United will sign one more player this summer, insists Gill... but will it be Sneijder or Vucinic?

Manchester United expect to sign one more player before the end of the transfer window, but it remains unclear which of the club's two targets, Wesley Sneijder and Mirko Vucinic, will join.

Vucinic

United have been linked with a number of players this summer and are refusing to give up hope of bringing in one of either the Inter Milan midfielder or Roma striker.


Vucinic is 'very close' to joining Manchester United, according to his agent, as chief executive David Gill suggested that United may yet add more personnel this summer.

Sneijder

Montenegro international Vucinic recently requested a transfer from Roma and was widely expected to join big-spending Juventus.
'We are very close to Manchester United,' agent Alessandro Lucci told La Signora In Giallorosso.
'The meeting was yesterday and there were no formal offers, but the English club made it clear they very much appreciate Mirko. We will know more in the next few days.'

Nasri

United fear Samir Nasri is bound for neighbours Manchester City, and although Gill held talks with Inter officials and Sneijder's representatives earlier this month, negotiations stalled over the Italian club's £35million valuation as well as the player's personal terms.
Gill said: 'We are looking at one more player to bring in. We've been looking at a particular position and two or three players in that position.'

Are these the world's Sexiest Fans?

Paraguay booked their place in the Copa America final for the first time in 32 years on Wednesday after defeating Venezuela 5-3 on penalties following a goalless two hours. So lingerie model Larissa Riquelme is only 90 minutes away from keeping her promise to strip naked!

Larissa Riquelme

But the glamour model looks to face some competition among photographers - who will no doubt be gutted to lose the host of stunners to have graced the stands so far.
A troop of buxom beauties were recently seen in the crowd to watch every Paraguay game.

To be fair, though, with fans like this, you can't blame the Paraguayan players for taking their collective eye off the ball with their late collapse, can you...?!

Snappers are clearly waiting with baited breath for every Paraguay game, and the Final, is sure to be as competitive in the stands as on the pitch...

and...Uruguay fans worried their side could deny the world another look at Ms Riquelme, fear not, the lingerie model still stripped naked despite Paraguay losing to Spain in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year, so there’s every chance she’ll do it again regardless of the result at the weekend.

Man Utd ace Rooney proves top shirt seller

Wayne Rooney was the most popular name on the back of Premier League replica shirts bought last season.

Wayne Rooney

The Manchester United striker replaces Chelsea’s Fernando Torres, who had been number one for the previous two seasons while with former club Liverpool, at the top of the list.


The list, published in the Premier League Season Review 2010-2011, also shows Rooney's United team-mate Ryan Giggs in the top 10 for the first time.

Giggs No.11

Other debutants include United's rookie striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez at number four and Liverpool forward Luiz Suarez at eight.

Revelation of the season: Hernandez

Top ten names printed on shirts in 2010-11 season
1) Rooney, Man United
2) Torres, Liverpool/Chelsea
3) Gerrard, Liverpool
4) Chicharito, Man United
5) Van Persie, Arsenal
6) Lampard, Chelsea
7) Drogba, Chelsea
8) Suarez, Liverpool
9) Arshavin, Arsenal
10) Giggs, Man United

Rooney to Ferguson: Just get Sneijder - do not worry about my wages

Wayne Rooney has told Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson he couldn't care less if Wesley Sneijder earns more than him at Old Trafford.

The People says Rooney insists he would welcome Inter Milan star Sneijder or any other top player at Old Trafford even if they earn more than him.

The Manchester United striker has angrily slammed speculation that he is holding up a deal for the £35million-rated Dutch midfield star because he wants to be the clubs highest-paid player.

A source close to the England striker said: "Its nonsense to suggest Wayne would ever stop Manchester United signing a player like Wesley Sneijder because he wants to stay the top-paid player at Old Trafford its absolutely not true.

"In fact its just the reverse he’s happy to see United sign any world-class player to improve the club's chances of success.

"What other players earn when they join United is of no concern to Wayne he is happy with his own situation at the club.

"Wayne is committed to seeing Manchester United improve at every level, which is why he signed on for five more years last season."

Chelsea signing of Genk keeper Courtois confirmed

Belgian champions Genk have reluctantly agreed to sell teenage goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to Chelsea on a five-year deal.


Reports suggest the Blues have splashed out £7.9million to land the well-regarded 19-year-old.

Thibaut Courtois

And Genk admitted they had little option but to let him leave once the Blues made their intentions plain with a substantial bid.


