Transfer News and Speculations: 2 July

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Werder Bremen have confirmed the departure of Portugal Under-21 international Amaury Bischoff, clearing the way for a move to the Emirates. The midfielder turned down the offer of an extension to his contract with the Bundesliga club, and has claimed he is close to completing a switch to the Gunners. However, in line with club policy, there will be no official comment from Arsenal until any transfer has been formally completed - with their long-term target Samir Nasri having prematurely announced his move last week. Bremen, though, admit Bischoff, one of their highest-rated players, has decided to look for a "new challenge".

Chelsea closer to Robinho bid after talks with agent

Chelsea have stepped up their interest in the Real Madrid forward Robinho after their sporting director Frank Arnesen met the player's agent. New coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who began his Chelsea job yesterday, has already signed Portugal international Deco from Barcelona and there are signs that Robinho could be next. Robinho's representative Vagner Ribeiro said: "It's true that Chelsea are interested in signing Robinho. They have been after him for a while and there has been much more contact since Scolari became the new Chelsea coach. I met with [Frank] Arnesen in London and he confirmed to me that Chelsea wanted my player for next season."

Portsmouth, meanwhile, have signed Chelsea teenager Ben Sahar in a six-month loan deal. The 18-year-old Israeli striker had loan spells at QPR and Sheffield Wednesday last season but could now get his chance of regular Premier League action. Sahar has made three appearances for the Chelsea first team since joining in May 2006 from Hapoel Tel Aviv, and has since become a full Israel international. The Dutch side NEC Nijmegen had hoped to sign him on loan for next season. However the move to Portsmouth will allow Chelsea to closely monitor his progress as he contests places with Jermain Defoe, David Nugent and Nwankwo Kanu.

Seville spurn Spurs move for Capel

Seville say they have rejected an offer from White Hart Lane for their highly-rated winger Diego Capel. The 20-year-old has a clause in his contract allowing him to speak to other teams if a certain bid is received. However, as that only applies to Spanish sides, Seville were able to rebuff Spurs' interest.

Buffel packs his bags for Belgium

Rangers have allowed Thomas Buffel to join Belgian club Cercle Brugge. Midfielder Buffel joined Rangers in January 2005, when Alex McLeish was manager, and agreed a four-and-a-half year deal. Rangers paid a fee of £2.3m. However, Buffel has departed a year before his contract was due to expire.

YESTERDAY'S COMPLETED MOVES

Albert Serran (Espanyol) to Swansea City £80,000

Nicky Adams (Bury) to Leicester City Undisclosed

Alex Baptiste (Mansfield Town) to Blackpool Undisclosed

Nick Carle (Bristol City) to Crystal Palace Undisclosed

Liam Dickinson (Stockport County) to Derby County Undisclosed

Michael Morrison (Cambridge United) to Leicester City Undisclosed

Guy Moussi (SCO Angers) to Nottingham Forest Undisclosed

Diarmuid O'Carroll (Celtic) to Morecambe Undisclosed

Alan Sheehan (Leicester City) to Leeds United Tribunal

Joe Burnell (Northampton Town) to Oxford United Free

Lloyd Dyer (Milton Keynes Dons) to Leicester City Free

Daniel De Ridder (Birmingham City) to Wigan Athletic Free

Chris King (TNS) to Accrington Stanley Free

Barry Nicholson (Aberdeen) to Preston North End Free

Stephen Roberts (Doncaster Rovers) to Walsall Free

Rob Burch (Unattached) to Lincoln City

Andrew Cave-Brown (Unattached) to Leyton Orient)

Steve Collis (Unattached) to Crewe Alexandra

Adam Griffin (Unattached) to Darlington

Russell Hoult (Unattached) to Notts County

Paul McLaren (Unattached) to Bradford City

David Poole (Unattached) to Darlington

Frank Sinclair (Unattached) to Lincoln City

Ben Sahar (Chelsea) to Portsmouth Loan

Jimmy Smith (Chelsea) to Sheffield Wednesday Loan

Paul Taylor (Vauxhall Motors) to Chester City Loan