Arsenal set sights on Silva - Transfer Talk.
Who? - David Silva - Speculation Where is he? - Valencia CF Who is he linked with? - Arsenal
Arsenal have reportedly joined the race to sign Valencia winger David Silva following weeks of speculation about the Spaniards future.Silva will line up in Spain's Euro 2008 semi-final encounter with Russia tonight, has been told he can leave prompting interest form Arsenal annd Liverpool.Silva,22, who has made 100 appearances and scored nine goals for Valencia last season, is widely regarded as one of Europes most talented wingers with any move likely to cost the Gunners 20 million. Arsenal Chief Arsene Wenger, has remained tight lipped on an approach for the star, with the clubs main priority being to convince striker Emmanuel Adebayor to stay at the Emirates. AC Milan remain strong favourites to land the Togolaise striker ahead of Barcelona.
Who? - Cristiano Ronaldo - Speculation Where is he? - Manchester United Who is he linked with? - Real Madrid
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has claimed that his club are mere 'passive spectators' in the ongoing saga of Cristiano Ronaldo's possible exit from Manchester United. The 23-year-old Portugal ace is expected to make an announcement about his future in the next few days and Calderon insists that Real are just waiting to see what happens. He told the Madrid radio station City FM: "I suppose they think we have intervened in some way, but it's not like that and that's the truth. We know that it's something between the player and Manchester United. If the player continues to insist that he wants to come and if United will consider letting him go, then we'll ask. If the price is right and everyone's happy, then it won't turn sour. I prefer not to talk much about him because he is a United player. We are in this situation as passive spectators, but his declarations have provoked a lot of expectations. Nevertheless that is not enough, because the player belongs to United, a great club that we are friends with and we don't want to interfere. It seems to me that he has become a bit of a hot potato at United. But I don't want to talk about that because what I say could be misinterpreted."
Who? - Miguel Veloso - Speculation Where is he? - Sporting Lisbon Who is he linked with? - Arsenal
Arsenal are reported to have entered the bidding for Sporting Lisbon's Portugal international midfielder Miguel Veloso, who is also a target for AC Milan and Juventus. The highly-rated 22-year-old is almost certain to leave Sporting this summer, despite having a contract running until the summer of 2013 with his present employers. Veloso's agent, Paulo Barbosa, confirmed: "We did not have normal contact from the Arsenal board, but from a member of the technical staff at the club. At the moment there is not a formal offer yet, but it is possible that that will happen soon as Juventus and AC Milan have shown an equal interest in the player. Miguel is on holiday now. Sporting Lisbon has not commented just yet, but until a formal offer is made that is perfectly normal. As long as there is a good offer for both parties - the club and the player - then negotiations can be done for sure. It is no secret to anyone that he wants to play abroad."
Who? - Andrei Arshavin - Speculation Where is he? - Barcelona Who is he linked with? - Zenit St Petersburg
Barcelona have reportedly made an approach to Zenit St Petersburg to sign Russia's Euro 2008 star Andrei Arshavin. The 27-year-old playmaker has been linked with several leading clubs in Spain and England, including Arsenal and Chelsea, after his impressive form during the tournament in Austria and Switzerland. However, the player himself has suggested Barcelona would be his preferred destination. "Barcelona has made a formal proposal to Zenit for the purchase of Arshavin," Zenit's sporting director Konstantin Sarsaniya is quoted as saying. "We will only talk about this once Andrei returns to Zenit." Speaking earlier in the week, Arshavin admitted it would be a "dream" to secure a move to the Camp Nou. "Barcelona are my dream. I never thought I would have a genuine chance to play for the club," he said. "I have supported Barcelona all my life, let's see how the situation unfolds."
Who? - Emmanuel Adebayor - Speculation Where is he? - Arsenal Who is he linked with? - AC Milan
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is '80 per cent' certain of joining AC Milan, according to the player's agent. The Togo international 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. The Gunners are adamant the 24-year-old will not be following former team-mate Mathieu Flamini to the San Siro this summer and earlier this month an angry Arsene Wenger sent a fax to Milan telling them Adebayor was not for sale. However, Adebayor's agent, Vincenzo Morabito, has contradicted that stance by suggesting Wenger is already seeking a replacement. "Arsenal are looking for Adebayor's replacement. Until that search is over, the negotiations won't reach the final stage, but I am fairly optimistic," he said. "What are the chances of Adebayor coming to Milan? I'd say today we are between 70 and 80 per cent."
