Monday Transfer Gossip

Having missed the weekend news, this is technically the Saturday, Sunday and Monday Transfer Gossip all rolled into one.

First off, Atletico Madrid have confirmed that they have reached a deal to purchase Diego Forlan from Villarreal on a four-year contract. The fee is believed to be in the region of £14.1million as reported by Sky Sports.

Sky also report that Argentine defender Lionel Scaloni has agreed to join Lazio on a free transfer, after his contract with Racing Santander came to an end.

Thiago Motta has confirmed that he would relish a move to the English Premiership after becoming surplus to requirements at Barcelona. Manchester City, Middlesborough and West Ham have all been linked with the player according to Sky.

Gabriel Milito has rejected claims that Barcelona have contacted him about a possible move to the Nou Camp as reported by Marca (Spanish Link).

Finally, Argentine online news network Infobae (Spanish link) report that rumours linking Atletico Madrid with a move for Juan Riquelme are unfounded, as the club are not convinced by the player's temprement, going as far to describe him as a "strange character". Riquelme is apparently very keen to make his move to Boca permanant and is pushing for Villarreal to release him for a nominal fee, although they obviously prefer to try and get the best possible price for the mecurial Argentine.

Thursday Transfer Rumours

First off, it seems that dimuitive Brazilian midfielder Juninho Paulista could be making a return to Britain after Sky Sports reported that Championship club Hull are expected to hold talks with the player over the next 48 hours.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Diego Forlan is not interested in a move to Atletico Madrid to be a back-up for Fernando Torres. With Torres' own future at Madrid in doubt, one would assume that Forlan would be brought as a replacement for the Spaniard, but it is all purely speculation at the moment.

Marca (Spanish link) also report that Inter Milan and Real Madrid could be about to enter into a deal including players for the transfer of Brazilian forward Adriano to the Bernabeu. Mahamadou Diarra and Antonio Cassano are the two players mentioned as possible makeweights in the negotiations.

The Carlos Tevez tug of war continues today. Javier Mascherano has pleaded with his fellow countryman to join him at Liverpool according to the Daily Star, whereas the Daily Mail reports that West Ham are to offer Tevez £115,000 a week to continue with them for next season.

Finally, AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has denied that the club are interested in Internacional striker Alexandre Pato, as reported on ClicRBS (Portugese link). This could clear the way for Chelsea to make a widely predicted move for the player.

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.