Author: Arif

The Brazilian made 32 appearances for the treble-winners last term but faces an uncertain future at the Allianz Arena following the signing of two high-profile midfielders

Luiz Gustavo has admitted he could leave Bayern Munich this summer following the signings of Thiago Alcantara and Mario Gotze.

The Brazilian competed with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martinez for a place in the Bavarians’ midfield last term, but faces an uncertain future after new coach Pep Guardiola opted to bring in two midfielders during the summer transfer window.

There would appear to be no shortage of possible suitors for the 26-year-old – who lifted the Confederations Cup with Brazil in June – and though he says he is happy at the Allianz Arena, he refused to rule out a departure.

He told Sport-Informations-Dienst: “I am very happy at Bayern. I have two years left on my contract, but you don’t know what will happen until August 31.”

Speculation surrounding Gustavo’s possible exit has sparked interest from Wolfsburg, with the Bundesliga side’s coach Dieter Hecking expressing his desire to sign the player.

He said: “If Luiz Gustavo isn’t happy with his role at Bayern and if a change of club ahead of the 2014 World Cup makes sense, then we could make a deal”

Gustavo scored four goals in 32 appearances for Bayern last term.

Following speculation that the QPR midfielder was keen to secure a move to boyhood club Everton, the 30-year-old has again underlined his eagerness to return to Ligue 1

QPR midfielder Joey Barton has reiterated his desire to join Marseille, rejecting speculation that he is keen to move to Everton.

The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at the Stade Velodrome, helping the Ligue 1 outfit secure a return to the Champions League, but no deal has been agreed to make the move permanent.

Reports suggested the former Manchester City man had switched his focus to a move to Everton – the club he supports – but Barton has swiftly denied such speculation.

“Recent rumours are slightly wide of the mark, everyone knows where I would like to end up, in France,” the 30-year-old posted on his Twitter account.

“Playing in the Champions League for Olympique Marseille, nothing has changed my end. If not, I am contracted to QPR and will give my all … to help them regain their Premier League status. If something happens and both clubs decide differently than I will assess my options.”

Barton made 33 appearances in all competitions for Marseille last term, scoring one goal.

Both Stevan Jovetic and Jesus Navas, summer signings from Fiorentina and Sevilla respectively, gave lively displays against the Serie A side in their pre-season encounter

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has praised new signings Stevan Jovetic and Jesus Navas after a 5-3 win over AC Milan in Munich on Wednesday.

The Premier Leagur runners-up scored five goals in the opening 36 minutes during the Audi Cup semi-final at the Allianz Arena, with Navas and Jovetic combining to set up David Silva’s opener in the fourth minute.

And City’s new Chilean boss was delighted with his side’s first half performance, despite conceding three times, singling out his new attacking signings for particular praise.

“We scored five goals and both of them [Jovetic and Navas] played very well for the first 45 minutes with Jovetic in the team,” said Pellegrini after the match.

The manager was disappointed with how his side allowed AC Milan to fight back in Munich and did not rule out potentially signing more players before the 2013-14 campaign begins.

“I am very happy with the squad we have at the moment but that doesn’t mean that [we] can’t make a change,” Pellegrini said.

“We have 15 days in August before the Premier League starts. July has just finished so we’ll see.

“We are not in a hurry searching for any special players but everything can happen from now until August 18.”

City will face Audi Cup hosts Bayern Munich in the final of the tournament on Thursday, while Milan will take on Sao Paulo in the third-placed play-off after the other semi-final ended 2-0 in favour of the home team.

Milan attacker Kevin-Prince Boateng did not have any excuses for his side’s dreadful start against City.

“We knew they [City] have a lot of quality, we were sleeping at the beginning, we had heavy legs as well but these are not excuses,” Boateng said. “We weren’t on the pitch for the first 25 minutes.”

The Turkish powerhouse have long been linked with a move for the former Barcelona star and their coach believes he could take his side “to the next level”

Besiktas coach Slaven Bilic has admitted that the Istanbul giants are keen to lure Atletico Mineiro star Ronaldinho away from his current club.

The Turkish side have long been linked with a move for the Brazil international and Bilic has now confirmed that they are eager to sign the 33-year-old in order to help the club to progress “to the next level.”

“I would love to have Ronaldinho in my squad,” the former Croatia boss told reporters.

“He might be a little older now, but I think that he still has at least two good years in him. Even at his age, he would contribute a lot to Besiktas and could help us to the next level.

“Let’s not talk about it too much, though, at this stage.”

Ronaldinho joined Mineiro from Flamengo in the summer of 2012 and guided them to Copa Libertadores glory in his first season at the club.

The Brazilian has become the latest at the Santiago Bernabeu to approve the winger’s proposed move to the Spanish capital

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka believes Gareth Bale would be welcomed at the club if he secures a move from Tottenham this summer.

Talks between the two clubs began on Wednesday over the €115 million transfer of the Wales international, with coach Carlo Ancelotti confirming he hoped for a speedy resolution to the proposed deal.

Now, following Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, Kaka has become the latest player from Madrid’s squad to praise the 24-year-old.

“He’s a very, very good player,” Kaka told Sky Sports News. “If he comes to Madrid he will be welcomed.

“He’s an amazing player with lots of technical ability, skills and tricks. We will be very happy if he comes.”