Transferuri Campionate Externe

Saints sign Burnley's Jay Rodriguez

The 22-year-old has long been linked with a move to the south coast and Saints reportedly failed with bids last summer and in January.

However, Nigel Adkins now has his man as Rodriguez has signed a four-year deal at St Mary's after leaving the Clarets for an undisclosed fee.

The deal is understood to be worth £6million, which breaks Southampton's long-standing transfer record, set when they signed Derby's Rory Delap for £4million in 2001.

"I'm really relieved that we've got it sorted now, and it's done," Rodriguez told the club's official website, www.saintsfc.co.uk.

"I really can't wait for the start of the season, and the start of pre-season.

"This is a great club, a massive club, and they're where they belong. It's a squad I want to be a part of, and it's really exciting.

"As an outsider, you look at the club from where it started, and the drive they have to move up the leagues in quick succession is amazing.

"The sky is the limit. You see how good the players are at the club.

"They want to push on even higher, and carry on the way they're going."

"Jay is an exciting young English prospect, so I am really happy he is our first signing of the summer," the Southampton manager said.

"There has been a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes on several fronts and we are delighted Jay has signed for us as we get ready for our pre-season schedule.

"He is an exciting forward thinking player who has already scored a lot of goals at a young age over the past couple of years.

"His characteristics are what we have been looking for.

"He has demonstrated a superb attitude and when we have met him it has only confirmed what our research has told us.

"He has a hungry and enthusiastic attitude with a desire to work hard in the positive environment that we have at Southampton where will be able to develop his talent."

Juve close to signing Udinese duo

Juventus have confirmed that Udinese players Kwadwo Asamoah and Mauricio Isla are undergoing medicals with a view to completing permanent moves.

Both clubs have reportedly reached a €15 million deal for the transfer of the two players to Juventus.

A statement from Juventus read: "Kwadwo Asamoah has continued this morning with the medical examination in the Fornaca Clinic in Turin".

"Asamoah was accompanied by Mauricio Isla, his Udinese team-mate, who is also undergoing a medical."

Both players are expected to sign 5-year contracts with the Italian champions.

Asamoah, a Ghana international, also reportedly attracted the attention of Manchester United after another strong campaign with Udinese.

The 23-year-old midfielder, who is tied to Udinese until June 2015, scored 3 goals in 31 Serie A appearances to help his team finish third.

Isla, meanwhile, was a target of Inter Milano.

The Chilean winger sat out the last few months of the season due to a knee injury and the 24-year-old is under contract with Udinese until June 2015.

Nelsen signs with QPR

Veteran centre-back Ryan Nelsen has confirmed he has agreed a deal to join Queens Park Rangers on a one-year contract after passing a medical.

Nelsen made 8 appearances after arriving at Spurs on a short-term deal from Blackburn Rovers and his move to QPR will throw up a reunion with Mark Hughes.

The New Zealand international was signed for Blackburn by Hughes from DC United midway through the 2004/2005 season and he made over 200 appearances during his time at Ewood Park.

He admits the chance to play under Hughes again was too good to pass up and he is hoping he can make a contribution for QPR next season.

"I owe him pretty much everything. He gave me my chance at Blackburn in 2005", Nelsen told Fairfax.

Bild: Arsenal are serious about acquiring Alan Dzagoev.

^ cica l-ar lua si pe Giroud de la Montpellier

Gebre Selassie close to Werder move

Slovan Liberec right-back Theodor Gebre Selassie has revealed he is close to joining Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.

The 25-year-old is currently representing Czech Republic at EURO 2012 and has already impressed many with a number of exuberant displays in Group A.

And it now appears Gebre Selassie will be moving to Germany's top flight soon after he admitted he is currently in talks to join Bremen.

"I am close to joining Werder Bremen, but I am only focused on the Euros now", Gebre Selassie wrote in his blog for Czech newspaper Sport.

Gebre Selassie, who became the first player of African descent to represent Czech Republic when he earned his first cap last year, has been at Slovan Liberec since 2008, but it now appears he was close to moving to Russia earlier this year.

Arsenal close to sign Giroud



Montpellier have confirmed that the sale of Olivier Giroud to Arsenal is progressing.

