Blackburn Sign Petrovic

Blackburn has completed the signing of Partizan Belgrade midfielder Radosav Petrovic for an undisclosed fee.

Petrovic, 22, has signed a four-year contract with Blackburn after having received a work permit. The 6ft 4in defensive midfielder has made 19 appearances for Serbia, having made his debut for the country in August 2009.

Petrovic started his career at hometown club FK Jedinstvo Ub. A move to Radnicki Obrenovac followed, before he moved to Partizan in the summer of 2008.

He was named in the Serbian league team of the year for the last two seasons and is currently with his international colleagues ahead of Serbia's international match against Russia in Moscow.

Blackburn face a race against time to make sure Petrovic is eligible for Saturday's Premier League opener against Wolves at home.

He is the club's second signing this summer, following Dundee United striker David Goodwillie to Ewood Park.

Newcastle Seal Deal For Manchester United Star

Newcastle has completed the signing of Manchester United winger Gabriel Obertan, confirming the transfer on their website.

The former France Under-21 international has joined the Magpies on a five-year deal after failing to establish himself as a Manchester United regular in two seasons at Old Trafford.

"Gabriel is a player I've watched for the last couple of seasons since he arrived at Manchester United," Newcastle boss Alan Pardew said.

"He has great pace and excellent technique and he has improved his power in the last 12 months and is ready now to make a real impact in the Premier League.

"I contacted Sir Alex about him early at the start of the summer to see if there was an opportunity to bring him to Newcastle, but it wasn't until Wayne Routledge joined Swansea that we were able to bring him in.

"His best years are ahead of him which is exactly what we want at this club, and with the backing of our magnificent fans I'm sure he will prove an excellent signing for us," he added.

Obertan's signing makes the 22-year-old the fifth French-born player to arrive at St James Park this summer following the signings of Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba, Sylvain Marveaux and Mehdi Abeid.

Vitesse Sign Kazaishvili

Vitesse Arnhem have signed 18-year-old Georgian winger Valeri Kazaishvili on a three-year contract.

Kazaishvili has signed from Olimpi Rustavi on a contract which has an option for a fourth year.

Vitesse technical director Ted van Leeuwen revealed Kazaishvili had been watched by the club for some time and would go straight into the first team squad.

"In the past six years he has developed enormously and we have signed him immediately after his 18th birthday," van Leeuwen told the club’s website.

"Basically he is a player for the future, but (his career) can also go (develop) very quickly. He will also immediately be part of the first team selection."

Vitesse have applied for a work permit Kazaishvili who was in his second season with Olimpi.

Birmingham City Midfielder Michel Joins Getafe

Birmingham City midfielder Michel has joined Spanish La Liga side Getafe for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old arrived in January 2010 from Sporting Gijon for £3m but made just 12 appearances for Blues.

Michel, whose full name is Miguel Marcos Madera, was brought to St Andrews by former manager Alex McLeish.

But he failed to make an impression and spent the second half of last season on loan at AEK Athens, featuring 15 times for the Greek side.

The Spaniard had made 138 appearances for Sporting Gijon during five years at the club, and scored seven times for the La Liga side before his move to England.

AC Milan Open Door To Pato Chelsea Move

Long-term Chelsea target Pato could be allowed to leave AC Milan, Barbara Berlusconi, daughter of AC Chairman Silvio Berlusconi has announced.

The news is even more remarkable given the fact that 27 year old Barbara is currently dating the Brazilian striker.

Not only that, but she is also a director at the Milan football club her father owns, and so could have a particularly large part to play should an offer from Stamford Bridge be forthcoming.

Pato recently denied claims he may be about to leave the San Siro, but it now appears that the AC board don't deem him as indispensable, and even the 22 year old Brazilian star may have a price.

In an interview with fashion magazine Vanity Fair, Ms. Berlusconi is quoted as saying:

"Everyone is transferable and Pato is no different," she said. "This is a delicate matter that does not concern me. I'd rather not talk about it. We are simply enjoying ourselves and taking things one day at a time."

Atletico Madrid Poised To Land Turan

Atletico Madrid appears to have won the race to sign long-term Liverpool target Arda Turan.

Liverpool has been keen on the Turkey international for over two years and scouts have tracked his progress with Galatasaray.

