Author: David McGeady

The 32-year-old stopper only moved to the Vicente Calderon earlier this summer, but has been summoned to the Etihad Stadium as defensive cover by former boss Manuel Pellegrini

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Atletico Madrid defender Martin Demichelis on a two-year deal.

Goal reported on Tuesday that City had agreed a £4 million deal with Atleti for the former Argentina centre-back, while Manuel Pellegrini admitted on Saturday that he expected “progress” on the deal over the weekend.

The Etihad Stadium outfit have now confirmed the capture of the 32-year-old, who worked with Pellegrini at Malaga last season and at River Plate in 2002-03.

“I am delighted to have joined City because I am still hungry for success and want to improve,” Demichelis told the club’s official website.

“I have been in Europe for 11 years now and this was a great chance for me to play in the Premier League with such a big club.

“When there is a change, there is always a process. There’s always a period of adjustment you have to go through. Moving from South America to Europe is a big change and you need some time to settle in because everything is new.

“But in my case, I have lived in Europe for many years and I don’t think there’ll be any problems in adjusting to life here. Now I want to repay the manager’s faith in me out on the pitch. I can’t wait to get started.”

City moved to sign the Argentine following injury to Vincent Kompany, though Matija Nastasic returned from the sidelines for Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Hull City Tigers.

Arsene Wenger has stepped up his pursuit of the German playmaker, who has fallen down the Bernabeu pecking order, and hopes to complete a spectacular deal on deadline day

Arsenal are in advanced talks with Real Madrid to sign Mesut Ozil for €47 million.

High-level discussions have been held between the clubs in recent days and Arsene Wenger is increasingly hopeful that a sensational late move for the Germany international can be completed before Monday night’s transfer deadline.

LEAVING IT LATE
OZIL’S REAL MADRID CAREER
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Arsenal are willing to pay a club-record €47m to capture Ozil, who has privately indicated he is keen to move to the Emirates Stadium, despite his public claims he is happy to stay and fight for his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The Gunners, who could face competition from Paris St-Germain, are battling to complete the deal in what promises to be a frantic final 24 hours of the window.

Wenger is targeting at least three new signings on deadline day as he tries to make amends for what has been a frustrating summer of transfer activity for the club.

Arsenal have reached an agreement with Palermo to sign goalkeeper Emiliano Vivano on a season-long loan, with the Italian heading to London on Sunday night to discuss personal terms and undertake a medical.

Wenger is also working on a third deal as he seeks to strengthen a squad that has been severely weakened both by injury and high-profile departures in the past two summers.

Despite working with a transfer budget of up to €117m, Wenger has suffered repeated frustration in the transfer market this summer and is yet to make a cash signing.

The Frenchman’s priority has been to add a proven striker to the ranks but two bids for Luis Suarez were rejected by Liverpool, while moves for Gonzalo Higuain, Wayne Rooney and Karim Benzema have all been unsuccessful.

Wenger turned his attention to Real Madrid’s battery of elite attackers after it became increasingly clear that Bale was set for a world-record €100m move to Spain.

The Gunners tabled a €30m bid for Angel Di Maria last week but the player has begun the season in impressive form and is reluctant to cut his ties with the Bernabeu.

However, Ozil was left on the bench for Real’s 3-1 win earlier on Sunday after being substituted during the 1-0 win at Granada six days previously, which he reacted to by storming down the tunnel and onto the team bus.

Asked about overlooking Ozil in favour of Di Maria on Sunday, Ancelotti said: “It’s to be expected that he’s not happy. I don’t like players who are happy to be on the bench. It was a football decision to play Di María, who is playing well and with great intensity”.

Arsenal have been given encouragement that Real are willing to off-load the 24-year-old playmaker as they prepare to trim costs and free up space in the team for Gareth Bale.

Ozil has been a fixture in the Real team, usually playing in the No10 role behind the centre-forward, since moving from Werder Bream in the summer of 2010. He has also won 47 caps for the Germany national team.

The double PFA Player of the Year winner has paid tribute to Spurs, and Southampton, after officially completing his move to the Spanish giants on a six-year deal

Gareth Bale has thanked Tottenham for their part in his development as a player and hailed his move to Real Madrid as a “dream come true”.

The 24-year-old has completed his move to the Santiago Bernabeu, pending a medical, and will be unveiled to fans and media at 12:00BST on Monday.

In a statement on Tottenham’s official website, he said: “I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it’s the right time to say goodbye. We’ve had some special times together over the years and I’ve loved every minute of it.

“I would like to thank everyone at the club, the chairman, board, staff, coaches and players – and most of all the fantastic fans who I hope will understand this amazing career opportunity.

“I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date. I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.

“I am well aware that I would not be at the level I am today were it not for firstly Southampton and then Spurs standing by me during some of the tougher times and affording me the environment and support they have.

“Tottenham will always be in my heart and I’m sure that this season will be a successful one for them.  I am now looking forward to the next exciting chapter in my life, playing football for Real Madrid.”

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Los Blancos have finally announced the arrival of the Wales international, who has usurped new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as the game’s most expensive player

Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported €100 million.

The Wales international succeeds new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as the game’s most expensive player after penning a six-year contract with the Liga giants.

Bale first came to prominence as a 16-year-old with Southampton before joining Tottenham in 2007.

The then full-back initially struggled at White Hart Lane but he flourished after being converted into a winger, winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2010-11.

Bale collected the same prize last year, after scoring 26 goals in 44 appearances in all competitions.

His fantastic form was not enough to earn Spurs a place in the Champions League but the 24-year-old will now feature in the competition this season after finally completing his drawn-out move to Madrid.

More to follow …