Wednesday’s Transfer Window – As it happened

And that's it until tomorrow morning. We hope you can check back in with us from Thursday morn as we can begin the transfer merry-go-round from 7am.

The Transfer Tracker shouldn't be too hard to find - on our homepage, no less - so we look forward to doing it all again in less than 12 hours. Good night.

Not transfer news at all really, this one, but we thought we should let you know that Ryan Giggs has begun legal action against the News of the World newspaper for alleged phone hacking.

Considering that both Imogen Thomas and Rhodri Giggs wife, who have been linked to on numerous recent headlines, are being represented by publicist Max Clifford and have each been part of numerous News International publication exclusives over the past fortnight, we reckon there's plenty more of this story to be released.

As we warned earlier, things tend to wind down towards the end of the day and as such, the best we can bring you at the moment is that past-it French striker Sydney Govou has indicated a willingness to move to England from Panathinaikos.

Hasn't been much talk about Chelsea in a while, so we're here to put that right. Bayern Munich are reportedly chasing Blues' central defender Alex, who is now third choice at the Bridge following the arrival of David 'Sideshow Bob' Luiz in January.

Hmmm, normally things start to wind down as the day goes on but this latest snippet of news is very interesting. Werder Bremen are saying that both Spurs and Liverpool have had bids rejected for ace playmaker Marko Marin, who at various stages as been described as the German Messi or the next Mesut Ozil. Whatever about pseudonyms, he's a class act.

West Ham plan to announce the signing of two proven Premier League players (Kevin Nolan and who?) in the next 24 hours and plan to bring in seven players in total this summer. Big display of ambition from the Hammers then.

Likeable Italian Roberto di Matteo has been heavily tipped to become the next Birmingham manager. There would certainly be a radical change in the style of play at St. Andrews if he was to replace boring, boring McLeish. Saying that, if di Matteo was still in charge of West Brom, they might be looking forward to Championship rather than Premier League football next season.

Some more transfer news from Italy for you: AC Milan have announced a co-ownership deal with Genoa for teenage playmaker Stephan El-Shaarawi.

Lots of weird Genoa-Milan co-ownership in the last few years. Kevin-Prince Boateng was signed by Genoa but went on loan to Milan and is now a Milan player, while Milan’s Alexander Merkel joined Genoa today and Genoa’s keeper Marco Amelia joined Milan this week too.

Transfer ticker has gone a bit quiet in the last while, so you might like to know that Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley have confirmed their engagement. Another good man down.

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Norwich are closing in on the loan signing of Manchester United defender Ritchie de Laet, reports Sky Sports News.

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has done a U-turn on comments that he denied he was in talks with veteran coach Marcelo Bielsa to replace Leonardo.

"I think there has been contact with Bielsa but not from me. Leonardo has put a lot of effort and passion into being a manager but it's not what he aspires to do in the future. The best thing is that he follows his aspiration and that we look for another manager."

Kevin Nolan deal may not be completed today, but Toon fans seem resigned to his departure. Team-mate Joey Barton is heartbroken, according to his Twitter page.

"Great player, leader, captain, person, trainer and mostly a friend for life. Devastated to see him SOLD! #mejoseandjonasnext

Presidential candidate David Norris has just signed for Portsmouth. Or maybe it's former Ipswich midfielder David Norris. We'll find out and let you know as soon as we can.

It's all gone quiet on the transfer front in the last while. The various pundits must be digesting the latest news on Kevin Nolan and Cesc Fabregas over their lunch breaks.

Former Arsenal star Jose Antonio Reyes on his way to Galatasaray after the Turkish club had an €8 million bid accepted by Atletico Madrid.

Regarding Nolan, he rejected an offer of a new deal at Newcastle earlier this month but apparently it was more to do with the number of years on the contract and other issues rather than purely about money.

Still, he's going 29 later this month and surely his days in the top flight are numbered. If he is gone, at least we will be spared that ridiculous chicken celebration he had been doing last season. Embarrassing.

Inter Milan manager Leonardo about to become Director of Football at PSG according to sources in Italy. Coppa Italia success obviously not enough to save his job after awful Champions League exit and finishing behind bitter rivals AC in Serie A.