Club vice-president Laurent Nicollin said talks with the Gunners over the France international striker were "going serenely" as both clubs look to reach an agreement over a final transfer fee.

The London side reached an agreement with the French champions, with a fee of £12 million having been settled on after negotiations between the two clubs.

Now, Montpellier's vice-president said he expects the transfer to be completed at the end of France's participation in EURO 2012.

Arsenal's bid to sign Giroud was approved by the French club last week, after he made it clear he would welcome a move to the Premier League.

The Frenchman scored 21 goals in Montpellier's league victory and was the joint top scorer in Ligue 1 with PSG's Nene.

He looks set to join Lukas Podolski in a new-look Arsenal forward line next season, but his transfer will prompt further speculation about the future of Robin van Persie, who has one year left on his contract and has refused to enter talks about a new deal.

Juve acquire full Giaccherini rights

Juventus have acquired the full rights of Italian winger Emanuele Giaccherini, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

Giaccherini moved to Turin last summer from Cesena under a co-ownership deal.

A statement from the club read: "Juventus announce they have exercised the clause to buy the sporting rights of Emanuele Giaccherini at a fixed price set at €4.2 million".

The 28-year-old, who is currently on international duty with Italy at the European Championship, is under contract with the Turin giants until June 2015.

Giaccherini scored one goal in 23 league appearances to help the Bianconeri win the Scudetto this season.

Lille complete Martin signing



Lille have announced the signing of highly-rated attacker Marvin Martin from Sochaux.

The 24-year-old midfielder has signed a 5-year contract with the 2011 Ligue 1 champions after the two clubs agreed on a reported deal worth €10 million.

Sochaux president Alexandre Lacombe had revealed earlier in the month that an agreement had been reached between the clubs, but only now Lille officially unveiled the player.

Martin, who has 14 France caps to his name, has made 2 appearances at EURO 2012, both as a substitute.

Silvestre on course to join Inter

Palermo defender Matias Silvestre is set to join Inter Milano this summer, according to club president Maurizio Zamparini.

Silvestre wants to leave the Sicilian outfit after just one season at the club and is also a reported target of AC Milan.

Inter have reportedly offered Palermo €8 million for the Argentinian centre-back.

The 27-year-old Silvestre moved to Italy in 2008 from Boca Juniors.

He spent 3 seasons at Catania before moving to Palermo last summer.

Silvestre, who is under contract with the Sicilians until June 2015, scored 5 goals in 29 league appearances for Palermo this season.

Milan hint at move for Aquilani

AC Milan have not ruled out the possibility of signing Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani before the transfer window closes.

The Italian midfielder played on loan at Milan last season, where he scored one goal in 23 league appearances for the Rossoneri.

Milan are looking to reinforce their midfield line with Clarence Seedorf, Gennaro Gattuso and Mathieu Flamini all out of contract this summer.

Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia recently revealed he had not received any offers for his client and that the 27-year-old midfielder was set to return to Liverpool.

Aquilani is under contract with the Premier League side until June 2014 but is considered the ideal replacement for Flamini, who will not be offered a new deal at Milan.

"The time has expired for Flamini and we have already told his lawyer that we will not wait any longer", Galliani said.

The former Arsenal midfielder joined AC Milan in 2008 but missed most of last season with a serious knee injury.

The Frenchman will become a free agent next month.

Milan complete loan signing of Constant



AC Milan have signed midfielder Kevin Constant on a one-year loan deal from Genoa.

The French-born Guinean player joins the San Siro outfit with Milan having an option to make his move permanent next summer.

The Serie A giants made this move in the transfer market after confirming that midfielder Sulley Muntari would be sidelined for 6 months through injury.

The Ghana international recently underwent an operation to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The Rossoneri club also confirmed they have acquired 50% of the sporting rights of defender Francesco Acerbi from Genoa.

Acerbi, who played at Chievo last season, has put pen-to-paper on a 5-year contract with Milan.

Acerbi and Constant will undergo a medical this week before being unveiled to the media.

Dortmund secure Kirch signing

Borussia Dortmund have reportedly completed the signing of midfielder Oliver Kirch from FC Kaiserslautern.

