City: Name your price Messi

Manchester City have refused to take 'no' for an answer, as they table yet another bid for Lionel Messi.

Reports from the Marca have suggested that the well-heeled English side are in talks with the Barcelona player's agent, asking him to name their price.

City's previous attempt saw an offer that would buy-out Messi's €150 million release clause and offer him €12 million per season after tax, one which was flatly rejected by the Argentine.

This time around the Citizens have handed the 22-year-old a blank cheque in the hopes that would sway the superstar.

Nonetheless, Barcelona's president Joan Laporta has full confidence that the wonder winger will stay at Camp Nou.

In a statement released on the club's official website, he said: "Barca will always do whatever is necessary to keep Messi happy at the club and we know that Messi has a complete commitment to Barca."

City, however, have been testing many a players 'complete commitment'.

Case in point: Carlos Tevez - £25 million, Gareth Barry - £12 million, and Roque Santa Cruz - £17 million.

The price for Barca's Argentine wonder?

Priceless.

Xavi: Cesc has a Barca profile

Xavi has publically endorsed the move for Cesc Fabregas should Barcelona decide to make an official bid for the midfield maestro.

Barca have been linked with their former youth player and the club's sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, has confirmed the Catalans interest in Fabregas.

"Fabregas is a complete footballer, capable of providing the team with dynamics," Xavi told RAC1. "He is a player raised here, he has a Barca profile:"

The creative midfielder also noted that a repeat of winning the Champions League, where the final will be staged at the Bernabeu this season, would be "special".

"I am really excited with the Champions League at the Bernabeu, also with the FIFA Club World Cup, which we do not have yet, but I will stay with the Champions League," Xavi said.

"It is at the Bernabeu, it is a special motivation for a Culé."

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old has issued a warning to La Blaugrana against complacency, having seen the club plummet under Frank Rijkaard after lifting the Champions League trophy in 2006.

"We have the experience of two years ago, we stopped working hard," he noted. "We have to be humble and work hard for that not to happen to us.

"With the experience we have that will not happen."

Real deny Ronaldo has swine flu

Real Madrid have officially confirmed new signing Cristiano Ronaldo has not contracted swine flu.

The club insists Ronaldo has contracted the normal strain of flu.

Rumours had persisted over Ronaldo's health after the winger pulled out of Portugal's midweek game against Liechtenstein because of the illness.

There were speculation that Ronaldo contracted swine flu during the club's tour of the United States.

Having played a few minutes against DC United with the symptoms, fears were raised that he could have spread the virus and those were heightened as he suffered on the return flight to Madrid.

But Los Merengues have issued an official denial that Ronaldo has anything other than a normal strain of flu and that he will recover in the next few days.

"The player is recovering from the common flu", Real Madrid gave a basic message to fans about the star's current condition," the statement read.

"Cristiano Ronaldo returned from Washington DC with the flu and has been told to rest at home and was prescribed medication."

Huntelaar criticises Madrid hierarchy

Milan’s latest signing Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has hit out at the conduct of the administration at Real Madrid.

The Dutch international was signed for €15 million by Milan last week on a four-year contract. Huntelaar decided to leave after dropping down the pecking order at Real Madrid following the arrival of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, despite having a good season last year.

However, the parting seems to be less than amicable, with Huntelaar claiming that Real's bosses did not take the right approach towards selling him.

"Those in power at Real did not behave in the way that club deserves," Huntelaar told AS.

"They surprisingly told me my new team would be Stuttgart, and did not heed my requests."

"Those decisions irritated me, but thanks to my agent I was able to stay calm."

"During the first months I was fine, but things started getting worse right after," he added about his spell at Real.

Malouda: Life’s great with Chelsea

Florent Malouda is ecstatic after signing a new deal with Chelsea in a deal that expires in the summer of 2012.

"Of course I am very happy because I think that the club wanted me to sign, and for me it is the same so there is a big trust," Malouda told Chelsea's official website.

"From the first year here when we changed the manager the speculation [about my future] started."

"All I can say is in two years now I played almost 90 games with Chelsea so that means I have something to do here in this club, that's the reason I signed my contract."

The Frenchman also stated that he felt his move to Chelsea was vindicated with their FA Cup win last season.

"That's the reason why I came to Chelsea - to play in those kind of games," explained Malouda. "The end of May is a massive moment in the season, it's when you can collect the trophies and this first one means a lot to me. "

"It was really important to win that trophy and finish the season well, and start this one well."

Malouda also revealed that he can play in the 4-4-2 diamond formation and believes he can form a more devastating partnership with team-mate Ashley Cole.

Terry: Owen could deny us title

John Terry believes Michael Owen could be a threat to Chelsea winning their first BPL title since the 2005-06 season.

