All the transfer news and gossip you need to know from the last 24 hours...
Chelsea try to sign Torres, report the Mail, and before you say 'They already have him' they are not talking about Fernando, but midfielder Oliver Torres. The Spaniard is the subject of a 'dizzying offer' from Chelsea, but his club Atletico Madrid have rejected it. Torres is just 17 and has been linked previously with Manchester United, but Atletico see no reason to cash in on a player who has a contract until 2017 so early. A Spanish under-19 international, he is a name to look out for in the future. Two Torres' and two Hazard's could be quite a prospect for Chelsea.
Arsenal, Tottenham, QPR and Sunderland have all been linked with signing Blackburn midfielder Steven N'Zonzi, but they have all missed out. The Mirror report that he has signed a season long loan with La Liga side Sevilla, but Rovers have inserted a clause in the contract that he can be recalled at sold in January if the right offer comes in.
The Metro report that QPR are likely to sign one Blackburn player, Junior Hoilett. The youngster too has been linked with Arsenal, and strongly with Borussia Moenchengladbach, but the paper report that Mark Hughes is close to getting his man. Rovers are entitled to a compensation fee despite the fact he is out of contract, due to his age, and Steve Kean says no deal has yet been made. Rovers are believed to be holding out for £6 million, and are prepared to take the case to tribunal.
Chelsea signed Kevin de Bruyne in January from Genk and immediately loaned him back, and the Belgian is set for another loan according to ESPN, who claim a season long deal with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen is in the offing. Bremen's sporting director Klaus Allofs has confirmed the clubs are in talks, and expects everything to be tied up when De Bruyne and Chelsea return from their pre-season tour of the USA.
And finally, the Andy Carroll saga continues, with West Ham ready to make a bid for the Liverpool striker. The Hammers are preparing a club record offer - of £17 million. It is a price we feel Liverpool should strongly consider, they may struggle to get a better one, but one sticking point could be Carroll's willingness to (a) move down south, and (b) sign with a club who could be battling relegation. Sam Allardyce may get the best out of him, but for a striker who was earlier linked with AC Milan, he may have to get his head around such a move. Newcastle are thought to remain interested, but have been linked with other strikers over the past few days and may be unwilling to match West Ham's bid.
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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