Transfer Rumours And Paper Review – Thursday, July 24

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Thursday's newspapers...

Liverpool are ready to revive their interest in Ryan Bertrand as they continue their quest to find a new left-back. Chelsea are reluctant to do business with a side they now regard as credible title rivals and they would be looking for a fee in excess of £8million. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool are hoping to hijack Manchester United’s move for Juventus star Arturo Vidal by matching their £42.5million bid for the player. (Metro)

Atletico Madrid believe they can persuade Arsenal to part with Santi Cazorla this summer. The Spain midfielder is a long-term target of Diego Simeone and the Argentine hopes this could be the year he lands the 29-year-old. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal have snapped up highly-rated Barcelona youth product Georgios Spanoudakis, who previously rejected a number of offers to sign with Arsene Wenger's side. The 15-year-old central midfielder joined the Catalan club's La Masia academy from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2009, but will now join Arsenal's Under-18 set-up for the coming season. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal have also taken Serbian wonderkid Mladen Micanovic on trial. The 17-year-old will train with the Gunners with a view to a transfer to the Emirates this summer. (Daily Mail)

Harry Redknapp ‎wants to strike a deal to bring former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o to Queens Park Rangers. The 34-year-old's agent, Claudio Vigorelli, is flying to London to try to thrash ‎out an agreement. (Daily Mirror)

Frank Lampard is set to be confirmed as a New York City FC player at 3.30pm on Thursday. A press conference has been called in New York to unveil the MLS franchise's latest new signing, expected to be the ex-Chelsea man. (Daily Mail)

Ronald Koeman will swoop for the ‘Dutch Xavi’ - his old Feyenoord captain Jordy Clasie – if he fails to persuade Arsenal and Tottenham target Morgan Schneiderlin to stay at Southampton. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are ready to grab Aston Villa’s Dutch destroyer Ron Vlaar with a cash-plus-players bid. Spurs supremo Daniel Levy is determined to beat Southampton to the Holland World Cup centre-half and will offer money plus the chance to take German midfielder Lewis Holtby in exchange. (Daily Mirror)

Everton boss Roberto Martinez will make Bosnia World Cup star Muhamed Besic his next signing – after thrashing out a £4million deal. (Daily Mirror)

Burnley have made an £8million bid for Watford striker Troy Deeney. The 26-year-old has been made captain for the new season but Watford will sell if they get a bid closer to £10m. (Daily Mail

Van Gaal Vows To Stick With 3-5-2 System After Man United Reign Gets Off To Stunning Start

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hailed his players as ‘fantastic’ after they demolished MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy in their opening pre-season friendly.

United thrashed the Galaxy 7-0 in the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California, with summer signing Ander Herrera producing a sparkling performance in his first appearance in a Red Devils shirt, to get Van Gaal's reign off to a flyer.

It was a result which took Van Gaal by surprise, and he believes it will give his squad a big confidence boost ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

"The result always matters. With such a result you get confidence," the new United boss said.

"It is fantastic how they have performed today. When you see us train, you can expect something but not 7-0. It was a surprise, but they were beautiful goals and beautiful attacks."

Van Gaal sent United out in the 3-5-2 system which he used to great effect with the Netherlands at the World Cup.

And the Dutchman has vowed to stick with that attacking formation.

"We introduced a new system that we have only played two times on the training pitch 11 v 11. But the boys are willing to pick up the information," he said.

"It is fantastic how they have performed. Last week, 10 players who played tonight were not even in our training complex.

"When you want to change a system, you must start at once. We don't have time to prepare for other things. The other system they can play is 4-3-3 and they have played it for many years.

"I can change back if the system doesn't work. With the quality of the players we have, I can play 4-3-3 with three strikers on the bench, but I want to play with two strikers.

Van Gaal's predecessor David Moyes usually played 4-2-3-1 as his squad was awash with players who like to play just behind a main striker.

Van Gaal believes the Scot left him with an "unbalanced" squad.

He said: "We have four number 10s, so the selection is not balanced in my eyes.

"I have decided to play this system because of the quality of the players. But if we lose, I can change back to another system."

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena thinks Van Gaal's introduction has sharpened the United squad up following their seventh-place finish last year.

"I have nothing but the greatest respect for the show that Manchester United put on," he said.

