Birmingham in crisis as owner Carson Yeung is arrested

BIRMINGHAM CITY were plunged into crisis after owner Carson Yeung was arrested over alleged money laundering.

The club's future has been left hanging in the balance with Yeung in custody and due to appear in court in Hong Kong today.
He faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.

A brief statement revealed that charges involved five counts of dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence.

Sources said earlier that police launched an investigation two years ago into around £500,000 in cash and securities from unidentified sources being deposited in a bank account.

Cops arrived at 51-year-old Yeung's home early yesterday.

Two hours later the businessman - who bought Birmingham for £81.51million from David Sullivan and David Gold two years ago - emerged with two plain-clothed officers and was driven to a local police station.

His lawyer arrived 15 minutes later and Yeung was then taken to Hong Kong Police HQ.

More cops were at the offices of Birmingham International Holdings - the club's parent company - in Sheung Wan. They left with an assortment of documents.

Blues' acting chairman Peter Pannu insisted the matter has nothing to do with the club's operation although Birmingham legend Kenny Burns, 57, admitted he fears for his former team.

Burns, who made 170 appearances for Birmingham, said: "You have to wonder what's going to happen.
"I've been surprised by a lot of things coming out of the club recently, especially Alex McLeish leaving.

"Are we going to find ourselves in the position where the club is put up for sale? And how much longer can the club go on if the investment stops coming in?

"I think Chris Hughton would have known what the finances were like when he came in. He may be more concerned now."

Pannu said that he had been informed that Carson is assisting with inquiries that have nothing to do with the operation of Birmingham International Holdings lawyers in Hong Kong and therefore nothing to do with the operation of the club.

Arsenal aim to hang onto Nasri by signing his pal

ALEX FERGUSON believes he can break the will of Arsene Wenger and land Samir Nasri.

Manchester United boss Ferguson decided to make his move for Arsenal's want-away French star after rivals City entered the chase.
And last night United gave him the green light to take his summer spending beyond £70million with a £20m bid for the 24-year-old.

Fergie has sat back and listened while Arsenal boss Wenger insisted there was no way he would sell Nasri to United.

The canny Scot was happy to watch as Nasri became increasingly frustrated at the Emirates. But he is ready to act after rivals City switched their sights to the Frenchman having admitted defeat in their £35m bid for Udinese's Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, 22.

Nasri is in the final year of his contract and wanted to see big buys at Arsenal before considering a new deal.
But he is now eyeing the move to United and Fergie believes Wenger will sell rather than risk losing a player, who cost £12m from Marseille three years ago, for nothing next summer.

Wenger is also close to completing a £12million deal for Lille’s Ivory Coast striker Gervinho. That signing could help with Nasri, who has made it clear the Gunners must prove their ambition to convince him to stay.

Gervinho, who established himself as a major star at Lille last season, is rated highly by Nasri and the pair are pals.
It’s believed Gervinho – who is understood to have had a medical – received a glowing report on Arsenal from Nasri, which is also an encouraging sign.

Arsene Wenger is hoping Ivory Coast striker Gervinho can persuade Samir Nasri to stay at Arsenal.
The Gunners boss is facing a battle to prevent Nasri following Barcelona-bound Cesc Fabregas out of the Emirates' exit door.

The France midfielder, 24, who has one year left on his contract, is a target for Manchester United, and Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping to land him for around £12million.

But Arsenal have offered him a new, £90,000-a-week, five-year contract that would - after Fabregas’ move, which is likely to be completed this week after Barca made a new offer for the Spain midfielder.
Barca’s new offer is around £34, but Arsenal are still demanding closer to £40m. The clubs were locked in further talks last night but chief executive Ivan Gazidis is determined not to lose him on the cheap and will hold out for the higher fee.

Arsenal don’t want to sell Nasri to one of their biggest title rivals but also don’t want him to run down his contract and lose him for nothing 12 months from now, so his new deal will include lucrative image rights and bonuses.

Arsenal also plan to make another major statement of intent by pushing forward in a move for Bolton’s Gary Cahill.
The England centre-half is next on their hit-list and, if they can sell flop French defender Sebastien Squillaci, they will also pursue Blackburn's Chris Samba to replace him.

Arsenal are ready to throw Henri Lansbury and Ignasi Miquel into the deal for Cahill, with the Spanish defender set for a season-long loan.
Valencia’s Juan Mata could replace the Spaniard in Wenger's squad, but Spurs are also keen on the attacking midfielder.

Another part of Wenger’s masterplan could be to play Thomas Vermaelen at left-back to strengthen his defence, as Gael Clichy is set to leave for Liverpool.

Wenger hopes to have Cahill and Gervinho signed by the start of pre-season and that will help in the battle to keep Nasri.

Jaguares striker Antonio Pedroza has claimed he will sign for Tottenham.

Jaguares striker Antonio Pedroza has claimed he will sign for Tottenham on a free transfer as he declared that he will not renew his contract with his present club and it is his dream come true to play in Europe.

Pedroza, who was born in England to an English mother, had trials with Arsenal and Chelsea as a youngster but has spent the last four years in Mexico due to his father.

With his Jaguares contract expiring this summer, though, Pedroza says he is due to seal a dream move to England and His transfer to White Hart Lane has been arranged

Pedroza, 20, has been compared to Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez. Perhaps Mexico is producing more and more young lethal strikers at present.

Lille make double signing

French champions Lille have further strengthened their squad by signing Czech defender David Rozehnal and Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

Rozehnal won the domestic double at the Stade Lille-Metropole last campaign after joining the club on loan from Hamburg. It was the first time since the 1950s that that club had lifted the respective cup and league trophies, and the 30-year-old said that last season's experience enticed him to extend his stay.

Enyeama, 28, a standout for Nigeria at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, was also pleased to sign a three-year deal from Israeli club Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

The pair join another recent signing in Dimitri Payet from St Etienne as manager Rudi Garcia looks to guide his side to back-to-back titles.

Toronto sign 2 experienced former international players

Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC have announced the signings of veteran duo Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans.

Former Germany international Frings, 34, and Koevermans, 32, have arrived at the Canadian side on free transfers, putting pen to paper on 'designated player' deals - meaning their contracts fall outside the constrictions of the club's salary cap.

Midfielder Frings, who has made 79 appearances for Germany, was released by Werder Bremen at the end of last season while Koevermans, a prolific striker in his homeland and capped four times by Holland, has been without a club since leaving PSV Eindhoven.

Toronto's director of player development Paul Mariner hailed the double capture as a major coup for the club and will be role models to look up to.

Toronto's coach, former Holland international Aron Winter, also welcomed the arrival of the new big-name signings.

