Paper Talk
Aston Villa have made a £5million move for Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon.
West Ham have been given the green light to sign Mexico striker Raul Jimenez from Atletico Madrid.
Sunderland want to sign Adnan Januzaj - but their hopes hinge on Manchester United's pursuit of Pedro.
Andriy Yarmolenko dropped a huge hint that he could move to Stoke - by insisting he will not sign a new deal at Dynamo Kiev.
Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman is snapping up Swiss striker Michael Frey in a shock raid on French side Lille.
Former Leicester midfielder Esteban Cambiasso is set to shun Aston Villa and West Ham for Greek outfit Olympiacos.
Bournemouth hope to sign 18-year-old Barnsley defender Mason Holgate for £1million.
Tottenham want Charlie Austin to boost their attacking options with Mauricio Pochettino keen to offload striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
Manchester United have still to make a formal offer for Pedro after refusing to meet his buy-out clause.
Wolfsburg are ready to sell Manchester City target Kevin De Bruyne - but only for £50million.
Aston Villa have been dealt a double blow over targets Joleon Lescott and Emmanuel Adebayor.
Watford have made another audacious move in the loan market - by lining up Venezuela international goalkeeper Rafael Romo for just two weeks.
Bolton want to re-sign their former midfielder Kevin Nolan from West Ham.
Mile Jedinak has insisted that he will not be forced out of Crystal Palace and is determined to fight for his place in Alan Pardew's reshaped team.
Kevin Mirallas is set to sign a contract extension on Friday and follow James McCarthy in pledging his future to Everton, despite interest from Tottenham and West Ham.
Tottenham and Everton are preparing for a bidding war to sign Japan international Keisuke Honda from AC Milan.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of next season, says club chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Nicolas Otamendi will soon confirm plans to remain at Valencia, says club legend Mario Kempes.
Barcelona are set to sign Celta Vigo winger Nolito, as Manchester United close in on Pedro.
Manchester City have identified Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin as the man who can help alleviate their pre-season malaise.
Tottenham are considering a move for QPR striker Charlie Austin as their attempts to land a new forward drag on.
Juventus' in-demand star Paul Pogba has given the biggest hint yet he will remain at the Serie A club after accepting the famous number 10 shirt for the upcoming season.
Kevin De Bruyne has added fuel to transfer speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City after admitting "I am not the one telling the people I am definitely going to stay".
Leicester are continuing discussions with Switzerland international Gokhan Inler over a potential move from Napoli.
Aston Villa are in talks with Tottenham over £5million deal for Aaron Lennon as boss Tim Sherwood also eyes a reunion with Andros Townsend.
West Ham have been given the all-clear to sign Raul Jimenez from Atletico Madrid on a £1.4million season-long loan after gaining a work permit for the Mexico international.
Watford are to sign Udinese goalkeeper Rafael Romo on a short-term loan as cover for reserve keeper Giedrius Arlauskis.
Arsenal are still working on a deal to land Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema this month.
Arsenal look to have beaten Manchester United to the signing of Portuguese goalkeeper Joao Virginia.
Liverpool have edged out a host of Premier League rivals in the chase for Norwegian starlet Edvard Tagseth.
Furious Roberto Martinez has told John Terry to stop breaking rules by commenting on John Stones as Chelsea continue to try to prise the central defender from the Toffees.
Everton want to sign Genoa defender Sebastian De Maio and are preparing a £3.5million offer for the 28-year-old centre-back.
Roberto Martinez has urged Everton to splash the cash on three more signings.
Sunderland are set to seal a sensational swoop for Manchester United starlet Adnan Januzaj - but only if Pedro arrives at Old Trafford.
Roberto Martinez says he wants three new faces in his Everton squad before the end of the month as he continues to fend off suggestions John Stones is Chelsea-bound.
Diego Costa has not given up hope of handing Chelsea a Premier League opening-day fitness boost.
James McCarthy has signed a new five-year contract and Kevin Mirallas is close to ending uncertainty over his Everton future by signing a new deal.
David de Gea's girlfriend, the popstar Edurne Garcia, has seemingly confirmed that the Manchester United goalkeeper's transfer to Real Madrid is complete.
