Francesco Coco - Inter Milan to Newcastle United - Loan - Move back on after Inter offered to pay the players full wages for the loan period.

Cicinho - Sao Paulo to Man Utd, AC Milan - £8m

Nathan Ellington - Wigan to West Brom - £3m - Deal to be completed by monday

Douala - Sporting Lisbon to Middlesbrough, Newcastle - £6m - Both bids rejected

David Bentley - Arsenal to Crystal Palace - £??

Alexandre Song - Bastia to Arsenal - Loan - Deal completed

Andreas Granqvist - Helsingborgs to Liverpool, Chelsea

Micheal Essien - Lyon to Chelsea - Blues chairman Roman Abramovich is said to of thrashed out a £28m deal for the player

Steve Claridge - Un-Attached to Sheffield Wednesday - Short term contract

Nicolas Anelka - Fenerbahce to Newcastle United - £6m - Newcastle hoping to rush the deal thorugh in time for Anelka to face former club Arsenal onb Sunday

Josip Skoko - Genclerbirligi to Wigan - Deal set to bne completed

Dave Livermore - Millwall to Sunderland - Bid rejected

Scott Thompson - Portland Timbers to Sunderland - Trial

Joorbachian is quoted as saying:

"I was offered Newcastle, West Ham and somebody said that Spurs could be bought at the right price, but being an Arsenal fan I could never buy Tottenham!" Joorbachian told the Sunday Express."

"We have had two or three conversations with West Ham and I plan to speak with them again," added Joorbachian. "They are £31 million in debt. Any package would have to be worth £70 million but would have to take into account that debt.

"I want to buy a Premiership club and West Ham seem the most likely because they are in London and the price would not be too prohibitive."

Middlesbrough, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United are said to of been alerted by the revelation, though a move to local rivals 'Boro seems unlikely.

Souness said:

"I've spoken to his agent and he tells me JJ is quite happy with things at the club.

"But he says JJ feels that it is like living in a goldfish bowl - and that's the biggest problem."

"JJ has not had a problem with me or any of the staff, as far as I am aware."

"Nobody on the playing side or from the chairman down wants JJ to leave."

"Last year, JJ played more games than anyone apart from Shay Given - and I made him captain when Alan Shearer was out, so that shows what I think of him."

West Ham United - £70m takeover bid reported from Kia Joorabchian, head of Media Sports Investment.
"I have had a meeting with West Ham and will seriously consider an offer," he told the Daily Express newspaper.

Steed Malbranque - Fulham to Man City - Improved £5m bid made

Walter Pandiani - Deportivo to Birmingham City - £3m - Deal now said to be finally completed

Fabio Rochemback - Sporting Lisbon to Middlesbrough

Douala - Sporting Lisbon to Middlesbrough - £4m

Nathan Ellington - Wigan to West Brom - Swap deal with Robert Earnshaw

Nolberto Solano - Aston Villa to Atletico Madrid, Newcaslte - £2.5m

Robert Pires - Arsenal to Galatasaray

Antonio Cassano - Roma to Chelsea - £9m

The man Wenger has made a move for is Nacional de Montevideo goalkeeper Sebastian Viera.

Wenger said:

"Maybe he will join on. That will be decided tomorrow as long as the medical and financial reasons are sorted out,"

"Certainly I will bring in another goalkeeper," Wenger told the club's website. "You don't take a goalkeeper to sit on the bench, you take them to challenge everybody.

"That is what we intend to do. It is fair competition.

"At the moment Lehmann is number one in my opinion, but we live in a competitive world and everybody accepts that you are only as good as your last game. You always have to prove yourself again."

Jermaine Jenas - Newcastle to Arsenal, Tottenham - £12m - Player reportedly sent home from training yesterday after altercation with manager Souness over move. 