Turan's career has taken off with the Turkish giants and he is keen for a new challenge, having previously stated his admiration for Liverpool.

Numerous clubs across Europe want the 24-year-old, with Liverpool among them, but officials from Madrid have been in contact with Galatasaray regarding the winger.

Liverpool is keen on bolstering their options on the wings and has already signed Stewart Downing this summer.

Turan, however, looks to be heading to Madrid, with Galatasaray said to be resigned to losing him.

Manchester United And Man City Fight For Italy International Enforcer

AS Roma star Daniele de Rossi has rejected the latest contract offer from I Giallorossi, resurrecting talk of a transfer abroad in the process.

His current deal at Stadio Olimpico has just 10 months remaining, and though Roma have offered him a new deal of approximately £67,000 per week - placing him towards the top of the club wage hierarchy - he has received better offers.

Corriere dello Sport claim that Manchester City have offered £118,000 per week - not short of double Roma's offer - and de Rossi has begun to think again about leaving a city that has not always treated him well in recent times.

Manchester United are likely to join their city rivals in the pursuit of the Italy international star though, with a holding midfielder perhaps more urgently required than the playmaker more widely written about in the press.

Wesley Sneijder would cost far more than de Rossi, but would the Italian be a more worthwhile signing for either Manchester club?

Lorient Linked With Loan Swoop For Arsenal's Carlos Vela

Lorient is lining up an ambitious move to bring striker Carlos Vela from Arsenal on loan, according to France Football.

Christian Gourcuff's side have reportedly shown more than a passing interest in the Mexico international and it is possible that a six-month loan deal could be negotiated.

The publication also states that the two clubs share a positive relationship, as a number of players have left Lorient to join Arsenal in recent times, with Laurent Koscielny being the most prominent transfer, as well as the likes of Gilles Sunu and Francis Coquelin.

The 22-year-old has found first-team opportunities in north London increasingly difficult to come by, and the recent arrival of Gervinho has only pushed him further down Arsene Wenger's pecking order, forcing him to branch out to West Brom on a temporary basis during the second half of last season.

The Guadalajara youth product has made 61 appearances for the Emirates outfit, scoring 11 times.

Anzhi Makhachkala Step Up Chase For Arsenal Star

Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala will step up their interest in Andrey Arshavin by approaching Arsenal over the player's availability this week.

Playmaker Arshavin has had a mixed time in England since his move from Zenit in 2009.

The highlight of his three year stay at Arsenal would undoubtedly be his four-goal haul in their 4-4 draw with Liverpool towards the end of the 2008/09 season.

But Arshavin was well short of his best form last season and failed to nail down a regular starting spot.

Anzhi are now keen on offering him a route back to Russia, with Suleyman Kerimov, the club's billionaire owner, eager to add more big-name signings to the team having signed Roberto Carlos earlier this year.

According to sources in Russia, Kerimov is ready to sanction a move for Arshavin and Anzhi are keen on approaching Arsenal to set up talks.

Chelsea And Real Madrid Set For Battle Over Porto Star

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas could be set to go head-to-head with former boss Jose Mourinho in a transfer battle over Porto star Fredy Gaurin.

The west Londoners and Real Madrid are the two clubs believed to be leading the race to sign the 25-year-old Columbian.

Guarin made 22 league appearances for the Portuguese champions under Villas-Boas last season, however, he was unhappy at starting just ten of those matches and at one point made his feelings public via Twitter.

The former Saint Etienne player, who can play in central midfield or on the right, did score five goals in Porto's successful Europa League campaign, and that sort of strike rate from the centre of the park would enable to the new Chelsea boss.

Gaurin played just the final 34 minutes of the Super Cup game against Vitoria Guimaraes at the weekend and it appears he may not fit in with the style new manager Vitor Pereira is planning to play at Porto.

Arsenal Confirm £15million Deal For Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has sealed his dream switch to Arsenal for £15million, according to the Southampton club's website.

Southampton had initially been reluctant to sell their most prized asset, but after the midfielder made it clear he wanted to move to the Emirates Stadium, they accepted an offer which breaks the previous record for their highest transfer income.

The transfer is still subject to Premier League and FA approval.

Arsene Wenger will now concentrate on bringing in a centre back after Thomas Vermaelen was injured at the weekend.

