TRANSFER BATTLES: Papiss Cisse, Luis Suarez, Julio Cesar, David Villa, Wayne Rooney, Lukas Podolski...

Newcastle have warned Anzhi Makhachkala they will have to pay £25 million for striker Papiss Cisse, according to The Sun. The Senegal international is a target for the ambitious Russian side, who will reportedly offer £15.4 million for the 27-year-old.

Cisse joined the Magpies for £9 million from German club Freiburg in January 2012, and he went on to help them compete for a Champions League spot last season.

However, this season has been a disappointment for Newcastle, who were battling relegation until Wigan succumbed in their penultimate game of the season.



Barcelona have given striker David Villa permission to speak to Premier League clubs, according to a report in The Mirror. The Spain international is out of favour with Camp Nou and is eyeing a switch to England, with Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool credited with an interest in the 31-year-old.

Villa would cost around £12 million and the forward has asked his advisers to find him a club in the Premier League, claims the article.



Paris Saint-Germain are offering Wayne Rooney a staggering £300,000 per week after tax to join the club, according to the Daily Express. The Manchester United striker has become unsettled at Old Trafford after being played out of position and sidelined completely during the season.

Outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson is leaving any decision on Rooney's future to his successor, David Moyes. But the amounts of money on offer from the PSG owners would be difficult for any player to resist.



Despite Liverpool's insistence that their star player is not for sale, rumours continue to swirl, fuelled by Suarez's own admission that he would find Real Madrid tough to turn down.

This morning's twist comes courtesy of the Mail on Sunday, which reports that Real's bid for Suarez could be gazumped by neighbours Atletico Madrid.



The Mail reasons that Atleti's coffers have been bolstered by the £50m sale of Radamel Falcao to Monaco and will spend the proceeds on Suarez.



The Mail goes on to suggest that Suarez's fate hangs on that of his fellow Uruguayan Edinson Cavani.

The Napoli star is reportedly Real Madrid's first choice as they try to boost their attacking options, meaning the club's president Florentino Perez would only turn to Suarez if Cavani goes elsewhere -Manchester City, for example.



The transfer web spreads further with The Sun's report that Atletico Madrid have set their sights somewhat lower than Suarez, and will instead go for Arsenal's Lukas Podolski.

The German international has dropped out of Arsene Wenger's first team, and a move could suit all parties as the Gunners line up a major summer move.



Which brings us to Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, an object of affection for both Arsenal and Tottenham according to the Sunday Express.

The Belgian's storming first Premier League season has got a host of top clubs interested - though considering the premium usually attached to proven goalscorers, the quoted £15m price tag seems a bit skinny.



Cesar set to leave QPR with Arsenal favourites to capture Brazil stopper's signature. Julio Cesar's agent has denied speculation the Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper has signed for Arsenal.

Reports in Italy yesterdy suggested the Brazilian stopper, 33, had agreed a two-year-deal worth £4m a season, but agent Josias Cardoso moved quickly to deny a deal has been done.

Nonetheless, Cesar is expected to leave Loftus Road following QPR's relegation to the Championship and he is settled in London, making Arsenal one of the favourites to sign him.

Speaking ahead of Brazil's friendly with England on Sunday, a warm-up for the forthcoming Confederations Cup, Cesar told reporters: 'I want to stay in England. I am enjoying London and I love the Premier League.'