Barcelona Confident £35m Bid Will Prompt Fabregas Return This Week

Barcelona is expected to make an offer to Arsenal of around £35m for Cesc Fabregas this week, their third bid of the summer, which it is anticipated will finally prompt the endgame of the long-running transfer saga around the club's captain.

While Arsenal have always maintained a valuation on Fabregas of £40m, the expectation is that the clubs will meet at around £37m and the player will be permitted to leave with Arsène Wenger's blessing. The 24-year-old midfielder has had the agreement of the Arsenal manager that he can go once Barcelona make an offer that is acceptable to the club.

Barcelona's long pursuit of their former academy player has ultimately come down to price this summer. They have had two preliminary offers of £27m and £31m rejected. The £40m benchmark has been maintained by Arsenal throughout the process but, with Barça now so close, it is expected that they will finally accept an offer marginally short of that.

The Arsenal squad will go to Germany on Friday for the squad's pre-season training camp, including a game against Cologne on Saturday, and Fabregas will not expect to be on that trip if negotiations finally come to fruition this week. He missed the tour of the Far East earlier this month with injury. Wenger said on Sunday that the Spaniard was not even back training with the squad.

The club's position on Fabregas is that if an agreement is reached with Barcelona this week then Samir Nasri will be told that he will not be allowed to leave this summer. The France international has an offer in principle from Manchester City for this transfer window but will be able to leave for free in a year's time, potentially an even more lucrative deal.

Another gap opened up in Wenger's squad yesterday when he agreed to let the 23-year-old midfielder Denilson go on loan to Sao Paulo. Outspoken in the past about losing his place in the team, Denilson was completely overshadowed by Jack Wilshere's development last season and made just six starts in the Premier League,

Denilson said: "I will be playing in Brazil next season as I felt that this is a good opportunity for me to play regular first-team football. I move away with sadness because I have so many friends at Arsenal and everyone has always been so supportive towards me."

Arsenal is expected to sign the 19-year-old Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell from Deportivo Saprissa. The club's de facto director of football Dick Law has been in central America to oversee a £900,000 fee for the player.

Gervinho has signed a five-year deal after his £11m signing from Lille this month and will be on the trip to Germany this week. After a summer fighting a battle to keep their key players at the club, Gervinho's arrival yesterday was some respite from the concerns about the futures of Fabregas and Nasri.

The striker said that working with Wenger was a key part of his decision to come to the club. "When you are young, you always want to improve, to work with great managers – and Arsène Wenger is one of the best in the world," he said.

"I think that, with him, I will become a much better player, and he was very important in my choice to sign here. I came here because I believe that he can improve my game and help me reach another level, but the most important thing for me is that I bring a lot to the team for whom I am playing.

"I want to use my time here at Arsenal to develop my strengths. I know English football is harder and I might need a bit of time at the start, but ultimately it is down to me to raise my game and adapt."

Man City Will Bid For Romelu Lukaku With £18m Offer

Manchester City are upping the ante in the chase for Romelu Lukaku, by reportedly tabling a £18million bid for the Anderlecht forward.

Just days after Arsenal supposedly met with the teenager’s agent, City have now thrown their name in the hat along with Chelsea, who are the only other club believed to have made a concrete offer.

With Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor set to leave Eastlands this summer, Roberto Mancini is already working on recruiting potential replacements, and Lukaku has been identified as a main target.

Inter Milan and newly-rich Paris Saint Germain are also in the hunt, but the 18-year-old’s next destination looks increasingly likely to be the Premier League considering the level of interest.

The striker though, remains unfazed by the attention surrounding him, and after scoring a hat-trick in Anderlecht’s recent friendly against FC Brussels, played down speculation surrounding his future.

‘I’m keeping a cool head,’ said Lukaku.

‘Normally I train and I play my game. If I thought too much or if I was holding back, it would be the best way to hurt me.’

Guangzhou Evergrande In Audacious Bid To Sign Park Ji-Sung

Big-spending Chinese leaders Guangzhou Evergrande have reportedly made an incredible approach for Manchester United's Korean superstar Park Ji-Sung, and have offered to double his current packet.

The 30-year-old midfielder is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the 2011-12 season, thus creating plenty of speculation over his future, and according to Chinese media, Guangzhou will table Park a contract worth €8 million per season to tempt him to China.

