Liverpool's Roberto Firmino says he dreamed of moving to England

Roberto Firmino: Wants to play in the Champions League

Roberto Firmino says he dreamed of playing in the Premier League and moved to Liverpool to "fight for titles and play in the Champions League".

The Brazilian joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim in a July deal which could reach up to £29million with clauses, which would make him the third most expensive signing in the club's history.

Firmino is yet to score for the Reds despite featuring in each of their four opening Premier League games, with the club itself undergoing a somewhat inauspicious start.

Regardless, the 23-year-old believes he has secured a "dream" move to a club capable of competing for titles and, come May, qualifying for the Champions League.

"It's strange but I remember just before I moved to Hoffenheim that I had a dream about playing in England," he told the official Liverpool FC magazine.

"At the time that wasn't an option, the opportunity wasn't there for me. Then it came along a few months ago and I quickly decided it was the right offer for me.

"As a footballer, I always want more. I really enjoyed my time in Germany but didn't actually win anything. So the next step was to join a club that can compete for trophies, that's why I came here.

"I want to fight for titles and play in the Champions League. So moving here really is a dream come true."

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Milan: Balotelli attitude 'extraordinary'

Mario Balotelli: Off to a good start in Milan

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is pleasantly surprised by the "radical change in attitude" that he has seen in Mario Balotelli.

The Italian forward has returned to Milan on a season-long loan from Liverpool just one year after leaving the Rossoneri on a £16million transfer to Anfield.

The 25-year-old endured a dismal year in England scoring just four goals in his 28 appearances for the Reds and has much to prove this season if he is to revive his career.

Galliani believes the player has taken already one step towards that and said to Sky Italia: "He (Balotelli) has had an extraordinary approach, he has changed radically.

"He is the first to arrive and the last to leave (Milan's training ground) Milanello.

"(AC Milan coach Sinisa) Mihajlovic wants for the players to have breakfast at 8:30 and he is there before that at 8.

"If he continues to have the same approach shown in the first week he will do well with us.

"This is his last opportunity of his career and I don't think he will throw it away."

Balotelli was considered surplus to requirements at Liverpool and

was left out of the club's pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia and trained away from the first team.

He has reportedly taken a pay cut to return to Milan, where he scored 26 goals in 43 appearances after joining from Manchester City in January 2013.

Milan have thrown Balotelli a lifeline and the player is keen to have a strong campaign and return to Italy's squad ahead of next year's Euro 2016.

Balotelli, who has yet to make his first appearance for the Rossoneri since his return, was an unused substitute in Milan's 2-1 triumph over Empoli last weekend.

He is expected to feature in the Milan derby at

Inter, Balotelli's former club, on September 13.

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Jose Enrique says he is happy to stay with Liverpool

Jose Enrique: Has fallen down the pecking order at Liverpool

Liverpool full-back Jose Enrique has vowed to "fight for his future" at the club after denying West Brom made a deadline day bid to sign him.

Spanish full-back Enrique is seemingly out of favour with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers and had been training with just Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini, who have now both been sold.

With West Brom reportedly interested in signing the 29-year-old left-back on deadline day, it appeared his Anfield turmoil was close to coming to an end.

But the former Newcastle player insisted there was no offer from the Baggies and says he plans to battle for a shirt under Rodgers.

Enrique tweeted: "Just to let you all know that it wasn't any offer from West Brom for me.

"I'm happy to stay and fight for my place."

Enrique's last Liverpool appearance came in the FA Cup at Bolton in January, and he has been criticised by fans for posting photos of himself on holiday and at leisure on Twitter and Instagram.

But he has now deactivated both accounts, after posting a final message which read: "I thought it was good to share with the fans pictures but I think they have been killing me for that.

"Ok, chao (sic) Instagram and Twitter. Focus on football and show myself again."

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Villa and Liverpool agree Ilori loan

Tiago Ilori: Moved to Villa

Liverpool have reached agreement with Aston Villa for the season-long loan of defender Tiago Ilori.

The 22-year-old defender has yet to make a senior appearance for the Reds since his £7million move from Sporting Lisbon two years ago.

Liverpool are keen for the Portugal Under-21 international to head out on loan in order for him to play first-team football and the Premier League deal sheet has been submitted and the clubs have until 8pm to complete the paperwork.

With Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho ahead of him in the pecking order at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers feels his development would be helped by playing elsewhere.

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Deadline Day: Arsenal & Spurs draw blanks

Anthony Martial to Manchester United is expected to be the biggest deadline-day transfer, with Arsenal and Tottenham struggling to do business.

ARSENAL

- Arsenal have shown interest in Paris Saint-Germain trio Edinson Cavani, Adrien Rabiot and Marco Verratti but have received little encouragement, with their hopes of a deadline-day signing fading (Daily Telegraph)

- Galatasaray are preparing a huge offer for Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

ASTON VILLA

- Joleon Lescott has joined Aston Villa from West Brom for an undisclosed fee

- Aston Villa have signed goalkeeper Matija Sarkic from Belgian outfit Anderlecht

- Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori is considering an offer of a season-long loan move to Aston Villa after rejecting the chance to join Sunderland

- Aston Villa have had a bid rejected by Crystal Palace for striker Dwight Gayle (Sky Sports)

BOURNEMOUTH

- Bournemouth have signed striker Glenn Murray from Crystal Palace for £4million

- Bournemouth are in talks with Serie A club Genoa to take Diego Perotti on loan but look unlikely to land Jonathan de Guzman

CHELSEA

- Chelsea have completed the signing Reading centre-back Michael Hector for £4million