BBC
Manchester United's hopes of signing Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos have been revived with the 29-year-old growing frustrated by the Spanish giants' reluctance to meet his demands for a £135,000-a-week contract extension. (AS via Radio Cadena Ser)
However United are reluctant to meet the £23m buy-out clause in Barcelona attacker Pedro's contract. The Old Trafford club believe the 28-year-old lacks resale value and think £17m is a fair price. (Daily Mirror)
Arsenal are still confident of signing Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, 27, despite Gunners boss Arsene Wenger dismissing the move. (Daily Star)
Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor's move to Aston Villa looks to be off as the 31-year-old is refusing to move to the Midlands. (Birmingham Mail)
Villa will also miss out on defender Joleon Lescott, with West Brom set to offer the 32-year-old a new deal. (Mirror)
And Villa boss Tim Sherwood has offered £5m for Spurs winger Aaron Lennon, 28. (The Sun -
Atletico Madrid centre-back Diego Godin has turned down a £88,000-a-week contract at Manchester City to stay in Spain after the Premier League side triggered his £28m release clause. (Marca)
Inter Milan defender Danilo D'Ambrosio, 26, has failed to agree personal terms with West Ham after the two clubs settled on a £9m fee for him. (Talksport via Tuttomercatoweb)
West Ham have secured the work permit necessary to take Atletico Madrid's 24-year-old striker Raul Jimenez on a season-long loan. (Daily Mail)
The Hammers have also enquired about Liverpool striker Fabio Borini, 24, but the Italian could still join Fiorentina. (The Times)
Everton and Tottenham are both in the market for Japan international midfielder Keisuke Honda after AC Milan decided to sell the 29-year-old. (Daily Express/Tuttosport)
West Brom are set to sign Arsenal's 20-year-old midfielder Serge Gnabry on a season-long loan deal. (Talksport)
Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou is set to sign on loan for Portuguese side Benfica. The 27-year-old, who joined the Cottagers for a club-record £12m fee from Olympiakos in January 2014, could make the switch permanent for £4.2m at the end of the season . (Fulham and Hammersmith Gazette)
Watford are close to signing Udinese's Rafael Romo, 25, as back up for first-choice goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. (Daily Mail)
Wolfsburg's highly-rated midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has refused to say that he will start the season with the German club amid speculation linking him with a £40m move to Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)
Everton are close to securing a loan deal for 19-year-old left-sided midfielder Tomas Andrade from River Plate. (Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool have secured a deal for sought-after 14-year-old Norwegian midfielder Edvard Tagseth, who plays for Neset FK Youth. (Tronder-Avisa)
Leicester face competition from West Ham, Schalke and Fiorentina for Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inler despite agreeing a fee of £3.1m with Napoli for the 31-year-old. (Daily Mail)
Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, 34, who chose not to renew his contract with Leicester, is close to agreeing a deal with Greek side Olympiakos. (SportsDNA - in Greek)
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy refused to be drawn on reports that the club have bid £250,000 for Hearts' 19-year-old defender Jordan McGhee. (East Anglian Daily Times)
Best of social media
Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale belatedly high-fives Toni Kroos after his German team-mate failed to spot his outstretched palm during their friendly defeat by Bayern Munich.
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, heavily linked with Real Madrid, has finally been pictured in the Red Devils' new strip on Instagram. A sponsorship wrangle prevented him taking part in the original launch, sparking rumours that a deal had been agreed with Real. (101 Great Goals)
And finally...
Norrkoping captain Andreas Johansson has said he was "very ashamed" after his dramatic attempt to fake an injury went viral. (ESPN)
Guardian Rumour Mill
Scott Murray
Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala can’t be any worse than they were last season, one would have assumed, with reference to probability models and other complex data. Still, Manchester City aren’t taking any unnecessary chances, and are accordingly hot-footing after Diego Godín of Atletico Madrid. They’ve bid £28m for the centre-back, though he’s turned down their paltry opening sub-Sterling gambit of £88,000 a week. The dance continues.
The dance also continues between Manchester United and Sergio Ramos. It’s been an extended hi-NRG affair, set to music so relentlessly vigorous and up-tempo it makes the work of Giorgio Moroder sound like Galaxie 500. And it shows no sign of abating, as United’s hopes of striking a deal which looked dead in the water have been revived by Real Madrid’s refusal to cough £135,000-a-week for the defender. Aidy Ward copped a lot of flak, but he really did do quite a job for young Raheem you know.
