Football transfer news

By Greg Stobart

Liverpool are set to beat competition from Arsenal in the pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin.

The Turkey international will put the finishing touches to a one-year loan deal once the Spanish champions have concluded the signing of Luka Modric from Tottenham.

Sahin, 23, has found regular first team opportunities hard to come by since moving to the Bernabeu from Borussia Dortmund last summer and had been keen on a loan move to Arsenal.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, however, is keen for the player to continue his development under the tutelage of his former Chelsea colleague Brendan Rodgers, who took over at Anfield this summer.

Moreover, Mourinho had been reluctant to loan Sahin to a potential Champions League rival, while his long-standing feud with Arsene Wenger also played a part in his reluctance to send the player to north London.

Arsenal had identified the playmaker as the ideal candidate to cover for the absence of Jack Wilshere, who recently suffered another setback in his rehabilitation from a long-term injury, and bolster a midfield which looks likely to lose Alex Song to Barcelona.

Sahin, who has been sweet-talked into a move to Merseyside by former Anfield favourite Xabi Alonso, now looks set to become Liverpool’s third major signing of the summer.

Rodgers has already spent £15million in order to reinforce  his side’s central midfield with the addition of Joe Allen from Swansea and brought in Fabio Borini from Roma for £10m.

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Sir Alex Ferguson has stated his belief that Robin van Persie’s signing will see Manchester United possess Europe’s best forward line.

The Dutchman is expected to arrive in Manchester on Wednesday to agree personal terms and undergo a medical with the Red Devils after they agreed a £24 million fee with Arsenal.

Sir Alex dismissed fears that he would have a selection headache following Van Persie’s arrival, drawing comparisons between the side and the attacking line that fired United to their 1999 treble.

He told reporters: “Rooney and Van Persie are two fantastic players and it’s great to have both of them. What it gives us is more strength and combinations up front. Going back to the 1999 season, we had Yorke, Cole, Sheringham and Solskjaer, the four best strikers in Europe.

“We’re getting towards that now with Wayne, Robin, Chicharito and Danny Welbeck. It’s a fantastic collection of players. I just hope I pick the right combinations.

“It’s great to have a player of Van Persie’s quality to come into the squad as it is. I’m really pleased.”

The 70-year-old also revealed that the deal is to be sealed imminently and that he expected the Dutchman to be available for United’s Premier League opener against Everton on monday evening.

“We are delighted with that [the Van Persie deal] of course,” he added.

“He’s not signed yet, but a fee has been agreed. He’s on his way up from London and will have a medical later this [Wednesday] afternoon. Hopefully that goes according to plan.

“His agent is also in discussion with David Gill. Hopefully all these things will be tied up by the end of the day.

“But sometimes medicals take a little longer and it may carry on until tomorrow. But I’m sure he will be available for Monday’s game.”

Olympique de Marseille’s Cesar Azpilicueta has closed in on a move to Chelsea, with the deal set to be announced as early as Thursday evening, according to La Provence.

The west Londoners have long been linked with a move for the Spaniard as they look to boost their options at right-back after Jose Bosingwa left the club this season.

The representatives for the 23-year-old have touched down in London to finalize the details of his contract, with relatives of the player proclaiming the transfer a “mere formality”.

Chelsea are expected to pay Marseille between €8 and 10 million for the services of the defender, who will sign a four or five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Azpilicueta, who has never been capped for his country’s senior team, joined Marseille from Osasuna in 2010 for an estimated €7m fee.

Chelsea get their Premier League campaign under with a trip to Wigan on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled at 14:30CET.

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Arsenal are on the brink of selling Alex Song to Barcelona for £15 million following a breakthrough in talks, Goal.com can reveal.

The Spanish giants have indicated they will meet the Londoners’ valuation of the midfielder in a development in negotiations between the two clubs.
Arsenal are ready to give the 24-year-old the green light to become the fourth player in five years to make the move from Emirates Stadium to Nou Camp.

Song is set to follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry in 2007, Alexander Hleb in 2008 and Cesc Fabregas in 2011.

Barcelona were encouraged when their exploratory enquiries for Song were met with the response that indicated the player would be available for the right price.

The Catalan club had initially refused to meet Arsenal’s £15m valuation of the player, but sources have told Goal.com that a deal at that price has now been agreed.

Song, who joined Arsenal, initially on loan, in 2005, is poised to be granted permission to discuss personal terms with Barcelona.

He explained in the wake of the club’s pre-season victory over Cologne on Sunday that he was flattered by Barcelona’s interest.

“I am not going to lie if I said there is no interest but I am at Arsenal and I am happy at Arsenal,” he told Sky Sports. “Barcelona are the best team in the world, and speculation will always continue until the window closes.”

Arsene Wenger will come under pressure from Arsenal fans to secure an immediate replacement for Song, who is the closest player in the Frenchman’s squad to a proven defensive midfielder.

Arsenal announced on Wednesday night that they had agreed to sell Robin van Persie to Manchester United for a fee believed to be worth £24m.

With £39m swelling the club’s coffers, Wenger will be expected to find a battle-hardened replacement for the Cameroon international, especially given that the squad is packed with attacking midfielders.

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