THE BOLLOX
Manchester City agree €4.7m deal with Atletico Madrid for Demichelis
The 32-year-old former Argentina international is yet to agree personal terms with the Premier League club, though further talks are set to take place on Wednesday
Manchester City have agreed a deal in principle with Atletico Madrid for centre-back Martin Demichelis, Goal understands.
City have negotiated a fee of around €4.1 million up front, plus a further €580k in add-ons, with the Liga club.
Personal terms are yet to be agreed with the Argentine defender, though further talks are scheduled for Wednesday as the Premier League side look to recruit cover for the injured Vincent Kompany.
The Belgian limped out of the 4-0 win over Newcastle United in City's first league game of the season, and with Matija Nastasic also sidelined through injury they were forced to field Javi Garcia alongside Joleon Lescott Cardiff City on Sunday, a game they lost 3-2.
Sources close to the deal revealed that City officials were reluctant to pay over €2m for the defender as recently as last week, but the club are now hoping to push through a move for double that price.
Demichelis only joined Atleti on a free transfer from Malaga in July, but has been singled out by Manuel Pellegrini, his former manager at La Rosaleda, to bolster his defensive ranks at the Etihad Stadium.
The pair also worked together at River Plate in 2002-03, before Pellegrini moved to Europe to take charge of Villarreal.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has lined up Wigan midfielder James McCarthy, 22, to replace Yohan Cabaye should the 27-year-old France midfielder join Arsenal. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, City will turn to Valencia's Adil Ramil, 27, to solve their defensive problems if they are priced out of a move for Demichelis.
Aston Villa and Southampton are both considering bids to sign Porto and Senegal defender Abdoulaye Ba, 22, on loan. DSSC
Swansea City have reportedly tabled a £2.5m bid for Getafe striker Alvaro Vazquez, 22. South Wales Evening Post
Manager David Moyes is considering a move for Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, 22, as he looks to strengthen his Manchester United defence before next Monday's transfer deadline. Metro
Meanwhile, after fighting off approaches from Chelsea for strlker Wayne Rooney, 27, Moyes is set to turn the tables with a £30m offer for versatile Brazilian David Luiz. Daily Mirror
Crystal Palace have joined Everton in a battle to sign Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton, 30, and have been told he is available for a £3m fee. Sun
Anzhi Makhachkala's Samuel Eto'o is set to turn down Inter Milan to secure a reunion with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, under whom the 32-year-old striker won the Champions League with the Italian giants in 2010. Times
Roma have held discussions over a possible loan switch involving two left-backs - Tottenham's Benoit Assou-Ekotto, 29, and Italy international Federico Balzaretti, 31. DSSC
West Ham are close to signing Honduras international striker Roger Rojas, 23, on loan from Club Deportivo Olimpia. Daily Mirror
Galatasaray are in the race with Arsenal to sign Real Madrid midfielder Angel di Maria, 25. Turkish media report that the two clubs have already reached an agreement on the transfer fee. Hurriyet
Monaco are willing to pay around £17m for Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, 20. L'Equipe
Roma are considering a move for Fiorentina's Serbian striker Adem Ljajic, 21, to replace Erik Lamela, 21, who is expected to move to Tottenham. Tuttosport
La Liga side Granada are in negotiations with Rennes defender Dimitri Foulquier, 20, with a view to signing him on loan. Marca
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has decided to stop funding Russian football. Since the National Football Academy was set up in 2004, the Russian businessman has funded the construction of football infrastructure, programmes for children and paid the national team manager's wages. Gazeta.ru
Arsenal target Mesut Ozil, 24, may be closer to a Real Madrid exit after the attacking midfielder reacted badly to being substituted during the club's 1-0 La Liga win at Granada on Monday. Daily Mirror
Germany international Ozil would be willing to swap La Liga for the Premier League, but only if the Gunners or Manchester United are prepared to meet his £200,000-a-week pay demands. Sun
Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse, 28, whose future was thrown into doubt this summer over his refusal to wear a shirt bearing the name of the club's new sponsor, has hosted a barbecue for eight young supporters at his house. Metro
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