Arsenal And Tottenham Fight Over Inter Milan Star Transfer

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are on high alert after Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o admitted on Saturday he could leave Inter Milan.

The 30-year-old said while he is in talks with Russians Anzhi Makhachkala, he could yet stay with Inter Milan or even head to England - where Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is certainly keen on a new forward.

Anzhi, from the capital of the restless Russian republic of Dagestan, are in advanced negotiations with Inter for the striker in a reported 20-30 million euro transfer.

Press reports in Italy suggest he's also been offered between 15-20 million euros a season.

However, speaking at a press conference in Douala, Eto'o told journalists that he doesn't yet know where he will be playing this season.

"The negotiations (with Anzhi) are ongoing, you must be patient," he said according to media in Cameroon and Italy.

"There's nothing to say I will leave and nothing to say I will stay, there could still be a surprise from England.

"Wait until the end of the transfer window (at the end of the month) which is coming up soon.

"The truth is I'm still under contract with Inter Milan.

"When I leave here I'll go and continue the negotiations."

Eto'o is the most decorated player in African history having won the Champions League three times, twice with Barcelona and once with Inter.

The four-time African player of the year also won three league titles with Barca and one with Inter while with Cameroon he has twice won the African Cup of Nations.

He began his career with Real Madrid before having loan spells with Leganes, Espanyol and Mallorca, whom he then joined permanently.

He helped Mallorca to a Copa del Rey victory in 2003, earning a move to Barca the next year.

He joined Inter in 2009 in a swap deal involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the Italians also receiving 50 million euros.

Anzhi have only had one full season in the Russian top flight but have become a major player since they were bought by Russian billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, who has poured money into the club.

Despite the dangers in Dagestan, where a low-level Islamic insurgency has made the republic very unstable, Anzhi have already managed to attract the likes of Roberto Carlos and Yuri Zhirkov.

They play their home matches in Makhachkala but the players live and train in Moscow for security reasons.

Chelsea Hijack Man City Transfer Of Serie A Ace

Chelsea have entered the race to sign Fiorentina winger Alessio Cerci, meaning Manchester City could well miss out on his signature.

Man City boss Roberto Mancini has made no secret of his interest in the 24 year-old Italian, but equally has made it quite clear that he is frustrated with the board's slow approach to the transfer market.

"[Cerci] is a good, young player, who could be an option," revealed a smiling Mancini yesterday.

The smile soon disappeared though when he talked about the lack of progress made with signings.

"Last year was the same too,"

"I don't understand this. I thought we could get all the players we needed three or four weeks ago. But here we are and the deals aren't closed.

"I asked for [Nasri] two months ago. I'm worried because I don't have this player today and I probably won't have him tomorrow. We play three games in August and I am worried."

Andre Villas Boas is thought to be concerned by the lack of width in the Chelsea team, so perhaps Alessio Cerci would be a valuable asset at Stamford Bridge.

Blackburn Rovers Complete Deal For Bruno Ribeiro

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed the signing of Brazilian full back Bruno Ribeiro, who signs a three-year deal with the club, signing on a free transfer.

The defender has spent part of pre-season with the club on a trial basis and has done enough to convince new manager Steve Kean that he should be part of his plans for the forthcoming season.

Ribeiro pulled on the blue and white shirt over the pre-season, starring in the clubs victories over Accrington Stanley and Kilmarnock and also linked up with the squad at their pre-season training camp in Austria.

This gave manager Kean the chance to cast an eye over his new signing and allowed for the Brazilian to get to know his new team mates.

The 28-year-old Ribeiro joins from Brazilian club Gremio Barueri and the transfer offers him the chance to move away from his homeland and try to establish himself in the English Premier League.

Manager Steve Kean has been relatively busy in the transfer of late, with the most notable signing being striker David Goodwillie from Dundee United, who will be expected to provide the goals for the Lancashire outfit.

Arsenal Tell Man City: Carlos Tevez For Samir Nasri

Arsenal has sensationally told Manchester City: Give us Carlos Tevez and you can have Samir Nasri. Hitman Tevez has been trying to get out of Manchester all summer.

