Transfer Update

More extended transfer and rumor coverage in this morning's post, but some updates here.

Michael Owen's move to Manchester United has been confirmed. He has signed a two year contract and no transfer fee was paid as Owen was a free agent.

Ribery continues to up the ante. Yesterday he walked out of practice. Today he didn't bother showing up. Those pesky blisters!

Barcelona will wait one week for Valencia to accept their offer for Villa (detailed below), before moving for Diego Forlan. Laporta has no intention of offering more money, a not-so-surprising fact since Valencia have no other buyers. As publicized earlier this summer during Real Madrid's consideration of Forlan, his buyout clause is 36 million euros.

In less impressive news, Man City is having a hard time importing players, but not exporting. Chelsea signed 19 year old striker Daniel Sturridge today. Chelsea continued setting the world on fire by signing Ross Turnbull from Middlesborough.

Some more Manchester United news, as promising 20 year old Brazilian Possebon will be loaned out to Sporting Braga for a year in the Portuguese Superliga.