- Senegal defender Papy Djilobodji has signed a four-year deal with Chelsea, Nantes have announced

- West Ham have completed the season-long loan signing of Chelsea winger Victor Moses

CRYSTAL PALACE

- Crystal Palace are looking to sell Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley and Glenn Murray to make way for a new centre-back and striker (Daily Mirror)

- Aston Villa have had a bid rejected by Crystal Palace for striker Dwight Gayle (Sky Sports)

- Bournemouth have signed striker Glenn Murray from Crystal Palace for £4million

- Watford are looking to clinch the £4million signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak (The Sun)

EVERTON

- Everton have signed defender Ramiro Funes Mori from River Plate for a fee of £9.5million and on a deal until 2020

- Everton are interested in Roma striker Juan Iturbe (Daily Mirror)

- Aaron Lennon is hoping Watford will rescue him from Tottenham (Daily Express)

- Everton are battling to snap up Swiss wonderkid Breel Embolo for £14.5m but fear they could lose out in a January auction for the Basel teenager (The Sun)

LEICESTER CITY

- Swansea winger Nathan Dyer is set to sign on loan for Premier League rivals Leicester (Sky Sports)

- Leicester have joined Norwich and West Brom in the race to sign Jonathan Walters from Stoke City (Sky Sports)

- Leicester City are in talks with Sporting Lisbon over a possible deal for right winger Andre Carrillo, according to reports

- Leicester defender Liam Moore has joined Bristol City on loan

LIVERPOOL

- West Brom's deal for Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique is off (Liverpool Echo)

- Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori is considering an offer of a season-long loan move to Aston Villa after rejecting the chance to join Sunderland

- Liverpool have signed Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who will immediately head out on loan with FSV Frankfurt

- Sunderland will try to sign Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori on loan (Daily Mirror)

MANCHESTER CITY

- Juventus are keen to sign Samir Nasri, but the Frenchman wants to stay at Manchester City (Daily Mirror)

- Manchester City defender Jason Denayer has completed his move to Turkish club Galatasaray on a season-long loan

MANCHESTER UNITED

- Anthony Martial has returned to France after successfully completing a medical ahead of his proposed £36million transfer to Manchester United

- Real Madrid have defended their conduct over the failed £29m bid to sign David de Gea and accused Manchester United of "holding up the deal"

- Javier Hernandez has joined Bayer Leverkusen for £7.3million

- Manchester United are prepared to loan out James Wilson, with a host of Premier League and Championship clubs interested

- Emmanuel Adebayor has been offered to Manchester United as a solution to their striking problems (Daily Mail)

- Southampton are confident of keeping both Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane (Daily Telegraph)

NEWCASTLE

- Steve McClaren does not expect Newcastle to make any further additions this summer

- Tottenham Hotspur could be tempted to make a last-gasp attempt to sign forward Ayoze Perez from Newcastle for £15million (Daily Mail)

- Newcastle teenager Olivier Kemen has completed a permanent move to French club Lyon

NORWICH

- Norwich have signed Dynamo Kiev striker Dieumerci Mbokani on loan for the rest of the season

- Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters has handed in a transfer request, amid interest from West Brom and Norwich

- Ricky van Wolfswinkel has joined Real Betis on a season-long loan from Norwich

SOUTHAMPTON

- Southampton have completed a £11.5million deal for Celtic's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk

- Zambian striker Emmanuel Mayuka has left Southampton to join French club Metz on a three-year contract

STOKE CITY

- Stoke City are in a deadline-day transfer limbo as they seek a replacement for Jon Walters. The club is reluctant to let Walters leave until they have signed a replacement - and Crystal Palace's Mile Jedinak is looking unlikely at this stage after being pinpointed by boss Mark Hughes (The Sentinel)

- Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters has handed in a transfer request, amid interest from West Brom and Norwich

SUNDERLAND

- DeAndre Yedlin has become Sunderland's eighth summer signing after completing a season-long loan move from Tottenham

- Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori is considering an offer of a season-long loan move to Aston Villa after rejecting the chance to join Sunderland

- Sunderland have allowed Italy winger Emanuele Giaccherini to join newly-promoted Serie A side Bologna on a season-long loan

SWANSEA CITY

- Swansea winger Nathan Dyer is set to sign on loan for Premier League rivals Leicester (Sky Sports)

- Swansea are unlikely to make any deadline-day signings (Daily Mirror)

TOTTENHAM

- West Brom have rejected a fourth bid from Tottenham for Saido Berahino

- Spurs will make a £15million bid for West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate and are confident the midfielder wants to join but are aware their fierce rivals will not want to sell (The Sun)

- West Brom and Tottenham are attempting to sign Manchester United forward James Wilson on loan (Daily Mail)

- Tottenham Hotspur could be tempted to make a last-gasp attempt to sign forward Ayoze Perez from Newcastle for £15million (Daily Mail)

- Southampton are confident of keeping both Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane (Daily Telegraph)

- Aaron Lennon is hoping Watford will rescue him from Tottenham (Daily Express)

- DeAndre Yedlin has become Sunderland's eighth summer signing after completing a season-long loan move from Tottenham

WATFORD

-  Colombia forward Victor Ibarbo has signed for Watford on a season-long loan from Roma

- Watford have signed midfielder Adlene Guedioura on a three-year deal from Crystal Palace, fee is undisclosed

- Watford have signed 19-year-old striker Obbi Oulare on a five-year deal from Club Brugge

- Watford are in talks with Roma forward Victor Ibarbo and AC Milan winger Suso (The Times)

- Watford aim to tie up a £7m deadline-day swoop for Rennes hardman Abdoulaye Doucoure (Daily Star)

