Hello Nairalanders, The main purpose of creating this thread is to alert nairalanders about the latest news and transfres going in football both spanish, italian, premiership leagues, Note that the post will be posted by two football analyst who are going to bombad you with the latest news and transfers, Pls note that this thread is not meant for insult or fake news which will rather not benefit the nairalanders,

Thanks

This posting will be made by DASON4LIFE and MUYESKIN and will be updated everyday, Stay kool

Hey Guys,
check for all club's transfer

Arsenal
In: Lukasz Fabianski (Legia Warsaw, undisclosed)
Out: Jeremie Aliadiere (Middlesbrough, £2million), Thierry Henry (Barcelona, undisclosed)  

Aston Villa
Out: Lee Hendrie (released), Jlloyd Samuel (Bolton Wanderers, free), Gavin McCann (Bolton Wanderers, undisclosed), Aaron Hughes (Fulham, £1million)

Birmingham City
In: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal, undisclosed), Stuart Parnaby (Middlesbrough, free), Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow, £2.7million)
Out: Julian Gray (released), Bruno N'Gotty (Leicester, undisclosed)

Blackburn Rovers

Bolton Wanderers
In: Jlloyd Samuel (Aston Villa, free), Gavin McCann (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Danny Guthrie (Liverpool, season loan)
Out: Henrik Pedersen, Quinton Fortune, David Thompson, Cesar Martin (all released),

Chelsea
Tal Ben Haim (Chelsea, free)
In: Steve Sidwell (Reading, free), Danny Philliskirk (Oldham, undisclosed), Claudio Pizarro (Bayern Munich, free), Tal Ben Haim (Bolton Wanderers, free)

Derby County
Out: Seth Johnson, Paul Peschisolido, Paul Boertien, Lee Grant, Morten Bisgaard (all released)

Everton
Out: Alessandro Pistone, Richard Wright (released)

Fulham
In: Aaron Hughes (Aston Villa, £1million)
Out: Claus Jensen, Tomasz Radzinski, Mark Crossley, Mark Pembridge (released), Wayne Routledge, Jan Lastuvka, Vincenzo Montella (end of loans)

Liverpool
In: Krisztian Nemeth, Andras Simon (both MTK Hungaria, undisclosed)
Out: Danny Guthrie (Bolton Wanderers, season loan)

Manchester City
Out: DaMarcus Beasley (end of loan), Trevor Sinclair, Stephen Jordan, Hatem Trabelsi (all released), Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth, free), Joey Barton (Newcastle, £5.8million)



Manchester United
In: Jonny Evans, Danny Simpson (both Sunderland, end of loans) Nani (Sporting, undisclosed), Anderson, (Porto, undisclosed), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich, undisclosed)

Middlesbrough
In: Jonathan Woodgate (Real Madrid, £7million), Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal, £2million), Tuncay Sanli (Fenerbahce, free)
Out: Abel Xavier, Malcolm Christie, Danny Graham (all released), Stuart Parnaby (Birmingham City, free), Mark Viduka (Newcastle United, free)

Newcastle United
In: Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough, free), Joey Barton (Manchester City, £5.8million)
Out: Craig Moore, Olivier Bernard, Pavel Srnicek (all released), Oguchi Onyewu (end of loan), Titus Bramble (Wigan Athletic, free), Antoine Sibierski (Wigan Athletic, free), Scott Parker (West Ham United, £7million)

Portsmouth
In: Sylvain Distin (Manchester City, free), Hermann Hreidarsson (Charlton Athletic, free), Sulley Muntari (Udinese, undislcosed), Martin Cranie (Southampton, undisclosed)

Reading
In: Kalifa Cisse (Boavista, undisclosed)
Out: Steve Sidwell (Chelsea, free), Greg Halford (Sunderland, £2.5million)

Sunderland
In: Greg Halford (Reading, £2.5million), Russell Anderson (Aberdeen, £1million)
Out: Kenny Cunningham, Tommy Miller (both released), Jonny Evans, Danny Simpson (both Manchester United, end of loans)

