Atletico looking for Reyes sharp attack

Spanish international winger Jose Antonio Reyes became the eighth player to join Atletico Madrid in the close season when he moved from English Premiership side Arsenal for a fee believed to be 12million euros on a four year contract.

The 23-year-old had been on loan at Real Madrid last season but the Spanish champions did not want to meet Arsenal's asking price offering just six million euros.

Reyes played a pivotal role in the final match of the season that saw Real take the title off their bitter rivals Barcelona as he scored two of 'the meringues' three goals in their victory over Real Mallorca.

Reyes joined Arsenal in January 2004 and made 110 appearances for the side, scoring 23 goals, after transferring from Sevilla in January 2004.

He was part of the Arsenal side that completed the 2003-04 Premiership season undefeated, and made his last appearance for the north London club in the Champions League final in Paris against Barcelona as a substitute, in May 2006.

Atletico have spent over 50 million euros (68 million US dollars) on new signings since they finished seventh in the Primera Liga last season.

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan from Spanish side Villarreal, midfielder Luis Garcia from Liverpool and winger Simao Sabrosa from Benfica are among the club's new recruits.

The club is in the second qualifying round for the UEFA Cup.

Real set for record 90m euro bid for Kaka: report

Real Madrid will later this week offer AC Milan 90 million euros (123 million US dollars) for the Italian side's Brazilian star Kaka, Spanish sports daily Marca reported Monday.

If the deal goes through it would be the most expensive transfer in football history.

The offer will be made "probably Wednesday or Thursday" in Milan during a meeting between officials of the two clubs which officially will discuss the possible transfer of Real Madrid forward Julio Baptista, the newspaper said.

"Real Madrid will launch a total offensive this week for Kaka," it said.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has put Kaka, who was inspirational in Milan's Champions League triumph last season, on the top of his wish list.

But the 25-year-old is under contract with AC Milan until June 2011 and he has said he is happy to stay at the Italian side.

"Real Madrid are a fantastic club, but money isn't everything," he told Italian news agency ANSA last week.

"I have also learned from friends who have left Milan how they deeply regretted doing so. I want to make history here," he added at the time.

The biggest transfer in football history so far was that of Zinedine Zidane when he signed for Real Madrid from Italian side Juventus in 2001 for 75 million euros.

Castelen joins Dutch contingent at Hamburg

Bundesliga club SV Hamburg said Monday they had completed the signing of Dutch international winger Romeo Castelen from Feyenoord on a four-year contract.

The 24-year-old will move in a deal worth three million euros and will rejoin his fellow Dutch internationals Rafael van der Vaart, Nigel de Jong and Joris Mathijsen at the club which is coached by Dutchman Huub Stevens.

Surinam-born Castelen was injured for most of last season but has made 10 appearances for his country.

Hamburg, seeking to further boost a squad which was locked in a relegation fight last season, are awaiting an answer from fellow Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin on their offer to sign German Under-19 international Jerome Boateng.

Benfica poised to sign US star Adu

Freddy Adu, the most recognisable name in the Major League Soccer, was on Monday poised to sign a five year deal with Portuguese side Benfica.

The Ghana-born Adu, 18, was twice named an MLS All-Star - in 2004 and 2006 - helped DC United capture the 2004 MLS Cup during his rookie season.

According to press reports here Benfica have already paid out 1.5 million euros to recruit the United states international.

Benfica are also due to sign Argentina duo Angel Di Maria and Andres Diaz.

Villarreal eye up swoop for Anelka

Spanish side Villarreal on Thursday became the latest club to indicate an interest in signing French international striker Nicolas Anelka from English Premiership outfit Bolton Wanderers according to sports daily Marca.

According to the paper the 2006 Champions League semi-finalists would swoop for the 29-year-old former Arsenal and Real Madrid star should they fail in their bid to sign another former Real and Gunners player Brazilian international Julio Baptista.

Bolton, whose manager Sammy Lee said last week were ready to accept offers from English or European clubs if they received a realistic offer, are prepared to negotiate with Villarreal should the Baptista chase fail.

Were Anelka to join he would line-up alongside two other former Arsenal players, central defender Pascal Cygan, former French international Robert Pires and French international midfielder Rio Mavuba.

Life looks Swede for Bolton

Bolton have agreed to sign Sweden winger Christian Wilhelmsson on loan from Nantes.

