Transfer talk: August 8 - Bellamy nears Liverpool exit

The National's daily update of transfer moves and deals taking place across world football this summer.

Lyon defender Aly Cissokho

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a move for Brazil striker Leandro Damiao.  Read our full story here.

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British Olympic goalscorer Craig Bellamy looks set to return to his hometown club after Liverpool confirmed they were in talks with Cardiff over a move for the player.

Bellamy spent a the 2010/11 season on loan at Cardiff while a Manchester City player, captaining the side during his spell there, and admitting he would like to continue at the club to try and take them into the Premier League.

Now that dream could be a step closer for the 33-year-old after Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, confirmed they were in talks with the Welsh side over the player.

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Peter Crouch has urged his former England teammate Michael Owen to join him at Stoke City after leaving Manchester United in the summer.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker is a free agent after his Old Trafford contract expired, and was in talks over a possible move to the UAE Pro League with Al Shabab during the close season before the club broke off discussions.

He has been linked with a move to Stoke, and Crouch admits he is keen for his former international colleague to join him at the Britannia Stadium.

"I know Michael has a big decision to make after leaving a club the size of Manchester United, but I had a similar decision to make last summer.

"I was really happy the manager could give me games, when I was in and out of the Tottenham side.

"Coming to Stoke was never a step down. I'd rather play a big part in something smaller than be a small part of something bigger."

Meanwhile Stoke have agreed terms with Wolves to sign midfielder Michael Kightly.

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Michael Laudrup, the new Swansea City manager, has refused to rule out a move for Newcastle United winger Gabriel Obertan.

The club admit they are closing in on further signings ahead of the start of the new season.

Pablo Hernandez from Valencia and Hannover's Didier Ya Konan have also been linked with the club, but Laudrup was coy over suggestions that a deal to sign Obertan was imminent.

He said: "I can only say this. Speculation about players coming in, I don't want to comment on that.

"It is better for me to say I don't comment on rumours, I can comment on things about our players as it is different. When something is near or is done then you can ask me all you want."

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French international defender Aly Cissokho admits he is keen to leave Lyon this summer - paving the way for a move to the English Premier League.

The 24-year-old left-back has previously been linked with a move out of France, with Lyon admitting they need to sell to generate transfer funds this summer, with an estimated EU11m (Dh50m) price tag on the player

Inter Milan, Juventus and Everton have all been linked with the player - who failed to make France's Euro 2012 squad - and now his agent and brother Mamadou admits a move is on the cards.

"Aly wishes to discover a new challenge," he told France Football. "If he has to stay he will and will do his job, but if there is an opportunity he will seize it.

"The priority is England or Italy."

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Sunderland have made an increased offer to Wolverhampton Wanderers for their Scottish striker Steven Fletcher, as they look to replace Asamoah Gyan.

Martin O'Neill, the Sunderland manager, is keen to strengthen the club's striking options following Gyan's permanent move to Al Ain last month, and has already had a £10m (Dh57.4m) bid for the 25-year-old forward rejected.

Sunderland have now increased their offer to £12m, which Wolves are now taking under consideration.