A fortnight ago, Guangzhou signed Argentine midfielder Dario Conca in a deal which allegedly made him the world's third highest-paid player behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Now Guangzhou, who is owned by wealthy Chinese real estate group Evergrande, have set their sights on luring Park.

"Club owner Xu Jiayin said he will do whatever is necessary to bring Park to the team," Guangzhou boss Lee Jang-Soo told The Beijing Times.

"However a deal has so far failed to materialize, because Park was determined to stay put at his current club."

Park had told the Sunday Mirror at the weekend that he had no reason to leave Manchester United.

He said: "There's no truth at all that I would leave United - I want to stay here and I have no reason to leave. I would like to stay here for life, of course - why not? It's the best club in the world."

Guangzhou's massive financial backing has also already seen them sign Conca along with Brazilian striker Cleo from Partizan Belgrade as well as Korean international Cho Won-Hee, who formerly played for Wigan.

The club currently leads China's Super League by nine points and are unbeaten this campaign.

Andre Villas-Boas Plans To Do ‘Proper Business’ In The Transfer Market

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas says he intends to do “proper business” in the transfer market once the club's pre-season tour of the Far East is over.

The London club arrived in Malaysia ahead of the Barclays Asian Cup and will spend two weeks training and playing matches for their fans based abroad.

The Portuguese coach, 33, joined Chelsea last month from Porto but has yet to make any high-profile signings since his arrival, although the club are interested in Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric.

When asked about the 25-year-old Croatian, the Blues boss was quoted as saying by The Mirror: “I think I have answered that question enough.

“We do not have the same sense of urgency that you are trying to put on me. It is a big 15 days and then we will go to the market and do some proper business.

“The market has plenty to offer. We have to decide on our needs but we will not be putting players to the test because they are top quality. By the time we go to the market we will know exactly what we need."

Whilst in the Far East, the Blues will play matches against a Malaysian XI, followed by Thailand All Stars and finally Hong Kong champions Kitchee.

The Chelsea boss told local journalists in Malaysia: “It is nothing new that top European teams move abroad, to show themselves to the fans based abroad.

“It will be an intense 15 days and it doesn’t matter if you do it in Asia, Europe or America, but it is important to touch the people who love us.”

The Portuguese coach is happy to let his players keep the ‘untouchable’ tag they held under former manager – and ex-mentor for the current Chelsea boss – Jose Mourinho.

He added to the club's official website: “Untouchable is a person who continuously performs at a high level. Based on the trophies these players have won before and the success they have had, aren't these the players you want in the end?

“As long as people are able to perform in training and to a level of performance that is high, I don't see why it shouldn't happen.

“The most important thing for a leader is to be coherent in the decisions that he takes and it's a principle I cannot let go.

“I have to keep the standards high. Any person who sits on the manager's job at Chelsea is expected to win. I cannot run away from that.”

Souleymane Coulibaly Signed By Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Souleymane Coulibaly, a 16-year-old Ivory Coast youth international who plays at centre forward.

The north London club announced on Monday that the Ivory Coast teenager, who has previously played for Italian club Siena’s youth side, will be making a move to White Hart Lane.

Coulibaly impressed at the last under-17 World Cup where he scored nine goals in just four games.

The appointment of a new striker will please Spurs fans after Tottenham were left wanting of goals last season when forwards Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko struggled with their scoring rate.

A spokesperson for Tottenham Hotspur said: ‘We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Souleymane Coulibaly to join the club.’

Coulibaly was not able to make the first team at Siena but wowed in the Mexico Under-17 World Cup, scoring four goals against Denmark and seeing the Ivory Coast through to the last 16.

The youngster’s style has been liked to Chelsea's Didier Drogba, who has been linked with Spurs as a possible summer transfer for some time.

Arsenal To Step Up Interest In Brazil Under-20 Star

Arsenal is interested in São Paulo defender Bruno Uvini, and hope their good relationship with the Brazilian outfit will give them an advantage in the race for his signature.

The Gunners agreed to let wantaway midfielder Denílson return to São Paulo over the weekend, despite reportedly being offered a higher loan fee from Fluminense. The club is now hoping to use that deal to their advantage in the hunt for Uvini.

