Three days to go now until the whole show begins again and Premier League clubs are cranking up their efforts to bring in some more players and offload a few others.
It appears that Edin Dzeko will not be a pillar of the Manchester City attack next year as the club have settled on a £14m fee with Roma. Dzeko hit a hot streak during City's title winning 2013-14 season. However, after signing a four year deal in the summer of 2014, Dzeko was a ghost around the place last year, managing only six goals across all competitions. Raheem Sterling's arrival has hastened the Bosnian's exit.
The Sun assert that Pedro is about to sign for Manchester United for £20m. The word from the Daily Telegraph is that Louis Van Gaal has attempted to copperfasten the deal by guaranteeing Pedro "a starring role" in a three-pronged attack alongside Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay. Jesse Lingard may be offloaded to make way.
Sunderland are itching to take Manchester United's Nando's-loving young winger Adnan Januzaj on a year long loan deal. The Sunderland Echo report that they are in talks with Manchester United over the possibility. However, Louis van Gaal professed himself impressed with Januzaj following this pre-season and made noises about deploying him more often this season.
West Ham have upped their offer for Javier Hernandez, making a bid of £11.9m, according to the Daily Express. This brings it in line with Manchester United's asking price, a price which reportedly frustrated a listless Hernandez. The striker wanted the club to halve the price tag and allow a smooth exit.
Chelsea are ramping up their efforts to bring Everton defender John Stones to Stamford Bridge. They're waving bigger and bigger wodges of cash in Bill Kenwright's face. The Telegraph report that £30m was their latest offer late last night.
Martinez was adamant he had no intention of selling Stones. £30m may be enough to entice the Everton higher-ups to overrule their manager. Everton themselves have made strenuous efforts to draft in Jonny Evans and Virgil van Dijk, though Southampton have made a £7-8m bid for the latter.
Liverpool's understandable desire to relieve themselves of the responsibility of looking after Mario Balotelli for another year received a shot in the arm this morning. Lazio have apparently indicated they will take the striker off their hands - on loan, at least.
The Mirror report, however, that this is dependent on their qualification for the Champions League group stages. They are currently navigating the qualifying rounds and the obstacle of Manchester United may need to be surmounted for them to reach the lucrative arena of the group stages.
Balotelli may be mooching around Anfield for a while yet.
And yesterday evening, Jonathan Douglas became the latest recruit in the Irish colony formerly known as Ipswich Town. Douglas joined on a free from Brentford, signing a one year deal.
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