Barca bid €9m for Filipe Luis

Spanish giants Barcelona have reportedly increased their bid from €8m to €9m to land Deportivo La Coruna's Filipe Luis.

The Catalans' initial bid of €8m have been rejected by Deportivo, reports from Sport have indicated that the improved bid of a lump-sum payment of €9m is an attempt to entice Depor chief Cesar Lendoiro.

The latest offer is believed to be sufficient and the deal likely to be closed.

Filpe's agent Juan Figer has stated that if an agreement is not reached, the Brazilian will resume his pre-season training with the Galicians.

SuperDepor have already lowered their original buy-out clause of €20m to €14m, whether the increased bid would bring the left-back to ply his trade at Camp Nou is yet to be determined.

Healthy Nesta is back!

Alessandro Nesta is confident that his injury nightmare is over and he cannot wait to start playing again.

The Italian sweeper missed the whole of last season due to a series of niggling injuries which threatened to end his career prematurely.

However, the giant defender has managed to overcome the injuries and is currently involved in pre-season training with his club, AC Milan.

Speaking to Milan Channel, Nesta said: "I did the first few training sessions and I feel good," he said, "I think and hope I have recovered from last season's problems.

"I've managed to give continuity to my work, I've worked a lot, the real test comes now when we leave for the United States, with many matches close together. But my pains have gone away, I'm confident.

"This year is very important for me, from many points of view. I have to understand my situation well, and understand what my future holds. I am confident and think it will be a positive year."

Nesta also refuted claims that he was close to hanging up his boots.

"Initially it bothered me, but in the end it brought me luck. I've had other heavy injuries in my career and always came back. I've done it this time again."

Melo takes Juventus bait

Fiorentina's Brazilian midfielder Melo has signed for Serie A giants Juventus after a cash plus player deal was agreed.

Juve will pay £17million on top of sending winger Marco Marchionni the other way.

Melo who had an excellent season with Fiorentina before helping Brazil to the Confederations Cup trophy a few weeks back has been the subject of intense transfer speculations.

Arsene Wenger was desperately trying to land the player but Fiorentina's request to include Emmanuel Eboue in any deal prevented the move from happening

Spurs and Sevilla agree Zokora fee

Tottenham have agreed a fee with Sevilla for the sale of Didier Zokora to the Primera Division club.

A statement on Spurs' website today confirmed the departure of the 28-year-old after three years at White Hart Lane.

It read: "We have reached agreement for the transfer of Didier Zokora to Sevilla.

"The Ivory Coast international joined us from St Etienne in July 2006 and went on to make 134 appearances for the club, including being part of the League Cup-winning side of 2008.

"We thank Didier for his contribution and wish him every success for the future."

Sevilla confirmed on their website that Zokora had signed a four-year deal at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, which includes a 30million euro release clause, and will be presented next Wednesday.

Sporting director Ramon Rodriguez Verdejo has revealed Zokora's desire to join them was crucial in sealing the deal.

"Every Sevillista should be happy," he said on www.sevillafc.es. "We have to thank the president and the board for the effort they made in this signing.

"Zokora was our main objective for this season.

"We managed to close the deal not without significant effort. We hope it will prove worth the pain. We think the player deserves it.

Roma: De Rossi is not for sale

Roma have issued a hands-off warning to Real Madrid over midfielder Daniele de Rossi.

Spanish newspaper Marca today claimed Madrid are preparing to make a 30million euro bid for the Italy international.

But Roma sporting director Daniele Prade told Corriere dello Sport: "It's obvious that De Rossi will stay.

"It would be very easy for us to put him up for sale as there would be a queue of clubs ready to sign him.

"But his stay proves his attachment to the (club owners) Sensi family and to these colours."

De Rossi, who was also a reported target of Chelsea this summer, made 33 league appearances for Roma last season.

The Rome-born player is under contract with the Eternal City giants until June 2012.

Milan chase Fab instead of Huntelaar

AC Milan have pulled out of the race to sign Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to focus on Sevilla's Luis Fabiano.

