Liverpool swoop for Aquilani, Fabregas not for sale

Liverpool have agreed a fee of £20m to sign Alberto Aquilani on a five-year contract from Roma. The Italian international midfielder will fill the hole left by Xabi Alonso's move to Real Madrid. However, the move is subject to the 25 year old, who underwent ankle surgery last May, passing a medical.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez may have further ambitions in the transfer market: Portsmouth's Sylvain Distin would satisfy his need for a central defender, while the Daily Telegraph reports that he is interested in Valencia's David Silva and Atletico Madrid's Javi Martinez. Silva, worth around £25m is also believed to be a target for Manchester Utd.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood insists his captain Cesc Fabregas is not for sale following reports that AC Milan are prepared to pay £31m for the midfielder, whose contract doesn't expire for five more years.

Manchester City will finally tie-up the £22m signing of Everton defender Joleon Lescott today, according to the Sun.

Chelsea captain John Terry is to sign a four-year contract worth £151,000 per week before the start of the season in nine days’ time, according to the Times. The contract would make him the Premiership's second highest earner alongside his teammate Frank Lampard and behind Man City's Robinho.

Manchester City, Aston Villa and Everton are the main contenders to sign £12m Sebastien Bassong, who is disillusioned with Newcastle United after being fined two weeks' wages for refusing to play in a pre-season friendly. Bassong's teammate Habib Beye is also keen to move on, but must hope Hull up their rejected offer of £2m. ·