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Celtic have announced the signing of Scunthorpe's 22-year old striker Gary Hooper for a reported fee of £2.4 million.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has announced that Javier Mascherano has expressed his desire to leave the club, but says he expects the Argentine skipper to honour his contract (which runs till 2012), unless Liverpool receive a good enough offer for him.

Arsenal's out of contract defender Sol Campbell has arrived in Newcastle, reportedly for a medical. The former England international is said to have agreed personal terms with the Magpies and has got tired of waiting for Arsenal to offer him a new contract.

Liverpool have reportedly joined Arsenal and Tottenham in their admiration of Ipswich 17-year old striker Connor Wickham. Staying with some of those clubs for a moment, and former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has ruled out a return to the Premier League, putting to rest any rumours linking him with a move to Anfield.

Robinho has been asked by Manchester City to return from Santos so that the player and club can hold talks about his future. Next Thursday is set as the date of his return.

The Guardian reports that Brazilian international Ramires is edging closer to signing for Chelsea. €20 million is the transfer fees that has been agreed between Benfica and the West London club. The Sun, however, report that Kia Joorabchian owns 50% of the player - like he did Carlos Tevez & Javier Mascherano, leaving the powers that be in the FA none too pleased.

Sport Italia carry an interview with Cagliari president Massimo Cellio claiming that Arsenal have expressed interest in signing Italian international Federico Marchetti.

The Daily Mail has some great rumours on offer today:

• Manuel Almunia, who has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid in the past couple of weeks, has reportedly sparked interest at his former club Osasuna, who apparently would like the 33-year old back to lead the line. With Arsene Wenger telling Almunia that he is no longer first choice at Arsenal, it may be a good time for the keeper to head back home.
• Javier Mascherano returned to training yesterday after his extended holiday following the World Cup and reportedly held talks with the Liverpool management. He has been permitted to leave, with Inter Milan preparing a £25 million offer for the Argentine skipper.
• Roma are closing in on West Ham United's Swiss international Valon Behrami, and are prepared to offer either goalkeeper Doni or striker Stefano Okaka in a player plus cash deal.
• Raul's farewell press conference in Madrid yesterday has put a number of Premier League clubs on high alert after the legendary Spanish striker claimed that he is open to a move to England and nothing has been agreed yet with German side Schalke.
• Portsmouth striker John Utaka could be in line for a quick return to the Premier League with Sunderland, Fulham and Bolton all reportedly keen on signing the Nigerian. Utaka will be hoping for some first team action after spending large parts of his Pompey career warming the bench.
• Hull City, who had beefed up their squad tremendously last season in an attempt to stay in the Premiership are now on a cost cutting mission, and Kamel Ghilas is the latest player linked with a year long loan to Arles-Avignon.

The Daily Mirror is equally enticing:

• It has an interesting story about Mario Balotelli turning down higher wages from Manchester United for a move to rivals City. The young Italian is desperate to link up with ex-boss Roberto Mancini, and despite his agent denying any deal has thus far been signed, the newspaper would have you believe that he has been offered £65,000 a week in wages, and a £25.1 million transfer fee has been agreed by the Inter Milan and City. We wonder if that money will be immediately spent to fund a move for Mascherano!
• The Mirror also carries news that Roy Hodgson has set his sights on Maynor Figueroa as Liverpool's first choice left back. A fee of £5 million has reportedly been agreed on with Wigan, and the player has been permitted to discuss terms. Hodgson though is keeping his eyes open, with Luke Young and Carlos Salcido also on the veteran manager's radar.
• French international center-back Jean-Alain Boumsong could be headed back to the Premier League, this time with West Ham United, after reportedly being told by his current club Lyon that they will not renew his contract next season. Hamburg are also interested in the 30-year old former Newcastle United player.
• Shaun Wright-Phillips could be heading to Aston Villa as part of the deal which brings James Milner to Eastlands. Wright-Phillips becomes the third player mentioned as a possible make weight for the Milner move, with Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onouha also having been linked with a move away from Manchester City this summer. It is not out of the question that all three could go, with City looking to cut down their squad to 25 players to match the new Premier League regulations.
• Tottenham and Aston Villa have both expressed interest in signing West Ham United midfield general Scott Parker. However, the £15 million price tag on the 29-year old's head could prove to be a major stumbling block.

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Col english July 28, 2010 212.183.140.5 Votes: +0	my father was on the same plane sat next to eidur gudjohnson the other day he confirmed he was in talks with stoke city about a possible move to the club report abuse vote down vote up

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