Latest football news, transfer rumours and updates:

Hello again everyone and welcome to my latest blog post where I have the latest football news, transfer rumours and updates across Europe on this Friday evening.

Today, there is a lot of news transfer-related as many clubs have been reported to be signing deals with players quickly and "reaching agreements" or "expressing their interest", to try and lure their favoured player to their club before any other interest arises as a result of the World Cup in Brazil. 

Latest football news, transfer rumours and updates:

Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna has been heavily-linked with a move to the Premier League champions Manchester City in the past couple of days, with the French full-back set to receive £120,000-a-week wages if he completes his transfer. 

Linked: Sagna is reportedly ready to leave Arsenal, for a switch to champions Manchester City

Tough tackler: Arsenal will have to sign well if they are to replace Sagna at right-back.

Hull are ready to launch a £3million pound bid for Southampton defender Jose Fonte, who was overlooked towards the end of the season by The Saints. 

If Fonte were to move to Hull, it would be a great signing by the Tigers to bolster their defence

If you did not know already, Manchester United have announced their new manager in the form of Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal. 

Louis Van Gaal has replaced Moyes as United manager, to take charge after the World Cup.

He signed a three-year contract deal, and said: "To manage the biggest club in the world makes me very proud."

He will take charge of his new club after the World Cup, where he is currently also the Netherlands boss.

Meanwhile, his assistant manager has been confirmed as the club's record appearance-maker, Ryan Giggs (who has also retired)

Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley has left the club for Stoke, after signing a three-year contract deal with The Potters. 

Done: Stoke have signed Phil Bardsley on a 3 year deal, as his contract at Sunderland expired

There have been some more interesting developments in the Kroos to Manchester United news rumour, as the Bayern midfielder has been talking to German media in the past few days about his future despite reports that United have agreed a £20million fee for the 24-year-old.

Kroos has been linked with a move to United, with a year left on his current contract at Bayern.

When speaking to Bild (German newspaper) he said: "I am expecting to play for Bayern Munich next season. There was a lot of speculation, but Manchester is and was not an issue."

"At this point in time I am fully focused on preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup."

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes is under investigation by Lancashire police after allegedly pushing a man who made a remark about his sacking outside a wine bar.

Thibaut Courtois has admitted that it would not be "healthy" for he and Petr Cech to battle it out for the goalkeeper's position at Chelsea next season.

Courtois, who is rapidly becoming one of the best goalkeepers in the world on-loan at Atletico Madrid has confirmed that he will return back to Chelsea at the end of the season. 

Reflexes and positioning: Courtois has massively developed over the past two years for Atletico

However, it is expected that Cech will be reluctant to give away his number 1 goalkeeping spot to a player who has not yet played a match for The Blues since his £7million move from Genk in 2011. 

Meanwhile, Manchester United have confirmed that left-back Patrice Evra has signed a new one-year contract extension, ending speculation over his future at the club. 

Mexican striker Javier Hernandez is linked with a move away from Manchester in the summer, while Ferdinand has officially been released. 

Arsenal are linked with a £12million move for Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, with the Frenchman reportedly interested in the possibility of playing European football. 

 Control: Schneiderlin has played well in the defensive midfield role for Southampton this season

Schneiderlin has been one of the best midfielders this season thanks to his consistency.

Stoke City are reportedly interested in signing Hannover striker Mame Biram Diouf in the coming weeks, as the former Manchester United youngster's contract with the Bundesliga side is due to expire in July. 

Back to England? Diouf has scored 35 goals in 71 appearances since he left United.