The Rossoneri revealed earlier this week that offers had been made for both Huntelaar and Fabiano, both of whom have also been linked with Manchester United.

However, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has now confirmed the club have ducked out of the race to sign Dutchman Huntelaar, who is deemed surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu following the arrivals of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

"At this point there is only one negotiation standing, and that is Luis Fabiano," Galliani told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Our coach (Leonardo) prefers Luis Fabiano to Huntelaar."

Galliani admitted luring Brazil international Fabiano to the San Siro will be no easy task, with the 28-year-old's buy-out clause set at 30million euros.

"Several million euros separate us from him," Galliani continued.

"The difference is still there and there's little to say with the exception that we need to reach an agreement on the transfer figure."

Fabiano, top goalscorer at the recent Confederations Cup in South Africa, is under contract at Sevilla for two further seasons.

Galliani confirmed that once Milan sign a striker, their summer transfer dealings will be completed. American defender Oguchi Onyewu has so far been the only new arrival at the club since the transfer window re-opened.

Ron: Real are not a one-man band

Cristiano Ronaldo has talked down suggestions he will single-handedly lead Real Madrid to European glory next season.

However, the world's most expensive player at £80 million did admit his ambition is to once again win the Champions League trophy he claimed with Manchester United last year and will be doing everything he can to achieve it.

Madrid have been crowned champions of Europe a record nine times during their illustrious history but have badly underachieved recently, falling at the last-16 stage in each of the last five years.

No Man City bid for Puyol

Barcelona have rejected claims that Manchester city have made a bid for club captain Carles Puyol.

City have been aggressive in the transfer market as they try to establish themselves as a credible force in World football.

They have since been linked with moves for Chelsea's John Terry and Bayern's Lucio. It is thought that they will also be considering Puyol should their first-choice bids fail.

However, Barca have rejected suggestions Mark Hughes' side have tabled a bid for Puyol, who has spent his entire career with the Catalan giants.

The European champions have stated no bids have been made for Puyol and that it has not entered the club's thought process that he could be sold this summer.

Ambrosini 'proud' to be captain

AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini has expressed his delight at being named captain following Maldini's retirement.

Speaking at a club press conference on Monday, after new coach Leonardo had confirmed him as captain, Ambrosini declared "I am really excited and proud.

"The legacy of Maldini is huge, but more important was the charisma he managed to convey with his mere presence, which was worth a thousand words. I feel very fortunate to wear the armband of Milan."

The veteran claimed he is not likely to be the captain on every occasion and hinted it could become a shared duty amongst veteran squad members.

"I've been here for 15 years. I think this is something that I will share with the companions who have been in the team for so long. It is not only out of respect, but also fair," he suggested, perhaps referring to Gennaro Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi.

Meanwhile, the press and the player's agent have reported that Ambrosini will soon sign a contract extension as his current deal expires in 2010.

"We are not far away [from an agreement]," he confirmed.

Carvalho ready to leave Chelsea

Inter Milan target Ricardo Carvalho is ready to leave Chelsea but will only consider a move to another top European club.

Carvalho is under contract with Chelsea through to June 2012 and he has expressed his intention to leave Stamford Bridge.

"I would like to open a new page in my career," said Carvalho in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.

"I am ready to do it.

"I have spoken to the Chelsea executives and they know what I want. We shall see what happens.

"My agent Jorge Mendes knows what I want."

Italian champions Inter are among the clubs hoping to lure the Portugal international to the San Siro this summer.

Carvalho has also been linked with a move to Manchester City.

"If I leave Chelsea, I plan to play in another top club, otherwise I will remain in London and respect my contract," said Carvalho.

"It's not a case of being arrogant, in recent years I've played at a certain level and I can continue to play at that level still.

"Everyone has spoken well about Inter.

"My friend Tiago who plays at Juventus has said that at Inter you have great champions and that the Serie A is a good tournament.

"Tiago and I spent our holidays together and we spoke a lot about it.

"But Inter must first find the agreement with Chelsea."