And with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger under growing pressure to bring in a top buy, the Gunners have suddenly come up with their shock proposal.

Midfielder Nasri had hoped to sign for City by yesterday lunchtime after being promised a £180,000-a-week deal.

But Arsenal - also on the verge of losing skipper Cesc Fabregas - has blocked the move while they see if they can sort a swap with Tevez.

The Gunners will have to make a cash adjustment in City's favour for the Argie because the club's top scorer is valued at £50million.

The best Arsenal can get for Nasri is £25m as there is only one year remaining on the French star's contract - meaning he could walk for nothing next summer.

However, Arsenal are hoping to get the Tevez fee down by £10m.

And they believe they can come to an agreement over his wages which could be as much as £200,000 a week.

Tevez has said he wants out of City to be closer to his family in Argentina but London is only 200 miles nearer South America than Manchester.

However, SunSport understands Tevez would be delighted to join Arsenal in a move which would be a massive boost for their fans.

An Arsenal insider said: "Tevez would be just the signing to give everyone a lift.

"There is a lot of work to be done yet but if there is a will on all sides it can happen.

"Nasri wants to get to City, Tevez wants to get out and Wenger needs a new star to get everyone off his back.

"It seems like win-win all round."

Liverpool Make £16m Player Plus Cash Offer For Star Man

Liverpool has stolen ahead of Arsenal in the pursuit of Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill.

According to ESPN, the Merseyside club has offered £12m and French striker David Ngog in part exchange in order to bring Cahill to Anfield.

With Jamie Carragher in the twilight of his career, it is only natural that Kenny Dalglish is looking for his successor, but it may come as somewhat of a surprise that he is not looking to promote from within.

While Martin Kelly cut his teeth for Liverpool last season at right back, it is widely believed that he will ultimately ply his trade in the centre of the defence – and of course Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger offer more experienced options when fit.

Gary Cahill is a proven centre half at Premier League and international level. He would be a risk free signing even at such a price, while there has been a feeling within the Liverpool hierarchy that David Ngog would not make the grade as a 20 goal per season man at a top club.

Tottenham And Chelsea In Last Chance To Sign Radamel Falcao

London rivals Spurs and Chelsea are locked in a head-to-head battle to sign Porto striker Radamel Falcao.

Harry Redknapp has reportedly eyed up a £35 million bid for the Colombian star, while Stamford Bridge could also be a potential destination for the forward as he has previously worked with new Chelsea boss Andres Villas-Boas.

If either club is to get their man then they will have to fight off competition from the two Madrid sides, with Real and Atletico both keeping an eye on developments.

Portuguese newspaper A Bola has said that Jose Mourinho is even prepared to wait until the start of next season to get his man, while Atletico's president Enrique Cerezo confirmed that Falcao 'is an objective of ours'.

Last season, Falcao scored 17 goals as his Porto side won the Europa League, including the only goal in the final against Braga.

Spurs have been hoping to bring in a top class striker all summer, with moves for Giuseppe Rossi and Alberto Gilardino among those reported.

It comes as Redknapp appears to have lost patience with current strike force Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Keane was sent out on loan last season and is wanted by Leicester City, Stoke City have bid for Peter Crouch and Pavlyuchenko's future has been in doubt for some time.

Vela Set For La Liga Loan

Arsenal forward Carlos Vela is set for a loan move in Spain, according to the player's agent.

Vela, 22, has already had loan spells in Spain with UD Salamanca and Osasuna since signing for Arsenal in 2005, and he spent time last season at West Brom.

With the Mexico international still not deemed ready for first-team duties at Arsenal, agent Eduardo Hernandez has revealed a return to La Liga could be sealed within days.

He told ESPN: "I'm going to fly to London tonight to finalize things with Arsenal.

"We have three teams in Spain that have made offers and we think that playing in Spain would be a good move for Carlos. Arsenal are happy for him to go out on loan and we hope to find a solution by next week."

Cruzeiro Interested In Signing Keirrison On Loan

Cruzeiro is interested in the loan signing of Barcelona's out-of-favour striker Keirrison, Lancenet reports.

