Toon boss may keep Routledge

Routledge: Could yet have a Newcastle future

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has hinted that winger Wayne Routledge could still have a future on Tyneside, despite interest from several clubs.

A permanent return to QPR fell through last month while Nottingham Forest, Birmingham and Cardiff are all understood to be interested in the 26-year-old.
Routledge starred for the Magpies as they romped to the Championship title in 2009/10 but failed to continue that form in the Premier League last season and was sent on loan to QPR.
However, it is thought that Routledge, who is under contract until 2013, would prefer to stay at St James' Park and fight for his place.
And while Pardew is still willing to sell the former Crystal Palace trainee, he has indicated that he will give Routledge a chance to impress after he returns for pre-season training on Monday.
He told the Chronicle: "Has Wayne a future here? Wayne is still a Newcastle United player and he is under contract.
"He comes back on Monday. After that we will just have to go from there."
The arrival of Sylvain Marveaux means Routledge will face even greater competition with Jonas Gutierrez, Joey Barton, Dan Gosling and Danny Guthrie are capable of playing out wide.
Pardew has also made Leon Best, Nile Ranger and Alan Smith available for transfer.

MADRID CAPTURE DEFENDER VARANE

Real Madrid have signed teenage defender Raphael Varane from Lens, the Primera Division club have announced.
The 18-year-old centre-back was in Madrid on Monday and passed his medical with the Spanish giants before penning a six-year contract at the Bernabeu.

 

Varane - Madrid switch.

Madrid announced on their website: "Real Madrid and Lens have reached an agreement for the transfer of the French player Raphael Varane, who will be tied to the club for the next six seasons."
Varane made 23 appearances for Lens last season but could not prevent their relegation to Ligue 2.
Varane becomes Madrid's fourth new addition this summer following on from Turkey international duo Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop, and Espanyol winger Jose Maria Callejon.
Borussia Dortmund playmaker Sahin, 22, agreed a six-year deal with Madrid while 28-year-old Altintop moves to Madrid on a four-year deal after leaving Bayern Munich.
Callejon re-joined Madrid, where he came up through the youth ranks before moving to Espanyol in 2008, on a five-year contract.
Madrid won the Copa del Rey last season in Jose Mourinho's first campaign in charge while they finished second in the Primera Division and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Reina rejects Atletico talk

Reina: No Atletico Madrid move

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has moved quickly to reject rumours linking him with a switch to Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid.

The Primera Liga outfit are set to find themselves without a first-choice goalkeeper once David de Gea completes his proposed move to Manchester United.
The youngster arrived in England on Monday to undergo a medical and is close to putting the finishing touches to a big-money transfer.
Speculation has already begun to circulate regarding who may be drafted in by Atletico as his replacement.
Liverpool number one Reina has been touted as a possible candidate, after spending the last six years away from his homeland.
The Reds ace has given short shrift to the rumours, though, by insisting that he remains fully committed to the Anfield cause.
He told La Gaceta: "I know Atletico are looking for a goalkeeper, but I won't be changing colours.
"I have a five-year contract and I'm happy at Liverpool."
Reina will come into direct competition with De Gea next season and he believes the 20-year-old will be a resounding success at Old Trafford.
He said: "I very much welcome this news because David is a great keeper.
"When it becomes official he is going to start working to prove in the Premier League what a good goalkeeper he is."

Cesc will go, if price is right

Fabregas: Wanted by Barcelona

Arsenal would be willing to sell captain Cesc Fabregas to European champions Barcelona if they can agree a fee, according to reports.