Phil Neville - Man Utd to Everton - £3.5m move agreed

Steed Malbranque - Fulham to Man City - £4m bid rejected

Mark Fish - Charlton to Ipswich - Trial

Stephen Bywater - West Ham to Coventry - Loan

Bostjan Cesar - Dinamo Zagreb to Rangers

Adebayor could complete a move to Upton Park as early as today for a fee of £6m

The player has been linked with Arsenal and Marsaille in recent weeks, but West Ham have stepped to the front of the queue by agreeing a £6m fee with Monaco for the Togo International.

Adebayor's agent Willie McKay said:

"I hold the mandate for the transfer of Adebayor,"

"Monaco have asked me to try and help find him a move.

"He is a top-class young striker and he has all the attributes to be a success in England, as he is strong, quick and knows where the net is.

"He has played in the Champions League and has proved himself to be a really good player."

Mark Viduka - Middlesbrough to Newcastle - Move could be close

Michael Owen - Real Madrid to Man Utd - Reds set to make a £12m bid this week.

Gonzalo de los Santos - Valencia to Bolton, Mallorca

Paul Robinson - West Brom to West Ham - £1m

Matt Fryatt - Walsall to Aston Villa, West Ham, Sunderland - £1m

Emmanuel Adebayor - AS Monaco to Arsenal - £5m

Julien Rodriguez - AS Monaco to Rangers

David Bentley - Arsenal to Crystal Palace - Loan

Liam Miller - Man Utd to Derby - Loan

Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas said:

"Concerning Mickael Essien, nothing is done with Chelsea, especially since he is wanted by another big English club who have just lost a defensive midfield player.

"Chelsea will have to be quick if they want to sign Mickael and not miss out on him."

Robinho - Santos to Real Madrid - Player has agreed a 5 year deal with the club

Sol Campbell - Arsenal to Newcastle Utd - Player is now 'set to leave' the club

David Unsworth - Un-Attached to Leeds, Blackburn Rovers

Nicola Amoruso - Messina to Crystal Palace 

Djibril Cisse - Liverpool to Everton - £8m

His agent Bruno Satin said:

"We've had no news from Arsenal,"

"It's hard to know where these latest claims have come from. There has been no contact recently."

"I met the Lyon people yesterday because Olivier might be interesting them if Essien goes to Chelsea, but so far there's nothing firm."

"We have all been touched by the departure of Patrick Vieira but slowly we are getting stronger and stronger on that side,"

"I think Patrick leaving was a little bit more unexpected this year and at the start it was a bit of a shock for the players. At the moment we are more focused on the physical and technical aspect of our game but the closer we get to the real competition the more we will have to work on the psychological side of things.

"I feel the final part of our pre-season preparations will be mainly focused on that. It takes a bit of time but I am very positive. We have faced these problems many times and dealt with them. And I am confident the team has the strength to overcome it."

Coleman said:

"I've seen some of the prices put on Diop and they make me laugh,"

"Why would we sell him on the cheap when the only other player like him in this league has been Patrick Vieira?

"He's just gone for £14 million and there's not a lot of difference between the two.

"Diop is younger than Patrick, so it would take a hell of a lot of money for us to lose him."

Speaking on his Ian Wright Show on BBC Radio Five Live yesterday, Wright said:

"I did recommend Shaun when he was younger but it didn't work out."

Wright added:

"Just to see everybody making such a fuss around him, I can't explain how proud I felt.

"It's so weird to see your son go for £21million.

"I was just pleased for him to make the first team at City. I'm so delighted for him."

It is now up to the player who will decide on his future next week, If Baptisita stays on in Spain for one more year he will then be eligible for a Spanish passport, if this was not the case, sources say the player would of agreed to the Arsenal move as soon as he learned of their interest.

Baptista said: "

We now have four foreign players and only three places for them.

"Who knows what will happen but I think the matter will soon be resolved to the satisfaction of everyone."

Jorge Andrade - Deportivo to Liverpool - £?? - Deal could involve Milan Baros in part exchange.

Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink - Middlesbrough to Fulham - £??

Michael Ballack - Bayern Munich to Man Utd - Player has stated he will stay at Bayern till next summer.

