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Vieri Congratulates Galliani

Adriano Galliani

Christian Vieri has congratulated Milan CEO

Adriano Galliani for seemingly managing to sell

Mario Balotelli to Liverpool.

The deal, which should see the Italy forward join

the Reds for around £16m, has divided opinion around the peninsula.

However, former Azzurri hitman Vieri made his feelings clear on social media this afternoon, saying that the

Rossoneri are well shot of Balotelli.

“Today Galliani has played the biggest masterstroke in the history of Milan,” he wrote.

In May 2013 the Brazilian starred in this sensational clip of him nutmegging the full-back who's recently been linked with Barcelona. The former Atlético Mineiro star used a delightful touch out on the wing to lose the defender with consummate ease in a game against Sao Paulo.

Milan Targeting €25m Martinez?

Jackson Martinez

It is reported that Jackson Martinez has emerged as Milan’s number one target to replace Mario Balotelli.

The controversial Italy forward has left San Siro and appears set to join Premier League side Liverpool,

leaving the Rossoneri short of attacking options.

Now, transfer market specialist Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting that talks between the Diavolo and the

Colombian’s representatives are ongoing.

The player has only recently signed a new contract at current club Porto but it is thought he would be keen

on a move to Serie A.

Should he make this clear to his current employers, it is said they would consider lowering their asking price

for the player to a fee in the region of €25m plus bonuses.

Liverpool and Manchester United Eyeing Barcelona Midfielder

http://www.kickoff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Alex-Song-Arsenal-TOP-PIC.jpg

It’s back to business in the Premier League, with the transfer window still having a few weeks left to run

before its closure on September 1.

All the top teams vying for places in the top four have been making their additions, and it seems that an old

face could be returning to English football.

Barcelona’s Alex Song has been linked with a move back to the Premier League after spells Arsenal

and Charlton on loan, where he appeared more than 150 times in the top tier.

Liverpool and Manchester United are all said to be looking at bringing in the Cameroon international, with

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta announcing they are happy to let him leave on loan this summer.

Vargas Joins QPR

Edu Vargas

QPR have confirmed that Napoli’s Edu Vargas has joined them on a season-long loan deal.

The Premier League club have been heavily linked with the player over the last week or so and have now

landed their man, with the added option to sign the player permanently next summer.

The Chile international moved to the Partenopei in 2012 but failed to force his way into either Walter

Mazzarri or Rafa Benitez’s first team plans.

Now, he will head out for what is his third loan spell since moving to San Paolo.

“Welcome to Loftus Road, Edu Vargas,” the club announced via their official Twitter account, displaying an

image of the player in a QPR shirt alongside the message.

Chelsea Could Make Move For Real Madrid Pair As Liverpool Close In On Stamford Bridge Target

Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has built arguably the best squad in the Premier League over the summer and may not be done with his spending just yet.

Here is a full round-up of Blues transfer news and gossip from the past 24 hours:

Chelsea given transfer boost in race for Real Madrid pair Angel Di Maria and Sami Khedira

There will be no swap deal involving Chelsea striker Fernando Torres and Roma forward Mattia Destro

True Blue: Our Chelsea blogger reckons Petr Cech deserves more than Jose Mourinho’s disrespect

Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea summer target Mario Balotelli

Sporting Lisbon have denied reports that they have received a big money offer from Chelsea for midfielder William Carvalho

Arsene Wenger was right not to re-sign Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas, according to Arsenal legend Alan Smith

More Chelsea news from around the web:

AS Monaco ready to offer Blues outcast Petr Cech a three-year deal (Caught Offside)

Chelsea star Eden Hazard will be the new face of EA Sport’s FIFA15 alonside Lionel Messi

Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are battling to sign Fulham wonderkid Patrick Roberts

Benteke Edging Closer To Villa Return

Benteke's recovery is progressing well

Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke could be back in action 'in the next few weeks', manager Paul Lambert has revealed.

The frontman suffered an Achilles injury in April, putting an early stop to his involvement with Villa last season and ruling him out of the World Cup.

However, he is known to have made excellent progress in recent months, and Lambert today revealed that he is edging closer to a first team return.

He said: "Hopefully, all being right, with a bit of luck if Christian doesn't have any major hiccups he will be back soon. I can't put a 100 per cent time limit on it but he is doing really well. To get him back training is important, first and foremost.

"At the minute the guy is doing great. He is looking in great shape, the medical people deserve a lot of credit for getting him in shape."

Lambert also delivered a positive report on Benteke's fellow striker Libor Kozak, who has also been making steady progress following his long-term injury.

The Scot added: "Touch wood everything is OK with their rehab and in the next few weeks they will be back."

Juventus In Talks With Midfielder Paul Pogba Over A New Contract

Paul Pogba: In talks with Juventus over a new contract

Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has confirmed that the club are in contract talks with midfielder Paul Pogba.

Pogba has a further two years remaining on his current deal with the Serie A champions, but his future has been the subject of much speculation in recent transfer windows.

Both PSG and Chelsea have been among the clubs linked with a move for the 21-year-old, while Arsenal and former club Manchester United have also been reported to be admirers.

However, Marotta is now hopeful of tying up a new deal for Pogba, who has quickly established himself as one of the game’s brightest prospects since joining from from Old Trafford in 2012.

He said: "With Pogba and his agent we started a negotiation and I am optimistic that there may be an agreement soon."

Marotta also says Juventus have tabled an offer for veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, 36, to extend his stay, while defender Giorgio Chiellini is close to a new deal.

"The Buffon contract is ready. It is up to him to decide when to come and sign and decide when to stop playing football," he said.

"Chiellini’s contract is in the home stretch."

Thursday, 21 August 2014