Balls and My Word

It seems to be more about who we're not getting than who we are getting, though there is, especially with Sanchez, the feeling that footballer writers just have a champions league style draw every evening to see which club is linked to which player.

Today Barcelona are the favourites to sign Sanchez, according to The Guardian who quote the Barcelona president:

"We are optimistic but this has just begun. We are negotiating for Sanchez," he told the Chilean newspaper La Tercera.

"We know he is a valuable player; that is why there are so many teams after him. We have to continue talking and we will see what is going to happen in the next few days."

This Independent article sums up the other 2 big stories - Nasri probably staying at Arsenal and Chelsea bid for Modric:

Talks between Arsenal's Samir Nasri and Manchester United have come to nothing and the player now appears likely to remain at Arsenal for another season.The Independent understands that Nasri will now head into the final year of his current £55,000-a-week contract and reconsider his options as a free agent at the end of next season. ...

Chelsea have made the first formal summer move for Tottenham's Luka Modric, lodging a £22m bid which Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy rejected out of hand yesterday afternoon. Roman Abramovich's initial offer, which had been expected, could rise to more than £30m.

The Guardian also reckon £30 million could prise him away:

Modric as an established Premier League and international performer is arguably worth considerably more than the £22m offered by Chelsea and so the west London club can be expected to increase their offer markedly.

Any bid of £30m or more would force Levy into giving serious consideration to allowing the sale, with West Ham United's Scott Parker, of whom Redknapp is a keen admirer, the potential replacement.

 The Telegraph show the confusing nature of all the names and clubs:

Manchester United have also registered their interest in Modric but have turned their attentions to Alexis Sanchez — who is also on Chelsea’s target list — and Arsenal’s Samir Nasri.

 They raise the figure to £35 million being the figure for Spurs to sell Modric.

The Sun go proper cheap, with Chelsea only have to go to £25 million to get him, which low figure doesn't fit very well with this:

Blues owner Abramovich wants to blow Manchester United, who are also chasing the 25-year-old, out of the water in the battle for Spurs' prize asset.

Ridiculous story of the day, the Daily Star have us wanting to pip Liverpool to the signing of Charlie Adam, and all the names and clubs get back on the merry-go-round:

But Fergie is convinced he can outmuscle Liverpool because he can offer the 25-year-old higher wages. 

Fergie has already beaten Dalglish to the signing of Blackburn’s Phil  Jones. He will turn to Adam because he fears losing out to Chelsea in his bid to sign Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder.

Because Adam is a worthwhile substitute for Sneijder...

The Sun win headline of the day for "David: Van always hit top Gea" above a story for these quotes:

"The fact they are thinking of me as a replacement for such a great goalkeeper as Van der Sar is great.

"Let's hope I can play like Van der Sar at his age. To do it I'd need strength, luck and to take good care of my body because football consumes you. But let's hope so."

Finally, The Daily Mail say that Ritchie De Laet is on his way to Norwich on loan.