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Liverpool boss [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Ben%C3%ADtez]Rafael Benitez[/url] says he does not understand why Manchester United are blocking Gabriel Heinze's move to Anfield.

Liverpool have met the £6.8m fee which would secure the Argentina defender's release - stated in a letter from United to Heinze's agent.

But with United refusing to sell to their north-west rivals, Benitez said: "I don't know what the problem is.

"I know what they said to the press but everyone knows they signed a document."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear that he does not want any of his top players to join his club's arch-rivals.

"Heinze is not going to Liverpool as far as I am concerned," Ferguson said on Monday.


"We are examining some of the statements coming from his agent and when the contact was first made, but at the moment we have nothing more to say.

"We are not happy with agent's conduct in the matter and we're examining that."

However, Benitez insists Liverpool, along with other major club in Europe, were made aware of Heinze's availability by United.

"A lot of clubs, in many different countries, knew what the situation was," said the Spaniard.

BBC Sport understands the letter to Heinze's agent does not preclude Liverpool from buying the 29-year-old, and the player could fight United to secure a switch to Anfield.

Heinze is keen to leave Old Trafford, and Juventus and Real Madrid are also monitoring his situation.


BBC Sport

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cinema of dreams

ST ANDREWS, July 23 (Tour) - [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Eto%27o]Samuel Eto'o[/url] touched down with Barcelona's superstars in Scotland on Monday - and insisted he has never wanted to leave the Spanish giants.


The 26-year-old striker was linked with both Liverpool and AC Milan earlier this summer.

But Eto'o - who was speaking at St Andrews ahead of Barcelona's friendlies against Dundee United and Hearts this week - says he is going nowhere.

'There has only been speculation,' he pointed out.

'People have spoken about me and for me but I still have a contract with Barcelona and I'm really looking forward to playing with Barcelona next season.'

The former Real Madrid and Real Mallorca frontman added: 'All the interest makes me feel good and proud, but I have not thought about being transferred to another club.

'I'm happy at Barcelona. I've lived all my live in Spain and it's a difficult country to leave - I can't think of leaving Spain nowadays.

'I am very happy being at the best club in the world and with the best players in the world.

'I didn't feel like leaving even when it was a bad season for the club. I feel the same way now as I did when I first signed for the club.'

The £16.1million arrival of Thierry Henry from Arsenal this summer increases competition for places up front.

But rather than fear the extra competition from the France international, Eto'o is thrilled that the squad will be even stronger for the season ahead.

He said: 'Henry is adapting very well at the club, like the other new players.

'The sooner he adapts, the better it will be for the whole group.'

Despite the hype surrounding the 'Fantastic Four' of himself, Henry, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, Cameroon frontman Eto'o was keen to stress there will be quality throughout the entire team as Barca prepare for the challenges which lie ahead.

He said: 'Barcelona have a really good pool of players for the entire team, not just the forwards.

'We have to be happy having this great pool of players now, that's the most important thing.'

Real Madrid triumphed in the Primera Liga last term, and Barcelona also failed to deliver in the Champions League.

Eto'o admitted: 'It's going to be harder next season but it's good to know that because it will make us work even harder.

'Experience is very important and has taught us the things that we didn't do right last season.

'We all make mistakes in life and we learn from them. We need to avoid repeating the same mistakes and make sure we improve on the good points.'

A stricter code of conduct has been implemented at the Nou Camp to ensure a better chance of success next term, and it will be enforced in Scotland, with every player on his best behaviour.

Eto'o insists there will be no backlash from the dressing room regarding the new hard-line approach.

'Whatever the club decides we have to accept that,' he said.

'But we are adults, we are professionals and we take responsibility for our own actions.

'We are part of one of the best teams in the world, not only because we are good players but because of the way we are.

'No-one has to worry about how we are going to act in St Andrews - we are here to get ready for the new season.'


ESPNsoccernet

MILAN, July 22 (Reuters) - Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini is considering a bid for out-of-favour Real Madrid midfielder Emerson.

The Brazilian, who followed coach Fabio Capello from Juventus to Madrid last year, has been told he does not figure in new Real boss Bernd Schuster's plans following Capello's sacking.

'Great players are always welcome at a team which is already very strong and that can improve,' Mancini told reporters on Sunday at the Serie A champions' pre-season training camp.

'We will see in the coming days but Emerson is a great player, one of the best in the world in his position.'

Asked about a revival of the bid for AS Roma defender Cristian Chivu, Mancini said: 'I don't know, we will see what happens. I honestly don't know.'

Mancini added that the battle for this season's title would be between Inter, AC Milan, Roma and promoted Juventus.


ESPNsoccernet

MADRID, July 23 (Reuters) - Real Zaragoza striker Ricardo Oliveira is confident he can rediscover his scoring form on his return to Spain after a disappointing season with Serie A side AC Milan.