Artim Sakiri - Un-Attached to Burnley - Trial

Olivier Dacourt - Roma to Arsenal - Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wants Dacourt to replace Vieira

Azar Karadas - Benfica to Portsmouth - Loan

Guti - Real Madrid to Newcastle United - Fee reportedly agreed

Robert Pires - Arsenal to Real Madrid - £2.5m

Wesley Sneijder - Ajax to Chelsea - £??

Stephane Henchoz - Un-Attached (Without a club for Arwin) to Wigan - Trial

Luis Boa Morte - Fulham to Middlesbrough - £5m bid to be made this week

Michael Raynes - Stockport County to Liverpool, Sunderland, West Brom

Gus Hiddink - PSV Eindhoven to Australia (National job)

"When I heard about Chelsea's interest, I didn't give it a thought.

"I read about the Chelsea rumours saying they wanted me in the papers. But for me it was only ever Arsenal.

"Many people seem to think nobody will be able to compete with Chelsea. I beg to differ.

"I've come to Arsenal in order to win as many honours as possible. I want to win every trophy going, home and abroad."

The player added:

"OK, maybe Chelsea have more money, and a bigger squad. But that's not the most important thing.

"The goal Arsenal set themselves is very simple - to win everything there is to win. We'll be doing our best to make that happen."

Jack Hobbs -  Lincoln City to Liverpool, Arsenal - Liverpool lead the race for the 16 year old, after making a £500,000 bid

Dean Marney - Tottenham to Norwich City

Szilard Nemeth - Middlesbrough to Wigan - £1.5m

Nicolas Anelka - Fenerbahce to Newcastle United - £6m bid made, but the Turkish club are said to want nearer £10m

Juanfran - Besiktas to Bolton - Loan

Alberto Luque - Deportivo la Coruna

Premiership clubs Tottenham and Eveton have both made enquiries for Guti, but reports coming from Spain suggest that Arsenal will be his next destination.

Real Madrid general manager Arrigo Sacchi said:

"If one [team] comes forward then we will talk."

He added: "Guti is a great player and he has made it clear he wants to play. But where? I could put him on the wing but he feels happier just behind the forwards or up front.

"In those positions we already have Zinedine Zidane and Raul, two great champions, and further forward we have Ronaldo and Michael Owen and we may have Robinho too.

"So in order to play, Guti has to play out of position and that's why we understand his request."

He added:

"We've made good progress. Pires has three offers on the table and we're the last one.

"Pires has a year on his contract with Arsenal. His aim is to leave on a free transfer and he's told us that he's solved this problem. We'll have some kind of result this week.''

Cole has been at the centre of a 'tapping up' scandel involving Arsenal's Premiership rivals Chelsea, and was fined £100,000 by the FA for his part in that.

Now the 'Colegate' scandal seems to of been put to rest and Cole is now looking forward to his future with Arsenal.

Cole said:

"I am now looking forward to another successful season,"

"We are all determined to regain the Premiership title and I can't wait for the season to start now."

Jermaine Jenas - Newcastle to Arsenal - £20m - Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepherd is reported to want to sell the player for £20m, while manager Greame Souness wnats to keep him.

Peter Crouch - Southampton to Man City - £7m  - City could make a move when Wright-Phillips completes his move to Chelsea.

Owen Hargreaves - Bayern Munich to Arsenal, Tottenham

Andy Cole - Fulham to Man City - £750k

Stephen Appiah - Juventus to Tottenham - £5m

Dean Ashton - Norwich to West Ham - £4m

Keith Gillespie - Un-Attached to Hull City

Owen Hargreaves - Bayern Munich to Middlesbrough - Player has snubbed the move

Edgar Davids - Inter Milan to West Ham - Bid reported to of been made

Salomon Kalou -  Feyenoord to Arsenal, Chelsea - Player has issued a quit threat to the dutch club

Vito Mannone - Atalanta to Arsenal - Keeper has now completed his move to Highbury

Milan Baros - Liverpool to West Ham - £5.5m - Bid to be made

Javier Saviola - Barcelona to Aston Villa - £??