John Carew Moves To West Ham United On Free Transfer

Former Aston Villa striker John Carew has joined Championship side West Ham United on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old, 6ft 5in Norwegian striker, who scored twice in 13 games on loan at Stoke last term, became a free agent after being freed by Villa.

"I am very happy to sign for such a big club," he told the West Ham website.

"I am so pleased to be here and am looking forward to being part of a good team here that will bring this great club back up to the Premier League."

Carew's registration was not completed in time for him to play in West Ham's opening Championship match against Cardiff on Sunday.

The powerful forward, who has been given the number 11 shirt at Upton Park, passed a medical before he was confirmed as West Ham's fifth signing of the summer.

He has scored 23 goals in 88 appearances for the Norwegian national side, and netted 52 goals in 133 matches for Villa.

His strike-rate in the FA Cup was particularly impressive, as he scored 11 times in 10 games.

Carew joined Villa from Lyon in 2007 and was a key member of their side under former manager Martin O'Neill.

But injury has prevented the striker from making an impact last season while his relationship with O'Neill's successor Gerard Houllier was strained, with the pair arguing in the press in 2010.

Alberto Gilardino Set For £10.4m Switch To Genoa

Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino has turned down interest from Marseille and is on the verge of joining Genoa, a source close to the situation has told Goal.com.

Last week the player's agent confirmed that the Ligue 1 outfit was in negotiations for the 2006 World Cup winner. However, the French side has now lost out on the 29-year-old to Genoa, for a fee believed to be in the region of €12 million (£10.4m) plus bonuses.

The likely move will see Gilardino link up with his former Fiorentina team-mate Sebastien Frey, who made the switch to Genoa last week.

Gilardino has made 47 appearances for Italy, scoring 17 goals while representing his country at both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

He has scored 56 goals in 130 appearances for Fiorentina since joining the club in 2008.

Real Madrid Snap Up Seven-Year-Old Argentine

Real Madrid has signed seven-year-old Leonel Angel Coira from Argentina.

The Spanish club’s spokesman Juan Tapiador confirmed the move on Monday and added that the youngster would begin training on September 6.

Atletico Madrid were also reportedly interested in Leo but their city rivals made the first move in an effort to stave off challenges from other European heavyweights in the future.

The youngster admitted that Barcelona star Lionel Messi was his favourite player but added that Real Madrid is his preferred club.

"Lionel Messi is my idol, but my dream is to play in the Real Madrid first team," he told Ole. "I will start training there on September 6."

Leo’s father was delighted with the move and was quoted by ESPNSoccernet as saying: "It looks good when I say it because I'm the father, but I'm excited to see how he plays with the ball."

Kharja Set For Fiorentina

Genoa midfielder Houssine Kharja is on the verge of completing a move to Serie A rivals Fiorentina.

The Moroccan has been paired with the Stadio Artemio Franchi outfit over the last few weeks after he was told to find a new club.

Kharja, according to reports, will join the Viola on a co-ownership deal that will see Genoa net €3m for him.

The former Siena midfielder only returned to Marassi this summer after spending the last six months of the previous campaign at Inter.

Kharja joined the Nerazzurri on loan in January, but the club opted against signing him outright at the end of the 2010-11 campaign.

Tottenham Turn Attention To FC Twente Striker

Tottenham have made a move for FC Twente striker Bryan Ruiz.

Ruiz has impressed in Holland, scoring 33 goals in 61 Eredivisie games, alerting Redknapp to his possible availability.

The Costa Rican striker, signed by Steve McLaren in 2009, is aware of Spurs' interest and is keen to test himself in the Premier League.

The Spurs boss was there to see Ruiz play for FC Twente in the 1-0 league win away to NAC Breda on Sunday.

And Ruiz admitted: "They have approached my agent. I was told about Tottenham's interest two days ago. Spurs are a great club. I'd say that the chance that I'll leave Twente is 50%."

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is keen to freshen up his strike force this season, having seen Jermain Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Peter Crouch score just 17 Premier League goals between them last season.

He looks likely to lose out on Emmanuel Adebayor to Real Madrid, while a move for Edin Dzeko failed due to his wage demands, and Redknapp has now turned his attentions to Ruiz.

Chelsea Linked To Surprise Move For Ligue 1 Playmaker

Chelsea is weighing up a potential bid for Marseille's Lucho Gonzalez.