Carvalho, who joined Chelsea from Porto in a £19.85million transfer, endured a frustrating campaign last season with the Blues.

Injuries restricted the 31-year-old to just 18 appearances last season.

"I have spent five years in London and I have experienced beautiful moments," he said. "I have won a lot and the only thing that we have missed is the Champions League.

"The first four seasons were beautiful but the last one has been truly difficult.

"In London they made a lot of mistakes regarding my injury and I lost patience.

"It's right that we (Chelsea and Carvalho) go our separate ways."

Should a move to the San Siro materialise, the 31-year-old centre-back would be reunited with Jose Mourinho, who coached him at Porto and Chelsea.

Carvalho would like nothing more than to work again under Mourinho.

"With Mourinho there's no need to talk because he knows me," he said. "When I arrived at Porto we started to win. Those two and half seasons were unforgettable. Then we went together to England.

"Mourinho doesn't tolerate mistakes.

"If you make one or two mistakes in training you are out. That is why when you have him as coach you have to give everything whether in training or in the game. Everyone is the same whether you are young or a champion."

Carvalho, who is still on holiday in Portugal, will return to England at the end of the week.

AC Milan snaps up Onyewu

AC Milan have signed American defender Oguchi Onyewu on a free transfer from Standard Liege.

The USA international has penned a three-year contract with the Rossoneri outfit.

A statement from the club read: "AC Milan announces the signing on a permanent deal of defender Oguchi Onyewu from Standard Liege.

"The player has signed a contract with AC Milan through 30 June 2012."

The 27-year-old, whose Liege contract was ending this summer, made a big contribution to Standard winning the Belgian League title last season. Onyewu, who played on loan at Newcastle in the 2007-08 campaign, is Milan's first summer signing.

The Washington-born centre-back recently helped the USA finish second in the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Pav: Zhirkov will be a Prem hit

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko his tipped fellow Russian Yuri Zhirkov to be a hit in England.

Left-back Zhirkov has joined Chelsea from CSKA Moscow in an £18million move - a deal confirmed by new Chelsea Carlo Ancelotti yesterday.

The 25-year-old is expected to complete his transfer after passing a medical and finalising personal terms today and Pavlyuchenko believes his Russia team-mate will be a big success in England.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime offer and you have to say yes," said Pavlyuchenko.

"Zhirkov is a great professional. He could become a team leader. The only problem is his knowledge of the English language. If he masters that, all will be well."

Meanwhile, Adel Taarabt is desperate to leave Tottenham and has pleaded with manager Harry Redknapp not to price him out of a move.

The striker has struggled since joining from Lens for £3.5million in 2007 and although Malaga want him on loan ahead of a permanent deal Redknapp has blocked the move.

"The manager said if I want to leave it has to be a permanent transfer," said Taarabt.

"I said there are clubs that want me, but you're asking for five or six million euros when you could sell me for three million. If I went for one season I could showcase my talent."

Terry will be Chelsea captain forever

Carlo Ancelotti has declared that John Terry will be Chelsea captain forever in his first press conference as Blues manager.

This was amid speculation over a move to Manchester City.

The Italian, holding his first press conference, also confirmed that Chelsea had signed Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.

Ancelotti said: "John Terry is a symbol of this team.

"He will be captain next season. He said he wants to stay forever and we want to keep him for ever.

"Now there is a question of Manchester City, but for Terry (there is) no price.

"Terry will be at Chelsea forever.

"He said he wants to stay, there is no problem for him for us, the story continues - Chelsea and Terry.

"I like to have a captain like Terry, he is very close to (Paulo) Maldini for professionalism, for quality and he will be the best captain for Chelsea.

"I spoke with Terry a month ago when I came to the club and he said welcome. And after he went on holiday.

"I will speak with him because he is the captain and I want a good relationship with the captain."

When asked if the club would offer Terry a new, improved contract, he added: "It's not my problem."

Ancelotti also confirmed the arrivals of Daniel Sturridge, from Manchester City, and Zhirkov.