"I'm sure playing for Manchester United and training with those players day in, day out, will mean he is only going to score goals, which I must say is a bit of a nightmare for me as a Chelsea player because I want to win the league and get the trophy back off Manchester United," Terry told the London Evening Standard.

"He only played 12 or 13 minutes against us in the Community Shield, but he still showed glimpses of what he can do."

Terry is confident that if Owen makes a successful comeback with the Red Devils, a call from England coach Fabio Capello will be a given.

"We all know he can finish, we all know he works hard and the qualities he possesses. Can he play in the World Cup? 100 per cent, yes," added the England defender.

"I think the manager has said that there are places for anyone in the squad, not just Michael, if they are playing well or scoring goals."

"The manager is not going to be able to overlook things, if he is playing well, he will have to pick [him]."

Drogba: I still feel young at heart

Drogba: I still feel young at heart

Didier Drogba has promised to "enjoy being on the pitch" and play for as long as he thinks he can.

The 31-year-old recently signed a new Chelsea deal to squash rumours of a move out of Stamford Bridge.

And now the Ivory Coast international has vowed to treasure every moment he is playing football.

"I have only been playing at a high level since I was 25 so, in my head, I still feel young. I don't know how long I can continue playing but, for me, the most important thing is to enjoy being on the pitch," said Drogba.

"Maybe I do look happy now and that I know what I am doing - but I knew what I was doing, even last year. I knew what I was doing and I told you that and that is why I am here, with Chelsea.

"I am feeling good. I want to play and I am really happy to be on the pitch and to have my team-mates. I want to give people a good season."

Although Drogba is considered one of the Premier League's most feared strikers, he insists he can still improve his game by cutting out mistakes and improving his ball retention.

Mourinho upbeat after Supercoppa loss

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho insists the better team lost after seeing his side fall 2-1 in a shock Supercoppa defeat to Lazio.

Goals from Matuzalem and Tommaso Rocchi shortly after the hour mark gave Lazio a 2-1 win in Inter's first game without Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Nerazzurri dominated the game, but were unable to convert their possession and chances into goals, and Mourinho believes his side were by far the best.

"Lazio have the joy of victory, we have the calmness of having a team and a future," he said.

"I am very happy with my players' performance, with this new style that is being born, but obviously I can't be happy with the result, above all because as everyone saw it could have finished in a different way, such as 3-1 to us.

"Before they took the lead we had 12, 14 chances. They spent the time in defence and had a lot of luck, then they played in the final few minutes."

Mourinho added: "I have told my players one thing: we have the team.

"Without hypocrisy, one team played and the other won. Without hypocrisy, one team had 14 chances and the other won with luck and with three shots in total.

Moratti: Inter interested in Van

Massimo Moratti has revealed that Inter Milan are one of the many clubs interested in the services of Rafael van der Vaart.

Inter were recently linked to van der Vaart's Real Madrid team-mate Wesley Seijder, and have been reportedly told by Los Merengues that he would cost €25 million.

However, Nerazzurri president Moratti confirmed over the weekend that van der Vaart is also on the wishlist of the reigning Serie A champions.

"Jose Mourinho has said that we need a trequartista and maybe he is right. [Rafael] Van der Vaart is one of the names that we are evaluating," confirmed Moratti.

Moratti also gave his assessment of Inter's new strike force, the recently acquired Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito.

"Samuel Eto'o is quick and smart," he added.

"He is already scoring goals and can do great things here. Diego Milito is also very good, and is very practical."

Milan deny Pato Chelsea link

AC Milan denied rumorus that Alexandre Pato is on his way to Chelsea.

Pato has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, now managed by former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti, all summer and the Rossoneri turned down a "monster offer" for the Brazil forward over a month ago.

Fresh reports today suggested Chelsea were close to sealing a deal for Pato, which would see the Barclays Premier League club shell out 52million euros (£44million) and loan the 19-year-old back to Milan for the upcoming season.

However, the Rossoneri have dismissed the story outright with a statement on their website, www.acmilan.com.

It read: "With regards to the rumours circulated this morning by the English press, AC Milan clarify and reaffirm that there are no negotiations ongoing with Chelsea regarding Alexandre Pato, and that the player is absolutely non transferable."

Pato, who is under contract until June 2012, finished as Milan's second highest scorer behind Kaka in Serie A last season with 15 goals in 36 appearances.

It is unlikely the Rossoneri would be swayed by a huge offer having already cashed in around 65million euros from the sale of Kaka to Real Madrid at the beginning of the summer.

Fabiano not thinking about Milan

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano insists he remains untroubled despite the protracted saga over a possible move to AC Milan.

The Rossoneri have long been linked with the Brazil forward and reportedly had a 14million euro bid turned down by Sevilla, who were holding out for a sum closer to the player's 26million euro release clause.

