrets about leaving," Boccara told L'Equipe. "I spent six beautiful years at PSG, but I need to play.
"PSG and Ajax are two extremes. At PSG there are lots of stars now, while Ajax has always trusted its young players.
"At PSG I knew I would not play with the professionals. At Ajax, if I am good, I will get opportunities."

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Lucas to decide after Games

Teenage midfielder to leave Europe's top clubs waiting
Last Updated: July 29, 2012 9:12pm


Lucas Moura: Putting future talk to one side as he focuses on Brazil's Olympic bid


Lucas Moura continues to be heavily linked with a move to Europe, but the youngster says no decision on his future will be made until after the Olympics.


The 19-year-old midfielder is being courted by Manchester United and Inter Milan, with Premier League and Serie A heavyweights ready to slug it out for his signature.
Neither club has been able to make much headway on the transfer front, though, with Sao Paulo understandably reluctant to part with such a sought-after talent.


They are refusing to drop their asking price, ensuring that interested parties remain cautious when it comes to negotiations.
Lucas is fully aware of the furore surrounding his future, but maintains that his sole focus at present is locked on a gold medal quest.
Calm

He is, however, prepared to admit that he will make a decision one way or another once his involvement at London 2012 has come to an end.
Lucas told ESPN Brasil: "At the moment I'm a Sao Paulo player and I'm focused on the Olympics.
"I don't want to worry about this. If I am meant to leave now, it will happen. Otherwise, I'll remain calm because I'm still very young.
"After the Olympics are over, I'll decide. If I stay at Sao Paulo, I'll be happy because it's the club where I started my career."

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Tera - Dos Santos need games

Mexico coach nudges playmaker towards Spurs exit
Last Updated: July 29, 2012 8:51pm


Giovani dos Santos: Doing the business for Mexico but needs to find games at club level


Mexico coach Luis Fernando Tena has urged Giovani dos Santos to resolve his future at Tottenham, with the playmaker in need of regular games.
The 23-year-old has endured a frustrating time at White Hart Lane since completing a high-profile switch from Barcelona.
His ability remains unquestioned, but Harry Redknapp's reluctance to offer him opportunities to shine in England has held him back.


Dos Santos offered another timely reminder of what he is capable of on Sunday as he stepped off the bench to net twice for his country in a 2-0 victory over Gabon at the 2012 Olympics.
His international coach now wants to see the youngster make a definitive decision on where his footballing future lies, with reports continuing to suggest that he could soon be heading back to Spain.


Tena said: "Giovani proved he is getting better football-wise. He made an impact again from the bench and he has done well throughout this competition from the bench.
"He showed great quality. Sometimes we don't finish but fortunately today we took two of the chances thanks to Giovani out of the many we made.
Improving

"Giovani had to improve physically because he came from vacation into the group after everyone else.
"But he is doing well, working in morning and afternoon training sessions with the physical coaches.
"If he keeps improving, he will get a chance [to start]."
But Tena added: "He definitely needs to find his rhythm. He has the potential to achieve things and it would be better if he had that rhythm at club level.


"Unfortunately he doesn't get that many minutes on the pitch at Tottenham.
"It will be better if he played more at club level and then he can give more to Mexico.

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Sunderland bid for Steven Fletcher
Last Updated: July 29 2012, 18:03 BST

Sunderland have formalised their interest in Wolves striker Steven Fletcher by tabling a bid.



Steven Fletcher: Reportedly valued at £10million
Press Association Sport understands the Black Cats have made a formal offer for the 25-year-old Scotland international after months of speculation over his future.
Fletcher, who has two years remaining on his contract at Molineux, is understood to be among manager Martin O'Neill's main targets this summer as he attempts to plug the gaps left by Asamoah Gyan and Nicklas Bendtner.


However, relegated Wolves reportedly value the player at around £10million, and it remains to be seen whether or not Sunderland's bid comes close to persuading them to sell.
Former Hibernian frontman Fletcher joined the Black Country club from Burnley two summers ago, and although he personally has performed creditably in the Barclays Premier League, has been relegated twice during his time in the English top flight.
O'Neill has, to date, made only one signing since the end of last season after completing a move for free agent Carlos Cuellar following the expiry of his deal at Aston Villa.


At the same time, a procession of players have headed out of the Stadium of Light, many of them from the fringes of the senior squad, but including the likes of Gyan, Scotland keeper Craig Gordon and central defender Michael Turner.
The Ulsterman revealed last week that the club was monitoring several situations and that he hoped to make a breakthrough soon.