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SINGAPORE, July 30 (Reuters) - Olympiakos Piraeus striker Nery Castillo is set to sign a lucrative deal with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, according to reports in the Greek media.

Olympiakos officials admitted on Monday that nothing had been signed but they had had an offer from Shakhtar and an official statement is expected later in the day.

Sources close to the forward, who starred for Mexico in the recent Copa America and has been linked to English Premier League side Manchester City, suggested that Shakhtar have agreed to pay Olympiakos around 15 million euros ($20.5 million).

Meanwhile, Shakhtar have signed Brazilian defender Ilsinho from Sao Paolo on a four-year, 10 million euro contract with an option that it could be extended for one more year.

ESPNsoccernet

MADRID, July 29 (Reuters) - Real Madrid have not given up hope of landing a high-profile player such as [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kak%C3%A1]Kaka[/url] to bolster their squad for next season, new coach Bernd Schuster has said.

'A few months ago Real were after (Manchester United's) Cristiano Ronaldo, then after (AC MIlan's) Kaka and offered €80 million for him. This option is still there,' Schuster told German television station ZDF.

'We've got a big fat suitcase full of cash, and there will definitely be a player or two to come. But it's difficult to lure top players away from their clubs,' he said on Saturday.

The Spanish champions have already brought in four players to strengthen the side ahead of next season, spending €30 million to land centre-back Pepe from Porto.

But the other three, Germany defender Christoph Metzelder, Poland goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek and Argentina striker Javier Saviola, have all arrived as free agents and none have filled Real's demanding fans with excitement for next year.

Kaka has been a target for the Madrid club since president Ramon Calderon was elected in July 2006 when he promised to sign the Brazilian playmaker.

Last month their drive to secure Kaka appeared to have run into a dead end as the player committed himself to Milan, where he has a contract until 2011. Kaka said the door was closed for a move unless the Italian club chose to sell him.

Another target, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, has also ruled himself out of a move to the Spanish capital.

However, Real believe they are close to landing Chelsea's Dutch winger Arjen Robben. They are reported to have tabled a €31 million bid, although the Premier League side have resolutely refused to accept their offer so far.

Spanish media have reported tht Robben and Feyenoord fullback Royston Drenthe are set to join Real next week.


ESPNsoccernet

Arjen Robben's potential move to Real Madrid could end up being an expensive deal for the Spanish champions, according to coach Bernd Schuster.

Madrid are understood to be ready to pay £20million to land the Holland international.

They have also drawn up a salary package, including image rights, which the Dutchman would accept, but Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho insists he wants the winger to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Robben has two years left on his contract and Chelsea will demand at least £25million if he continues to refuse to sign the new five-year deal he has been offered.

Schuster, who is also chasing Feyenoord wide man Royston Drenthe, admits that negotiations for Robben could turn out to be very difficult and involve a hefty fee.

The Madrid coach says he would be much happier if the deal had already been concluded but maintained that Madrid were prepared to go right to the wire in their chase for the Chelsea player.

He said: 'It could be expensive. It is necessary to go slowly. We need to be prepared to make signings until the final day of the window.

'I would be much happier if they were here. The signing of Robben is very important for us.'

Robben wants a six-figure contract at Chelsea but the offer on the table is for £90,000-a-week - considerably less than top earner John Terry's £135,000-a-week deal and the salaries of other leading stars Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack.

Chelsea are set to increase the pressure on him to make his long-term intentions clear before the start of the season but the Blues are willing to play a waiting game with Frank Lampard.

The England midfielder also has two years left on his contract and has refused the club's offer.

However, his agent, Steve Kutner, insists the stalemate will not affect his form.

Kutner said: 'If it goes all the way to the last day of Frank's current contract, one thing's certain, Frank will not waver in his commitment to Chelsea.'

Mourinho wants the England international to pledge his future to the club but the midfielder is still not entirely happy with the terms of the contract offered to him by the club.

