Tottenham and Chelsea's £20m transfer target – goals guaranteed?

A striker capable of scoring goals. That's the dream for Tottenham and Chelsea – Diego Costa aside – and Mattia Destro is in their sights. Here, talkSPORT's Transfer Spotlight has more on a man who, as it turns out, is not the baddie from GI Joe in disguise...

Name: Mattia Destro
Date of birth: 20/03/91
Born: Ascoli Piceno, central Italy
Club: Roma
Position: Forward
International: Five Italy caps

What's the latest?
Apparently both Chelsea and Tottenham have been sounded out by Roma to see if either club would be interested in buying Mattia Destro. Reports from Italy say Tottenham sporting director Franco Baldini met his opposite number at Roma, Walter Sabatini, in London to discuss a deal. One back page report in the UK, though, claimed Chelsea may offer Fernando Torres for Destro, who is valued at £20m, with the Spaniard moving to Rome on a season-long loan.

Did you know?
1) Destro, whose dad Flavio played for Ascoli in the 1980s, joined the Inter academy in 2005, winning several honours at youth level including two league titles. Genoa signed him on loan in 2010 with the option to buy, and in September of that year he scored on his Serie A debut against Chievo.

2) At the end of the 2011/12 season Destro was loaned out to Siena, where he scored regularly for the first time in his senior career, producing 12 goals in 30 Serie A games, the most by any player under the age of 22 in the Italian top flight for more than 40 years. Roma snapped him up in the summer of 2012.

3) The 2012/13 campaign proved to be a memorable one for the forward, with five goals in five Coppa Italia games – including three against former club Inter – making him the top scorer in the competition. However, he could not command a regular place with Francesco Totti, Dani Osvaldo and Erik Lamela in the forward roles blocking his path.

4) A knee injury sustained in January 2013 halted his progression and returned to the first team in style at the beginning of December where he scored against Fiorentina to secure a 2-1 win (see video evidence below). Destro finished the 2013/14 season with 13 goals in 20 games. He is simply an exceptional finisher and looks to finally be fulfilling the promise he showed earlier in his career.

5) To date he has played five times for Italy and scored once. He missed out on a place in the 2014 World Cup squad, however, with manager Cesare Prandelli explaining he did not want to take three forwards with him.

What is being said?
They say:

Today he proved that he is not only a box striker, but a complete forward and he understood you have to give your all in every second of every game. He must maintain that desire to win.
– Roma manager Rudi Garcia after Destro's hat-trick against Cagliari in April

Roma enquire about Chelsea frontman Fernando Torres and offer Mattia Destro

Roma have asked about the availability of Chelsea striker Fernando Torres.

The Italian side, keen to sign the Spain frontman, are seeing if the Blues would take Mattia Destro as part of any deal.

Torres has struggled for form since moving to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool in a £50million deal back in January 2011.

Manager Jose Mourinho has bolstered Chelsea's attacking options this summer with the signing of Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa for £32million while Blues legend Didier Drogba also returned to the club.

Roma already have one former Chelsea star amongst their ranks having signed left back Ashley Cole on a free transfer.

Done deal! QPR sign Norwich star for £9m

QPR have signed Dutch international midfielder Leroy Fer from Norwich for a fee believed to be £9million.

The 24-year-old, who played and scored for the Netherlands in this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Loftus Road.

The £9m fee is a club-record sale for the Canaries and Fer becomes Harry Redknapp's fifth summer signing for the Hoops.

The former FC Twente star told QPR's official website: "I can’t wait to get started here.

“It was always my dream to stay in England, in the Premier League. QPR did well last season to come up and the squad is full of top players, so I’m delighted to be here.

“Harry told me I was a big target for him and when you hear that from a coach, you want to work with them and play for them.

“I’m just looking forward to showing what I’m capable of here at QPR.”

Fer has been handed the number 10 shirt at the Hoops and a delighted Redknapp added: “Leroy’s arrival is a massive boost for us. He’s another excellent signing and I’m delighted we’ve been able to get him to QPR.

“He played for Holland in the World Cup this summer and has all the attributes you'd be looking for from a central midfielder.

“He's just an outstanding midfield player - great physique, fine ability, he gets box-to-box. I’m really looking forward to integrating him into the squad.”