The 27-year-old is set to move to the Premiership club on a 12-month loan deal with a view to a permanent switch and will link up with his new team-mates as soon as he is given international clearance.

Wilhelmsson, who spent last season on loan with Italian club AS Roma, could make his Bolton debut in Saturday's friendly at Tranmere.

Wanderers boss Sammy Lee was delighted to get his man after a lengthy chase and said: "We've been working on this deal for some time and our patience has paid off.

"He has the potential to light up the Premiership with his pace and skill."

Eriksson brings Petrov to City

Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson vowed to carry on spending after signing Bulgarian international winger Martin Petrov for 4.7 million pounds from Atletico Madrid.

The 28-year-old passed a medical on Thursday and will become Eriksson's fourth signing since he took charge at Eastlands once he is granted a work permit.

Eriksson is certain Petrov won't be the last new arrival. He has been given substantial transfer funds by City's new Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra as he overhauls a squad that struggled in the Premiership last season.

The Swede has already brought in Rolando Bianchi, Geovanni and Gelson Fernandes and is lining up moves for Bayern Munich's Roque Santa Cruz and Racing Santander's Nikola Zigic.

Eriksson has no problem concentrating on non-English talent and said: "I don't think we are finished signing, there will be more new faces coming in different positions, whether they are English or not I can't say.

"I think that the new owner has shown that he means serious business when he says that he wants to build a strong team, which is not fighting at the bottom of the table but at the other end.

"This is one way in which he has shown that, and I'm very happy about it."

Petrov was also wanted by Tottenham and Eriksson praised City's directors for their efforts to land the star and his new team-mate Geovanni.

"I'm sure that a lot of clubs wanted both of them and I'm very happy that the board were able to get them. They will do very well for us, I'm sure about that."

McShane adds to Keane's Sunderland revamp

Sunderland boss Roy Keane on Thursday completed his sixth signing of the summer when he lured defender Paul McShane from West Brom.

The Midlands club will receive an initial 1.5 million pounds which could could ultimately rise to 2.5 million for the 21-year-old Republic of Ireland defender who joined the Baggies from Manchester United last summer and made 42 appearances, scoring three times.

McShane joins fellow new recuits Greg Halford, Russell Anderson, Michael Chopra, Kieran Richardson and Dickson Etuhu at the Stadium of Light.

Simao set for Atletico switch

Portuguese international striker Simao was expected to finalise his move from Benfica to Atletico Madrid later Thursday, the Spanish club announced.

Simao, who has been with the Portuguese giants since 2001, will cost Atletico 20 million euros.

The deal will also see two Atletico players heading in the opposite direction with Spanish sports daily Marca predicting the pair to be Costinha and de Ze Castro.

"I am very happy to be coming to Atletico Madrid," said 27-year-old Simao. "I hope to do great things here."

Simao is no stranger to Spain having played for Barcelona from 1999 to 2001.

Sanogo signs for Bremen

Ivory Coast international Boubacar Sanogo has waved goodbye to Hamburg's boo boys and signed a four-year contract at Werder Bremen, the club announced on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old striker endured a torrid year at Hamburg, where he was booed by his own fans, and was courted by both Bremen and Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart before he finally signed for Werder in a deal believed to be worth four million euros.

After agreeing terms on Monday, Sanogo trained with his new club on Tuesday and is expected to play in the friendly against Paderborn the same night.

Sanogo was bought to replace Miroslav Klose, the top-scorer at last year's World Cup, who was sold to Bayern Munich for a reported figure of 12 million euros this summer.

This is Sanogo's third Bundesliga side having spent a year at both Kaiserslautern, where he scored 10 goals in 24 games, and Hamburg, four goals in 31 games, before signing for Bremen.

The move away from Hamburg will be a relief for Sanogo who suffered at the hands of his own fans for most of last season and admitted the jeers damaged his confidence at the time.

Alou Diarra expected in Bordeaux to sign contract

Lyon midfielder Alou Diarra is expected here on Monday to sign a four-year deal with the French first division side, club president Jean-Louis Triaud said on Saturday.

The 26-year-old France international, who played in Lyon's last match of the group stage at the Peace Cup in South Korea, will undergo the customary medical before heading off to the training camp to join his new teammates.

Diarra, whose transfer is estimated at 7.75 millions euros (10.6 million dollars), moved to Lyon in August 2006 from RC Lens.

