Wednesday Transfer Gossip

First off, Everton have failed in their ambitious attempt to sign Lucho Gonzalez from FC Porto. Sky Sports report that their £11million bid has been turned down by the Portugese club, who are determined to keep hold of the Argentine midfielder. They have signalled their intentions by buying the remaining economic rights to the player from MSI for a reported 6.5million Euros.

Liverpool have joined Roma in the race to sign Brazilian full back Cicinho from Real Madrid. Sky Sports report that Rafa Benitez will turn to Cicinho after giving up in his attempt to sign his compatriot Daniel Alves from Sevilla.

Almeria have secured the services of Julio Dos Santos for the upcoming season. Marca (Spanish link) report that the Paraguayan will join on a one year loan deal from German side Bayern Munich.

Negotiations continue between Villarreal and Real Betis over the transfer of Leandro Somoza. Marca (Spanish link) report that the talks broke down early on Tuesday, but had resumed by the evening, with the mode of payment thought to be the current stumbling block. The situation is described as 'complicated but not impossible'.

There is a length article in Ole (Spanish link) about the future of Juan Riquelme. Villarreal do not wish to loan the player out to Boca Juniors again for next season and are looking for a permanant deal. Their initial proposal was $6million along with part of the economic rights and the future transfer rights to Rodrigo Palacio and Ever Banega. Boca rejected this out of hand, but the same money along with the rights to Mauro Boselli and Jonatan Maidana seems more acceptable to them. The issue will have to be resolved in the next couple of weeks, with Boca hoping that by playing a waiting game, they will be able to secure Riquelme for well below his true market value.

Finally, Maxi Moralez has moved from Racing to FC Moscow. Ole (Spanish link) report that the Russian club have paid $5million for the young midfielder, who starred in the recent U-20 World Cup.

Saturday Transfer Gossip

First off, Newcastle have completed the signing of Claudio Capaca on a free transfer. Sky Sports report that the former Lyon captain has signed a two-year deal with the Premiership club.

Everton have now joined the race to sign Lucho Gonzalez from FC Porto according to the Daily Express. They report that the Merseyside club are on the brink of a £10million move for the Argentine midfielder who has also been linked with Valencia and Real Madrid.

Portsmouth are interested in signing Jonas Gutierrez from RCD Mallorca. Marca (Spanish link) report that the English club have offered £7million for the Argentine forward, who must decide between a move to the Premiership or to extend his contract with the Spanish side until 2010.

Finally, Marca (Spanish link) also report that Real Betis have agreed a fee with Villarreal to sign Argentine defensive-midfielder Leandro Somoza. The player himself must now decide whether he wishes to move to Hector Cuper's side.

Thursday Transfer Gossip

First off, Real Madrid have now joined the race to sign Lucho Gonzalez from FC Porto. Valencia had previously been in negotiations over a possible transfer, but Marca (Spanish link) report that a club official from Porto met Real sporting director Pedrag Mijatovic on Tuesday to discuss a deal for the Argentine international midfielder.

Liverpool are the latest club to be linked with a move for Celta Vigo defender Diego Placente. The Daily Express reports that the Merseyside club will turn their attention to Placente if they are unable to secure the transfer of his fellow Argentine Gabriel Heinze from Manchester United.

Alexandre Pato will decide his future within the next couple of weeks. Sky Sports quote Pato's father as saying "We will resolve this before August 15 once and for all as there is no point in renewing his contract at Internacional". AC Milan ,Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid are the sides thought to be vying for the young Brazilian's signature.

Barnsley have snapped up Daniel Souza after a successful trial period. Sky Sports report that the Brazilian defender has signed a two year deal with the Yorkshire side.

Villarreal are thought to be on the verge of completing a deal for Defensor Sporting defender Diego Godin. Marca (Spanish link) report that the Uruguay international will be today and will be presented to the press this afternoon, before joining up with his new teammates on Friday as they continue their pre-season preparations.

Having signed Guiseppe Rossi, Villarreal are now slightly overloaded up front, with Marca (Spanish link) reporting that Mexican striker Guillermo Franco has been offered to Racing Santander.

Finally, The Gazzetta Della Sport (Italian link) reports that Napoli are to rival Real Murcia for the signing of Brazilian international midfielder Josue.

Friday Transfer Gossip

First off, Arsenal are understood to have captured two young South American talents. Sky Sports report that Argentine midfielder Angel Di Maria and Brazilian forward Pedro Silva have agreed to join the North London club. Both will be loaned to Spanish side Salamanca for next season as they will not be able to obtain work permits to play in England.

Valencia have put a hold on their negotiations over the transfer of Lucho Gonzalez from FC Porto. Marca (Spanish link) report that the Spanish side believe the 18million Euros fee to be excessive and that issues with the players' ownership may make the move overly complicated.

Sky Sports report that Italian side Reggina have signed Paraguay international Edgar Barreto from NEC Nijimegan, despite late interest from Benfica.

Finally, River Plate are the latest team to express an interest in Roque Santa Cruz according to Ole (Spanish link). Their hopes could be scuppered if a bidding war ensues, but they seem confident that the player may favour a return to South America rather than continuing to ply his trade in Europe.

Friday Transfer Gossip

First off, the Gazetta Della Sport (Italian link) report that Alexandre Pato's agent Gilmar Veloz was in Milan yesterday to discuss a move for the talented striker. AC are looking to strike a deal before fellow interested parties Chelsea and Real Madrid get in on the act.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Valencia are not going to be forced into a quick resolution of the transfer of Lucho Gonzalez from FC Porto. Although the player is their number one target for the attacking midfielder position, they are saying calm in the negotiations.

Atletico Madrid are believed to be close to agreeing a fee with Villarreal for Juan Riquelme, thought to be in the region of 10million Euros, according to Marca (Spanish link).

Riquelme's Boca Juniors teammate Martin Palermo has pleaded with the club to do all they can to keep the playmaker at the club in Ole (Spanish link).

Whereas Marca (Spanish link) also report that Real Madrid may turn to the talented Argentine after missing out on Cesc Fabregas. However, they are understood to have questions about his character and could turn instead to Werder Breman's Brazilian playmaker Diego.

Arsenal are weighing up whether to apply for a work permit for Mexican wonderkid Carlos Vela, as reported by the Daily Mirror. He can obtain an EU passport if he stays on loan in Spain until January, but Arsenal may feel that their situation means they need him in the squad sooner, rather than later.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Barcelona are also having nationalisation problems with their Mexican youngster Giovanni Dos Santos. The club currently have too many players without EU passports, which will limit the playing time they are able to give the talented eighteen year old, hence the need to get him a Spanish passport.

Finally, Sky Sports report that Carlos Tevez will be in England next Wednesday for his Manchester United medical. It will be interesting to see whether the other paperwork regarding the deal is also sorted by that time.

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.