4th August 2011: The Pick of Today's Football Transfer Rumours

The pick of today's Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga football transfer rumours, news and gossip for 4 August, 2011. All the latest transfer rumours surrounding Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Roma, Barcelona and Real Madrid will be covered here.

The Daily Mirror claims that Chelsea will step up their efforts to sign Luka Modric this week by tabling a £30m bid for the Croatian midfielder. The west London club have failed with two bids already but believe Tottenham's stance is weakening. Chelsea are said to be ready to offer Luka Modric £150,000 per week, something Harry Redknapp can't compete with.

Eric Cantona has told Manchester United to sign Wesley Sneijder because the Dutchman reminds him of himself. "He reminds me of myself," Cantona said, speaking at the London launch of a book on iconic US side New York Cosmos, where he is now director of soccer.

"Sneijder is an excellent player. He is what Manchester United needs. There's no-one like him right now. He's strong. Sometimes he reminds me of myself," the Manchester United legend added.

The Daily Mail suggests that Cesc Fabregas is on collision course with Arsene Wenger after the Spaniard reportedly refused to travel with the Arsenal squad to Portugal this weekend. Arsene Wenger believes he has every right to pick the player after his captain recovered from his recent hamstring injury. Cesc Fabregas has said that he wants to stay in London this weekend to try and tie up a deal for his dream move back to Barcelona.

The Daily Mirror also claims that Inter Milan have offered Manchester City Brazilian full back Maicon plus £25m for Carlos Tevez. It was believed that Inter would be willing to allow Samuel Eto'o to join Manchester City but the paper claims Maicon is the player on the table. Inter Milan value Maicon at around £15m and are willing to offer Manchester City £25m in order to secure Carlos Tevez's signature.

Reports in the English press have claimed that Liverpool is ready to continue their spending spree by offering Bolton the full buyout clause for Gary Cahill. It was believed that Arsenal and Manchester City were interested in the defender but have been unwilling to meet Bolton's valuation of the player. Liverpool is determined to sign an English defender this summer after losing out on Phil Jones who signed for Manchester United in July.

The Metro claims that there is a three way fight between Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham for Newcastle outcast Joey Barton. All three clubs are said to be lining up talks with the midfielder who has expressed an interest of running down his contract at Newcastle. However with three clubs offering Champions League and Europa League football next season, it could be an offer too good for Barton to turn down.

Serie A

According to ESPN, AC Milan is in talks with Fiorentina midfielder Ricardo Montolivo. The Italian midfielder is set to leave Florence after rejecting a contract extension last month and AC Milan have earmarked the player as a potential replacement for Andrea Pirlo. The 26-year-old's current deal expires next summer and reports indicate that AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus are all keen on snapping up the Italy international for a cut-price deal.

"I think Milan have talked to Fiorentina; we will only talk when Fiorentina have reached an agreement," Giovanni Branchini, the player's agent told Gazzetta dello Sport."[A transfer to Milan] is a decision that belongs only to Fiorentina," he added.

La Liga

Arsenal has been dealt a blow after Real Madrid's Karim Benzema said he will not be joining Arsenal this summer. Karim Benzema insists he has not had any contact with the Gunners and intends to remain at the Bernabeu this summer.

"My place is at this club," Benzema told L'Equipe. "I have never talked to Mr Wenger or anyone else. I want to enjoy success here. I have found my self-belief. This season, I know we will win titles," he continued.