July 2 (Reuters) - Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres is poised to complete a record-breaking move to Liverpool after cutting short a holiday to give the go-ahead to a reported £26.5 million deal.

Tabloid Talk

Liverpool are ready to turn their attentions to signing Gabriel Heinze as they close on Fernando Torres - Various.

Sunderland are planning a move for Tottenham's Jermain Defoe after pulling out of a move for David Nugent - The Daily Star.

Portsmouth are now the new favourties for Nugent with the England Under 21 international set to hold talks with Harry Redknapp - Various.

Chelsea are lining up a move for Sevilla's Daniel Alves - The Mirror.

West Ham are targeting Fenerbahce midfielder Stephen Appiah as a possible replacement for Aston Villa target Nigel Reo-Coker - The Mirror.

Charlton are eyeing Southend's Freddy Eastwood as a replacement for Darren Bent - The Daily Star.

Newcastle are planning a bid for Marseille's Habib Beye - The Daily Mail.

Everton could enter the race for Wigan's defender Leighton Baines who is also a target for Sunderland - The Times.

West Brom are expected to clinch the signing of Craig Beattie after agreeing personal terms with the Celtic striker - The Daily Record.

Cardiff are planning a move for Birmingham striker Rowan Vine - The Sun.

Barcelona are preparing a £12million move for Chelsea's Frank Lampard - The Sun.

you know the media, they pick at anything. They force people to make comments by asking unnecessary questions, the next thing they'll do is try and get something out of laporta.

Man Utd 'horrified' over Liverpool's Heinze bid
July 03, 2007

Manchester United won't consider selling defender Gaby Heinze to Liverpool.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez intends to push for Heinze once he closes a deal for Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres this week.

However, the Liverpool Echo says United have reacted with "horror" to Liverpool's interest and will do all they can to prevent the player moving to Anfield.

United were willing to listen to offers for Heinze, who has slipped behind Patrice Evra in the pecking order at Old Trafford, and it is unclear whether he Sir Alex Ferguson now wants to keep the player or look to offload him overseas.

Arsenal to raid Dinamo Zagreb a second time
July 03, 2007

Arsenal are ready to go back to Dinamo Zagreb for a second big signing.
After clinching a deal for star striker Eduardo Da Silva, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger now wants to close a deal for Dinamo midfielder Ognjen Vukojevic, says The Sun.

Lyon confident of 'Man Utd player' signing
July 03, 2007

Olympique Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has revealed he has a deal for a Manchester United player lined up.
Asked about his pursuit of PSG fullback Sylvain Armand, Aulas said: "He is the priority for [coach] Alain Perrin. But it is difficult.

"There are other players on our list like [Inter Milan's Fabio] Grosso, a champion of the world, or a player from Manchester United."

United pair Patrice Evra and Mikael Silvestre have been mentioned as potential Aulas targets.

AC Milan put Oliveira up for sale
- July 03, 2007

AC Milan are ready to listen to offers for striker Ricardo Oliveira.
Today in Milan, the club's vice-president Adriano Galliani told reporters: "Ricardo Oliveira could leave: Kaka, Ronaldo, Pippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino are our untouchable ones, obviously.

"We will try for a forward and then that's enough. There'll be no deal for [Real Madrid midfielder] Emerson."

Arsenal keen on Juventus striker Palladino
- July 03, 2007

Arsenal have expressed interest in Juventus striker Raffaele Palladino.
The Italy U21 international could be made available this summer as clubs queue to speak with the youngster.

Arsenal will have to see off competition from Parma, Sampdoria, Fiorentina and Reggina for Palladino.

Arsenal expected to up bid for Sagna
July 02, 2007

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is stepping up his bid for Auxerre defender Bakari Sagna.
The France Under-21 international wants to join Arsenal and has threatened to skip pre-season training with Auxerre if he is refused a move.

Wenger returns today from a week long break at an Italian health resort and is expected to increase his £6million offer for the 24-year-old.

Find out more about striker Eduardo Da Silva
FULL NAME: Eduardo Alves Da Silva

NATIONALITY: Croatian

BORN: February 25 1983, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

AGE: 24

PREVIOUS CLUBS:
CBF Nova Kennedy, Brazil (1998)
Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia (1998 - 1999)
Bangu Atletico Clube, Brazil (on loan 1999 - 2001)
Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia (2001-2007)
Inter Zapresic (Croatia) (on loan 2002 - 2003)

TRANSFER DETAILS: Signed on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee

POSITION: Striker

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS:
Croatia (2004 - Present) 12 appearances (7 goals)
Debut: 16th November 2004 v Rep of Ireland, Dublin (Lost 0-1)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Born in Brazil but moved to Croatia at the age of 15. He took Croatian nationality in 2002.
Scored one of Croatia’s goals in their 2-0 Euro 2008 Qualifier victory over England in October 2006.
Scored the first competitive goal in European competition at Emirates Stadium when Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb 5-1 on aggregate in last season’s UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round.
Scored 73 goals in 104 appearances for Dinamo Zagreb.
With Dinamo Zagreb he won the Croatian League twice (2006, 2007) and the Croatian Cup twice (2004, 2007).
Voted Croatian Player of the Year in 2004 and 2006.
Finished Croatian League Top Scorer in 2006 and 2007.
Scored eight goals in 12 appearances as a Croatia Under-21s international.