Fatih Tekke - Trabzonspor to Blackburn - £3m

Christopher Kanu - Un-Attached to Millwall - Trial

Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett confirmed -

"I am pleased to say amicable discussions have taken place in the aftermath of a very difficult situation.

"Both sides are now close to an agreement that could see Ashley remain at Highbury. Perhaps now people will believe there were no secret deals to join another club."

The deal is rumoured to have a release clause in it, which could see Cole join Real Madrid should they come in for the England International.

Antti Niemi - Southampton to Fulham - £2m bid set to be made

Kleberson - Man Utd to Celta Vigo - £2m

Fabrizio Miccoli - Juventus to Birmigham, West Ham - Premiership clubs are set to make £2.5m bids for the midfielder

Jose Antonio Reyes - Arsenal - Has signed a new 6 year deal at Highbury

Niclas Jensen -  Borussia Dortmund to Fulham

Bastia chairman Louis Multari.stated -

"Indeed Alex wants to play in England,"

"We have started to talk with Arsene. I think we will make it happen. We should sell him."

The fee for the player will be about £2.7m 

"I must compliment the club officials, (Roberto) Bettega, (Antonio) Giraudo and (Luciano) Moggi who have done very well.

"Vieira is an important player, one with great personality, and his worth will be felt in our midfield both technically and physically."

He added: "Vieira will bring with him that little bit extra that new arrivals should come with."

Former Arsenal, Real Madrid, PSG and Man City striker is set for a return to the Premiership, only 7 months after leaving England for Turkey.

Newcastle manager Greame Souness said: "We tried to sign him around Christmas time when he left City and I understand he is desperate to come here.

"I've done a lot of checks and everyone tells me he has got his head right."

The deal will be around the £7m figure should it go through.

Steve Lomas - West Ham to Crystal Palace - Trial

Phil Neville - Man Utd to Arsenal - £3.2m

Nicolas Anelka -  Fenerbahce to Newcastle - £??

Hugo Viana - Newcastle to Stuttgart -  Newcastle spokesman: "Stuttgart have come in for Viana and we are currently talking to them." (Evening Chronicle)

Clive Clarke - Stoke to Sunderland, West Ham - West Ham to up Sunderlands offer of £125,000

Antti Niemi - Southampton to Portsmouth - £2m

Yossi Benayoun - Racing Santander to West Ham - £2.5m - Benayoun: "I had many offers, but West Ham attracted me most. My dream has come true. It is not about money. I want to be part of the club's adventure back in The Premiership."

Jared Borgetti - Pachuca to Bolton - £950k deal completed

David Pizarro - Udinese to Inter Milan - deal completed

Jon Dahl Tomasson - Milan to Benfica - Fee reportedly agreed

Campbell spent the last few games of last season on the bench after the emergence of young centre back Phillipe Senderos.

Newcastle boss Greame Souness said: "Sol has been outstanding for Arsenal and the rock they have built their defence on.

"The downside for us would be the money he earns - but he is a top defender."

Souness added: "When Arsenal go to find a replacement for Vieira it will be an expensive player to buy.

"If we were to sell Jermaine, it would have to be for a lot more money than Vieira cost.

"Jermaine has the potential to be one of the world's best midfielders. He maybe doesn't have Patrick's aggression but he certainly has the athleticism and technically he is good.

"It would take a lot more than £12m to sign him."

Gunners chief Arsene Wenger has expressed sadness at the departure of his first signing at the North London club. "I share the sadness with our supporters that Patrick has left us, but on the other hand I would say to them trust us and support us,"

Wenger told the Arsenal's Official website. "We'll be strong next season and we need you behind us like you have always been. We will not disappoint you.

"Patrick was a great player for us, one of the greatest in the club's history and I feel I had a special relationship with him because I made him come here.

"I think his impact, not only at Arsenal but in English football overall was just tremendous.

"The sad thing is that he leaves us, but the good thing is that he leaves us on a high. His last kick for the club was symbolic as it won us the FA Cup.