Tottenham Hotspur
In: Gareth Bale (Southampton, undisclosed)

West Ham United
In: Scott Parker (Newcastle United, £7million)

Wigan Athletic
In: Titus Bramble (Newcastle United, free), Antoine Sibierski (Newcastle United, free), Mario Melchiot (Rennes, free), Carlo Nash (Preston, £800,000)
Out: Arjan de Zeeuw, David Unsworth (released), Matt Jackson (Watford, free)

[size=8pt][[b]b] Home Away Graphs
P W D L F A W D L F A GD PTS
- Arsenal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Aston Villa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Birmingham 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Blackburn 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Bolton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Chelsea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Derby 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Everton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Fulham 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Liverpool 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Man City 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Man Utd 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Middlesbrough 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Newcastle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Portsmouth 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Reading 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Sunderland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Tottenham 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- West Ham 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View >
- Wigan Athletic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 View > [/b]

Arsenal, Chelsea ahead of AC Milan for Eto'o
June 28, 2007

Arsenal and Chelsea are in the boxseat in the race for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.
Corriere dello Sport says both Premiership clubs have a clear advantage over rivals AC Milan as Eto'o would prefer to move to London if he must leave Barca this summer.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho rates Eto'o highly, but may stand aside and allow Arsenal to have a clear run at the Cameroon star as he won't consider losing Didier Drogba - and potentially Eto'o - for next year's African Nations Cup.

Arsenal to pay Martins' Newcastle buyout clause
June 27, 2007

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to pay Obafemi Martins' £13 million buyout clause to take him away from Newcastle United.
The Sun says Gunners boss Wenger has £16m from skipper Henry's Barcelona switch to play with and a swoop for the 17-goal Toon ace would give him further room for manoeuvre in the transfer market.

St James' Park chief Sam Allardyce has met with Martins to discuss the hitman's future after he refused to play against Watford in the final game of last season.

Big Sam wants Martins to stay but knows he might ask to leave if a club of Arsenal's stature makes a formal offer.

Spurs, Arsenal target Ogbuke won't move for money - agent
June 28, 2007

The agent of Lyn Oslo striker Chinedu Ogbuke insists money won't be the overriding influence on where the Nigerian plays next.
Arsenal and Tottenham sent scouts to Norway to watch Ogbuke, who scored twice in Lyn Oslo's 2-1 win over Rosenborg.

Ogbuke, 21, has eight goals in 11 games this season and was also linked with Liverpool.

His agent, John Shittu, said: "Many clubs are interested. We're looking for the best deal, both socially and football-wise, for his development."

Atletico Madrid fans delay Liverpool deal for Torres
June 27, 2007

Liverpool must overcome protests from Atletico Madrid fans before sealing a deal for striker Fernando Torres.

Talks between the two clubs over a potential £25million move for the Spanish international have taken place between officials.

But the Madrid club are facing a backlash from their own supporters, unhappy at the prospect of their idol being sold to the Champions League finalists.

Atletico fans have staged a protest in a Madrid square against the sale of the 23 year-old, a youth product of the club who has constantly professed his love for the team he has supported since childhood.

That pressure is likely to delay any deal at least until the player returns from holiday on July 10.

And Atletico will now be even more determined to extract every last penny from Liverpool, so that they can sell the deal to their fans as having got best possible financial outcome.

LAMPARD FOCUSED ON CHELSEA

Protracted talks over a new deal have led to some speculation of the 29-year-old leaving for Spain, although his commitment to his current club has never been questioned.

“My mind at the moment is going back pre-season with Chelsea, of course,” said the England midfielder.

“I said after the FA Cup final that I wanted to stay but nothing has moved on from there and that is probably what leaves me in the situation I am in.

“I have two years left on my contract at Chelsea, that’s the way it is. They have no necessity to come and offer me anything so I just carry on and get on with it as you have to as a player.”