Manchester United have also been tripping the light fantastic with Pedro, daddio. However this once-jaunty jig is threatening to turn into the most weary of trudges. Barcelona want £23m, but United only want to pay £17m. Old Trafford chief executive Ed Woodward is likely to continue playing hardball as he’s on a roll and high on life, having just prised £44.3m out of Paris Saint-Germain for one of the biggest Argentinian ponies outside of the international polo scene.
Over to Arsenal, where for some time now they’ve been looking for a dependable striker who doesn’t try to walk the ball into the net, spend half his time faffing around on the wing, or send headers whistling over the bar from six yards. Karim Benzema might well be what they’re after, with a title push in mind, though Arsène Wenger insists he’s not interested. It’s almost as though he’s obsessed with the strange aesthetic beauty of glorious imperfection.
You’ll have noticed that all of the deals mentioned today are more likely to collapse than go through. Which makes this a particularly unsatisfying Rumour Mill, but hey, we’re not the ones making this stuff up, don’t shoot the messenger. Here’s another two mooted transfers doomed to failure: Aston Villa want Joleon Lescott and Emmanuel Adebayor, but Lescott is set to sign a new deal with West Bromwich Albion, while Adebayor doesn’t fancy life in ATV Land. However, a bid for Spurs winger Aaron Lennon hasn’t been nixed yet, so hope springs eternal for the Villa, at least until Bournemouth have done their worst tomorrow.
And finally West Ham United, buoyed by the news that they won’ t have to goon around in the Europa League any more this season, are looking to build on the feel-good factor by landing Liverpool striker Fabio Borini. So not a bumper crop today, but fair’s fair, the season starts tomorrow, people have things on their mind.
Mail
Astra Giurgiu 2-1 West Ham (agg 4-3): Slaven Bilic's side crash out of Europa League as Constantin Budescu nets crucial double
Constantin Budescu fired a first-half brace for Romanian outfit Astra Giurgiu to eliminate West Ham from Europe
West Ham debutant Manuel Lanzini had opened the lead for the east London outfit after just three minutes
Slaven Bilic's side were made to pay for their sloppy 2-2 draw with Astra Giurgiu at Upton Park
By Sami Mokbel
It was nice while it lasted. The dream of European football for the final ever season at the Boleyn Ground is over.
Astra Giurgiu captain Constantin Budescu saw to that with a first-half brace, cancelling out Manuel Lanzini's early opener.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic must shoulder his fair share of the responsibility, though.
West Ham trio Modibo Maiga, Kevin Nolan and Elliot Lee look dejected during their side's 2-1 defeat by Romanian outfit Astra Giurgiu
Argentine attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini scored just three minutes into his competitive debut for the Hammers
Summer signing Lanzini (centre) is mobbed by his West Ham team-mates after opening the scoring at the Marin Anastasovici stadium
Having travelled from the plush surroundings of the Marriott Grand Hotel in Bucharest earlier in the day, the Hammers boss had plenty time to contemplate the consequences of defeat.
He set himself up for a fall by naming an understrength squad for the trip to Romania, particularly with the tie finely poised at 2-2.
The Croat admitted as much during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, admitting the Premier League opener against Arsenal on Sunday was the 'priority'.
Whether the 320 travelling fans who made the trip to Giurgiu see it that way is debatable.
Bilic hoped his young team - which included debutants Doneil Henry, Kyle Knoyle and Lanzini - would justify his decision to leave the majority of his senior players back in London.
In many ways, though, Bilic was helpless as he sat in the stands following his late dismissal in the first leg, leaving assistant Julian Dicks to man the touchline.
And, with Dicks orchestrating, West Ham got off to a dream start as Lanzini hit a debut goal.
Picking up the ball from just outside the box in the third minute, the Argentine - on loan from Al Jazira - unleashed a low drive past Silvu Lung.
Captain Kevin Nolan pointed to his temples, trying to ensure his fledgling team-mates kept cool despite their quick fire opening.
But Nolan couldn't save his team from Budescu, or rather his right foot.
First, in the 32nd minute, the Astra skipper unleashed a 25-yard rocket that sped past Darren Randolph to put the hosts level.