"A bunch of guys out there fighting for jobs and it looked that way. It was a real lesson for a lot of our players."

Is this why Man United must increase their bid for World Cup winner? [SEE VIDEO]

Manchester United’s hopes of landing Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels were left in tatters on Tuesday as Jurgen Klopp mocked their reported €20million offer for the defender.

The Red Devils are yet to make an official move for Germany’s World Cup winning centre-back, who scored twice during the tournament in Brazil.

But the rumours have still reached Klopp, who was less than happy to hear about the amount Man United are willing to pay.

And it’s understandable why he would think the bid derisory when you consider the talents of the 25-year-old, who has won the Bundesliga twice.

Hummels has been a mainstay of the Dortmund defence for five seasons in the Bundesliga as they’ve risen to the top again in Germany.

When it comes to tackling he’s blessed with exceptional timing and on the ball he isn’t afraid to stride forward and ping a delectable 40-yard pass to a team-mate, plus he’s pretty handy in the air

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Tottenham Seal Double Swoop for Swansea Stars

Tottenham have made their first summer signings by raiding Swansea for left-back Ben Davies and goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

The Welshman has signed a five-year deal at White Hart Lane while the Dutchman has agreed terms on a four-year contract.

Gylfi Sigurdsson has moved in the opposite direction, resigning for the Jacks where he spent part of the 2011/12 season on loan.

The Icelandic midfielder has signed a four-year deal with Garry Monk's side.

Check Out The SoccerBall! LA Watches Real Madrid Train [SEE VIDEO]

Hundreds of American fans had the chance to watch Real Madrid train in Los Angeles.

Isco, Gareth Bale and their team-mates were on show, as the La Liga giants prepare for the new season
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Video: Bojan's Best Bits

Stoke secured the signing of Spanish forward Bojan from Barcelona on Tuesday afternoon.

Reports from Spain this week suggested the 23-year-old was nearing a loan switch to the Britannia Stadium, having endured stints at Ajax and AC Milan in recent years.

But the Premier League outfit have announced for former Barca No.9 has instead signed a four-year contract with the Potters for an undisclosed fee, and will now join his new team-mates for their pre-season training camp in Germany.
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Brazil Legend Named New Manager

Brazil legend Dunga has been named the Selecao’s new manager following Luiz Felipe Scolari's resignation.

‘Big Phil’ stepped down after his side's home World Cup ended in humiliation, crashing out in the semi-finals with a crushing 7-1 defeat to eventual winners Germany, with the hosts eventually finishing in fourth place after a 3-0 loss to Holland in the third-place play-off.

And 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga has now returned to the hotseat following an announcement on Tuesday afternoon, having already managed the side from 2006 to 2010.

He led the five-time world champions to the 2007 Copa America and 2009 Confederations Cup crowns, and guided Brazil to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, but was sacked shortly after the competition.

Dunga launched his second spell at the helm with an attempt at dampening expectations of the national side by stressing that Brazil always have a target on their backs.

"I'm very happy for the opportunity the CBF (Brazil Football Confederation) have given me. We need to stop thinking we're the best and work harder," Dunga said.

"Before the World Cup happens we sell to the public the idea we're going to win, but we don't know if we'll win.

"We need to be more modest. It's important to compromise because our opponents always want to beat us because we're Brazil.

"The Brazilian shirt is very respected, but everyone wants to beat us. We have to be prepared for that.

"We can't think that we'll pull on the Brazilian shirt and win the World Cup before it's even started.

"Nothing happens before the game starts. The most important thing is what happens during the 90 minutes on the pitch because that's when you win or lose."

Stoke Announce Capture Of Barcelona Ace

Stoke have secured the signing of Spanish forward Bojan from Barcelona.

Reports from Spain this week suggested the 23-year-old was nearing a loan switch to the Britannia Stadium, having endured stints at Ajax and AC Milan in recent years.

But the Premier League outfit have announced for former Barca No.9 has instead signed a four-year contract with the Potters for an undisclosed fee, and will now join his new team-mates for their pre-season training camp in Germany.

Bojan's prolific form for the Catalan club's youth side saw the youngster hailed as a future Spain star, and was mainstay of the La Liga giants’ first team ever since his debut as a 17-year-old in 2007.

But his career faltered following his £10million move to Roma in 2011, and he then struggled to make an impression at Barca after re-signing last summer following two years in Italy.

