The Transfer Thread

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

10.00 Reports in Spain suggest that Real Madrid will complete the signing of Rafael Van der Vaart next week. They are understood to have lodged a bid of 10million euros (£7.8m) with Hamburg for the midfielder.

10.23 Rennes manager Pierre Dreossi does not want to allow Stephane M'bia to join Everton and is set for contract discussions with the midfielder. The Toffees have also been linked with a move for Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

10.33 Striker Steve Lovell is on the brink of signing for Falkirk after flying out on the club's trip to Holland. The 27-year-old was released by Aberdeen at the end of last season.

10.41 More Scottish news, with Dundee United boss Craig Levein playing down talk of a move for Alan Gow of Rangers.

10.59 Doncaster are confident of tying up a permanent deal for Manchester City defender Matthew Mills in the next 24 hours.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

11.09 Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has insisted he is just a spectator in the Cristiano Ronaldo saga. Real have been in pursuit of the winger all summer but Calderon maintains he can do nothing except wait.

11.23 Blackpool have captured Daniel Nardiello and Zesh Rehman from Queens Park Rangers with Kaspars Gorkss moving to Loftus Road in exchange.

11.30 Real Madrid are adamant that Robinho will not be leaving to finance a move for Cristiano Ronaldo. Chelsea have been linked with the Brazilian, but Ramon Calderon says he can play in the same team as Ronaldo.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

11.51 Steve Bruce is happy with the recruits he has brought to Wigan this summer and now plans to stop spending.

11.58 Reading's Nicky Shorey has admitted he does not know what the future holds for him. The defender has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs including Portsmouth this summer.

12.00 Fulham have completed the signing of Swedish defender Fredrik Stoor from Rosenborg after a successful medical.

12.11 The agent of Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has played down talk linking him with a move away from Anfield. Speculation has suggested that both Manchester City and West Ham could be interested.

12.17 Birmingham have signed Kemy Agustien on a season-long loan deal from AZ Alkmaar. Blues will have the option to buy the midfielder next summer.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

12.25 The agent of Andrei Arshavin has confirmed that Tottenham are in talks to sign the Russian playmaker, but says a deal is still a way off.

13.27 Ipswich manager Jim Magilton has confirmed he is interested in signing Bobo Balde after the defender was told he could leave Celtic on a free transfer.

13.31 Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will decide whether to sign trialist Ian Harte after Saturday's pre-season friendly with Blackburn. The Republic of Ireland international, who was released by Sunderland at the end of last season, played 75 minutes in the centre of midfield against Walsall on Tuesday.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

13.53 Tottenham midfielder Steed Malbranque is undergoing a medical at Sunderland ahead of a proposed move to the Stadium of Light.

14.03 Stoke boss Tony Pulis is hopeful of signing goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen. The former Aston Villa man has been on trial with the Potters.

14.18 Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar insists that he will continue to ignore the speculation surrounding his future and remain focused on his career at Fratton Park.

14.29 Tottenham's proposed swoop for David Bentley looks to be edging closer to completion, with the Blackburn midfielder spotted by our spies at Spurs' training ground.

14.35 Skysports.com understands that Crewe have accepted a bid of over £2million for Nicky Maynard from an unnamed Championship club.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

14.44 In-demand Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul looks destined to sign for Portsmouth after turning down the opportunity to join Sunderland, according to his agent.

14.48 Skysports.com understands Blackburn are targeting Torino's Australia international Vince Grella as Paul Ince looks to bolster his squad ahead of the new season by bringing in a holding midfielder.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

15.32 Summer signing Luka Modric believes Tottenham can reach the UEFA Champions League regardless of who they sell, with Robbie Keane having left for Liverpool and Dimitar Berbatov strongly linked with Manchester United.

15.56 FC Dallas have insisted that Cardiff target Kenny Cooper will not be going anywhere this summer, despite the Championship club agreeing a £2million deal with MLS Soccer, who hold the players' contracts in America.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

16.05 Bosnian goalkeeper Sead Ramovic is 'flattered' to have been linked with a move to Fulham, but insists his immediate priority is Tromso, rather than the possibility of a move to another team.