The 24-year-old World Cup winner is continually linked with a move back to his boyhood club during every transfer window.
Last summer, the Gunners rejected a £30million offer for their inspirational skipper.
However, with Fabregas appearing more determined to rejoin the club he left as a teenager in 2003, Arsenal are said to be ready to allow the deal to go through, if Barcelona improve their £27million bid.
BBC Sport quote a senior Arsenal official as saying: "The offer was made formally in writing to our chief executive (Ivan Gazidis), and we said no straight away."
When asked if the club expected an improved offer this week, the source added: "Possibly yes, and if it's enough then I expect we'll have to sell."
Last week, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell claimed the European champions would not break the bank for Fabregas, of whom he said: "It is clear that this year his value is less."
During the 2010 summer transfer window, Arsenal released a statement confirming their captain was not for sale. However, so far, there has been no official comment from the Premier League club following renewed speculation over Fabregas' future.

Agent: Diarra happy in Madrid

Diarra: Wants to stay at Real

Lassana Diarra's agent insists the midfielder is happy at Real Madrid and has no intention of leaving despite interest from European clubs.

The France international moved to the Bernabeu in January 2009 from then Premier League side Portsmouth and had initial success.
However, the 26-year-old struggled to hold down a starting spot last season under Jose Mourinho and has been constantly linked with a move away.
Premier League pair Manchester United and Tottenham as well as Serie A side Juventus
have all been linked with the player, but his agent John Williams has dismissed speculation Diarra will quit Real this summer.
He told French magazine Le 10 Sport: "Contrary to what is being said, Lass does not want to leave Real Madrid,.
"He has two years left on his contract and is feeling well in Madrid.
"I have not opened negotiations with any club in either England or Italy, but if there is a great offer then we'll study it."

Five-year United deal for Young

Young: Joins champions on five-year deal

England winger Ashley Young has signed a five-year contract with Manchester United after the champions agreed a fee with Aston Villa.

The 25-year-old underwent a medical on Wednesday and the transfer, reported to be worth between £16million to £20million, has been finalised.
He becomes Sir Alex Ferguson's second signing of the summer after the capture of England Under-21 international Phil Jones from Blackburn for £16.5million.
"The opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn't turn down," Young told MUTV. "It's a chance to hopefully become part of the history by helping to win the 20th title.
"It's a prospect I always looked at from being a child - to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"I've got that opportunity now so I've just got to take it with two hands."
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson will hope Young can play a key role as he begins overhauling the squad which won a record 19th title in May.
The forward scored 39 goals in 193 appearances but, significantly, in the last five Premier League seasons only Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has provided more assists.
Despite United finishing nine points clear of second-placed Chelsea last season, Ferguson always knew he would have to make changes to the playing staff.
The retirements of midfielder Paul Scholes, right-back Gary Neville and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar left huge holes in terms of experience while other exits - such as defender Wes Brown - are expected.
Injury-plagued Owen Hargreaves' release this summer freed up another place in the squad while veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs will be 38 in November and centre-back Rio Ferdinand has struggled with his fitness over the last couple of years.
To that end the Red Devils boss has moved quickly in the transfer market by bringing in two of England's brightest talents.
In doing so he has also stolen a march on arch-rival Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool, who was interested in both Young and Jones.
The spending will not stop there, however, as next on the list is the replacement for Van der Sar.
It seems likely Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea will be the one to fill that key position, with Ferguson revealing a few weeks ago United had been working on the transfer for some time.
The 69-year-old Scot is also keen to add more creativity to his midfield as, despite comfortably winning the 12th Barclays Premier League title of his tenure at Old Trafford, his side were comprehensively outplayed by Barcelona in last month's Champions League final at Wembley.
United have been linked with both Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez - although Barcelona still seem favourites to clinch that deal - and Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder.
Villa, who signed Young from Watford in January 2007 in a deal eventually worth £10million, were resigned to losing one of their prize assets as he had only a year left on his contract and had made it clear he was not interested in renewing it.
"Ashley has made a terrific contribution for Villa over the past four-and-a-half seasons and everyone at the club wishes him the best for the future," said new Villa boss Alex McLeish.
"He has become an important player in the England team during that time and I'm sure he will be looking forward to this new challenge."

Vela is not Gunner be sold

Vela: Part of Wenger's plans, says agent

Arsenal will not sell Carlos Vela this summer, says the Mexico international's agent, who claims Arsene Wenger is a "demanding coach".