"Patrick will always be special for Arsenal football club, always in our hearts and our minds. All I can do is thank him for all he gave to the club and wish him well in his career."

Vieira admits it was a wrench to depart North London, but feels the time is right for a fresh challenge.

"When you spend nine years at the club, like I did, it is a difficult decision to leave. But in the end you have to make a choice for your future," said the midfielder. "It was a very difficult decision, but I am happy with it.

"I made the decision to leave because I felt it was time for me to have a new challenge. But that does not mean I was unhappy or that I was having a problem at Arsenal.

"It was just that I had the feeling I needed to grow and meet a new challenge, and I feel Juventus was the best challenge for me."

Jermaine Jenas - Newcastle to Arsenal - £15+ - Newcastle are believed to want Sol Campbell in the deal, though wages could be a stumbling block.

Luis Boa Morte - Fulham to Newcastle - £4m deal agreed

John Hartson - Celtic to Blackburn, Bolton  - £??

Mark Viduka - Middlesbrough to Newcastle - £3m

Walter Pandiani - Deportivo to Birmingham - £2.7m - Fee agreed

Sylvain Distin - Man City to Newcastle - £6m

Jonathan De Guzman - Deportivo to Tottenham - Loan deal

Steve Lomas - West Ham to Crystal Palace, Preston - £Free

Jared Borgetti -  Pachuca to Bolton - £900k

Mahamadou Diarra - Lyon to Arsenal - £10m - Lined up to replace Juventus bound Viera

Steve Lovell - Dundee to Aberdeen - Fee agreed between clubs

Juventus Director Luciano Moggi said -

"We are on the verge of signing him, the deal should be completed this afternoon," said Moggi, who insisted that talk of a double bid that included Robert Pires was not an option.

"We are not interested in Pires," he added.

To the dismay of many Arsenal fans it has looked increasingly likely that their iconic captain would depart this summer.

Real Madrid were also linked with a player, but a late bid now looks unlikely, with the Juventus deal being close.

Michael Ballack - Bayern Munich to Man Utd - £10m

Robert Pires - Arsenal to Galatasaray - £2.5m

David Pizarro - Udinese to Inter Milan - Move reported to of been agreed

Ryan Taylor - Tramere to Wigan - £1m - Wigan set to beat Everton to the signing

Grzegorz Rasiak - Derby to Sunderland - £1.5m

Traianos Dellas - Un-Attached to Fulham, Portsmouth - £Bosman

Louis Saha - Man Utd to Tottenham - Loan - Player has rejected to re-join Fulham on loan

Guti - Real Madrid to Tottenham, Everton - £5m - Everton have now joined the race to sign the midfielder

Viera had been linked witha move to Serie A with Juventus, whose officials hav travelled to London this week to tie up a deal for the French International.

Zidane, 33, said: "After nine years with Arsenal it would be good for him and Real if he joins us.

"Who doesn't see a place for Patrick here? He is in the prime of his life and a change of air could do him good."

"You are at your strongest between the ages of 27 and 31. You feel nothing can happen to you.

"A change during this period gives you a real boost. When I arrived in Madrid four years ago my £45.6million transfer fee was talked about a lot.

"But I won the Champions League in my opening season for the first time in my career. That was something."

Damien Duff & Eider Gudjohnson - Chelsea to Newcaslte - £19m double deal

Antti Niemi - Southampton to Celtic

Kostas Chalkias - Portsmouth to Un-Attached - Player is to be released having only been at the club for 6 months

Patrick Vieira - Arsenal to Real Madrid, Juventus - £15m

Robbie Blake - Birmingham to Leeds - £1.3m - Deal could be completed today

Shunsuke Nakamura - Reggina to Celtic - £??

"Chelsea and Arsenal were always at the front of the queue signing the big players. I didn't like that.

"I always wanted to be the one signing the big players and I know that joining Chelsea will now give me that chance.

"In recent years Spurs have spent the same money as Arsenal on players but just look at the difference. Players see that - and players know that.

