Football Transfer Rumours - Jul-30-2011

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has confirmed the club are working on deals to bring in 'a few' new players with Phil Jagielka (Everton), Juan Mata (Valencia), and Christopher Samba (Blackburn) believed to be their top priorities.

Having publicly declared he would not leave Tottenham for the northeast of England after Newcastle United showed interest, striker Jermain Defoe could be the subject of a bid by London neighbours Fulham.

New Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is set to miss out on yet another major transfer target, with Palermo playmaker Javier Pastore on the verge of a move to Paris St Germain.

Manchester City and Inter Milan will hold talks over a swap deal involving strikers Carlos Tevez and Samuel Eto'o this weekend

Liverpool and Tottenham are set to go head-to-head for the signature of Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas, according to reports in Brazil.

Big-spending Championship side Leicester are to bid £4m-plus for Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome, who is also a target for Premier League sides Stoke, Fulham and Bolton.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has admitted he has not given up hope of signing either Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy or Reading striker Shane Long.

Liverpool are watching midfielder James McCarthy's contract talks at Wigan closely and will move for him if they go badly and the Latics show any inclination of wanting to sell. McCarthy has also been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock is lining up a loan deal for Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha.

Everton are considering a move to sign Manchester City's Adam Johnson on a season-long loan. Johnson is behind midfielder David Silva in the City pecking order and may fancy a move to help protect his place in the England squad in the run-up to Euro 2012.

Tottenham have tabled a bid of around £22m for Arsenal target Juan Mata. The Valencia winger is open to a move to the Premier League and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a fan of the 23-year-old but he is yet to make a formal offer.