Category: News

30 August 2012 17:40

Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi will not be making a January move away from the Spanish club, according to agent Federico Pastorello.

The Italian has been linked with several of Europe’s biggest clubs, following Villarreal’s relegation from La Liga at the end of last season.

“Giuseppe will remain at Villareal for another five months, I guess. In my opinion, this was the last chance for Italian clubs to get him. In January there will be too much competition with foreign clubs,” Pastorello tweeted.

The 25-year-old former Manchester United striker remains on the sidelines as he recovers from a cruciate knee ligament injury that ruled him out for 10 months in April.

30 August 2012 17:36

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has revealed he will not celebrate if he scores against Atletico Madrid in Friday’s UEFA Super Cup clash.

The Spaniard played for Atletico for 12 years after joining the club at the age of 11, before leaving in 2007 to join Liverpool.

Torres admitted the affection he still feels for his boyhood club would stop him from celebrating if he were to find the net in Friday’s game.

“If a goal is scored I will not celebrate it. It couldn’t be more special. Their fans know I was one of them. I spent 12 years of my life there,” Torres told reporters on Thursday.

“I was captain there and I am one of them. I am an Atletico fan, I am a supporter. But on Friday, all I want to do is win this cup for Chelsea.

“It will be strange for me because for 90 minutes I will not be an Atletico fan but I will be again after the match is over.”

The 28-year-old feels he is finally back to his best after struggling for over a year with a lack of form following his 50-million-pound move to Chelsea in January 2011.

Torres even believes he has become more of a team player since joining the Blues, as he has contributed more assists than he has done in any stage of his career.

“The transition from Liverpool to Chelsea was harder than I thought it was going to be but it has made me a stronger person and a better player,” Torres said.

“I am a stronger person because after sitting on the bench, once for eight matches in a row, I began to understand my team-mates better.

“It took me back to my past when I was 17 or 18 at Atletico and had to fight every day for my place in the team. I don’t want to go back to that.

“I am a better player now than I was when I was at Liverpool, I can play outside the box better, I can link up better. It was a difficult season last season but I would not change anything – it helped me a lot.”

The Spain international has denied criticising his club after stating in May he wasn’t pleased with the way he was being utilised.

“I never said bad things about Chelsea. I know they made a big effort to buy me,” he said.

30 August 2012 17:32

Swansea City have agreed a fee with Valencia for winger Pablo Hernandez to switch to the Welsh club.

The 27-year-old right-sided player will now travel to Wales in order to undergo a medical and agree personal terms with the Premier League outfit.

Hernandez, who has been capped four times by Spain, made 30 La Liga appearances for Valencia last season, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

The midfielder becomes manager Michael Laudrup’s third arrival from La Liga this transfer period, after the signing of Michu from Rayo Vallecano and the loan arrival of Jonathan de Guzman from Villarreal.

“Valencia CF have reached an agreement with the Swansea City for the transfer of Pablo Hernandez, who has traveled to Wales to pass a medical,” a Valencia statement read.

“The club wishes to thank Pablo for his professionalism and involvement throughout his career on our team and we wish him all the luck in his new career.”

Hernandez has been targeted as a replacement for Scott Sinclair, who is likely to secure a move to Manchester City before the close of the transfer window after the Premier League champions revived their interest in the 23-year-old.

30 August 2012 17:22

Marseille have denied an agreement has been reached with QPR for the transfer of defensive midfielder Stephane M’Bia.

The 26-year-old, who has 36 caps for Cameroon, had been tipped for a move to Loftus Road, as Joey Barton is currently undergoing a medical with the French club.

Despite M’Bia announcing he had chosen to move to QPR over Turkish side Fenerbahce, Marseille insist the deal has not been completed.

“Right now there is no agreement,” a Marseille official told AFP.

“M’Bia was possibly getting ahead of himself. He did not play (in the Europa League game with Sheriff Tiraspol) because he is in transfer negotiations.”

Barton has been pictured at Marseille’s training ground on Thursday in the club’s training kit running alongside a member of the backroom staff.

Earlier on Thursday, QPR announced a fee had been agreed with Real Madrid for the signing of midfielder Esteban Granero. The 25-year-old will move to Loftus Road, subject to a medical and contract negotiations.

30 August 2012 17:10

Fulham and West Ham are battling it out to sign Ajax forward Miralem Sulejmani.

Goal.com understands the Dutch giants have signalled they are prepared to cash in on the Serbia international before the transfer window closes on Friday.

West Ham have made a bid for the 23-year-old and a deal to take him to Upton Park is understood to be almost done.

But London rivals Fulham have entered the fray for the forward, who played under Martin Jol during the now-Fulham boss’ 18 months in charge of the Amsterdam club.