"We received an enormous offer that gave us no choice but to let our goalkeeper leave," Genk director Dirk Degraen told a press conference.


"But I have mixed feelings about this transfer. Genk wanted Thibaut to stay a bit longer."


Courtois does not expect immediate first-team action in west London.


"Chelsea see me as the successor to Petr Cech," he admitted recently.


"It won't happen in one or two years, but in three, four or five years. I can therefore work on my development in peace."

Liverpool hit Malaysians for six

Liverpool won another high scoring friendly on their pre-season Asian tour, this time 6-3 over a Malaysian XI.


New signing Charlie Adam opened the scoring from a twice taken penalty kick only for Mohammad Safiq Rahim to level five minutes from half-time.

Safiq scored against Liverpool

David Ngog restored the Reds lead after the break as the floodgates opened. The Frenchman then made it 3-1 moments later.


The Malaysian’s threatened a brief fightback with two quick strikes from Mohammad Safi but by then Maxi Rodriguez had twice scored for the visitor’s and the scoring was completed in stoppage time by Dirk Kuyt.


Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish made 11 substitutions at the break.

Sneijder to become Red Devil

Wesley Sneijder is ready to sign for Manchester United this week in a club record £35million deal.


And the Inter Milan midfielder is expected to agree a bumper contract that would eclipse even Wayne Rooney's £220,000 a week.

A team-mate said: "Everyone expects Wesley's move to United to be announced soon, maybe as early as Wednesday."


Sneijder's arrival will take United boss Alex Ferguson's summer spending to more than £85m - just £5m more than he picked up when he sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in July 2009.


Inter are resigned to cashing in on the 27-year-old Dutchman.


The source added: "He has even spoken to Dutch international team-mate Nigel de Jong to find out where are the best places to live in Manchester.


"It all looks imminent, no matter what Inter or Wesley may say in public.


"It seems Inter want to sell but don't want to admit it, while Wesley wants to go but doesn't want to say it. It's a good move for him and good business for Inter."


Sneijder joined the Italians from Real Madrid in 2009 and helped them win the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia in his first season in Milan.


But injuries restricted him to just 25 appearances last term, as Inter finished runners-up to neighbours AC in the race for the Serie A crown

Sneijder to DEMAND Inter sell him to Man Utd

Wesley Sneijder has decided he wants to leave Inter Milan for Manchester United.


The Telegraph says Sneijder’s enthusiasm to engineer a move to Old Trafford has made the 27-year-old Inter Milan playmaker United's most viable option to strengthen midfield.

Sneijder will this week meet Massimo Moratti, the Inter owner, at the Italian side’s pre-season retreat at Pinzolo to discuss his future.


The former Real Madrid and Ajax player is expected to tell the oil magnate that he would consider leaving Italy but only for a club of equal stature on the global stage.


That would appear to rule out Malaga, the Arab-owned Spanish side, who are thus far the only team to have made a firm offer for his services after informing Inter they would pay their £32million asking price. Conversely, Sneijder is prepared to agitate for a move to Old Trafford.


Moratti is also expected to convene a meeting of Inter’s board — suggestions in Milan indicate that may be as soon as Tuesday — to discuss the possibility of allowing a player in the prime of his career to leave San Siro.

Inter board meet to agree Sneijder sale to Man Utd

Manchester United could sign Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder this week.


The Sunday Mirror says Inter Milan’s board will meet on Tuesday to sanction the sale of Sneijder to Manchester United.

Wesley Sneijder

And Inter boss Gian Piero Gasperini said: “I try not to be worried about Sneijder.


“He is one of the best players in Europe. But I am convinced we can find a new player when he goes.”


Sneijder, 27, will be the £35million replacement for Paul Scholes.

Yao Ming retired?

Chinese basketball fans reacted with disbelief and sadness on Saturday over reports of Yao Ming's sudden retirement from basketball.


Although the 2.25-metre (7-foot-6) Houston Rockets player has not formally announced his retirement, the NBA's official website reported the news on Friday.

Yao Ming

Thousands of fans flooded online forums on Saturday reacting to the news. One wrote: "He's China's top athlete...it's a pity to lose such a sports icon."


Other fans like Liu Kan, 28, a security guard in central Beijing, said Chinese fans should thank Yao Ming for bringing a sense of pride to Chinese sports.