Lanzini, who joined the Hammers on a season-long loan deal in July, put West Ham ahead with a low shot past Silviu Lung
The 22-year-old playmaker spreads his arms in jubilation after giving his side the advantage before the home side's comeback
And four minutes later the midfielder put Astra ahead, striking home from 10 yards after excellent wing play from William Amorim.
You couldn't help but feel sorry for the fledgling Hammers, particularly after their blistering start. But that's European football.
Dicks had his work cut out at half-time; his players deflated following the disastrous closing minutes of the first half.
And so it proved as the Hammers struggled to make inroads into Astra's back-line as their European adventure ended before it had even really begun.
Madibo Maiga missed a couple of half-chances to force extra-time.
But, in truth, Astra were the most likely as they looked to pick off the English side as they chased the game.
Fernando Boldrin, Denis Allbec and Florin Lovin all missed excellent chances to extend the Romanian's advantage.
But Bilic's side couldn't take advantage of the home side's wastefulness as their Europa League dream vanished.
Two-goal hero Constantin Budescu slots home his second goal of the night by steering the ball past West Ham keeper Darren Randolph
West Ham's travelling support sing their hearts out but they could not stop their side from crashing out of the Europa League
West Ham academy graduate Kyle Knoyle closes down William Amorim as he attempts to win back possession for his side
Hammers assistant manager Julian Dicks looks dismayed as he watches his side crash out of the second-tier European competition
New West Ham manager Bilic watched the match from the stands after being sent off during the first leg at Upton Park
West Ham's players react to their 4-3 aggregate defeat following the end of the Europa League third qualifying round match in Romania
Bilic decided to leave several of his first team stars at home due to West Ham's upcoming Premier League opener against Arsenal
MATCH FACTS
ASTRA GIURGIU: Lung, Alves (Oros 19mins), Queiros, Maranhao, Gaman, Teixeira (Alibec 67), Enache, Budescu (Lovin 83), Seto, Boldrin, William
Subs not used: Florea, Gavrilas, Dandea, Stan
Goals: Budescu 32, 36
Booked: Maranhao, Alibec, Lovin
WEST HAM (4-3-3): Randolph 5; Knoyle 5, Jenkinson 6, Henry 7, Page 6 (Pike 90); Nolan 6, Poyet 6.5, Cullen 7; Maiga 4, Lanzini 7; Lee 6 (Brown 80)
Subs not used: Spiegel, Chambers, Mavila, Nasha, Pask.
Goal: Lanzini 3
Booked: Henry, Cullen
Guardian
West Ham crash out of Europa League with defeat at Astra Giurgiu
• Astra Giurgiu 2-1 West Ham United (4-3 agg)
• Budescu 32, 36; Lanzini 3
The defeat means West Ham have been eliminated from Europe before the start of the Premier League season. Photograph: Alan Walter/Reuters
Slaven Bilic watched from the stands as his Europa League gamble ended with West Ham United going bust and crashing out to Astra Giurgiu on Thursday night.
The manager left a host of first-team players at home before this tie, despite the fact it was hanging in the balance following a 2-2 draw at Upton Park a week ago.
Bilic was sent to the stands late on in that game and was not in the dugout as his Romanian roll of the dice did not see his side come up trumps, with the Astra captain, Constantin Budescu, scoring twice in four first-half minutes to cancel out Manuel Lanzini’s early opener and seal a memorable 2-1 win for the hosts.
The West Ham debutant Lanzini, who had already delivered a tempting free-kick and a corner which led to Kevin Nolan’s effort being hacked off the line, collected the ball and his low shot squeezed in off the post with only two and half minutes gone.
But Astra proved last week they can be a potent attacking force and almost levelled when the busy Budescu’s whipped free-kick caught out Darren Randolph in the West Ham goal and came back off the crossbar. It was a different outcome when Budescu next had a sight of goal as he collected the ball before driving forward unchallenged and arrowing a low 25-yard effort out of Randolph’s reach.
West Ham’s young defence had started well but the leveller seemed to knock their confidence and Budescu was on hand to capitalise on some indecisiveness at a cross as he finished coolly to put the home team in charge at the interval.
As many as six of the visitors’ starting lineup have never appeared in the Premier League for West Ham, while the defensive duo, Doneil Henry and Kyle Knoyle, and the new signing Lanzini were making their club debuts. Bilic had no obvious options on the bench as his experimental side toiled in the humidity inside the Marin Anastasovici Stadium, though Nolan went close on the hour as the captain looked to inspire those around him.