The 22-year-old was loaned out to West Brom for the second half of last season, but failed to make a major impact, scoring just twice in eight Premier League appearances.

The pacy Mexican was expected to be one of several players allowed to leave as Arsene Wenger revamped his squad following another campaign which promised so much but failed to deliver.

However, Vela's agent Eduardo Hernandez maintains Vela is still very much part of Wenger's plans.
He told ESPN Radioformula in Mexico: "I have had eight conversations with Arsenal, the most recent was last Friday, and Carlos is an Arsenal player, he will stay at Arsenal and is not for sale.
"The process with Carlos is a little bit slow.

"Arsene Wenger is an extremely demanding coach, he sent him on loan for six months to West Brom not with the results he wanted, but, nevertheless, everything is going very well."
Wenger may so far have added only promising young defender Carl Jenkinson from Charlton, but Arsenal are determined to do more business before the summer ends.
Deals for Blackburn defender Christopher Samba and Ivory Coast forward Gervinho are understood to be close to completion, while the arrival of Southampton starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to be confirmed at the start of July ahead of Arsenal's Far East tour. Everton's £15million-rated centre-half Phil Jagielka is another reported target.

Despite the claims of Vela's agent, there are set to be departures.

Full-back Gael Clichy, the last surviving member of Wenger's Invincibles squad from 2003/2004, is coming towards the final year of his contract, and is expected to leave, with both Liverpool and Roma offering a fresh start, while Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner is also likely to head for the Emirates Stadium exit door.

Speculation continues over whether France midfielder Samir Nasri will commit to a new deal or be sold, while the future of captain Cesc Fabregas once again is uncertain under renewed interest from boyhood club Barcelona - but not at the £30million offer they made last summer.

Villas-Boas to start Chelsea reign with £80million deals for Falcao, Moutinho and... Neymar!

Andre Villas-Boas has lined up an £80million triple swoop when he becomes Roman Abramovich's seventh Chelsea manager in seven years.

Villas-Boas will be confirmed as Carlo Ancelotti's Stamford Bridge successor in the next 24 hours after Chelsea bankrolled the 33-year-old's £13.2m extrication from his contract with the Portuguese champions.

The Portuguese, who was the chief opposition scout during Jose Mourinho's SW6 reign, flew into London last night after breaking his ties with Porto and hopes to persuade Abramovich to land Colombian striker Radamel Falcao and Portuguese playmaker Joao Moutinho and give him two players who will be dressing room disciples.
Chelsea are also closing in on Brazilian teenager Neymar with a £40m bid being prepared after he plays for Santos in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores final against Penarol tonight.

Israeli agent Pini Zahavi has flown to Sao Paulo to help Chelsea complete their swoop for the South American after his club Santos turned down the initial £30m aproach, with a deal expected to go through before the weekend.

Villas-Boas is also keen on bringing at least two members of his coaching staff with him, physical trainer Jose Mario Rocha and opposition scout Daniel Sousa, although Porto have named his assistant Vitor Pereira as their new boss.

Pereira said: "Andre asked me if I wanted to come with him to Chelsea but I told him my dream was to stay as coach of Porto. This is the club where I want to succeed.

"Andre made his history, of which I am proud. I thank Andre for his friendship and trust but the past is the past. Andre knows that Porto will continue to win."

Porto President Pinta Da Costa refused to discuss Villas-Boas' exit last night as Chelsea prepared for an imminent announcement after Porto last night confirmed to the Portuguese Stock Exchange that the buy-out clause money has been deposited.

Villas-Boas has agreed to take up the toughest job in club football, on a three-year deal worth £6.2m per season and just as Mourinho brought in Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho from Porto to spread the gospel according to the Special One, so then new man will follow that blueprint with his own two chosen signings.
Falcao, the star of the Portuguese season seems set on following Villas-Boas to Chelsea after ditching his former agent, Claudio Mossio, and employing Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes, who represents Villas-Boas, Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo among others.

