Bringing you the latest news, gossip and rumour from the last 24 hours.
Manchester City are ready to make a big sale, report the Mirror, in moving on the man who inspired their comeback against QPR, Edin Dzeko. The attacker is wanted by AC Milan, but the Italians do not want to pay over £20 million. City paid £29 million for the striker just 18 months ago, but may have to accept a loss if they want to move him on. Bayern Munich were linked with the Bosnian earlier the summer and if they decide on a sale City may want to sound them out again. City selling would help clear the decks to bring in a new striker, or elevate John Guidetti to the first team.
Luka Modric's move to Real Madrid is getting closer, with reports that he has agreed personal terms. According to the Mail, Madrid are willing to offer former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho in part exchange. Nuri Sahin had been mentioned as a makeweight but the midfielder decided he did not want to move. Chelsea have re-entered the race for the Croatian and offering Carvalho is Madrid's way of keeping them ahead in the race for the midfielder's signature. Spurs may have just signed Jan Vertonghen, but would be unwise to turn Carvalho down, with his experience and know-how, the pair would be an instant upgrade on Gallas and King.
The Metro report that Everton are lining up former Tottenham player Reto Ziegler as cover at left-back. The Toffees have seen their first choice Leighton Baines subject of much speculation this summer, with Manchester United strongly linked with the 27-year-old. Ziegler is a Juventus player but has yet to make an appearance for the club, spending last season on loan with Fenerbahce. The Italians want £5 million but Everton want to pay £2 million for the defender.
Watford centre-back Adrian Mariappa is again being linked with the Premier League. He was strongly linked with a move to Newcastle in January, and now it is Wigan who want to sign him. Roberto Martinez would have to pay £3 million for the defender, who is also a target for promoted sides Reading and Southampton, but new Hornets boss Gianfranco Zola will attempt to convince him to stay. Wigan are also working on signing Guatemalan attacker Marco Pappa from Chicago Fire.
The Mail are at it again reporting that Real Madrid want to sign Daniel Agger from Liverpool. The paper rate the deal as 50-50, we'd say there's little chance of it happening. Agger said last month he wants to stay at Liverpool, and Brendan Rodgers would be extremely reluctant to let one of his star defenders go. Liverpool are under no pressure financially to sell either, so as long as the player is convinced of their ambition then we can't see him leaving the club.
image: © Jan S0L0
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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