According to Bild, the Bundesliga champions have paid approximately €500.000 for the player who had just one year left on his contract with Kaiserslautern.

It is believed that the versatile Kirch will act as cover for first-choice right-back Lukasz Pisczcek, who is rumoured to be on the radar of a host of top clubs in Europe.

The 29-year-old joined Kaiserslautern from Arminia Bielefeld in 2010, but has been linked with a move away from the Fritz Walter Stadion following the club's demotion to the second division.

Kirch would be the third new arrival in Dortmund, with Jurgen Klopp's side already having confirmed the capture of Marco Reus and Leonardo Bittencourt for next season.

Schieber moves to Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund have agreed a deal with VfB Stuttgart for the transfer of Julian Schieber to the Bundesliga champions.

The 23-year-old will sign a 4-year contract in Dortmund upon the successful completion of a medical in the Westphalian city.

Schieber, who spent the 2010/2011 season on loan at FC Nurnberg, makes the move for an undisclosed fee and should fill the void left by the sale of Lucas Barrios to Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande.

Schieber scored a brace in arguably the most entertaining Bundesliga game of last season when Dortmund were held to a 4-4 draw at home.

Diame set for Hammers switch

West Ham have confirmed a deal to sign Senegal midfielder Mohamed Diame on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic.

The 25-year-old has agreed a 3-year deal at Upton Park and will make the move on 1 July after the expiry of his Wigan contract.

Diame will meet his new team-mates on the first day of pre-season training on 1 July before flying out with the team to Austria.

He is the third new signing of the summer for the newly-promoted Hammers, joining Stephen Henderson and Jussi Jaaskelainen in Sam Allardyce's squad.

Diame joined Wigan in 2009 from Spanish club Rayo Vallecano, having previously played for Lens and Linares.

AS Roma complete Borini capture

AS Roma now own former Chelsea striker Fabio Borini outright after buying the remaining 50% of the player.

AS Roma formerly part-owned him with Serie A rivals Parma but an offer of €5 million in a sealed envelope bid proved enough to ensure that Borini would stay at Stadio Olimpico.

There had been media speculation in Italy and England that the ex-Swansea City player could link up again with former coach Brendan Rodgers, who is now in charge at Liverpool.

Borini, a member of the Italian squad at the European Championship, spent last season on loan at AS Roma, scoring 9 times in 24 Serie A appearances.

Liverpool target Castaignos

Liverpool are keen on taking Inter Milano striker Luc Castaignos on loan, according to a report.

The 19-year-old Dutch player is valued at £4.5 million by the Italians who do not see him having an immediate future at the club.

Inter have already informed Castaignos that they are looking at the possibility of loaning him out or selling him to another Serie A club, but the player has told the club he does not want to stay in Italy unless it is with the Meazza outfit.

As a result, The Sun claims that Liverpool want to take Castaignos to Merseyside on loan.

The 19-year-old joined Inter from Feyenoord 12 months ago in a deal worth €3 million and is contracted to the club until June 2016.

He scored just one goal in 6 league appearances for Inter this season.

Murphy joins Blackburn on a free

Blackburn Rovers have made their first signing of the summer by bringing in Fulham captain Danny Murphy on a 2-year contract.

The 35-year-old returns to the north-west, where he previously played for Liverpool and Crewe, having also spent time at Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur before his move to Craven Cottage.

Diarra agent hints at Spartak switch

Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra looks set to join Spartak Moscow, according to the player's agent.

The holding midfielder has one year left on his contract with the current La Liga champions.

And Diarra now appears on the verge of joining former Valencia coach Unai Emery in the Russian capital despite interest from AC Milan.

"I think it will be hard to see him move to Italy", Claudio Vigorelli told Sportitalia.

"First of all, because he has one more year left on his contract with Real."

"And then because he has a good offer from Spartak Moscow."

Spartak coach Emery is on the lookout for reinforcements in midfield ahead of the new season with the 27-year-old Diarra seen as the ideal addition to his squad.

Diarra joined Real Madrid from Portsmouth in January 2009.

