Raul Meireles signs for Chelsea

Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas signed the 28-year-old minutes before the summer transfer window closed on Wednesday evening.

It was announced Meireles had handed in a transfer request at Liverpool just 30 minutes before the deadline closed, with Chelsea announcing their new signing shortly after.

Arteta completes £10m move to Arsenal

Arsenal clinch a dramatic £10m deal to sign Mikel Arteta from Everton with just minutes of the transfer window remaining.

Transfer d-day

Latest

- Harry Redknapp says Luka Modric is definitely staying at Spurs
- Joe Cole will decide whether he fancies Lille, Spurs or QPR today
- Stoke have had a bid accepted for Cameron Jerome
- ...and Nicklas Bendtner's dad says his son's also off to Stoke
- Sky Sports News is in danger of combusting with pure excitement
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11.25 Man on SSN does an impression of God: WE. ARE. HEARING. SOMETHING! JOE... COLE! IS IN TALKS.... WITH..... ASTON VILLA! My goodness, I think I've just had a minor heart attack.

11.22 HELLO: SSN are promising "exciting news for Manchester United fans". That could be the kick in the pants this Transfer Deadline Day (can we have another acronym? TDD), so depserately needs.

11.20 Bit worried. We're edging towards lunchtime and we're still yet to see a Cheesy Signing Picture. Where are the scarves, the forced smiles, the pens? And when will they arrive? Have your say with this poll. It'll put my mind at ease:

Rooney wants Walcott's best vs Bulgaria

Wayne Rooney said he hoped Theo Walcott would put the memory of Manchester United's 8-2 rout of Arsenal behind him to focus on England's upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier away to Bulgaria.
Rooney scored a hat-trick for United at Old Trafford on Sunday as Arsenal, for whom Walcott netted one of two goals, shipped eight for the first time in over a century.

Teko confident of victory in Africa

Bafana Bafana midfielder Teko Modise believes the national team has what it takes to return victorious from Niger.

Wenger prepares to spend with last than 15 hours left for d-day

Arsene Wenger has stormed into the transfer market with swoops on Andre Santos and Florent Malouda.

Sneijder: Inter unlikely to sell me to United

The Holland international has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, although Manchester United have constantly maintained they are not interested in a deal.

With the transfer window closing tomorrow, the 27-year-old does not anticipate any last-minute surprises following the 20million euros sale of Cameroon forward Eto'o earlier this month.

Sneijder told Dutch newspaper AD: "It was either me or Eto'o to leave Inter and since he has now gone there is no need for Inter to sell me."

He added: "It would be very strange if something happened now.

"Things can move fast but there is nothing going on behind the scenes.

Arsenal in talks to sign Mertesacker

Arsenal approach Werder Bremen for Germany defender Per Mertesacker and are close to concluding deal for Andre Santos.

Barcelona crush Villarreal

Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez marked their home debuts for Barcelona in La Liga with goals as the champions crushed Villarreal 5-0 in their opening match of the campaign on Monday.
World Player of the Year Lionel Messi scored twice and Spain Under-21 midfielder Thiago Alcantara was also on the scoresheet for Barca in their bid for a club record-equalling fourth consecutive Spanish title.
The victory was an impressive response to title rivals Real Madrid after Jose Mourinho's side inflicted a 6-0 demolition on Real Zaragoza on Sunday when Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo netted a hat-trick.

Chelsea show renewed interest in Liverpool's up-for-sale Raul Meireles

Meireles can leave Liverpool, and has been available for sale at £11 million, but it is understood that Liverpool would rather he went overseas than join another Premier League club, particularly Chelsea.

Indeed it is thought that Chelsea’s renewed interest in Meireles — who is greatly admired by manager André Villas-Boas — has already led to an increase in the fee being demanded by Liverpool. However, Chelsea are desperate to conclude the deal and will make a new cash bid.

Arsenal begin rebuilding process

Arsenal agreed a £6.2 million fee last night with Fenerbahce for the Brazil left-back Andre Santos and have also made an enquiry for Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun

Arsenal board give total backing to Arsène Wenger and insist his position at the club is 'rock solid'

A senior club source told Telegraph Sport that Wenger’s position was “rock solid” and that Arsenal remain convinced that they have the right manager and long-term strategy.

Crucially, this position is endorsed by Arsenal’s owner Stan Kroenke, who watched Sunday’s match on television, but firmly believes that Wenger is one of the outstanding coaches in world sport.

