Drogba to Marseille? - Transfer Chat today.
Who? - Luis Garcia - Speculation Where is he? - Espanyol Who is he linked with? - Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur are set to sign Luis Garcia from Espanyol, according to reports in Spain. Garcia, 27, was the top-scorer for the Barcelona-based club in La Liga last season and has reportedly agreed terms on a move to White Hart Lane. The Spain international is a long-term target of Spurs' Spanish coach Juande Ramos and could cost the north London club around 5million. Ramos has also been linked with fellow Espanyol team-mates Carlos Kameni, Daniel Jarque and Albert Riera this summer.
Who? - Didier Drogba - Speculation Where is he? - Chelsea Who is he linked with? - Marseille
Marseille fans are trying to raise 22million so their club can buy Didier Drogba. The Ivorian striker has been linked with a Chelsea exit for much of the summer, despite new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari insisting he wants the player to stay. Barcelona, Inter Milan and AC Milan are among the clubs hoping to sign him, but now Marseille fans are hoping to lure the player back to the club he left to join Chelsea four years ago. A fan called Kain is asking fellow supporters to pledge up to five euros to raise funds. "Let's try to see is us supporters can pay for him by each donating one or two euros maximum to the club," he wrote on the website which is home to the drive. They have already raised 5,000 euros
Who? - George McCartney - Speculation Where is he? - West Ham United Who is he linked with? - Sunderland
West Ham United defender George McCartney has cooled rumours of him leaving the club. Sunderland are reported to have had a 4.5million offer for their former player turned down, but even if the Black Cats were to offer enough to interest the Hammers, McCartney has insisted he is happy where he is. "I would like to stay at West Ham," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "I have no desire to leave. When clubs show an interest in you it is flattering but I have enjoyed my time at West Ham and I have played in every league game for them since February last year.
Who? - David Silva - Speculation Where is he? - Valencia CF Who is he linked with? - Liverpool
Liverpool will make a bid to sign David Silva, if reports are to be believed. Rafa Benitez had previously wanted to sign David Villa, but found himself priced out by club Valencia. However, The Sun is reporting that Silva will be available for around half of the 32million the Spanish club want for Villa. And, with the club needing to cover the costs of building their new stadium, it is thought they may have to sell. The 22-year-old midfielder has been with Valencia since the start of his career and was part of the Spain squad which recently won Euro 2008.
Who? - Falcao - Speculation Where is he? - River Plate Who is he linked with? - Arsenal
Arsenal are thought to be leading the race for South American sensation Falcao. Manchester United have been linked with the River Plate star throughout the summer, and were believed to be favourties to sign him. However, with Emmanuel Adebayor looking to be on his way out of the Emirates, Arsene Wenger could make a move. Falcao has scored 38 goals in 58 games for River Plate.
Who? - Tal Ben-Haim - Speculation Where is he? - Chelsea Who is he linked with? - Manchester City
Manchester City are reportedly closing in on signing out-of-favour Chelsea defender Tal Ben-Haim. The Israel international started just ten games in the Premier League for the Blues last season following his arrival on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers in June. The 26-year-old is behind John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Alex in the pecking order and has been linked with a 5million move to Eastlands. Meanwhile, City are poised to end Bernardo Corradi's unhappy two-year spell at the club by allowing the Italian striker to join Reggina. The 32-year-old hitman spent last season on loan in Serie A with Parma after struggling to settle in England following his arrival in July 2006.
Who? - George Boateng - Very likely Where is he? - Middlesbrough Who is he linked with? - Hull City
Hull City are poised to complete the signing of George Boateng after agreeing terms with Middlesbrough and the veteran midfielder over a move to the KC Stadium. The 32-year-old Dutchman will sign a two-year contract with the newly-promoted Premier League side on Monday subject to passing a medical. Boateng had been expected to leave the Riverside Stadium this summer after slipping down the pecking order last season. The former Coventry City and Aston Villa midfielder made over 220 appearances during six seasons on Teesside. "He's coming in for his medical and to sign contracts on Monday," chairman Paul Duffen told BBC Radio Humberside. "He couldn't come in earlier because he's gone to fulfill a commitment in France playing in a charity match to raise money for Africa. All things being equal, obviously the medical has still got to go through but short of formalities we're there with George now which is great. He's a player of real quality and real class with a fantastic track record and will be exactly the sort of character, as well as skill, that we need."
Who? - Almost everyone - Speculation Where is he? - Tottenham Hotspur Who is he linked with? - The exit door
Juande Ramos will let many of his Tottenham Hotspur players leave this summer, it is being reported. The Spaniard has signed Luka Modric and Geovanni Dos Santos this summer, and looks set to continue rebuilding his squad by shipping out many of Martin Jol's old team. Paul Robinson has long been linked with an exit, with Aston Villa thought to be frontrunners to sign him. However, he looks set to be joined by Pascal Chimbonda, Michael Dawson, Anthony Gardner and Young Pyo-Lee. Steed Malbranque, Teemu Tainio, Kevin Boateng and Hossam Ghaly are also thought to be heading for the exit door. The club is still in the running for winger David Bentley, however, and may use the funds raised from these sales to wrestle him from Blackburn Rovers.