ASHLEY CLOSING IN ON TOON BUY-OUT

Billionaire businessman Mike Ashley is on the verge of completing his buy-out of Newcastle United after increasing his share in the company.
In a statement to the Stock Exchange, Ashley’s takeover vehicle St James’ Holding Limited (SJHL) revealed they owned, controlled or had received valid acceptances in respect of a total of 124,043,657 Newcastle United shares, representing approximately 93.19 per cent of the existing issued share capital of the club.

That puts Ashley on the brink of being able to compulsorily purchase the remaining shares and so de-list the Magpies from the Stock Exchange.

Tottenham break bank for Bent

The 23-year-old's arrival in a £16.5million deal breaks the £11million the club paid for Sergei Rebrov.

Bent said: “Tottenham have a lot of young English players and it’s a young squad, it’s a squad going forward and that’s the direction I wanted to take.

“They seem to be getting better and better every season and I would love to be part of that.

“It helps a lot that I know a few of the lads from England internationals and I’m sure they will help me settle in.

Madrid call time on Capello

Real Madrid CF have parted company with coach Fabio Capello despite the Italian guiding the club to the Spanish title at the first attempt in his second spell in charge.
Board meeting
The 61-year-old's future had been considered at a board meeting this afternoon, with Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatović confirming the decision was unanimous. Capello, who had two years left on his contract, had been criticised for his tactics earlier in the campaign but had appeared to have won over many of his doubters with Madrid's magnificent late-season form that saw them take the Primera División for the first time in four years. Mijatović did not reveal the identity of his possible successor.
Title triumphs
Capello, who also won the title in a previous one-year stay at Madrid in 1996/97, has a fine reputation. Under him, AC Milan claimed four Serie A crowns in five seasons between 1991 and 1996. They also lifted the 1994 UEFA Champions League, beating FC Barcelona 4-0 in the final, and reached two more finals. Capello then had that first spell at Madrid before returning to Milan. Two terms later his next stop was AS Roma, where he won the league again before heading to Juventus in May 2004. Serie A titles followed in 2004/05 and 2005/06, although Juve were subsequently stripped of both championships in the Italian sporting fraud trial.

Spurs expect Liverpool, Man Utd Defoe bids
June 29, 2007

Liverpool and Manchester United are expected to move for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe following the arrival of Darren Bent at White Hart Lane today.
The Mirror says Bent's arrival will see Spurs prepared to listen to offers for fellow England striker Defoe, who will effectively be bumped down the pecking order to fourth place below Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and the new signing.

Spurs expect interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.

Arsenal to bid again for Auxerre's Sagna
June 28, 2007

Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of Auxerre fullback Bakari Sagna.
The French side have already rejected a £6million offer from the London club for the 24-year-old, but the former France Under 21 defender threatened to stay away from pre-season training if he was not allowed to move, says the Daily Mail.

Auxerre president Gerard Bourgoin said: "Sagna has a deep desire to play in England and he genuinely wants to wear the Arsenal shirt. They seem keen to sign him as well. The conditions for him to leave have not all been met - at least for the time being."

Atletico Madrid deny Liverpool talks over Torres
June 29, 2007

Atletico Madrid have denied they're in talks with Liverpool over the sale of star striker Fernando Torres.
A club spokesperson said: "At the moment, there is nothing happening. There are no negotiations taking place, although things can change.

"The player is on holiday at the moment and will report back to training on July 9 for the Intertoto match (at the end of July).

"At the moment, any talk of a move is just speculation and we are still hopeful that Fernando will be with us next season."

Portsmouth offered £10M for West Brom's Davies
June 29, 2007

West Brom have rejected a £10 million offer for captain Curtis Davies, it has been revealed.
Birmingham City are preparing a bid for the want-away centre-half and the Express & Star says the Baggies turned down an £8.5m offer for the former Luton youngster from Portsmouth last summer.

It's reported the Fratton Park club even had a £10m bid rejected. It was not made public and Davies knew nothing of it until after former boss Bryan Robson?s departure.

Pompey are also believed to remain keen, but Albion are adamant they will only sell their star names this summer for "head turning" money.