- Watford are looking to clinch the £4million signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak (The Sun)

- FC Porto have signed Miguel Layun from Watford on a season-long loan, with an option to buy him for £4.4million at the end of the season

WEST BROM

- West Brom have rejected a third bid from Tottenham for Saido Berahino

- Joleon Lescott has joined Aston Villa from West Brom for an undisclosed fee

- West Brom's deal for Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique is off (Liverpool Echo)

- West Brom and Tottenham are attempting to sign Manchester United forward James Wilson on loan (Daily Mail)

- Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters has handed in a transfer request, amid interest from West Brom and Norwich

- West Brom are in talks over a £5m move for Napoli midfielder David Lopez but face competition from Leicester City (Daily Mail)

- West Brom have signed goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard on a free transfer from Manchester United

- Olympiakos have signed Brown Ideye from West Brom for an undisclosed fee

WEST HAM

- Michail Antonio has become West Ham's fourth deadline day signing after arriving from Nottingham Forest for a fee of £6.5million

- West Ham have announced the signing of striker Nikica Jelavic from Championship side Hull

- West Ham have completed the season-long loan signing of Chelsea winger Victor Moses

- West Ham have re-signed Barcelona midfielder Alex Song on a second season-long loan deal

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Ilori in Villa talks after Sunderland snub

Tiago Ilori: Liverpool defender could join Aston Villa on loan

Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori is considering an offer of a season-long loan move to Aston Villa after rejecting the chance to join Sunderland.

Ilori is yet to make a senior appearance for Liverpool since his £7million move from Sporting Lisbon two years ago.

He has previously spent time on loan at Granada and Bordeaux but could now get a season of Premier League football under his belt for Villa.

Ilori rejected the chance to join Sunderland on loan earlier in the day, according to the Liverpool Echo, and must now decide whether he wants to spend the rest of the season at Villa Park.

Jose Enrique is also closing on a move away from Anfield, to West Brom, but Joao Carlos Teixeira looks likely to stay for now despite being linked with a loan move.

Villa, meanwhile, are said to have had an offer rejected for Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle but appear to be closing on the signing of West Brom defender Joleon Lescott.

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Jose Enrique close to joining West Brom from Liverpool

Jose Enrique: Set to leave Liverpool for West Brom

West Brom are reported to be close to signing Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique and are also chasing James Wilson, Jon Walters and David Lopez .

The 29-year-old will travel south later on Tuesday to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms ahead of a potential move to The Hawthorns, according to Sky Sports.

Enrique joined Liverpool - then under the management of Kenny Dalglish - from Newcastle in 2011, but a succession of injuries has curtailed his spell at Anfield. 

The arrivals of Alberto Moreno last summer and Joe Gomez in June has seen Enrique fall down the pecking order under manager Brendan Rodgers and he is yet to feature for Liverpool this season. 

West Brom manager Tony Pulis has already strengthened his defensive options during the summer transfer window with the signings of James Chester and Jonny Evans from Hull City and Manchester United respectively. 

If Enrique successfully passes his medical and agrees personal terms, he will become Pulis' eighth acquisition of the summer, following the other arrivals of James McClean, Rickie Lambert, Serge Gnabry, Salomon Rondon and Anders Lindegaard.

Pulis is also said to be chasing Walters, who has handed in a transfer request at Stoke, and Wilson, who Manchester United may allow to leave on loan.

Albion are also in talks over a £5million move for Napoli midfielder David Lopez, according to the Daily Mail, but face competition from Leicester.

Aside from the three new names, QPR duo Charlie Austin and Matt Phillips are long-term targets of Pulis'.

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Deadline Day: Arsenal & Spurs struggling

Anthony Martial to Manchester United is expected to be the biggest deadline-day transfer, with Arsenal and Tottenham struggling to do business.

ARSENAL

- Arsenal have shown interest in Paris Saint-Germain trio Edinson Cavani, Adrien Rabiot and Marco Verratti but have received little encouragement, with their hopes of a deadline-day signing fading (Daily Telegraph)

- Galatasaray are preparing a huge offer for Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

ASTON VILLA

- Aston Villa have agreed a £1million fee with West Brom for central defender Joleon Lescott, in a deal which could eventually be worth £2million

BOURNEMOUTH

- Bournemouth have reportedly agreed a £5million fee with Crystal Palace to sign striker Glenn Murray

CHELSEA

- Nantes defender Papy Djilobodji has travelled to London ahead of a shock £2.7million move to Premier League champions Chelsea

CRYSTAL PALACE

- Crystal Palace are looking to sell Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley and Glenn Murray to make way for a new centre-back and striker (Daily Mirror)

- Bournemouth have reportedly agreed a £5million fee with Crystal Palace to sign striker Glenn Murray

- Watford are looking to clinch the £4million signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak (The Sun)

EVERTON

- Everton have signed defender Ramiro Funes Mori from River Plate for a fee of £9.5million and on a deal until 2020

- Everton are interested in Roma striker Juan Iturbe (Daily Mirror)

- Aaron Lennon is hoping Watford will rescue him from Tottenham (Daily Express)

- Everton are battling to snap up Swiss wonderkid Breel Embolo for £14.5m but fear they could lose out in a January auction for the Basel teenager (The Sun)

LEICESTER CITY

- Leicester City are in talks with Sporting Lisbon over a possible deal for right winger Andre Carrillo, according to reports

- Leicester defender Liam Moore is set to join Bristol City (Daily Star)

LIVERPOOL

- Liverpool have signed Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who will immediately head out on loan with FSV Frankfurt

- Sunderland will try to sign Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori on loan (Daily Mirror)

MANCHESTER CITY

- Juventus are keen to sign Samir Nasri, but the Frenchman wants to stay at Manchester City (Daily Mirror)

- Manchester City defender Jason Denayer has completed his move to Turkish club Galatasaray on a season-long loan

MANCHESTER UNITED

- Anthony Martial has been allowed by the French national team "to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United" ahead of a reported £36million move

- David de Gea's transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid has stalled due to a delay over the paperwork - but both clubs could appeal.