Frings and Koevermans are not eligible to play for their new club until July 15. Their MLS debuts are therefore likely to come against FC Dallas on July 20.

Wickham to have Sunderland medical 'within 24 hours' after £13m bid accepted by Ipswich

Connor Wickham was in Sunderland on Tuesday night to complete his £13million move from Ipswich.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has seen off competition from  Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham to put together a package which will land the England Under 21 striker today. Wickham was having a medical last night and concluding talks over personal terms.

Ipswich have accepted a down payment of £8.1million, which will rise by another £5m dependent on goals, appearances, European qualification and future England appearances. Only Liverpool are believed to have made a bid for Wickham since the end of last  season but their offer was £2m Lower.

Wickham, who became Ipswich’s youngest-ever player at 16 years and 11 days when he came on as a substitute against Doncaster in April 2009, scored the winning goal in England’s Under 17s European Championship final win against Spain last summer.

The 6ft 3in teenager fell out of favour during Roy Keane’s tenure at Portman Road, but Paul Jewell brought him back into the side when he took over in January and the striker repaid him with nine goals.

Bruce is also hoping to seal a £5m deal for  Birmingham City’s Craig Gardner. The midfielder, expected on  Wearside for a medical and talks today, is set to be Bruce’s fifth signing since Jordan Henderson was sold to Liverpool.

Chelsea back in for Sergio Aguero

Chelsea back in for Sergio Aguero with release clause set to drop from £42m to £32m

Chelsea are monitoring developments with Sergio Aguero after his advisers held talks with Atletico Madrid in an attempt to get his release clause reduced from £42m to £32m.

Chelsea, who made an enquiry for the Argentinian in January, remain interested despite strong interest from Juventus and Atletico's fierce rivals Real Madrid who are favourites to land Atletico's Sergio Aguero

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester City have not lodged £40m bids for Neymar despite hints to the contrary from Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro. Only Real Madrid have matched the asking price for the Brazilian teenager at this stage.

Di Matteo returns to Chelsea as No 2 to Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas will unveil his backroom team today with Roberto Di Matteo primed for an emotional return to Chelsea as assistant to the new manager.

Di Matteo spent six years as a hugely popular midfielder at Stamford Bridge, scoring in two FA Cup finals before he was forced to retire 10 years ago after breaking his leg.

The 41-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked as manager of West Bromwich Albion in January and missed out on a comeback when he was pipped to the Birmingham job by Chris Hughton earlier this month.

He started his coaching career at Milton Keynes Dons in 2008, forging a partnership with former Chelsea teammate Eddie Newton, before the pair moved to West Bromwich and won promotion to the Barclays Premier League in their first season.

Chelsea have cleared the decks in the coaching department and have vowed to provide Villas-Boas with all the support he requires to transplant his successful formula from Porto.

Fitness coach Jose Mario Rocha and scout Daniel Sousa are expected to join him from the Portuguese champions.

Arsene's heartfelt letter to unhappy Gunners supporter

ARSENE WENGER has opened his heart in a frank and honest letter to a disillusioned Gunners fan.

Arsenal's boss took the time and trouble to reply to the supporter, who had written to the club complaining about a lack of big signings.

Wenger patiently explains why he refuses to spend money recklessly, highlights the weaknessses that cost the club the Premier League title last season - and accepts ultimate responsibility for the failure.

But overwhelmingly Wenger, who sent the letter at the beginning of this month, shows his loyalty to Arsenal, his players and his commitment to the business philosophy of not blowing money the club does not have.

Arsene Wenger has spoken of a need to invest in his defence this summer but said it is imperative Arsenal act with financial responsibility.

With Cesc Fabregas seemingly close to a move to Barcelona and both Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy yet to extend their contracts, Arsenal fans will have growing cause for concern at the club's failure to announce any big-name signings at this stage.

Gervinho, Juan Mata, Ricardo Alvarez, Gary Cahill and Christopher Samba have all been linked with a move to the club, and Wenger has accepted that changes are needed, but in a letter addressed to a disillusioned Gunners fan that has been reproduced in The Sun, he has stressed that the market must be approached with due caution.

Arsenal to seal transfer a move for Gary Cahill

Arsenal close in on £17m Bolton defender Gary Cahill as Tottenham's bid to hijack move falters
Arsene Wenger should seal a move for the highly-rated 25 year-old to land the England international by the end of the week although the Gunners are hoping to haggle the price down from the £17 million release clause in Cahill's contract.

Cahill, 25, is in line to join Arsenal despite late interest from their north London rivals Spurs, who have proposed player-plus-cash deals including Robbie Keane, Jermaine Jenas and Sebastien Bassong.

But Spurs boss Harry Redknapp looks set to fail in his bid to hijack the move as Cahill wants to test himself in the Champions League. He is also ready to snub interest from Manchester City as he feels he will get more first-team opportunities at Arsenal.

Both Wenger and Redknapp see Cahill as the type of uncompromising central defender who can help their side challenge for the Premier League title next season.

A move for Cahill would smash Arsenal's transfer record and Bolton are ready to cash in on their prize asset after their last set of financial accounts revealed debts of £93m.

Cahill could be joined at Arsenal by Blackburn captain Christopher Samba as Wenger looks to add much-needed steel to his squad having identified central defence as the weak point in his side.

Cahill joined Bolton from Aston Villa for £5m in January 2008 and has produced consistently excellent performances at the Reebok Stadium, resulting in three England caps.

Meanwhile Lille striker Gervinho is keen on a move to Arsenal but no concrete offers have been received so far, the club’s president has revealed.

The 24-year-old has been widely tipped to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium this summer after enjoying a superb campaign in which he helped Lille to their first league title in 57 years as well as the French Cup in an historic double.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is thought to be targeting quality attacking reinforcements to remove some of the scoring burden from injury-prone Robin van Persie, and it is believed the Frenchman ranks Gervinho highly on his list of potential targets.

Lille are thought to be willing to part with their prized asset for a fee in the region of £10.6 million, but while the club’s president Michel Seydoux admitted Gervinho is enthusiastic about the prospect of a move to north London, he stressed that no offers have yet been received.

Quintet agree to pay Neymar fee

Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro has confirmed five clubs in Europe have agreed to pay Neymar's €45 million release clause.

The clubs - named in widespread reports throughout Brazil as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala - will now be given permission to speak to Neymar.

"We don't want to sell the player, but of course there is a release clause in his contract that can be paid," he told ESPN Brasil. "Five European clubs have offered to match the clause.

He added that the clubs have behaved ethically. They sought out Santos first and were willing to pay the clause.