Earlier in the week Diarra said he decided to leave Lyon to improve his chances of breaking into the French national side in time for the Euro 2008 finals.

"It's difficult not playing when one of your ambitions is to play for the national side," he said.

Charlton sell Rommedahl and Young

Relegated Charlton lost two of their international stars on Friday as Danish striker Dennis Rommedahl was sold to Ajax Amsterdam and defender Luke Young was set to move to Middlesbrough.

The 28-year-old Rommedahl, who had played in the English Premiership since 2004 having spent seven seasons with PSV Eindhoven, was sold to Ajax for 680,000 pounds.

Boro have negotiated a price of 2.5million pounds for 28-year-old Young.

Young, who can play at centre-half or left-back, joined the Addicks for four million pounds in 2000, but has been given permission by manager Alan Pardew to pursue his hopes of a return to the top flight following Charlton's relegation.

"Ajax fits me perfectly. I hope that Ajax think the same," said Rommedahl.

"I wanted to return to Holland very much. I played a lot of years in the Dutch league, and I love the positive football that is played there. That absolutely counts for Ajax."

Pardew tried to buy Young when he was in charge of West Ham but has already bought the man he believes can be the former club captain's long-term successor - Yassin Moutaouakil.

Moutaoukil signed for Athletic from French side Chateauroux last month for around 400,000 pounds and will be expected to take over from Young next season.

South African Pienaar joins Everton

Borussia Dortmund's South African midfielder Steven Pienaar has joined Everton on a one-season loan, the German first division club said on Friday.

The 25-year-old Pienaar joined Dortmund in 2006 from top Dutch club Ajax as a replacement for Tomas Rosicky but, although he played 25 matches last season, he is no longer in the plans of coach Thomas Doll for the coming year.

Birmingham agree Mido fee

Birmingham have agreed a six-million-pound (12.3m dollar) fee with Tottenham for Egyptian striker Mido.

The 24-year-old, who would be the Blues' seventh permanent signing of the summer since winning promotion back to the Premier League, has yet to agree personal terms with the club.

The club said in a statement: "Mido had been rumoured in the media to be joining the club on a season-long loan but Blues can confirm that they are looking to sign the former Ajax, Marseille and Roma hot shot on a permanent deal."

Mido initially joined Spurs on an 18-month loan from Roma before signing for 4.5 million pounds in August 2006.

He started only seven league games for the north Londoners, making five further appearances as a substitute and scoring one goal.

Villa sign West Ham striker Harewood

Aston Villa on Tuesday announced the signing of West Ham striker Marlon Harewood.

The 27-year-old forward has signed a three-year deal to join former Hammers team-mate Nigel Reo-Coker in the West Midlands.

Harewood has been linked with several clubs since the end of last season and had been expected to join Wigan until Villa closed in on his signature.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "I'm delighted that he's accepted the invitation to come and join us.

"I know there were other teams wanting to take him, but he's prepared to come here and challenge to try and work his way into the first team.

"I'm delighted to have him. He's a strong lad, very athletic and if he can recapture the form he showed in the two seasons before last, he will definitely be a big asset.

"Marlon's prepared to come in here and battle for his place and that's what we want at this football club. He's a confident lad who's willing to fight for his place."

Harewood said: "The manager is aiming high next season and it's great to be part of his plans.

"I want to recapture the form I showed a couple of seasons ago, when West Ham got into the cup final and we did so well in the league."

Juventus sign Portuguese defender Andrade

Juventus confirmed on Tuesday the signing of Portuguese international Jorge Andrade from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna for a fee of 10 million euros.

The 29-year-old defender has signed a three-year contract with the Turin outfit who went up as Serie B champions last season after their demotion for match-fixing.

Andrade was ruled out of Portugal's World Cup campaign last year after suffering a serious knee ligament injury while playing for Deportivo.

Brazilian Ewerthon signs for champions Stuttgart

Brazilian international Ewerthon has become Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart's fifth new signing for the new season, the club announced on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old forward, who made the last of his six appearances for his country in 2003, played for fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund between 2002 and 2005, netting 47 goals in 119 appearances.

He joins fellow Stuttgart newcomers goalkeeper Raphael Schaefer, Brazilian defender Gledson, Turkish midfielder Yildiray Bastuerk and midfielder Georges Mandjeck.