The Argentina international celebrated his 30th birthday in January and with the emphasis seemingly being on lowering the average age of the squad at Stamford Bridge, a move to the London club would certainly be a surprise. However, he is available having requested a transfer from the Stade Velodrome after the player and his family were the victims of a 'home-jacking' in March in which armed raiders attacked them at their property and robbed them.

The club has agreed to his demands under the difficult circumstances and he has been looking for new employers though so far to no avail. Chelsea is seeking to fill a creative void and have been linked to both Wesley Sneijder and Javier Pastore in this transfer window. But with the former likely to go to Manchester United and the latter already at PSG, Lucho is a more viable - and cheaper - option.

Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas has also received favourable reports on the player from officials at former club FC Porto where Lucho spent four years between 2005 and 2009. Though the pair's time in Portugal did not overlap, the schemer's efforts at the Estadio Dragao left a lasting impression.

Atletico Madrid Offer Cash Plus Eduardo Salvio for Radamel Falcao

Atletico Madrid has put together an offer of €25 million plus Eduardo Salvio for Porto striker Radamel Falcao, according to news daily AS.

The Colombian international has been a target of Atletico in recent weeks as the Spanish club look for a successor to Sergio Aguero, who left for Manchester City earlier in the summer.

Falcao has been linked with the exit door at Porto after a season in which he scored 38 goals in all competitions, including 18 in the Europa League, a new record in the competition.

The striker recently signed a two-year contract extension which saw his release clause increased from €30 million to €45m, but AS claims that Porto president Pinto da Costa promised that the player would be sold if an offer which matches his buy-out clause came in.

Salvio's stock in Portugal is very high after the winger impressed while on loan at Benfica last season. However, the Argentine has returned to Atletico without a guaranteed first-team role, meaning the player could move on as a result.

However, Atletico will have to convince Salvio to be included in the deal, as the player stated on Friday he did not want to be used as makeweight in negotiations for Falcao.

Bayer Leverkusen Reveal Interest In Stuttgart's Bernd Leno

Bayer Leverkusen has expressed their desire to bring young Stuttgart goalkeeper Bernd Leno to the club as a short-term replacement for Rene Adler.

German international goalkeeper Adler is a long-term injury casualty with a knee injury and is unlikely to return until the second half of the season. With deputies Fabian Giefer and David Yelldell far from convincing, the club has turned their attentions to the 19-year-old.

"We are looking at Leno," Leverkusen president Wolfgang Holzhauser told Sky Deutschland. "Whether we bring him in depends also on Stuttgart."

Giefer was at fault for Mainz's first goal as last season's runners-up went down to a 2-0 opening round defeat at the Coface Arena. He then suffered a concussion towards the end of the game following a collision with Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting and was taken to hospital.

Holzhauser outlined the profile of the shot-stopper the club are looking for and ruled out a move for Jens Lehmann, who had been close to joining Bayer's Bundesliga rivals Schalke earlier in the summer.

"[The new goalkeeper] should be stronger than the other two but not a direct competitor for Rene Adler. We have not spoken at all about Jens Lehmann."

Man City Eye Shock £15m Swoop For Tottenham flyer

Manchester City is eyeing a shock move for Tottenhams England winger Aaron Lennon.

City chief Roberto Mancini wants a wide man before the start of the season and has earmarked Lennon as his number one candidate.

According to previous reports, the former Leeds man was set to be part of a swap deal that would see City misfit Emmanuel Adebayor move to White Hart Lane.

But a straight £15m switch is looking more likely, after the Togoleses high wages proved a stumbling block in agreeing a move.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has made Lennon available after a hit-and-miss season with the Lilywhites.

Redknapp has been told by chairman Daniel Levy he will need to sell before he can buy this summer and Lennon looks set to be the first high-profile casualty of the White Hart Lane overhaul.

Mancini has admitted he wants a winger to open up defences and Lennon’s pace and ability to beat defenders would offer the Blues something different in attack.

City is still keen on Arsenals Samir Nasri with Mancini planning to deploy him in a more predominant central midfield role.

The Eastlands club's lack of flair in forward areas was all too apparent in Sunday's shocking 2-3 defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United, and Mancini wants the signings of Lennon and Nasri to provide a creative spark in attack.