Transfer Talk: Featuring Hulk and Sahin

All the transfer news and gossip you need to know from the last 24 hours...

Chelsea's pursuit of Brazilian striker Hulk is destined to end in failure, report the Mirror. They claim that Russian club Zenit St Petersburg have bid £40 million for the Porto striker, which would send Chelsea looking for new targets. Chelsea were in pole position to sign him earlier this summer, but were unwilling to meet the Portuguese club's £38 million asking price. Zenit are even said to be willing to throw in defender Bruno Alves into the deal, making it almost impossible for Porto to turn down.

What this might mean for Dimitar Berbatov is another issue, as he was said to be on the verge of a move to the Russian club. The Star had reported 24 hours ago that the Manchester United striker was to seal a move to Zenit, but it hasn't happened yet and if they are committing such huge funds to signing Hulk, then the Bulgarian may end up being cast aside and back to square one.

The Guardian report that Arsenal are still set on signing Nuri Sahin despite the arrival of Santi Cazorla. They claim that Wenger is open to selling Alex Song to Barcelona, and add that if Sahin could be brought in on loan for a year, they would offset some of the outlay they spent on the Spaniard. There have been reports Song wants out, and even though there have been no bids, the manager would consider a £15 million offer if one came in. Sahin rejected a loan move to Besiktas yesterday, and is believed to be set on the Premier League if he did quit Real Madrid. 

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has remained quiet on reports he is keen to sign Gabriel Obertan from Newcastle United. The Frenchman started 18 times for the Geordies last season, scoring once and providing four assists. He has a lot to prove still to his new club, and Alan Pardew spoke recently about his excitement at what is still to come from the 23-year-old, but supporters remain unconvinced. Laudrup did say Swansea are close to tying up a deal, but when quizzed if it was Obertan, refused to name names. 

And finally, the Mirror report that former Bolton man Nigel Reo-Coker is set to snub a contract offer from Fulham and move to Serie A, adding three mystery Italian clubs have made him offers. We're betting they aren't Inter, AC, and Juventus. 

image: © peterfuchs

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.