Stewart Downing is close to a move to West Ham after a fee was agreed with Liverpool.
The 29-year-old moved to Anfield from Aston Villa in July 2011 and has made 91 appearances, scoring seven goals, for the Reds.
The England international has struggled to cement a place in the first team, particularly in his favoured forward position, and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has told the former Middlesbrough man he is free to leave.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce will be hoping Downing can provide the crosses to help former Liverpool striker Andy Carroll thrive at Upton Park.
Brazilian Farias joins Sassuolo
Sassuolo continued to strengthen their squad this summer in their bid to avoid a quick return to Serie B next season with the signing of Diego Farias, from Chievo.
Farias, who plays in attack, joins the Serie A newcomers on a loan basis with an option to buy half his contract at the end of the season.
Reports said, the 23-year-old joined Sassuolo for a fee of €700,000. His 50 per cent of the contract was valued at a further one million euros.
Farias, who grew up in the Chievo youth academy, spent last season on loan in Serie B with Padova.
Trap bemused by Bale transfer talk
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni feels no player is worth the €100 million fee Real Madrid are reportedly ready to pay for Wales international Gareth Bale.
The Tottenham winger has been included in Wales boss Chris Coleman’s squad for tomorrow’s friendly against Ireland in Cardiff.
Trapattoni insists there is no one player who justifies such a vast expenditure.
He said: “This transfer (the reported fee for Bale), for me there is no player valued at that much money. One player cannot win a game on his own.
“Even players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele or Johan Cruyff, all these famous players needed a team.”
Doni hangs gloves
Alexander Doni has called an end to his playing career as doctors advised him to stop because of a heart problem.
The former Roma and Liverpool goalkeeper, 33, was expecting to play for Botafogo in the Brazilian league this season but he has now confirmed he will hang up his gloves.
“God doesn’t want me to play football anymore. It’s sad that I have to quit, especially because my son wanted to see me play again,” the Brazilian keeper told reporters yesterday.
“I would have liked to continue for him, but I can’t do anything about it.”
Doni has already suffered heart ailment when he collapsed last year while playing for Liverpool.
Ranieri welcomes winning start
Claudio Ranieri saluted Monaco for passing their first test back in Ligue 1 with flying colours on the opening weekend.
The big-spending Principality side left it late to see off Bordeaux on their return to the big time, with Emmanuel Riviere breaking down the hosts.
After that, marquee signing Radamel Falcao marked his debut with a goal and Italian coach Ranieri was left a happy man.
“The goals were important, but I think it’s too early to talk about anything else,” he said.
“I was very curious to see my team play against a strong side like Bordeaux, who have tough players, strong players who play a very compact counter-attacking style.
“It’s a great debut for Monaco because it was our first Ligue 1 match against a big team.”
Young to miss England friendly
Manchester United winger Ashley Young has withdrawn from the England squad for tomorrow’s friendly against Scotland.
The Football Association said Young, who did not appear in United’s Community Shield win against Wigan Athletic on Sunday, was not ready to face the Scots at Wembley.
“Following discussions between Club England medical staff and their counterparts at the club, it was clear that Young would not be ready for the match with Scotland on Wednesday,” an FA statement said.
England are playing Scotland for the first time since 1999.
Giggs unfazed by lack of signings
Ryan Giggs accepts it might be a hectic couple of weeks in the transfer market, but claimed he would be happy if Manchester United emerged from the summer window without making any changes to their squad.
“The quality is in the squad,” Giggs said.
“We showed that last year. Now we have to show it again.
“It has been a slow transfer window. Manchester City did their business early on but, other than that, there has not been a lot of movement so it could be a hectic last two weeks.
“We will just have to wait and see how it goes but we are quite happy with the players in our dressing room. If we sign someone – great... if not we will just get on with it.”