Bayern Munich have confirmed their interest in Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben, but insist nothing has been finalised yet.
Reports in Spain suggest Madrid have agreed a 25 million euros ($36m) deal with Bayern for the Dutch international after the German club’s general manager Uli Hoeness reportedly flew to the Spanish capital for talks with Real president Florentino Perez. Bayern have now confirmed they are chasing the 25-year-old but that the transfer is still not complete, with media director Markus Horwick telling his club’s Web site: “We’re interested in Robben, but we can’t announce a deal at this stage.” Robben, who joined Madrid from Chelsea two years ago, has also spoken about the switch and while he admitted that he was reluctant to leave the Spanish giants, he was excited by Bayern’s offer. The former PSV Eindhoven player told reporters: “I didn’t want to go but the club wanted to sell me. “There have been many lies but in the end I also have to decide what’s best for myself because I also want to play and show what sort of player I am. Munich have given me a very good feeling.” Meanwhile, it was a busy day in the English Premier League, with plenty of clubs doing transfer business ahead of Tuesday’s deadline day. Aston Villa have completed the signing of Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock for an undisclosed fee — believed to be around $13 million. Warnock has put pen-to-paper on a four-year contract which will keep him at Villa Park until the summer of 2013. Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has earmarked Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda as Warnock’s replacement, and the Frenchman is expected to leave London after passing a medical. Villa manager Martin O’Neill is also set to add Manchester City captain Richard Dunne to his squad. Villa have reached agreement with City over a fee for 29-year-old Dunne — who is expected to lose his place following City’s signing of Everton defender Jolean Lescott. Villa were also thought to be keen on Portsmouth central defender Sylvain Distin, but Everton have agreed a three-year deal for the Frenchman, who will come in as a direct replacement for Lescott at Goodison Park. Struggling Portsmouth, who have lost their first three league games of the season, have been busy signing players as well, bringing in forward Tommy Smith from Championship club Watford on a four-year seal for an undisclosed fee and making a bid for his defensive team-mate Mike Williamson. Elsewhere, Stoke City have also been busy in the market, signing German defender Robert Huth from relegated Middlesbrough and putting in place a deal to sign Turkish international forward Tuncay Sanli from the same club, for a combined fee of $18m. Meanwhile, Fulham have completed the signing of South Africa international midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi for an undisclosed fee.