Ashley closes in on Newcastle buyout
June 29, 2007

Mike Ashley is close to completing his buyout of Newcastle United.
In a statement to the Stock Exchange, Ashley's takeover vehicle St James' Holding Limited (SJHL) revealed they owned, controlled or had received valid acceptances in respect of a total of 124,043,657 Newcastle United shares, representing approximately 93.19% of the existing issued share capital of the club.

 
That puts Ashley on the brink of being able to compulsorily purchase the remaining shares and so de-list the Magpies from the Stock Exchange.

"As announced on 15 June 2007, SJHL intends to procure the making of an application by Newcastle United to the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of trading of Newcastle United Shares and to the UKLA (UK Listing Authority) for the cancellation of Newcastle United's listing, both of which are expected to take effect on or around 18 July 2007," read the statement.

"Furthermore, if SJHL receives valid acceptances of the offer in respect of, or otherwise acquires, 90% or more of the Newcastle United Shares to which the offer relates (such level will be reached once SJHL owns, controls or has received valid acceptances in respect of Newcastle United Shares representing approximately 94.16% of the existing issued share capital of Newcastle United), SJHL will seek to acquire compulsorily the Newcastle United Shares for which it has not received valid acceptances of the offer or otherwise acquired."

As a result, SJHL have extended their offer for all of the issued and to be issued share capital of Newcastle until further notice.

Lampard hints rift must end for Chelsea success
June 28, 2007

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has hinted that the rift between club owner Roman Abramovich and manager Jose Mourinho must be healed if they're to challenge Manchester United next season.
Lampard said: "We have to remember what won us the title. It was about good quality football and a great team spirit and the club together as a whole.

"Roman Abramovich has brought so much into the club and moved it on a million miles. What Jose Mourinho has done in winning the titles and helping develop players like myself is brilliant.

"We need to remember all of those things and come back strong. We have the squad to go and win our League back, it's as simple as that."

Middlesbrough keep tabs on Liverpool's Crouch
June 28, 2007

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is eyeing Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.
The Teessiders have been linked with a move for Crouch should the Reds land Fernando Torres amid speculation that Manchester City could join the race to sign Ayegbeni Yakubu.

Boro have already made their interest in Manchester United's Alan Smith known, but with Yakubu's future uncertain, are considering a series of options.

Liverpool clinch deal for Bilbao kid San Jose
June 28, 2007

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has captured a second top European teenager inside two days, signing Mikel San Jose from Athletic Bilbao.
San Jose, 18, will move for a fee of around £270,000. Bilbao were aiming to use the youngster in their second team next season, but a club statement said: "For us it is bad news, but Mikel has decided on the choice of Liverpool and it was impossible for us to fight against a European giant."

San Jose added: "It was a surprise for me but I have decided to accept the chance at Liverpool.

"I am very excited but now I know that I have to work more each day to get in the first team."

United win Anderson appeal
Manchester United have won their appeal against the Home Office's original decision not to hand their Brazilian teenager Anderson a work permit.
The 19-year-old's initial application was rejected because he had not won enough caps for his country to satisfy Home Office criteria.
Rules stated that Anderson needed to have played in 75 per cent of Brazil's international fixtures in the previous two years to win a work permit.
However, United argued that the player's age meant he had been unable to represent his country in enough recent games to meet the requirements.
A club spokesman told the club's official website: "We're delighted to announce our application for Anderson's work permit has been successful.
"We look forward to finalising his transfer from FC Porto in the very near future."
Anderson will join up with Sir Alex Ferguson's squad after taking a holiday following his participation in the Copa America.

Kenyon tips Robben to stay

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon remains confident that Dutch winger Arjen Robben will still be at Stamford Bridge next season.
The 23-year-old's future has been the subject of much speculation this summer and he has been linked with a transfer to Real Madrid, but Kenyon expects him to remain with the Blues.
"Arjen is very happy, he's just got married and he wants to demonstrate and prove what a great player he is and still believes the Premier League is the best opportunity," Kenyon said.
"I'm confident he'll be there next season."
Of Chelsea's lack of activity in the transfer market this summer, Kenyon added: "By Chelsea standards it's been very quiet.
"That's probably the headline, both in terms of names and in terms of big spending. We've had three or four so-called free transfers.
"We're now very confident that we'll break even by 2009-10."

