Potters in Lukaku loan talks

Sky Sports sources understand that Stoke City are in talks with Chelsea over a proposed loan move for new signing Romelu Lukaku.

Stoke boss has made no secret of his desire to bolster the Potters squad ahead of Wednesday's 11pm transfer deadline.

Stoke are looking to maintain the growth they have made over the past few years in the Premier League, while they also have to handle with the demands of a Europa League campaign this season.

A number of players have been linked with a move to the Britannia Stadium and it is understood that Lukaku has been identified as a possible transfer target.

The two clubs are now believed to be in discussions over a loan deal, with Chelsea apparently open to the idea of letting him go on a short-term basis.

Lukaku only arrived at Stamford Bridge from Belgian side Anderlecht this month and made his Premier League debut as a late substitute against Norwich City at the weekend.

Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas may feel that he has enough attacking options at his disposal for the near future with the likes of Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge, while Lukaku would benefit from gaining experience of English football by playing more regularly at Stoke.

The powerful Belgian teen-ager would be an exciting addition to the Potters squad but he is not the only player under consideration by Pulis.

It is understood that the Potters are also in pole position to sign Cameron Jerome from relegated Birmingham ahead of Fulham.

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Gunners close on Brazilian defender

Arsenal are understood to be close to finalising a deal for Brazil international defender Andre Santos.

Left-back Santos is set to arrive from Turkey outfit Fenerbache in a deal worth just over £6million.

The 28-year-old has made more than 20 appearances for Brazil, and is now believed to be in London ahead of completing a deal to Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are in necessity at left-back having sold Gael Clichy to Manchester City earlier in the summer and recently allowing Armand Traore to talk with newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers.

It is believed that Arsenal could complete the deals for defender Santos and Monaco striker Park Chu-young by today.

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Espanyol confirm Weiss loan move

Espanyol have reached an primary deal with English side Manchester City to take Vladimir Weiss on loan for the coming season, the La Liga club announced on their website.

The 21-year-old Slovakia international, who has had loan spells at Bolton and Scottish side Rangers during the last two years, has travelled to Barcelona on Monday morning in a bid to put the finishing touches on the switch.

An Espanyol statement read: "Espanyol and Manchester City have reached an agreement in principle for the loan of Vladimir Weiss for one season."

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Wolfsburg snap up Rasmus Jonsson

Wolfsburg have made Sweden international Rasmus Jonsson their 11th new arrival this summer after signing him for an undisclosed fee from Helsingborg.

The 21-year-old penned a four-year deal before joining up with the Sweden Under-21 national team for their European qualifiers against Lithuania.

"I am delighted to have signed a highly-talented forward," said Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath, who has now made enough new signings to form a brand new team since he arrived at the club in the spring.

"Rasmus Jonsson can both score and create goals and he will help us."

Before leaving for international duty, Jonsson spoke of his happiness at joining the 2009 Bundesliga champions.

"I am very happy - this transfer is a big step in my career," he said. "The Bundesliga is one of the biggest leagues in Europe and Wolfsburg is one of the biggest clubs in Germany.

"My aim is to be successful with the team and also to improve myself as a player.

"I will work hard to find my place in the team."

Jonsson's arrival could overlay the way for the exit of former Germany international Patrick Helmes, who has been attracting interest from clubs both in Germany and abroad.

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City striker Santa Cruz joins Betis on loan

Spanish side Real Betis have confirmed the signing of Paraguay international Roque Santa Cruz on a one-year loan from Manchester City.

Thirty-year-old Santa Cruz joined City from Blackburn in 2009 but has failed to tie down a first-team berth with the big-spending Barclays Premier League club and returned to his former side Rovers on loan for the second half of last season.

A statement on the Betis website read: "Real Betis continue to strengthen their first-team squad for the coming season with only a few days to go before the end of the transfer market.

"After intensive negotiations, the club have been able to close the signing of Roque Santa Cruz, who will play the coming season on loan at Betis.

"A Paraguayan international, Santa Cruz arrives from Manchester City, one of the best teams in England in recent years."

Santa Cruz made his full international debut for Paraguay at the age of 17 and is set to be presented by Betis today evening and will wear the number 16 shirt after becoming the newly-promoted club's eighth signing of the summer.

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