It has increased speculation in Europe that Barcelona will test Chelsea's resolve yet further by making another attempt to land him.

However, Chelsea's veteran midfielder Claude Makelele is ready to sign for a further year after looking almost certain to leave during the summer.

The France international found it hard to hold down a first team place last season after a disagreement with Mourinho over the player's decision to continue turning out for his national side.

But Makelele's experience will be vital for Chelsea as they attempt to wrestle the title back from Manchester United and the midfielder appears to be on the brink of staying at Stamford Bridge for a little longer.

Chelsea's unbeaten pre-season run came to an end against Rangers on Saturday and they now travel to Denmark to play Brondby tomorrow night.

But winger Shaun Wright-Phillips insists the defeat at Ibrox has already been forgotten.

Wright-Phillips, who replaced Joe Cole at half-time in Saturday's 2-0 defeat, is keen to look forward to the challenge in Copenhagen.

He said: 'I just want to get it out of my head to be honest. That's it now, we're on to the next game and we just have to prepare and play well.

'I think every game we play is good preparation. We need to use it for gelling and fitness, and getting results to get our confidence up.'

Chelsea prepared for their final pre-season game before the FA Community Shield at Wembley with a training session that also included left-back Ashley Cole.

However, missing from the same session were John Terry (toe) and Robben (knee) along with Andriy Shevchenko, Paulo Ferreira, Makelele and Michael Essien.


ESPNsoccernet

BERLIN, July 30 (Reuters) - Hamburg SV signed Dutch midfielder Romeo Castelen to a four-year contract from Feyenoord Rotterdam for a transfer fee of 3 million euros ($4.10 million), the Bundesliga club said on Monday.

Castelen, who signed for a reported 1.6 million euros per season, is the fourth Dutch player on the Hamburg squad after captain Rafael van der Vaart, Joris Mathijsen and Nigel de Jong.

'We're delighted that Romeo has joined us and we're sure that he's going to strengthen us,' said HSV sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer said on the club's wesbite.


ESPNsoccernet

LISBON (AFP) - Freddy Adu, the most recognisable name in the Major League Soccer, was on Monday poised to sign a five year deal with Portuguese side Benfica.

The Ghana-born Adu, 18, was twice named an MLS All-Star - in 2004 and 2006 - helped DC United capture the 2004 MLS Cup during his rookie season.

According to press reports here Benfica have already paid out 1.5 million euros to recruit the United states international.

Benfica are also due to sign Argentina duo Angel Di Maria and Andres Diaz.


ESPNsoccernet

Sam Allardyce remains adamant in his view that Kieron Dyer will leave Newcastle, despite the midfielder's bright cameo in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Juventus.

The England international wants to move on from the North East club for personal reasons, in news that has reportedly alerted West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester City.

Dyer's introduction from the substitutes' bench in the second half caught the eye but Allardyce remains steadfast in his assessment of the situation.

"He played very well. But I don't think we can (keep him) for the reasons I gave on Thursday," said Allardyce.

"The only way I can see to resolve this is for Kieron to move closer to his family.

"Nobody has come in with the right money yet. Nobody has offered anything like the money we want.

"If they don't come in (with the right offer) then all I can do is sit down with Kieron and see if there's something else we can do.

"We used him for 45 minutes today because we were short of numbers."

While Dyer's days at St James' Park appear to be numbered, Albert Luque, previously an expensive flop, looks to have been handed a reprieve.

It looked almost certain that the Spanish forward would be shown the exit door, having failed to replicate anything like his best form since moving to the club from Deportivo La Coruna but under Allardyce, thus far, he has put in an impressive pre-season.

"Hopefully, if he can stay fit he could play a part."

Luque scored the game's opening goal from the penalty spot, before being replaced on the half hour mark, but Allardyce has been reassured the injury is not serious.

"The only negative thing today was Albert coming off. But he assures me it's just a tightening (of the muscle)," the former Bolton chief concluded


Skysports.com

Anthony Le Tallec is a reported target for Premier League clubs West Ham, Fulham and Birmingham.

