's bid to land Spanish defender
Cesar Azpilicueta
could be a step closer to fruition after the 22-year-old was left out of Marseille's Europa League squad.
The right back has featured in both the French club's Ligue 1 matches this season, but has not been named in the squad facing FC Sheriff Tiraspol tomorrow night.
The move has increased speculation the player - a long-time transfer target for Chelsea - is on the brink of a deal with the European Cup winners, with reports in France claiming a £7m (Dh40.5m) fee had been agreed between the two clubs.
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hope to complete the signing of Uruguay winger
Gaston Ramirez
- despite the deal being held up due to
financial issues.
The 21-year-old winger is set to move to the English Premier League for a reported £12m (Dh 69.6m), with Southampton having beaten Spurs and Liverpool to his signature.
But while Penarol - who own 30% of his contract - are happy with the deal, Bologna have delayed the transfer while they look to secure a loan against the repayments.
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Werder Bremen are set to clinch the signing of Nigerian sriker
Joseph Akpala
from FC Brugge.
The 25-year-old forward, who scored 44 goals in four seasons for the Begian side, was in the final year of his contract at Brugges.
He is expected to join the Bundesliga side on a EU1.3m deal, subject to passing a medical.
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are set to sign former Chelsea defender
Ricardo Carvalho
on loan from
.
The 34-year-old is out of favour at the Primera Liga champions, and reports from the UK suggest the two sides have agreed a season-long loan deal for the Portugal defender.
Rangers are keen to strengthen their defence following the 5-0 defeat at the weekend, and Carvalho is expected to discuss personal terms with the Loftus Road side before the weekend.
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says he is relishing the prospect of pulling on a
shirt again after finally completing his £5m (Dh29m) move from
.
The 28-year-old's return to White Hart Lane, after a successful loan spell last season, looks set to spark a busy final week of the transfer window at Spurs.
"It may have taken longer than expected but I am delighted to be back at Tottenham Hotspur," he told Spurs' website.
Tottenham have also accepted an initial £7.5m bid from
for club captain
Michael Dawson
- a fee which could rise to £10m depending on add-ons, and have sold Sebastien Bassong to Norwich.
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Glasgow Rangers' post-relegation clear out is set to continue with
Maurice Edu
closing in on a move to
.
The USA midfielder is also attracting interest from Ipswich, though a move to the English Premier League is thought to be his favoured option.
Meanwhile defender
Dorin Goian
has left the Ibrox side to join Serie B outfit Spezia Calcio on a one-year loan deal.
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midfielder
Daniele De Rossi
has ended
's
by insisting he wants to stay at the Stadio Olimpico.
The 29-year-old has been a long-time transfer target of Roberto Mancini, but confirmed yesterday he had no intention of moving from his boyhood club.
"I'm staying," De Rossi said at a press conference last night. "I never asked to leave."
"One club, the one you all know, made an enquiry. One or two others, but that was just talk."
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have completed the
of
Alexander Buttner
on a five-year deal
The Dutch international, who joins from Vitesse Arnhem for a reported £3.9m, was hailed as 'one of the best young left backs in Europe' by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.