What?!! Kevin Nolan having a medical at West Ham according to sources at Sky Sports News. There must be big bucks on offer, because that is one hell of a comedown for one of Newcastle's most impressive performers last term.

Speaking of Fabregas, some interesting quotes from the man himself, particularly about Arsene Wenger.

"I am an Arsenal player," he says.

"I have been very happy for eight years and I am very happy. I am not thinking about football right now, just about my holidays."

About Wenger, who he says will decide on the player's future, he added: "He is the boss, the one who makes the decisions. You should ask him. I was injured at the end of the season and I haven't seen him for about six weeks."

Hmmm, we haven't heard the last of this one yet.

Arsenal fans eagerly awaiting news on Cesc Fabregas should know that the player himself has revealed that no decision has yet been taken on his future. The bookies are shortening the odds on him joining his beloved Barca by the minute, however, and it seems more and more likely that he's on his way out of the Emirates.

Contrary to earlier information suggesting that Sunderland wanted rid of Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan, the Black Cats have come out and said they have no intention of letting him leave the Stadium of Light.

Like the dreaded vote of confidence for a manager, such a statement normally means that Gyan will be out of Sunderland sooner rather than later, but why they would want to part with someone who can move like this is beyond us.

Here's some news that would probably have delighted Liverpool fans a few months back but may dismay them now after what happened at the end of the season. Apparently, utility man Maxi Ridriguez wants to return to former club Newell's Old Boys in Argentina.

It couldn't possibly be much quieter in the market this morning.

Peterborough United have confirmed that striker Craig Mackail-Smith is holding talks with three clubs this week. Wow.

The free-scoring Posh marksman is expected to leave London Road this summer as he has just one year left on his contract, reports Sky Sports.

Palermo have confirmed that Chelsea are still pursuing Javier Pastore but face competition from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The Argentina star has caught the eye of the managerless Blues as they look to add a creative force to their midfield, with Tottenham's Luka Modric another reported target.

Reports on the Chelsea job suggest Gus Hiddink is moving closer to taking up the post.

Sunderland are prepared to part with striker Asamoah Gyan as part of a major summer overhaul, according to reports.

The news that Gyan could be sold in the summer, if someone offers the right price, will come as a surprise to Black Cats fans as he was a success at the Stadium of Light after signing for a club record £15million from French side Rennes a year ago.

Rangers boss Ally McCoist is hoping to sign Israel striker Tomer Hemed by the end of the week.

Spanish sports newspaper Marca headlines that Inter Milan have made a €30m bid to Real Madrid for Kaka.

Celtic are on the verge of handing their skipper a bumper pay rise in a bid to fend off the amorous attentions of Newcastle United.

Newcastle are believed to have been preparing a €7m raid on Scott Brown but Hoops bosses are convinced they can hang onto their man by improving on his current contract, set to run out in a year.

More details here.

Alan Shearer will not become Cardiff City's new manager after holding what he describes as "unsuccessful" talks with the club.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas flies into his hometown of Barcelona today for a holiday as the Catalan giants prepare to keep him there for good.

A renewed bid to prize their long sought-after target away from London is expected in the coming days.

More on the Fab move here.

Manchester United appear to have edged ahead of Man City and Barcelona in the back-and-forth race to sign sought-after Chilean Alexis Sanchez.

The ever-cheeky David Gill has flown to Spain to meet Udinese president Gino Pozzo under the noses of the Nou Camp bosses – in Barcelona.

Full story here.

Staying with West Ham for a moment, last night's report that Abdoulaye Faye has become their first signing since relegation is true.

The Senegal international was shown the door by Stoke City at the end of last season and has since been on the lookout for new employers.

Demba Ba turned down £50,000 a-week and £500,000 bonus to stay at West Ham, apparently. He's headed for Newcastle. Thomas Hitzlesperger's has left the club as well after activating a relegation clause in his contract

Good morning and welcome to JOE's Transfer Tracker.

First up, Steve Bruce has his heart set on bringing Manchester United and Ireland duo John O'Shea and Darron Gibson to Sunderland, as well as fellow international Kieren Westwood.

We've heard talk of this for days now, but deals are reportedly ready to be struck for the trio. €6m per head should do the trick.