Aduriz returns to Bilbao



Athletic Bilbao have signed Valencia striker Aritz Aduriz for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old, who has one international cap, has signed a 3-year contract with the Basque side which will keep him at San Mames until 2015.

The transfer feel has not been revealed by either club, but reports suggest that Aduriz has cost Athletic about €2.5 million.

He joined Valencia from Real Mallorca in 2010 in a €4 million deal but failed to impress at Mestalla, scoring 21 goals in 82 appearances.

The Spanish striker will now return to Athletic for a third spell after previously playing for the club in 2002/2003 and again between 2006 and 2008.

Gladbach snap up Dominguez

Borussia Monchengladbach have signed Spanish defender Alvaro Dominguez from Atletico Madrid to replace Bayern Munich-bound Dante.

The 23-year-old Dominguez will pen a 5-year contract after completing a medical on Wednesday morning.

In addition to the 28 appearances he made in the Primera Division last season, Dominguez appeared 12 times in Europa League, scoring one goal.

The Foals will embark on their first Champions League campaign in 3 decades next term.

Mandzukic will join Bayern

The agent of Mario Mandzukic has confirmed that his client will leave VfL Wolfsburg for Bayern Munchen this summer.

Mandzukic shone for Croatia at EURO 2012 after scoring 3 goals for them in a tough group containing Spain and Italy and has been recently linked with a move to Bavarian giants Bayern Munchen.

Bayern are looking for a new striker after Mandzukic's international team mate Ivica Olic left them for Wolfsburg earler in the summer.

It has emerged that both Croatian strikers will switch clubs after Mandzukic's agent Ivan Cvjetkovic revealed that a deal has been struck to bring Mandzukic to Bayern.

There has been no official words from either club as yet, but the move, which has been mooted in the past week, is rumoured to be worth approximately €13 million.

Mandzukic scored 12 goal and provided 10 assists in 32 games for Wolfsburg last season.

Lokomotiv Moscow sign Corluka

Lokomotiv Moscow have announced the signing of Vedran Corluka from Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee.

The Croatia international, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, has penned a 3-year contract with the Russian outfit.

Corluka's move to Moscow will see him reunited with Slaven Bilic, who stepped down as Croatia coach after the country's EURO 2012 campaign.

The versatile defender arrived at White Hart Lane from Manchester City in 2008 but fell down the pecking order this season and was loaned to Bayer Leverkusen during the January transfer window.

However, the Bundesliga outfit decided against making the move permanent, allowing Lokomotiv to step in and sign Corluka for a reported €5 million.

Torje joins Granada on loan

Udinese have announced that attacking midfielder Gabriel Torje has joined La Liga outfit Granada on a season-long loan.

The Romania international only arrived at the Friuli last summer on a 5-year contract from Dinamo Bucharest but Udinese are keen for him to secure more regular first team football.

The 22-year-old Torje, scored 2 goals and contributed one assist during 21 Serie A appearances for Francesco Guidolin's team last season.

His move to Andalusia comes just a day after Udinese agreed to loan striker Antonio Floro Flores to the La Liga outfit.

Fulham sign Petric

Fulham have signed Croatian international Mladen Petric on a one-year deal following the expiration of his contract with SV Hamburg.

The 31-year-old made 98 appearances for the German side, scoring 38 league goals after being signed by then Hamburg coach Martin Jol from Borussia Dortmund in 2008.

Petric has previously played against his new employers in the 2009/2010 Europa League semi-finals, scoring a goal as his side lost out at Craven Cottage.

The Croatian has appeared for his country 44 times and most notably scored the winner in a 3-2 victory over England at Wembley in a EURO 2008 qualifier.

AS Roma sign Marquinho on permanent deal

AS Roma have announced they have completed the signing of Brazilian full-back Marquinho from Fluminense for a fee of €3.5 million.

The 25-year-old came to AS Roma in the January transfer window on a 6-month loan deal and has now inked a contract that will keep him at Roma until the end of the 2015/2016 season.

AS Roma will pay Marquinho's transfer fee in 2 instalments, with the second lot to be paid before July 2013.