The former River Plate striker, 25, who moved to Portugal from the Argentinian side in 2009, has scored a staggering 73 goals in 85 appearances for Porto, including a record-breaking 17 in the Europa League campaign he sealed with the only goal against Braga in Dublin last month.

Porto has set a minimum release clause price of £26.5m for his services while they are likely to want at least £14m for Mourinho, despite spending just £9m to land him from Sporting Lisbon last summer.

Martin Jol relishes Premier League return with Fulham

Martin Jol says he intends to sign 'four or five' players at Fulham this summer. Photograph: Steven Paston/Action Images

Martin Jol's last involvement in English football might have ended in distrust, disarray and a shambolic botched sacking but Fulham's new manager has dismissed the idea that he was attracted back to the Premier League by thoughts of scores to settle and unfinished business.
After twice leading Tottenham to fifth-place finishes Jol was sacked in October 2007, the news broken to him by text message in the middle of a Uefa Cup tie against Getafe. Though Spurs had by then won only one of 10 league games, the club's worst start to a season for 19 years, his replacement, Juande Ramos, had been pursued for months, and was photographed in a Spanish hotel holding discussions with Spurs' deputy chairman that August.
"I won't lie, I didn't feel great at that moment," Jol said of his dismissal. "But later on you go to another club. I was in Germany, and Hamburg have 55,000 season-ticket holders, not bloody 30,000, so that was a bigger club. I played in the semi-finals in Europe, and I played in the quarter-finals with Spurs, so it was even better. There's no looking back, no hard feelings. A couple of years ago Daniel [Levy, the Tottenham chairman] phoned me up as if nothing had happened, so that helped. He looked after me — and why not? I did well for him."
A rumoured £4m payout would have eased the pain caused by the manner of his departure, but Jol hinted that his chances of succeedingat White Hart Lane had been undermined by the presence of the club's then sporting director Damien Comolli, who now occupies a similar role overseeing player recruitment at Liverpool. "I said to Daniel when I came to England: 'If you leave me [alone], if you let me work for you, they will push you around the streets of London like a king.' And they never did."
Since leaving London Jol spent a single successful season at Hamburg followed by 18 months at Ajax, ending with his resignation last December. But throughout that time he has been repeatedly linked with vacancies in England, where he also spent three years as a player in the mid-80s. Fulham finally got their man at the third attempt, having held discussions with the Dutchman, now 55, about replacing Lawrie Sanchez at the end of 2007, and Roy Hodgson last summer.
"When I left Spurs I said I was like Arnold Schwarzenegger – 'I'll be back'. And now I am back. It's got nothing to do with unfinished business," Jol said. "England is the football country in Europe, maybe in the world. That's the only reason why you want to come back. I love the English people. Maybe that is wrong because at the end at Spurs there were a few people who were not nice to me. I always loved it here, and not only in London. I was even in Walsall and loved it, and that is maybe not the best of places."
Jol's targets will inevitably be a little lower than those which he failed to meet for his last English employer. "Here the target is to be in the league, then as high as possible in the top 10. I could never say that at Spurs," he said. "But last season Fulham were eighth, after having a bad start. You never know."
The first priority, apparently, will be to entertain: "There's always one principle for me and that is to make people happy. I will always try to do something on the flanks and try to play attacking, nice football."
His first fixture will be a Europa League qualifying tie against Runavik of the Faroe Islands, with the first leg to be played at Craven Cottage next Thursday. "We'll treat it like a friendly with a serious touch," he said. As for transfers, the Dutchman expects to sign "four or five" players over the summer, with a focus on youth. "On average we are a bit old," he said. "Hopefully we can find one or two Dembeles [players like the club's 23-year-old striker Moussa Dembele] and build a good young team for the future."
Though he refused to comment on specific targets, his commitment to reducing the average age of his squad would appear to make a much-touted move for Robbie Keane, who turns 31 next month, unlikely.