United favourites for Obertan

Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud believes there is a "great possibility" Manchester United will sign Gabriel Obertan.

The young winger is regarded as one of France's brightest prospects and Chelsea have been monitoring him since 2007.

United, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Arsenal have all been linked with Obertan too and Triaud believes the Barclays Premier League champions will win the battle for the 20-year-old's signature.

"It's actually a great possibility," he told L'Equipe. "United want him and we would be delighted to see Gabriel develop in such a club.

"We will make it official when the moment comes."

Obertan, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Lorient, is a regular in the France Under-21 side and scored against England U21 in March.

He was awarded the Most Valuable Player award at last month's Toulon International Youth Tournament.

Moratti: We don't need Chelsea duo

Inter Milan have cooled their interest in Chelsea duo Deco and Ricardo Carvalho.

The Portugal internationals have been strongly linked with the Serie A champions having both worked previously under Nerazzurri boss Jose Mourinho.

But Inter president Massimo Moratti believes the current squad is strong enough without bringing in two players in their 30s.

"Deco and Carvalho? They are two champions but at this time I don't feel there's a need to buy them," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Both Deco and Carvalho struggled for form and fitness at Stamford Bridge last season and it remains to be seen if they fit into the plans of new Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Inter, meanwhile, have been fairly active in the close season, bringing in Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta and Argentina striker Diego Milito from Genoa with a raft of players going in the opposite direction.

But Mourinho will be more concerned with retaining the services of some of his star players with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maicon reported targets for clubs in England and Spain.

Pirlo: I want to stay at Milan

Andrea Pirlo insists he is happy at AC Milan and will not leave the San Siro this summer.

The AC Milan midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea ever since the arrival of former Rossoneri coach Carlo Ancelotti to the London club last month.

The Italian international, who is under contract with AC Milan until June 2011, said in an interview with Corriere dello Sport: "I am staying at Milan.

"I have experienced other similar situations in the past, where there have been been rumours about me in the press but then nothing happened.

"Reading the press and being mentioned in the transfer market speculation doesn't give me any particular feelings.

"I am calm, I have a contract with Milan and I want to stay."

Zhirkov makes Blues move

New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the club have signed Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.

New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the club have signed Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.

Speaking at his first press conference, the Italian said: "Zhirkov, (Daniel) Sturridge - these are Chelsea players."

The winger will follow striker Daniel Sturridge into Stamford Bridge as the Blues build for next season.

As for Zhirkov's role, Ancelotti added: "Zhirkov is naturally on the left.

"I think he can do all the work and can play in defence and in between."

However, the former AC Milan boss refused to confirm Deco and Ricardo Carvalho would be leaving west London despite the pair being heavily linked with Inter Milan.

He said: "Carvalho and Deco are Chelsea players.

"If in the future a player wants to go they have to speak with the club and we take the right decision for the player and for us."

Ancelotti also insisted he wanted John Terry to be his captain after the England skipper was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City.

Although the Blues have rebuffed City's initial offer, reports have claimed they could be tempted to sell Terry if the fee was high enough.

He said: "John Terry is a symbol of this team.

"He will be captain next season: he said he wants to stay forever and we want to keep him for ever.

"Now there is a question of Man City, but for Terry (there is) no price.

"Terry will be at Chelsea forever.

Owen moves to manunited!

New Manchester United striker Michael Owen insists he is fighting fit and his injury-plagued past should not be a concern.

The 29-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Barclays Premier League champions after swift negotiations which lasted less than 48 hours.

A chequered history with injuries - hamstring problems at Liverpool, knee ligament issues at Newcastle - was thought to have deterred most of England's top clubs from considering signing the out-of-contract striker but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had no hesitation.

And Owen believes his new boss was right not to be frightened off by reams of medical notes detailing exactly why he had spent much of his four-year spell on Tyneside on the sidelines.

The former Real Madrid forward is believed to have undergone an assessment on his troublesome knee in London on Thursday before travelling to Manchester on Friday for a more general physical check-up.

"I'd like to think that everyone was quite surprised with my medical," said Owen.