And the frontman will now get the chance to prove himself in the English top flight under former Barcelona star Mark Hughes.

The Potters boss said: "Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting and an endorsement of the Club itself.

"He's desperate to prove himself in the Premier League and we're pleased to be able to offer him that platform.

"The time he spends with the squad in Germany will help him settle in and will give myself and the coaches the chance to take a good look at him."

Club chief executive Tony Scholes also added: "We are delighted to have signed such a richly talented and exciting player, who is still only 23.

"A number of other clubs had expressed an interest in him but Bojan believes joining Stoke City will benefit his career and we have no doubts he will prove to be a wonderful addition to our squad.

"The signing of Bojan, along with the other players we have recruited ahead of the new season, underlines the progress we are making as a Club."

Bojan become's Stoke's fifth summer signing, following the arrivals of Mame Biram Diouf, Steve Sidwell, Phil Bardsley and Dionatan Teixeira.

Boost for Arsenal and Liverpool as Marseille star's Agent Rubbish Dinamo Link

Arsenal and Liverpool are still in the race to sign Mathieu Valbuena after the player's agent rubbished talk of a move to Dynamo Moscow.

It had been reported that the France international would seal a £5.5million move to Moscow this week, however sources in Marseille deny the presence of such a deal.

Instead Valbuena's agent, Jean-Pierre Bernes, has distanced his player from a move to Russia.

Speaking about the move to Moscow, Bernes told French website Le Phoceen: "That's bull****".

Valbuena starred for France at this summer's World Cup and the news that he is still available will come as a boost to a host of Premier League clubs.

Fear Not Arsenal Fans! Here's FOUR alternative Signings To Remy

Loic Remy and Arsenal were meant to be. It was always thought the French striker would head to the Emirates, particularly when he was spotted in the stands at the Gunners’ last home game of the season. But somehow it appears he is now on his way to Liverpool for £8.5m instead.

It’s fair to say Gooners are used to Arsene Wenger’s dithering in the transfer market in recent seasons, but this one left a particularly sore mark as they always felt the QPR forward was bound to move to north London.

Remy has history of doing the unexpected – QPR signed him from right under the noses of Newcastle, who thought they had a deal tied up – but while Arsenal fans are unimpressed by their failure to land the France international it should not be all doom and gloom.

Wenger has since said he is not looking for new strikers but with plenty of time left in the transfer market, he could yet change his mind and as these players prove, there are still options out there for the Gunners.

Mario Balotelli (AC Milan)
The difficult Italian striker is well known on these shores and Arsenal have been linked with a move for his services all summer. The Italy international – England’s scourge in their World Cup match – is thought to be available for £15.8million and while almost double the fee Liverpool are paying for Remy, he is younger and is considered more of an explosive star, both on and off the pitch.









Jackson Martinez (Porto)
The Colombian has gone goal crazy in Portugal, netting 60 times in 91 games for Porto and has already admitted he would love a move to Arsenal – the club he has supported all his life. The Gunners are understood to have held discussions with the 25-year-old but that was prior to Alexis Sanchez’s arrival and since then things have gone a tad quiet. Martinez has made it known he would happily accept a move to the Emirates but it will take £35m to prise him away from Estadio do Dragao.

Wilfried Bony (Swansea)
Liverpool and Arsenal have competed for various players this summer. Alexis Sanchez chose the Gunners, while it seems as though Remy has opted for the Reds. Bony is another player both have cast their eye over, with the Merseyside club reportedly agreeing terms for the Ivory Coast international but failing to meet Swansea’s £20m valuation. Brendan Rodgers’ decision to bring Remy to Anfield indicates he is no longer interested in the Jacks' forward and with the striker making it obvious he wants a move to a ‘top six’ club, Arsenal could benefit from Liverpool’s failure to bring in the 25-year-old, who scored 25 goals in his debut season on English soil.

Javier Hernandez (Manchester United)
The Red Devils forward has proven since moving to Old Trafford in 2010 that he has an eye for goal. A natural poacher, he is quite possibly the exact type of player Arsenal are crying out for. Currently he is one of six United players who are thought to be having their futures assessed by new boss Louis van Gaal. But should the Dutchman conclude his time is up, then Arsene Wenger should act quickly to snap up the Mexico international for what is likely to be only £7m.