Mexico: Chivas Set To Loan Nery Castillo

Chivas Guadalajara are set to sign Shakhtar Donetsk forward Nery Castillo to a short-term loan contract as cover for the remainder of their Mexican Apertura and Copa Sudamericana campaigns.

Castillo, 24, has been using Chivas' training facilities in an attempt to regain fitness ahead of Mexico's vital World Cup Qualifier against Honduras next Wednesday after being frozen out at Manchester City, with whom he is on currently on loan from Shaktar.

Chivas' vice president Nestor de la Torre confirmed that they had reached an agreement to sign Castillo until the end of the year, and that he would take to the field as soon as the necessary paperwork is completed.

Castillo will not be eligible for the first leg of Chivas' Copa Sudamericana semi-final against Internacional of Brazil on Wednesday, and will miss the second leg on international duty, but would be available for the two-legged final should Chivas progress.

Friday Transfer Gossip

First off, it seems the Carlos Tevez transfer saga could finally be coming to an end. BBC Sport report that West Ham have agreed a settlement, believed to be £2million, to allow Tevez to join Manchester United. Tevez will return from his holidays this weekend to finalise the move on a two year contract.

Brazilian defender Alex has now received a work permit, allowing him to play in England. BBC Sport reports that the player will now return to England to undergo a medical and agree personal terms with Chelsea.

Manchester City completed the signing of Brazilian international Elano from Shakhtar Donetsk yesterday. BBC Sport report that the midfielder has signed a four year deal with the Premiership club, with the transfer fee thought to be £8million.

Newcastle are close to completing the free transfer signing of Lyon's Brazilian defender Claudio Capaca, according to The Independent.

Earlier this week, Shakhtar Donetsk completed the signings of two Latin Americans. Uefa,com report that Mexican striker Nery Castillo signed for £14million from Olympiakos, with Sao Paulo defender Ilsinho also joining the Ukrainian club for an undisclosed fee.

CA Osasuna have confirmed the loan signing of Arsenal's Carlos Vela for one year. Marca (Spanish link) report that the Mexican forward will be presented to the media on Saturday.

Marca (Spanish link) also report that Real Madrid tried to sign Angel Di Maria from Benfica, hours after he agreed to join the Portugese side. Benfica turned down Real's overtures and have slapped a 30million Euro release clause in the five year contract that the young Argentine has now signed with the club.

The Gazzetta Della Sport (Italian link) reports that Fiorentina are close to agreeing a deal to sign Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta.

Finally, Gazzetta (Italian link) also report that Catania have agreed a fee with Nacional de Montevideo for the signing of Jorge Martinez. The striker is expected in Italy on Monday for a medical and to agree personal terms.

Tuesday Transfer Gossip

First off, Marca (Spanish link) lead with the story that Real Madrid are now in pole position to sign Brazilian starlet Alexandre Pato. Pato's agent Gilmar Veloz met with Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic at the weekend and is quoted as saying "Duck (Pato) only wants to play in Real Madrid".

Sky Sports report that Villarreal are considering a move for Julio Baptista, with Marca (Spanish link) reporting that they are to bid 15million Euros for the Brazilian. Newcastle and AC Milan are also interested in the player if he decides his future is best served away from the Bernabeu.

Manchester City are once again being firmly linked with Mexico striker Nero Castillo. The Daily Mirror report that a £10million deal has been agreed with Olympiakos. The player is thought to be holding out for a move to a bigger club, but may move to City if no better options arise in the next 48 hours.

The Mirror also report that City are still interested in Roque Santa Cruz. The player, who has also been linked with Blackburn, Porto, Galatasary and River Plate, is expecting his future to be resolved this week.

Finally, Ernesto Farias now seems set to join Porto, after arriving in Portugal yesterday for his medical. Ole (Spanish link) report that River Plate had agreed to sell to player to Mexican side Toluca, but Farias' wife didn't want to live at that altitude, so the deal collapsed. Porto have paid 4million Euros for the striker, but Toluca are taking the matter to court as they believe the player had already signed a contract with them.

Thursday Transfer Gossip

First off, Real Zaragoza have completed the signing of playmaker Matuzalem from Shakhtar Donetsk. Sky Sports report that the Brazilian has signed a three year deal with the Spanish side, with the transfer fee undisclosed.

Discussions between Real Betis and Club Nacional de Football are still continuing over the transfer of Pablo Cabellero to the Spanish side. Marca (Spanish link) report that the negotiations currently center around whether Betis will buy the player outright, or just part of the economic rights to the player. Betis boss Hector Cuper expects a deal to be completed within the next week.

Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson is willing to spend up to £10million to bring Mexican striker Nery Castillo to the Eastlands, according to The Times.

Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Manchester United will not be selling Gabriel Heinze to arch rivals Liverpool. BBC Sport report that Liverpool made a £6million bid for the player on Monday, which was immediatly rejected by the Old Trafford club.

Finally, River Plate had struck a deal to sign Argentine midfielder Sixto Peralta on loan, according to Ole (Spanish 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.

Thursday Transfer Gossip

First off, Javier Saviola has completed his move on a free transfer to Real Madrid from Barcelona. Marca (Spanish link) report that he will be presented to the media as a Real player on Friday.

Sky Sports report that Daniel Alves is waiting on Chelsea to agree a fee with Sevilla for his services, according to the players agent Jose Rodriguez Baster.

The Sun report that Deportivo La Coruna's Argentine midfielder Aldo Duscher is in England today for a trial with Newcastle United ahead of a possible free transfer move. They lead the article with the typically sensationalist headline: "Big Sam in for Beck butcher".

Barcelona have finally agreed a fee with Real Zaragoza for Argentine defender Gabriel Milito according to Sky Sports. With personal terms having already been agreed for the Copa America, the deal is now pretty much finalised.

The Sun report that both Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in Mexico striker Nero Castillo, who has been on electric form during the Copa America. City apparently tried to sign the player previously when he was sixteen.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Real Madrid may challenge city neighbours Atletico in their bid for Juan Riquelme, provided they cannot sign Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.

Finally, Ole (Spanish link) report that Estudiantes are looking to replace Betis-bound Mariano Pavone with Osasuna forward Bernando Romeo. They are expected to face competition from San Lorenzo for the signature of the Argentine.