All the rumour, gossip, and news you need to know from the last 24 hours
Newcastle United are keen to boost their already excellent attack by adding Dutch striker Luuk de Jong. The Twente forward is just 21 but scored an impressive 32 goals in the Eredivisie last season, earning him a place in Holland's Euro 2012 squad. With them out, Newcastle are keen to tie up a deal. Twente rejected an offer of £8 million, but Newcastle are ready to go back in with an offer of £9.5 million. Twente's manager is former boss of Newcastle's rivals Middlesborough, Steve McClaren who believes his striker is worth double Newcastle's initial offer. If they do stick to that £16 million valuation Newcastle may look elsewhere as they attempt to find cover with Demba Ba potentially off.
Chelsea's pursuit of Hulk is still ongoing, and now complicated by PSG's interest. However the striker has come out and stated that Chelsea are the club he wants to join, attracted by the idea of playing for the Champions League winners.The 25-year-old did backtrack slightly, wary that a move may not come off and he could be left at Porto. Chelsea clearly don't want to be held to ransom on price, but PSG entering the fray is only going to push the price up. We still think he'll end up with Chelsea but the saga may drag on for a couple of weeks yet.
The shock link - and red herring - in today's paper round-up is Barcelona's interest in Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen. The defender is apparently one of several back-up plans if the Spanish giants cannot sign Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao - who they fear is overpriced. Chelsea defender David Luiz is also on their shortlist, and would perhaps be more attainable than Vermaelen, who was interesting Real Madrid too last month. The Belgian centre-half has repeatedly affirmed his commitment to the Gunners, and he is one star we can't see walking out on them.
Free agent Louis Saha is close to signing for Sunderland according to this morning's papers. It may just be a good fit with he Black Cats light in attack with Asamoah Gyan expected to clinch his permanent move away within the month. West Ham have also been linked for the player who began last season at Everton and ended it with Tottenham before being released. Now 33, the striker clearly wants to remain in the top flight believing he has goals to offer.
West Ham have been linked with strikers in Italy and Spain over the past fortnight, but their search has taken them to the not so exotic destination of Norwich. They are keen on Grant Holt, and have made an offer of £5.5 million for the forward. The 31-year-old scored 17 last season and that sort of tally would be most welcome in keeping the Hammers in the top flight. Holt is keen to leave, submitting a transfer request last month and it appears Chris Hughton's arrival has not been able to persuade him otherwise.
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
Dan Coombs
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Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.
He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.
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