Friday transfer round-up: Hulk´s Porto stay, promoted clubs busy

Free-scoring Porto forward Hulk has hosed down speculation he is about to join former manager Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea.

Villas-Boas’ appointment at the English Premier Club has prompted speculation the Portuguese manager would attempt to sign several of the players that contributed to Porto’s league, Europa League and Taca de Portugal treble last season.

But it appears Hulk will not be one of them, having only signed a new contract at the Liga Sagres club in May, with a buy-out clause said to be around 100 million euros.

“To leave Porto now? I am signed for another five years and my future is there,” said the 24-year-old Brazilian, who scored 36 goals in all competitions last campaign.

“I wish (Villas-Boas) much luck, except if we play the Blues.”

Keeping in the English Premier League, newly promoted Norwich have continued their preparations for life in the top flight by signing creative midfielder Bradley Johnson.

Johnson, 24, signs a three-year deal with Paul Lambert’s side after his contract with Leeds United expired.

“I’m over the moon really to get the chance to play in the Premier League with a big club like Norwich City and under a great manager who I have a lot of respect for,” he said.

Fellow newboys Swansea City sealed a season-long loan deal for Tottenham defender Steven Caulker, while key Queens Park Rangers playmaker Adel Taarabt is reportedly the subject of a big-money bid from Ligue 1 Paris Saint-Germain.

Sunderland have confirmed the signing of former Birmingham City winger Sebastian Larsson and Keiren Westwood from Coventry City on free transfers, while Bolton have captured former Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley.

In the Championship, Nottingham Forest have sealed the signing of winger Andy Reid,

In Serie A, Honduran forward David Suazo has departed Inter Milan after his contract expired, while Juventus have moved for Lazio’s Swiss left-back Stephan Lichtsteiner in a deal reportedly work 10 million euros.

Lichtsteiner’s international team-mate Blerim Dzemaili has sealed his own high-profile move, joining Napoli from Parma.

Parma have received former player Manuele Blasi and 24-year-old defender Fabiano Santacroce as makeweights for the midfielder.

Guinea midfielder Kevin Constant has joined Genoa from fellow Serie A club Chievo.

In La Liga, the signings have continued at big-spending Malaga. The Qatari-owned outfit have land central defender Sergio Sanchez, reportedly for a fee of 2.8 million euros.

It is the eighth signing of the off-season for Malaga, with the likes of Ruud van Nistelorry, Martin Dimichelis, Diego Buonanotte and Jeremy Toulalan already secured.

Veteran striker Nuno Gomes, whose nine-season stint at Benfica came to an end in June, has moved to Liga Sagres rivals Braga.