'I'll be doing my utmost to score goals and help the team have a great season,' the 27-year-old Brazilian international told a news conference after completing a season-long loan move to the Primera Liga side on Monday.

'I hope next season will be as good as or even better than the campaign I had when I scored 22 goals for Betis,' he said. 'I know it is a bold promise but I've got a lot of confidence in this team.'

The former Valencia and Betis striker joined Milan for 17.0 million euros ($23.5 million) at the start of last season as a replacement for Andriy Shevchenko, but he failed to live up to expectation, scoring just three goals in 26 Serie A appearances for the club.

'It was a difficult year in Italy what with my sister getting kidnapped (in Brazil), but it is different now because I'm in a country where I feel happy and relaxed,' he said.

Oliveira will team up with Argentina striker Diego Milito at Zaragoza who have qualified for next season's UEFA Cup.

The Primera Liga side have an option to sign Oliveira on a four-year deal at the end of the season.


ESPNsoccernet

Sunderland have finally been given permission to speak to Wigan defender Leighton Baines. PA Sport understands the Black Cats have been given the go-ahead to open talks with the 22-year-old left-back, although the clubs have yet to agree a fee.

Roy Keane has been chasing the England Under-21 international for several weeks and has seen three bids rejected by the Latics.

However, it appears he will now get his chance to persuade £6million-rated Baines that his future lies at the Stadium of Light.

Keane has so far spent £16million this summer as he tries to build a squad capable not only of surviving in the Premier League, but of doing so with some comfort.

The bulk of the cash has gone on £5.5million winger Kieran Richardson and £5million striker Michael Chopra, with defenders Greg Halford and Russell Anderson and midfielder Dickson Etuhu taking up the remainder.

But the Irishman is keen to strengthen further at the back, where his efforts to land former Celtic team-mate Bobo Balde and Hearts keeper Craig Gordon have so far come to nothing.

Baines has been linked with a series of potential suitors so far this summer, although Sunderland have perhaps been the most persistent.

Wigan boss Chris Hutchings had claimed the Liverpool-born left-back had told him he wanted to stay at the JJB Stadium, but his later admission that every player has his price reopened a window of opportunity for the Wearsiders.

Keane now faces the task of selling his vision to a man who is tipped for a big future in the game, although it remains to be seen whether or not the competition now shows its hand.

Baines' England Under-21 team-mate David Nugent spoke to Sunderland earlier this summer, but the club withdrew its offer after waiting in vain for an answer.

They will hope for a more positive response from the defender with the start of the new season less than three weeks away.


[b]ESPNsoccerne[/b]t

The row over Gabriel Heinze's proposed move to Liverpool is threatening to spill over into open warfare after Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Manchester United are investigating the possibility their north-west rivals made an illegal approach for the Argentina defender.

United have flatly refused to do business with Liverpool, even though Rafael Benitez has matched United's £6.8million asking price for the 29-year-old.

Although Heinze's agent claims to be in receipt of a letter which effectively gives the full-back permission to leave Old Trafford, United chief executive David Gill does not believe it over-rides the player's contract, which still has two years to run.

In any case, Gill insists he verbally informed Heinze's agent that United would not be prepared to do business with any of their main Premier League rivals, specifically Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Currently on a short break following his participation at the Copa America, Heinze is said to be considering a legal challenge to Gill's view.

Yet the United stance only backs up Ferguson's previously stated opinion that Heinze had no chance of joining the Champions League finalists, a position that has only hardened over the past few days, with the United boss adding a further twist to the saga.

'Gabriel Heinze will not be joining Liverpool,' he said immediately after his side's 6-0 pre-season win over Chinese League outfit Shenzhen in Macau.

'We are examining some of the statements coming from his agent and when contact was first made with Liverpool.

'We are not happy with the agent's conduct in the matter and we are examining that as well, but it will take a couple of days before we have anything more to say.'

By coincidence Liverpool are only 40 miles away from United, having landed in Hong Kong yesterday ahead of the bi-annual Premier League Asia Cup competition.

Speaking before Ferguson dropped his bombshell, Benitez confirmed he was keen for Heinze to become the first player to head down the East Lancs Road from United to Liverpool since Phil Chisnall in 1964.

'We made the offer and they rejected it. Now the lawyers are working on it,' said the Reds boss.

'We have to wait. We are still trying to push the deal through because he is a good player and a player we like.'

It means United are heading towards the start of the defence of their Premier League title with two transfer wrangles needing to be sorted out.

Ferguson is still hopeful of having Carlos Tevez on board for the season's opening game against Reading on August 12.


ESPNsoccernet

I like the new jersey its ok, I guess when we start winning in it a lot more people will appreciate it.

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi is refusing to give up on his dream of re-signing Andrei Shevchenko.