Kroenke has maintained a low public profile since completing his majority takeover of Arsenal in June but is in regular contact with Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

Guardiola springs to Wenger's defence

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola leaped to the defence of Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger on Sunday after the Frenchman's side suffered an 8-2 demolition at the hands of English Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Guardiola, whose team knocked Arsenal out of the European Champions League last season and lured their captain Cesc Fabregas back to the Catalan capital this month, said it was hard to believe another manager could do as much for Arsenal as Wenger had over the years.
The 40-year-old former Barca and Spain midfielder also noted that the Arsenal squad that travelled to Manchester was severely depleted by injury and the loss of Fabregas as well as France international Samir Nasri who has joined Manchester City.
"We have to remember what he (Wenger) has done for football in general, Arsenal is a great team," Guardiola told a news conference ahead of Barca's opening La Liga game of the season against Villarreal on Monday.
"Of course you can always go to Manchester, who have so many good players, and Arsenal with so many injuries these things can happen," he added.
"It's not just the departure of Nasri and Cesc but also (Jack) Wilshere's injury that means he can't play and all the other injuries across the squad."

MTN8 Final at FNB Stadium

The PSL has announced the FNB Stadium as the venue for the MTN8 Final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on September 10. 

The game will kick-off at 20h15.

Pirates advanced to the MTN8 Final after beating Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 on aggregate while Chiefs edged out Ajax Cape Town on the away goals rule after drawing 1-1 in Cape Town on Saturday, after a goalless first leg, to set up the clash with rivals Pirates at the FNB Stadium.

Amakhosi beat the Mighty Buccaneers 3-0 in the Telkom Knockout Cup at the same venue last season.

Third bid for Segolela

Tlou Segolela's agent has revealed Standard Liege have returned with a third bid that is ‘very close' to Orlando Pirates' asking price for the Bafana Bafana winger. 

The Belgian side have already had two offers for the 23-year-old turned down by The Buccaneers as they attempt to lure him to the Jupiler League. But agent Tim Sukazi believes their qualification for the Europa League on Thursday has given Jose Riga's side the financial muscle to persuade Pirates to sell Segolela.  

Downs release Zothwane

Mamelodi Sundowns have released Papi Zothwane from his contract.

Zothwane's contract with Sundowns was due to expire in June next year.

The Bophelong-born midfielder, who turned 30 this month, joined Sundowns two years ago, but his career at Chloorkop has been plagued by injury.

Andre Villas-Boas big headed after 3 games...

Andre Villas-Boas has insisted he would quit football if he did not believe Chelsea could beat Barcelona to this season's Champions League crown.

Old Trafford becoming Young Trafford...

Manchester United were so good with a breathtaking, chance-taking display of football. United versus Arsenal was Total football versus total chaos.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men used to bully Wenger’s physically; now they bully them with the ball, utterly destroying them with their speed of mind and feet. 

Adding insult to ignominy, Rosicky, Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh loped straight to the tunnel at the end. Arsenal’s captain, Robin van Persie, commendably shouted at them to return to acknowledge the fans’ support.

Harry Redknapp: Luka Modric asked not to play against Manchester City two hours before kick-off

Modric has made it clear that he wants to join Chelsea and, with a final £40million bid expected within the next 48 hours, he arrived at White Hart Lane and informed his manager that he did not want to play.

Redknapp was taken aback by the request as Modric had made himself available on Saturday morning and he duly told the Croatia international that he was needed.

Cristiano Ronaldo grabs hat-trick as Real Madrid defeat Real Zaragoza 6-0

The prolific Portuguese, who scored a record 40 goals last term as Real finished second behind Barcelona for a third consecutive year, fired compatriot Jose Mourinho's side ahead in the 24th minute at the Romareda.

Brazilian fullback Marcelo and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso made it 3-0, before Ronaldo, who has scored at least twice in his last five league appearances, netted two more goals either side of a gem from substitute Kaka.

Standard Liege Bid For Segolela

The Siya crew can confirm that 10 time Belgian league champions Standard Liege are in negotiations for the transfer of young Orlando Pirates star Tlou Segolela!

The unexpected bid from Les Rouches (The Reds), as the club is fondly know, comes as Segolela cemented his reputation of being one of the PSL's top players. 

 

SA to host 2013 Afcon

South Africa is to take over from Libya as hosts of the 2013 African Nations Cup finals in a swap agreement that will see Libya host the 2017 edition, the South African Football Association (Safa) said on Thursday.
The agreement must still be ratified by the Confederation of African Football, which will meet in Cairo next month.

Fergie relishes United Euro draw

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with his team's draw for the group stages of the Champions League on Thursday and was looking forward to another clash with Portuguese side Benfica.
United's bid to make amends for last season's final defeat against Barcelona is unlikely to end at the first hurdle after the draw which pitted the Premier League champions against Benfica, Swiss outfit Basel and Romanian newcomers Otelul Galati.

Tottenham signed Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor on loan

Tottenham signed Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season on Thursday.
Adebayor has been a target for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp for several months and he has finally been able to complete a deal for the former Arsenal star.
"We are delighted to announce the signing of Emmanuel Adebayor on a season-long loan from Manchester City," a statement on Tottenham's website read.

