New season preview

Banish those post-Olympic blues; the Premier League is back. Sergio Aguero's last gasp heroics at the City of Manchester Stadium will forever be etched in top flight folklore but at the weekend it all counts for nothing as the 2012/13 season gets underway in earnest.

The European Championship and a number of high-profile transfers has whetted the appetite over the summer, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal (albeit before losing Robin van Persie) all having made significant captures as they look to close the gap on Roberto Mancini's champions. For Tottenham and Liverpool it's a case of stepping into the unknown as Andre Villas-Boas and Brendan Rodgers usher in new eras at White Hart Lane and Anfield respectively.

Aston Villa, Norwich, West Brom and Swansea also welcome new bosses into the dugout, while Newcastle have been able to keep hold of all of their top players as they look to build on a thrilling past campaign. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Inter Close In On Tottenham Olympic Star Giovani dos Santos

Dos Santos finally set to leave Lane.

Inter Milan are closing in on a deal for Tottenham midfielder Giovani Dos Santos.

The Mexican winger has failed to make an impact at White Hart Lane during his four year stay, starting less than 20 Premier League matches amid three different spells out on loan.

Dos Santos was signed by Juande Ramos from Barcelona in 2008 but fell out of favour when the Spaniard was replaced by Harry Redknapp. CLICK HERE FOR HERE

Hangeland 'not close' to deal

The agent of Fulham defender Brede Hangeland claims the Norwegian is some distance away from agreeing a new contract at Craven Cottage.

The 31-year-old has been at the club since 2008 but his current deal expires next summer and his agent, Rune Hauge, was quoted on Norwegian TV channel tv2 as saying Hangeland was "not even close" to penning a new contract. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Wenger - RVP sale not ideal

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal would rather have sold Robin van Persie to a foreign side, like Paris St Germain, than strengthen Manchester United's ranks.

The Gunners have reluctantly agreed a deal with their Premier League rivals after Van Persie made it clear that he would not be penning an extension to a contract which has only 12 months left to run.

Wenger could have made the Holland international see out that agreement, but would have then seen him walk away for nothing next summer. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Liverpool agree Assaidi deal

Liverpool have reached an agreement with Heerenveen to sign winger Oussama Assaidi, subject to the player passing a medical.

The Morocco international, who has scored 20 goals in 68 appearances for the Eredivisie side, is poised to become Brendan Rodgers' third signing of the summer after Fabio Borini and Joe Allen.

Liverpool confirmed the agreement on their official website on Thursday evening, with the 24-year-old to undergo a medical at Melwood. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Fergie - RVP set for debut

Sir Alex Ferguson says he is 'sure' that Robin van Persie will be available to make his Manchester United debut against Everton as the Dutchman prepares to undergo a medical.

United announced on Wednesday night that they had agreed a fee with Arsenal for the striker, with the transfer set to be finalised once personal terms have been settled and a medical has been passed. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Biglia on Wenger agenda

The 25-year-old Anderlecht player has long been on Arsene Wenger's radar, even from when he first moved to Brussels back in 2006.

Biglia has progressed well in recent seasons and now a number of Europe's top clubs are chasing his signature.

Real Madrid and Inter Milan are amongst the clubs who are keen on Biglia, along with a number of Premier League sides. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Van United: Fergie finally lands RvP with massive £40million package

ir Alex Ferguson has finally got his man, with Robin van Persie poised to join Manchester United in a £24million deal.

Van Persie will sign a four-year contract with United on £200,000-a-week in a package worth almost £40m to the Holland international.

As revealed by the Mirror on Tuesday, Arsenal agreed to sell their captain and star striker once their asking price was met.

He will travel to Manchester on Thursday, where he will undergo a medical at the city's Bridgewater Hospital before the deal is completed. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Vermaelen sad over RVP

Arsenal ace Thomas Vermaelen could not hide his disappointment after it was confirmed Robin van Persie is set to join Manchester United.

The Belgian stopper admits that it is a big disappointment to lose his skipper on the eve of the new season.

But Vermaelen remains confident Arsenal have a squad in place to win silverware next season. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Wenger - I had no choice

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he had no choice but to agree to sell Robin van Persie to Manchester United.

The Old Trafford giants confirmed on Wednesday evening that they had agreed terms with Arsenal - understood to be £24million - for the Dutchman.

Van Persie is now set to travel to the North West to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms with United. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Almost there! Arsenal and United open official talks over van Persie

Robin van Persie is closing in on a sensational £20million-plus move after Arsenal officially began negotiations with Manchester United.

