All the rumour, gossip, and news you need to know from the last 24 hours
Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm is a target for Liverpool and Manchester United, according to the player's agent - presumably with more than half an eye on a big pay cheque. The midfielder, 24, plays for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, and has just one year left on his current contract. Elm has also been linked with Spanish club Valencia, but after his club side signed his brother he may choose to stay. His agent has said the interest in him is 'huge' but whether it materialises into a transfer is anyone's guess.
A player Liverpool have been strongly linked with today is Fiorentina winger Juan Manuel Vargas. The Peruvian international, 28, has been linked with a move to Anfield by, you guess it, his agent, who has also put forward Malaga as a potential destination. The left sided player made 18 starts in Serie A last season, providing seven assists, and can also play in central midfield. He is expected to be available for around £8 million.
Newcastle's search for extra strikers, possibly to replace Demba Ba, has seen them cool on Luuk de Jong and turn to Ola Toivonen instead. The Swede wears the number seven shirt for Dutch side PSV and scored 28 goals last season, including six in the Europa League. He was also part of Sweden's Euro 2012 squad, and while he failed to make a big impression it could be a good thing for the Toon as his price did not shoot up. Tottenham, Liverpool, and Sunderland are all also keen according to the Mail, and the 25-year-old could be available for around £7 million.
Aston Villa are said to be close to tying up a move for Karim El Ahmadi, according to The Sun. The Feyenoord midfielder could be snapped up for a bargain £2.5 million, and has already held talks with the club. He has just one year left on his contract and has spoken about being impressed with the 'top class' facilities at Villa. This one is virtually a done deal for the27-year-old Moroccan who made 33 first team appearances last season
This summer has already seen a couple of high-profile incomings at Chelsea, in Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, which have only looked to hasten Florent Malouda's impending departure from the club. The Sun report that the Frenchman is in talks with Brazilian club Vasco da Gama, his wife is Brazilian hence his interest in moving to the country. The 32-year-old, signed for £13 million in 2007, is reported to be available for a cut-price £3 million.
image: © Ben Sutherland
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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