Latest Football Transfer News 02-08-2012

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Latest Football Transfer News 02-08-2012

Lukaku keen on loan

Young Chelsea forward wants to play and Fulham could step in
Last Updated: August 2, 2012 8:45am


Romelu Lukaku: Wants first-team football and is willing to leave Chelsea to get it


Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku wants to stay in the Premier League but admits it may have to be away from Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old Belgium international was involved in just 12 games for Chelsea last season and failed to register a single goal.
With Lukaku desperate to play, Werder Bremen have been linked with a loan move for the former Anderlecht man and Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo is willing to allow a deal.


But the player himself is targeting an English club - and that could mean a switch to West London neighbours Fulham.
"I did not sign for Chelsea to go into another championship," said Lukaku.
"Now I must play. It all depends on the choice of the coach and myself. I'm not someone who bangs his fist on the table.
"I have to move on to another level. I will do everything to get better.
"I have talked with the manager. I have very good contact with him. We will try to find the best solution for both parties."

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Top guns target Taylor

Swansea defender catches eye at Olympics
Last Updated: August 2, 2012 9:22am


Neil Taylor: Impressing for Team GB at the Olympics


Sky Sports understands a host of the Premier League big guns are tracking Swansea and Great Britain star Neil Taylor.
Taylor has shone in the Olympics and has been an ever-present in Stuart Pearce's starting XI as Team GB have progressed to the quarter-finals
The 22-year-old enjoyed an outstanding debut campaign in the Premier League last season with Swansea and a number of top clubs have been keeping tabs on his progress.


Taylor's impressive performances for Team GB, where he has been utilised at left-back and right-back, have also caught the eye of his admirers.
The former Wrexham man came close to joining Newcastle last summer before Swansea secured him on a new long-term deal at the Liberty Stadium.
The likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are all thought to be keeping a watching brief on Taylor as they are in the market for defensive reinforcements at full-back.
Swansea would be loath to lose Taylor, but they could find it hard to keep the player if one of the Premier League heavyweights come calling for him.

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Sao Paulo wait for Moura talks

Midfielder to discuss new contract after playing in Olympics


Lucas Moura: Brazil midfielder is set for talks over a new contract at Sao Paulo after the Olympics


Sao Paulo admit Manchester United's interest in Lucas Moura has helped to instigate talks over a new contract, but discussions will only be held once the midfielder has finished playing at the Olympics.
Moura has reportedly been the subject of a bid from United in recent weeks, with Sir Alex Ferguson having confirmed his interest in the teenager.


A potential move to Old Trafford appeared to be off late last month after the player's agent stated United are reluctant to meet Sao Paulo's £30million valuation.
The 19-year-old's representative Wagner Ribeiro claims he had been instructed to keep negotiations with United open, but Sao Paulo do not want to lose Moura.
He is already on a long-term deal with the Brazilian club and vice-president Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes plans to arrange fresh terms once Moura is back from the London Games.


"When there was a round of negotiations with Manchester United the situation changed a bit and Sao Paulo started to admit the possibility of changing his contract," Lopes told Globo Esporte.
"But that will only happen after the Olympics as the presence of the player will be needed. We won't change the way we do things."
Meanwhile, as of 1st August, Moura's percentage of his economic rights has risen to 30% from 20% and he has also had a slight bump in his monthly salary.

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Foxes agree Knockaert deal

Promising French midfielder opts for move to the Championship


Anthony Knockaert: France Under 20 international midfielder is joining Leicester from Guingamp


Leicester City have agreed a deal to sign promising French midfielder Anthony Knockaert on a three-year contract from Guingamp.
Knockaert still had a year left to run on his deal at Guingamp, but will finalise a move to Leicester in the next 24 hours, subject to the Football League granting approval.


The 20-year-old enjoyed an impressive last season with Guingamp and he was linked with a switch to Newcastle United back in April.
He was also reportedly a target for French rivals Marseille and Sochaux, and Portuguese giants Benfica, but has opted for a transfer to Championship club Leicester.


The France Under 20 international will become the Foxes' sixth summer signing as Nigel Pearson aims to put together a squad capable of challenging for promotion to the Premier League

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Yennaris signs Arsenal deal

Teenager rewarded for continued progress at Emirates Stadium


Nico Yennaris: Arsenal teenager has signed a new contract extension at Emirates Stadium


Arsenal have confirmed versatile teenager Nico Yennaris has signed his second new contract in the space of 12 months.
Yennaris was previously rewarded with a new deal by the Gunners last November, just weeks after making his debut against Bolton Wanderers in the Carling Cup.


He went on to feature against Leeds United in the FA Cup before appearing in the Premier League for the first time as a substitute against Manchester United in January.
The 19-year-old, who can play at full-back or in central midfield, then took in a loan spell with Notts County and made two appearances in League One.


Yennaris has been involved in Arsenal's pre-season campaign, featuring twice on the tour to Asia, and he has now signed an extended long-term deal at the Emirates Stadium.

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Spurs in Stekelenburg link

Roma keeper attracting interest from several clubs
Last Updated: August 2, 2012 11:47am


Maarten Stekelenburg: Roma goalkeeper has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur


Maarten Stekelenburg's agent claims 'several clubs' have been in touch following reports Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for the Roma goalkeeper.
The Netherlands international only joined Roma on a four-year contract from Ajax 12 months ago, but endured a disappointing first season in Serie A.