Euro's elite cup draw details

Champions League draw details

Group A: Bayern Munich; Villarreal; Manchester City, Napoli.

Group B: Inter Milan; CSKA Moscow; Lille; Trabzonspor.

Group C: Manchester United; Benfica; Basel; Otelul Galati.

Group D: Real Madrid; Lyon; Ajax; Dinamo Zagreb. 

Group E: Chelsea; Valencia; Bayer Leverkusen; Genk. 

Group F: Arsenal: Marseille; Olympiakos; Borussia Dortmund.

Group G: Porto; Shakhtar Donetsk; Zenit St Petersburg; APOEL.

Group H: Barcelona; AC Milan; BATE Borisov, Viktoria Plzen.

Chelsea ponder a final bid of £40 million to prise midfielder Luka Modric away from Tottenham

Modric held a two-hour meeting yesterday with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and emphatically restated his desire not to play for the club again. He told Levy once more that he wanted to join Chelsea before the transfer window closes.

Although Levy again stressed he would not enter into negotiations over a sale, it is understood there may be a price that he would consider given Modric will not change his mind.

Chelsea have offered £22million, then £27million and — last Sunday – £30million for Modric and a vastly improved final bid of £40 million might just be enough to persuade Spurs to sell.It may well be that Levy hopes to receive other offers for Modric – there has been interest from Manchester United – although the Croatian has made it plain he would prefer to stay in London.

Manchester United's class of 2011 set for England recognition

The England manager has included Phil Jones, 19, Chris Smalling, 21, Danny Welbeck, 20 and 22-year-old Tom Cleverley in his provisional 30-strong squad for the double-header next Friday, in Sofia, and the following Tuesday at Wembley. A final squad announcement will be made on Sunday with the strong possibility that all four will be included in that selection.

Given United will also have Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young in the squad, and that Rio Ferdinand will also be selected if he is fit and plays against Arsenal on Sunday, then it could bring the United contingent up to seven with the outside chance that Michael Carrick might also be chosen.

Arsenal wants double swoop

Arsene Wenger wants to sign Everton pair Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta for £28m before the transfer window closes

Samir Nasri takes a shot at Arsene Wenger

Samir Nasri on Wednesday delivered one final parting shot at his former manager Arsène Wenger and Arsenal's fans, accusing his countryman of delaying his move to Manchester City and the London club's supporters of lacking passion, as he completed his £24 million switch to a team he has dubbed the new galácticos.

Euro's elite clubs await UCL draw

Spanish rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid will join England's elite clubs Manchester United and Chelsea among the top seeded teams in Thursday's Champions League group stage draw. The 32 teams will be split into eight groups of four, with one team from each pot. The seedings are organised in conjunction with Uefa's club coefficients, with pot one containing the eight highest-ranked teams. No two teams from the same country can be drawn in the same group.

Four goal blitz sees Downs win

A dull performance from Mamelodi Sundowns in their first half against Moroka Swallows was quickly forgotten when a phenomenal 16 minutes of play in the second 45 saw the Brazilians score four goals. 

Sundowns dismantled the Birds defence in the second half of their Absa Premiership match played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday evening winning 4-0.

While the first half saw both sides evenly matched and both with their fair share of chances on goal. The second half was all one-way traffic as the Brazilians swift passing was too much for Gordon Igesund’s men to deal with.

If anything, the Birds had the better of the first half.

Segolela's agent expects decision today

Tlou Segolela's agent expects to have news on whether Standard Liege's bid for the Bafana Bafana winger has been accepted by Orlando Pirates on Wednesday. 
KickOff.com broke the news yesterday that the 23-year-old is wanted by a top Belgian club and that Pirates were considering the offer.
And agent Tim Sukazi of Quality Talent Sports confirms that last year's Belgian Cup winners are the team in question.
"It is Standard Liege who have made the bid," he tells KickOff.com.
"The offer is still under consideration right now. There has been an exchange of phone calls for the past couple of days but nothing has been decided yet.
"Maybe today, by the close of play, we may have an outcome," he adds.  

Chelsea seal signing of Juan Mata

Chelsea completed the £27 million signing of Spanish international Juan Mata on Wednesday night with another of Andre Villas-Boas’s transfer targets, Alvaro Pereira, having now told his club, Porto, that he wants to leave.

Liverpool Bid For Uruguay Starlet

The Reds have offered £8million for the highly-rated 20-year-old defender, and are odds on favourites to land him.The deal has not yet been confirmed however, with Manchester City and Arsenal both keen to steal Coates from Liverpool's grasp.The deal has not yet been confirmed however, with Manchester City and Arsenal both keen to steal Coates from Liverpool's grasp.

