Barcelona: Barcelona will train at the National Football Centre at St George’s Park later this month. The Spanish giants will base themselves at the site in Burton-upon-Trent between July 28 and August 2. It was not immediately clear whether the team will play any pre-season friendlies in the UK as part of the trip.

Lasogga: Hamburg have completed the signing of Pierre-Michel Lasogga from Bundesliga rivals Hertha Berlin. Lasogga has signed a five-year contract after spending last season on loan in northern Germany. He scored 13 goals in 20 Bundesliga appearances, crucially adding the play-off goal against Greuther Furth which kept Hamburg in the top flight.

Marrone: Juventus have bought the full rights of midfielder Luca Marrone from Sassuolo. Marrone joined Sassuolo on loan from Juve last summer, with the two clubs owning 50 per cent of his sporting rights. The 24-year-old, who made 15 Serie A appearances for Sassuolo last season, has signed a five-year contract with the Bianconeri.

Nott. Forest: Nottingham Forest have rejected a bid from QPR for young defender Jamaal Lascelles. Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has targeted the 20-year-old centre-half as he attempts to strengthen his squad following their promotion back to the Premier League. But new Forest chief Stuart Pearce insists the offer will not tempt owner Fawaz Al Hasawi to sell. “QPR have let it out that they have put money on the table for him,” Pearce said. “But I have come to build this club, not to dismantle it.”

Octavio: Brazilian attacking midfielder Octavio is on the verge of joining Serie A side Fiorentina on a year-long loan from Botafogo. Octavio arrived in Florence yesterday and is set to undergo a medical this weekend before completing his loan switch from Botafogo. The 20-year-old began the 2013-14 season at Botafogo but struggled to break into the first team and was sent on loan to Brazilian side ABC earlier this year. He is under contract with Botafogo until December 2015.