The young French striker is back at Liverpool after a season on loan at Sochaux, but his future with The Reds is uncertain.

Despite having two years remaining on his contract at Anfield, Le Tallec is likely to leave Liverpool before the transfer window closes.

Le Tallec impressed at Sochaux and Spanish side Recreativo Huelva were thought to be keen on the 22-year-old.

However, their interest has now cooled, although according to L'Equipe three top-flight clubs in England are admirers.

West Ham, Fulham and Birmingham are all being linked with a bid for the talented Le Tallec, who spent the 2005/06 season with Sunderland.

Skysports.com

Skysports.com understands Arsenal are lining up a move for Chelsea's Lassana Diarra.

Diarra is believed to have informed Chelsea of his desire to leave Stamford Bridge and Arsenal are ready to offer him a move to Emirates Stadium.

The French international is believed to be unhappy with his lack of first-team action at Chelsea and he is well down the pecking order in Jose Mourinho's plans.

The 22-year-old is entering the final year of his contract and he is believed to have told Chelsea he will not be signing a new deal.

The news has alerted Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who is a big fan of the young midfielder.

The two London rivals are understood to be in talks over a deal and the player is keen on securing a switch to North London as he searches for regular first-team football.

Eidur Gudjohnsen's father and agent, Arnor, says the Barcelona ace would be interested in a move to West Ham.

West Ham have been strongly linked with a move to bring the former Chelsea and Bolton man back to England.

Gudjohnsen's future at Barcelona looks uncertain following the summer arrival of Thierry Henry.

The Icelandic international struggled to hold down a place in Frank Rijkaard's star-studded side last season and the signing of Henry pushes Gudjohnsen further down the pecking order at Camp Nou.

Gudjohnsen is thought to be weighing up his future at Barca and West Ham are believed to be lining up a move for the skilful forward.

Gudjohnsen senior says his son would welcome a move to Upton Park and that the player is weighing up his future in Barcelona.

"I have heard about the interest from West Ham, but there have been no talks as yet," Gudjohnsen Snr told skysports.com.

"It would be something Eidur would consider as there are some Icelanders there with the owners and all.

"If they are interested in Eidur I am sure they will contact me."

Gudjohnsen is currently recovering from a knee injury and the player's father says the 28-year-old will consider all options available to him.

"He is currently injured and he is focused on getting fit again, but he will consider all options open to him," added Gudjohnsen.

"Barcelona have always told him it is up to him what he wants to do and they will not stand in his way if he wants to go and they will be happy for him if he wants to stay.

"Eidur will not rush a decision on his future and we will evaluate every option we have."

Skysports.com

Chelsea have taken a major step forward in their bid to sign Alex by applying for a work permit.

The Brazilian arrived at Heathrow Airport on Sunday to discuss personal terms and was cleared to enter the country.

However, after a small delay, he opted to return home voluntarily - scotching suggestions that he had been barred from the UK.

The PSV Eindhoven defender is not yet a Chelsea player and is legally entitled to enter the country to undertake contract talks.

A statement issued by Chelsea said: "Alex was due to arrive into England yesterday to discuss personal terms.

"Chelsea Football Club are in the process of applying for a work permit for the player in line with normal football and employment procedure.

"At airport immigration there was a request to clarify Alex's current status. All of the paperwork for his entry was in order.

"After an initial delay, he was cleared to enter the country. He chose voluntarily to fly back but will return when necessary."

However, a Home Office spokesman, while not prepared to discuss individual cases, said: "We have a duty to ensure that the public are aware of, and have confidence in, the security in place at the border, which is for their protection.

"Visitors to the UK also need to be aware of the presence of immigration officers and that they will be subject to checks before being granted entry to this country."

Alex is now likely to undergo a hearing in the near future to assess whether or not he meets the criteria for a work permit.

Guidelines require that a player must have played for his country in at least 75 per cent of their competitive 'A' games in which he was available for selection, during the two years preceding the date of the application.

