Football transfer news

EXCLUSIVE
By Elia Raimondo

CSKA Moscow star Alan Dzagoev could be on his way to Serie A in the summer of 2013, with Roma boss Zdenek Zeman keen on signing the Russia international, Goal.com understands.

The veteran coach is eager to add some more creativity to his squad, and sees the 22-year-old as the answer to his attacking problems.

Zeman has asked the Roma board of directors to sign Dzagoev as a reward if he manages to guide the Giallorossi to next year’s edition of the Champions League, and first contact with CSKA has already been made.

The Army Men have no intention of letting go of Dzagoev on the cheap, however, and have told Roma that an offer in the region of €30 million is needed to convince them to sell the attacking midfielder.

Dzagoev has developed into a key player at CSKA since joining the club in 2007, and was one of the stars of Euro 2012 as he netted three goals in the group stages for Russia.

He was heavily linked with clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window, but a move never materialised.

Radamel Falcao has admitted that he considered leaving Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window after the club said they could struggle to hold on to their star striker without Champions League football.

The Colombia international, 26, was linked with clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea over the course of the summer, but eventually stayed at Atletico as no concrete offers came in.

“I thought about the possibility of leaving when the club said that it would be difficult to continue if it did not get into the Champions League,” Falcao was quoted as saying by Marca.

“The future was uncertain because of finances but the team made a big push and almost the entire squad stayed in the end.

“That’s something that shows how well Atletico are being managed. I’m under contract for a few more years, my reality is Atletico and I can’t think about anything else.”

The striker then went on to express his delight with his success at Atletico so far, and is hungry for more silverware.

He added: “It’s what I was hoping when I signed, to make my mark, be important to the club, in the squad. To celebrate good times and titles like those we’ve won. We have to keep doing the same and look for new objectives. 

“I know that there were people who doubted me, who weren’t convinced about my transfer fee. I came from Portuguese football. The mutterings were normal, the team was not in a good place and it was to be expected. I am proud to have won over the fans.”

Falcao’s current deal with the Colchoneros runs until June 2016.

EXCLUSIVE
By Sandro Dall’Agnol

James Rodriguez has caught the attention of Inter with his good performances for Porto, Goal.com can reveal.

The Nerazzurri are looking to further rejuvenate their squad at the end of the 2012-13 campaign, and they see the 21-year-old Rodriguez as a valuable addition to their attack.

The versatile attacker has previously been linked with clubs such as Manchester United and Juventus, and Inter have now joined the race for his signature.

Rodriguez came through the ranks of the Envigado youth academy, and also wore the jersey of Banfield before joining Porto in the summer of 2010.

The Colombia international has since developed into an important first-team member at the Portuguese champions, and his good performances have earned him the interest of Inter.

Nevertheless, Rodriguez will not be available on the cheap, as he has a contract with Porto until the summer of 2016, containing a €45 million buy-out clause.

Meanwhile, Inter also remain interested in Villarreal attacker Giuseppe Rossi. The Italy international is currently recovering from a knee injury, but has stated more than once that he is keen on returning to Serie A.

The 25-year-old attacker’s current contract with the Segunda Division side runs until June 2016, but the Yellow Submarine are ready to cash in on Rossi if a good offer comes in.

Porto playmaker Joao Moutinho has committed his long term future to the club, amidst rumours that Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is set to return for his services come January.

After coming close to sealing a move to White Hart Lane on transfer deadline day in August, the former Sporting Lisbon midfielder is set to reject any offer from north London, and is said to prefer a future in Portugal over any move elsewhere.

With Zenit St Petesburg also looking to acquire his signature after a costly summer of signings themselves, it was thought that Moutinho could be on his way out of the Estadio do Dragao.

“I’ve made the decision to stay with Porto,” Moutinho told reporters.

“We believe in the value and quality we have here. I’m happy and what I want most is to win against PSG [in Wednesday’s Champions League group game].”

Porto will be hoping to build on a positive start in the Champions League against PSG, after a 2-0 victory away at Dinamo Zagreb in their first game of Group A.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has recommended FC Nordsjælland’s Jores Okore to Sir Alex Ferguson as a potential signing.

The 20-year-old Ivorian-born Denmark international made an impressive start to his professional career helping The Wild Tigers to the Danish Superliga title last season making 25 appearances.

And former Old Trafford legend and compatriot, Schmeichel, has tipped the defender for a big future in the game noting that he had highlighted the player’s talents to Sir Alex.

He told Sky Sports: “I’ve already mentioned him to Sir Alex, of course.

“I think everybody who’s watched him play, who has contacts in various clubs around has just kept an eye on this fellow, because he is something.”

The former Villa and Manchester City keeper was speaking after the Danish side’s Champions League tie against Chelsea in which the Premier League side won 4-0.

However, despite a resounding defeat the 48-year-old believes the Denmark international put in a great performance against the European Champions.

“We’ve always known he was quick, we’ve always known the strength. He’s good in the air, we’ve never seen him on this stage before at this level, and the way he played today was a big surprise for me, that he could actually pass the ball as he did and take part in open play.”