Transfer Talk: Tuesday 9 June

They shoot...

West Bromwich demand hard cash for Mowbray

Celtic look set to make West Bromwich Albion's Tony Mowbray their new manager after they made an official approach to the Midlands club yesterday. But Albion chairman, Jeremy Peace, was at pains to stress that his club won't let go of their man cheaply. "Celtic have been made aware of the compensation figure, and if they agree to pay this, only then will I speak to Tony to get his thoughts."

I'm off to Arsenal for the money, says Vermaelen

Ajax centre-back Thomas Vermaelen claims he is on the verge of a move to Arsenal. The Gunners are reported to have agreed a £10m fee for the 23-year-old Belgium international. "Moving to Arsenal is the right path for me," said Vermaelen. "It is a great sporting challenge and I will also be financially better off. I think everything is going to be okay. In the coming days there will be more talks."

Napoli striker begs reds

The Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi has pleaded with his club not to deny him a move to Liverpool. The Reds have reportedly enquired about the Argentina striker only to see their advances rebuffed as Napoli look to cling on to the 24-year-old, who scored seven goals for the Serie A club last season.

Zokora set for Spanish trip

Seville have confirmed they are interested in signing the Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora. The 28-year-old, who has struggled for regular football at White Hart Lane since the arrival of Wilson Palacios in January, has been tipped as one of the players manager Harry Redknapp could sell to raise money for transfers.

City aim to prise away Lescott

Mark Hughes is looking to add Everton's Joleon Lescott to his Manchester City squad. The Welshman is hoping that the promise of 15 of City's millions will be enough to convince cash-strapped Everton to part with their 26-year-old England defender. If Everton play hard to get then City may sweeten the deal by offering to allow Jo's loan deal on Merseyside to become permanent.

They miss...

Carew stays put

One player City look set to miss out on is Aston Villa striker John Carew. The Norwegian has played down speculation linking him with a move to Eastlands, insisting: "I will be here next season." Carew is reported to be on Hughes' radar following the £12m capture of his team-mate Gareth Barry.

Barca snub Inter swap deal

Barcelona have rejected a proposal by Internazionale patron Massimo Moratti to swap Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Spanish international Andres Iniesta. The Italian champions had apparently decided to turn to Iniesta after negotiations to exchange "Ibra" with Cameroonian hitman Samuel Eto'o hit a stumbling block.