Football transfer news

Swansea City first-team coach Alan Curtis accepts that it is “a matter of time” before forward Scott Sinclair completes a move to Manchester City.

Goal.com exclusively revealed on August 8 that the Premier League champions have agreed terms with the Team GB star after deciding to let winger Adam Johnson go and Swans boss Michael Laudrup confirmed on Friday that the attacker had decided not to sign a new contract.

Curtis explained to Sky Sports: “[Sinclair is] not really interested in signing a new contract and I think Man City have made a bid, so it’s just a matter of time now before it happens and it’s good for both parties.

“He’s been terrific for us, to be fair – we’ve had two seasons out of him and he was superb in the Championship and virtually his goals [27 in 2010-11] got us promotion.

“And last year as well he wasn’t maybe quite as effective as he was his first year – obviously it was a lot tougher opposition – but he’s been absolutely magnificent.

“Like Joe [Allen, now of Liverpool] we wish him all the best, but as long as the club keeps pushing forward that’s the main thing.

“It obviously gives Scott the chance to settle in at his new club and it gives us the opportunity to buy a replacement for Scott.”

Sinclair scored the last of Swansea’s goals in their 5-0 obliteration of QPR on the Premier League’s opening day.

Olympique de Marseille defender Cesar Azpilicueta expects to complete his move to Chelsea imminently after thanking the French club’s fans for their support.

As Goal.com exclusively revealed on Friday, the right-back is on the verge of finalising a £7.9 million transfer to Stamford Bridge and the Spaniard hailed the deal as a good one for all concerned.

“Everyone thinks it’s been a tough time for me with my thoughts spilt between Marseille and Chelsea,” Azpilicueta admitted to Le Provence.

“If my departure can help Marseille’s finances, then it is a good deal for everyone concerned.”

The 22-year-old, formerly of Osasuna, appeared to say goodbye to the Ligue 1 side’s supporters after his part in their 2-0 victory over Sochaux on Sunday.

“I thank the club’s fans for their standing ovation,” Azpilicueta added. “They have always been good to me to me, even when things haven’t gone well.”

Branislav Ivanovic played at right-back for Chelsea against Wigan on Sunday and scored but the Blues are a man down in the position after Jose Bosingwa’s release at the end of his contract. The Portuguese has since joined QPR.

Ajax have announced on their official website that they have completed the transfer of Niklas Moisander from AZ for a fee believed to be in the region of €3 million.

The Finland international has signed a three-year deal with the Eredivisie champions.

The Amsterdam giants were in the market for defensive reinforcements following the departure of Jan Vertonghen to Tottenham Hotspur, and head coach Frank de Boer has now landed the left-footed defender he set his sights on.

“I want to continue my development and Ajax needed a new centre-back following Vertonghen’s exit. I realise that it won’t be easy to follow in Jan’s footsteps,” Moisander commented to De Telegraaf.

“Frank de Boer believes that I can become an important player, though, with my specific qualities and my experience.”

The 26-year-old Moisander previously played for Ajax from 2003 until 2006, but failed to break into the first team.

Moisander becomes Ajax’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window after the previous arrivals of Lasse Schone, Ilan Boccara and Tobias Sana.

EXCLUSIVE
By Romeo Agresti

Juventus are confident of landing Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao for €20 million, Goal.com understands.

The Serie A champions have made the Spain international their primary target in the transfer market after they failed to sign Edinson Cavani and Fernando Torres, and Juve are hopeful their attempts to sign Llorente will be successful.

Athletic have set a €30m asking price for the towering attacker, whereas the Old Lady are only willing to spend €18m plus €2m in bonuses.

Even though there is still a substantial gap, Juventus have a positive feeling about the deal, though, after a telephone call between general director Giuseppe Marotta and the Basque side’s president Josu Urrutia.

The Spanish side do not want to sell Llorente to another Spanish team, thus increasing Juventus’ chances of luring him to Turin, while they also want to prevent the striker from leaving the club on a free transfer when his contract expires next year.

Therefore, Juve believe the Primera Division outfit will eventually lower their demands, and accept the Italian giants’ offer.

Llorente’s agent Carlos Arino Bajo stated last week that a move to Juventus was a realistic option for his client.

EXCLUSIVE
By Elia Raimondo

Nigel de Jong is one step closer to leaving Manchester City for Inter as Roberto Mancini has given the Netherlands international the green light to move on, Goal.com can reveal.

The Nerazzurri already secured the services of Gaby Mudingayi from Bologna earlier this summer to add some steel to their midfield, but Andrea Stramaccioni is not impressed with the Belgian.

The Inter coach has therefore demanded the arrival of another holding midfielder, and the 2010 Champions League winners see De Jong as the perfect addition to their squad.

De Jong joined City from Hamburg in January 2009 and quickly became an important first-team member at the Premier League side.

However, he is no longer a certain starter under Mancini, and the Citizens are ready to cash in on the 27-year-old.

The Dutchman’s contract with the Premier League champions is due to expire in the summer of 2013, and an offer in the region of €9 million could be enough to lure him away from City.

Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder recently stated that De Jong would be a great signing for the Serie A giants, and the attacking midfielder has already been in touch with his compatriot to convince him that a move to Italy would be the right step.

The Nerazzurri face stiff competition in the race for De Jong’s services, though, as AC Milan are closely monitoring his situation as well.

Even though Inter remain confident of getting their man, they have lined up Napoli’s Walter Gargano as a possible alternative for De Jong, in case they miss out on the combative midfielder.