Morning Ticker: Diego set to join Wolfsburg, Squillaci signs with Arsenal and more
By TRAVIS CLARK
Brazilian playmaker Diego looks set to make a return to the Bundesliga. Just one year after swapping Germany for Italy, the 25-year-old is reported to have passed a medical ahead of joining VfL Wolfsburg.
Wolfsburg will pay a reported fee of 15 million to Juventus for Diego's services, who returns to the league where he made for himself at Werder Bremen from 2006-09, before joining Serie A last summer.
Diego's acquisition is a boon for Wolfsburg, who already boast a formidable attack force with strikers Edin Dzeko and Grafite. The club also landed Danish defender Simon Kjaer during this year's transfer window to bolster their defense.
Here are a few other stories for Thursday:
FRENCH INTERNATIONAL SQUILLACI JOINS ARSENAL
The contingent of French players at Arsenal grew by one more Thursday, as Arsene Wenger confirmed the acquisition of Sevilla defender Sebastian Squillaci for a rumored fee of 5 million. A 30-year-old central defender, Squillaci was a member of this year's French World Cup squad, though he never got on the pitch in South Africa. His arrival significantly improves the depth of Arsenal's defense, who only had three center backs listed prior to his arrival.
AC MILAN CHASING PAIR OF STRIKERS
In an aim to improve their strike force prior to the start of the Serie A season, Italian giants AC Milan have been linked with moves for both Manchester City striker Robinho, and FC Barcelona forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic is said to be at the top of Milan's list, while Robinho would be an alternative if they couldn't land the Swede. Current Dutch striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar is reported to be part of a new deal that would see Ibrahimovic return to Italy.
MASCHERANO'S LIVERPOOL FUTURE UP IN THE AIR
The future of Javier Mascherano at Liverpool appears to be over, with both Barcelona and Inter Milan interested in the Argentinian midfielder. Roy Hodgson is adamant that Mascherano will only leave for the right price, and as Barcelona struggles to match Liverpool's valuation, Inter Milan has entered a new bid.
Barcelona made a reported first bid somewhere between 12-16 million, not enough for Hodgson to part with Mascherano.
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What do you think of Thursday's transfer news? Will Diego star once again in Germany? Is Squillaci
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