Chelsea given a Frank warning

Barcelona appear set to follow their £16million deal for Thierry Henry by lodging a bid of £15m for Lampard — an offer Chelsea can be expected to reject — while new Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri is also stalking his former player.
"I don't need them," smirked Lampard, with a nod towards the language discs being held by Steve Kutner. "I'm already fluent."
The England midfielder, two years from the end of his contract, has rejected a new £110,000-a-week deal and no talks have taken place since he expressed his desire to stay at Chelsea after the FA Cup Final.
"It's something I am trying to keep my mind off," said Lampard. "When you've had a long season, the last thing you want is to go away for a month and wreck your wife and kids' holiday by stressing.
"My mind is on going back to preseason with Chelsea. I said after the Cup Final that I wanted to stay, but nothing has moved on. Chelsea have no necessity to come and offer me anything so I just get on with it.
"In an ideal world, I would sort it out before the start of the season. In an ideal world, I would have done it three weeks ago. But it's not an ideal world, is it?"

Toffees duo agree new deals

Everton have confirmed that they have agreed new long-term deals with influential midfield duo Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill.
The players have agreed new five-year contracts that will keep them at Goodison Park until June 2012.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright told the club's official website: "David Moyes and myself were keen to get these important extensions wrapped up before the new season opens.
"We did it in the Everton way - quietly, efficiently and away from the glare of the spotlight.
"Negotiations have been ongoing for several weeks and have now been satisfactorily concluded and I know the two lads are as happy as we are."
Arteta has scored 13 goals in 89 appearances since moving to Merseyside from Real Sociedad, initially on loan, in January 2005.
The 25-year-old Spanish midfielder also played for Rangers earlier in his career and was on the books of Barcelona.
Australia international Cahill has found the net 27 times in 98 games for Moyes' side since his arrival at Goodison from Millwall three years ago.

Pompey land fourth signing

Portsmouth have completed their fourth signing of the summer after snapping up Southampton defender Martin Cranie.

Pompey have agreed an undisclosed compensation figure with their south coast rivals for a player who manager Harry Redknapp handed a Premier League debut to when he was in charge at St Mary's almost three years ago.

Cranie opted to move to Fratton Park after rejecting a new contract at Southampton.

The 20-year-old spent three months on loan at League One side Yeovil Town last season.

"Martin is a very promising young player who has the ability to go right to the very top of the game," Redknapp told the club's official website.

"I remember when I played him at Man City when I was at Southampton and he did a great job that afternoon on Shaun Wright-Phillips.

"He has bags of talent and is a great addition to the squad."

Pompey have already landed Sulley Muntari from Udinese, Sylvain Distin from Manchester City and Hermann Hreidarsson from Charlton Athletic so far this summer.

Chelsea's Drogba stunner: I can't commit
June 29, 2007

Didier Drogba has stunned Chelsea chiefs after admitting he doesn't know if he will start the season at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba, 29, told The Sun: "You want to know if I will still return to Chelsea? I will reply to that when I am ready. For now I am having a deserved vacation. I love the English league and may not be in a hurry to leave England if you insist.

"But it's difficult to really predict what I want to do in the next week. I have been working hard and would love to win the Champions League with Chelsea. But, for now, let's just wait and see."

Drogba, who bagged 33 goals last season, said he is torn between staying and taking on new challenges in Italy or Spain.

The Ivory Coast star admitted: "I'm at the last big turning point of my career.

"It's time for one final big choice: 'Should I stay or should I go?'

"I am tempted to discover another world and to see what footballing life is like outside England."

Tottenham to bid for Chelsea pair Diarra, SWP
June 29, 2007

Tottenham are planning a double-raid on Chelsea for midfield pair Lassana Diarra and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The Sun says coach Martin Jol and the Tottenham board believe it is time to seize the initiative and leapfrog Arsenal into the Premiership's top-four elite.

