Portuguese midfielder Deco has appealed to the Chelsea board to sign Brazilian midfielder Robinho from Real Madrid this summer to add more flair to their play.
Chelsea have received criticism from some quarters that their football is not as attractive as that of the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.
Deco believes Robinho's signature would represent a considerable coup on Chelsea's part.
"Robinho is a spectacular player," he said. "He's got incredible skill. He has magic and is capable of anything on a football pitch. His quality is amazing. It would be great if he joined us and he'd be made very welcome here."
Liverpool's Leto joins Olympiakos on loan
Liverpool midfielder Sebastian Leto has agreed a two-year loan deal with Greek side Olympiakos after being denied a work permit to play in England this season.
The 21-year-old Argentinian, who joined the Reds from Lanus in 2007, was granted an Italian passport last year but it was later revoked.
Leto arrived in Athens on Monday night to have a medical and put pen to paper on a two-season deal with the Greek champions.
"Olympiakos is a challenge for me," he said. "They are a great team who can challenge for every honour."
Diarra scare for Portsmouth
Portsmouth are sweating on the fitness of French midfielder Lassana Diarra after he suffered an ankle injury in a pre-season friendly at Oxford on Monday.
First-half goals by Papa Bouba Diop and Jermain Defoe were enough to give Pompey a 2-1 victory at the non-league club where their former manager Jim Smith is now a director.
But an ankle injury suffered by Diarra has hit the FA Cup holders' preparations for Sunday's Community Shield clash with champions Manchester United at Wembley.
This was the Frenchman's first pre-season outing after being given extra time off by his club this summer following Euro 2008.
Fiorentina seal Almiron loan deal
Fiorentina have completed the signing of midfielder Sergio Almiron on a season-long loan from Serie A rivals Juventus.
The Argentine joined Juventus last summer from Empoli but has failed to leave his mark in Turin. He spent the second part of last season on loan at Monaco. Juve coach Claudio Ranieri considered Almiron surplus to requirements and was ready to let him go.
Fiorentina have been watching Almiron for almost a year and were keen to negotiate a loan deal. The Corriere dello Sport said yesterday that the Viola will pay around £300,000 for the midfielder's services with the option to buy his rights next season.
Manninger opts for Juventus
Austrian international goalkeeper Alex Manninger has signed for Juventus and is relishing the chance to play as understudy to regular goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Manninger spent last season on loan to Siena from Red Bull Salzburg and impressed in Tuscany. The 31-year-old has now joined the Juve contingent who are currently in England where they are finalising their pre-season preparations.
"I am very happy to have arrived at Juventus," Manninger said. "Here football really counts. I have gained a lot of experience playing for smaller sides but I was at Arsenal a few years ago and I wanted to return to a big club at the highest level."
Spalletti sets sights on Benayoun and Menez
Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has confirmed that the Serie A club are looking to sign Jeremy Menez, of Monaco, and Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun.
Last season's Serie A runners-up have parted ways with Ludovic Giuly and Amantino Mancini this summer and are looking to strengthen the squad ahead of the new season with former Liverpool left-back John Arne Riise the only notable addition so far.
"There will be two new signings," Spalletti told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "These are Menez and Benayoun who are both top class players.
"Menez is strong, and he's done some great things during this past season."
Spurs eye Spanish striker Villa
Tottenham Hotspur are seriously considering a bid for Spanish forward David Villa as coach Juande Ramos continues his spending spree at White Hart Lane.
The Sun reported yesterday that Tottenham are ready to break the British transfer record with a £32 million swoop for Valencia striker Villa and will fund the bid with the sale of Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United for £30 million.
Real Madrid are also said to be interested in signing the Spanish international, who helped his country win Euro 2008, but Villa's agent Jose Luis Tamargo insists his client is keen to head to the Premier League.
"David likes London and likes how Spurs play under Ramos. If they present an offer, Valencia will seriously study the subject," Tamargo said.