Transfer Rumours

Manchester City have agreed to make Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o the highest paid player in Premier League history.

Barcelona have accepted an offer in the region of €29.5m for the player who’s current contract with the Catalan club is set to expire in one years time.

Barca president Joan Laporta said:

"Eto'o has a stratospheric offer from City, which would convert him into the best paid player in the world," Laporta confirmed to Catalan radio station iCat FM.

"It's starting to become clear that he has this monster offer.

"He wants to stay but an offer like this is very difficult to refuse.

"If Eto'o accepts this stratospheric offer we will have to bring in someone."

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign winger Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.

The 25 year old Russian International was recommended to Blues owner Roman Abramovich by former caretaker boss Guus Hiddink, coach of the Russian National team.

Zhirkov can play as left-back but it is expected that he will be employed in a left-wing role.

The move is expected to signal the end Joe Cole's England career, with Tottenham currently interested, along with many others.

Barcelona has this afternoon competed the signing of Keirrison from Brazilian side Palmeiras. The fee is set to be in the region of £13m and potential add-ons of another £3m.

We understand that Keirrison could be immediately loaned out to Valencia as part of the proposed deal to take David Villa to the Camp Nou.

Valencia want around £45m for the Spanish International, but could accept £40m plus the Keirrison on loan for next season.

Manchester City have beaten off a late move from Chelsea to sign Carlos Tevez

Tevez and his representative Kia Joorabchian had agreed a move to City last month, only for Chelsea to make a late move for the Argentine International, however, Chelsea are not willing to match City's wage offer and are believed to be have offered the same £120,000 a week deal as Manchester United, around £30,000 a week less than he will receive at Eastlands.

Meanwhile, City have broken off talks with Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o after the striker demanded a whopping £200,000 a week, though the deal could be resurrected if the Cameroonian International drops his price. Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan had been City's number one target, only for the player to reject the move, as he hold's out for Real Madrid.

Manchester City have submitted a £20m offer for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan.

The Uruguayan international ended last season as top scorer in La Liga, with an amazing 32 goals in only 33 games.

City will now move for Forlan after failing to land number one target, David Villa, who is set to complete a move to Real Madrid this week.

A move to Eastlands will signal a return to the Premier League for Forlan, who spent a two year spell at City rivals Manchester United between 2002-2004, netting 10 goals in 63 appearances.

Earlier in the season Forlan hinted a return to the Premier League could be on the cards.

He said:

"At the moment my desire is to score goals, to fight for the Golden Boot and to help Atletico to get to a position in the Champions League.

"I will think about my future in June. Do I want to return to the Premier League? I believe I have a debt with England after my time with Manchester United."

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is lining up a move for Benfica striker Freddy Adu.

The 20 year old shot to international fame when he signed a pro contract with MLS side D.C. United as the age of just 14, and a massive sponsorship deal with Nike followed.

However, Adu has failed to live up to his 'wonderkid' status. After 2 years at D.C. United he moved to MLS rivals Real Salt Lake, where he spent a year before moving to Portuguese side Benfica. Adu spent last season on loan at French side Monaco who have since turned down the option to make the move permanent.

Manchester United have accepted an £80 million offer from Real Madrid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

United's website released a statement this morning which read: "Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80 million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

"At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.

"Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice."

Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelen will join Arsenal for a fee in the region of £11m.

The Belgium International is set to sign a 4 year deal at the Emirates Stadium.

The 23 year old, joined Ajax in 2003 and has made almost 100 appearances for the club and has gone on to captain the side this year.

An Ajax source is quoted as saying: "It's true. He's a very good player and could certainly be a success at Arsenal."

Chelsea have made an approach to League One outfit Charlton Athletic for wonderkid Jonjo Shelvey.

The 17 year old have been a rare highlight of the Addicks season which ended in relegation from the Championship.

The Romford-born midfielder has come through the academy at The Valley at a rapid rate and was handed his first-team debut aged just 16 years and 59 days.

Shelvey is being chased by a number of Premier League clubs and was recently linked with a £3m move to Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea are also on the verge of completing the signings of out of contract duo, striker Daniel Sturridge from Manchester City and goalkeeper Ross Turnbull from Middlesbrough, as backup to Peter Cech.

Newcastle United defender David Edgar is set to quit the relegated side in favour of a move to Premier League new boys Birmingham City, on a free transfer.

Edgar has struggled to establish himself in the first team at St James Park, and only used as cover for injuries.

The 19 year old Canadian has only made 19 appearances for the Toon Army since he made his debut in 2006.

Manchester City are set to renew their interest in Everton defender Joleon Lescott. Eastlands boss, Mark Hughes targeted the defender in January but Everton rebuffed the move.

Now City are lining up a £12m bid for the England International and could even use Brazilian striker Jo as a makeweight in the deal.

Jo joined Everton on loan in February and impressed David Moyes who was priced out of a permanent move, after a successful spell at Goodison Park, although Everton would expect cash + the player.

When questioned on the chances of keeping Jo, Moyes said:

"It's not worth discussing because it was a lot of money and we certainly wouldn't have that sort of money,"

Amr Zaki could be set for a switch to Blackburn Rovers from Zamalek.

The Egyptian International spent last season on loan at Lancashire rivals Wigan Athletic, only for his spell at the Lactics to turn sour.

Zaki burst onto the Premier League season, netting 8 goals in his first 10 games at the JJB Stadium side.

However, Zaki failed to land a permanant deal after falling out, with then Wigan boss Steve Bruce. In April, Zaki failed to return to Wigan on time after one of Egypt's World Cup qualification matches, not for the first time that season.

Bruce said:

Before this latest incident, Zaki had already been fined considerably more than the average person in Britain earns in a year and he will now face another heavy fine.

A letter has gone to (Amr) Zaki's club in Egypt saying we won't be taking up the option to sign him...

Manchester City could make a move for Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross.

The 21 year old has made a huge impact on the Premier League in his debut season following The Potter's promotion.

Shawcross has built an impressive partnership with Abdoulaye Faye, and has been touted as a certainty to become an full England International.

The former Manchester United youngster could be set for a return to the City this summer and will feature in England's Under-21 European Championship campaign.

Manchester City are closing in on a £32m deal for Carlos Tevez, beating their neighbours Manchester United to the signing.

The 25 year old's representative Kia Joorabchian held talks with Old Trafford Chief Executive Daivd Gill earlier today, but we understand a deal was not struck to extend the Argentina International's initial 2 year deal, leaving Tevez to join City.

City chiefs have already held discussions with Joorabchian and agreed a price, upwards of £30m.

Tevez has agreed personal terms, which are around £30,000 a week more than on offer at United.

A deal is set to be completed in the next 72 hours.

Chelsea are lining up a rival World record bid for AC Milan star Kaka.

Newly appointed Chelsea boss Carlo Ancheloti, who managed the Brazilian forward at the San Siro wants to bring the 27 old to Stamford Bridge.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had earlier thought he had agreed a deal for the forward but Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich is set to make a rival bid to snare the player, although reports in Spain cliam that Real have his signature.