"His retirement will be a huge loss for China since he's one of our biggest stars," said Liu. "The news still hasn't sunk in, so I 'm in denial until he officially announces his retirement."


China's most popular online portals, sina.com and sohu.com, headlined the news of Yao's possible retirement prominently on their homepages.


"Declaring the end of a Yao era," said the headline of a sohu.com story.

Yao Ming and his former coach share a serious moment in Shanghai

Over the past nine seasons with Houston, Yao has taken on the status of a national icon in China. He almost single-handedly expanded the NBA's reach throughout Asia, spiking merchandise sales and TV ratings for games after the Rockets made him the top overall pick in the 2002 draft.


'I am not denying the reports ... I'm just saying Yao Ming has not announced his retirement,' Zhang Mingji, Yao's agent in China has been quoted saying. "On July 20, we will hold a press conference in Shanghai to discuss the future plans of Yao Ming."

Sunderland confirm O’Shea signing

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has completed a double raid on champions Manchester United and brought John O'Shea to the Stadium of Light.

John O'Shea

The 30 year-old Republic of Ireland international moves to Wearside for an undisclosed fee and has agreed a deal which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until summer 2015, reports the club’s official website.

O'Shea, who becomes Sunderland's eighth permanent senior signing of the summer transfer window, will link up with former Red Devils teammate Wes Brown, who also made the switch from Old Trafford.

Wes Brown

Speaking following the completion of his move, O'Shea said: "Once I'd heard reports about the club and the people here, the ambitions and what the manager was all about it was the only place I was going to come to."

Edwin van der Sar has high hopes for David de Gea

Retired Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar believes new signing David de Gea can handle the pressure of being the No.1 goalkeeper at one of the biggest clubs in the world.


De Gea joins the Red Devils on a five-year deal at the tender age of 20 – half the age of his predecessor.

De Gea: Will replace the great VDS

But the former Dutch international shot-stopper is adamant that the young Spaniard will be able to cope with the high expectations surrounding him.


“They scouted all over Europe and found a couple of targets and they chose De Gea," he told ESPN Star.


"Hopefully he's going to have a great career at Manchester United."


De Gea recently won the Under-21 European Championships with Spain, a year after lifting the Europa League with Atletico Madrid, and Van der Sar feels this shows the youngster can handle being under the spotlight.


"He's very talented. He's already won a trophy with Atletico Madrid and the Spain Under-21 team so the prospect [to do well] is there," Van der Sar continued.


"Everybody has to be his own person [but] I've met him. I've spoken to him and it looks to me that he can handle it."

van der Saar

The signing of De Gea took Sir Alex Ferguson's summer spending beyond the £50 million mark after the arrivals of Phil Jones and Ashley Young, and Van der Sar is confident that the new trio will have no problems adapting to life at Old Trafford.


"I left and David is coming in. I think everybody else will adjust to a new player at the club,” Van der Sar told Channel News Asia.


"Ashley Young is coming and Jones from Blackburn is coming in. With the help of the defenders, players and the coaching staff and goalkeeper coach, I think everything should be fine at the start of the season."

Ronaldo has a crush on Cheryl Cole

Ashley Cole had better cling on to his ex-wife Cheryl, 'coz Cristiano Ronaldo thinks she's the ideal woman.

Ronaldo

The Real Madrid hunk has revealed his secret crush on the British pop star in New magazine.

"It's hard to think of a suitable match for the hottest man in the world. I'd like to take (Cheryl) for a hot chocolate," Ronaldo was quoted saying.

Cheryl Cole

He then listed what he dislikes in a girlfriend, saying: "Girls who do glamour. Girls who get off their face on alcohol. Girls who are shallow. Girls who dress (more)."

Man Utd legend Scholes slams pretty Arsenal and welcomes Nasri!

Retired Manchester United great Paul Scholes has slaughtered the current Arsenal team.


Scholes also hopes Samir Nasri quits the Gunners for United.

Paul Scholes

He said "Arsenal just flatter to deceive. They may play the prettiest football, but it doesn’t always produce results, does it?


"It doesn’t irritate me that people keep going on about them being the best footballing team because while they are doing that, we are winning games. They do play the best football to watch at times, but what is the point if you are not winning anything?


"It doesn’t help, either, that they are potentially going to lose their best players in Fabregas, Nasri and Clichy. Is Nasri coming to United? I hope so!

Nasri: Heading to Old Trafford?