"And so the top players will always want to sign for Arsenal or for Chelsea instead."

Emre Belozoglu - Inter Milan to Newcastle - £6m - Move to be complted on Monday

Julio Baptista - Sevillia to Arsenal, Tottenham - Spurs reported to of upped Arsenal bid by £1m to £12.5m

Mickael Essien  - Lyon to Chelsea - £16m+ - Move to go ahead next week

Ronaldinho - Barcelona to Chelsea - £83m - Reported bid lined up

Carlton Cole - Chelsea to Portsmouth  -  Portsmouth chairman, Milan Mandaric: "Carlton would select us after Chelsea but he wants to give himself a chance at Chelsea first." 

Sylvain Distin - Man City to Aston Villa - £7m - Villa to up bid from £5.5m to £7m

Anthony Gardner - Tottenham to Charlton - £1.6m - Player has reportedly failed a medical

Reports state that Juve officials have arrived in London to begin discussions although Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists that he knows nothing of the impending talks on Vieira.

"I've heard nothing about this at all," he said.

"As far as I am aware it is just a rumour and we're talking to

Steven Gerrard - Liverpool to Chelsea - £35m

Emiliano Moretti - Parma to Everton

Lee Trundle - Swansea to Hull City, Southampton, Leciester City - £1.5m

Francesco Coco - Inter Milan to Man Utd, Arsenal - £Free

Kleberson - Man Utd to Benfica - £2.5m

Ricardo - Sporting Lisbon to Arsenal - £6m

Julio Baptista - Sevilla to Arsenal - £6m opening bid rejected, Wenger to offer new £7.5m bid

Marlon Harewood - West Ham to Tottenham - Swap deal involving Robbie Keane

Email your rumours to rumours@football-latest.com

Robbie Keane - Tottenham to Newcastle - £6.5m

"I heard that Spanish clubs are ready to pay out to secure my transfer, but that's no part pf my plans.

"I'm very happy at Arsenal. It's the family spirit that matters."

The former Monaco hit-man insists Arsenal did not take a step backwards after being dethroned as Premiership champions by London rivals Chelsea last season.

"We did not go backwards last season, but getting the title back will be very difficult," he added.

It is reported that Madrid will pay around £18m for the Brazillan International after months of negotiations.

Real's sporting director Emilio Butragueno confirmed his delight at Robinho's impending arrival at the Spanish Club.

"Robinho has been the soccer sensation of the last year," he said.

Wagner Ribeiro said: "If Santos does not accept the proposal by the 8th of July, Real will make an official announcement informing them they no longer have an interest in the player.

"Real Madrid have given an ultimatum. If Robinho does not sign now, Real will sign another player. I guarantee that this is the limit."

Santos are reported to of rejected Real's initial bid of £14m, and Arsenal could step in with a larger bid should Real and Santos fail to agree a deal.

He told the Scottish Daily Express: "The Champions League was a big factor in choosing Celtic.

"Everybody knows the Champions League is the competition everybody wants to play in and it would be good if I could help Celtic make an impact in the competition.

And the Gunners forward admits he would even relish the chance to play against his fill-time employers.

"It would also be great if we ended up playing Arsenal. That would be something special. If that was the case, then I'm hoping Arsene Wenger would let me play for Celtic. But I'm sure he would."

Sidney Govou - Lyon to Liverpool, Newcastle - Striker could be available for around £8m

Damien Francis - Norwich to Portsmouth - £1.5m

Yossi Benayoun - Racing Santander to Newcasltle, Tottenham, Bolton - £2m

Ian Walker - Un-Attached to Portsmouth - £Bosman

Carlton Cole - Chelsea to Portsmouth - £2m

Luis Boa Morte - Fulham to Newcastle - £3.5m

Olivier Bernard - Un-Attached to Newcastle - Manager Greame Souness could be tempted to bring the defender back to St James Park

Nicky Butt - Newcastle to West Ham - £1.5m

Luis Figo - Real Madrid to West Ham - £Free - The hammers could be set to offer the player a £60k a week deal

