Transfer talk: Chelsea and Roma swap for Destro and Torres unlikely; Vidal probably staying put

A rumoured swap deal involving Mattia Destro heading to Chelsea and Fernando Torres going to AS Roma isn't in the cards while Juventus claim confidence in keeping Arturo Vidal in their fold.

Fernando Torres made a group-stage exit with Spain at the 2014 World Cup. David Ramos / Getty Images

Chelsea

There will be no swap deal involving Chelsea striker Fernando Torres and AS Roma forward Mattia Destro, according to the Italian player’s agent.

Reports had suggested that Roma were keen to lure the Spaniard to Serie A and both clubs were open to an exchange involving their strikers.

And while Renzo Contratto claims Chelsea are interested in bringing the Italy international to Stamford Bridge, it is highly unlikely that Destro will leave Rome this summer.

“It’s true that Chelsea are interested in Mattia,” Destro’sagent told Press Association Sport on Thursday. “But the reports regarding a swap deal have no foundation, it’s all speculation.

“Roma don’t want to sell Mattia and Mattia prefers to remain at Roma.”

The 23-year-old Destro was Roma’s top scorer last season with 13 league goals to help the Eternal City outfit finish runners-up to Juventus in Serie A.

Destro moved to Roma in the summer of 2012 from Genoa and is under contract with the club for another three seasons.

Juventus

Juventus are confident reported Manchester United target Arturo Vidal will remain at the club.

The Chilean midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to the English Premier League this summer.

The 27-year-old Vidal only signed a new contract with Juve back in December, which will see him tied to the Turin-based club until June 2017.

“All the requirements are there for Vidal not to leave before the end of the transfer market,” Juve general director Giuseppe Marotta told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“The contract extension he signed has made more solid the marriage between Juve and Vidal.

“Vidal has always said he wanted to stay here and we are more than happy to keep him.”

Vidal, who has also been linked with Arsenal, moved to Juve from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2011.

He made 32 league appearances for the cllub last season, scoring 11 times and setting up five others to greatly contribute to Juve clinching their third successive scudetto.

Hamburg

Hamburg say Brazilian central defender Cleber could make his Bundesliga debut in the opening round on Saturday against promoted Cologne.

Cleber was undergoing medical tests and was expected to sign a four-year contract as one of the new players signed by Hamburg ahead of the new season.

Hamburg chairman Dietmar Beiersdorfer says Cleber already has “30 matches for Corinthians Sao Paulo behind him” and could debut against Cologne.

Hamburg barely escaped relegation last season and are rebuilding the team.

Marseille

Brazilian Alef signed for French Ligue 1 giants Marseille on loan from Brazil second division outfit Ponte Preta on Thursday.

The 20-year-old defender – who can also be deployed as a defensive midfielder – will fill the vacuum left by compatriot Lucas Mendes, who signed for Qatari side Al Jaish.

While Marseille did not confirm the deal the player took the time to thank his former employers.

“I would like to thank Ponte Preta for the time that I spent with them,” he said.

“I will always hold this club close to my heart and I have a desire to return there one day.”

Marseille, managed by former Argentina and Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa, are in need of a good result this weekend away at Guingamp after failing to win their first two Ligue 1 games of the season, including a 2-0 loss at home to Montpellier last weekend.

Napoli

Eduardo Vargas’ agent says he is in London holding talks with an unnamed club over the possible transfer of the Napoli striker.

Reports in England suggest the Chile striker is on the verge of joining QPR on a season-long loan.

Vargas, who is under contract with the Italian side until June 2017, has also been linked with Arsenal this summer.

“We are studying the possibility of a loan move,” Vargas’ agent Cristian Ogalde told Chilean radio station Cooperativa.

“I am in London and I will see how the negotiations progress.

“I am holding talks with Napoli, seeing what we are going to do with him (Vargas) and if we reach a final agreement or not.

“We are on the right path.”

If the deal is completed, the 24-year-old Vargas will team up with compatriot Mauricio Isla at QPR.

Isla joined the Premier League outfit from Juventus earlier this month.

Vargas moved to Napoli from Universidad de Chile in 2012 in a reported £11.5 million (Dh70m) transfer.

The South American, who played at the World Cup in Brazil, failed to earn regular playing time at Napoli last season.

He joined Spanish outfit Valencia on loan in January, where he scored three times in 17 La Liga appearances.

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund will issue up to 24.5 million shares in a capital increase worth up to EU€114.4m (Dh557.5m), adding some of the proceeds would be used to pay off debt.

Shares in Dortmund will be offered at 4.66 euros, the club which is one of the richest in the Bundesliga said.

Sponsors Puma, Evonik and Signal Iduna, who have bought the stadium’s naming rights, have agreed to subscribe to a certain number of shares, Dortmund added.

Shortly after the announcement, Puma said it was ready to buy a stake in the Ruhr valley club.

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