"These things do go in cycles, but the way we have been set out at United for the last 15-20 years, I would be surprised if we went six years without a trophy, like they have. You can’t say it won’t happen, because you only have to think of what Liverpool went through, but I don’t think our manager will allow that to happen."

Arsenal boss admits they're battling to keep Nasri

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits they're battling to secure Samir Nasri to a new deal.


The 24-year old midfielder netted 15 goals for the Gunners last season and has attracted interest from all over the world - as well as from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Manchester City.

Nasri: generate the hottest transfer topic this summer

But Wenger said of his compatriot: "We will do everything to keep Nasri at the club. My wish is that he stays here.

"If he looks back he can see that he's come quite a long way with us, and I think there is still a bit to do. It's the club that makes the player's career." (...maybe he should say this to Fabregas as well)


It was reported that Sir Alex Ferguson is DEMANDING Manchester United to sign Arsenal contract rebel Samir Nasri.

Frustrated with Arsenal progress and on his way out  this summer

SAF has ordered Manchester United to land Nasri in a £22m deal before the club’s summer tour of America.


Ferguson is desperate to make the Arsenal star his fourth and final signing of the summer and take Manchester United’s spending over £70m.


United officials held talks with associates of Samir Nasri last week and are confident of a deal.


Manchester United fullback Patrice Evra could be key in their pursuit of Arsenal midfield ace Samir Nasri.

Man Utd, Man City alerted as Real Madrid star Ronaldo says he will return to England

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has declared he intends to return to the Premier League in the future.


Ronaldo, who left Manchester United for Madrid in an £80million transfer two years ago, was ­flattered by Manchester City’s ­discreet overtures to him earlier in the summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo

But before the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham launch their recruitment funds to sign one of the world’s greatest players, they should read how he sees his future plans.


Ronaldo said: “I think if I went from Spain it would be to the Premier League – but not now. First we have to win the Champions League. If I went back to the ­Premier League it would have to be with a club in the north west. I don’t like London.”


That would clearly put City – or his old club United – in pole ­position.


Ronaldo also spoke of City's offer.


Ronaldo went on: “It’s flattering to be offered like £20m a year – it’s very good, but I spoke to my agent and I think it’s better to stay in ­Madrid because this year we’re going to be the best. This ­season we are going to be a big force. Jose Mourinho is staying at Madrid so I stay. If he went to Chelsea then I would have left. I would have gone to Manchester City. But now he’s staying, I’m ­staying.”

Arsenal’s Gael Clichy expected to complete £7m move to Manchester City.

Gael Clichy is expected to complete his £7 million move from Arsenal to Manchester City in time for the start of pre-season training next week.


Clichy is currently overseas but is due back in England on Monday when the France international will finalise his transfer to Arsenal’s Premier League rivals before teaming up with his new colleagues on Tuesday.

Gael Clichy

It is understood that the 25-year-old will undergo a medical over the weekend and then put the finishing touches to a four-year contract that will see the defender almost double the salary he received at the Emirates to some £90,000-per-week.


“He is likely to undergo a medical at some point over the weekend but most of the other aspects of the transfer are agreed and he will be able to complete the formalities of the deal when he arrives in Manchester on Monday before preparations for the new season start.”


Clichy’s arrival will see Aleksandar Kolarov become his understudy and will hasten the departure from Eastlands of former England and Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge, who was loaned to West Ham last season and was last month linked with a move to Newcastle.


Arsenal decided to allow Clichy to depart because the player could have left on a free transfer at the end of next season with his current deal due to expire in a year’s time.


The signing of Clichy represents a major coup for the Manchester club as they prepare to compete in the Champions League for the first time because the player had been expected to join Liverpool in a £5.5m deal before City entered the race for his services.


City are also close to completing moves for Italian midfielder Alessio Cerci and Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic.

Alessio Cerci

Cerci, 23, who is currently playing for Serie A side Fiorentina, will head to City in a £7m deal and will be eased into Premier League football gradually with an eye on the long-term future.

Stefan Savic

City are prepared to pay Partizan Belgrade £6m for 20-year-old centre-back Savic but the Serbian club are holding out for £8m for a player who will provide back-up for the likes of Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott and Kolo Toure.


Meanwhile, City have told Aston Villa to double the money they are currently offering for Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Shay Given.


City value the 35-year-old at £5m but Villa, who are seeking a new goalkeeper following the departure of Brad Friedel to Tottenham, have so far only offered £2.5m for a player who is also interesting Scottish Premier League side Celtic.