Sunday Transfer Gossip

Only a few rumours today regarding Latin American players.

First off, the News of the World is reporting that Chelsea are close to agreeing an £18million fee with Internacional for Brazilian wonderkid Alexandre Pato, nicknamed 'Alex The Duck'. This rumour was also reported a couple of days ago by Brazilian news network clicRBS (Portugese link), although Internacional's Vice-President Giovanni Luigi denied that Chelsea had made contact with them at that time. Chelsea have been linked with Pato for some time, but I wouldn't expect any deal to be concluded until after the upcoming Under-20 World Cup in Canada, at which Pato is predicted to be the break-out star of the tournament.

Spanish daily Marca (spanish link) is reporting that Villarreal have turned down an offer of £11.5million + Spanish forward Mista from Atletico Madrid for their Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan. Villarreal spokesman Jose Manual Llanez confirmed that Villarreal are holding out for their valuation of the player:

"Villarreal are not in favour of the negotiations. He is €23million."

Valencia, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with the player, and Llanez believes that if Atletico don't improve their offer soon, one of those teams will step in and meet Villarreal's valuation.

Marca (spanish link) also report that a group of Argentine industrialists are starting a collection to raise the necessary money to pay for the transfer of Juan Riquelme back to Boca Juniors from Villarreal on a permanant basis.

Fabio Capello has expressed his doubt that Real Madrid will be able to tempt AC Milan to part company with Brazilian playmaker Kaka, according to Sky Sports. Real president Roman Calderon has recently reiterated his dream to bring Kaka to the Bernabeu, but it seems unlikely that Milan will be open to offers for their Brazilian talisman.

Finally, The People are exclusively reporting that Middlesborough are close to completing the signing of Argentine forward Javier Saviola from Barcelona. Many English clubs including Bolton and West Ham have been linked with the player over the last couple of months, but it seems like Middlesborough may have done the necessary to attract him to the Riverside.