LIVERPOOL
Liverpool are set to complete their fourth signing of the summer with the capture of Lazar Markovic.
The Benfica winger has been on Merseyside to undergo a medical and Press Association Sport a deal is likely to be finalised on Tuesday.
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His arrival will take Rodgers’ spending close to £60million after Liverpool triggered the 20-year-old’s £20million release clause just a year after the Serbian moved to Portugal.
Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Emre Can have already been added to the squad while negotiations are continuing in an attempt to sign Belgium’s Lille striker Divock Origi.
Rodgers is looking to strengthen further following the £75million departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona, which is expected to be completed later this week.
Reds forward Iago Aspas has returned to Spain on a year-long loan with Sevilla after a disappointing maiden season having moved from Celta Vigo last summer.
The Spanish outfit announced the clubs had agreed a loan deal, with the option for them to sign Aspas on a permanent deal.
Aspas’ departure may help in Liverpool’s pursuit of the Spanish left-back Alberto Moreno.
The two clubs appeared to have reached an impasse over the defender’s fee, with the Merseysiders unwilling to meet a £20million valuation, but talks have continued.
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INTER MILAN
French midfielder Yann M’Vila has joined Inter Milan on a season-long loan deal from Rubin Kazan.
M’Vila arrived in Milan last week and underwent a medical but waited until Tuesday morning to finally train with the Nerazzurri outfit.
Inter posted a photograph of M’Vila on the club’s website, www.inter.it, with a statement that read: “M’ Vila joins his new team-mates on the pitch for the first time in Inter’s Pinzolo training session.”
As part of the agreement, Inter have an option to make the switch permanent next summer.
M’Vila joined Rubin Kazan from Rennes in January 2013 in a reported £9.6million transfer deal.
The 24-year-old has three years left on his contract with the Russian outfit.
Since June 30, M’Vila can return to represent France after serving a 16-month ban over an unauthorised night out when on under-21s international duty.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Daryl Janmaat was on Tyneside on Tuesday morning as Newcastle looked to tie up their fifth summer signing.
Press Association Sport understands the 24-year-old Holland international flew in with the Magpies hoping to complete the formalities of a deal which will see the Feyenoord full-back plug the hole expected to be created by Mathieu Debuchy’s impending departure for Arsenal.
Janmaat was reportedly due to arrive on Monday, but he remained at home after feeling unwell following his return from the World Cup finals in Brazil, where he played his part as the Dutch, including Newcastle keeper Tim Krul, finished in third place.
He would become the latest man to join Alan Pardew’s squad after a flurry of activity which saw France midfielder Remy Cabella drafted in alongside Siem de Jong, Jack Colback and Ayoze Perez on Sunday night.
EVERTON
Former Everton manager Joe Royle has rejoined the staff at Goodison Park as part of Roberto Martinez’s backroom team.
The 65-year-old has been brought in to help young players breaking through from the academy and Under-21 set-up while he will also assist in scouting and the recruitment of players.
Royle was a product of the Goodison youth system and went on to score 119 goals in 275 appearances for Everton from 1966-74 before winning the FA Cup during his three-year spell as manager in the 1990s.
Bringing through young players has been an area of strength for Everton, with Ross Barkley the latest off the production line, and manager Martinez believes Royle will be a valuable addition.
The Spaniard said on evertonfc.com: “Everyone knows the incredible influence Joe has had at our football club, both as a player and a manager.
“He is a true Evertonian and we all welcome him back to Goodison Park.
“We are all very excited with the talent coming through in our academy and we pride ourselves on the work we do with the young players.
“Joe’s experience and football know-how will be hugely beneficial for the youngsters at a key stage of their development. He is the first major change in our structure in player development.”
ASTON VILLA
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill is confident number two Roy Keane will benefit from his joint role as Aston Villa’s assistant manager.
O’Neill has revealed he spoke to Villa manager Paul Lambert about the demands the position would make on Keane’s time before sanctioning the move, which will see the former Manchester United captain combine the two jobs.
O’Neill told the Irish Independent: “My view is if it doesn’t impinge on the job here with Ireland, then in actual fact it will end up being good for him.
“I know that if we couldn’t have made it work, he wouldn’t have taken the job in the first place.
“If his commitments to us - both on the commercial side and certainly from my viewpoint in terms of the time working with players - is not impinged at all, then I’m happy for it to go ahead, genuinely happy.
“Villa have agreed to give him all that time with us and therefore I don’t really have a problem with it. I spoke with Paul to see how he felt it was going to work.
“He said that he gives the players, the senior players who are not involved at international level, a lot of time off anyway during that time [international breaks] and even if they did come back for a day or two, they could cope with that.”
ROMA
Roma began pre-season training on Tuesday with all eyes on Mehdi Benatia.
Coming off a strong first season with Roma, the Morocco international had a request for an improved contract rejected by the Giallorossi.
With Manchester City and Barcelona reportedly interested in signing the 27-year-old defender this summer, the Roma fans are hoping Benatia will stay in the Eternal City and see out the remainder of his contract.
Benatia was greeted by 100 Giallorossi supporters on Tuesday morning at Roma’s training camp in Trigoria.
Some fans unfurled a banner which read: “Benatia continue to honour the Roma jersey, it loves you and it forgives you.”
Roma have stated they will not sell Benatia, who is tied to the Giallorossi until June 2018.
Benatia moved to Rome from Udinese last summer in a 13.5million euros transfer fee.
The African player scored five goals in 33 league appearances to help Roma finish runners-up in Serie A in the 2013-14 campaign and qualify for the Champions League.
EVIAN
Evian have signed Danish forward Nicki Bille Nielsen from Rosenborg for an undisclosed fee.
The 26-year-old has penned a three-year contract at the Parc des Sports after scoring 24 goals across two seasons with the Norwegian club.
He told Evian’s official website: “I’m very happy. This is a great opportunity and a fresh start for me.
“I think this is the perfect place for me to play football and for my family to have a good life. I will give everything on the pitch, for my team-mates and for the club. I can’t wait to get going.”
Nielsen is a full Denmark international and scored his first goal for De Rod-Hvide against Malta in a World Cup qualifying match back in October.
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