CONFIRMED! Manchester United sign Argentine star

Manchester United have confirmed the arrival of Argentine defender Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of £16million, with Nani joining the Portuguese club on a season-long loan.

The Red Devils have been linked with the left-back, who is comforable in the central of defence, in recent weeks and have now completed a deal for the Sporting Lisbon star.

Rojo, 24, who starred for his country at the World Cup told United's official website :"It is such an honour to say that I now play for Manchester United. The Premier League is the most exciting league in the world and to have the chance to play in it for the world's biggest club is a dream for me.

"I am young and am very keen to continue to learn the game, so playing for such an experienced technical coach as Louis van Gaal is a fantastic opportunity for me.

"I have joined United to work hard with my team-mates to win trophies and I know that the manager shares that ambition."

United boss Van Gaal added: "Marcos is a very gifted defender. He has played at the highest level in world football and can play either as a central defender or left-back.

"He has ability, physical strength and a willingness to learn that means he has a very bright future ahead of him.

"He had a very strong World Cup and has been playing in Europe for a couple of years now. He is a very good addition to the team."

Transfer Rumours and Paper Rreview – Thursday, August 21

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

Liverpool are preparing to offer Monaco a £12m loan deal for striker Radamel Falcao. (RMC)

Radamel Falcao is desperate to force through a move away from Monaco but would favour a switch to Manchester City over Liverpool. (Daily Express)

Liverpool made a shock bid for Mario Balotelli but it collapsed after AC Milan refused to sanction a 'good behaviour' clause in the deal. (Daily Star)

Mega-rich Monaco have put together a £10million package to try to sign Chelsea keeper Petr Cech. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea have offered to loan striker Fernando Torres to Roma as part of a deal to sign Italy forward Mattia Destro. (The Times)

Manchester United are considering a shock bid for former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso in a move that could thwart Arsenal and Chelsea's hopes of landing Sami Khedira. (Daily Express)

Arsenal are ready to fend off late interest shown by Russian side Locomotive Moscow to sign Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote. (Daily Star)

Arsenal have told Galatasaray they are prepared to sell forward Lukas Podolski to them but will not let Joel Campbell leave. (The Sun)

Hull boss Steve Bruce is making an audacious £8m bid to sign Blackburn goal machine Jordan Rhodes to fill Shane Long’s boots. (Daily Mirror)

Burnley have revived their bid for Wigan midfielder James McArthur. Burnley had a £4m offer rejected last week and are returning with a £5m offer for the Scottish international. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal boss Wenger blasts ‘undeserved’ Ramsey dismissal

 

Arsene Wenger has slammed the decision to send off Aaron Ramsey during the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League play-off against Besiktas.

The Gunners will now be without their star midfielder for next week’s crucial return tie at the Emirates Stadium, after the Welshman was given his marching orders for two incidents of shirt pulling during the 0-0 draw in Turkey.

Arsenal were far from their best against Besiktas and were perhaps fortunate to come away with a draw as former Chelsea striker Demba Ba struck the woodwork and went close on numerous other occasions, though substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was also a whisker away from a late winner.

And while Wenger will welcome back World Cup winning trio Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski next week as the Frenchman aims to secure his team’s 17th consecutive Champions League campaign, the Gunners boss remains less than impressed with the performance Serbian referee Milorad Mazic, who sent Besiktas boss Slaven Bilic to the stands just before full time.

"Neither the first nor the second yellow card was deserved for Aaron Ramsey,” said the irked manager.

“When you see some of the fouls that have been made tonight and we go home with Ramsey [given] a red card, it is a bit unbelievable.

"In the second half the performance of the referee was very bad.

"Ramsey's second yellow card, I cannot see where that comes from, it was a huge decision.

"I felt just a lot was wrong in the second half but, overall, it was a difficult game maybe to referee as well because everybody did fight for every ball, so maybe it was not easy for the referee as well."

Nevertheless, Wenger was happy enough to have seen his side leave undefeated, if counting the loss of captain Mikel Arteta to an ankle injury which is likely to rule the Spaniard out of next week’s match.