He joins VfB on loan from Spanish club Real Zaragoza and Stuttgart will have the option to make the loan deal permanent for their new number nine next summer.

Ewerthon said: "I'm delighted to be back in the Bundesliga with VfB Stuttgart. It's a dream come true to be able to play in the Champions League with the German champions next season. I'll be doing all in my power to aid VfB in continuing their recent success."

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Birmingham sign Dutch winger de Ridder

Newly-promoted Birmingham City have signed young Dutch winger Daniel de Ridder on a free transfer from Spanish outfit Celta Vigo, the club announced on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old -- who was part of his country's successful European Under-21 Championship campaign -- was out of contract in Spain.

He will be City manager Steve Bruce's fifth signing of the summer after Fabrice Muamba, Stuart Parnaby, Garry O'Connor and Olivier Kapo.

De Ridder is a graduate of the Ajax academy and made his first-team debut for the Amsterdam club in January 2004.

He left the Netherlands in 2005 to join Celta, where he made 20 Pleage appearances and score one goal.

He impressed Bruce with his performances in the recent European Championships as an over-age player and the deal was completed late on Monday night.

Black Cats lose patience with Nugent

Promoted Sunderland confirmed Monday they have withdrawn their offer for Preston striker David Nugent after waiting in vain for an answer from the player.

The Black Cats agreed an undisclosed fee, believed to be around six million pounds (12 million dollars), for the 22-year-old several weeks ago and were given permission to talk to him.

However, Nugent went away on holiday after the European Under-21 Championships without making a decision, and Sunderland manager Roy Keane has lost patience and is now looking elsewhere.

Chief executive Peter Walker said: I can confirm that we have withdrawn our offer for the player.

"Naturally, work continues behind the scenes to strengthen our squad ahead of the new season and talks are ongoing with a number of targets."

Nugent was part of the England under-21 squad that reached the semi-finals of the European Championships in the Netherlands and has already appeared for the full national side.

He scored 17 goals for his club last season, attracting interest from Sunderland, West Ham and Everton.

Lyon move for Armand and Grosso

French champions Lyon confirmed Monday that they have been in contact with both Paris Saint Germain's Sylvain Armand and Inter Milan's Fabio Grosso in a bid to fill the gap left by Barcelona-bound French international defender Eric Abidal.

"We're looking at tough negotiations with PSG who don't want to let him (Armand) go because they want to prolong his contract," said Lyon sporting advisor Bernard Lacombe.

"We've been in contact with Grosso and he wants to come," added club president Jean-Michel Aulas.

Grosso's agent Danilo Caravello told the Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday that Lyon had been in touch with the defender.

"This week could be decisive. Either the deal will be done or Fabio will stay at Inter," said Caravello.

"Fabio is a world champion and we're weighing up the technical aspect as well as the economic aspect. France is an attractive prospect but you have to also take into account Fabio's ambitions at Inter, a club where the player despite a slightly difficult season, feels good."

Arsenal sign Da Silva

Arsenal have signed striker Eduardo da Silva on a four-year deal from Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb to boost their strike-force following the transfer of Thierry Henry to Real Madrid.

The London club did not reveal details of the transfer fee, but Dinamo president Mirko Barisic said it amounted to 24 million euros (32.6m dollars), the biggest in Croatian football history.

The 24-year-old was born in Brazil, but having moved to Europe at the age of 15, he took Croatian nationality in 2002.

"I'm happy but at the same time also a bit sad. Sad because I'm leaving Dinamo, fellow players, the club and the town where I started my career and reached the status of a national squad player," Da Silva told reporters in the Austrian city of Kapfenberg where the club are training.

"On the other hand I am happy and proud since it is really a big club, one of the biggest in the world."

Da Silva scored the first competitive goal at Emirates Stadium when the Gunners beat Dinamo during last season's Champions League third qualifying round in late August.

He has also scored seven goals in 12 appearances for Croatia - including one against England during the 2-0 Euro 2008 qualifier victory in Zagreb last October.

Manager Arsene Wenger had been keen to recruit a proven goalscorer, with Newcastle duo Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen reported to be on his shopping list.

However, the Gunners boss is now likely to turn his attentions to defensive cover following the signing of da Silva, who finished the Croatian season as their top scorer with a record 34 goals.

Newcastle set to sign Geremi

Newcastle United were expected to complete the signing of Chelsea utility player Geremi on Monday.

