Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirms move for Sevilla centre-back Sebastien Squillaci

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed his interest in Sevilla centre-back Sebastien Squillaci but has dampened rumours of an impending move.

Squillaci, 30, was pulled out of the Champions League play-off, first leg defeat to Braga this week to prevent him being cup-tied. The Spanish side soon announced they had rejected an offer for the France World Cup 2010 star worth about £4.5 million.

Wenger revealed he had made a bid for the ex-Monaco defender and was studying other options.

He said: "He is one of the players we look at.

"With central defenders we are short number-wise, so we look at him, but we are far from being close to signing him."

Read the full story

Barcelona set to move for Liverpool's Javier Mascherano as Pep Guardiola seeks new additions

Barcelona are set to once again express their interest in luring Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano to the Nou Camp, after coach Pep Guardiola stated his desire to bolster his squad ahead of the new season.

Guardiola, in a press conference earlier today, admitted that he would not rule out any new additions ahead of the closing of the transfer window, and according to television channel TV3, the club are looking to complete a deal for the Liverpool enforcer before the deadline on August 31.

Barcelona are in the hunt for a defensive midfielder following the departure of Yaya Toure to Manchester City, and the collapse of the proposed deal for Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal, with the 26-year-old Mascherano now their number one priority.

Mascherano has publicly stated his intention to leave Anfield to further his career, and following discussions with international colleague Lionel Messi, the player believes that Barcelona would fulfill his requirements.

Last week, Blaugrana sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta passed comment on Mascherano, insisting that the player does not feature in the clubs’ plans for the season, but they have also been linked with an offer of €15 million (£12.2m) plus Aleksander Hleb to land the former West Ham United and River Plate star.

Read the full story

Lyon star Michel Bastos insists he has had no contact with Real Madrid

Lyon star Michel Bastos has ensured his club that he has received no contact from Real Madrid regarding a proposed transfer, but added that the Spanish giants are a ‘great club’.

Bastos, who represented Brazil during this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, was today the subject of speculation linking him with a move to the Bernabeu, with Royston Drenthe plus €12 million (£9.8m) exchanging hands.

However, L’Equipe reports that although Bastos is flattered by the interest, he has not been informed of any bids from Jose Mourinho’s side.

He stated: “People are saying things right and left, I try not to pay too much attention and it does not bother me, the only thing I want is to return to action soon.

“I do not want to know anything about this story until there is something official, and I have acknowledged it. Real Madrid would be a great club for me but they have not made any offer, and no one has called the club.”

However, Bastos made sure that he left the door open for the Spanish giants to potentially swoop for his services, adding: “I know that the leaders of Real Madrid have said that their signings are over, but you never know.

“If I leave today, tomorrow, or next year it will be because the club believes it is a good deal for them and for me. Otherwise, I will stay.”

Read the full story

Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart admits it would be hard to turn down Manchester United

Rafael van der Vaart has admitted that the only club he can see himself leaving Real Madrid for is Manchester United.

United have reportedly made enquiries regarding the 27-year-old midfielder, and the Dutch international acknowledges that a switch to Old Trafford would be a logical step for him at this stage of his career.

“I could never play for another club in Spain and the truth is that if you are leaving Real Madrid, there is only one club you can join that is not a step down – and that’s Manchester United," he said, according to The Daily Express.

“They are a huge club and if the reported interest they have in me turns out to be true, then I would really have to sit down and listen.

“If Manchester United could offer me first-team football with the situation as it is at Madrid, it would be very hard to turn down. Alex Ferguson is a great coach and I would never think about joining a team where I didn’t believe I could win things, so all of a sudden that limits your choices.

“At Manchester United you know success is likely and that’s a big factor for me at this stage of my career."

And Van der Vaart seems to be eyeing the Premier League if he does not see much action on La Liga over the coming campaign.

He added: "If [Real boss] Jose Mourinho makes it clear I won’t play much, I see my future in English football."

Read the full story

Mesut Oezil has agreed to join Real Madrid either this summer or next, claims player's father

Mesut Oezil's father has confirmed a deal between Real Madrid and Werder Bremen, according to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.

Mustafa Oezil declared that his son will be playing at the Bernabeu, either this season or next. The clubs are still negotiating over a fee to engineer a switch during the current transfer window, but if that breaks down the player has pledged to move to the club next summer when his current contract expires.

"We promised that if Bremen keep Mesut for now, next year year he will join a free," Mr. Oezil said.