He added: "It was a difficult match, played at a high pace. Besiktas played with 100 per cent pace in the game and did fight for every single ball, and it was quick. We needed a great level of concentration.

"We are maybe still a bit short physically in some situations, but overall it was a game played for 90 minutes at great pace.

“We always want to win but look, Besiktas could have won the game, and we could have won the game as well. Maybe a draw is a fair result because both teams had chances to win the game.

"We know the second leg will be certainly tight again, but we play at home, so the task is clear for us, we want to win.

Burnley 1-3 Chelsea: Debut goal for Costa as Blues secure comfortable comeback

Premier League title favourites Chelsea got their campaign off to a flyer against top flight newcomers Burnley, coming back from a goal down and coasting to a 3-1 win at Turf Moor.

The hosts took a surprise lead when Scott Arfield rifled home a volley early on, but the Blues were soon in front following two quickfire goals from debutant Diego Costa and World Cup winner Andre Schurrle.

Chelsea then took control, with Branislav Ivanovic netting a third from a corner to seal all three points before half time.

Many have installed the Blues as frontrunners for the crown this term, and while they may not have faced their toughest test in Sean Dyche’s men – who made their first Premier League appearance in five years – the comfortable nature of the victory is a clear indication of their class.

Jose Mourinho named an impressively strong line-up against the promoted side, handing league debuts to new signings Costa and Cesc Fabregas.

The London side suffered from their lack of firepower up front last season – with Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba managing only 19 goals between them – but Mourinho’s summer buys have already allayed fears of a repeat this time around.

Costa’s brutish presence in around the box proved the cornerstone for their attacking moves, while Belgium star Eden Hazard was back to his best drifting in from wide and stunning defenders with quick feet and dazzling runs.

But it was the playmaking genius of Cesc Fabregas that caught the eye most, with his gorgeous assist for Schurrle's goal sure to make all Arsenal fans wonder why Arsene Wenger turned down the opportunity to re-sign the former Gunners hero.

One of the early talking points was also a first appearance for Thibaut Courtois who started in goal, perhaps hinting that Petr Cech’s ten-year reign as number one at Chelsea could be at an end.

But the attention soon returned to the pitch, however, as, after a scrappy start from both sides, the hosts silenced the visiting support with the opening goal after 13 minutes.

Chelsea lacked cutting edge from the start and their failure to clear from a corner saw former West Ham man Matthew Taylor rush in behind the back-four.

His chipped cross found the lurking Arfield – playing in his first ever Premier League match – who hit a swerving volley past an unsighted Courtois from the edge of the box to secure a dream start for the Clarets.

But unfortunately for Dyche’s side, going behind only seemed to spark Chelsea into life. Their passing became slicker, their positioning more organised and it took little time for the title hopefuls to equalise.

Ivanovic’s driven pass from the right wing was deflected across the face of Burnley’s goal, with the goalkeeper and a handful of defenders caught in two minds when the ball clattered the far post and fell nicely for £32million striker Costa, who made no mistake as he smashed in from close-range in the 17th minute.

And moments later the hosts looked completely stunned as Schurrle reeled away in celebration of Chelsea’s second with 21 on the clock, the German forward finishing off an exquisite move that indicates the team’s attacking problems are now firmly behind them.

After a scampering run from Hazard, Fabregas eventually found the ball on the edge of the area and the Spaniard didn't even look up as he provided a perfect first-time through-ball to Schurrle, who lost his man to poke in from close-range.

There was then a moment of controversy when Chelsea were denied what appeared to be a stonewall penalty.

Costa, taking advantage of a poor backpass, went clear though on goal but was tripped by oncoming Clarets stopper Tom Heaton, though referee Michael Oliver had a different view as he booked the striker for diving.

The Blues were rightfully incensed and Costa astounded, but their annoyance was soon forgotten when they notched a third shortly after.

Again it was Fabregas with the assist, the former Barcelona midfielder’s corner finding Ivanovic in the box, with the Serb taking full advantage of some hesitant defending to wrap up the win with a neat volley.

Having netted three in a rampant 17 minute spell, the second half was played out in stark contrast to the first.

The hosts began well, showcasing a spirit that is sure to stand them in good stead this season, as striker Danny Ings fired narrowly wide from the off.