Who? - Diego Milito - Speculation Where is he? - Real Zaragoza Who is he linked with? - Manchester City
Manchester City have reportedly tabled a bid for Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito. The Argentina international is one of several high-profile players expected to leave Zaragoza this summer following their relegation from Spain's top-flight. The 29-year-old forward has been prolific for the Blanquillos after scoring 51 times in just over 100 appearances following his arrival from Genoa in 2005. "Manchester City are the only club to have placed a bid with my client's employers," Milito's agent Adrian Faija is quoted as saying. Milito finished runner-up to Ruud van Nistelrooy in the race to be the top-scorer in La Liga during the 2006/07 campaign. His form led to speculation that Barcelona and Valencia were keen to lure him away from Zaragoza. However, the powerful striker remained at La Romareda where he was made captain for the last campaign.
Who? - Abdoulaye Meite and Seyi George Olofinjana - Speculation Where is he? - Bolton Wanderers and Wolves Who is he linked with? - Hull City
Hull City are on the trail of Bolton Wanderers defender Abdoulaye Meite and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Seyi George Olofinjana as manager Phil Brown looks to build a competitive Premier League squad. Meite, 27, has been out of favour at the Reebok Stadium after reportedly refusing to reappear for the second half of last season's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in March. The Ivory Coast defender was dropped to the reserves after angering manager Gary Megson. Meanwhile, Nigeria international Olofinjana has been linked with several top-flight sides after starring for the Championship outfit last season. However, Brown has admitted that both potential deals are far from being concluded at the moment. "Meite is somebody we are interested in but suddenly the price has gone from a minimal transfer to 3million and we're not interested at that price," he said. "Olofinjana could play in the Premier League and I would be interested. But there's been no contact and to say any more would be disrespectful as I've not talked to (Wolves boss) Mick McCarthy."
Who? - James Harper - Quite likely Where is he? - Reading Who is he linked with? - Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough's hopes of landing James Harper have been boosted after Reading manager Steve Coppell admitted he may struggle to keep hold of the midfielder. Harper, 27, was one of few positives for the Royals last season as he scored six goals from midfield during 42 appearances in a season that ended in relegation. Harper is one of several players linked with summer departures from the Madejski Stadium and Boro are believed to be at the head of the race to sign the former Arsenal trainee in a 3million deal. But despite Harper not asking for a transfer, Coppell has admitted he may struggle to keep certain players at the club following their return to the Championship. "We don't want to lose players, but I fully accept we are going to because we have players who are desirable," he said. "You look at Ronaldo at Manchester United - no-one is immune to being vulnerable to so-called perceived bigger and better clubs. We are in a vulnerable position and we have to be flexible."
Who? - David Bentley - Speculation Where is he? - Blackburn Rovers Who is he linked with? - Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs will offer Aaron Lennon in a 15million player-plus-cash deal to land England star David Bentley.The North London club appear to lead the chase with the lure of European football next season as the winger looks to strengthen his England claim. Manchester City are also reportedly interested, but it's strongly believed that potential swop deal including Lennon, 21, would prove too tempting for Blackburn to turn down. Former Leeds winger Lennon,21,who is rated by Spurs boss Juande Ramos, has won nine England caps and was once regarded as one of the country's top prospects.Spurs have been reluctant to match Blackburn's asking price but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and sporting director Damien Comolli are hoping a player-plus-cash deal will be accepted. Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has had a 15m bid for Bentley rejected. Spurs are also close to doing a 6m deal for PSV Eindhoven's giant Brazilian keeper Heurelho Gomes.Ramos is also interested in Sevilla pair, winger Diego Capel and Brazilian midfielder Adriano - who is a target for Inter Milan.
Who? - Stelios Giannakopoulos - Quite likely Where is he? - Bolton Wanderers Who is he linked with? - Hull City
Hull City boss Phil Brown is poised to make an approach for Bolton Wasnderers midfielder Stelios Gianakopoulos. The Greece international who has not been offered a new contract at the Reebok Stadium is available on a free transfer and it's believed the player has already expressed a desire to remain in the top flight next season.A move to the KC Stadium would see the 33-year- old reunited with former Trotters coach Brown with the tigers chief eager to add experience to the squad. "I will be talking to his agent when I get back (from holiday) and I will be talking to the player himself soon," Brown told the Hull Daily Mail. "He has gone back to Greece with his family, who I know very well, and he has only just finished his season with Greece at Euro 2008. "I'm sure there will be an opportunity to speak to him in the near future."
