According to Francisco Acedo at Sky Sports News, Arsenal have agreed to loan Fran Merida to Levante for the upcoming season. The deal should become official on Sunday.

According to Stoke City’s official website, Stoke City have loaned out Ben Marshall to Northampton for three months.

According to Chelsea’s official website, Chelsea have loaned out defender Patrick van Aanholt to Coventry City until December 31st.

According to Sunderland’s official website, Sunderland have loaned out David Dowson and Jamie Chandler to Darlington for one month.

According to Kevin McCarra at the Guardian, Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill admitted that he is interested in Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder. O’Neill said,

“I think that the more creativity you have in your side the better chance you will have … These are particularly special players who are not [generally] available. If there were players like Sneijder, who have great talent and might be surplus to requirements at a club that is buying [new players], then I think you should be interested, even if that interest is not reciprocated. Because how else are you going to try and improve your team?”

According to the Hull Daily Mail, Hull City made a bid for Cardiff City striker Ross McCormack that was rejected. The bid is thought to be worth about £3million. Hull City boss Phil Brown said,

“We’ve made our move, we’ve put a bid in for Ross McCormack but the bid has been rejected.”

“Hopefully we can agree terms between the two clubs and the player still but we won’t raise what we’ve bid because we think it’s a good offer.”

“He’s a player who cost them a hundred grand a year ago and scored 23 goals in the Championship. We believe their valuation now is too high.”

UPDATE: According to Portsmouth’s official website, Portsmouth have signed goalkeeper Antti Niemi on a free transfer. Niemi signed a one-year deal with the club.

July 29th, 2009 According to Graeme Bailey at Sky Sports News, Portsmouth are in talks with free-agent goalkeeper Antti Niemi. Niemi told Ilta-Sanomat,