The Ukraine striker left Milan for Chelsea last summer and struggled to make an impact during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

He has been linked with a return to San Siro and Berlusconi confirmed he still wants to bring Shevchenko back to the club.

"We expressed our liking for his possible return, but the problem is Chelsea," said Berlusconi at a press conference.

"We are waiting for something that could move."

The European champions have encountered frustration in the transfer market so far this summer, but Berlusconi expects a new striker to be added to Carlo Ancelotti's squad.

He continued: "At least a striker will arrive. We have been in the market, but until now we have not reached a conclusion because the available players wouldn't have improved the group, whilst the ones we wanted, and that would have increased our potential, have been declared untransferable."

Berlusconi again dismissed the notion that Kaka could leave the Rossoneri, and acknowledged an interest in the Brazilian's promising compatriot Alexandra Pato.

"[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kak%C3%A1]Kaka[/url]? These are all inventions," said Berlusconi. "There has never been a little possibility that he could move, either because we don't want to sell him, or because he wants to stay.

"There is no possibility he could leave in the future because we want him to end his career here.

"Pato? He's a promising player in world football and we have the intention to go for him."

Sky Sports

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@ topic 28

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santa

all hell will break loose .

@wifeypenth very close

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21

Bed - J. Holiday

I wish you Sweet dreams tonight.

definitely 10

the coach must be short too or has something for short ppl because most of those players are so short imagine Moralez is 5-1 (willow). Soon it will be the invasion of the Midgets in the Argentine senior team. It helps sha with the low center of gravity and all that it will be easy for them to go past their opponents.

9

Space Cowboys

you and your midgets sef , they deserved to win it though played superb football throughout the tourney.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Bernard Mendy has revealed his desire to sign for Celtic after being linked with the Glasgow club.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is looking for a right-sided defender following the departure of Paul Telfer.

"Celtic are a great club and I would certainly consider the option of a move," said the 25-year-old.

"I like British football and I enjoyed my spell on loan at Bolton in season 2002-03."

Mendy's manager at PSG, former Rangers boss Paul Le Guen, would not be keen on the defender leaving but needs the money a fee would generate to revamp his squad.

"The possibility of playing in the Champions League again is extremely attractive," added Mendy.

"However, at this stage, I have not been informed of any official offer from Celtic.

"But I have heard that Paris St Germain are looking for a new right back.

"My contract finishes in June 2008 and, while I am happy to remain here and and give my all for the club until then, I must be open to offers."

Meanwhile, Celtic have been linked in the Spanish media with a move for Barcelona striker Santiago Ezquerro along with Osasuna, AEK Athens and his old club, Athletico Bilbao.

But reports in the British press that the 30-year-old is a free agent are wide of the mark.

He had hoped that the summer signing of Thierry Henry would persuade Barca to allow him to leave.

But, when Bilbao expressed an interest, their Spanish rivals demanded a fee, reported to be about £2m.

And Ezquerro is expected to overcome recent injury to travel to Scotland with the Barca squad for this week's friendlies against Dundee United and Hearts.

Ezquerro previously played for Osasuna, Atletico Madrid and Mallorca before joining Bilbao.

His form there led to his transfer to Barca in 2005, but he was unable to establish himself as a first-team regular.

BBC Sport

Jose Mourinho has insisted that Arjen Robben's absence from the friendly with Los Angeles Galaxy was because of an injury and not a move to Real Madrid.
Real claimed last week that they were confident of landing the winger and he was set to fly out to Spain.

But Chelsea boss Mourinho said Robben, 23, has a knee problem and is on tour with the Blues in the United States.

"Robben is injured. He is here and he is flying home with us, not to Madrid," confirmed Mourinho.

Chelsea beat Galaxy 1-0, thanks to a goal from captain John Terry, and Mourinho admitted that the Major League Soccer side provided a tough test for the Blues.

"The game was difficult," conceded Mourinho. I think LA played with a lot of class. They gave us a hard game.

"We had the chance to score many goals but at this moment in pre-season I prefer matches with difficulties than easy matches. We won the match as we wanted to.

"We played for about an hour in 4-4-2, which is a method I want to use. We played for the last half-an-hour with three defenders, which was an experience I wanted them to have because during the season we will have some matches where we must play like this."

Mourinho was happy that his pre-season programme had continued without further injury problems following last week's news that defender Wayne Bridge was ruled out for two months with a hip injury.

"We finished this part of the pre-season without injuries so I go back to London happy with these 15 days," added Mourinho.

BBC Sport

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ladybird

scotland yard

Medal Table

        G       S      B     T

EGY  68    58     61   187

ALG  68    55     71   194

RSA  60    60     48   168

TUN  47    39     55   141

NIG   45    55      51  151

G = Gold

S = Silver

B = Bronze

T = Total