Hughes Strikes For Santa

Manchester City have agreed an £18million deal to sign Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn as they begin to build a squad to break into the Premier League's top four. Manager Mark Hughes will finally be reunited with the striker he wanted to bring with him from Rovers to Eastlands last summer in the first of several blockbuster signings before the end of August. Santa Cruz will cost £15m, with the rest of the fee dependant on appearances and team success, but he is likely to have to compete for a place with Carlos Tevez - who is ready to reject Manchester United and Liverpool - and Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o next season.

Source: Daily Mail

Bayern Chase Chelsea's Bosingwa

Bayern Munich said last night that they were confident that they could prise José Bosingwa from Chelsea. The Portugal defender cost £15.8 million when he moved from Porto a year ago and Chelsea will be reluctant to allow him to leave until a replacement can be found. Paulo Ferreira and Juliano Belletti are recognised right backs, but Chelsea favoured playing Branislav Ivanovic in the position last season in the absence of Bosingwa. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the chairman of Bayern, said that he was hopeful of a deal. Willy Sagnol, the right back, was forced to retire because of injury, while Massimo Oddo failed to impress after a loan spell from AC Milan. "We are holding talks, but we still need the approval of Chelsea," he said. "He is one of the best right full backs around."

Source: The Times

Scharner Set For Fulham Move

Fulham are set to sign Paul Scharner from Wigan for £6m. The Austria international’s agent Valentin Hobel revealed Scharner has rejected Aston Villa because they wanted to play him in defence rather than midfield, and hopes to conclude a deal with Fulham shortly. Roy Hodgson wants the 29-year-old for Fulham’s Europa League campaign next season, and Scharner said: "My chapter at Wigan is closed. I want to leave for a club that is competing in Europe."

Source: The Mail

Bruce Turns To Dunne

Steve Bruce is close to signing Richard Dunne from Manchester City - as Sunderland club skipper Dean Whitehead heads for Stoke. The new Black Cats manager will reshuffle his squad and Dunne will be his first signing of several key changes this summer. Whitehead will be allowed to leave, with Stoke boss Tony Pulis interested, but Bruce could raid Wigan for midfielder Lee Cattermole and defender Paul Scharner.

Source: Daily Mirror

WBA Look At Former Liverpool Star

West Brom are trying to set up an ambitious loan deal for former Liverpool star Luis Garcia. Albion are managerless following Tony Mowbray's decision to quit for Celtic. But the relegated Premier League side have not stopped sounding out possible new players. The Baggies have told potential replacements for Mowbray they believe they can get Spanish striker Garcia on loan with a view to a permanent switch. The versatile 30-year-old has fallen out of favour at Atletico Madrid, who bought him from Liverpool in 2007. Albion hope to appoint a new manager next week once they finish interviewing.

Source: Daily Mirror

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