Football transfer news

Roma have confirmed the signing of Vasilis Torosidis from Olympiakos.

Goal.com revealed on Tuesday that the Serie A side had beaten Fulham to the Greece international’s signature, who had previously revealed he would not be renewing his contract with the Athens outfit.

The Giallorossi confirmed on their website on Wednesday that they had agreed a €400,000 deal for the 27-year-old, who has signed a contract until 2015, with the option to extend his stay by a further year.

Olympiakos had been keen to sell the versatile defender this month in order to risk losing him for nothing at the end of the season, and had allowed him to fly to Italy to complete a medical on Tuesday.

Torosidis is likely to watch his new side from the stands when they take on Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final on Wednesday, but he could be available for selection for the Serie A clash with Bologna on Sunday.

EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart

Mario Balotelli’s proposed move to AC Milan has edged a significant step closer after Manchester City agreed to lower their asking price to £20 million, Goal.com has learned.

Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola is currently in Milan in an attempt to resolve the controversial striker’s future, with talks held on Wednesday described as “progressive” by a source close to the deal.

The Premier League champions dismissed Milan’s offer of £25 million spread over six years, but would be prepared to accept a lower final fee were they to receive a larger sum upfront.

Goal.com revealed on Tuesday that the Italian giants were contemplating the sale of experienced defender Philippe Mexes, who currently earns £3.8-million-a-year, in a bid to free up the finances that would fund their move for Balotelli.

Balotelli appears set on a return to Italy having struggled to establish himself as a regular member of Roberto Mancini’s side this season.

Members of the City hierarchy, including director of football Txiki Begiristain, sanctioned the sale of the Italy international having finally lost patience with the striker following his very public training ground bust-up with Mancini earlier this month.  

The 22-year-old, who has contributed just a single Premier League goal to City’s title defence, has already given notice on his rented house in Cheshire and flown a number of personal belongings back to Milan ahead of a potential return to San Siro.

Goal.com also reported on Tuesday that the former Inter Milan star held what appeared to be a farewell meal with close friends at a Chinese restaurant with friends last weekend.

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Brazil international Bruno Cesar has admitted his move to Al-Ahli was largely motivated by financial gain, but has refuted suggestions he is a “mercenary”.

The attacking midfielder left Benfica for the Saudi Arabian side for an undisclosed fee, on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The 24-year-old, who arrived in Portugal in 2011 from Corinthians, defended his decision to leave Portugal, but accepted that he has limited his options in the short-term by trading European football for the lucrative rewards of plying his trade in Asia.

“I am no mercenary,” he told Renascenca on Wednesday. “It is a very good contract. It will provide me and my family with great financial stability.

“There are two sides to the coin. It will be a much more tranquil life financially, but sports-wise it will distance me from my objectives which are the national team, playing in Europe and the Champions League, and being among the best clubs in the world.”

Cesar made his debut for the Selecao in 2011 against Gabon and has made one additional appearance for the national side since then.

Malaga have loaned Paris Saint-Germain defender Diego Lugano until the end of the season.

The Andalusian side have an option to make the deal permanent if he impresses at La Rosaleda, with the Uruguay international well down the pecking order at Parc des Princes.

The Italian coach has praised the “great professionalism” of the 32-year-old ahead of his switch to La Liga, with the player failing to make a first team appearance for the club this season.

“Diego has set an example,” Ancelotti told PSG’s official website.

“I want to emphasise that he was very professional. This is a good lesson for the whole group because he worked every day with great professionalism.”

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are currently fifth in the Primera Division after taking 32 points from 20 games, with Lugano’s arrival set to boost their strength in depth with the player available for both domestic and European competition.