- Javier Hernandez has joined Bayer Leverkusen for £7.3million

- Emmanuel Adebayor has been offered to Manchester United as a solution to their striking problems (Daily Mail)

- West Brom and Tottenham are attempting to sign Manchester United forward James Wilson on loan (Daily Mail)

- Southampton are confident of keeping both Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane (Daily Telegraph)

NEWCASTLE

- Steve McClaren does not expect Newcastle to make any further additions this summer

- Tottenham Hotspur could be tempted to make a last-gasp attempt to sign forward Ayoze Perez from Newcastle for £15million (Daily Mail)

NORWICH

- Norwich have signed Dynamo Kiev striker Dieumerci Mbokani on loan for the rest of the season

- Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters has handed in a transfer request, amid interest from West Brom and Norwich

- Ricky van Wolfswinkel has joined Real Betis on a season-long loan from Norwich

SOUTHAMPTON

- Southampton are confident of completing an £11.5m deal for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk and also keeping both Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane (Daily Telegraph)

- Zambian striker Emmanuel Mayuka has left Southampton to join French club Metz on a three-year contract

STOKE CITY

- Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters has handed in a transfer request, amid interest from West Brom and Norwich

SUNDERLAND

- Sunderland will try to sign Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori on loan (Daily Mirror)

- Sunderland have allowed Italy winger Emanuele Giaccherini to join newly-promoted Serie A side Bologna on a season-long loan

SWANSEA CITY

- Swansea are unlikely to make any deadline-day signings (Daily Mirror)

TOTTENHAM

- Spurs will make a £15million bid for West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate and are confident the midfielder wants to join but are aware their fierce rivals will not want to sell (The Sun)

- West Brom and Tottenham are attempting to sign Manchester United forward James Wilson on loan (Daily Mail)

- Tottenham Hotspur could be tempted to make a last-gasp attempt to sign forward Ayoze Perez from Newcastle for £15million (Daily Mail)

- Tottenham will make one final offer for West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino on Tuesday (various)

- Southampton are confident of keeping both Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane (Daily Telegraph)

- West Ham are being forced to fight off late competition from Tottenham in their bid to sign Chelsea forward Victor Moses (Daily Mail)

- Aaron Lennon is hoping Watford will rescue him from Tottenham (Daily Express)

WATFORD

- Watford are in talks with Roma forward Victor Ibarbo and AC Milan winger Suso (The Times)

- Watford aim to tie up a £7m deadline-day swoop for Rennes hardman Abdoulaye Doucoure (Daily Star)

- Watford are looking to clinch the £4million signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak (The Sun)

- FC Porto have signed Miguel Layun from Watford on a season-long loan, with an option to buy him for £4.4million at the end of the season

WEST BROM

- West Brom and Tottenham are attempting to sign Manchester United forward James Wilson on loan (Daily Mail)

- Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters has handed in a transfer request, amid interest from West Brom and Norwich

- West Brom are in talks over a £5m move for Napoli midfielder David Lopez but face competition from Leicester City (Daily Mail)

- Tottenham will make one final offer for West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino on Tuesday (various)

- West Brom have signed goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard on a free transfer from Manchester United

- Olympiakos have signed Brown Ideye from West Brom for an undisclosed fee

WEST HAM

- West Ham have re-signed Barcelona midfielder Alex Song on a second season-long loan deal

- West Ham have had a £7million offer accepted for Nottingham Forest winger Michail Antonio

- West Ham are also hoping to sign Nikica Jelavic and Victor Moses (Daily Telegraph)

- West Ham are being forced to fight off late competition from Tottenham in their bid to sign Chelsea forward Victor Moses (Daily Mail)

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Liverpool sign Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi

Taiwo Awoniyi: Has joined Liverpool

Liverpool have announced the signing of Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who will immediately head out on loan with FSV Frankfurt.

The 18-year-old, who joins the Reds after graduating from the Imperial Academy in his homeland, is to spend the rest of the season on loan with the second division German side.

Liverpool are understood to have paid around £400,000 for Awoniyi's services.

He told the club's website: "This is the biggest club in the world and I'm privileged to be here.

"I'll try to develop myself very well so that when I come back to Liverpool I'll be able to add value to the team. When I'm in the red shirt, I will always give my very best to make the fans happy."

Awoniyi is a current Nigeria Under-23 international. He has also played for his country at the U17 and U20 World Cups, and earned a call-up for the senior Nigeria squad in 2013.

The news of his signing comes on the same day that three players have left Liverpool.

Fabio Borini has headed for Sunderland while striker Samed Yesil and teenage midfielder Sergi Canos have both gone out on loan, joining Swiss side FC Luzern and Brentford respectively.

Yesil's deal is also a season-long loan switch. The 21-year-old German signed for Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2012 and went on to make two first-team appearances for the Merseysiders in his first campaign with them, his only ones to date.

Canos has agreed a deal that will see him work with the Sky Bet Championship side for an initial four-month period.

The 18-year-old Spaniard - yet to make a senior appearance for Liverpool - joined the Reds in the summer of 2013 from Barcelona; he is a product of the Catalan club's famed academy.

