Liverpool announced late on Tuesday that they have reached an agreement to sign Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno from Europa League champions Sevilla.
The 22-year-old was absent from the Sevilla squad for their 2-0 loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in Cardiff and Liverpool subsequently revealed that they have struck a deal to bring him to Anfield.
[ Read more: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers targets more summer signings ]
“Liverpool can confirm they have reached an agreement with Sevilla for the transfer of Spain international full-back Alberto Moreno,” Liverpool said in a brief statement on their website.
“The Reds will proceed with the formalities of finalising the deal for the 22-year-old over the coming days and will make no further announcement until it is complete.”
Liverpool did not confirm how much they have agreed to pay for Moreno, but British press reports put the transfer fee at around £12 million ($20.2 million, 15.1 million euros).
Speaking after his side’s loss to Madrid at the Cardiff City Stadium, Sevilla coach Unai Emery said that Moreno would leave with the club’s blessing.
“We didn’t have any clear expectation (about the transfer being completed), but it was in our minds,” he said.
“This has been in the offing for a month and a half or two. We were aware of the need to take him out of the squad.
“And we were in England and close to the teams who are interested in Alberto. Maybe decisions are speeding up because we are getting towards the end of the transfer window (on August 31).
“We want to wish all the best to Alberto Moreno and we need to continue with our path. He’s a player we can no longer count on.”
Seville-born Moreno graduated from Sevilla’s youth academy and made his first-team debut in April 2012. He has won three caps for Spain.
AC Milan
AC Milan on Wednesday announced the signing of Colombia full-back Pablo Armero on loan from Italian rivals Udinese.
Armero, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham United in England, joins Milan on a new loan deal, although the Rossoneri have the option to eventually make the move permanent.
“I spoke to (new Milan coach Filippo) Inzaghi, who as a player loved to win and will want to do the same as a coach,” Armero told the Milan Channel before undergoing a medical.
The 27-year-old left-back played in all of Colombia’s games during their run to the World Cup quarter-finals last month and scored in their opening 3-0 win against Greece.
His arrival will help Milan in a position where they have seen Dutchman Urby Emanuelson and Guinea’s Kevin Constant depart this summer for Roma and Trabzonspor respectively.
He is the second new signing at the San Siro in as many days after goalkeeper Diego Lopez joined from Real Madrid on a four-year deal on Tuesday.
Milan have been busy in the transfer market this summer, with French centre-back Adil Rami, winger Jeremy Menez and Brazilian defender Alex already having been snapped up.
Everton
Everton manager Roberto Martinez expects to complete the signing of Chelsea’s Christian Atsu on Thursday.
The Ghana winger has been widely expected to sign on a season-long loan, following striker Romelu Lukaku from Stamford Bridge to Goodison Park, and Martinez revealed a deal has been agreed.
Speaking at the Premier League’s season launch event, the Spaniard told Sky Sports News: “We’re very close to announcing a new signing, I think it’s been an open secret in the last few days.
“We’re expecting Christian Atsu to join us tomorrow, the deal is done with Chelsea.
“After the season that we had, it was important that we faced Europe and all the demands this season with the strong backbone that we have, and new blood to bring something a little bit different.”
Manchester City
David Silva has set his sights firmly on Champions League glory after signing a new five-year contract with Manchester City.
The Spanish playmaker has won two Premier League titles and two domestic cups since joining City four years ago but has no doubt more trophies lie in store.
Such is his conviction that he has committed to the club until 2019 and he is determined to help them conquer Europe.
Asked what trophies he could see City winning in that period, the 28-year-old said: “The Champions League, definitely. It’s a title I really want to win. I think we are on a good path and hopefully we can win it some day.
“It’s a good challenge for this year. We also want to win other titles. We want to fight for every trophy.”
Silva joined City in a £26million transfer from Valencia in 2010.
His signing was a statement of ambition by the club - one of several - as they looked to establish themselves among the elite of the English game.
City are now much further along in their journey but the ambitions remain undimmed and Silva insists he was never tempted to leave.
He said: “On and off the pitch, I feel incredibly content and fulfilled professionally and personally, so why wouldn’t I want to stay and keep winning trophies with this fantastic team?
“Over the last four years, we have achieved so much together, establishing City as a dominating force in England and now, when I look around this dressing room, I can see no reason why we won’t become one of the top teams in the world.
“It was a straightforward decision to extend my stay here and spend my peak years at Manchester City, a club with unbelievable fans who have always supported me.”
Marseille
French-born Moroccan international midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada on Wednesday finalised his transfer to Ligue 1 club Marseille from Al Jazira in the United Arab Emirates.
Marseille confirmed that Barrada had turned down a move to Portuguese giants Porto in favour of signing a four-year deal at the Stade Velodrome.
“I see my long-term future at the club. I want to help OM to finish on the podium. That is where this club deserves to be,” said Barrada, who started out at Paris Saint-Germain before making his name in Spain with Getafe.
Barrada, 25, scored 15 goals in 34 appearances for Al Jazira last season. He joins as Brazilian defender Lucas Mendes moves to the Gulf, signing for El Jaish in Qatar.
Barrada is Marseille’s third signing of the transfer window after the arrival of winger Romain Alessandrini from Rennes and young Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi from Standard Liege.
Tottenham
FIFA has received a complaint from Michel Vorm’s former club FC Utrecht in relation to the Dutch goalkeeper’s transfer to Tottenham from Swansea.
Vorm moved from the Liberty Stadium to White Hart Lane last month for an undisclosed fee, with Utrecht claiming they have not received 30 per cent of Vorm’s transfer fee, which they allege was part of a sell-on agreement between them and the Swans when he moved to Wales for £1.5million in 2011.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we’ve received a complaint from the club FC Utrecht against the club Swansea City in connection with the transfer of the player Michel Vorm.
“At this stage we cannot make any further comment.”
Swansea last week issued a statement to say the transfer was “conducted and concluded correctly under Premier League rules”.
A Swansea spokesman said: “It was approved by the Premier League and also FIFA via their TMS (Transfer Matching) system.
“While we have been in contact with Utrecht as a matter of courtesy, we will continue to conduct our business in the best interest of our football club and our supporters, and not based on the views of other clubs.”
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