CHELSEA CLOSE TO RAHMAN DEAL

We are still awaiting confirmation from Chelsea of the deal to sign Baba Rahman from Augsburg. It is understood a move has been agreed with just the official hoops left to jump through. Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to acquire another left-back before the end of the transfer window, following Filipe Luis’ departure back to Atletico Madrid earlier in the summer.And he has identified Rahman as his choice to challenge Cesar Azpilicueta for the spot. The Blues are expected to pay around £14million up front, with bonus payments up to £6million should he play more than 100 matches.

BUT EVERTON TO REJECT THEIR STONES BID

Everton are ready to reject Chelsea’s latest offer for defender John Stones. The Premier League champions have already failed with two bids for the 20-year-old, but are ready to test the Toffees’ resolve again. However, the Goodison Park outfit will reject the £30million offer for the England international.

COULD MANCHESTER CITY RIVAL MAN UNITED FOR PEDRO?

Reports in Spani suggest last year’s league runners-up are considering making a move for the Barcelona man, despite United’s continued interest in the player. There are reports today that Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, has been in touch with his old mates in Catalunya to register an interest and is now considering whether to firm up said interest with a formal bid. United have been front-runners for Pedro all summer long and remain favourites but City could present a late-window curveball.Cat. Meet. Pigeons.

DE GEA UPDATE

 Sources understand that unless United are offered something out of the ordinary, he will see out the final 12 months of his contract at Old Trafford. United are after a world record fee for a goalkeeper, or Sergio Ramos in exchange. The record transfer for a goalkeeper is £32.6million, paid by Juventus for then-Parma goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

RED DEVILS CLOSE IN ON GAITAN

Manchester United are closing in on a move for Benfica midfielder Nico Gaitan. The Portuguese newspaper claims United boss Louis van Gaal is a huge admirer of the 27-year-old. And United are set to finalise a £28m deal for Gaitan by the end of this week.

 DE BRUYNE TO TELL WOLFSBURG HE WANTS OUT? 

According to news in Manchester, Wolfsburg playmaker Kevin De Bruyne will tell the German club he wants to join Manchester City.Manuel Pellegrini's side have been linked with a £45m move for the former Chelsea man in recent weeks.

ARSENAL TURN TO CAVANI?

Arsenal are ready to switch their attentions to Edinson Cavani as the Karim Benzema transfer saga drags on. Reports in Spain say the Gunners will approach PSG for discussions about Cavani. Arsene Wenger is apparently a long-term admirer of the Uruguayan, who has been linked with a move away from th French capital. The striker’s relationship with Laurent Blanc is reportedly at an all-time low, making a move possible.

JUVENTUS TARGET RAMIRES

Juventus have reportedly contacted Chelsea over midfielder Ramires. The 28-year-old still has two years remaining on his deal at Stamford Bridge but is not first-choice in central midfield. Juve have seen both Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo depart this summer and have identified Ramires as a possible replacement.

ROSSONERI LAND ROMAGNOLI

AC Milan have signed Roma centre-back Alessio Romagnoli for an undisclosed fee. The Italy U21 international, 20, has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at San Siro.

STOKE COMPLETE SHAQIRI DEAL

Stoke have completed the club-record signing of Xherdan Shaqiri. The Swiss winger has arrived for a fee of £12million, smashing the club’s previous transfer record. Shaqiri was tipped to move to Stoke earlier before the deal fell through but he has now completed his switch to the Britannia.

CHERYSHEV READY TO QUIT MADRID

Arsenal target Denis Cheryshev is reportedly ‘ready to quit’ Real Madrid. The Russian international held talks with the Bernabeu club yesterday. Arsene Wenger is thought to be an admirer of the 24-year-old winger, and could bid in excess of £15million for his services. Liverpool and Villarreal have also been linked.

REDS TO REVIVE MOTTA DEAL?

Liverpool are hopeful of resurrecting a deal for PSG midfielder Thiago Motta.That is according to the reports, who say Atletico Madrid’s bid to re-sign the player has hit a snag. The Reds were reportedly interested in Motta earlier this summer, and could go back in for the Italy international. Arsenal are also apparently keen on acquiring his services.