Marquinho netted 3 times in 15 Serie A appearances for AS Roma in the 2011/2012 campaign.

The Brazilian started his professional career at Palmeiras and also wore the jerseys of Botafogo and Figueirense before joining Fluminense in 2009.

Werder sign Petersen on loan

Werder Bremen have signed Bayern Munchen striker Nils Petersen on a one-year loan deal.

Petersen has also extended his contract at the Allianz ArenA until 2015 and Bayern Munchen general manager Christian Nerlinger is hopeful the regular first team football on offer at Bremen will be good for the 23-year-old's development.

"Nils is a great talent and we want to get him some match practice - which he will be able to do with Bremen", Nerlinger told the club's official website.

Bremen have lost veteran forward Claudio Pizarro to Bayern, who also signed Mario Mandzukic to provide cover for Mario Gomez.

Pogrebnyak agrees Reading terms

Reading have confirmed they have agreed personal terms with Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak and are awaiting a work permit application to finalise the transfer.

Royals manager Brian McDermott revealed earlier this week that a deal for Pogrebnyak had been struck and after the player passed his medical the club say they anticipate the deal to be completed in the coming days.

Pogrebnyak is out of contract this summer and it has been reported the Barclays Premier League new boys have offered him a 4-year deal worth around £65.000-per-week.

The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham from German side VfB Stuttgart, netting 6 goals in 12 appearances, but rejected the offer of a permanent deal with the Cottagers.

Confirmation of the deal comes a day after Reading secured the signing of midfielder Danny Guthrie on a 3-year contract.

The 25-year-old former Newcastle player completed his medical on Friday and will formally complete the move on Sunday.

Tottenham make Dzagoev bid



Tottenham Hotspur are in the frame to land CSKA Moscow's Russian star Alan Dzagoev.

The 22-year-old impressed for Russia at EURO 2012 with 3 goals and is thought to be valued by CSKA at around £15 million.

Dzagoev has long been touted as one of the best prospects in European football and he is out of contract at CSKA in December.

Spurs are not likely to be in any rush to sign Dzagoev as well considering that the club are still looking for a successor to Harry Redknapp.

The former Portsmouth manager parted company with the north London club after almost 4 years in charge at White Hart Lane last month after failing to agree a new contract with chairman Daniel Levy.

Cuellar rejoins O'Neill at Sunderland



Martin O'Neill snapped up free agent Carlos Cuellar on a 2-year deal on Monday.

The 30-year-old Spaniard's contract with Aston Villa expired at the weekend to allow the Black Cats to push home their interest.

Cuellar joined the midlands club from Glasgow Rangers during the summer of 2008 as then Villa manager O'Neill got his man for the first time.

Cuellar's capture comes just a day after the Wearside club allowed left-back George McCartney to complete a move to newly-promoted West Ham.

Madrid-born Cuellar made 94 appearances for Villa, whom he joined following an impressive season north of the border which saw him claim the SPL and Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year awards.

He has been recruited in time to play a full part in pre-season, which includes a trip to Korea for the Peace Cup.

His arrival signals the beginning of a restructuring exercise which will see O'Neill attempt to move on players surplus to requirements in the squad he inherited from predecessor Steve Bruce in December.

Owner and chairman Ellis Short has indicated that the club will opt for quality rather than quantity in terms of signings this summer, but value for money will also be paramount.

Lavezzi completes PSG switch

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the signing of Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli for an undisclosed fee.

The Argentina international has signed a contract with PSG until 2016.

The Ligue 1 giants were eager to add a high-profile name to their attack ahead of the 2012/2013 campaign and coach Carlo Ancelotti has now signed his desired reinforcements.

Speaking at his official unveiling, Lavezzi spoke of excitement of the "project" currently underway at Parc des Princes, adding that this was a step forward in his career.

"PSG is a club of the future. The sporting project seduced me", he told reporters.

"It's a sporting progression to join PSG. Paris is a dream city to live in."

Lavezzi started his professional career with Estudiantes and also played for Genoa and San Lorenzo before eventually joining Napoli in 2007 and becoming one of the Serie A club's stars.

However, he informed club president Aurelio De Laurentiis of his desire to move on earlier this year as he wanted a new challenge.

