Premier League Transfer News: Latest Gossip and Rumours for Week of July 22

We've already seen some huge transfers in the Premier League—especially at Manchester City, which have seriously replenished under new manager Manuel Pellegrini by adding Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic, Jesus Navas and Fernandinho. 

And folks, we're just getting started. 

Luis Suarez may be on the move. Same for Wayne Rooney. Cesc Fabregas could be making a return to England, while Gareth Bale could be on the way out. 

Did that get your attention? Let's take a look at this week's juiciest transfer rumours and news. 

Manchester United Still Hot in Pursuit of Cesc Fabregas

Well, you can't accuse the Red Devils of lacking persistence. 

Once again, Manchester United are rumoured to be in hot pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas and are preparing a lucrative bid to finally get their man.

From David McDonnell of the Mirror:

"

Manchester United will make a third and final bid of £34million for Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas, writes David McDonnell in Tokyo.

United will go back in with a club record offer after the Spanish ­champions rejected the first two bids of £26m and £30m.

But Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has written to United telling them to keep their hands off the midfielder as he is a “key part of our project.”

If the Catalans ­maintain their stance, United could turn to ­Newcastle’s £18m Yohan Cabaye or Real Madrid’s Luka Modric.

"

At least Manchester United have backup plans, as it remains unlikely Barcelona will sell Fabregas this summer. Still, with that chunk of change on the table, United's offer may be too sweet for the Catalan club to pass up. 

Arsenal Inch Closer to Signing Luis Suarez

In a rumour that just won't go away—and that remains one of the more surprising potential developments of the summer—Arsenal continue to target Liverpool's electrifying and enigmatic striker, Luis Suarez. 

From John Cross of the Mirror:

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Arsene Wenger will go back with a make-or-break £40million bid for Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, writes John Cross in Nagoya.

Wenger has identified Suarez as his No.1 target and Arsenal are determined to show they mean business by testing Liverpool’s resolve and their transfer clause.

Kop boss Brendan Rodgers is adamant they will not sell Suarez as they also brace themselves for a bid from Real Madrid who only value the Uruguayan at £25m.

Arsenal believe Suarez, who returned to pre-season training with Liverpool yesterday, is keen as they can offer Champions League football and they remain hopeful.

"

Without question, landing Suarez would end Arsenal's search for a man to lead the line and would also probably be somewhat controversial given Suarez's sketchy reputation. He would certainly fit in well in Wenger's system on the pitch. 

And he may be Arsenal's best option to land an elite striker, as it appears another one of the team's former targets could be headed to Italy...

Gonzalo Higuain Close to Joining Napoli

It appears Arsenal will lose the race to sign Gonzalo Higuain, as Real Madrid and Serie A side Napoli have agreed to a fee, according to Wayne Veysey of Goal.com:

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Napoli have agreed a £31.8million fee with Real Madrid for Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain, Goal.com understands.

The Serie A club have had a fresh bid for the Argentine accepted by the Spanish club and Napoli are now trying to convince the player to move to the San Paolo.

Personal terms are yet to be agreed, with Higuain's insistence on retaining his image rights providing a something of a stumbling block.

Higuain has two years remaining on a Nike deal worth around £1.5m-a-year but Napoli would prefer to take control of his image rights and pay him a more lucrative salary.

"

It's hard to blame Arsenal for balking at paying such a steep price for Higuain. For as consistent a scorer as the Argentine was for Real Madrid when he got on the pitch, he's not worth that price. 

At least if Arsenal shell out £40 million for Suarez—which still seems really hard to believe—it's off the heels of an amazing season in the Premier League. Of course, with Higuain potentially on the move, Real Madrid would be freeing up a lot of cash to throw toward Liverpool. 

In other words, the plot thickens. 

Spurs Continue to Seek a Striker

The search for a striker seems to be a central theme in North London, as Tottenham are also seeking a new man to lead the line. And it appears the club is gaining traction in negotiations with Valencia over forward Roberto Soldado:

From Darren Lewis of the Mirror:

"

Spurs have made a fresh bid of £22million plus add-ons for Roberto Soldado—and are targeting Lyon forward Lisandro Lopez next.

