TRANSFER BATTLES: Thiago Alcantarra, Carroll, Atsu, Luis Alberto, Mata, Torres, Bendtner, Sanogo, Bent, Helenius, Andre Villas-Boas

Gerard Pique has declared that Barcelona must try and talk Manchester United target Thiago Alcantara into staying at the Catalan club after the midfielder netted a hat-trick in Spain's 4-2 win over Italy in the European Under-21 Championship final.

Alcantara has captained the Spain side throughout the tournament in Israel, helping the team achieve a perfect record of five wins out of five, and was a key member of the side that won the tournament in 2011



However, his future at the Camp Nou has been cast into doubt.

Alcantara made just 15 starts in La Liga last season, struggling to hold down a place in the first team, where he faces stiff competition from the likes of Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez. According to reports in Spain, he has already decided to leave Barcelona, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich reportedly the two clubs that have shown the most interest in him.

Either club could seal his signature shortly by paying his 18million-euro buy-out clause before 31 July, after which his transfer fee will rise.

Speaking to radio programme Al Primer Toque on Onda Cero, Barca centre-back Pique urged his club to hold on to the 22-year-old, who he believes could become as important to the team in the future as Xavi and Iniesta.



'There is a possibility that he could leave but we have to convince him that the best place for him is Barcelona,' said Pique, a product of Barca's academy who spent four years at Old Trafford before returning to the Spanish champions.
'Players in his position like Xavi were patient and they ended up defining an era.'

Andy Carroll is on the brink of joining West Ham permanently after passing a medical with the Premier League club.

The 24-year-old striker, who spent last season on loan at Upton Park from Liverpool, had been due to undergo an assessment on Wednesday, but on Tuesday night Hammers chairman David Gold revealed the examination was already complete.



"We managed to bring Andy's medical forward to this evening and I am delighted to inform you that he has passed with flying colours," Gold wrote on Twitter.

Carroll passed the tests despite a heel injury suffered towards the end of last season, ruling him out of England's friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, and expected to sideline him for up to four months.

With the medical complete, Carroll can now complete a move worth £15million-plus, with the fee having been agreed between the two clubs weeks ago.





However, Liverpool are keen to bring in a replacement and have made a £5million bid for Porto forward Christian Atsu and hope to sign him plus Sevilla’s Luis Alberto. Ghana’s Atsu, 21, plays on the left or behind the striker. Alberto, 20, is a similar player.

Liverpool have been told to increase their £5m offer for the Spain Under 21 forward.

Atsu made 25 appearances for the Portuguese champions last season, as well as turning out for Ghana in the African Cup of Nations.

There has been a rumour from Spain that Juan Mata could be on his way to Barcelona.

The Liga champions have been put on alert for the Chelsea star because reportedly Jose Mourinho has blocked a pay rise for the Spaniard.

Mata believes he was due an increase under the terms of his current contract after a stunning season in which he scored 19 goals and created 35.

Although most reckoned Mata the pick of Chelsea’s attacking midfielders last season, it is an area of the team that the Blues are well-stocked in, and at 25, Mata’s own stock has never been higher.



Fernando Torres admits that return of Jose Mourinho has brought an added pressure to Chelsea – but the Spaniard has re-iterated his desire to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Torres has failed to live up to his £50m price tag since arriving from Liverpool in 2011, despite netting 23 goals for the Blues last season with Barcelona rumoured to be looking at a cut-price deal.

But the Spanish international believes returning manager Jose Mourinho will reignite his game further - despite all eyes being on Stamford Bridge with the 'Special One' coming back.



Speaking on Spanish radio show Al Primer Toque, Torres said: 'I am the first to admit that a lot more was expected of me, even I expected more of myself. Now I have the added pressure of Mourinho and that's a challenge for any player.

'Chelsea is the club I'm at and where I want to be, I want to keep winning trophies there.

'I am dealing with the situation in a normal way, every summer there are rumours about new coaches and new players. Mourinho is a very demanding coach but he always guarantees success, and I trust that he has a plan for me.'



Malaga are keen on Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.

The 25-year-old has had five offers with Besiktas also interested.

The Danish striker spent last season on loan at Juventus, but failed to net a single league goal in nine appearances for the Serie A champions.

Bendtner has been at Arsenal since 2005, but manager Arsene Wenger finally lost faith in him, farming him out to Sunderland before his season in Italy



Yaya Sanogo has revealed how the wise words of Arsene Wenger were pivotal in his decision to join Arsenal.

The France Under-21 international is expected to complete a move to the Emirates this summer after rejecting a new deal at Auxerre.

And Sanogo says a meeting with the Gunners boss convinced him that north London is the best place for him to develop as a player, despite having reservations.

"Rudi Garcia [then Lille coach] called me many times and it made me hesitate a lot," the 20-year-old told France Football. "He [Gilles Grimandi] had been to see me many times at Auxerre. And then, one day, we met in Paris at a hotel.

"I was very impressed. Monsieur Wenger had come to see me directly in Paris. He told me that I would have my chance and reassured me about my injury. He said he had followed me for many seasons. It was this trip that was decisive in my decision. I opted for Arsenal."



Aston Villa are seeking a transfer fee in excess of £8m for Darren Bent.

The Birmingham club accept they will have to take a loss on the England international who has cost them almost three times that amount since arriving at Villa Park in January 2011.

That figure is certain to scupper any interest Newcastle United had in the forward - particularly as the Magpies were hoping to reach an agreement over the player's wages.



However, Bent is reluctant to take a hit on the £3m-plus annual salary he enjoys at Villa Park.

That was another stumbling block to any potential move to the north-east and now it remains to be seen whether any other long-standing suitors, including Fulham, will now take the bait.



Meanwhile, Paul Lambert has added his fourth new face to Villa's squad with the arrival of 6ft 5in Nicklas Helenius from Aalborg.

The Denmark international has arrived on a three-year deal worth an estimated £2m.

Helenius scored 16 goals in 33 appearances in the Superliga last season. Lambert said: 'Nicklas has the attributes to be able to take his chance.

'He wants to go and make a name and career for himself. He's made a good start. I believe he can build on that.'



Andre Villas-Boas has reportedly turned down the opportunity to manage Paris Saint-Germain in favour of staying at Tottenham.



The French champions were keen for the Portuguese to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, who is heading to Real Madrid, but now look set to appoint Fabio Capello instead.

It is understood Villas-Boas was offered a three-year contract by Qatari-backed PSG after discussions with his agent Carlos Goncalves, but the 35-year-old wants to show loyalty to Spurs for hiring him last summer after a disappointing spell at Chelsea.

Tottenham are expected to exert greater financial muscle in the transfer market and Villas-Boas, who has two years left on his deal at White Hart Lane, is eager to build a squad capable of reaching the Champions League.



Villas-Boas is also said to be excited by the challenge of facing his former mentor and compatriot Jose Mourinho in the Premier League next season.