Premier League Transfer News: Latest Gossip and Rumours for Week of August 5

Yes, you'll get updates on Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas. And yes, a certain defender and his iconic hair is still being pursued by a giant Spanish club.

It's this week's round-up of Premier League transfer news and rumours, and as you might expect, it resembles previous editions of the round-up, because some transfer sagas just wont... ever... end...

But hey, we'll keep updating them for you. Let's get started.

Latest on Gareth Bale

Though a move to Real Madrid seems imminent, for the moment Gareth Bale remains a member of Tottenham. And that's why the club can still fine him if, say, he doesn't show up for training by Tuesday, according to Darren Lewis of the Mirror.

Bale may be ready to go to Madrid, but for now the Spurs still have the ability to fine him. And according to Andre Villas-Boas (via Jacob Steinburg of The Guardian), Bale isn't going anywhere:

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I think the rumours that anything is imminent are not true. We've allowed ourselves conversations with Real Madrid, confirmed by their coach, I think, wrongly, but the only thing we've communicated is that the player is our player and not for sale.

"

He added:

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There are conversations because there is big, big respect between the clubs, bearing in mind the transfer last year [of Luka Modric] and the agreement last year of goodwill between the clubs. At the moment we are following from those instructions.

But of the player, bearing in mind the investment you have seen at Tottenham recently, he is a player who is decisive for us. We are building a very strong team and we are building for a future with Gareth.

In football anything is possible but what we have communicated so far is that we are not willing to concede to their interest in the player.

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Of course, this may simply be posturing by Villas-Boas as negotiations for Bale remain ongoing, though according to Jason Burt of The Telegraph, chairmen Daniel Levy has "hardened his position" and is "determined not to negotiate further with Real" after becoming frustrated with Los Blancos making their pursuit of Bale public.

That, too, may simply be posturing, as Pete Jenson of The Independent writes that Spurs want Alvaro Morata to be included in any transfer for Bale, a player Real Madrid likely don't want to lose. 

And so on and on we go. 

Latest on Luis Suarez

According to John Cross of the Mirror, Luis Suarez plans on trying to force a move this week, as he and his advisors "are considering legal action, taking their argument to Premier League arbitration and even putting in a transfer request as the saga threatens to turn nasty at Anfield."

Well, this should get interesting. 

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers continued his public campaign to inform the world that Liverpool won't be selling Suarez, and managed to get in a dig at Arsenal along the way, clearly annoyed with the Gunners' cheeky transfer bid for the star striker. 

From David Maddock of the Mirror:

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I have to admit I was surprised by their bid of £40m and £1... I always associated Arsenal as a club with class. There may be playing a game there, but we will just move on and do our own work, and the message is constant: we do not want to sell.

I think there will become a point when they will understand that. They have an interest and put that interest in with two bids that is nowhere near where what Luis would be worth. That is within their right, there is a market for players, but our message is constant.

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For his part, Suarez continues to leave subtle hints that he has no desire to remain a Red in any capacity. According to Andy Hunter of The Guardian, "Suarez was the only member of Liverpool's first-team squad not to attend a testimonial dinner for Steven Gerrard on Saturday."

It's possible he already had another engagement. It's just as likely he's trying to make a point. 

And for all of Liverpool's posturing, it appears the team has already put its contingency plan in place, signing Iago Aspas earlier in the summer and putting in a £21.8 million bid for Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, according to a separate report from Hunter. 

The odds of Suarez staying at Liverpool seem low. And frankly, we're all ready for this saga to end, aren't we?

Latest on Wayne Rooney

And finally, the last saga to update in the Premier League's three-headed beast of transfer speculation this summer: Wayne Rooney. 

We start with Steve Brenner and Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph, who write that Chelsea made a second bid for Rooney, believed to be "in the region of £25 million," only to have Manchester United swiftly turn the offer down. 

Here's more from that report:

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Telegraph Sport understands the situation is set to come to a head this week with Rooney, who is angry at United’s stance, ready to hand in a transfer request and force a move away from Old Trafford. The striker is expected to be named in the United squad to face AIK in Stockholm on Tuesday night with Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Seville next up on Friday.

But an adverse fan reaction would only heighten Rooney’s desperation to leave with less than four weeks before the transfer window closes.

Moyes will be put in a difficult situation once Rooney hands in a written request but it is understood there has been no fallout between the pair.

"

Oh boy. 

An official transfer request would surely end Rooney's stay at Old Trafford. While the Red Devils surely don't want to lose a player of his caliber, there are plenty of quality reinforcements available at United should he depart. 

And his value will likely only depreciate as he nears the age of 30, meaning a sale this summer would make financial sense. 

Expect Rooney to be donning a new kit this summer. 

More on Cesc Fabregas

Depending on which source you believe, Manchester United have either given up their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas or are still going strong trying to bring him to Old Trafford. 

Sigh.

We start with the pursuit drawing to a close, according to Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph:

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Spanish newspaper Sport quoted [Barcelona Sporting director Andoni] Zubizarreta as saying: “Manchester United are interested in the player, but it’s also true that they understand our position of not wanting to sell. They have renounced his signing.”

Zubizarreta, speaking in Israel where the Catalan giants are currently on tour, was also quoted as saying by Barcelona’s official website: “He has a contract with us. We count on Cesc. I said that on the day of the presentation of Tito Vilanova and also with Tata [new coach Gerardo Martino] that he’s an extraordinary player who creates and finishes chances. We are delighted with him.”

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But BBC Sport is reporting that "sources close to the English champions have indicated they are considering a third bid for Fabregas."

Don't accuse the Red Devils of being quitters, in other words. 

