Thursday Transfer Gossip

First off, BBC Radio Five Live is reporting a breaking news item that Carlos Tevez is set to join Manchester United. Talks are underway with a £20million move expected to be completed within the next 48 hours. It looks like the end is in sight in the Carlos Tevez transfer saga.

Sky Sports report that Alexandre Pato's agent Gilmar Veloz has confirmed Chelsea, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan have all made bids for the Internacional striker. Chelsea are understood to have made the highest offer at around £10m, but Veloz once again advised that no deal would be completed with any party until the January transfer window at the earliest.

The Daily Mirror report that Birmingham City are in talks with French side Lille over a one year loan deal for Brazilian defender Rafael Schmitz.

It seemed that Chelsea have baulked at Sevilla's asking price for Daniel Alves and have turned their attentions to Tottenham full back Pascal Chimbonda instead, according to The Sun.

Marca (Spanish link) have confirmed that AC Milan's Brazilian forward Ricardo Oliveira has sealed a move back to the Spanish League with Real Zaragoza. No mention of the fee involved for the player that Milan only signed from Real Betis last year.

Zaragoza are also after Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta, as part of the deal which will see Gabriel Milito heading in the opposite direction. Marca (Spanish link) report, however, that Barcelona prefer to keep the two deals seperate, so they can seal the Milito signing before other clubs step in to scupper the deal.

Marca (Spanish link) also report that Valencia have agreed a fee with FC Porto for the signing of Argentine midfielder Lucho Gonzalez. The formalities of the transfer will be completed once Gonzalez returns from the Copa America.

Finally, Tutto Mercato (Italian link) reports AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi's love for the skills of Juan Riquelme, also apparently shared by their coach Carlo Ancelotti, who once tried to sign the player when manager of Parma. Quite how Riquelme would fit into the midfield seems to be the main obstacle to a move ever happening, which Berlusconi himself also seems to concede.