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Fabio Borini 'emotional' upon Sunderland return

Fabio Borini: Celebrates scoring against Newcastle during his first spell

Fabio Borini admitted he was "emotional" upon sealing his return to Sunderland from Liverpool in a deal thought to be worth around £7million.

The Italian international, who enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at the Stadium of Light during the 2013/14 season, has signed a four-year deal with Dick Advocaat's side.

Borini became a fan favourite during his initial temporary stay on Wearside, and will link up with fellow new signings Sebastian Coates, Jeremain Lens, Younes Kaboul and Ola Toivonen, with the fee for Borini understood to rise to around £10million with clauses.

Talking to the Black Cats' website on his return, the 24-year-old said: "I am delighted to be back at Sunderland. It is a club I know really well from my time here previously.

"It will be emotional for me to play at the Stadium of Light again and I can't wait to get back on the pitch as a Sunderland player."

Head coach Advocaat added: "Fabio is a great addition to the squad who will make our front line stronger. He can play in a number of attacking positions which is a huge benefit to the team."

The club's sporting director, Lee Congerton, also praised the deal, saying: "Fabio is a player who I've known since he was 15 years old and I was fortunate enough to help recruit him to Chelsea.

"He has developed into a Barclays Premier League striker which we have already seen from his previous loan spell at the club, and we are delighted to have him here on a permanent basis."

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Rumour Mill: Real eye shock Moreno move

Alberto Moreno: Off to Real Madrid?

Liverpool defender Alberto Moreno to Real Madrid, Juventus' interest in Samir Nasri and Victor Moses to West Ham are among Monday's transfer rumours.

ARSENAL

- Olivier Giroud says Karim Benzema would have been a good addition for Arsenal this summer, but admits the Gunners are unlikely to sign him.

ASTON VILLA

- Aston Villa are struggling to offload high-earner Charles N'Zogbia. (Birmingham Mail)

- Norwich have lodged a £2.2million bid for FC Midtjylland central defender Erik Sviatchenko, with the Danish international also attracting interest from Aston Villa, Everton and West Brom. (Eastern Daily Press)

BOURNEMOUTH

- Napoli midfielder Jonathan de Guzman will join Bournemouth on loan for the season on Monday. (Daily Mail)

- Bournemouth are looking to make a deadline day bid for Queens Park Rangers star Charlie Austin. (Daily Mirror)

CHELSEA

- Victor Moses is set to sign a new contract at Chelsea and then join West Ham on loan. (Daily Express)

- Chelsea have reopened talks with Juventus and are preparing a £87.5m bid for Paul Pogba. (Daily Star)

CRYSTAL PALACE

EVERTON

- Everton defender John Stones "did not mean to hand in his transfer request" and was "put under massive pressure", claims Roberto Martinez.

- Everton are interested in young Spanish striker Juan Munoz, who currently plies his trade for La Liga outfit Sevilla. (Tutto Mercato)

- Norwich have lodged a £2.2million bid for FC Midtjylland central defender Erik Sviatchenko, with the Danish international also attracting interest from Aston Villa, Everton and West Brom. (Eastern Daily Press)

LEICESTER CITY

- Claudio Ranieri has rubbished reports of Leicester's interest in Yuto Nagatomo after claims the Foxes had agreed a £3m fee for the left-back.

LIVERPOOL

- Real Madrid are eyeing a surprise move for Liverpool left-back Alberto Moreno. (Tuttomercato)

- Sunderland have agreed a fee of around £7million for Liverpool striker Fabio Borini, with the Italian set to sign a four-year deal, according to reports. Lazio had earlier ruled themselves out of the running for the 24-year-old.

MANCHESTER CITY

- Juventus are keen to sign Samir Nasri from Manchester City following the £54million capture of Kevin De Bruyne - but the Frenchman does not want to leave. (Daily Mirror)

MANCHESTER UNITED

- Gary Neville has told Man United to buy a striker before the transfer window closes, saying it's a situation that needs "urgently resolving".

- Louis van Gaal "does not know" if David De Gea will still be a Man United player on Tuesday - with the Spanish window due to shut on Monday.

- Manchester United have made "no contact" with Ajax over rumoured goalkeeping target Jasper Cillessen, according to club chief Marc Overmars.

- Borussia Dortmund look to have fought off several rivals as they close in on the season-long loan signing of Adnan Januzaj from Man United.

NEWCASTLE

- Steve McClaren does not expect Newcastle to make any further additions this summer, but the manager admits "we cannot discount anything".

NORWICH

- Norwich have lodged a £2.2million bid for FC Midtjylland central defender Erik Sviatchenko, with the Danish international also attracting interest from Aston Villa, Everton and West Brom. (Eastern Daily Press)

SOUTHAMPTON

- Southampton must do everything to ensure no more of their star names leave before the transfer window closes on Tuesday, Jose Fonte says.

- Celtic have agreed a fee with Dinamo Zagreb for defender Jozo Simunovic, with the deal potentially paving the way for Virgil van Dijk to join Southampton. (Sky Sports)

SUNDERLAND

- Sunderland have agreed a fee of around £7million for Liverpool striker Fabio Borini, with the Italian set to sign a four-year deal, according to reports.

- Borussia Dortmund's Adrian Ramos is just one of a number of other strikers that Sunderland are pursuing before tomorrow's transfer deadline. (Shields Gazette)

SWANSEA CITY

- Garry Monk said that Swansea City will resist any potential bids for striker Bafetimbi Gomis before the transfer window closes - although the striker has a £7million release clause. (Daily Telegraph)

TOTTENHAM

- Tottenham have submitted a £19 million bid for Zenit midfielder Axel Witsel (Calcio Mercato). However, the Russian side are demanding a British transfer record fee of around £72million for the Belgian.