He also confirmed a better offer was on the table for the Werder star from Inter, but the young playmaker decided to reject the offer in favour of Los Blancos.

"Mesut and I stayed at the chalet of Florentino Perez in Madrid, he invited us there and everything was resolved quickly. We were impressed by his willingness to help my child play for his club," said Oezil Senior.

He continued to say that Werder are reluctant to let their big stars leave this year but "our word is sacred."

Marca revealed that the deal between to the two parties was made shortly after the Bundesliga club had given the green light on a move to Inter, as on offer of almost €30m (£25m) had been tabled by the Italian giants.

"My son has always said that the only club he wanted to go to was Real Madrid."

Read the full story

Dudu Aouate extends Mallorca stay

UEFA Europa League play-off entrants RCD Mallorca have announced Israel goalkeeper Dudu Aouate has signed a new contract which ties him to the Liga club until 2013.

Israeli international goalkeeper Dudu Aouate has signed a new deal that ties him to UEFA Europa League play-off contenders RCD Mallorca until 2013.

Aouate, 32, started every league game in his first full season with Mallorca having moved to the club from RC Deportivo La Coruña in January 2009. The former Maccabi Haifa FC keeper has now put pen to paper on a two-year extension to his contract ahead of the new Liga campaign. Mallorca, who appointed former Danish international Michael Laudrup as their new coach last month, finished fifth in the Spanish top flight and will therefore compete in the UEFA Europa League play-offs. They will discover their opponents at the 6 August draw, with matches scheduled for 19 and 26 August.

Read the full story

Real Madrid Sign Pedro León from Getafe

Real Madrid CF have completed the signing of right-sided midfielder Pedro León from Getafe CF in a deal reported to be worth €10m, the 23-year-old committing until summer 2016.

Real Madrid CF have completed the signing of Spanish Under-21 international midfielder Pedro León from Getafe CF in a deal reported to be worth €10m. The right-sided 23-year-old committed to the club until summer 2016 following a medical today, and becomes José Mourinho's second signing after the arrival of Ángel di María. With eight goals in 35 Liga appearances last term, Pedro León played a crucial role in helping Getafe earn a UEFA Europa League play-off spot yet it will be in the UEFA Champions League group stage that the former UD Levante and Real Valladolid man will now be tested.

Meanwhile, reserve goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, a UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool FC, has penned a one-year contract with Los Merengues, tying the 37-year-old to the club until June 2011.

Read the full story

Barcelona Sign Adriano from Sevilla after getting David Villa

Adriano (left) against his new Team, Barcelona

Spanish Liga titleholders FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Sevilla FC for the signature of Brazilian international full-back Adriano for a fee that could rise to €13.5m.

Sevilla FC full-back Adriano is set to move to FC Barcelona after the two clubs agreed a fee that could rise to €13.5m for the 25-year-old. Adriano will make the move to the Liga champions subject to passing a medical at the Camp Nou, making him Barça's second signing of the summer after the arrival of striker David Villa. A former FIFA U-20 World Cup winner, Adriano scored 11 times in 157 league appearances for Sevilla following his transfer from Coritiba FC in 2004/05.

A winner of two UEFA Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, two Copa del Rey titles and a Spanish Super Cup during his time at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, the Brazilian international will now be looking to achieve UEFA Champions League success with Josep Guardiola's side, who enter the tournament at the group stage. Sevilla, meanwhile, will look to join their Liga rivals in the competition via a play-off.

Read the full story

Toure: I'm sure I'll return to Barcelona

New Manchester City signing Yaya Toure has admitted he was sad to leave Barcelona but said he will return to the Catalan club one day.

City paid Barça around £27.5m for the defensive midfielder, who will reportedly become the highest-paid player in the Premier League. Nevertheless, Toure, who will link up with his brother Kolo at Eastlands, revealed the decision to leave Camp Nou was a difficult one.

"Barça is the team of my whole life. I'm sure I'll go back one day." New Manchester City signing Yaya Toure

"The decision to leave was complicated because Barça is the team of my whole life," he told radio station RAC-1. "It was a sad decision because everybody wants to come to Barça and I have had to leave, but not playing has been difficult and it wouldn't have been normal to just sit on the bench and pick up the money."
"I wanted to bring more joy to the fans, but life is like that. Barça is a great club with the best players in the world, but I have played less in this third season, which for me has been difficult."
Nevertheless, Toure hopes to return to Barcelona one day. "I don't feel that I'm away from Barça and I'm sure I'll go back one day," he said.

Read the full story