Chelsea had seen a number of bids rejected for Neymar last summer before the 19-year-old Brazil international signed a new long-term deal with the club.

Ribeiro added: "Last year, Chelsea's attitude was different. Their first action was to seek out the player's representatives."

The news comes just a day after Ribeiro said Neymar wanted to become the best player in the world while remaining in Brazil, and he remains confident that the forward will opt to stay at Santos.

"It is becoming increasingly difficult for him to move on," he said. "These clubs can come and make their offers, but if he wants to stay at Santos then he'll say no and stay at Santos."

De Gea undergoes Manchester medical

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea was undergoing a medical at Manchester United on Monday afternoon.

De Gea, 20, has long been expected to complete a move to Old Trafford and, following the conclusion of his successful European Under-21 Championship campaign with Spain, he is now due to complete the switch, which will reportedly cost £17.8 million.

The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper has long been expected to complete a move to Old Trafford after he was identified by Sir Alex Ferguson as a fitting replacement for Edwin van der Sar.

De Gea arrived at Bridgewater Hospital on Monday following the conclusion of Spain's successful European Under-21 Championship campaign on Saturday and is now ready to put the finishing touches on his move to the Premier League champions.

The deal with both Dea Gea and Atletico Madrid has been agreed for some time but the conclusion of the move has been put on hold, largely due to a dispute with an agent.

De Gea felt the opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in Europe was too good to turn down and chose to reject an offer to extend his Atletico Madrid contract beyond 2013.

Ferguson considered a move for Manuel Neuer or Maarten Stekelenburg but is convinced De Gea has the ability to be the club's No.1 for many years.

The deal takes United's summer spending to more than £50m following the the signing of defender Phil Jones from Blackburn and winger Ashley Young from Aston Villa.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina believes his fellow Spaniard will be a hit in England despite his relative lack of experience.

“I very much welcome this news because David is a great keeper,” Reina told La Gaceta. “When it becomes official he is going to start working to prove in the Premier League what a good goalkeeper he is.”

De Gea, who has been compared to Real Madrid and Spain keeper Iker Casillas, broke into the Atletico side in 2009 before helping the club to win the Europa League last season and the Uefa Super Cup in August.

Chelsea's cheeky bid for David Villa

Barcelona today claimed they had rejected a £27million offer from Chelsea for David Villa.

The Nou Camp side briefed the Catalan media that Chelsea made a formal call to Barca sporting director Andobni Zubizarreta last week putting their bid on the table.

According to Barcelona, Chelsea's inquiry was immediately rebuffed, with the Stamford Bridge outfit informed that Villa's buy-out clause stands at a ridiculous £178m and that there was no point in any further negotiation.

Chelsea are definitely in the hunt for one Barcelona target, Udinese's Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez, who wants to move to the Champions League winners.

While Chelsea and Manchester City have outbid Barcelona for Sanchez, the South American has made it clear that he is not interested in moving to the Premier League.

Arda Turan is set to leave Galatasaray this summer with a possible of a Drogba swop

Galatasaray will allow Arda Turan to join Chelsea for £7million plus Didier Drogba.

With Stamford Bridge target Turan rated at around £18m, the deal values Drogba at just £11m - a meagre offer likely to be rebuffed by Chelsea.

Left winger Turan, 24, is a Liverpool fan and has been linked with the Merseyside club and Tottenham in the past but Chelsea are very keen following the recommendation of his international coach, Turkey boss Guus Hiddink.

New Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas could be persuaded to let Drogba, 33, leave for the right price, and the Ivory Coast international will wait to see if Chelsea splash out on another forward before making a decision on his future.

With Villas-Boas intent on bringing Colombia striker Falcao with him from Porto and Chelsea also showing interest in Udinese’s Alexis Sanchez, Drogba’s competition will not just be limited to £50m striker Fernando Torres and Nicolas Anelka.

It had been widely assumed Drogba would leave Stamford Bridge this summer with Real Madrid initially very keen, but Villas-Boas will not make any hasty decisions on the playing squad he has inherited.

Two others who could leave are Jose Boswinga, who is being tracked by Turkish side Besiktas, and Daniel Sturridge. The £16m-rated Under 21 international is wanted on loan by West Brom, Stoke and Bolton.

Liverpool to offload Meireles

Raul Meireles is resigned to leaving Liverpool this summer after it became apparent he is surplus to requirements.

The Portugal international is understood to be frustrated that talks over a new deal have not taken place but Liverpool never made any firm promises.

There was a loose agreement when he arrived last summer from FC Porto that his situation would be revisited at the end of his first season if things went well.

Liverpool, though, are pressing ahead with the business of signing new players and working on deals to bring in Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Connor Wickham, which they are confident will reach a successful conclusion.

With skipper Steven Gerrard fit to return for the start of pre-season and £16million arrival Jordan Henderson also now in the frame, Liverpool have a surfeit of midfielders.

Meireles, who has been linked with Juventus and Inter Milan in recent weeks, is deemed dispensable and Liverpool would want to recoup upwards of the £11.5m they paid for him last August.

City turns to Hulk after likely snub from Sanchez

Manchester City have been told to find a club record £36m to land top transfer target Hulk.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is looking around for alternatives in case he misses out on Udinese wing wizard Alexis Sanchez.
Although the exciting Chilean expressed he has not interest to move to England, it is still unclear where he will be heading.

So Mancini is now eyeing up Porto’s powerhouse forward Hulk as a potential alternative marquee summer signing.
The Eastlands outfit were preparing to open the bidding for the Brazil ace with a £20m offer. But Porto want £36m for the 24 year-old, who can play on either flank or through the middle.

That tops the £32.5m City splashed out to sign Robinho from Real Madrid three years ago.

Hulk, who smashed 31 goals in 42 games to help fire Porto to a league and Europa Cup double, has a massive £89m buyout clause in his contract, which he recently extended until 2016.

City will hope to talk Porto into lowering their demands with Hulk keen on a move to England.
Eastlands officials held initial talks about a possible deal last season before shifting their focus to Sanchez.
But with Sanchez set to snub City Hulk – real name Givanildo de Souza – has returned to the top of Mancini’s shopping list.

Arsenal launch bid for Mata

Arsenal have reportedly placed a club record £18 million bid for Valencia midfielder Juan Mata.

Juan Mata picked up the bronze boot as scouts watched the European Under-21 Championships
Mata starred in Spain's title-winning European Under-21 tilt, and with that tournament now complete, the playmaker is ready to begin talks with the Gunners, a report in the Daily Mail said.

The Real Madrid youth product was also part of Spain's successful 2010 World Cup side, making a brief appearance off the bench against Honduras in the group stage.