The 20-year-old full-back will captain Brazil's Under-20s at the forthcoming World Cup, where scouts from a number of European clubs will watch him. Arsenal is expected to be there, and could firm up their interest should Uvini have a successful tournament.

Uvini's current contract runs until 2014, but São Paulo are hopeful of agreeing new terms with him, which would include a release clause for European sides.

Given Signs Aston Villa Deal

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Shay Given from Manchester City after the goalkeeper agreed a five-year contract.

New Villa boss Alex McLeish targeted the Republic of Ireland international after Brad Friedel moved to Tottenham.

Given is regarded as one of the best keepers but found opportunities limited last season at City, where Joe Hart became Roberto Mancini's first choice.

The 35-year-old former Newcastle stopper has consequently been holding talks at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground over the past few days and he could now make his debut against Walsall on Thursday.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Aston Villa are delighted to confirm that Shay Given will be unveiled today as the club's new goalkeeper, having agreed a five-year deal to June 2016.

"The 35-year-old Republic of Ireland international completed a medical over the weekend and the formality of his signing this morning.

"He will be available for Thursday's friendly fixture against Walsall at the Banks's Stadium and for the club's participation in the Barclays Asia Trophy next week."

Given, who City signed for £7million from Newcastle in 2009, is relishing his new career at Villa and is looking forward to a return to first-team football.

"Aston Villa is a huge football club and I'm really excited to be joining," he said.

"I'm looking forward to training and playing with the players here. They're a good bunch of lads, very talented and I know several of them already which will help.

"Everyone knows that I didn't play enough football last season, so I'm really pleased that I'll be able to put that right here. Hopefully, this move will get me back to where I was before in the Premier League, which is where every player wants to be playing.

"Obviously, I'm also excited to be working with Alex McLeish and it's going to be a fresh start for everybody at the club this season.

"It's also a new challenge and one I'm eager to embrace. My aim is to impress the Aston Villa supporters with my performances and I can't wait really to get started.” Villa manager McLeish said: "Shay has come here probably with something of a point to prove and that won't do any harm at all.

"Everybody who has watched him perform over many years in the Premier League will know his pedigree, so we believe we have secured the services of one of the best goalkeepers in the business.

"He's a real competitor and a world-class keeper and I'm delighted he's the first signing I've made at Villa."

Sir Alex Admits United Keeper Concern

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed David de Gea is not certain to be Manchester United's No. 1 next season, with the veteran Scot admitting his one concern is the void left by Edwin van der Sar's retirement.

De Gea, 20, completed a big-money move from Atletico Madrid this summer following the retirement of Edwin van der Sar, and it was expected that he would instantly become the club's first-choice goalkeeper.

However, with 27-year-old Denmark international Anders Lindegaard having joined the club in January, De Gea faces a battle for his place.

"The only area where we may have to be patient is in the goalkeeping position," Ferguson said. "De Gea is only 20, he's young. He's played in the Spanish league for a couple of years, but it's not the English league.

"I think he'll need time to settle in, but the potential is enormous. It's absolutely unbelievable, the potential the boy has got. We've also got Anders Lindegaard, so we may get a challenge for them both to accept, but in time the boy De Gea will make it his position, there's no doubt about that."

Arsenal Chief Hints At Gary Cahill Or Chris Samba Deal To Solve 'Weak' Area

Arsenal’s chief executive Ivan Gazidis has hinted the club will finally make a move to address their defensive plight, and snap up Gary Cahill or Christopher Samba.

The Gunners big wig has reassured fans that the club has no intentions of curbing their spending in the current transfer window, despite the arrivals of Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson.

And with Cahill and Samba already high on the hit list, Gazidis revealed he held positive meetings with Arsene Wenger in Asia to identify the man they wanted to plug the defensive gap.

‘We still will be active in this window,’ said Gazidis.

‘We haven't finished our business at all. We're just not conducting it publicly; we're working hard privately.

‘I was out in Asia because I could be with Arsène for an extended period of time and think very, very carefully about strategy and targets.

‘We understand where the weaknesses have been. Financially we're in a strong position, we have resources to spend.

‘We're certainly not sitting there saying ‘let's hold back on our resources’ for some reason, why would we?’

Nicklas Bendtner Lined Up For Everton Loan

Everton want Nicklas Bendtner on a season-long loan from Arsenal, but the Gunners are stalling as they would prefer to sell.

The Danish striker was left out of Arsene Wenger’s squad that travelled for a pre-season tour to the Far East in order to finalize a move away from the club.

However, after initial interest from Hamburg and Sporting Lisbon faded, the 23-year-old has been left stranded at the Emirates, and now Everton are said to be willing to offer him an escape route.

Arsenal value the forward at £12million, but the Toffees would have trouble stumping up that amount of money, and are therefore pushing for a loan arrangement.

David Moyes has been consistently hampered in the transfer market due to his lack of funds, and would jump at the chance to bolster his thin forward line with Bendtner.

The Scot is also reportedly interested in Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega and Espanyol’s Dani Osvaldo.

Man City Ready Aguero Bid

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has revealed that a bid for Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero is imminent.

Aguero has previously expressed his desire to leave Atletico this summer, and Real Madrid, Juventus and Chelsea have all been reported suitors.

But with Carlos Tevez looking to leave Eastlands this summer to be closer to his family in South America, Aguero has been earmarked to replace his compatriot.

Asked whether a firm offer had been made for Aguero, Mancini replied: "Maybe in the next days.

"I have not spoken to anyone about it, but probably. I think so."

Aguero has already stated he was planning to decide upon his future this week after Argentinas shock Copa America exit.

While City and Corinthians continue to negotiate a deal in excess of £40million deal for Tevez.

"I slept last night and I had a game to prepare for so I don't know anymore," Mancini said on Tevez, following City's 2-1 friendly win over Vancouver.

"The clubs are talking. I haven't spoken to it. They only have one number and it does not work at the moment."

Liverpool Courting £15m Uruguay International In Swap Deal

Liverpool has identified Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin as to complete the posse of centre backs at Anfield, according to reports in Spain.

The Reds have not been shy about splashing the cash this year with the huge January purchases of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez being followed in the last few weeks by the arrivals of Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing. Despite having parted with over £100m in the last eight months, Kenny Dalglish does not yet feel his squad is complete hence the interest in Godin.

The 25-year-old is currently on international duty with Uruguay in the 2011 Copa Amercia along with Kop favourite Luis Suarez and was part of the squad that knocked out hosts Argentina on Saturday. Godin was a target for Chelsea in the previous transfer window until the Blues signed David Luiz. A solid defender that relishes the aerial battle, he is also a good distributor from the back - something currently lacking at Anfield.

Atletico will be reluctant to lose a player that they have only had on their books for 12 months after they signed him from Villarreal for £6.6m last summer though with the player now valued at around £15m they could be tempted in to making a quick profit. In a bid to smooth the transfer and to ease their bloated midfield, Liverpool will also offer Christian Poulsen as part of the deal with the player reportedly receptive to a move back to Spain where he previously had a spell with Sevilla.

Chelsea Consider £15m Offer For Everton Midfield Ace

Chelsea is ready to test Everton’s resolve to hang on to Marouane Fellaini with a £15m bid amid speculation that the midfielder is considering his Goodison Park future.

The 23-year-old Belgium international has grown frustrated with Evertons failure to win trophies since he joined from Standard Liege in August 2008. The Toffees finished seventh in the Premier League last season 14 points behind the coveted fourth-place Champions League spot.

Fellaini is planning to hold talks with Everton manager David Moyes regarding the clubs ambitions, with last years Premiership runners up believed to be monitoring the situation closely. New Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is eyeing a replacement for the injured Michael Essien, who has been ruled out for 6 months with cruciate ligament damage.

The West London club is prepared to submit an initial offer of £15m the same amount Everton paid for the player three years ago but Moyes will demand an offer in excess of £20m for his influential star, who still has two years left on his Goodison Park deal.

Moyes harbours hope that Fellaini will sign a contract extension; however the Belgian is adamant he will only stay if the Merseysiders prove they can compete with England's biggest clubs. Everton’s lack of transfer funds has contributed towards the clubs lack of progress in recent seasons, with the club suffering increasing debts. The Everton board may even risk the wrath of Moyes by opting to cash in on Fellaini to ease financial straits.