Football transfer news

After Mourinho said that Real Madrid will not try to sign Liverpool’s captain Steven Gerrard as he is too expensive, Roy Hodgson, Liverpool’s manager confirmed his words. “Gerrard will stay at anfield and he will most probably end his career in Liverpool. I can also confirm that there was no official offer for Fernando Torres,” said Hodgson.

When he was aksed about Mascherano, he was not so sure if he will stay or go. “Mascherano is still Liverpool’s player but we have few offers on the table and we will see what will happen”

Meanwhile Liverpool is very close to signing Christian Poulsen from Juventus who would replace Mascherano, who is practically a step away from signing with Inter.

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Real Madrid consultant Ernesto Bronzetti has confirmed Douglas Maicon will stay at Inter.

“The transfer to Madrid is definitively over. Negotiations never genuinely took off,” insisted FIFA agent and Real Madrid consultant Bronzetti on Sky Sport Italia.

“I speak with President Florentino Perez every day, but after a price-tag that the club considered out of proportion with Maicon’s age, there was no counter-offer. I don’t consider Inter taking him off the market to be a strategic move, as there were no clubs willing to sign him at that price anyway. They probably were smart in setting the bar so high, as they never did want to sell the player.

“In my view, today’s story isn’t really news, as I knew how things were already. It’s only natural Maicon was interested in the move, especially with Mourinho here.”

Jose Mourinho was eager to reunite with the Brazilian right-back after their successful stint together at San Siro, but even the Merengues baulked at the €28m price-tag.

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The Sao Paulo website published the statement confirming contracts had been filed, although did not state the precise nature of this reported €13.5m move.

As they (Sao Paulo) were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores in the semi-final, he can join his new teammates straight after international duty with the Seleçao.  Hernanes should arrive in Rome to begin pre-season training around the middle of August.

On the other side, Preziosi said that Genoa is close to signing Liverpool’s Insua. Fiorentina is also interested in Insua, but Genoa seems to be in advantage.

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- Fabregas will play for Arsenal next season says Wenger

- Maicon and Balotelli ready to leave Inter

- Dzeko still without official offers

- “I will buy a new striker”, said Mourinho

- The draw for the play-off round of the Champions League 2010-11 will take place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, at 12:00 CET.

- Giovinco joins Parma on loan

- “Italy has to change its sports culture: We must start to trust in youngsters,” said Arrigo Sacchi

- Lazio close to Hernanes, now they want Huntellar too?

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Jose Mourinho who joined Real couple of weeks ago from European champions Internazionale Milano has stated that the world will see better and also different Real than we did last season.

“I want a new striker. Yes, I have Benzema and Higuain, Ronaldo can also play there, but i dont want to use him there. He is to talented to keep him up-front all the time. He has to have a ball.”

“Last year Real played mostly through the middle of the pitch, this year we won’t. We bought two talented wingers, Angel Di Maria and Pedro Leon who are both very good on the ball, so we will attack through the wings and also through the middle. You will see very balanced Real Madrid team.”

So, which striker do you think will join Real Madrid? Dzeko, Amauri or maybe Rooney?

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“Chelsea are the champions and they have been there and done it like us. Arsenal have got talented players but they have not won the title for a number of years. Then you have Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and City.You can’t say they are not bringing in quality players but it is a question of how quickly they can gel together,” he said.

“They showed last season that on their day they can beat anyone, but it was that consistency they lacked. They have got the quality, but it does not necessarily mean they are going to be in front,” said Giggs to Manchester evening news.

Meanwhile Chelsea’s manager Carlo Ancelotti said that Chelsea are still not ready for new season.  “Some players are in good condition but others need more time,”said Ancelotti while he is still waiting Ramires to join his squad.

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