Mata can play centrally or wide on the left, and it is believed that he may be groomed to take over Cesc Fabregas' midfield role, should the Arsenal skipper make a big money move to Barcelona in the summer. Arsene Wenger evidently rates the 23-year-old highly, and is willing to smash the club's previous record transfer fee of £13 million when bringing Andrei Arshavin to the Emirates from Zenit St Petersburg.

Wenger will need to move swiftly to secure Mata, though, as Kenny Dalglish has also shown interest in bringing the player to Liverpool.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will have another fight on their hands in order to snare Velez Sarsfield winger Ricardo Alvarez. New Inter Milan boss Gian Piero Gasperini has now identified the Argentinian as his primary summer recruitment target.

Argentina River Plate Relegated! 1st Time in their history after more than a Century

By ESPN

River Plate, the most successful club in Argentinian football, have been relegated for the first time in their history.

The Buenos Aires giants went into their relegation/promotion play-off against National B side Belgrano needing to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit but fell short, drawing the return at a sold-out Monumental 1-1.

It started promisingly for River when they went ahead through Mariano Pavano after just six minutes, but they failed to build on it and Guillermo Farre equalised 17 minutes into the second half.

The home side had the chance to restore their advantage midway through the second half but Pavone saw a penalty superbly saved by visiting keeper Juan Olave.

River, who won the last of their 33 Argentinian titles in the second half of the 2007-08 season, sunk into a play-off after a dismal end to the Clausura campaign meant their three-season points average required them to beat Belgrano to preserve the top-flight status they have enjoyed for the entirety of their 110-year existence.

But a 2-0 defeat on Wednesday night in the first leg in Cordoba prompted angry demonstrations from supporters and the home fans had already started to express their anger when the referee decided to blow for full-time with 30 seconds still scheduled to play.

Objects were thrown onto the field, while some fans battled with riot police.

Manchester United set to acquire Nasri

Manchester United set to lodge a £20m bid to sign Samir Nasri from their league rival Arsenal

The Red Devils are reportedly going to table a£20 (€22.5) million bid this week to acquire the services of Arsenal midfielder that will test the Gunners' resolve, with the Frenchman currently having only one year left on his contract at the Emirates

The 23-year-old is thought to have been offered a five-year contract by the Gunners after his top quality showings last season. But he is yet to put pen to paper and confirm his stay at Ashburton Grove, with speculation abounding that his reluctance to commit reflects Arsenal's trophy drought and uncertainty about manager Arsene Wenger's transfer activity.

In the meantime, the midfielder has been linked with a controversial move to the Red Devils, who are fresh from becoming the most successful club in English football after surpassing Liverpool when they won their 19th league title last season.

Arsenal is believed to be anxious not to repeat the mistake they made with Mathieu Flamini - who left on a Bosman free transfer to join AC Milan in 2008 - with Nasri currently having only one year left on his contract with the club.

City to bid £38m for Sanchez in effort to beat Barcelona and Chelsea to Chile winger

Manchester City will make a second bid of £38million for Chile superstar Alexis Sanchez - sending a message to Roman Abramovich they remain the biggest spending power in the Barclays Premier League.

As Chelsea start a new era at Stamford Bridge under 33-year-old manager Andre Villas-Boas, City hope to beat Barcelona to the signing of Udinese’s Sanchez.

City have spent more money than any other club in five of the last six transfer windows but were usurped in January by Chelsea, who splashed out £75m on Fernando Torres and David Luiz.

Now, despite having eight unwanted players on the wage bill, City owner Sheik Mansour has sanctioned a second bid for Sanchez, 22, having had a £32m offer turned down.

The midfielder wants to join Barcelona but they cannot match City’s offer and have prioritised Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas and ex-Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi.

Although Udinese are holding out for £45m, they risk losing Sanchez to another club for less.

City have had a quiet summer in the transfer market as they try to trim their squad.

But with nobody willing to pay top fees and wages, City will bring in their top target before selling.

Lecce have appointed Eusebio Di Francesco as the New Manager

Serie A strugglers Lecce have appointed former Italy international Eusebio Di Francesco to their vacant manager position on a two-year deal.

Di Francesco, who led Pescara to a 13th-place finish in Serie B last season, is said to have impressed Lecce officials with the attractive style of play he installed at the second-division side.

A short statement on Lecce's website said: "Lecce inform that Eusebio Di Francesco is the new coach of the first squad."

The 41-year-old will be officially unveiled at the Stadio Via del Mare on Monday.

Di Francesco made more than 150 appearances for Roma as a midfielder, winning the league title in 2000/01, and was capped 12 times for his national side.

He takes over from Luigi De Canio, who departed the club by mutual consent after helping them narrowly beat the drop in their first year back in the top-flight.

Lecce finished 17th on the Serie A table, five points off the relegation places.

Greece league Champion may be relegated if they are found guilty of match fixing.

Greek Super League champions Olympiakos could face relegation to the second division, after being implicated in a match-fixing scandal which could have grave consequence for the country's football future.

Olympiakos and Super League president Vangelis Marinakis and Greece international Avraam Papadopoulos are the highest-profile suspects in a match-fixing ring that allegedly reaches across Greek football, although both have since protested their innocence. The Hellenic Football Federation have announced that they have no intention of using Papadopoulos again for national team matters.

Fellow Super League sides Olympiakos Volou, Kavala, Kerkyra and Asteras Tripolis are also being investigated, as well as over half of the teams in the Second Division and some in the third-tier of Greek football.
Appointed prosecutor Andreas Fakos insisted that any club that were found to be involved in the scandal in any way would be punished with demotion, with the criminal charges relating to bribery and betting so far.

"If the clubs are found guilty, then the law provides for relegation," he stated in a radio interview to Sentra FM on Friday.

Ten suspects were arrested and detained earlier in the week.
The investigation began after European football's governing body Uefa published a list of 41 match results from 2009-10 which they believe to be suspicious.

Top defender Avraam Papadopoulos denies any involvement in match-fixing
Among the 68 suspects named by judicial authorities on Friday were Vangelis Marinakis, Greece's top football league official and chairman of champion club Olympiakos Piraeus, and Avraam Papadopoulos, national team and Olympiakos defender.

Both men deny involvement.

Late on Friday, a court order banned all 68 from leaving the country.

Details of the alleged scandal were given in a 130-page document seen by the news agency Associated Press.

It says the document contains numerous transcripts of recorded telephone conversations - many filled with profanities and threats of physical violence - allegedly between corrupt team officials deciding match results, using players and referees.