The attacker joins compatriot Javier Pastore at PSG and will be wearing the number 11 jersey in the French capital.

Blackburn complete Best signing



Blackburn Rovers have completed the signing of Newcastle striker Leon Best.

Rovers have agreed a fee of more than £3 million for the 25-year-old, who has penned a 4-year contract at Ewood Park.

The Republic of Ireland international, who has been handed the number 9 shirt at his new club, becomes Rovers' second signing of the summer after Danny Murphy as Blackburn look for an immediate return to the Premier League following their relegation last season.

Nottingham-born Best began his professional career at Southampton and during 3 years on the south coast spent time out on loan at QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Bournemouth and Yeovil.

In 2007 he joined Coventry, where he spent 3 years before being signed by Newcastle for £1 million in February 2010.

During his time on Tyneside, Best scored 10 goals in 42 appearances but found his chances last season limited by injury and the form of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse.

Amauri delighted with Parma return



Brazilian striker Amauri is delighted to have returned to Parma on a permanent deal.

The 32-year-old, who played on loan at the Ducale club in the 2010/2011 campaign, has re-joined the Emilia-Romagna outfit on a free transfer.

Amauri, whose contract with Juventus expired last month, has signed a 2-year contract with Parma, with the option of a third.

Amauri scored 7 times in 11 league appearances in his previous spell at Parma.

The South American spent last year on loan at Fiorentina after failing to play a single game for Juventus since returning from his loan stint at Parma.

Palermo part ways with Cassani & Pinilla

Palermo have sold defender Mattia Cassani and striker Mauricio Pinilla to Fiorentina and Cagliari, respectively.

Right-back Cassani, 28-year-old, spent last season on loan at Fiorentina and the switch has become permanent after he made 26 league appearances in their successful battle to avoid relegation.

Pinilla, meanwhile, moved to Cagliari in January on loan and made a big impression, scoring 8 goals in 14 league appearances.

Spurs confirm Sigurdsson capture



Andre-Villas Boas made Gylfi Sigurdsson his first signing as Tottenham head coach.

The former Chelsea manager was only appointed as Harry Redknapp's successor yesterday, but has moved quickly to bring the TSG Hoffenheim midfielder to White Hart Lane.

The move secures Sigurdsson's return to the Premier League, where he impressed so much during the second half of last season on loan at Swansea City.

The 22-year-old netted 7 times in 19 appearances for the Welsh side and picked up March's Player of the Month award.

Sigurdsson had looked to turn his successful loan spell into a permanent move after Swansea City settled on a record-breaking £7 million fee with Hoffenheim.

The Swans also announced that personal terms had been agreed, but manager Brendan Rodgers' move to Liverpool saw the move falter.

Sigurdsson had been linked with a move to the Reds to rejoin his former manager, but Spurs have today swooped to compete the signing of the in-demand midfielder.

The Iceland international originally moved to England in October 2005 when he joined Reading's academy.

Sigurdsson spent loan spells at Shrewsbury and Crewe as he looked to establish himself in the Royals' first team, where he became a key player in the 2009/2010 season.

The midfielder won the club's Player of the Year award in what was his only full season for the Berkshire outfit, who sold him to Hoffenheim for a reported £6.5 million fee at the start of the following campaign.

The midfielder enjoyed a good start to life at the Rhein-Neckar ArenA, but fell down the pecking order and was farmed out on loan to Swansea in January.

That move seems to have been the making of a player that many now believe has the ability to replace Luka Modric in the heart of Spurs' midfield.

The Croatia international has long been linked with a move away from the club and made his frustrations clear last summer when he was denied a move to Chelsea.

Manchester United and Real Madrid have both been linked with a move for Modric this summer and could yet tempt Tottenham's resolve with big-money offers.

Naismith signs for Everton

Everton have completed the free transfer of former Glasgow Rangers striker Steven Naismith.

The Scotland international has signed a 4-year deal after he terminated his contract with the soon-to-be-liquidated Scottish side, having rejected the chance to move over to the newco club.

Naismith, 25-year-old, will now join up with his new team-mates for the start of pre-season training this week.