16.13 Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has moved to bolster his defence with the signing of Israel international Tal Ben Haim from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. The former Bolton man has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at Eastlands.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

16.24 Doncaster have clinched the signing of defender Jos van Nieuwstadt on a two-year deal after the Dutchman, who has spent the last two seasons with Excelsior Rotterdam in his homeland, impressed during pre-season.

16.26 Leeds boss Gary McAllister is hoping to have Luciano Becchio on board by the end of the week after the Argentine striker impressed during his trial spell with the League One side.

16.37 Arsene Wenger has added to the ranks of emerging talent at Arsenal with French-born Portugal Under 21 international midfielder Amaury Bishcoff moving to Arsenal from Werder Bremen.

16.58 Kevin Blackwell says Sheffield United have not bid for Michael Brown and are struggling to reach a deal for his Wigan Athletic team-mate David Cotterill.

17.11 More transfer news from Eastlands, with Bernardo Corradi joining Reggina after Manchester City confirmed the striker had been released from his contract. It would be fair to say that he didn't really shine in the Premier League.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

17.28 One of the summer's most talked about transfer sagas has apparently reached a conclusion, with Aston Villa announcing that Gareth Barry will remain in the Midlands, as the final deadline set for Liverpool to secure his services has passed without a deal being struck.

[rsnomar05]

Re: The Transfer Thread

16.24 Doncaster have clinched the signing of defender Jos van Nieuwstadt on a two-year deal after the Dutchman, who has spent the last two seasons with Excelsior Rotterdam in his homeland, impressed during pre-season.

16.26 Leeds boss Gary McAllister is hoping to have Luciano Becchio on board by the end of the week after the Argentine striker impressed during his trial spell with the League One side.

16.37 Arsene Wenger has added to the ranks of emerging talent at Arsenal with French-born Portugal Under 21 international midfielder Amaury Bishcoff moving to Arsenal from Werder Bremen.

16.58 Kevin Blackwell says Sheffield United have not bid for Michael Brown and are struggling to reach a deal for his Wigan Athletic team-mate David Cotterill.

17.11 More transfer news from Eastlands, with Bernardo Corradi joining Reggina after Manchester City confirmed the striker had been released from his contract. It would be fair to say that he didn't really shine in the Premier League.

Wenger better have another move up his sleeve, because Bischoff could be good, but he looks like he needs a few years more to develop.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

18.10 Skysports.com understands Madjid Bougherra has agreed personal terms with West Bromwich Albion after shunning Rangers.

18.31 Sky Sports News understands West Bromwich Albion have made an improved offer for Abdoulaye Meite.

18.57 Stoke City have completed the signing of experienced goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen on a free transfer. The Dane has inked a three-year deal with the Premier League new boys.

[Bruins]

Re: The Transfer Thread

19.45 Monaco have signed Alejandro Alonso on a three-year deal from Bordeaux for an undisclosed fee.

[Qb]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Wenger better have another move up his sleeve, because Bischoff could be good, but he looks like he needs a few years more to develop.

I doubt that this was the, ahem, additional addition to which Wenger referred. I believe this move was made shortly after the season but has most likely only now become official. I know I remember reading that Arsenal had signed this kid in May/June...

Let's hope that AW can lure a quality experienced CM to the Emirates before the end of August. If I had my druthers, I'd take Xabi Alonso to partner Cesc, but I don't think it will happen. Surely Benitez would not want to strengthen a team with which he'll be competing for a CL spot, would he? And he certainly won't sell him to Arsenal at the kind of price it would take for it to happen...

[rsnomar05]

Re: The Transfer Thread

I doubt that this was the, ahem, additional addition to which Wenger referred. I believe this move was made shortly after the season but has most likely only now become official. I know I remember reading that Arsenal had signed this kid in May/June...

Let's hope that AW can lure a quality experienced CM to the Emirates before the end of August. If I had my druthers, I'd take Xabi Alonso to partner Cesc, but I don't think it will happen. Surely Benitez would not want to strengthen a team with which he'll be competing for a CL spot, would he? And he certainly won't sell him to Arsenal at the kind of price it would take for it to happen...

I don't think it was the move Wenger referenced either, but it frustrates me that they have money to spend and never do it. I like the team's prospects for the season, assuming Nasri can play at least close to his potential, but I'd still like another keeper as well. I'm not as sold on Almunia as Wenger seems to be.