Bets on the allegedly fixed games were placed online or with betting agencies in Greece, Europe and Asian countries, according to the document, AP say

Liverpool close to securing Adam

Damien Comolli, the Reds' director of football, will press ahead over the next 48 hours in an attempt to add Adam to the recent capture of Jordan Henderson. A meeting with Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston is booked, and Liverpool hope to conclude an £8 million transfer.

Oyston revealed 11 days ago that he had held initial talks with the Reds.

Liverpool first lodged an £8 million bid in January, only to find the Tangerines holding out for £12 million. Oyston had hoped Adam would keep his club in the Premier League, but now he is left on weaker ground to barter, with the Scotland international desperate to stay in England's top flight.

The most likely scenario to scupper Liverpool's plans would be a last-ditch hijack attempt from Aston Villa, whose new boss Alex McLeish used to work with Adam at Rangers. Blackpool would hope a rival bid would drive up Liverpool's offer, which is expected to start as low as £6.5 million.

Adam is one of a handful of players wanted by Kenny Dalglish, who also has Comolli negotiating for Ipswich's Connor Wickham, Arsenal's Gael Clichy, and Aston Villa's Stewart Downing. The Reds are already believed to have had offers of £5 million and £12 million rejected for Clichy and Downing respectively.

Adam's arrival would create an overstaffing of midfielders at Anfield, where Alberto Aquilani has returned after Juventus cooled interest in a £14 million deal. Portugal international Raul Meireles has also been linked to the Turin club, but no formal movements have materialised.

Malaga signed Valencia winger Joaquin Sanchez

Malaga have continued their summer spending spree with the capture of Valencia winger Joaquin Sanchez.

Joaquin, 29, has spent the last five seasons at Valencia after joining Los Che from Real Betis for a fee in the region of €24 million. He has won 50 caps for Spain.

Although financial details of the transfer have not been announced, it has been reported in Spain that Malaga will pay around €4 million.

Malaga said in a statement on their website that Valencia have reached an agreement for the transfer of Joaquin.
The two clubs have closed an agreement for the player to become Malaga's seventh signing for next season, after Diego Buonanotte, Martin Demichelis, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Nacho Monreal, Jeremy Toulalan and Joris Mathijsen.

Malaga finished last season in 11th spot in La Liga, three points above the relegation zone, after winning five of their final seven games.

Gasperini will be new Inter Manager

Inter Milan have confirmed Gian Piero Gasperini will take charge of the side next season.

Gasperini, 53, has been out of work since he was dismissed byGenoa in November last year. He had secured promotion from Serie B in 2007 and led the side into the Europa League in 2009.

A club statement read: "It will be Gian Piero Gasperini to become Inter's new coach. The official announcement will be made once all the final bureaucratic formalities are completed.

Inter president Massimo Moratti added that he is fully satisfied with the choice.
Gasperini will replace Leonardo, who leaves to take on a role as sporting director at Paris St Germain after replacing Rafael Benitez in December.

Inter have suffered a series of disappointments in their search for a new coach, with Marcelo Bielsa and Sinisa Mihajlovic both turning down the job and Andre Villas-Boas heading to Chelsea.

Moratti had even suggested this week that Leonardo could continue as coach, although PSG dismissed the idea shortly afterwards.

Forlan wants to comeback to England, and Spurs lie in wait

Tottenham have been put on alert after Atletico Madrid hinted former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan could be headed back to the Premier League.

Harry Redknapp has been a long term admirer of the 32-year-old hitman, and tried to snap him up in the January window, as well as immediately after the 2010 World Cup where the forward stared for Uruguay.

But Atletico refused to play ball for the man who had previously netted 66 goals in 102 La Liga appearances, and rejected all advances.

Now though, Forlan has fallen out of favour with supporters and the management at the Spanish club, and could finally be heading to Spurs at a knockdown rate.

He has already rejected the chance to go to Turkey with Galatasaray and president Enrique Cerezo says the striker's first choice is the Premier League.

The ex-Red Devil only managed eight goals in 32 league games last season.

Blackburn to smash transfer record and Samba begging to leave.

Blackburn boss Steve Kean is ready to make a club record £12million raid for Senegal striker Papiss Cisse at the start of a major spending
spree.

Kean hopes to agree a fee with German club Freiburg today and talk the powerful 26-year-old into coming to Rovers as their biggest signing in years.

Cisse is one of the most respected forwards in the Bundesliga and has scored 28 goals in 48 games since joining them from Metz and maturing into a powerful force.

Kean wants to spend big on a striker and the Indian owners have given him the cash to back up his ambitions.

Cisse has emerged as Blackburn’s first choice after a surprise move for Roma’s Montenegro international forward Mirko Vucinic proved to be too expensive and complicated.

Meanwhile Chris Samba said he was sick of fighting relegation battles at Ewood Park, with Steve Kean’s side only securing their Premier League status on the final day of last season. He dropped a bombshell on Blackburn last night by asking them to let him leave for Arsenal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to pay £12million for the Congo defender, who joined from Hertha Berlin on a free in 2007 and captained Rovers last season.

The 27-year-old is under contract until 2015, but he called on Blackburn owners Venky’s to let him “step up a level”.

Adrian Mutu move to Cesena

Veteran striker Adrian Mutu will play for Serie A outfit Cesena next season, after his move from Fiorentina was confirmed on Friday.

Mutu, 32, was close to leaving Fiorentina in January for the newly promoted club, but the move was blocked before its eventual completion in the off-season.

He has signed a two-year-deal at Cesena, with the option of a third available.

ACF Fiorentina announces that they have sold Adrian Mutu to Cesena Calcio on a permanent basis
Mutu had to accept a pay cut to join Cesena but will bring a wealth of experience to the club.

He netted 54 goals in 112 matches for Fiorentina and has also played for the likes of Inter Milan and Juventus in the Serie A as well as Chelsea.

He was out of favour with the Florence-based club after walking out of training when the move to Cesena did not eventuate in January.

Mutu has never been far from controversy during his career, having twice been suspended for failing a drugs test - once at Chelsea and once at Fiorentina - for which he was banned from fooball for one year and six months respectivley.

Gunner turned down Barcelona's bid for Fabregas

Arsenal have rejected a £27 million bid from Barcelona for Cesc Fabregas.

Fabregas this week revealed his admiration for the Catalan club, and their manager Pep Guardiola, but this latest development in the ongoing saga over the midfielder's future could spell the end of further speculation.

Barca president Sando Rosell has made it clear the club will not spend more than £35 million on Fabregas due to the 24-year-old's recurring hamstring injury.

"Guardiola knows the values of players and Cesc's is less than 40 million Euros. Barcelona will offer less and, if they don't accept, then he won't come."