He was sent off twice for the Giallorossi and there has since been a change of coach at Stadio Olimpico after Zdenek Zeman replaced Luis Enrique.
Stekelenburg stated earlier in the summer that he is happy to stay in the Italian capital, but speculation continues to link the 29-year-old with a move.
Reports have claimed that Premier League side Tottenham are among his suitors and his representative Rob Jansen is ready to look at interest in the imposing keeper.


"There are several clubs who have contacted us about Maarten," Jansen told De Telegraaf. "We will take a look at that interest.
"In the last weeks of the transfer window, some significant transfers can happen at some of the biggest clubs."
Roma are reportedly interested in signing Julio Cesar, who has also been linked with Spurs, from Inter Milan and that could pave the way for Stekelenburg to leave.

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Villas-Boas considers options

Spurs boss looking to improve his attack as Adebayor deal stalls
Last Updated: August 2, 2012 10:30am


Andre Villas-Boas: Tottenham manager is looking to improve his squad before the transfer window closes


Andre Villas-Boas is considering his options to improve Tottenham Hotspur's attack after a permanent move for Emmanuel Adebayor stalled.
Adebayor impressed in scoring 17 Premier League goals while on loan at White Hart Lane last season and Spurs agreed a deal with Manchester City last month.


However, reports have claimed that Adebayor's financial demands are threatening to derail the prospect of a return to North London before the transfer window closes.
With no progress being made on that front, Villas-Boas is ready to look at other options and is also keen to have Jermain Defoe back in the fold.
Defoe returned early from Spurs' pre-season tour of the USA following the death of his cousin and Villas-Boas is waiting for the England international to be available.


"Obviously there was an interest in Ade but we have a need first for Jermain to get back from his personal tragedy for the team to have further options in the striker position," said Villas-Boas.
"We are still building a team. The team can improve and we are looking to improve it.
"This is obviously not the final product and as we go through August we have to get the right perspective as to where we can improve and where we will arrive."

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Thompson set for Rovers

Moore to land winger
Last Updated: August 2, 2012 11:43am


Joe Thompson: Set to swap Rochdale for Tranmere


Sky Sports understands Tranmere are set to sign Rochdale winger Joe Thompson.
Tranmere have been chasing Thompson all summer and they are now thought to have finally agreed a fee with Rochdale for the out of contract wide-man.


Thompson, who came through the youth ranks at Spotland, saw his contract expire earlier this summer, but as he is under 24 Rochdale are due a compensation fee for his services.
The 23-year-old is thought to have attracted interest from clubs in Scotland and abroad, but he is poised to move to Prenton Park.
Rovers boss Ronnie Moore is a big fan of Thompson and sees him as a key addition to his plans for the new season.

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Vila fails Valencia medical

Spanish club now expected to sign Monreal or Angel
Last Updated: August 2, 2012 2:54pm


Didac Vila: Valencia did not want the left-back even though Milan waived the loan fee


AC Milan defender Didac Vila has failed a medical and Valencia and his transfer has been cancelled.
The left-back had been due to join on loan for the 2012/13 season with Valencia having the option to make the deal permanent.
But the Spanish club discovered a pelvic injury during their medical tests on Vila and have now called the deal off, despite Milan waiving the loan fee.


The former Espanyol man had been signed to replace Jordi Alba, who earlier in the summer moved to Barcelona, but Malaga's Nacho Monreal or Roma's Jose Angel are now probable targets.
A statement on Valencia's official website read: "Didac Villa has not passed the medical tests that have been submitted by the medical staff of Valencia Football Club.
"The medics consider that he is not 100 per cent fit to play football immediately. Therefore, Valencia FC has called off his transfer.
"The club wishes every success to this extraordinary player in his career."

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McCormack waits on Leeds offer

Striker aware that offers have been rejected this summer
Last Updated: August 2, 2012 12:56pm


Ross McCormack: Striker is happy at Leeds United and is waiting to be offered a new contract


Ross McCormack says his first choice is to stay at Leeds United and the striker is waiting to be offered a new contract by the club.
The Scotland international is in the final year of his current deal at Elland Road and Leeds do not want to lose McCormack for nothing next summer.
He has been linked with a string of Championship rivals, with Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town all rumoured to be keen on the 25-year-old.
However, McCormack is happy where he is and is prepared to discuss a new deal after being the subject of several failed offers this summer.
Acceptable

"Everyone knows there has been offers for me which have come into the club, and the club have turned them down," McCormack told the club's official website. "I'm just waiting on an offer of a new contract and we'll take it from there.
"I've said from day one, I've got a house here, I've got an eight-month old baby, my missus is happy here, and my choice would be to stay at Leeds so hopefully the offer is one that I think is acceptable."


Neil Warnock has previously said he will only let McCormack go, if he signs a replacement, but the Leeds boss remains eager to hang on to the former Cardiff City forward.
"Ross knows I want to keep him," said Warnock. "I've had a chat with him. His representative will be talking to the club over the next few days.
"We've had a couple of enquiries for him, but I don't want to sell him unless something happens that we can't turn down."