Fabregas heading to Old Trafford remains a long shot, and United have ostensibly ignored several other targets while pursuing the Spanish star, but this saga seems destined for one last bid. The sooner the Red Devils get resolution on this matter, however, the better. 

Otherwise, the transfer market may pass them by. 

Barcelona Continue Pursuit of Chelsea's David Luiz

Chelsea may not want to sell versatile defender David Luiz, but Barcelona sure seem keen to sign him, according to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail:

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Barcelona will step up their pursuit of Chelsea defender David Luiz this week.

Sportsmail revealed the Spanish champions' opening offer early last month and, despite an initial rebuttal, they have maintained their interest. Chelsea have put a price tag of around £45m on the Brazilian but Barca hope to negotiate a figure closer to £35m.

Director of football Andoni Zubizaretta has confirmed a centre-back is their priority although they have other options if Chelsea continue to price Luiz out of a deal. 

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Clearly, Barcelona is interested in infusing their technical side with a bit of Brazilian flair, as evidenced by their pursuit of Luiz and signing of Neymar this summer. Luiz isn't the most positionally sound or rock-solid defender, but he makes up for it with his proficiency in the air, driving runs forward and rocket-fueled free kicks from distance. 

Chelsea would be wise to retain their exciting defender, but Barcelona may make them an offer they can't refuse. 

Loic Remy Joining Newcastle on Loan

Newcastle had a dreadful 2012-13 campaign, dropping all the way to 16th on the table after fifth a season before. 

But they will look to improve at forward, as it is being reported the club is poised to add Loic Remy on a season-long loan. 

From Louise Taylor of The Guardian:

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Seven months later than originally envisaged, Loic Remy finally arrived on Tyneside to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed season-long loan move from Queens Park Rangers on Monday. 

The 26-year-old France striker had originally been en route to Newcastle United for £9m from his former club, Marseille, last January only for the move to be hijacked by Harry Redknapp, QPR's manager.

Although Remy proceeded to score six goals in 14 appearances for the Loftus Road club he failed to prevent Redknapp's team being relegated and QPR are now anxious to be relieved of the forward's £70,000-a-week wages.

Redknapp had initially wanted to sell Remy outright but with the player still on bail after being arrested on suspicion of rape, Newcastle were not prepared to make the deal permanent. Remy, who denies the allegation, expects to find out whether or not he will be charged next month.

"

Newcastle's reservations are obviously prudent. From a purely footballing perspective, however, this is a solid move for a Newcastle side that has been quiet all summer but desperately needs to improve after falling so low a season ago. 

Remy's pace and finishing will add an important new element to the club, as he can either play centrally or out wide if called upon to do so. 

Arsenal on the Prowl for Omar Abdulrahman and Matthias Ginter

Arsenal is looking to add highly sought-after Omar Abdulrahman to the ranks this summer. But for the time being his current club, Al Ain, have thrown a wrench in that pursuit.

From John Cross of the Mirror:

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Arsene Wenger has made a bid to sign Olympics star Omar Abdulrahman to beat off competition from Europe's big guns. Arsenal boss Wenger is hopeful of agreeing a deal which would see the United Arab Emirates international come over for a week's trial ahead of a deal for the biggest star in the Middle East.

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The report adds:

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Al Ain have now blocked him coming for a trial—which was due to start today [Monday]—as they battle to keep the playmaker. Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke and Valencia have all been trying to sign the 21-year-old who caught the eye in the Olympics last summer.

But Arsenal have worked hard on the deal for the past few months and are still confident of tying up a permanent transfer but view the trial as a way of assessing whether Abdulrahman adapts to English football and culture.

"

Meanwhile, the Gunners also have eyes for Freiburg's Matthias Ginter, and it was believed the team had come to an agreement on a transfer fee over the weekend. 

Not so fast, writes John Edwards of the Daily Mail:

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Arsenal face more hard bargaining for one of their top transfer targets after Freiburg dismissed claims of a done deal for Matthias Ginter as 'nonsense'.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger wants a physical presence at the heart of midfield and was reported over the weekend to have agreed a £6.1million fee for 6ft-plus Germany Under 21 anchor man Ginter.

But there was a swift rebuttal from the Bundesliga club’s sporting director Joachim Saier, who insisted Arsenal have yet to make a bid and made it clear it would take more than the figure quoted to prise the 19-year-old away.

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Ginter certainly has a lot of promise and would add a physical presence to Arsenal's midfield, but it remains to be seen how often the youngster would crack Arsenal's starting 11. Still, for the price being floated and given Ginter's potential, it would be an excellent signing for Arsenal. 

If it happens. Stay tuned on these two youngsters as Arsenal keeps an eye to the future. 

Gervinho Leaving Arsenal for Roma

That low, rumbling sound you currently hear is Arsenal fans around the globe saying, "Good riddance," in unison. 

From Ed Malyon of the Mirror:

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Gervinho has arrived in Rome for a medical at Roma and is close to ending his unhappy stint at Arsenal. The Ivorian winger is keen for a reunion with Rudi Garcia, who presided over the most successful spell of his career at Lille OSC.

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Gervinho just never quite clicked during his time with the Gunners, showing the occasional penchant for the brilliant but mostly disappointing with a poor first touch, inability to accurately cross the ball into the box from the wing and his streaky finishing when given an open look at goal. 

According to Malyon's report, Nicklas Bendtner is "the subject of various offers" and could soon be departing the club, though, "Potential deals are being held up by the Dane's wage demands."

That whooshing sound you currently hear is Arsenal fans around the globe sighing in unison.