It is understood the most recent offer was made verbally by Barca's vice president Josep Maria Bartomeu during his visit to London this week, but was rejected immediately by Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis. Barcelona are expected to make one final play to snare Fabregas, however with both clubs evidently differing on their value of the player, it appears the stand-off may be a permanent one.

Falcao keen on Blues

Porto striker Falcao has revealed he would be eager to follow Andre Villas-Boas to Chelsea.With the arrival of The former young Porto manager there has been inevitable speculation that he will look to take the likes of Hulk, Falcao and Joao Moutinho with him, but Porto president Jorge Pinto da Costa has warned that they will only be sold if release clauses are met.

Colombia international Falcao, 25, said earlier this month that he would consider his options amid reported interest from Real Madrid, Tottenham and Arsenal.

With the confirmation that Villas-Boas will succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge, though, there has been heightened speculation that he could sign for the Blues.

The Porto star player said: "My ambition is to keep working hard and I am convinced I can play in a superior league like England. If Chelsea is interested in me then all that needs to happen is for negotiations to take place."

Porto have insisted they will only allow their key players to leave if interested clubs are willing to meet their release clause, with Falcao's standing at €30 million.

Varane to sign for Real Madrid

Lens president Gervais Martel has confirmed young centre-back Raphael Varane will join Real Madrid.

Varane, 18, was strongly linked with both Madrid and Manchester United this summer and Martel confirmed this week that an offer from Paris St Germain had been rejected.

However, it appears Lens - who will play in Ligue 2 next season - have now accepted an offer and Varane will be plying his trade at the Bernabeu.

Martel said at a meeting with the club's supporters that the young defender will play for Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho's guidance and He has already met him, as well as meeting Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid had been following him for the last two months and Varane said he couldn't turn down the opportunity.

Martel had previously indicated that Lens were demanding €10 million for Varane.

Villa to lose another player?

Stewart Downing is on the verge of joining Liverpool after being told by Aston Villa that he is free to leave the club.

Downing is understood to be on his way to Anfield if the Reds are able to meet the £19 million asking price for the winger. It is believed that new boss Alex McLeish is reluctant to lose the England international, but with recent contract talks at Villa Park stalling, the club may be prepared to take accept a transfer fee and move instead for Charles N'Zogbia from Wigan.

McLeish earlier told the Birmingham Mail that while he was resigned to losing Ashley Young to Manchester United, he was still interested in keeping Downing.

McLeish certainly be looking to try and keep Stewart who has got a couple of years left on his contract.

Liverpool have also been scouting cheaper alternatives to Downing, including Dimitri Payet from St Etienne, but the Englishman is still the club's preferred target.

Meanwhile, the movement at Villa is set to continue, with Rangers confirming they have made an offer to Carlos Cuellar, while McLeish is expected to announce the signing of Germinal Beerschot's Victor Wanyama, despite the midfielder being heavily linked to Swansea and Celtic.

Barcelona to go for Chelsea defender

BARCELONA are ready to make a shock £27.5million raid for Chelsea defender David Luiz - just five months after he joined the Blues for £21.3m.

The Brazilian, signed from Benfica, has indicated he might listen to an offer from Barca, but only if Chelsea give their blessing.
Luiz, 24, has made a big impression in his 12 Premier League outings, scoring twice as he helped the Stamford Bridge club finish runners-up.

Barca boss Pep Guardiola is desperate for a new central defender as 33-year-old skipper Carles Puyol is struggling with a long-term left knee problem.
Guardiola has asked sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta to follow up on a meeting between Barca president Sandro Rosell and Luiz's agent Giuliano Bertolucci in Brazil.

Luiz joined Chelsea at the same time as £50m flop Fernando Torres and has already formed a promising partnership with England skipper John Terry.

City to vie with United for Snejider

ROBERTO MANCINI is set to go head-to-head with bitter rival Sir Alex Ferguson in a £30m battle to land Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has put Wesley Sneijder top of his wanted list after failing to land Alexis Sanchez from Udinese.
Manchester United have also held talks with Sanchez but the Chilean wonderkid has made it clear he prefers a move to Barcelona instead.

Now Starsport understands Mancini’s growing frustration has made him turn his attentions to Sneijder, 27. The Italian has sounded out former club Inter Milan about what it would cost to lure Sneijder to Eastlands.

The news will be a big blow to United boss Fergie, who has been tracking Sneijder for six months, having earmarked the Holland midfi elder as the perfect replacement for Paul Scholes. But the Scot knows he won’t be able to compete on financial terms with his billionaire neighbours, with Sneijder demanding wages of £200,000 a week.

With City also offering Champions League football next season, Mancini hopes Sneijder’s experience and talent will help his side to become a major European powerhouse.

It is the third time this summer Mancini and Fergie have been scrapping for the same player.

Sanchez has held talks with both Manchester clubs while Tottenham’s Luka Modric is also a target but Chelsea remain favourites to land the Croatian star.

Fergie, meanwhile, has suffered another blow with the news French Under-21 defender Raphael Varane is set to snub a £9m move to Old Trafford for PSG.

Juventus Signs 4 players at 1 go.

Juventus have announced the permanent signings of four players: Alessandro Matri, Fabio Quagliarella, Simone Pepe and Marco Motta.

The quartet had all been on loan at Juventus, but the club have taken up the option to buy them all on deals that are worth just over €35 million over a three-year period.

A statement on the club's official website read: ''Juventus Football Club announces the exercise of the rights of option for the definitive acquisitions of the following players:

Alessandro Matri from Cagliari Calcio for €15.5 million; the player has signed a four-year contract. Fabio Quagliarella from S.S.C. Napoli for €10.5 million; the player has signed a three-year contract. Simone Pepe from Udinese Calcio for €7.5 million; the player has signed a four-year contract and Marco Motta from Udinese Calcio for €3.75 million; the player has signed a four-year contract.''

New manager Antonio Conte has already seen the arrivals of Reto Ziegler and Andrea Pirlo, as Juventus prepare for a season without European football.

Simeone rejoins Racing Club as manager

By Soccernet.com
Former Catania boss Diego Simeone has returned to Argentina to take on his third managerial job in 14 months, stepping into the with Racing club.
Diego Simeone's first managerial job was a brief spell with Racing in 2006

Simeone, 41, left Catania on June 1 after less than four months in Italy but the former Argentina international has wasted little time in securing another position.

He returns to Racing Club, where he began his managerial career in 2006 after hanging up his boots, for a second spell at Estadio Presidente Juan Domingo Peron.