ADAMA SNUBS LIVERPOOL

 Barcelona starlet Adama Traore Snubs Liverpool to Agree Aston Villa Move . Adama Traore has rejected offers from Stoke City and Liverpool to sign for Aston Villa on a three-year contract.

WEST BROM TO OFFER ENRIQUE ESCAPE ROUTE?

West Brom are reportedly keen on Liverpool defender Jose Enrique. Reports claim the Spaniard could soon be ushered out of the door at Anfield, with a move to the Hawthorns to be completed “within days.” The former Newcastle man was left out of the club’s tour of the Australia and the Far East in favour of teenager Joe Maguire, and hasn’t featured in any of the club’s other pre-season fixtures.

VALBUENA RETURNS FROM RUSSIA

France international Mathieu Valbuena has signed for Lyon just a year after moving to Russia. The 30-year-old left Marseille 12 months ago to join Dynamo Moscow for 7m euros on a three-year deal, but now he is back in his homeland. Lyon have not revealed the size of his transfer fee nor the duration of his contract.

 AUSTIN STAYING PUT 

QPR will offer striker Charlie Austin a new deal if a Premier League club does not meet Rangers' valuation of £15m.Newcastle, West Ham, Everton and Tottenham have all been linked with the former Burnley frontman in recent weeks.

NORWICH TARGET MBOKANI

Norwich have been linked with a £10m move for Dynamo Kiev's Congo striker Dieumerci Mbokani and manager Alex Neil said: "We are looking to add another forward. At this level, you need quality at the top end of the pitch."

HALILOVIC TO HAMBURG?

Barcelona youngster Alen Halilovic is poised to join Hamburg on loan. Reports claim the Croatian will spend the season with the club, after Barca inserted a “starter’s clause”. They are keen for the player to maximise his time in Germany, with the clause ensuring he will play at least 60 percent of their games. West Ham are also said to be keen on Halilovic.

NORTEY DEAL FOR WELLING

Down in the Vanarama National League, Welling have completed the signing of ex-Chelsea man Nortei Nortey. The 20-year-old joined Chelsea at the age of 13 but was released at the end of his scholarship two years ago. He is set to be included against Bristol Rovers tonight.

DONE DEAL

AEK Athens have signed former Eibar left-back Didac Vila from AC Milan on a three-year contract.

SWANSEA SIGN TREMMEL

Swansea have re-signed goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel on a two-year deal, the Premier League club have announced. Tremmel's contract expired in the summer but he has agreed new terms at the Liberty Stadium despite interest from clubs in England and Germany. "It's fantastic to be back at Swansea - this is where I want to be. This is a special club," Tremmel told the club's official website.

BARTON UPDATE

Now for the latest on Joey Barton's move to West Ham. We understand the midfielder has been having a medical this afternoon, with his priority being to join a club where he will get regular first-team football. And this is something Barton will discuss with Hammers manager Slaven Bilic after his medical. Barton is a free agent following his departure from QPR.

 

This series is from the team at 99.7FM, tracking the latest moves in the window. We call it the #JoySports Transfer Daily. Here, we summarize all the moves and rumours in a quick, easy to read format.The series started in July 1 and ends on August 31.

When does the transfer window open?

The Premier League season wrapped up on May 24 and there has been a slew of confirmed transfers since - including James Milner and Danny Ings to Liverpool and Memphis Depay's move to Manchester United. But the window did not officially open until 12am on Wednesday 1 July 2015.

Is that the same across Europe?

No it is not. The transfer window dates for the major European leagues have yet to be finalised, but France, Germany, Spain and Italy's tends to open at the beginning of June rather than July. This means players from those leagues can agree moves into England, but transfers will not be ratified until July 1. The Dutch summer transfer window tends to open in the second week of June.

-

Follow Kweku on Twitter: @nana_odum. The Joy Sports hashtag is #JoySports