Wednesday Transfer Gossip

First off, Manchester City have snapped up Geovanni from under the noses of fellow Premier League side Portsmouth. BBC Sport report that the Brazilian has signed a one year deal at the Eastlands having previously trained for a week with Portsmouth.

It seems Arsenal are content to leave Carlos Vela in Spain until a European passport can be obtained at the end of the year. The Daily Mirror report that the Mexican will be loaned out to newly promoted Almeria in the Primera Division for the coming season.

It seems that it is not just Manchester City and West Ham who are after Roque Santa Cruz. The Daily Mail report that £5.5million bids from Sevilla and Galatasary have already been accepted for the Bayern Munich striker, leaving the two English clubs needing to at least match those bids to stay in the running for his signature.

Inter Milan confirmed the signing of two Latin Americans yesterday. Sky Sports report that Chilean Luis Jimenez has joined from fellow Serie A side Lazio, with Colombian defender Nelson Rivas joining from River Plate.

Sky also report that Brazilian Edu Dracena is keen on a move to England, with Everton and Bolton both thought to be keen on the Fenerbache defender.

Juan Riquelme's move to Atletico Madrid has been put on hold until after their Intertoto Cup campaign. Marca (Spanish link) report that a fee of £10million has been agreed with Villarreal but the Madrid side need to see if they qualify for the UEFA Cup before making any further big money transfers.

Finally, Lazio appear to have won the race to sign Juan Pablo Carrizo, with Ole (Spanish link) reporting that a $10million fee has been agreed with River Plate. The goalkeeper is expected to sign a five year contract with the Italian side upon arrival in Rome tomorrow according to the Gazetta Della Sport (Italian link).

Tuesday Transfer Gossip

First off, Sky Sports report that Manchester City have now made firm their interest in Olympiakos striker Nery Castillo. Ukrainian side Shahktar Donetsk are also interested in the Mexican.

Sky also report that Reading are interested in signing River Plate defender Danilo Gerlo, after he impressed in the Peace Cup meeting between the two sides. River seem open to a move, so expect further news in the coming days.

West Ham are to challenge Manchester City for the signing of Roque Santa Cruz after the Daily Mirror revealed they are ready to match City's bid for the Paraguay forward.

Real Zaragoza are have entered the bidding for River Plate goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo, according to Sky Sports. Lazio's inability to tie up a deal for the Argentine has opened the door for the Spanish club, with both Manchester United and Manchester City holding a watching brief over the negotiations.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Villarreal are interested in signing Diego Milito and Fabio Coloccini as replacements for Diego Forlan and Roberto Ayala. Villarreal are flush with cash having received 27million Euros from the sales of Forlan and Ayala and are expected to make major moves in the transfer market within the next couple of weeks.

Goal report that German sides Wolfsburg and Schalke are interested in signing Juan Riquelme. The player himself has stated a desire to stay in Argentina, but as it is unlikely Boca Juniors can afford to sign him on a permanent basis, a move back to Europe seems the likely course.

Finally, the Gazetta Della Sport (Italian link) report that AC Milan's sixth choice for a big summer signing is Carlos Tevez. If the Rossoneri are unable to sign Drogba, Eto'o, Pato, Ronaldinho or Svenchenko then Tevez is their man. With Tevez's transfer to Manchester United still dragging on, it could be that AC have a good chance to nip in and steal the Argentine from under United clutches.

Tuesday Transfer Gossip

First off, Marca (Spanish link) report that Real Madrid have completed the signing of FC Porto's Brazilian defender Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira, better known as 'Pepe'. Real fought off competition from rivals Barcelona for Pepe, who has signed a five-year contract with Los Merengues. The transfer fee is thought to be in the region of 28million Euros.

The Daily Mirror report that Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is interested in bringing Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz to Ewood Park.

The Mirror also report that Newcastle have joined Liverpool in the race for Manchester United's Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Deportiva La Coruna are still awaiting for an acceptable written offer from Real Zaragoza before they will open negotiations over the transfer of Fabio Coloccini. Tottenham Hotspur have already had a 4.5million Euro offer turned down, with Deportivo holding out for somewhere closer to 10million. The players agent Marcelo Lombilla is expected to meet with Deportivo officials shortly to discuss his client's options.

Ole (Spanish link) report that the arrival of Bernd Schuster as Real Madrid manager should now clear the path for Argentine forward Javier Saviola to join the club on a free transfer. Schuster has apparently spoken highly of the player, so a move seems imminent.

As mentioned yesterday, River Plate and Lazio officials will meet today to discuss the transfer fee for River's Argentine goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo. Ole (Spanish link) today add that Manchester United, AC Milan and West Ham were all interested in the keeper, but baulked when they saw the price tag that River attached to him.

Finally, the BBC report that the transfer of Carlos Tevez to Manchester United is likely to take a few weeks to be finalised by the Premier League, due to the uncertainty over the current ownership of the player.

Monday Transfer Gossip

First off, Ole (Spanish link) report that River Plate are in discussions with Lazio over the possible transfer of Argentine goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo to the Italian side. River are in a position where they don't necessarily have to sell the player, so it may take a higher than expected offer from Lazio to prise him away from Los Millionairos.

In fact, River have been involved in a lot of wheeling and dealing recently, too much to describe here without it becoming a River Plate blog. Luckily though, such a blog does exist, giving full details of all their recent transfer moves.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Barcelona have put an 8million Euro price tag on Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta, despite freely admitting that he will be sold this summer. It is thought that an offer in the region of 5million Euros may tempt them to do business though.

Finally, Sky Sports report that Levante are close to agreeing a deal with Liverpool to take Argentine defender Gabriel Paletta on loan for next season.