Bringing you the latest news, gossip and rumour from the last 24 hours.
Manchester United have agreed a deal for Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura, according to the Mirror. The paper report that a £26 million fee has been agreed with Sao Paolo and club and player are now to discuss personal terms. With the player in England presently for the Olympics, these talks, and a medical could just be sped up. However all is not quite what it seems. For a start, Sao Paolo have dismissed the rumours, and the Mirror reported only last week that the club had rejected a £29 million offer. So something doesn't quite add up. We'd encourage United fans not to get too carried away just yet, despite Sir Alex Ferguson cautiously admitting interest in the player.
A man constantly linked with a move to the Premier League this summer is Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. The Borussia Dortmund frontman was linked with Manchester United who were priced out of a move, but he has continued to be linked with a move to Chelsea, or Arsenal as a potential replacement for the outgoing Robin van Persie, who has stayed home while the rest of his teammates jet off on tour to Asia. Both potential suitors have been dealt a blow, with Dortmund insisting they want a minimum £35 million for the 23-year-old. At that price both clubs are likely to steer clear, even Chelsea.
The Metro report that West Ham have set their sights on bringing back Jermain Defoe after giving up their ambitious chase for Andy Carroll. Defoe has experienced a tough time for Tottenham over the last two years, but we suspect the striker will want to stay at White Hart Lane and try to force his way in to Andre Villas-Boas' plans. Presently Spurs have not yet bought any new strikers, and if they do buy two then Defoe's exit may seem more likely, but at the moment we see Defoe sticking around.
Liverpool are keen to offload Charlie Adam after just one year at the club, report several outlets. He has been suggested as a makeweight as part of a swap deal with Fulham for Clint Dempsey, and could be an ideal replacement at Craven Cottage for Danny Murphy. Fuham will face competition for Adam however, with Reading also rumoured to be interested in acquiring the midfielder's services.
And finally, the Sun report that Wigan Athletic have made a £3 million bid for Real Mallorca centre-half Ivan Ramis as they seek to strengthen their back line. Ramis is 27 and made 34 starts in La Liga last season, scoring twice. The uncompromising defender also picked up 10 yellow cards last season and would embrace the rough and tumble of the Premier League. The paper report that Aston Villa are also interested, and Mallorca are keen to do a deal, but want £4.25 million.
image: © kong niffe
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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