Arsenal have beaten off stiff competition from Liverpool FC in the race to sign Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh. A source close to the deal yesterday confirmed to Sport.co.uk that the Moroccan international had signed a pre-contract agreement with Arsene Wenger, committing himself to Arsenal for the next five years. The 26-year-old has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs including Manchester United, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Sunderland. (Sport.co.uk)
According to reports in Spain, Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has verbally agreed to join Barcelona in the summer. The 22-year-old Emirates talisman is reportedly devastated by the club’s failure to compete against Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League in the last few weeks, and has agreed to return to the Nou Camp in the summer. (Cadena Ser Radio)
Premier League leaders Chelsea are willing to pay Barcelona £30 million for Barcelona right-back Dani Alves. Having had their FIFA transfer embargo lifted, Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly drawn up a shortlist of potential targets which has the Brazilian topping the list. Roman Abramovich is eager to cement Chelsea’s position at the top of English football ahead of the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and the emerging Manchester City and will spend big again to do so. (Daily Star)
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping a key eye on Roma starlets Valerio Verre and Filippo Cipriani. Verre is a talented midfielder, while his teammate Cipriani is a robust defender and both have come highly recommended by United’s Italian scout David Williams. The Serie A side are desperate to sign the precocious duo to professional terms. (Daily Mail)
Liverpool FC have beaten off a host of clubs in the race to sign Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic. The Serbian has been linked with Tottenham, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Birmingham City in addition to Juventus and AC Milan, but has agreed to move to Anfield in the summer. (Daily Mirror)
Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has admitted he may have to leave the club in the summer after failing to force his way into Roberto Mancini’s plans. The Republic of Ireland international has been linked with Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa and most intriguingly Manchester United. (The Times)
Liverpool FC are still the subject of purported takeover bids , with Indian businessman Subrata Roy now linked with the Premier League club. Yesterday his compatriot, Mukesh Ambani, the seventh wealthiest man in the world was linked with the Anfield club. (The Times)
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is reportedly facing the axe if his side fail to beat Birmingham City tonight. The Italian has recently found himself at loggerheads with the club’s new owners David Sullivan and David Gold. The Chelsea legend recently criticised the former for the timing of his outburst regarding a pay cut. (Daily Star)
Arsenal defender William Gallas will reportedly quit the club in the summer because Arsene Wenger is reluctant to give the Frenchman a two year contract extension. Wenger tends to give his senior players only the option of a one year deal. (The Times)
Wigan Athletic and Sunderland are both vying for Paraguay international Critstian Riveros. The midfielder is currently on the books of Mexican side Criz Azul. The player has also been linked with Fulham and Birmingham City. (Daily Mail)
Real Madrid’s former president Ramon Calderon has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo agreed to move to the Bernabeu in December 2008, and despite their agreement Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson then tried to sell the former World and European player of the year to their bitter rivals Barcelona. (Spanish Eurosport)