- Tottenham have resisted a late loan offer from Napoli for midfielder Moussa Dembele. (Sport Mediaset)

- Ligue 1 side Marseille have 'initiated talks' over signing Spurs flop Erik Lamela. (gianlucadimarzio.com)

WATFORD

- Sheffield Wednesday have identified Watford forward Matej Vydra as a potential striker signing. (Sheffield Star)

WEST BROM

- Tony Pulis is targeting Charlie Austin and Matt Phillips in a double raid on Queens Park Rangers - if Saido Berahino leaves West Brom. (Daily Telegraph)

- Norwich have lodged a £2.2million bid for FC Midtjylland central defender Erik Sviatchenko, with the Danish international also attracting interest from Aston Villa, Everton and West Brom. (Eastern Daily Press)

WEST HAM

- Victor Moses is set to sign a new contract at Chelsea and then join West Ham on loan. (Daily Express)

- West Ham have reportedly agreed a fee with Hull for Nikica Jelavic, with the Croatian striker now set to undergo a medical with the Hammers.

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Sunderland and Liverpool 'agree' £7m Fabio Borini fee

Fabio Borini: In line to return to Sunderland

Sunderland have agreed a fee of around £7million for Liverpool striker Fabio Borini, with the Italian set to sign a four-year deal, according to reports.

It is understood that the 24-year-old Italian was due to head for Wearside to undergo a medical ahead of a move before Tuesday's transfer deadline.

A successful completion would end the lengthy pursuit of a man who played a key role in the Black Cats' run to the 2014 Capital One Cup final, in which he scored the opening goal, and their remarkable escape from Premier League relegation at the end of the same season.

Former head coach Gus Poyet made Borini his number one target last summer, but was unable to persuade him to swap Merseyside for the north-east as he sought to establish himself at Anfield.

However, he has been unable to force his way into Brendan Rodgers' plans - he made just 18 appearances last season and is yet to figure this - and has been linked with a series of clubs this summer, several of them in his native Italy.

Speculation has mounted in recent days that Watford could tempt Borini to Vicarage Road, but Sunderland, who collected their second league point of a testing start to the new season in a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday, hope to beat them to the punch with a lucrative deal which is understood to be worth around £60,000-a-week to him.

Borini's capture would further appease Poyet's successor Dick Advocaat, who has spent recent weeks urging owner Ellis Short and sporting director Lee Congerton to deliver the five or six "quality" summer signings he believes are vital if the club is to avoid yet another scrap for top-flight survival.

Significantly, new boys Yann M'Vila and Jeremain Lens both scored at Villa Park, where there was a seat on the bench for Sweden international Ola Toivonen, Advocaat's latest recruit.

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Power Rankings: Chelsea & Spurs bottom

Chelsea: Joint bottom of the Power Rankings after home defeat

West Ham and Crystal Palace are the week's Power Rankings winners after beating Liverpool and Chelsea, who are joint bottom overall with Spurs.

In Power Rankings, we award points from 0.5 up to 10 decided by an algorithm based on bookmaker odds and winning margins.

It helps, particularly in the early stages of the season, before every team has played all the others, to highlight the real value of the points won and lost.

Manchester United, for example, have got seven points in the actual Premier League table, but they were odds-on favourites to beat Tottenham and Aston Villa yet won by only a goal - and were odds-on against Newcastle, when they were held. It earned them a point in reality, but the Power Rankings highlight the fact that Louis van Gaal's side will actually rue two dropped points.

At the other end of the scale, despite West Ham being top, the Power Rankings can be used to highlight their dropped points - they have claimed two wins that few other teams will manage yet are only in mid-table after slipping up in games they were expected to win. For them, it's a case of 'if only'.

Week 4

Crystal Palace - 10: Near 10/1 shots to win at Stamford Bridge, Palace did exactly that as the Premier League champions suffered another early-season blow.

West Ham - 10: They weren't quite so unfancied going into their game at Liverpool, but a three-goal winning margin also sees West Ham also claim maximum points. After winning at Arsenal on the opening day, they have claimed two of the three 10-point hauls awarded so far.

Southampton - 4: They were odds-on favourites to beat Norwich, but Steven Whittaker's sending-off aided Saints as they racked up bonus points in a 3-0 win.

Swansea - 4: It may appear harsh, but Swansea also only claim four points having edged their way past Manchester United at just short of 3/1 with the bookies.

West Brom - 4: Claiming four points earlier in the weekend were West Brom after two red cards helped Tony Pulis' side to what was deemed an unlikely win at Stoke.

Manchester City - 3: A comfortable home win over Watford earned City another three points, but the exploits of West Ham and Palace sees Manuel Pellegrini's side surrender top spot - for now, at least.

Arsenal - 2: Odds-on favourites to win at Newcastle, Arsenal failed to claim any bonus points having scraped only a 1-0 win in the North East.

Everton - 2: Roberto Martinez's Everton, however, gain a point courtesy of a draw against the odds at well-fancied Tottenham.

Sunderland - 2: Another team gaining a point were Sunderland, who were 19/5 outsiders going into their game at Aston Villa.

Bournemouth - 1: A draw against Leicester at Dean Court earns Bournemouth a point, exactly as it did in reality.

Leicester - 1: The visitors also claim a point to stay just ahead of their actual tally for the season.

Tottenham - 1: Everton gained an extra point for the draw at White Hart Lane, but Spurs were favourites and so have to make do with one.