It is likely Milan have now given up on Fabiano after signing Klaas Jan Huntelaar but the Sevilla star claims he is unconcerned.

"I'm not thinking about Milan," he said. "They made an offer, but I was always calm and thinking about Sevilla.

"I have been training for several weeks and I'm not yet at 100% so that's what I'm concentrating on now, continuing working with Sevilla to start the season well."

Fabiano admits he talked to Milan coach and compatriot Leonardo but believes the Serie A giants did not make enough of an effort to take him to the San Siro.

He continued: "But I always thought about Sevilla and there were only possibilities if the offer was right for Sevilla.

"I think Milan didn't make an effort for Luis Fabiano, so they weren't that interested.

"Anyway, everything's forgotten, I'm only thinking about Sevilla."

Milan still active in the market

AC Milan coach Leonardo has revealed that his team are not done in the current transfer window, and will add a couple of players soon.

Milan have been relatively quiet on the transfer front this offseason, with their two major deals involving Kaka in a sale to Real Madrid, and the acquisition of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar going the other way.

Several Italian media outlets have even reported that the Rossoneri are done for this window, and are going to stand pat till January.

"The transfer market? It's open until August 31, so it may not be right to say that we are finished just yet. We still have our eyes on a couple of players," Leonardo told the Milan Channel.

"We are still in preparation mode, and we will continue to work to find our best form prior to the start of the season."

"We have played a number of matches, and now we understand the areas that we need to improve in the most."

Football world stunned by Jarque death

News of Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque's heart failure has prompted mourning and condolences across Spain.

Jarque was found dead from heart failure in his hotel room on Saturday night after a training session.

Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino looked visibly shaken as he was confronted by reporters today. Making a brief statement to AS, Pochettino said the club was shocked and saddened by the death.

"He was a superb person and a great professional," the trainer was quoted as saying by AS.

"This is a huge loss for his family and for Espanyol, and it is a loss that is difficult to deal with.

"We do not yet believe that it has happened. It has been a huge blow, a real shock. It is a painful day for everyone and what has happened is inexplicable."

Supporters have put forward the idea of naming Espanyol's new stadium after Jarque as he captained the club in their first game there, which took place against Liverpool earlier this month.

Espanyol returned from Italy immediately after the event, cancelling friendlies against Bologna and Livorno, while their next scheduled outing is a local encounter with Girona on August 22.

Ancelotti primed for league batle

Carlo Ancelotti feels his new-look Chelsea team are ready for the start of the season.

The Chelsea coach's confidence comes following their FA Community Shield win after they beat Manchester United on penalties.

The Barclays Premier League champions had dominated after taking an early lead through Nani, who later went off injured with a shoulder problem.

However, Italian coach Ancelotti made several tactical changes during the second half which paid off as his men fought back through Ricardo Carvalho and went ahead following a controversial goal by Frank Lampard.

A stoppage-time effort from England striker Wayne Rooney meant the match would be settled by a shoot-out, in which Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra saw weak efforts saved by Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech to give Ancelotti his first piece of silverware.

"It is an important start to the season because we have changed the way the team plays a bit," said the Chelsea manager.

"We found it difficult, but we were better in the second half when we put more strength on the pitch.

"I am very happy, not only for this month but also for this past month.

"I now know the players, I like their mental attitude and I like the organisation of the club.

"We are ready to start a very important season for us and we are ready to do our best.

"Manchester are our most important opponents in the Premiership because they are a great team, they have great experience. So this gives us a bit more trust in our possibilities.

"Now, though, we have to think of the season and the next matches."

Carvalho was named the sponsor's man of the match following a composed display alongside captain John Terry at the heart of the Chelsea defence.

The Portugal centre-half said: "It is important to win trophies, but now we have to look to the Premier League and start winning there as it's important to get a lead."

Ferguson has faith in Foster

Sir Alex Ferguson maintains he has "no worries" over the ability of goalkeeper Ben Foster.

The 26-year-old endured a difficult afternoon at Wembley yesterday, where Chelsea won the FA Community Shield on penalties following an action-packed curtain raiser to the new campaign.

Foster is standing in for Edwin van der Sar and is likely to feature for England in the forthcoming friendly against Holland.

And while Ferguson admits it was not the best display from Foster, who had a two-year loan spell at Watford, the Scot insists he has every confidence the keeper can deliver.

"Knowing Ben and the ability which he has, he should have done better with the second goal," said the United boss, who was also less than impressed by the performance of referee Chris Foy.

"However, it was his first big challenge. He has waited a long time, has had his injuries and in pre-season I spread the load between the three keepers, and maybe we did not have enough minutes for him.

"But the important thing is, knowing his ability, it means I do not have any worries about him."

Ferguson was in no doubt the decisive moment of yesterday's match came in the build up to Chelsea's second goal on 70 minutes.