"I passed my medical and I've obviously passed them before, and my fitness is high.

"A lot is made out of it but I certainly don't feel like I'm injury prone."

His manager will hope not as, if he can stay fit, Owen could still have plenty of goals left in him.

Van Persie signs new Arsenal deal

Robin van Persie will not be leaving Arsenal after signing a new deal with the Premier League giants.

The Dutch ace had been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Emirates, but has agreed a contract that will see him stay in north London until 2014.

According to a report in The Independent newspaper, the 25-year-old is set to earn some £80,000-a-week and becomes one of the club's highest paid stars.

News of the former Feyenoord favourite's decision to stay at Arsenal comes hot on the heels of Theo Walcott's recent commitment to Arsene Wenger and the Gunners.

Van Persie and Walcott's displays of loyalty, as well William Gallas' recent statement that he is going nowhere, will go some way to quelling intensifying rumours of a mass Arsenal exodus, even if striker Emmanuel Adebayor looks increasingly likely to leave..

The Gunners lost Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva at the end of last season, and Van Persie has gone on record to stress the importance of keeping the current squad together.

"The main thing for me is that we stay together," Van Persie said.

"If we lose three or four every year it is hard to get the spirit in. Hopefully we can stay here and have a real go at it.

"If we can produce games like we did this year there is room for improvement - if you look at our midfield it is between 20 and 22."

Nani's United future in doubt

Manchester United star Nani has asked Sir Alex Ferguson to reassure him that he still has a part to play at Old Trafford.

The Portugal international has struggled to establish himself in Manchester since arriving from Sporting Lisbon for £14million in 2007.

With the summer signing of former Wigan Athletic favourite Antonio Valencia, the winger is concerned that after playing second fiddle to the recently departed Cristiano Ronaldo, his first team opportunities will now be similarly restricted, and is asking Ferguson to confirm that he figures in the wily Scotsman's plans.

"Nani believes his chance has come following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo," a United insider told the News of the World.

"However, the rumours (of him leaving) just won't go away and he is looking for answers,"

Despite Nani's demands, the tabloid goes on to report that Ferguson believes Nani does still have a future with the reigning European champions, but that he would not stand in the 22-year-old's way if he decided to leave.

Nani has gone on record to say that he hopes to play more since Ronaldo's transfer to Real Madrid in an £80million deal.

"Ronaldo was a very important player for us but now my opportunity has come," Nani recently told Portuguese sports newspaper OJOGO.

"The time has come for Manchester United to put their trust in me."

Milan's Huntelaar deal hits a snag

Italian powerhouse AC Milan have hit a snag in their bid to capture Real Madrid striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

Reports claim that Real Madrid are now expecting £13m rather than a free loan for their Dutch hitman.

According to Sky Sports, Rossoneri representatives Adriano Galliani and Ariedo Braida have met with Los Blancos chief Florentino Perez in Spain to settle the matter.

Milan would require a free transfer for the Dutch international as they have their transfer kitty allocated for their other target, Sevilla's Luis Fabiano.

With Fabiano himself requesting for a move to the San Siro, it is likely that Sevilla could release the player for less than his €30m buy-out clause.

The Rossoneri are out to bolster their strike force following Kaka's departure, with both players prolific in front of goal, the more ‘financially-sound' striker could prove the deciding factor.

Agent: Milan make Fabiano approach

AC Milan have made an official offer to Sevilla for Luis Fabiano, according to the player's agent.

The Brazil striker signed a new contract last summer, tying him to the Primera Division club until 2011, but has been strongly linked with a move to the San Siro.

Reports suggest the two clubs are in negotiations and Fabiano's representative Jose Fuentes confirmed an offer has been made for the forward who was top goalscorer in the Confederations Cup.

"Milan have made an official offer to Sevilla for Luis Fabiano and the player is happy and proud of this," he told Sky Italia.

"The player has already said that his desire is to play in Milan next season.