Skysports.com

Birmingham City have sealed the signing of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Hossam Ghaly.

Blues boss Steve Bruce has been tracking Ghaly, along with fellow Egyptian and Spurs team-mate [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mido_%28footballer%29]Mido[/url], for a few weeks.

Ghaly moves to St Andrews for £3million, although the switch is subject to the former Feyenoord man obtaining a work permit.

The 25-year-old announced over the weekend he had agreed a deal with Birmingham, and he has now put pen-to-paper on a three-year contract.

"The signing of Hossam is an excellent acquisition," Bruce told the club's official website.

"With the loss of Stephen Clemence, he will play a vital role in the middle of the park for us this season.

"I was always very impressed with him whenever I watched him play for Spurs last season.

"He has all the credentials that we are looking for in a player, he is only 25, a very talented international who still has the hunger to succeed in the Premiership.

"As well as being technically gifted, Hossam can also stand up to the physical side of the game so he will give us that extra edge in midfield.

"We are delighted to have him on board."

Ghaly, who is generally a central midfielder but can also play at right-back, made 34 appearances in 18 months at Tottenham.

He becomes Bruce's eighth summer signing ahead of Birmingham's Premier League kick-off against Chelsea on 12th August.

Skysports.com

Atletico Madrid have confirmed that they have completed an agreement to sign [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Antonio_Reyes]Jose Antonio Reyes[/url] from Arsenal.

The Spanish forward has made no secret of his desire to remain in his homeland, having spent last season on-loan at Real Madrid, but it is with their city rivals that he will pitch up next term.

Reyes has been in discussion with Atletico officials over the past few days and following successful negotiations, an accord has been struck between the two clubs.

The 23-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the capital club, having made it clear he has no desire to return to England, where he endured mixed fortunes since arriving in North London from Sevilla.

It is thought the deal is worth in the region of €12million (£8.1million), with Reyes to be paraded before the press on Tuesday morning.

Also on his out of Emirates Stadium is young defender Kerrea Gilbert, who has decided to join Southend on a six-month loan deal

Skysports.com

man u

fantastic!!!!!!, why didn't I watch this one

GUNNERS , yeah!

Can someone explain to me on what basis they give points, Jackal or anyone Scores still 0-0?

nice pics, Bendtder is one tall lad, I hope he heads well too

Lineup:

Manuel Almunia

Philippe Senderos

Gael Clichy

Mark Randall 71

Kolo Toure

William Gallas 46

Bacary Sagna

Justin Hoyte 46

Denilson

Abou Diaby

Francesc Fabregas

Armand Traore 46

Mathieu Flamini

Emmanuel Eboue 46

Robin Van Persie

Alexander Hleb 46

Nicklas Bendtner


Subs not used

Lukasz Fabianski

Nacer Barazite

Kieran Gibbs

Henri Lansbury

Rhys Murphy

We won 2-1 , good news. How did Eduardo play and good to hear Bendtder scored. Wondering why we have 5 points from just a game.

Ryan Seacrest

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins has pledged his future to the club amid transfer speculation.

The 22-year-old Nigeria international has been linked to Arsenal, with boss Arsene Wenger a known admirer of the player, and rumours escalated that he would quit Tyneside after it emerged that he has a £13million get-out clause in his contract.

But Martins, who scored in Thursday night's 4-1 friendly victory over Celtic at St James' Park, has insisted he will not be going anywhere this summer although he will face stiff competition for his place in the starting line-up from Michael Owen, Mark Viduka, Shola Ameobi, Andy Carroll and Albert Luque.

"I will keep my mouth shut. I am not going anywhere, I am still a Newcastle player," he told the Magpies' website.

"I am very, very happy here, so I am not going anywhere.

"I believe you need competition. We have many games to play, so everybody will have to play together."

Skysports.com

Pixar

jurassic park

@moondust, no
topic: 24

Danny the Dog

weirdo

11 ;d

28

scared

Martin Petrov has admitted the reason he joined Manchester City was because of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's reputation as a top coach.