The appointment marks his sixth job in five years but Simeone insisted he is fully committed to reviving the fortunes the seven-time Primera Division champions.

"We have to plan our objectives step by step," Simeone said. "After finishing 15th [in the Clausura], we will have to take things slowly and with great care.

"We know that we are growing, but the plain fact is that we came 15th. The first aim is to get into a cup competition, something that hasn't happened for a while here."

Simeone, who has 106 international caps for the Albiceleste, won the Apertura with Esudiantes in 2006 and the Clausura with River Plate, before moving on to San Lorenzo and then Catania.

Hughton set for Birmingham post

Birmingham are expected to name Chris Hughton as their new manager in the next 24 hours, with the former Newcastle United boss pipping Roberto Di Matteo to the post.

Chris Hughton has stated his desire to return to a management position
Hughton, 52, took Newcastle back into the Premier League as Championship winners last May but was surprisingly sacked in December and has been out of job since.

The former Tottenham assistant was heavily linked with the West Brom and West Ham jobs earlier this year but he will make his return to management at St Andrew's, filling the managerial hotseat made vacant by Alex McLeish's controversial departure to Aston Villa last week.

Former Chelsea team-mates Di Matteo and Gianfranco Zola were also thought to be in the running, but Birmingham are confident that Hughton can repeat his previous promotion success with Blues next season.

Hughton impressed Birmingham acting chairman Peter Pannu during his interview and Blues owner Carson Yeung is expected to ratify Hughton's arrival, his first managerial appointment since taking control of the club during the early part of the 2009-10 campaign.

Andrew Cole's son Devante signs three-year contract with Manchester City

Striker has represented England at Under-16 level, and after learning his trade at the Eastlands club for several years he has agreed a contract to follow in his father's footsteps

Andrew Cole's son Devante has signed a three-year contract with Manchester City.

The 16-year-old will follow in his father's footsteps by appearing for City, though the former England international was more famous for pulling on the red jersey of its local rivals Manchester United. Most EPL fans do remember him as Andy Cole was formerly in Newcastle scoring plenty of goals. He move to become a red devil and was notorious for missing a lot of chances however he still emerge as the leading scoring in EPL. Thanks to the service of his teammates. Nevertheless, after Twight Yorke arrive to Old Trafford, their partnership becomes the one of the most formidable in the League and won the English Champ this first Treble under Sir Alex Ferguson. Cole continues to win his last trophy available in EPL with blackburn - The Carling League Cup. He had done it all in England.

Now his son had made excellent progress last season, appearing at international level five times for the England U-16s, scoring twice.

Cole has been with City for several years and will now hope to emulate his father, who played for City, United and Newcastle United amongst others, in becoming a prominent striker in the Premier League.

"Devante joins us as a scholar and he will go into the Under-17 level next season - a group of players we are quietly optimistic about," Academy chief Mark Allen told the club's official website.

"We'll be pushing them forward next season and developing them further and I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more of him and a lot of the other lads in the near future."

Lyon axe Puel

Ligue 1 giants Lyon have announced the sacking of head coach Claude Puel, effective immediately.

Despite the fact that Lyon finished third in France last season, they finished 12 points behind title-winners Lille and failed to pick up a trophy for the third year in succession.

For a club like Lyon - who won seven successive Ligue 1 titles from 2001 to 2008 - the results were simply not good enough, leading to Puel's departure.

"Lyon wishes to announce the departure of Claude Puel, who is no longer the head coach of the club as of today (Monday)," Lyon's blunt statement said.

The sacking is expected to cost Lyon approximately 3.5 million pounds, with Remi Garde, Lyon's current director of youth training, one of the favourites to take the job.

Dynamo Kiev in talks to sign unsettled Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar

Dynamo Kiev have entered the race to sign Niko Kranjcar from Tottenham.

The Croatia midfielder can leave White Hart Lane for about £6million after struggling to secure first team football since joining from Portsmouth two years ago.

Atletico Madrid and Wolfsburg have also shown interest in the 26-year-old, but Kiev have raised the stakes after being knocked back for other targets.

Kiev sounded out Kranjcar's agent last week and club president Igor Surkis confirmed: 'We are negotiating for Kranjcar. We still have to meet him and Tottenham, but he is in our transfer plans.

'We have already missed out on several players - not because we aren't able to meed the demands of their clubs but because not everyone wants to come to the Ukrainian league.

'If Kranjcar thinks over our proposal, searches his soul and wants to come here, then we will buy him with pleasure.

Spur to spend another £17million for a defender

SPURS are ready to join the race for Bolton's £17million England centre-back Gary Cahill.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is a long-time admirer of the former Aston Villa ace and enquired about him back in January.
But he faces competition for the 25-year-old's signature from Arsenal and mega-rich Manchester City.

Bolton chief Owen Coyle wants players in part-exchange for Cahill as a straight cash deal would end up going to help reduce their £90m debt.

He said that Cahill can leave the Reebok if any club meets a £17m release clause added for sure sure won't be going on the cheap. He also remarked that there hasn't been a concrete offer.

Redknapp could throw defender Sebastien Bassong into any deal, while another option is for Danny Rose to be offered on a year's loan.
Spurs could also end up scrapping it out with rivals Arsenal for Blackburn's Chris Samba.

Jose under Gunner shortlist

ARSENAL are chasing Schalke midfielder Jose Manuel Jurado.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger sent his spies to watch the Spaniard last term and is set to make a £7.5million bid.

Ex-Real Madrid ace Jurado played a big part in Schalke's shock run to the Champions League semi-finals this year.
The 24-year-old impressed on Champions League duty at the Veltins-Arena last season, alerting Arsenal and a host of clubs across Europe to the ability of the former Atletico Madrid man.

Speculation goes on to claim that Wenger will consider a cut-price move for the former Spanish U21 international should Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas make a summer exit to Barcelona.

With uncertainty also surrounding French international Samir Nasri at the Emirates as well, Wenger has been monitoring the market for players and could make a move should reinforcements be required at Arsenal.

The Frenchman confessed in May that he would look to spend money in the transfer window should the 'right' players become available to Arsenal, and the technically gifted Jurado would fit the mould often followed by the Gunners in north London.

Spurs join £17m fight for striker

Spurs are locked in a four-way fight for £17m-rated Espanyol striker Pablo Osvaldo.

The 25-year-old is one of the summer's most sought-after players after an impressive campaign last season, scoring 13 goals.

Fulham have already had a bid of £10.5milllion turned down and the player's agent, Dario Decoud, insists competition is stiff.

He said that Atletico Madrid,Inter and Juventus and Tottenham like him and reveal that there have been contact with the 2 Italian clubs.
He added that his client would like to return to Italy and Inter Milan and Juventus are two great teams.