Aston Villa - 0.5: Villa, meanwhile, claim only half a point having been strong favourites to see off Sunderland at Villa Park.

Power Rankings

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• Related Liverpool News

• Sunderland and Reds 'agree' £7m Borini fee
• Lazio not interested in signing Borini
• Power Rankings: Chelsea & Spurs bottom
• Lovren: I'll bounce back from mistakes
• Carra: Lovren 'David Luiz-like' v West Ham
• Liverpool v West Ham player ratings
• Markovic undergoes Fenerbahce medical
• Liverpool collapse to West Ham defeat

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Power Rankings, 2015-16
Team	Power Rankings Points	Official Points
West Ham	20	6
Crystal Palace	17	9
Manchester City	15	12
Swansea	13	8
Everton	9.5	5
Leicester	9	8
Liverpool	7	3
Newcastle	6	2
Southampton	6	5
Aston Villa	5.5	4
West Brom	5.5	4
Bournemouth	5	4
Norwich	5	4
Arsenal	4.5	7
Manchester United	4.5	7
Stoke	4.5	2
Watford	4.5	3
Sunderland	3.5	2
Chelsea	2.5	4
Tottenham	2.5	3

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Lazio not interested in signing Fabio Borini from Liverpool

Fabio Borini: Unable to find a buyer

Lazio have ruled out signing Liverpool striker Fabio Borini, with the Reds struggling to offload the forward before transfer deadline day.

Borini, the first signing made under Brendan Rodgers tenure in the summer of 2012, has failed to make an impact at Liverpool over his three years, with a loan spell at Sunderland his biggest success during the period.

The Italian international finds himself behind Christian Benteke, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings and Divock Origi in the pecking order at Anfield, and a handful of clubs have been linked to the striker.

Bologna, Inter Milan and Lazio are all targeting the striker according to reports, but the latter appear to have ruled themselves out of the running with transfer deadline day looming.

When asked about the potential of signing Borini and a list of other players, Lazio chief Igli Tare responded: "None of those players will come to Lazio, we will be sending players out.

"In terms of incomings, we'll see if there are some players leaving and then there might be something happening on incomings", he added.

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Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren moves on from West Ham struggles

Dejan Lovren: Struggled to contain the West Ham attack

Dejan Lovren has vowed to recover from his nightmare in Liverpool's 3-0 loss to West Ham - and has "already forgotten" about his mistakes.

The Croatia international's errors, twice being dispossessed in the lead-up to West Ham's crucial second goal, were immediately leapt upon by his critics.

Lovren's first season at Anfield after his £20m move from Southampton in July 2014 was far from the success it was expected to be, and he lost his spot last November after a string of shaky performances.

He recovered his place after injury to Mamadou Sakho later in the campaign, and this summer was re-installed as the preferred partner for Martin Skrtel.

Three straight clean sheets suggested manager Brendan Rodgers had made the right choice, but whether he's selected for their next match at Manchester United after the international break is another question.

"The game is finished and I have forgotten about it already. What can I do?" Lovren said.

"The first minute after the second goal I wanted to go under the table, but in these moments you need to keep your head up. I tried everything but it was a bad decision. Mistakes happen.

"Things like that happen but I don't think it will shake myself and the team. I am the first one disappointed with myself but now we have to go away with the national teams and in two weeks we have Manchester United.

"We need to now keep our heads up in the tough moments but you see other clubs losing at home and we wish we could have taken 10 points from the four games but we didn't.

"We need to forget this and I know we will be better. We need to do it because of us and the fans. We didn't deserve this."

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Jamie Carragher: Dejan Lovren 'David Luiz-like' in defeat

Dejan Lovren: Vies with Diafra Sakho during Liverpool's defeat to West Ham

Jamie Carragher has described Dejan Lovren's performance in Liverpool's defeat to West Ham on Saturday as "David Luiz-like".

The Hammers ended a 52-game wait for a win at Anfield courtesy of goals from Manuel Lanzini, Mark Noble and Diafra Sakho.

Philippe Coutinho's red card shortly after the restart compounded a miserable afternoon for the Reds but Carragher's focus was on a defensive display littered with "mistakes". 

"It was back to the bad days of last season at home for Liverpool with defensive mistakes," Carragher told Sky Sports.

"Lanzini was excellent on the day but it was a poor header from [Martin] Skrtel and then [Joe] Gomez just needed to sort out his feet at the back post. 

"I don't know what Lovren's doing [for the second goal]. He has two or three chances to clear his lines. It probably summed up his whole display.

"Coutinho had gone off by [the time of the third goal] but every goal could have been prevented.

"The only way to describe Lovren's performance was David Luiz-like.

"He was doing things you don't really want to see centre-backs do: 50-yard passes - that at time got there - but there was one occasion where he did a double stepover and then got tackled.

"I don't know if it's overconfidence after a couple of good performances but I'm watching him thinking, just do the basics.

"You've got three clean sheets; your job is to keep them out, not show everyone what else you can do. Defend first."

Coutinho will miss Liverpool's crunch trip to Manchester United on September 12, and Carragher concedes his absence could be costly.

"It's a massive blow - he's Liverpool's best player by a long way," he added. "He wasn't at his best yesterday but every time the ball comes to him you think something could happen. He's going to be a massive miss.

"After speaking about their great start, you've got to go to Old Trafford and it could end up being a bad start."

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Liverpool's Lazar Markovic completes Fenerbahce medical

Lazar Markovic: Liverpool winger set to join Fenerbahce on loan

Lazar Markovic is a step closer to finalising his loan move from Liverpool to Fenerbahce after completing his medical with the Turkish outfit.