It was Astra who started to threaten again as the second half wore on and Fernando Boldrin almost followed up his goal from the opening leg with another here, only for Randolph to tip his effort behind.
Lanzini stung the palms of Silviu Lung with West Ham’s first effort of note since the break but there were only 12 minutes remaining and his side looked bereft of ideas.
Randolph was the busier of the two goalkeepers and was again at his best to push away two late Denis Alibec shots but his team-mates could not find the equaliser they needed to force extra-time and dreams of a lengthy European campaign to mark the final season at Upton Park came to an abrupt and feeble conclusion.
Inside Spainish Football
West Ham secure season-long loan for Atletico Madrid’s Raul Jimenez
by Tom Conn
West Ham United have reportedly secured the season-long loan for Atletico Madrid striker Raul Jimenez for a fee of £1.4 million, after the London side secured a work permit for the 24-year-old.
According to various media outlets in both Spain and England, West Ham have been working diligently on securing the Mexican international, who has been deemed as surplus to the requirement at the Vicente Calderon, even giving away his number.
After securing the work permit, West Ham will now sit down with Atletico officials on Friday to finalise the deal, which comes with a purchase option following the expiration of the loan on 30th June.
Jimenez will become West Ham’s ninth signing so far this season, freeing up a non-EU spot on Atletico Madrid’s roster, while also giving the Mexican a chance to have consistent first team minutes.
Jimenez is expected to arrive in London and undergo his standard medical as the team prepares for their English Premier League opener against Arsenal on the weekend.
Jimenez was unable to break into Diego Simeone’s starting XI last season, despite the injury to Mario Mandzukic, and made 21 La Liga appearances, scoring just one goal last season.
C&H
HIJACKED: Jiminez deal in danger!
West Ham look set to miss out on Raul Jiminez.
The Hammers have of course been awaiting the Home Office result of the appeal on his work permit but events appear to have overtaken the Irons.
The Athletico Madrid striker looked to be on his way to Upton Park assuming the work permit was finally granted but the deal has hit other snags.
We have been told this morning when asking if the deal was now done that it looks set to fail but not for the work permit reason.
A well placed source told us exclusively: " No it hasn't been done - sadly other clubs have got into him while we waited for the appeal ."
Turkish Football
West Ham join the race to sign Leicester City target Inler
by Eren Sarigul
West Ham, Schalke 04, Besiktas, Fiorentina, Hamburg and Werder Bremen are all in the race to sign Napoli central midfielder Gokhan Inler according to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca di Marzio.
The report goes onto state that Leicester City are currently front runners in the race with Inler’s agent currently in England holding talks with the Premier League side.
The Foxes are understood to have tabled an offer of €6 million for the 31-year-old. Leicester’s newly appointed manager Claudio Ranieri revealed earlier this week that he was close to securing a replacement for Esteban Cambiasso.
Cambiasso opted against extending his contract with the Foxes and departed the club at the end of last season.
Inler scored one goal in 33 appearances for Napoli in all competitions last season. The Switzerland international has also previously played for Udinese, Zurich and FC Basel.
Leicester pulled off the ‘great-escape’ last season to beat the drop. The foxes ended the season in 14th place with 41 points.
Sport Witness
Adama now between Stoke and West Ham, Aston Villa out
Another day, another Adama Traore update from the Catalan media. According to previous claims, Adama had dinner with Stoke City officials on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday he then went to the club's training ground to have a tour, meet up with old mates Marc Muniesa and Bojan, and be pitched to about Stoke being the best possible destination for him.
At that point Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo said that Aston Villa were still very much a threat to Aston Villa's hopes of signing the right winger. On Friday Mundo Deportivo don't even mention Aston Villa but instead say that it now looks like it's between West Ham and Stoke.
We wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if tomorrow Aston Villa are brought back in from the cold and into the rumours. Meanwhile, the other Catalan newspaper Sport quote Barcelona's 'technical secretary' Robert Fernandez as saying about the situation "He has a clause of €6m so it is clear that some clubs can take him. He can quit, but it's something he must decide."
And close the door on your way out Adama. That clause is lower than has been suggested previously, a snip at just £4.2m, worth a gamble for a player long considered to be one of La Masia's more talented prospects.