De Gea keen to emulate idols

De Gea: Inspired by Old Trafford legends

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea has described Manchester United legends Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar as his two idols.

De Gea, who is away with Spain's under-21 side in the European Championships in Denmark, is expected to seal a move to United at the beginning of next month, but the youngster says he is focused on his national team for now.
"I am trying to stay focused on the Euros for now because it's fundamentally important to our hopes that we all think only about that," he told AS in an interview.
Nevertheless, the goalkeeper is proud of United's interest in him.
"Manchester United are a great club and if they are interested in you, it's a compliment," he said.
The deal is set to go ahead early next month and not beforehand, because the negotiations have been handled by Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes, who will not represent De Gea until the beginning of July, when the deal with his current representative runs out.
However, the official line from the player is he wants to concentrate on the Euros.
"I'm just more relaxed if I focus on the Euros," he said.
"I want my head here, not somewhere else."
Despite those words, a move to United looks a formality, though, and De Gea will hope to follow in the footsteps of two of his idols.
"Edwin has been playing at 20 years at the highest level; he's a great goalkeeper and a big point of reference for me," he said.
"(When I was younger) I liked (Peter) Schmeichel a lot, as well as Van der Sar - they're the two best that I've seen."

SPAIN ISN'T JUST BARCA - CASILLAS

 

Iker Casillas - more to Spain than Barca.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas insists Spain's playing style was not inspired by the current great Barcelona side.

Many people have attributed the national team's success to the system used at Barca by coach Pep Guardiola, which has seen the Catalan club win a plethora of trophies in the last three seasons including three Primera Division titles and two Champions League crowns.

Seven Barcelona players started for Spain in the World Cup final win over Holland and all of the goals in South Africa were scored by members of Guardiola's squad - even though striker David Villa had yet to feature for the Catalans, having signed just before the tournament for Valencia.

Casillas, though, says Spain's style dates back to before the 2008 European Championship win, and claims Madrid were the dominant force back then.

"Anyone who has followed the national team a little will remember where our style of play comes from," he told Chilean newspaper El Mercurio in an interview.

"It doesn't come from 2010 or 2009, but from 2007 and 2008, and at that time Barcelona weren't the club dominating or creating hegemony in Spanish football; it was Real Madrid."

And Casillas remembers that only three Barcelona players featured in the Euro 2008 final against Germany.

"If we start to remember a little bit further back in time, only (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi and (Carles) Puyol were Barcelona players in the final of the European Championships against Germany," he said.

"That Spain is associated with Barcelona's play is a good thing because the team has achieved great success, but the national team is not just about Barcelona's success; it's about the success of the rest, too."

Santos confirm Neymar interest

By ESPNsoccernet staff


Santos president Luis Alfaro Ribeiro has revealed Real Madrid have enquired about the availability of Neymar, along with a host of other clubs.

GettyImagesNeymar will cost 45 million euros.

Neymar, 19, is one of the hottest properties of the summer transfer market, with Chelsea and Manchester City also linked with the player, but Ribeiro insists no negotiations can take place until after his side's Copa Libertadores final second leg against Penarol on Wednesday night.

Ribeiro admits the race for the teenager is hotting up and hinted that his sizeable release clause would have to be met before Santos would consider selling.

''It is not just Madrid; a lot of other clubs in Europe have been calling us,'' Ribeiro told a press conference. ''It is no surprise - it would be strange if they didn't want him.

''If they pay the buy-out clause of €45 million and the player wants to go, there is nothing we could do.''

Nevertheless, the Santos chief hopes his side can hang on to the 19-year-old - especially if they win the Copa Libertadores.

''The clubs can talk to Neymar after the Libertadores, but I am sure that if we win the title, the reasons for Neymar to stay will be even stronger,'' he said. ''I know mind-blowing offers will arrive, but the player will benefit more if he keeps developing here.''

Success for Santos on Wednesday - which would be their first in the competition since Pele inspired them to back-to-back glory in 1962 and '63 - would ensure a place in the Club World Championship in December, while Ribeiro also revealed ambitious plans for the club's centenary year.