Pirates considering Segolela offer

Tlou Segolela’s agent has revealed that an offer from an unnamed Belgian club is currently being considered by Orlando Pirates.
The 23-year-old has started both of the Buccaneers’ League PSL fixtures so far and become a regular in Pitso Mosimane’s national side thanks to his glittering displays last season.
That has not gone unnoticed in Europe and agent Tim Sukazi admits Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza received a formal bid on Tuesday.
"A Belgian Premier League club has tabled another offer for him," he tells KickOff.com.

Liverpool out to avoid early exit in Carling Cup

Kenny Dalglish admits Liverpool's premature exit from last season's Carling Cup will be in his mind when selecting a side to face Exeter on Wednesday night.
We had a bad result last year against Northampton at home, and we'll do our best to avoid another bad result. We want to do the very best we can in this competition and although there will be some changes in the personnel we put out, the attitude should be exactly the same as it was on Saturday at the Emirates.

Wenger prepares for life after Cesc and Nasri.

Nasri was today travelling to manchester to undergo a medical afterArsenal agreed terms with Manchester City over the sale of the Frenchman.

Once the formalities of the move are completed Nasri will be the second high profile player to leave the Emirates after Cesc Fabregas joined boyhood club Barcelona

''The summer was very difficult because we had Cesc Fabregas and Nasri on permanent transfer negotiations and that is draining in the end," said Wenger.

Serero inspires Ajax comeback

Thulani Serero again came off the bench to help Ajax Amsterdam to a 2-2 draw away to VV Venlo at the weekend. 
The defending Dutch Eredivisie champions were trailing 2-0 when Serero entered the fray just past the hour-mark, but within six minutes of his arrival they had pulled back to 2-2.

Young Trafford brush off Spurs...

Ominous, very ominous. The kids are more than all right. Sir Alex Ferguson put his faith in youth last night and was rewarded with a fine goal and spectacular assist from Danny Welbeck (aged 20), good shifts from Tom Cleverley (22), Chris Smalling (21) and particularly the outstanding Phil Jones (19) and a clean sheet for David de Gea (20).

Arsène Wenger defiant as Samir Nasri prepares for Champions League showdown with Udinese

Arsène Wenger is ready to defy Roberto Mancini by naming Samir Nasri in Arsenal’s squad for Wednesday night’s Champions League play-off against Udinese with Manchester City no closer to finalising a £23 million deal for the French midfielder.

Wenger - I won't quit

Wenger is determined to ride out the storm with Arsenal facing crucials games against Udinese in the Champions League in midweek before travelling to Old Trafford to take on Premier League champions Manchester United next weekend.

Pirates win five-goal thriller in Orlando

A 93rd-minute penalty goal from Bongani Ndulula saw Orlando Pirates come from behind to win their first-leg MTN8 semifinal 3-2 against...

Modric close to £30m Chelsea move

Luka Modric misses United trip as Chelsea submit a bid of £30 million to try to finally prise Croat from Tottenham.

Manchester United plans $1bn Singapore stock market listing

Manchester United is reportedly planning to raise $1bn by selling shares on the Singapore stock market before the end of the year.

Mancini: Agüero is a 'photocopy' of Romario

City manager Roberto Mancini believes Sergio Agüero shares similarities with former Brazil striker Romario. As City thump Swansea City.

Real, Barca brace for another 'clasico'

Real Madrid and Barcelona can get a handle on how their pre-season preparations are going when the sides clash in the Spanish Super Cup this weekend.
The traditional curtain raiser for the league campaign is going ahead despite the players' union calling a strike for the first two weekends of the new campaign in the top two divisions.

Dalglish confident of Liverpool rebirth

Kenny Dalglish believes his £44 million outlay on Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson can spark a new era for Liverpool after seeing Manchester United claim a record 19th title last season.

Wenger prepares to spend

Arsenal to splash out £30 million on Brazilian Jadson and Spaniard Juan Mata to replace Fabregas and Nasri.

Neymar: I Can Top Messi

Brazilian wonderkid, Neymar, thinks that he can be as good as Lionel Messi.

The 19-year-old, who has been linked with a big money move this winter, scored as Brazil lost 3-2 to Germany last night and he believes that, in time he can reach the Argentine’s standard.

Shabba in negotiations to leave Chiefs

Siphiwe Tshabalala could still leave Kaizer Chiefs before the start of the new season after his agent revealed he is in negotiations about a transfer to an unnamed club. 

Torres could miss start of Chelsea's season

Fernando Torres lasts just 14 minutes of Spain’s 2-1 defeat by Italy after receiving concussion.

Wenger ready to let go...

Arsène Wenger is now prepared to sell both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri for a total of £60m.