Robert Green - Norwich City to Portsmouth - £3m

Ian Harte - Levante to Blackburn - £Free - Move denied contrary to reports in Irish Media

Dirk Kuijt -  Feyenoord to Liverpool - £8m - Talks set to take place

Dean Ashton - Norwich City to Blackburn - £3.5m plus Paul Gallagher & Michael Gray

Mark Viduka - Middlesbrough to Newcastle - Swap involving Craig Bellamy or Kieron Dyer

Shay Given - Newcastle to Arsenal - £6m

Damien Duff - Chelsea to Newcastle - £10m-£15m

Sean Wright-Phillips - Manchester City to Chelsea - £15m-£22m

Kevin Phillips - Southampton to Aston Villa - £1m

Alan Stubbs - Everton to Aston Villa - £Bosman

John Carew - Besiktas to Blackburn - £4.5m

Baptista is believed to have an agreement with Barcelona for the start of the 2006/07 season, which is when he receives his Spanish passport. But it's emerged that his representatives have been busy in talks with English clubs about a summer move to England.

"It is a possibility. There are other clubs interested in him but it's fair to say Celtic are the favourites," said Wenger in the Daily Record newspaper.

"I would be happy for him to go to Celtic. He would have the chance of getting experience in Europe.

"I've spoken with Gordon Strachan but it's up to the player."

The former Arsenal and Coventry forward Bothroyd spent last season on-loan at Blackburn Rovers, but his spell was plagued by injury and a ban due to his sending off against Norwich

Hammers boss Alan Pardew is keen to sign the striker, who is believed to be happy about a return to the Premiership.

Perugia are willing to offload the player after failing to gain promotion back to Serie A

"But they don't let him free.

"But should there be the favourable opportunity, we are there."

Twice the Brazilians lost the lead against a young and quick paced German side.  Adriano tipped to be attracting interest from a host of English and Continental teams stole the show with two goals, the first of which came from a stunning free kick.  The Germans, a changed side of late came back with a Lukas Podolski goal two minutes after Adriano's opener before a penalty in the 43rd minute taken calmly by the Barcelona Star Ronaldinho once again put the Brazilians in the lead.  That lead lasted all of two minutes before some blatent fouling by the Brazilian fullbacks gave the referee little choice but to award the host nation the opportunity to equalise from the spot.  Michael Ballack, one of the older members of the new German setup took little time to bring the game level just before the break. 

The second half saw much the same with both teams playing to win. Lehmann made a couple of good saves with Dida equal to the task when called upon.  However, it was the boy wonder Adriano who finally broke the deadlook less than 20 seconds after Lucio had seen his shot wide of the mark.  Quick thinking saw the astute Brazilian break in the 75th Minute before rifling Brazils third past Arsenals Jens Lehmann.  The final 15 minutes saw Brazil with most of the possesion and two potential penalties, both at opposite ends waved away.  A last minute corner by Bernd Schneider produced little of consequence and the renewed German hope was dashed once again. 

3-2 the final score, the hosts finally find themselves out of the competition.

Source - Rufus Stalin. (Game live on Channel 5)

Gunners vice-chairman David Dein flew to Germany last night to complete the deal and midfielder Hleb will be unveiled next week after signing a four-year deal.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger confirmed: "The transfer has been completed. He is packing his bags to come to London.''

Arsenal had an initial £4.75m bid turned down and increased it to £6m before finally agreeing terms last night.

The Gunners have refused to budge after offering the 32-year-old midfielder only a 12-month extension on his contract at Highbury, which has only one season left to run, despite the French ace bagging 17 goals last term.

Pires, who wanted two years, broke off negotiations and told his advisors that he was willing to consider a move to end his Arsenal career after five seasons.

Agent Stephane Courbis has indicated to Valencia that Arsene Wenger is ready to let Pires go for around £2m as the Gunners boss begins the overhaul of his squad to take on champions Chelsea. The only stumbling block is the player's £50,000-a-week wages