The Brazilian forward signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2009 for €14 million. And although labelled as a hot prospect, he has failed to make a name for himself in Europe.

Keirrison has struggled for form during his loan spells at Benfica, Fiorentina and Santos, with the Brazilian side cutting his stay short earlier in the summer to allow him to find a club where he can flourish.

Spanish sources have suggested that Keirrison could spend the season with Barcelona's B squad, but fresh speculation in Brazil indicates Cruzeiro are willing to sign him on a temporary basis.

Cruzeiro, who have a record of just over one goal per match this term, are reportedly only receptive to the idea of covering part of Keirrison's wages.

Jan Vertonghen On Inter Radar

Inter are considering making a move for Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen as they are looking to bolster their defensive options ahead of the start of the 2011-12 Serie A campaign, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

New head coach Gian Piero Gasperini isn't convinced Christian Chivu is the right man to fill in the position of left central defender in his 3-4-3 formation and sees Vertonghen as the perfect addition to his back-line.

The 24-year-old defender has a contract until the summer of 2013 with Ajax, but has a limited fee release clause in his deal.

Ajax's Danny Blind recently revealed that Vertonghen's buy-out clause is over €20 million (£17.5m), but the Eredivisie champions could be tempted to cash in on their skipper if an offer in the region of €12m (£10.5m) comes in.

Vertonghen was previously linked with Manchester City and Arsenal, but a move to the Premier League never materialized.

Juventus Set Sights On Signing Franck Ribery

Juventus have extended their search for a wide midfielder and earmarked Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery as a possible transfer target.

Having already been linked with moves for Fiorentina's Juan Manuel Vargas, and Schalke's Jefferson Farfan for the left wing, Sky Sport Italia now claims the Turin-based outfit are looking at the the France international.

The 28-year-old has only just resumed action for Bayern after an injury, but Juventus are keeping their options open and could be ready to make a last-minute offer for him.

Antonio Conte suggested his side were not quite complete on Friday as they have been unable to sign a wide man to play on the left.

Michel Bastos said he was staying with Lyon, despite being courted by Juventus this summer, while Fiorentina have already turned down a bid for Vargas.

However, despite Conte wanting to recreate the team's golden age, signing Ribery would require a considerable effort as Bayern have often said they are unwilling to sell their best players this summer.

28-year-old Ribery is tied to the German club until 2015.

Valencia Stay In Ogbonna Chase

Despite Torino’s denials, reports continue to suggest Valencia is pushing to sign Italy defender Angelo Ogbonna.

Toro President Urbano Cairo has been adamant he received “no worthwhile offers” for the 23-year-old.

However, reports from Spain point to Valencia stepping up their bid to €6m.

It is still a long way off Torino’s €10m price-tag, especially considering he plays in Serie B.

Ogbonna recently received two call-ups to the Italy squad under Cesare Prandelli, although he has not yet been given a senior cap.

Milan, Napoli and Juventus have also shown an interest in the Under-21 international.

Mazzarri Hopes For Rossi Deal

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri is hopeful the club will sign Giuseppe Rossi from Villarreal.

Rossi had attracted interest from Barcelona and Juventus earlier this summer, but Villarreal have been reluctant to sell. Even so, Napoli has made public their interest in the Italy striker and Mazzarri feels he would be a major boost for the Champions League.

"We need 22 players in the squad - that's also what Mourinho says," Mazzarri said. "If someone offers me Giuseppe Rossi, I would be happy.

"Until now the names that have been mentioned weren't at Giuseppe Rossi's level and that's why I've always said I don't want other forwards but, as for Rossi, I hope he arrives tomorrow. That would be a great present and would make us take a step up in terms of quality."

There have been rumours that Rossi's arrival could mean the exit of Ezequiel Lavezzi, but Mazzarri hopes Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik all stay put.

"Yes, I want him [Rossi], but with Lavezzi," he said. "I wouldn't have any problem leaving one of Rossi, Cavani, Lavezzi and Hamsik on the bench, not least because we'll be playing every three days.

"I want to manage top players - whether it is Rossi, Tevez, Nilmar or Balotelli. I'd love to manage four top quality forwards."