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Transfer gossip – Chelsea to seal Begovic deal

By Kevin Kelly

Asmir Begovic
Asmir Begovic /
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Playing for 90’s transfer gossip column brings you all the latest news and rumours of ins and outs from the Premier League and abroad, including news on the future of Asmir Begovic

Asmir Begovic poised to complete £8 million move

Asmir Begovic is poised to complete his £8 million move to Chelsea on Friday, with Marco van Ginkel heading to Stoke City as part of the deal, report the Telegraph. Begovic will end his five-year association with Stoke after agreeing to join the Premier League champions as Petr Cech’s replacement, providing competition for Thibaut Courtois.

Chelsea’s second bid for the Bosnia international was accepted earlier this week and the only delay has been over which player would join Mark Hughes’s squad on a season-long loan. Hughes has pushed for Van Ginkel, a Holland international, and Chelsea have given the move the green light in a deal which is seen as a huge coup by Stoke officials.

Van Ginkel, 22, spent last season on loan at AC Milan and his versatility in midfield appeals to Hughes, especially after the £7 million sale of Steven Nzonzi to Europa League winners Sevilla.

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Sevilla target Chicarito

Sevilla have enquired about Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, report Mail Online.  The Mexico striker is also a target for West Ham and Orlando among others but is out for four weeks with a broken collarbone.

United want around £8million for Hernandez who has one year left on contract. Sevilla coach Unai Emery said: ‘There is Chicharito, [Ciro] Immobile and other players that we are evaluating.’

The 27-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford last season and was subsequently snapped up on loan by Real Madrid, with the option of making the move permanently.

But Hernandez struggled to make an impact in Spain and was largely used as a substitute, making just 12 starts in all competitions.

Palace join Austin race

Crystal Palace are poised to enter the bidding for the Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin, report the Guardian. Palace have submitted an offer of £6m plus a couple of players. Palace, who also retain a strong interest in Chelsea’s Loïc Rémy, would be willing to use Fraizer Campbell, Adrian Mariappa, Barry Bannan and/or Adlène Guedioura in part-exchange.

A number of clubs have looked at signing Austin, who enjoyed a fine season at Loftus Road last time out, in which he scored 18 Premier League goals, but they have been discouraged by QPR’s £15m valuation. Leicester City have already had a bid worth £12m rejected.

QPR would consider taking Campbell and Mariappa from Palace but will demand a higher cash figure as part of the deal – taking the cash part of the offer closer to £10m. Palace, though, hope to reach a compromise.

Scott Dann set for new bumper Crystal Palace contract

Scott Dan will sign a new Crystal Palace contract this week, report the Express. Dann, 28, will be rewarded for his exceptional form last season by signing a lucrative new deal worth around £65,000-a-week. The centre-back has two years to run on his existing contract and an announcement on a fresh deal is close.

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Everton had been linked with a move for Dann, but manager Roberto Martinez is looking for a defender to fall in line between Phil Jagielka and John Stones. Dann has established himself as one of the top flight’s most consistent performers and was instrumental in Palace’s progress last season under Alan Pardew.

The signing of France international Cabaye, who was due to undergo a medical on Thursday, serves as a reflection of the ambition at Selhurst Park and securing Dann on a long term deal is another example of that.

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