Bolton trials for Alonso, Degen
- July 03, 2007

Bolton boss Sammy Lee is hoping Mikel Alonso and former Celtic trialist David Degen will join Wanderers' week-long training camp in Austria.

Midfielder Alonso, 27, is the older brother of Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, and is currently with Real Sociedad, who have just been relegated from the Primera Liga.

Swiss winger Degen, who was part of the Switzerland squad for the 2006 World Cup, is currently with Borussia Monchengladbach.

Lee told the club's official website: "David likes to play wide right and exploit the flanks. He has a good turn of pace which could add a new dimension to our style of play."

He added: "I am hoping to invite the two players over to Austria with the rest of the first team squad so we can have a good look at them. Both players could interest us for next season.

"Mikel is a creative midfielder who has an excellent passing game similar to his brother Xabi."

Valencia approach Bolton for Anelka
July 02, 2007

Valencia are the latest club to make contact with Bolton Wanderers for striker Nicolas Anelka.
The Times says the Spanish Liga outfit have expressed an interest in the Frenchman, who is also interesting Manchester United.

Blues move for Kingson

Birmingham City have agreed to sign goalkeeper Richard Kingson on a free transfer, subject to the Ghana international receiving a work permit.

The 29-year-old will sign a two-year deal at St Andrew's after deciding to leave Turkish side Antalyaspor following the end of his contract.

Kingson spent the last three months on loan at Swedish side Hammarby and will challenge Colin Doyle and Maik Taylor for the number one jersey next season.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool and England midfielder Steve McManaman looks set to have an influence at Birmingham next season, after being appointed to the board of the company interested in investing in the club.

The 35-year-old has accepted a role of executive director at Grandtop International, who have agreed to purchase 29.9 per cent of the club's shares on behalf of Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.

"They know my expertise in sport in England and in particular football. I know a lot of people in the sport and I have a lot of contacts

West Ham's Zamora on Middlesbrough radar
July 02, 2007

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is weighing up a bid for West Ham striker Bobby Zamora.
Zamora is in Southgate's sights, says the Daily Star, as Manchester United forward Alan Smith baulks at a move to Teesside.

Everton rival Sunderland for Man Utd's Richardson
- July 02, 2007

Everton and Sunderland are battling for Manchester United winger Kieran Richardson.
Everton boss Dave Moyes is moving for the England international as part of a £17 million signing spree, says the Daily Mail.

Sunderland and Sheffield United are also seeking talks with Richardson.

Man Utd complete Nani, Anderson signings
- July 02, 2007

Manchester United have secured new signings Nani and Anderson to long-term five-year contracts.
Portugal winger Nani and Brazil midfielder Anderson, currently playing for Brazil in the Copa America, cost a combined £30million when they joined from Sporting Lisbon and Porto respectively.

Polish keeper Tomasz Kuszczak has also finalised his permanent move to Old Trafford after completing a season on loan from West Brom.

Nani, Anderson and fellow new arrival Owen Hargreaves will be officially unveiled to the press in the near future.

Chelsea clear Veron wages off books
- July 01, 2007

Chelsea have finally cleared Juan Sebastian Veron's £60,000-a-week wages off their books.
The Sunday Mirror says the 32-year-old Argentine midfielder is on a list of players released by the club, four years after joining in an £15million move from Manchester United.

Veron had already flopped at Old Trafford. He was United's club record signing at the time after joining them from Lazio in a £28.1m deal two years earlier.

But after two years of underachievement at the Bridge he was loaned to Inter Milan, where he spent 18 months, before he was loaned once again - this time to Argentine club Estudiantes, where he helped them to win the national championship last season.

It's believed Chelsea have subsidised his wages to encourage clubs to take him on loan.

Tabloid Talk

Sunderland hope to sign Kieran Richardson in a £2.5million deal from Manchester United this week - Daily Mail

Stuttgart are planning a move for Watford striker Tamas Priskin - The Sun

Arsenal are in advanced negotiations to sign Obafemi Martins from Newcastle United - The Sun

Sheffield United will move for Kevin Phillips and Thomas Gravesen, but Phil Jagielka is set for Everton - Daily Mirror

Wigan Athletic will bid £2.5million for Fulham midfielder Michael Brown - Daily Mirror

Wolves have offered £900,000 for Leicester City striker Matty Fryatt - Daily Star

Chris Powell is set for a return to Charlton Athletic after leaving Watford - The Times