Football Transfer Rumours - Jul-14-2013

Harry Redknapp is set to beat Premier League opposition in the race to sign £5m-rated Celtic striker Gary Hooper, 25, for Queens Park Rangers.

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, 25, is being lined up for a move to Premier League newcomers Hull and a reunion with Tigers boss Steve Bruce, who signed the Denmark international when in charge at Birmingham and Sunderland.

Everton and Newcastle have been told they will have to pay £5m for Porto defender Rolando, 27, if they want to sign the Portugal international.

Chelsea are now ­favourites to sign Wayne Rooney from ­Manchester United this summer but the battle for the 27-year-old striker's signature could run until the end of the transfer ­window, with the England forward costing £25m.

Arsenal have told Gonzalo Higuain, 25, to hurry up and decide if he wants to join them after growing frustrated with the Real Madrid striker delaying his proposed move to north London.

Jose Mourinho wants former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 35, to return to Stamford Bridge from Galatasaray.

Tottenham are struggling to offload striker Emmanuel Adebayor as they seek to find the funds to make a bid for Aston Villa's 22-year-old striker Christian Benteke.

Manchester City are close to completing the £27m signing of forward Stevan Jovetic, 23 from Fiorentina, with only personal terms needing to be agreed.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers wants to make a hat-trick of signings, with the Reds targeting midfielder Christian Eriksen, 21, and 24-year-old centre-back Toby Alderweireld of Ajax as well as Chelsea left-back Ryan Bertrand, 23.