TRANSFER BATTLES: Luis Alberto, Isco, Ancelloti, Rooney, Blanc, Cavani, Paulinho, Courtois, Zouma, Van Ginkel, Wanyama..

Liverpool have completed the signing of Spain youth international Luis Alberto from Sevilla. The 20-year-old has signed a long-term contract with the Anfield club after passing a medical, with the deal still subject to international clearance.

Alberto, capped at several levels of youth football by Spain, spent last season on loan with Barcelona B, where he scored 11 goals and collected 17 assists in 38 appearances.

"We are all delighted that Luis has decided to join Liverpool," Reds manager Brendan Rodgers said. "He has the correct footballing profile and mentality to be a Liverpool player.

"I look forward to working with him to develop his talent and he joins a group of young exciting players at our club." 

Alberto admitted he had been surprised when he became aware of Liverpool's interest, but had no doubts about accepting their offer.

"I feel like I'm in a bubble at the moment," he told Liverpoolfc.com. "For me Liverpool is a top team. I feel like I am dreaming and I want to enjoy it to the full.

"I feel very excited, I've never felt so excited before but I'm very happy. I think I am the happiest man on earth. I was surprised [when Liverpool showed interest in me]. You never expect this to happen to you. But as the deal moved forward, I became very happy and I wanted to come to Liverpool.

"I have come here to enjoy moments with the supporters - and I know the supporters will help me to never walk alone. I hope that between us all we can make this club one of the greatest in the world, once again."

Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Malaga to sign Spanish wonderkid Isco, according to reports. Having inspired Spain’s U21 side to victory at the Euros this summer, speculation has been rampant over the star’s future with Manchester City, Chelsea and other top European clubs all linked with him.

But Real Madrid appear to have won the race to sign the player, with a fee of 30 million euros having already been accepted from the Spanish giants, according to both AS and Marca.

The move will reportedly be confirmed early next week, with the starlet currently on holiday in Ibiza and having been informed of the deal by his father.

Real Madrid are still without a coach but sporting director Zinedine Zidane is believed to have pressed president Florentino Perez to push through the deal.

Isco is set to sign a five-year contract and a Real player - possibly Russian winger Denis Cheryshev - could join Malaga on loan as part of the deal.



About to be Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will consider a move for Wayne Rooney this summer if the unhappy striker fails to patch up his differences with Manchester United.



But it is understood Rooney’s preference is to join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea if he ends a nine-year stay at United but Madrid will be favourites to sign the 27-year-old should he move abroad.

Bookmakers have slashed the odds on Rooney switching to the Bernabeu from 40-1 to 10-1 as his United future hangs in the balance.

Both clubs are more than capable of paying a fee of about £30million and matching his £250,000-a-week wages.

Former Chelsea boss Ancelotti is set to be confirmed as Mourinho’s replacement on Monday and will be handed a transfer hit-list that includes Rooney, Gareth Bale, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez.



Rooney, who has two years left on his contract, will hold talks with new United boss David Moyes after both return from holiday over the next few days but it appears unlikely he will change his mind about seeking a fresh start.



Meanwhile, former France manager Laurent Blanc is set to takeover from Ancelotti as Paris Saint-Germain manager. After a move for former England boss Fabio Capello stalled the French champions approached ex-Manchester United defender Blanc, 47.

Sports network beIN Sport - who are owned and run by the same Qatari Sports Investment company in charge of PSG - revealed the news.

‘An agreement was reached today between Paris St Germain and Laurent Blanc for him to become the new coach of the capital club,’ a statement read.

‘An agreement between the former coach of the France team and PSG was reached for two years. It is planned that he will sign the contract next week.’



Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis says Manchester City are not prepared to meet their £53.6million asking price for striker Edinson Cavani. De Laurentiis has also said Real Madrid are the only club to have made an acceptable offer for the Uruguay forward while he has had no contact with Chelsea.



De Laurentiis, speaking at a press conference to unveil new manager Rafa Benitez, said: 'Manchester City have not the money to pay for Cavani, they say, "We don't pay that".

'The Abu Dhabi (owners) have said they will never spend 63million euros for Cavani. They say, 'We can give other things', but they are not in the interest of our club.'

De Laurentiis added that Real Madrid have made known their willingness to meet a release clause and he would expect the player to speak to the Spanish giants.