The Serbian moved to Anfield last summer in a £20million transfer from Benfica but scored only three goals last season against Bournemouth, Sunderland and Tottenham.

Having started only 23 games from a possible 58, he hasn't been involved at all so far this season and could have his move confirmed later on Sunday.

Markovic is set to spend the rest of the campaign in Istanbul, where he will team up with former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.

Fenerbahce will play in the Europa League group phase, where they will face Scottish champions Celtic, Ajax and Molde.

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Saturday stats: Chelsea struggles continue

Read all of the statistics from Saturday's eight Premier League games including details of Chelsea's porous defence and Liverpool's blunt attack.

Newcastle United v Arsenal
Arsenal have now won eight successive Premier League games against Newcastle United.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has been given a red card and two yellows in his first four Premier League appearances for the Magpies.

Mitrovic was sent off after 15:35 minutes today. He was booked 0:22 seconds after coming on in his first match and 01:31 minutes after coming on in his second match.

Newcastle have been shown nine red cards since the start of last season, more than any other Premier League side.

Despite having had the 54 shots (excl. blocked) the Gunners have scored only three goals in the Premier League this season - and two of these have been own goals.

The Magpies have won just two of their 12 home Premier League matches in 2015 (W2 D4 L6).

Arsenal are unbeaten in nine Premier League visits to St James' Park (W5 D4).

Arsene Wenger has won 10 of his 11 meetings with Steve McClaren in the Premier League (L1).

Aston Villa v Sunderland
Aston Villa have only kept one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League games at Villa Park.

Only two teams have conceded more PL penalties than Sunderland (6) since the start of last season (Spurs 8, West Brom 7).

Scott Sinclair has scored five of his six Premier League penalties. He went on to net more than once in a top-flight game for the first time.

Sinclair has scored five goals in his last two games in all competitions.

Jeremain Lens has two assists and one goal in four Premier League appearances.

Tim Sherwood's win percentage as Premier League manager has fallen below 50% for the first time (49%).

Sunderland have won just eight points in 12 Premier League away games in 2015 (W1 D5 L6).

Aston Villa have won just four of their last 19 Barclays Premier League matches at Villa Park.

Bournemouth v Leicester City
Callum Wilson has scored four goals in his last two league games.

Jamie Vardy has three goals and an assist in his last five Premier League appearances.

Five of the eight penalties in the top-flight this season have been won and taken by the same player, including Vardy's today.

Leicester City have gone five away games unbeaten for the first time in the Premier League.

Bournemouth have only lost one of their last 12 home league matches (W6 D5).

After leading 1-0 at half-time in this game, Bournemouth only managed a single blocked shot in the second-half as Leicester came back to draw.

Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Bakary Sako has scored five goals and made four assists in his last nine league appearances (for Wolves and Crystal Palace).

Jose Mourinho managed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the 100th time in the Premier League, but saw his side lose for only the second time.

It was also the Portuguese tactician's 200th Premier League game; despite defeat, he has more points than any other manager at this stage (453).

Falcao scored his first Premier League goal since January 31st; he had gone 15 games without one before today.

Chelsea have conceded 2+ goals in back-to-back Premier League home games for the first time since November 2011.

The Blues have also conceded 2+ games in four consecutive games (all venues) for the first time since December 2006.

Chelsea have conceded nine goals in four games this term; their worst defensive record at this stage since 1971/72 (10).

Chelsea's four point total is the second lowest at this stage of a Premier League season by a reigning champion, after Blackburn's three in 1995/96.

Jose Mourinho's last seven Premier League defeats have come against a manager with a surname starting with P.

No team has won more points than Crystal Palace away from home in the Premier League in 2015 (25 - same as Arsenal).

Liverpool v West Ham United
Manuel Lanzini's goal for West Ham at Liverpool today is the fastest scored in the Premier League so far in 2015-16 (2:28).

Mark Noble has scored in consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career.

Noble has been sent off on four occasions in the Premier League - in two of these, he's also scored.

West Ham United have been shown six red cards in 10 games this season (all comps), compared to three in 43 matches in 2014-15.

This was the first Premier League game since January 10th 2015 to see both sides receive a red card.

This was West Ham's first top-flight league victory at Anfield since September 1963; ending a run of 42 successive top-flight trips there without a win.

Liverpool mustered just one shot on target in this game; the third time that they have done had just one shot on target at Anfield in a PL match since the start of last season (never 0 shots).

Manchester City v Watford
Watford have failed to register a shot on target in their last two Premier League games.

Eight of Fernandinho's Premier League goals have been scored at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City are unbeaten in their last 25 home Premier League games against newly-promoted opposition (W23 D2 L0), with their last defeat coming against Reading in February 2007.

There were 978 successful passes in this match; the most in a single Premier League game so far this season (Man City - 593, Watford - 385).

Watford have won just three of their 40 Premier League away matches (W3 D7 L30).

Manchester City have become the ninth team to win 10+ successive Premier League games.

Stoke v West Bromwich Albion
Stoke had two players sent off in the first half of this match - the 10th time that a side have been reduced to nine men in the Premier League before half-time.

This was the 3rd quickest that a side has been reduced to 10 men in a single Premier League game (31 mins).

The last team to have two men sent off in the first half of a Premier League game before today was also Stoke (v Newcastle on 26/12/2013).

Strangely, Stoke only committed four fouls in this match (and received two reds) - only one team have conceded fewer in a single PL game this season (Arsenal; 2 v Liverpool).

Salomon Rondon scored his first Premier League goal for WBA with his seventh shot (incl. blocked).

Tony Pulis managed his first game back at the Britannia Stadium since leaving the club in May 2013.

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