The Mirror can reveal the two clubs spent Tuesday night talking about a deal which could now be pushed through before the Premier League kick-off this weekend.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is likely to settle on a fee of just above £20m as United prepare to increase their offer for the Dutch forward, who is currently on international duty but won't be in the starting line-up when Holland play Belgium on Wednesday night.

It is understood the clubs are very close to agreement on a fee. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Makoun close to Rennes move

Aston Villa have announced that talks regarding a possible loan agreement that will take Jean Makoun to Rennes are at an 'advanced stage'.

The Cameroon international has endured a frustrating 18 months on the books at Villa Park, and things do not look like getting any easier.

He was snapped up from Lyon in January 2011, with a number of clubs reported to have been keen on doing a deal. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Modric set for Real switch

It is thought that the transfer could now be completed quickly after the clubs finally agreed a fee following months of uncertainty.

Reports suggest that a compromise has been reached that will see Real pay an initial fee of £23.6million, plus a further £3.9m in add-ons.

Tottenham are believed to have accepted Real's offer now to give them enough time to sign a replacement before the window slams shut at the end of the month. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Milan interested in Bendtner

The Denmark international is for sale at Emirates Stadium after spending last season on loan at Sunderland but time is running out ahead of the transfer deadline.

Bendtner's demands of UEFA Champions League football, a regular first-team place and easy access to London to visit his family are rumoured to be causing problems. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Muamba retires

Bolton Wanderers have announced that Fabrice Muamba has retired from playing professional football.

The 24-year-old midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch in an FA Cup tie against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in March.

The former England Under 21 international made a dramatic recovery and had retained tentative ambitions to continue playing.

But those hopes have been abandoned after extensive consultations with leading cardiologists. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Hulk prefers England or Spain

Brazil striker Hulk would prefer a move to the Premier League or La Liga if he is to leave Porto.

Chelsea, Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain and most recently Zenit St Petersburg have all been linked with the forward, who has a €100million (£78m) contract release clause at Porto.

But despite Hulk and his various representatives regularly discussing his career in the media, there has been no transfer.

It remains to be seen if any club is prepared to pay the money required for the 2012 Olympic silver medalist but he has indicated Chelsea or Real could be the ideal destinations. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Rodwell always on City radar

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has had Jack Rodwell on his radar since he arrived at the club, according to David Platt.

Whilst City were picking up the first silverware of the new season, as they beat Chelsea 3-2 in the Community Shield - Rodwell was undergoing a medical after the Premier League champions agreed a deal with Everton. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Rennes claim M'Vila bid

Rennes chairman Frederic de Saint-Serni has claimed that French star Yann M'Vila has now received a 'concrete' offer from England.

Arsenal have been leading the chase for the midfielder, but manager Arsene Wenger admitted last month he had backed away from a deal. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

City overpower 10-man Chelsea

Manchester City came from behind to beat 10-man Chelsea 3-2 at Villa Park and win the FA Community Shield.

Second-half goals from Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri turned things around after Branislav Ivanovic's red card before the break.

And while substitute Ryan Bertrand did pull one back late on after a slip-up from Costel Pantilimon, City were just too strong for their opponents in an ominous display. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ANTHEM

PREMIER LEAGUE 2011/12 SEASON REVIEW

LA LIGA 2011/12 SEASON REVIEW

City spurn Balotelli approaches

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed the club have turned down a number of approaches for Mario Balotelli.

The 20-year-old international has an outstanding Euro 2012, finishing with three goals and helping Italy to the final. CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Moratti reveals PSG bid for Moura

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti claims Paris Saint Germain have lodged a €45million (£35.7million) bid for Sao Paulo starlet Lucas Moura.

Manchester United had been leading the chase for the Brazilian forward and have been in talks with his club and his representatives.

But the English giants have been unable to agree terms and now big-spending PSG look to have agreed to Sao Paulo's demands of a fee in excess of €40million - a figure United were unwilling to meet . CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Chelsea hold more Moses talks

Dave Whelan is waiting to see if Chelsea will match Wigan Athletic's valuation of Victor Moses following fresh talks regarding the winger.

Moses is in the final year of his contract at the DW Stadium and Latics chairman Whelan has previously urged the Nigeria international to sign a new deal.

Whelan's preference remains for the 21-year-old to stay with Wigan, but he confirmed Moses does want to join the European champions before the transfer window closes.

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