Arfield was next to go close, with only a firm left hand from Courtois denying the midfielder his second from a fierce drive, but the game’s pace soon resembled a training fixture as Chelsea again began to dictate play.

All that was left was a brief moment of joy for Blues fans when club hero Didier Drogba came off the bench with five minutes remaining.

And the Ivorian almost made it four when his audacious long-range effort zipped just past the post in the closing stages.

Mourinho wants Cech to stay at Chelsea and fight for place

Jose Mourinho wants Petr Cech to remain at Chelsea despite his demotion to second-choice goalkeeper.

Cech had to settle for a place on the bench as Chelsea kicked off their Premier League season with victory at Burnley on Monday night, with young Belgian Thibaut Courtois given the gloves.

Mourinho has confirmed Courtois, ten years younger than his rival stopper, will keep his place in the team after an impressive performance in the 3-1 win.

But the Blues boss is hoping that Cech, 32, will not look to quit Stamford Bridge and will instead put up a fight for his place.

"Yes, I want to keep [him]," Mourinho said, speaking straight after the win at Turf Moor, which came courtesy of goals from Andre Schurrle, Diego Costa and Branislav Ivanovic.

"The club wants to keep him and hopefully he stays. Courtois was my first choice today and he played good enough to be my first choice in the next game. He is not my first choice for the rest of the season.

"When you have a top professional working hard like Petr, if you don't perform you are in trouble."

Mourinho admitted he has a hard task on his hands keeping Cech happy, with the likes of PSG and Monaco reported to be monitoring his situation, but he thinks the Czech Republic international will not give up on his Blues career easily.

"No player is happy when he is not playing every game," he said.

"But I know Petr for 10 years, I know he will not relax, he will not sit in a chair and say 'I have no chance'. He will be exactly the opposite. I am expecting him Wednesday to go to the training ground and fight."

Man United transfer warning! Tim Vickery not convinced by new signing Marcos Rojo

South American football expert Tim Vickery has told talkSPORT he is unsure if Marcos Rojo merits a move to Manchester United.

The Argentina international has confirmed he is heading to Old Trafford, with the Red Devils reported to have agreed a £16million deal for the versatile Sporting Lisbon defender.

Vickery, however, is far from convinced about the 24-year-old's qualities, telling Extra Time: "Louis van Gaal is clearly thinking in terms of a having back three in his armoury and he might think Marcos Rojo ticks the boxes as someone who can play at left-back, can play centre-back, and therefore would be comfortable left-side of a back three. But two months ago, certainly before the World Cup, no one really imagined Rojo as a player of Manchester United's calibre.

"He did well in the World Cup and his market value has obviously risen as a result, but I'm having to get it round my head a little bit the idea he might be wearing the United shirt because, certainly until recently, I didn't really see him as that calibre of player."

Exclusive - Man United need to sign at least FOUR top players, warns Meulensteen

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal must splash out on at least FOUR top signings before the close of the transfer window.

That is the view of the club’s former first team coach Rene Meulensteen, who feels the current squad is not strong enough to mount a serious title challenge.

United slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea on the opening day of the Premier League season on Saturday, in what was Van Gaal’s first game at the helm, and Meulensteen insists major rebuilding work is needed at Old Trafford.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the trusted lieutenant of former boss Sir Alex Ferguson warned: "This is not going to be a quick fix. They have still got two weeks to go in this transfer window.

“They definitely need to maximise the opportunities in this window and probably in January as well.”

He continued: “We need to strengthen at the back, we need to strengthen in midfield and that is foremost the two areas they need to look at.

“In my opinion, they need to bring in at least four top players to really crank up the level.”

United adopted a 3-5-2 formation long favoured by Van Gaal against Swansea, but looked far from comfortable in the new system.

Meulensteen insists the players will get used to it, but has warned it may take a long time before Van Gaal’s methods start to work.

He added: "The 3-5-2 system can work. Any system can work if you have the right players and the players are well embedded into the system. That is not the case yet.

"It is a process that has just started. They had a very good pre-season but this process will take a long, long time before they get back to where they want to be, which is a dominant United, which plays with pace and penetration, and all these ingredients are not there yet."