However it has to wait for italian-Argentine to be back from his vacation in July before there is any outcome.

Villas-Boas set to take over as Chelsea Manager

Chelsea have decided to gamble on Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager after failing to agree on a structure to accommodate Guus Hiddink alongside a top young coach. he's the same age as Blues duo Lampard and Drogba!

Hiddink indicated that he will remain with Turkey, leaving Chelsea to discuss the terms of a £13.2million release clause that will enable them to prise Villas-Boas away from Porto.

Reports in Portugal claimed last night that a deal had been agreed, but Chelsea stuck by a statement confirming only that they hoped to name their new manager in the ‘next few days’.

Even by Roman Abramovich’s standards, it would amount to a shock appointment. Villas-Boas guided Porto to a stunning  European and domestic treble this season but he arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004 as a  junior member of Jose Mourinho’s coaching staff, having never played professionally.

Andre Villas Boas, at just 33 years of age is set to take over at Stamford Bridge
Initially Abramovich went for Hiddink, the 64-year-old who had hinted strongly that he was ready to quit Turkey’s national team for the daily involvement of a club job and appeared certain to return for a second stint as manager at Chelsea.

But a problem arose when Hiddink made it clear that he wanted a top coach working alongside him
to shoulder the  burden. When attempts to lure the likes of Marco van Basten and Steve Clarke proved unsuccessful, they turned to Villas-Boas  and it soon became clear he  would consider only the job of manager.

Abramovich is aware of the risk that would be involved but has decided to back the younger man in the belief that he become another Joses Mourinho. At the same time he had concerns Hiddink, because of his age, would prove to be another relatively short-term appointment.

There could yet be a vacancy for Hiddink as director of football, but he has maintained he is interested only in managing.
He is believed to have held positive talks with the new Turkish FA president and say he intends to honour his contract with Turkey.

Birmingham list Ince as one of the manager candidates.

Paul Ince is among the candidates being considered by Birmingham City to replace Alex after disappointments in his last two jobs at Blackburn Rovers and Notts County

Birmingham, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, have spoken to the former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton and are also considering offering Gianfranco Zola a chance to return to English football, a year after leaving West Ham. Billy Davies is another candidate following his sacking at Nottingham Forest.

Ince has also been discussed by Watford, who are looking for a replacement for Malkay Mackay, who has joined Cardiff City.

Ince, 43, left his last managerial post, at Notts County, in April, after a six-month spell at Meadow Lane saw the League One side lose a club record nine games in a row.

Cesc to join Barca?

CESC FABREGAS | Arsenal to Barcelona

Report confirm that Barcelona really do want to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas. It is already confirmed by Arsenal Chairman that Barcelona has spoken to them.

Yes, it appears that one of the world's longest ever transfer sagas is about to reach a conclusion. Barcelona president Sandro Rosell claimed earlier this week that his side would not pay over the odds for the Catalan midfielder and the gallery groaned. But Arsenal then revealed negotiations were underway. Cesc wants to leave and he's in Spain at the moment, so expect big developments to take place this week after a year. What will be the gunner captain choice this time.

Although Fabregas had urge his Manager to sign some players in order to win titles. He probably had forgotten that if Arsene Wenger had done that year back, no one probably will know Fabregas then. As a player, probably he is decent or above average but he is not a superstar if not in London. Maybe it is good that he move to Spain after gaining some reputation in England. Certain players are just not suited in other teams. Look at Kaka, Benzema and Even Torres... If you remember... Stan collymore and almost the incredible sulk Anelka.

CONCACAF Gold Cup wrap: Semi berths for USA, Panama

From soccerway.com

The United States booked their spot in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup after a 2-0 win over Jamaica on Sunday.

Despite patchy form in the group stages, which included a loss to Panama, Bob Bradley's side were too good for the Jamaicans at the Robert F Kennedy Stadium in Washington.

After a first half which failed to inspire, the US looked energized and came out a different side after half-time.

Midfielder Jermaine Jones struck just four minutes into the second half and substitute Juan Agudelo – who replaced Jozy Altidore after he was forced off with a hamstring injury – was proving a real threat.

Jamaica's Jermaine Taylor was sent off with 23 minutes remaining and the US made the most of their numerical advantage when Agudelo set up Fulham striker Clint Dempsey with 10 minutes to go.

Agudelo broke down the right wing and provided a neat pass for Dempsey, who took a touch before rounding Jamaican shot-stopper Donovan Ricketts and tapping into an unguarded net.

In the day's other match, Panama set up a re-match with the US in the last four after a 5-3 penalty shootout victory against El Salvador.

Panama were lucky to even make it to the shootout, with striker Luis Tejada's goal with just one minute remaining cancelling out Rodolfo Zelaya's 78th minute penalty and securing a 1-1 draw for the eventual winners.

In an eventful match, Zelaya missed a first-half penalty while Panama's Blas Perez and El Salvador's Luis Anaya were both sent off in extra time.

Barcelona won the race to sign Alexis Sanchez

Barcelona have won the race to sign Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez, according to reports out of Spain, after the Champion League Winner outbid Manchester United and City.

The Barcelona deal would make Alexis Sanchez Chile's most expensive footballer in history
Sanchez is expected to fly to the Nou Camp this week to complete the deal, understood to be worth £32 million, before returning to South America for the start of the Copa America.

The 22-year-old joined Udinese for £1.7 million in 2006 before being loaned out to Argentinean club River Plate the following year. However, 2010-11 was a watershed season for Sanchez, as he netted 12 goals and pushed the Serie A club into next season's Champions League.

Delegates from both Manchester clubs met with Udinese representative Gino Pozzo last week, while Inter Milan and Juventus have also previously met with Pozzo. But Barcelona are believed to have trumped their competitors by offering £25 million up front along with a further £7 million as a performance-based incentive.

The news will come as a blow to the Premier League clubs, particularly City after Roberto Mancini said that Sanchez would be his primary summer transfer target. United, meanwhile, are expected to continue their hunt for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.

Granada promoted to La Liga

Granada will play in the top flight of Spanish football for the first time since 1976 after sealing promotion on away goals after a 1-1 draw in Elche.

After a goalless first leg, the Spanish second division play-off final second leg saw Nigerian striker Odion Jude Ighalo give Granada the lead after 28 minutes; the striker rounding the goalkeeper before slotting home.

Xumetra pulled a goal back with ten minutes left to set up a nervous finale, but having played in the fourth tier of Spanish football just six years ago, Granada's spirit saw them through and they join Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano in the top-flight next season.