Bayern Munich are close to selling reported Blackburn and Manchester City target Roque Santa Cruz after the striker was left out of the team for a League Cup tie.

Lyon have signalled they are willing to do a deal to sell Michael Essien to Chelsea but only if the Premiership champions are “very persuasive”.

Mateja Kezman today arrived in Spain to hold talks with Atletico Madrid over a possible move to the Vicente Calderon.