Saturday Transfer Gossip

First off, Blackburn have confirmed they have completed the signing of Roque Santa Cruz from Bayern Munich. BBC Sport report that the Paraguayan striker has signed a four year contract, with the transfer fee thought to be in the region of £3.5million.

The Daily Mirror report that Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Daniel Alves from Sevilla. Although Sevilla have said they are holding out for £20million, it is thought that a small increase on Chelsea's current bid of £13million will be enough to capture the Brazilian full back.

Despite previous interest from Arsenal, it seems Angel Di Maria is set to sign for Benfica. Sky Sports report that Di Maria, along with his Rosario Central teammate Andres Diaz, are due in Lisbon today to complete their medicals, before being unveiled to the press later. They will both sign five year contracts with the Portugese club for a combined transfer fee of £4million.

Benfica are also after Barcelona full back Julio Belletti, according to Marca (Spanish link).

Marca (Spanish link) also report that Uruguayan forward Fabien Estoyanoff will join Real Valladolid on loan from Valencia for next season, having spent last season on loan at Deportivo La Coruna.

AS Roma are in negotiations to sign two Brazilians. The Gazzetta Della Sport (Italian link) report that Real Madrid right back Cicinho could join the Italian side on loan for next season, with Borussia Dortmund left back Dede in discussions over a permanant move.

Finally, Gazzetta (Italian link) also report that AC Milan have made a 17million Euro offer for Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Julio Baptista. Baptista is thought to have turned down a move to Villarreal as he wants to play in the Champions League, something that Milan can offer him.

Friday Transfer Gossip

First off, Bayern Munich have cleared four clubs to speak to Roque Santa Cruz after accepting £4.5million bids from each of them. The Daily Mirror reports that Blackburn, Porto, Espanyol and Real Zaragoza are the teams involved in negotiations with the Paraguayan striker.

In a clear indication that they no longer want Juan Riquelme, Villarreal have given away his number 8 shirt to Santi Cazorla. Marca (Spanish link) report that he has been given the number 16 jersey as he is required a number by the league, but is certain to leave this summer. Atletico Madrid have baulked at Villarreal's asking price, so with time running out before the transfer window, it will be interesting to see if anyone else come in with a bid for the playmaker.

AC Milan could turn their attention to Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta in their search for a central midfielder. The Gazzetta Della Sport (Italian link) report that Real Madrid midfielder Emerson is their first choice, but that they may make a move for his compatriot Motta if a deal cannot be done.

Finally, Barnsley have taken Brazilian defender Daniel Souza on trial, according to the Daily Star.

Wednesday Transfer Gossip

First off, Manchester City are in talks to sign Brazilian international Elano from Shakhtar Donetsk according to the Mirror. Negotiations are though to be at an advanced stage, with the transfer fee thought to be in the region of £7million.

After the news yesterday that Roque Santa Cruz wanted his future resolved this week, it seems that Blackburn are heading the queue for his signature. The Daily Mirror reports that Blackburn are to pay £4.5million for the striker and have asked him to fly to England for talks, in an attempt to complete the deal before the weekend.

Uruguay international keeper Fabio Carini is set to sign for Real Murcia. Sky Sports report that he will sign a four year deal at the newly promoted Primera Liga side and is expected to be unveiled to the media later today.

Finally, the transfers of Carlos Tevez and Gabriel Heinze still continue to drag on, details reported by BBC Sport.

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.

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.

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.

Friday Transfer Gossip

First off, Sky Sports understand that Carlos Tevez had agreed to join Manchester United on loan on an initial two year deal.

Deportiva La Coruna are waiting on written offers for Argentine centre-back Fabio Coloccini, after holding discussions with Olympiakos, Real Zaragoza and Tottenham Hotspur in respect of a possible move, according to Sky Sports.

Sky also report that Scottish club Hearts have agreed deals to bring two Argentines: Damien Giminez and Fernando Screpis to the club after they were both released by their sides in Argentina.

Parma have completed the signing of Brazilian forward Reginaldo from fellow Serie A side Fiorentina. Sky report the transfer fee as £3million.

Marca (Spanish link) report that Stuggart are in discussions with Real Zaragoza over a transfer for Brazilian forward Ewerthon to the German side. The fee being discussed is in the region of 8million Euros, with further negotiations expected Monday.

In the same article they also mention that Zaragoza have pulled out of any possible deal for Shakhtar Donetsk forward Matuzalem, despite the player refusing to train with the Russian side until he is sold.

Finally, The Daily Star report that Manchester City are to bid £8million for Bayern Munich's Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz.