PSG Complete Signing Of Javier Pastore

Paris Saint-Germain sign Argentine international playmaker Javier Pastore from Palermo for £38m.

Paris St Germain boss Antoine Kombouare refused to be drawn on reports the club were on the brink of making Javier Pastore their latest big-money signing.

PSG have embarked on a summer spending spree since the Qatar Investment Authority bought a controlling stake in the club almost two months ago.

Six new players have arrived at the Parc de Princes, with Salvatore Sirigu and Mohamed Sissoko officially unveiled on Friday as the latest of them.

Ajax Confirm Agreement For Maarten Stekelenburg

Roma have an agreement in principle with Ajax for goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, the Dutch club has announced.

A statement issued on Ajax's official website reads that the agreement between the two clubs 'is subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions', though it does not specify which.

Meanwhile, according to Corriere dello Sport, Stekelenburg has already landed in Rome and will soon undergo a medical with the club before discussing personal terms.

Reports in Italy and in the Netherlands have suggested that Roma will splash out €6 million to secure the services of the 28-year-old shot stopper.

Stekelenburg, who has 40 international caps for the Netherlands to his name, has made 282 appearances for Ajax.

Vucinic To Join Juve On Monday

Mirko Vucinic is expected to complete his transfer to Juventus on Monday, as Roma receive €15m spread out over three years.

"I'm happy. It's what I wanted," he is quoted as saying by the Gazzetta dello Sport.

The striker had also been of interest to Manchester United, Tottenham and Blackburn Rovers, but made it clear from the start of the summer that he wanted Turin.

Giallorossi director general Walter Sabatini said a meeting was planned “for next week,” but newspapers in Italy are certain that would only be to undergo a medical and put pen to paper.

A deal has been struck worth €15m to be paid in installments over a three-year period, although sources in Rome suggest a further €3m in performance-related bonuses.

Vucinic is set to sign a four-year contract worth over €3m per season, becoming Juve’s sixth signing of the new season.

The sign that the deal had been completed was the fact the Montenegrin international did not take part in Friday’s training session.

The striker first joined Roma in 2006 from Lecce and scored 47 goals in his five years at the Olimpico.

West Ham United Complete Signing Of Joey O’Brien

West Ham United have completed the signing of Joey O’Brien on a free transfer with the player admitting he is "delighted" at moving to Upton Park.

The midfielder was deemed surplus to requirements at Bolton Wanderers and boss Owen Coyle decided to release him at the end of last season.

O’Brien will now team up with former manager Sam Allardyce, who has made a number of signings since taking over at Upton Park.

Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan and Bolton winger Matt Taylor are just two of the players to have joined the Hammers, who are looking to recover from their relegation under Avram Grant last season.

Speaking to the club’s official website following his move, the 25-year-old, who has three Republic of Ireland caps, said: "I'm delighted to finally sign because I've been here since the start of pre-season.

"It's been a few weeks now and it's gone well. The manager wanted me to sign and as soon as I heard that, there was no real hesitation. I'm pleased it's done and dusted."

Fiorentina Look At Marco Storari As Replacement For Sebastien Frey

Juventus goalkeeper Marco Storari is being monitored by Fiorentina, who could sign him after losing Sebastien Frey.

The French goalkeeper joined Genoa after six years with the Tuscany-based outfit, and Sinisa Mihajlovic is on the look out for an alternative.

Tuttosport reports Storari, 34, could be leaving Juventus for Fiorentina as he is not keen on living in Gianluigi Buffon's shadows once again.

The coach responded positively when asked whether a place in continental competition was a possibility for the coming season.

"Europe? Yes, we want to challenge for the top six or seven places and we want to return to Europe," the coach said after drawing 0-0 with Torino in a friendly on Friday night, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.com.

Storari was a loyal replacement while Buffon was injured during the first half of last term, but he has been locked out since the Italy international returned to full fitness.

Fiorentina have Artur Boruc and Brazilian Neto as their two main shot-stoppers, but after announcing the European places are his aims, Mihajlovic wants extra back-up.

Eto'o Won't Rule Out Man City Move

Samuel Eto’o confirms he turned down an €80m move to Russia, but leaves the Manchester City door open. “I want to win the Champions League.”

The Inter striker was reportedly the subject of a world transfer record-breaking fee from Russian side Anzhi this summer.

“I turned it down because the Russians aren’t playing in the Champions League and my objective is to win that trophy again,” said the Cameroon international.

However, that doesn’t rule out a transfer to Manchester City, who have made their interest in Eto’o very clear.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, this weekend will see intensive negotiations for an exchange between Eto’o and Carlos Tevez.

Inter will face Manchester City in the Dublin Super Cup on Sunday afternoon, kick-off at 16.30 UK time, so both clubs are already in the same hotel and President Massimo Moratti is flying in today.

Raul Linked With Spain Return

Raul could be heading back to Spain this summer as Malaga is interested in the Schalke striker.

Sport reports that the La Liga club, who signed Ruud van Nistelrooy from Hamburg this summer, is eager to hold further dialogue with the former Spain international.

Raul was sensational for Schalke during his maiden season last term and he has allegedly already spoken with Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini and former Real Madrid player Fernando Hierro about a move.

Hierro played alongside Raul for years at the Bernabeu where they enjoyed great success together, and he could be the catalyst to push the move further as he tries to convince the veteran.

The forward, 34, is contracted to Schalke until 2012, and recently said he would respect his deal there.

However, a top contract offer from Malaga, who is backed by businessman Sheik Al Thani, could turn his head back towards Spain.

Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala and Premier League side Blackburn Rovers have also been linked with the former Real Madrid legend.

Mihajlovic Sets Fiorentina Targets

Sinisa Mihajlovic has set Fiorentina’s agenda for the new season. “We want to finish in the top six and get back into Europe.”

The Viola has failed to qualify for continental competition for the last two campaigns, leading to anger from fans and questions from their players.

“Compared to last term, it has rained every single day of our pre-season training camp. Maybe it’ll bring us luck,” smiled the Coach.

His team was held to a 0-0 draw by Torino on Friday, denied by a goal line clearance and the woodwork.

“I am fairly happy. We tried to play despite the state of the pitch in this rain and we did not concede a goal. It was a real game and I am pleased with the physical fitness of my players.

“Our objective is certainly to qualify for the Europa League. We want to finish in the top six and get back into Europe.”

United Set To Reward Duo

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia has agreed a new contract and striker Javier Hernandez is also set to be rewarded with fresh terms.

The Premier League champions are currently on a pre-season tour of North America but chief executive David Gill revealed plans are already afoot to secure key players to long-term deals.

Valencia's extended stay could be confirmed before United's Community Shield match against local rivals City at Wembley next weekend.

The Ecuador international has been an influential figure for the Red Devils since joining from Wigan Athletic and recovered from a serious injury to play a key part in the closing couple of months of last season.

Hernandez, who is currently sidelined with concussion, enjoyed a stunning debut season at Old Trafford last term after his arrival from Chivas and is also due to agree a new deal.

On Valencia, Gill said: "He has (agreed a new deal) and we are in the process of finalizing that.

"He has been away at the Copa America and we've been away here, but that's broadly sorted out. That should be announced next week.

"Antonio signed for four years, so he's got two left. The length of the deal will come out when it comes out, but it's a longer-term deal, yes.

"Hernandez came on a five-year deal. There's no re-negotiation clause in his contract, but we want to address it when there is no pressure with regards to that issue, so we intend to do it in the autumn."

Gill also revealed the club had an option to extend Dimitar Berbatov's by another year but admitted a decision would likely be made at the end of the season.

Gerrard To Miss Start Of Season

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is expected to be out until September because of a groin problem.

Gerrard, 31, began a course of antibiotic treatment for an infection on Saturday and is expected to remain in hospital for several days.

Groin surgery ended Gerrard's season in March but he had expected to be back for the start of the new campaign.

The midfielder could also miss England's two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales.

Gerrard missed his side's pre-season tour of Asia this month in order to try to regain full fitness for the start of the new season on 13 August, when Liverpool play Sunderland at Anfield.

He will also miss Premier League fixtures against Arsenal and Bolton, with the trip to Stoke on 10 September a likely target date for his return.

The England midfielder was already set to miss the international friendly with the Netherlands on 10 August but will now also be a doubt for the qualifiers away to Bulgaria on 2 September and at home to Wales four days later.

Gerrard has been plagued by the problem for several years now and it restricted his effectiveness in the last campaign, when he played only 21 of 38 Premier League matches.