The Bulgaria winger, 28, sealed a three-year deal at Eastlands following a £4.7million move from Atletico Madrid.

City won the race to secure his signature ahead of a number of European clubs.

He looked set at one stage to link up with international team-mate Dimitar Berbatov at Tottenham.

Petrov gave his reasons for his choice after being unveiled at a press conference at the club's Carrington training ground.

'The Premier League is the best league in the world and the best competition,' he said.

'But the main reason I have joined Manchester City is because of the manager. That's why I have made this decision.'

City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh added on the club website: 'Unsurprisingly given the calibre of the player, there were a significant number of clubs competing for Martin's signature.

'Having Sven-Goran Eriksson as our manager proved to be a major factor in the player's decision to move here.'

Petrov is a regular for Bulgaria, with more than 60 caps to his name, and was allowed to leave the Vicente Calderon as Atletico line up Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa.

He is Eriksson's fourth signing since he took charge and follows £8.8million striker Rolando Bianchi, Gelson Fernandes and Geovanni to the club.

Former Barcelona and Benfica midfielder Geovanni was also presented to the media alongside Petrov and Eriksson said: 'I am sure a lot of clubs wanted both players.

'But the board here have backed me and they will do very well for us.

'Both of them bring a lot of experience to the squad as between them they have played a lot of international matches. They are also very good technically.

'It is important we do not just buy players who are 19, 20 and 21. You need to balance it up.'

Petrov has been compared to Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov but Eriksson said: 'I think we should only look at what Martin does himself.

'He will have a lot of chances to show the supporters what he can do. I am quite confident he will do well.'

With Eriksson acting as his interpreter, Geovanni said: 'I am impressed by the facilities here and hopefully the team can have a good season.'

The Brazilian, who returned home to play for Cruzeiro last season, is set to make his debut for the club on Saturday against Charleroi in Belgium.

City struggled for goals in the last campaign and that is one area the former England coach has been quick to address. He wants to improve the line of supply to the strikers.

Eriksson said: 'We are working every day on the training pitch and want to play good football.

'Wingers are also important in my mind. You need players who can dribble and cross.

'It is nothing new. You want balls to come into the area.'

ESPNsoccernet

MADRID, July 27 (Reuters) - Portugal winger [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sim%C3%A3o_Sabrosa]Simao Sabrosa[/url] said he hoped to help turn Atletico Madrid into one of the top three sides in Spain as he completed his move on a four-year contract from Benfica on Friday.


Benfica said the deal was worth 20 million euros ($27.3 million) with the Portuguese club also holding an option to take two Atletico players in the other direction.


'I chose a move to Atletico because they presented me with a very ambitious project,' Simao told a news conference at his presentation.

'My objective is to win things. I will work hard to do this, the club are signing good players and we should be in the top three in the league.'

The signing of Simao takes Atletico's close season spending over the 60 million euro-mark as they seek to improve on last season's seventh-placed finish in the Primera Liga.

The club sold top scorer Fernando Torres to Liverpool for 36 million euros last month and have moved quickly to reinvest the money in new recruits.

Along with Simao, Atletico have signed Uruguay striker Diego Forlan from Villarreal for 21 million euros, midfielder Raul Garcia from Osasuna for 13 million, Brazilian midfielder Cleber Santana from Santos for six million and Spain midfielder Luis Garcia from Liverpool for four million.

Simao joined Benfica from Barcelona in 2001 for a fee of around 13 million euros after two unsuccessful seasons with the Catalan side.

The 27-year-old became Benfica's leading player and club captain, and helped them win the Portuguese league title in 2005. He has won 55 caps for Portugal and was voted Portuguese Player of the Year last season.

He has not been included in Atletico's squad to face Romania's Gloria Bistrita in the home leg of their Intertoto Cup tie on Saturday. The Primera Liga side trail 2-1.

ESPNsoccernet