''Next year we celebrate our centenary; we are hopeful of bringing Robinho and Diego back to the club, and of keeping Elano and Ganso, and Neymar could be the biggest star of that movie,'' he said. ''Santos will write a page in the history of world football that will change the lives of the footballers involved.''

Schmeichel 'shocked' by sale

Schmeichel: Shocked by Leeds' decision

Kasper Schmeichel has expressed his surprise and "great disappointment" after Leeds accepted an offer from Leicester for his services.

The Elland Road club on Monday announced they had reached an agreement with the Foxes for the 24-year-old, who has one year to run on his deal, with manager Simon Grayson suggesting contract negotiations had broken down.

But Schmeichel on Monday released a statement via Twitter saying: "At the end of the season Leeds United and I both made a commitment to honour the last year of my contract and try to win promotion with Leeds United.

"Therefore it is with great disappointment that I have learned that Leeds United have accepted an offer from Leicester.
"I want to put on record that I have never asked to leave the Leeds United, nor did I reject an offer for a new contract, since one was never put to me.
"I was enjoying being a Leeds United player and was looking forward to winning promotion this season with the club.

"I have spoken to the manager Simon Grayson and he has made it clear to me, that, in spite of having played well for him, this is something he believes is a good deal for Leeds United.

"I have been put in a very difficult situation and will spend some time considering my options for my future."

Schmeichel has spent only one season at Elland Road after arriving from Notts County last summer, making 40 appearances.
 
Grayson earlier said: "We feel this is the right deal for the club.

"We spoke to Kasper's agent at the end of the season about a contract extension and it was apparent that it was going to be difficult to agree a deal.

"Given the fact he has one year remaining on his contract we feel this is in the best interests of Leeds United."

Jones ready for Utd 'challenge'

Jones: Ready for United challenge

New England Under-21 captain Phil Jones has declared himself ready for the "massive challenge" of breaking into the Manchester United side.

Jones cannot wait to get started at Old Trafford and is confident he has not sacrificed first-team football by leaving Blackburn.

Jones, 19, last week completed his move to Sir Alex Ferguson's side for a fee reportedly in excess of £16.5million.

He will link up with his new team-mates, including international centre-back partner Chris Smalling, once he returns from holiday after England crashed out of the European Under-21 Championship on Sunday night.

Jone said: "I'm not sure when my first day is going to be. I have got to go home first, go on a few holidays and chill out for a little bit.

"Hopefully, I will get a call from the gaffer and I'm looking forward to that.

"Everyone knows they are one of the biggest clubs on the planet. It's a massive move for me and I just can't wait to get started. It's a massive challenge."

Jones will doubtless begin his Old Trafford career behind Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Smalling in the pecking order but he is unfazed by the prospect.

"Chris has shown that you can go in there and play games for United," Jones said of Smalling, who joined the Premier League champions a year ago.

"He has done extremely well.

"The gaffer has shown he is not afraid to put young faces in the team. When I get the chance I am confident I will take it."

The teenager is also unflustered about facing the famous Ferguson 'hairdryer', adding: "I'm ready for that."

Jones and Smalling's performances were one of few bright spots for England in Denmark during the past 10 days and the pair look set to be a long-term partnership for both club and country.

Jones said: "Chris is a fantastic player. I enjoy playing with him and we complement each other well.
"Hopefully, we can do that in the future."

Jones was handed the England Under-21 captaincy for the agonising defeat against Czech Republic after Michael Mancienne was dropped from the side.

Despite being one of the youngest members of the squad, he led by example and looked certain to extend his unbeaten record for his country to 13 games before a late collapse led to a 2-1 defeat.


"It is horrible," said an emotionally-drained Jones. "We are disappointed, distraught, gutted. It is hard to sum up how we are feeling in words.

"It won't put me off wanting to be captain in the future. To walk the lads out at the start of the game at the front of the queue is a massive honour."