He would the fourth summer signing for new boss Sam Allardyce following Mark Viduka, Joey Barton and David Rozehnal as the former Bolton boss rebuilds the squad on Tyneside.

The 28-year-old Cameroon international was understood to have agreed a three-year deal to secure his transfer to St James' Park.

The former Real Madrid star, who spent a season on loan at Middlesbrough before heading for Stamford Bridge, made 28 appearances for the Blues last season, but has struggled to hold down a regular place.

Torres Set For Liverpool Move

He may have came close to leaving Atletico Madrid for every summer over the past five years if we are to believe the gutter press but this summer looks like finally seeing the end of the Fernando Torres / Atletico Madrid love affair.

While nothing has been signed and sealed so far there are clear signs emerging from Atletico's Vicente Calderón stadium that the club are preparing for life after Torres and with today's announcement of a deal being concluded for Villareal's Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, it looks like it's now or never for the young Spaniard dubbed El Nino by his adoring Atletico fans.

Surprisingly, competition for his signature seems to have been a one horse race with Liverpool being the only real contender for much of this summer. In the past the big Spanish clubs would have been mentioned alongside the usual clutch of Italian and English giants but now it looks like Rafael Benitez is the only one prepared to match Atletico's buyout clause on Torres's contract with a bid of around £26.5m as Liverpool's new American owners finally open the pursestrings.

The Madrid fans have already been demonstrating in the streets of the Spanish capital at the thought of Torres leaving but in the current market a large fee for his club and the chance to play for this season's Champion's League finalists and one of European football's true giants is too hard for either party to turn down.

Whether Torres can adapt to the Premiership will be the most interesting questions as his fellow countryman Fernando Morientes found it quite a struggle during his short stay with Liverpool but for now that question has to remain unanswered. All we can do is wait for Fernando Torres to return from holiday in early July and put his signature on a Liverpool contract.

Hargreaves completes United signing

England midfielder Owen Hargreaves on Sunday completed his signing for Manchester United from Bayern Munich.

The 26-year-old has signed a four-year contract after a lengthy pursuit by the Premier League champions following last year's World Cup where he was the surprise success story of England's largely disappointing campaign.

"It's been a long time coming. It was probably the worst-kept secret in football, but it's great to be here," Hargreaves told the club's official website.

Hargreaves joined Bayern from the Calgary Foothills in 1997 and won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern as well as the 2001 Champions League and Intercontinental Cup (World Club Championship).

"I think it's great to finally reach a positive conclusion," said Hargreaves, who had been contracted to Bayern until 2010.

"Especially after all the time and energy that's been put in from everyone involved!"

Canada-born Hargreaves's transfer free was reported last month as 17 million pounds (34 million dollars).

Julien Faubert set for West Ham

West Ham confirmed Sunday they have signed rising French star Julien Faubert from Bordeaux.

The 23-year-old midfielder has penned a five-year contract worth 6.1 million pounds (12 million dollars), becoming manager Alan Curbishley's second summer capture following the arrival of Scott Parker from Newcastle.

Club chairman Eggert Magnusson told the club's website: "I am delighted to welcome Julien to Upton Park and feel sure that he will become a very successful signing for the club.

"He is one of the most highly-rated young players in European football and many clubs were attempting to sign him, so we are very pleased that he has decided to join West Ham United.

"I have been very impressed by his desire and ambition and I think he will be very popular among our supporters."

Faubert had been angling for a move to Rangers in Scotland but Bordeaux rejected their offer, thought to be in the region of 4.5 million pounds.

Bordeaux's new coach Laurent Blanc had wanted to keep the midfielder but president Jean-Louis Triaud earlier revealed he had accepted West Ham's bid.

Faubert's capture will help ease West Ham's pain on missing out on Darren Bent, who recently snubbed the club for Tottenham despite being offered better terms at Upton Park.

Faubert began his professional career at Cannes before joining Bordeaux three years ago. He helped the club finish runners up in the French championship in 2006, qualifying them for last season's Champions League.

His France debut came against Bosnia in August, and he marked the occasion with the winner in a 2-1 victory.

He was the first player to wear Les Bleus' number 10 shirt since the retirement of the legendary Zinedine Zidane. As well as West Ham and Rangers, Roma were believed to be interested in acquiring the player.