And chairman Daniel Levy is prepared to put his money where his mouth is and bankroll the club's biggest push in the transfer market.

England winger Wright-Phillips is a long-term target for Spurs but midfielder Diarra is a new name on the list.

Chelsea will demand around £8m for Diarra while Wright-Phillips, 25, is rated at £10m and is also a target for West Ham.

Barcelona Present Eric Abidal

Éric Abidal could not hide his delight after signing for FC Barcelona and said that moving to Camp Nou was like a dream come true.



zoom - galleria The French international was introduced to the media on Friday after penning a four-year deal following his move from Lyon for €14m and was grateful to the club for pushing on with the lengthy negotiations.

"It has always been my ambition to play for Barça," he said. "Now the goal is the same as always, to carry on winning.

"I am proud to be here today. I want to thank all those people that helped to make this all possible."

After signing Thierry Henry and Yaya Touré earlier in the week, Barça have increased their French contingent and Abidal believes that could ease his adaptation to the club.

"It is important that there is a group that speaks French and we have that link," he stated before revealing that he sought the advice of compatriot Lilian Thuram before agreeing to the deal.

"I talked to Thuram about the atmosphere. For a new player all the details are important," he added.

Abidal, who will wear the number 22 shirt, also saw the chance to play in la Primera as too good an opportunity to turn down, after winning three consecutive titles during his time at Lyon.

"The Spanish league is the level I want to play at," he said. "I have always wanted to play here and follow the league a lot."

Barça's technical secretary, Txiki Begiristain, explained why the club had fought so hard to capture the left-sided defender and believes his arrival will add balance to the squad.

"We want to achieve some balance. If we are going to have great forwards, we also have to be strong at the back," he said.

"The left-back position is one that could be improved

"Abidal is a player who is incredibly professional, very quick and fits all the criteria. He can go forward and is very strong at the back

Real Madrid's Robinho: Capello sacking normal
June 30, 2007

Robinho says he wasn't surprised by Real Madrid's sacking of coach Fabio Capello.
Despite supporter protests, Real pushed through president Roman Calderon's plans to dismiss Capello as they celebrated a first title victory in four years.

"It's a normal change," shrugged Robinho. "I've never had any problems with any of the coaches I've worked for.

"I don't know if they've already found a replacement for him."

Robinho added: "We must remember that this decision has been made by a united board."

Real Madrid's Robinho: Capello sacking normal
June 30, 2007

Robinho says he wasn't surprised by Real Madrid's sacking of coach Fabio Capello.
Despite supporter protests, Real pushed through president Roman Calderon's plans to dismiss Capello as they celebrated a first title victory in four years.

"It's a normal change," shrugged Robinho. "I've never had any problems with any of the coaches I've worked for.

"I don't know if they've already found a replacement for him."

Robinho added: "We must remember that this decision has been made by a united board."

AC Milan chief Galliani won't shut Shevchenko door
June 30, 2007

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani admits they're working overtime on finding a big-name striker signing.
"I will not disturb other clubs," he told Sky Italia. "I spoke with Barcelona's top director after the President, who is Ferran Soriano, but at the moment Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o are not for sale.

"We will see. We are keeping our doors open and have a free non-EU member place because Kaka got married and now has an Italian passport."

On Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, Galliani added: "I am getting all sorts of information.

"When it comes to Shevchenko, we have to understand if there is a possibility of the transfer and at what price, but here as well Chelsea said no.

"He is also a non-EU member, but we have a place and are open to taking in any striker from any nationality in the world."

Tevez to choose between Man Utd, Arsenal
June 30, 2007

Arsenal are aiming to trump Manchester United for West Ham striker Carlos Tevez.
The News of the World says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wants West Ham's Argentinian star to replace Thierry Henry, who joined Barcelona last week.

A source close to Tevez said: "Arsenal are serious contenders. If Tevez stays in England, it's between them and United."

Arsenal want Tevez on a year's loan and can meet the £9million package to cover his wages and registration rights. But they cannot stretch to £28m for a permanent deal.