Indeed, Jones is determined to make up for England's dismal displays in Denmark at the next tournament in two years' time.

"I can't wait, I'm looking forward to it," he said.
"Let's try and move on from this, learn and improve."
New United team-mate Smalling was able to appreciate the irony of conceding two last-gasp goals.
"It really killed our tournament and killed everybody's heads," he said.
"We have done it so many times this season at Aston Villa, Blackpool...
"Fair play to the Czech tactics. It was up to us to break them down, we didn't have the answers."
In truth, England's failure to qualify for the semi-finals was down more to their performances in the opening matches Group B games.
"We should have played like that in the other two games," he said. "We need to learn that we have to start off these tournaments like we did last night, not when everything's on the line.
"The first two games weren't good enough and we gave ourselves too much to do."

McLeish hoping to keep Downing

Downing and Young: Star men for Villa

New boss Alex McLeish is hoping he can convince England star Stewart Downing to stay at Aston Villa - but concedes Ashley Young is on his way.

McLeish was officially unveiled at Villa Park on Monday and walks into a job which will require some considerable fire-fighting.

The Scot knows he has work to do to win over a sceptical fanbase, while he must also address transfer issues regarding his first-team squad.

Adding to what he has already got will be a priority, but it is also imperative that he is able to keep his top stars out of the clutches of a Premier League rival.

It is precisely that situation he faces with Downing, as the England winger has shelved contract talks amid mounting reports that Liverpool are set to swoop for his services.
"No chance do we want Stewart Downing to go. We certainly don't want to lose Stewart," McLeish told talkSPORT. "He's a top player.

"I need to see what Stewart's thinking when he comes back because I know that he made some comments when he was away on England duty.

"I'll have a chat with one or two in the coming days and weeks before pre-season training starts and once I get them in for pre-season training proper then I'll get a better idea."

While there is still a chance that Downing could be talked into staying put, McLeish concedes that Young is destined to complete a big-money move to Manchester United.

"It's not confirmed yet but it does seem likely," he said. "In my humble opinion it will be very difficult [to keep hold of him]."

Zola in frame for Inter

Zola: Linked with Inter Milan vacancy

 

Gianfranco Zola's agent believes the former West Ham boss is contention for the Inter Milan job - but has not "received a phone call' yet.

Inter are looking for a new boss after previous incumbent Leonardo accepted Paris Saint-Germain's offer to be their sporting director.

They have seen Marcelo Bielsa, Sinisa Mihajlovic and Andre Villas-Boas all shun their advances, which has led president Massimo Moratti to look elsewhere.

A host of names including Fabio Capello, Claudio Ranieri, Giampiero Gasperini, Delio Rossi and Guus Hiddink have all been linked.

But now Zola's name is emerging as a possible contender.

"At the moment we have not received any phone call, but rumours of Inter's interest in Zola do have foundation," agent Fulvio Marruocco told Il Sussidiario.

"We can say that Inter took the Zola option into consideration after the problems they have had in finding a new coach.

"Gianfranco is flattered and would certainly say yes."
The former Hammers boss has never coached on Italy, having only previously been assistant Under-21 coach.

Samba keen on Arsenal switch

Samba: Future under the spotlight

Blackburn have expressed their desire to keep Chris Samba for at least another season despite the defender's desire to join Arsenal.

The Gunners have been credited with a long-standing interest in the giant centre-back as they look to bolster their defensive ranks.
Congo powerhouse Samba looked set to leave Ewood Park in the wake of Sam Allardyce's sacking but was eventually persuaded to put pen to paper on a fresh deal by new boss Steve Kean.
The 27-year-old, who is now under contract at Ewood Park until the summer of 2015, was targeted by the Gunners during the January transfer window without success.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is expected to return with another offer in the summer as he aims to improve a backline which proved leaky at times last term in another season without silverware.
Anuradha Desai, chairperson of the Venkys group who own Blackburn, admitted that Samba was keen on a move to North London but Rovers are eager to keep him for at least another 12 months.
"We don't want to let Chris go," Desai told the Mail on Sunday. "I'm confident that we can keep him and I hope he'll stay.
"I know he has an ambition to play for Arsenal but I hope we can keep him for another year at least and prove our own ambition."

