Furthermore, Spanish champions Real Madrid have blocked the approaches of an unnamed Premier League club who were hoping for the services of midfielder Esteban Granero. Earlier in the year Arsenal and Liverpool were two clubs known to be keeping a keen eye on the player. The Spaniard’s contract is soon up, expiring next January, however Mourinho is supposedly unwilling to lose his asset, so perhaps the Spanish giants will renew the player's contract.
Chelsea: The Champions League winners Chelsea have had a large bid rejected by Bayer Leverkusen for Andre Schurrle. The 21 year-old is in demand for his versatility and after an especially great season in the Bundesliga. The Blues may yet offer a higher bid in order to lure the player away. The club has also signed 15 year old George Brady from AS Cannes reports, with the French club receiving around £250,000. The defender was wanted by Arsenal, Spur and the two Manchester clubs, but instead signed a three year deal with the European Champions.
Liverpool: Rogers has made a surprise offer for Fulham star Dempsey in the region of £6 million. The manager made his move after new contract deals with Fulham were hardly progressing, and after missing out on Gylfi Sigurdsson last week. Shockingly Andy Caroll MAY be on his way out of Liverpool, after Ac Milan were reportedly serious about securing the tall striker on loan.
Spurs: Villas-Boas will go head to head with former club Chelsea as they fight it out for the signature of Borussia Dortmund star Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker is currently valued at £20 million, and is also turning the attention of Wenger and Ferguson, as the clubs are desperate to capture the man who bagged 30 goals last season. Spurs may have some more luck with their pursuit of Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao, and with two bids already rejected, the London outfit look a likely destination for the Brazillian. Lastly, Villas-Boas has bagged long-time target Jan Vertonghen from Ajax. The player will undergo a medical some time in the near future to complete the formalities.
United: Time is running out for manager Ferguson to capture one of his main targets in the transfer window: Everton defender Leighton Baines. Ferguson believes that the current valuation for the defender, somewhere in the region of £20 million, is unrealistic, with a figure around £15 million more appropriate to the Scott.
The transfer could happen, however Ferguson is adamant that should Baines join his squad, the deal would have to be done and dusted at the latest by July 15th, as the very next day the Reds embark on their pre-season tour, and he would want Baines to accompany him should he join the squad. Yet, Everton are determined to hold out for a higher bid if they can, as they would regard Baines as one of the best assets. Perhaps Moyes will drag the deal out in the mist of frustration losing his best player, and in the hopes Ferguson will step off the gas and forget about poaching him. Some fans think it is imperative that we tighten up in the defensive department, with Evra's performance last season not as convincing as that of rival City's Kompany, for instance. Either way, new boys Powell and Kagawa will be part of the squad touring South Africa and China with the reds this summer.
Also in the Red camp is the likely resignation of the fact that playmaker Modric will not join the Reds this summer. It is thought that the asking price of £35 million is just too much for United to stretch to. The likely destination of the frustrated Spurs player is said to be La Liga winners Real Madrid.
Elsewhere... Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is making preparations should star player Victor Moses depart for one of the big clubs this summer. The manager is reportedly interested in MLS club Chicago Fire’s star Marco Pappa as a potential replacement for Moses. However, there may be a small complication with the matter of the player's work permit should he come to England. New Norwich boss Chris Hughton looks to his former club Birmingham in order to structure his new team, with the blues' central defender Curtis Davies a prime target. In an attempt to secure Davies, the manager is reportedly prepared to loan out striker James Vaughan to Birmingham. Swansea manager Michael Laudrup wishes to capture Bristol City's talented Adomah, for around £3 million. The manager has been very busy since he took up his post, and is nearing the completion of signings centre-back Chico and attacking midfielder Jonathan de Guzman shortly.