Transfer talk: August 20 - Celtic confirm Ki talks, Cassano to Inter

The National's daily guide to the latest big name moves and deals taking place around world football as the end of the transfer window draws near.

Kieran Richardson in action for Sunderland
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Celtic have confirmed South Korea midfielder Ki Sung-yueng is in talks to leave the club - as revealed by The National yesterday.

The midfielder is closing in on a transfer to Swansea City, and has not travelled with the Ceitic squad to Sweden for their Champions League qualifying match against Helsingborgs this week.

"He is keen to move on and the club is in discussion with another club so we have to wait and see what happens," Mjallby said.

"There have been a few clubs interested in him but I know for sure there has been one bid for him and I think maybe one or two other bids.

"He is a quality player but on the other hand he is keen to move on so the club needs to do something."

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AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano and Inter Milan striker Giampaolo Pazzini are to discuss personal terms with over a surprise swap deal.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani confirmed the possible exchange between the rival clubs after the Rossoneri's 3-2 defeat by Serie A champions Juventus in the Berlusconi Trophy friendly on Sunday.

The Rossoneri are looking for a replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic following his move to PSG last month, with Pazzini looking to get his career back on track following a lackluster season last term.

"Talks are ongoing. Antonio has asked to be sold, let's see what happens. The most probable scenario is a swap," Galliani told reporters.

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Manchester United have been linked with a shock move for Dutch defender Alexander Buttner - after the player claimed he was about to seal a 'dream' move to Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old, who featured in Holland's provisional Euro 2012 squad, had been a transfer target for a number of English Premier League sides - with a deal with Southampton collapsing earlier this summer.

But the Vitesse Arnhem left-back told a Dutch TV station he was about to complete a £4m (Dh22.7m) move to Manchester United.

"This is really a dream come true," he said.

"It was all arranged very quickly and of course I am very delighted. Happily everything is coming to an end."

Manchester United had been expected to move for England and Everton defender Leighton Baines before the transfer window closes.

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Reading have signed former Arsenal goalkeeper Stuart Taylor on a one-year deal following his release by Manchester City at the end of last season.

The Premier League newcomers were keen to sign the 31-year-old as cover for Adam Federici but were waiting for fellow keeper Mikkel Andersen to complete a move to crisis club Portsmouth.

The Dane did so on Saturday on a one-month loan deal, playing the full 90 minutes of Portsmouth's 1-1 npower League One draw with Bournemouth.

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Australian international captain Lucas Neill could be set for a surprise return to the Pro League, after negotiations over a move to Al Wasl. Read the full story here.

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Sunderland defender Kieran Richardson is on the verge of leaving the Stadium of Light after eyeing a move to London.

The player threw his shit into the crowd after the final whistle on Saturday, and now Martin O'Neil, the Sunderland manager, admits the player could leave before the transfer window closes.

"Kieran came to see me a while ago in the last transfer window," he said.

"For family issues and things, he thought there maybe needed a change. No-one has come in and made an offer. That, though, does not mean there is nothing happening, I just don't know.

The manager is continuing to hunt a striker, with another bid for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Steven Fletcher expected this week.