Tevez set to stay at City

Tevez: Took a lot of pride from FA Cup win

 

Carlos Tevez's agent has indicated the striker is set to pledge his future to Manchester City - and insists he has not asked to leave the club.

The striker's future at Eastlands has been the subject of constant speculation with Tevez eager to leave England and be closer to his family in his native Argentina.

His representative, Kia Joorabchian, has claimed the forward is now prepared to stay as he is ready to bring his family over to Manchester from South America.

"I don't think speculation about Carlos leaving is fair at the moment," Joorabchian told the Daily Star Sunday. "I don't think money is a consideration.

"Maybe it's a case of his family coming over to him. That's something he's trying to sort out. I'm sure in the next week he will sort the family issue out.

"Once he does, he will announce it and everyone will be in a better place."

Joorabchian insists Tevez has not asked to leave and that he remains committed to City's cause by helping them win more trophies after leading them to FA Cup glory last season.


"Carlos has always had a goal. The goal was that City needed to get into the Champions League and win a trophy," added Joorabchian.

"And they won a trophy and achieved that goal. Now that has given him a tremendous feeling. He held that trophy with a lot of pride.

"If you look at the team they are going to get stronger and stronger and, if Carlos stays, they would be my favourite to win the title.

"I'm sure that will be a factor in his mind and, the fact that City fans have embraced him, will count for a lot along with his great relationship with the supporters.

"I think all these factors will be positives for him to stay. Carlos has not made any decision to move.
"We have not asked to leave the club."

Arsenal reveal Barca contact

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has confirmed Barcelona have registered their interest in signing Cesc Fabregas this summer.

GettyImagesBarcelona have made contact over Cesc Fabregas

Barca failed in their bid to prise Fabregas away from Arsenal last year with Arsene Wenger adamant that his captain would not leave the club but, with the player having expressed a wish to return to the Camp Nou, many felt that he might depart this summer.
Hill-Wood has now said that Barca have been in contact but stressed that, as yet, they have not tabled an offer.
"Yes, they have spoken to us about Cesc," he told the Sunday Mirror. "They have been in touch, but so far they have not made a bid and we do not want to let him go.
"But he comes from Barcelona so it is understandable if he wanted to go back. However, they have not made an offer so far."
Pep Guardiola is believed to be keen to sign Fabregas, but Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has warned that they will not match last year's €40 million offer. Rosell also said that, although this year's transfer budget stands at €45 million, the club may use cash from next summer's transfer kitty to increase that figure, while there are also certain to be sales, with Bojan Krkic set to leave for Roma in the coming days.
Widespread reports suggest Barca have all but agreed the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Udinese for an initial fee in the region of €28 million, while Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi's agent recently confirmed that Barca have seen a bid - reported to be worth €27 million - rejected.

Spain cruise into semi-finals

Mata: Celebrates scoring for Spain

 

Two goals from Juan Mata saw Spain beat Ukraine 3-0 as they eased into the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship on Sunday.

Whilst England were bowing out in Viborg, Spain's youngsters maintained their unbeaten status with a comfortable win in Herning.
Valencia star Mata opened the scoring after just 10 minutes as he latched onto an error from Serhiy Kryvtsov and slotted home.
On the half-hour Spain doubled their advantage when Adrian slotted home his third goal of the tournament after great work from Thiago.
Into the second half and things went from bad to worse for Ukraine as Denys Garmash was sent-off for his foul on Mata - who picked himself to convert the resulting penalty.
Ukraine were awarded their own spot-kick a few minutes later when David de Gea brought down Roman Zozulya.
The Manchester United-bound keeper was booked for his challenge, but he made amends as he saved Yevhen Konoplyanka's tame effort.
Spain now progress to the last four where they will face Belarus.