"I don't know the amount of the offer, but there is this official offer and it's also very significant that the player has said he wants Milan, now it's up to the Rossoneri and Sevilla to reach an agreement, then my client and I will speak with Milan.

"I think it will take two to three weeks, not more.

"His release clause is 30million euros but Luis Fabiano has brought an end to a four-year cycle with Sevilla, now Milan is a great opportunity for him."

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani admitted the Rossoneri are pursuing Fabiano, as well as Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Sneijder appears on Chelsea radar

English giants Chelsea hope to enlist the services of Real Madrid wonder winger Wesley Sneijder.

Chelsea's attempts to land prime midfield target Franck Ribery were shot down recently, with the France international stating his preference to play in Spain with Real Madrid.

Since that rebuff, newly-appointed Chelsea boss Carlos Ancelotti has turned his attention to Sneijder.

Sneijder's first-team future at the Bernabeu remains undecided, due to the arrival of the new batch of Galacticos, or more specifically £80million superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Dutch international, however, remains optimistic: "I'd like to stay and hope coach Manuel Pellegrini will give me a chance but there are many rumours."

With the Madrid midfield becoming slowly but surely overcrowded, a move to Stamford Bridge could be Sneijder's first-team answer.

Ronny: Kaka's exit not a problem

AC Milan superstar Ronaldinho insists that he is unaffected by compatriot Kaka's departure from the San Siro.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, he said: "Kaka's departure does not affect me personally.

"He is no longer with us, but my responsibilities within the team do not change."

Milan chief Silvio Berlusconi believes that Ronaldinho will have a greater role to play in the upcoming season.

Under new coach Leonardo, the Brazilian ace will look to improve on last season's performance following a dismal start with the Italian giants.

"My objective is to win with Milan. We want to conquer the Champions League.

"On a personal level, by playing a great season I can win back my place in the Selecao and be a protagonist at the World Cup," he added.

Ronaldinho made 29 appearances and scored eight goals for Milan since he joined in 2008 from Barcelona.

Chelsea demand Terry answer

Chelsea are growing increasingly frustrated with John Terry's refusal to commit himself to the club.

The Stamford Bridge captain is being tracked by cash rich Manchester City, and has already been the subject of a £30million offer - a bid that was quickly turned down by the Chelsea hierarchy.

Throughout the ongoing saga, Terry, who could earn £300,000-a-week if he chose to join Mark Hughes' Eastlands revolution, has been reluctant to slam the transfer talk, a stance that, according to the News of the World, has infuriated Blues owner Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea are now bracing themselves for an improved bid from City, and have told Terry to put on a public show of loyalty or hand in a written transfer request.

The move has been instigated by new Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti and backed by Abramovich.

Sources within Chelsea fear that Terry, who already earns an amazing £140,000-a-week, may use the situation to demand Chelsea increase his earnings, something the club may be willing to do. They will not, however, match City's financial package.

The latest news surrounding Terry, comes in the same week that the England international urged his Chelsea teammates to give their total support to Ancelotti.

Eto'o on brinlk of United move

Samuel Eto'o is on the brink of a sensational move to reigning Premier League champions Manchester United.

The Barcelona striker was thought to be discussing terms with United's bitter rivals Manchester City, and a move to Eastlands was expected to happen sooner rather than later.

However, according to reports in the News of World, the Cameroon international is now willing to take a substantial pay cut in order to continue playing his football at the very highest level.

Eto'o's proposed transfer to City has seemingly hit a brick wall, with the forward reportedly asking for a lucrative £200,000-a-week deal.

Barcelona, who want £25million for the 28-year-old, are also unwilling to give Eto'o the £12million he is demanding should his transfer fee be met.

Sources close to the player now believe that Eto'o would be willing to drop that particular demand if a team of United's calibre were interested in signing him, a move that would, so the former Mallorca favourite believes, give him a better shot at winning trophies than City can offer.

"Samuel has not been convinced by a move to a mid-table side in the Premier League," the News of the World source said.

"He will also not sign a new deal at Barca."

United are thought to be set to offer Eto'o a deal worth some £150,000-a-week