White Hart Lane Technical Director Franco Baldini has been sent to Spain to hold face-to-face talks over the offer—on top of which Spurs will pay £3.5million in add-ons - for Valencia striker Soldado.

The Spanish club have announced that they will be holding a board meeting at 11am this morning, where the forward's future will be decided.

Amadeo Salvo, Valencia president, said: "We have asked for £26m. What they've offered isn't too far off. Tomorrow we'll continue negotiations with [Tottenham].

"

Soldado scored 30 goals in all competitions for Valencia last season, so he would certainly improve the forward position for Tottenham in a major way and take some pressure off of Gareth Bale. 

Well, if the Welshman remains at White Hart Lane this summer, that is...

Have Real Madrid and Gareth Bale Agreed to Terms?

Yes, despite the fact that Tottenham seem unlikely to move Bale this summer, the rumours keep coming in that Real Madrid will pry the dangerous winger away from Spurs. 

This time, Marca (via Sky Sports) is claiming Real Madrid are this close to bringing aboard the superstar:

"

Reports in the Spanish press claim that Gareth Bale has agreed a six-year deal with Real Madrid—despite Tottenham steadfastly insisting their winger is not for sale at any price.

Sports daily Marca, which is well known for its close allegiance to Real, also claims that Bale will be paid 10m Euros (£8.6m) a season and has already told Spurs he wants to leave.

However, this is in stark contrast to Andre Villas-Boas' stance—the Tottenham manager re-iterating the club's position as recently as Tuesday morning.

"

Tottenham have to do everything in their power to keep Bale around, add a few more pieces around him and qualify for Champions League football next season. If Spurs can do that, Bale might stick around for a few more years. 

Thus, it's hard to see them offloading him this summer, unless Bale really pushes for the move. File this under "unlikely transfer" for now despite Marca's report. 

David Moyes Isn't Getting Rid of Wayne Rooney Just Yet

There are two ways of looking at the Wayne Rooney saga this summer, and they both lead to the same confusing conclusion. 

The first is that it seems unlikely Rooney will return to Man United after a tumultuous summer full of rumours and hearsay.

The second is that it is really unlikely Manchester United will sell Rooney to another Premier League team, even as Chelsea reportedly chase the star forward. 

For the time being, David Moyes remains steadfast in his contention that Rooney will stay, according to David McDonnell of the Mirror:

"

Wayne Rooney will be ordered to pull on a Manchester United shirt again as he nears his comeback from injury, writes David McDonnell in Yokohama .

Rooney flew home from Bangkok less than 24 hours into United's pre-season tour after a scan revealed he had suffered a hamstring tear.

But Moyes said Rooney is making progress and believes the striker will be ready to start United's pre-season friendly in Stockholm on August 6.

Although Rooney is agitating for a move away, with Chelsea his preferred destination, Moyes re-iterated United's hardline stance over the 27-year-old .

Chelsea have let it be known they believe Rooney will never play for United again, but Moyes said he wants the forward back in action as soon as possible.

"

Given that Rooney has fallen to second fiddle behind Robin van Persie at forward and United will never get more money from selling Rooney than it would this summer, it's hard to see him staying. But you never know. And the summer's most intriguing transfer storyline lives on. 

Nani to Monaco?

It would appear as though Nani (finally) could be on the move. 

From Joe Prince-Wright of Pro Soccer Talk (via L'Equipe):

"

Nani is apparently in talks with AS Monaco over a $15 million move to the Ligue 1 new boys. The Portuguese winger has fallen way down the pecking order at Old Trafford and Nani is keen to play regularly before the 2014 World Cup. At 26 he’s coming into the prime of his career, but the winger has failed to live up to expectations at United.

"

Nani is still a very, very good player when he's in top form, and Monaco are pretty stacked at this point, having already added Radamel Falcao, Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez, Jeremy Toulalan, Eric Abidal and Ricardo Carvalho, with Hulk possibly coming soon (via Eurosport).

If Hulk and Nani join the French side, well, look out, PSG. For Nani, it could be just the move to revitalize his career. 

And for United, it could be a nice chunk of change to help them add an elite player to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea next season.

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