He said: 'At this time, Real Madrid are the only club who have made a firm offer for Cavani. It is human, if Real Madrid call, to answer. He knows he has a clause and must decide.'



As for Chelsea, De Laurentiis said: 'Chelsea? Certain kind of agents may tell you Chelsea will call you, but maybe he has spoken with somebody who has spoken with somebody, who has spoken with somebody who says 'maybe'.

'My company never received a call. It is very difficult to pay the 63million (euros) because Financial Fair Play is conditioning everybody.'



Tottenham have agreed a £17million deal to bring Brazilian midfielder Paulinho to White Hart Lane, his club Corinthians have confirmed. The 24-year-old will be Andre Villas-Boas' first signing of the summer as he looks to mount a challenge on the top four of the Premier League once again.

Paulinho is ahead of £30m Manchester City signing Fernandinho, 28, in the pecking order for the Brazilian national side and Spurs are confident that they have signed the better player.



Spurs had been told earlier in the week they would have to up the ante on a bid for Paulinho, with the North London club originally hoping to pay in the region of £15m.

But with interest mounting in the player Spurs have decided to meet his release clause, which stands at £17m. Paulinho, who scored Brazil’s equaliser against England in this month’s friendly, had said he will not make a decision until after the Confederations Cup.

Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Roma are also interested in the 15-cap international, but Spurs look to have beaten them to the signature.



Chelsea's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will remain at Atletico Madrid on loan for a third season.

The Belgium international joined Chelsea from Genk in 2011 but was immediately allowed to join Atletico on loan and he has enjoyed two hugely successful years at the Spanish outfit.

Chelsea will continue with Petr Cech as their number one next season but are likely to bring in a back-up keeper after releasing Ross Turnbull and Hilario this summer.



Chelsea remain keen on St Etienne defender Kurt Zouma, who is being considered as a cheaper alternative to Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala. The 18-year-old France Under 20 international, who was an unused substitute against Ghana as the age group World Cup got underway on Friday, is powerfully built and stands at 6ft 2in tall, leading to comparisons with Marcel Desailly.

His club believe they can get around £10million for the player, with a host of clubs from across Europe, including Atletico Madrid keen

Chelsea are boosted by the fact his agent has suggested Zouma would prefer a move to England, however adding: 'If Kurt stays with St Etienne next season, he will continue to grow. He doesn’t have any fierce desire to leave.

And speaking earlier this month the man himself said: ‘It is true there are interest from various clubs but St Etienne are in the driving seat.’



Chelsea have also moved in front of United in pursuit of the prodigiously-talented Netherlands U21 star Marco van Ginkel, with the London club now in ‘advanced talks’.

Returning Blues boss Jose Mourinho is said to be “desperate to tie up a deal” for the 20-year-old Vitesse Arnhem midfielder, with the Daily Express reporting that a £7.2 million transfer has been all but signed.

The latest developments would come as a big blow for new United boss David Moyes, who had been optimistic of landing the Dutch star even being prepared to trump Chelsea’s deal with a £15m move, according to the paper.

Various newspapers report that Moyes had dispatched chief scout Jim Lawlor to take a final look at the midfielder before United made their move, but it appears to be too late with Chelsea having already nipped in.

Van Ginkel has already racked up 93 league appearances for Arnhem and Mourinho reportedly targeted the 20-year-old as being a key signing upon his return to Stamford Bridge



Cardiff City are rivalling Southampton in the £12million battle for Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama.
Southampton have had a bid accepted by Celtic but the move will trigger a six-club tussle for the Kenya international.

Galatasaray are also ready to match the £12m offer while Liverpool, Newcastle and Stoke are monitoring negotiations as they consider stepping in to the bidding.

Wanyama, 21, signed for Celtic from Belgium club Beerschot in 2011 for £900,000 and his performances have attracted interest from Manchester United, City, Arsenal and Everton.



However, with those clubs turning to other targets, ambitious Southampton have made the first bold move. The kenyan is understood to prefer a move to Liverpool but they have other priorities they need to sign first.

Wanyama said: ‘I am on holiday, I am only hearing this from the media but I can say the deal is far from being complete. Yes, my club has agreed terms with Southampton, but I will also have to agree to terms too.’