Adebayor still chased by Milan - Transfer News Today.
Who? - Emmanuel Adebayor - Speculation where is he? - Arsenal who is he linked with? - AC Milan
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has reiterated his club's desire to sign Arsenal's Togo international striker Emmanuel Adebayor this summer. Adebayor has been linked with a 20million move to the Rossoneri after scoring 46 goals in 105 appearances since his arrival at Arsenal in January 2006. But earlier this month an angry Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sent a fax to Milan telling them Adebayor was not for sale. Undeterred, Galliani insisted on the club's official website: "At the moment there is only one deal in motion, and that's for Adebayor. Milan remain true to their word, either Adebayor comes or we keep things as they are, with (Alberto) Paloschi. I still think that our squad as it is today is absolutely competitive enough to win the Scudetto. Everyone says it's not and I don't understand why when we have got Marco Borriello who has scored 19 goals in the Italian championship (at Genoa). We're happy with the forwards we have. We've got Paloschi who is fourth choice after (Alexandre) Pato, (Filippo) Inzaghi and Borriello. It's not like we're lacking forwards. But Adebayor has a contract, and I'm always a pessimist by nature. Look at last year when Real Madrid said Kaka was theirs. If the club don't allow you in there's nothing you can do. If the player is at the end of his contract then his wishes are important, but if not and there's a contract and the club who owns him says no, then it's no. At the moment, it's no. Does it depend on Wenger? He's the Arsenal manager, a representative of the club, and at the moment the club isn't selling. Everything depends on Arsenal, but when a club says their player is indispensable there's not a lot that can be done. Of course things could always open up but at the moment I must keep to Arsenal's official line and that is that for the moment there is no possibility of negotiating."
Who? - Ivan Rakitic - Speculation where is he? - Schalke 04 who is he linked with? - Chelsea, Liverpool
Juventus appear to head the queue in the race for Croatia's Euro 2008 startlet Ivan Rakitic despite interest from several Premier League clubs. The Croat, 20, who plays his football in the German Bundesliga for Schalke 04, has impressed in this summer's tournament and has attracted interest across the continent from a host of big clubs. The Italian outfit - who finished third in Serie A behind Inter Milan and Roma - see Rakitic as the perfect replacement for veteran Czech Republic midfielder Pavel Nedved, 35, who is expected to leave the Bianconeri at the end of next season after signing a one-year contract extension. The Italian giants may be about to wage a bidding war with Chelsea, Liverpool and Inter Milan, who have all shown an interest. While it seems likely that the gifted playmaker will be playing in Italy next term, a strong offer from one of the Premier League's big four could be too tempting to turn down with the prospects of linking up with fellow compatriots Niko Kranjcar at Portsmouth and Luka Modric, who is moving to Spurs.
Who? - Andrei Arshavin - Speculation where is he? - Zenit St Petersburg who is he linked with? - Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has dropped a major hint that he is preparing to bid for Zenit St Petersburg's Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin. The 27-year-old has helped his country reach the semi-finals of Euro 2008, impressing against both Sweden and the Netherlands after missing the opening two games of the tournament due to suspension. Wenger, who has been in Austria and Switzerland checking out potential signings, told the Daily Express: "The eye is always looking at who can strengthen Arsenal. You always think 'could this player play for your team?' or perhaps there is a good player you didn't know. Mainly I would say that you discovered only Russian players at this tournament, because you see them playing less. All the others you know." However, Wenger's hopes may be in vain, with Russian Football Federation president, Vitaly Butko, saying that Arshavin has his heart set on a move to Barcelona. He told the Spanish media: "Andrei has a dream to play for Barcelona. It is, together with the Russian national team, his favourite team. He could easily play and show all his quality at Barcelona. Andrei doesn't have less quality than players like Deco."
Who? - Pablo Aimar - Speculation where is he? - Real Zaragoza who is he linked with? - Newcastle United
The agent of Real Zaragoza's Argentinian playmaker Pablo Aimar has claimed that Newcastle United are tracking his client. The 28-year-old is all but certain to leave Zaragoza following their relegation from the Primera Liga, with a number of clubs in Spain also monitoring the situation. Aimar's agent, Gustavo Muscardi, told The Sunday Sun: "Newcastle have asked about Aimar's situation, that is certain. There has still not been any formal offer for us and Zaragoza to study, but the Premier League would be perfect for him and I want to speak with Newcastle to take things forward." Meanwhile, the Magpies are being linked with a move to try and sign England international winger Aaron Lennon. The 21-year-old has been at White Hart Lane for three seasons, but has been linked with an exit from Spurs as head coach Juande Ramos bids to reshape his squad.
