Football transfer news

Manchester City have secured the long-term future of David Silva, with the Spaniard signing a new five-year contract with the club.

As exclusively revealed by Goal.com last week, the 26-year-old’s representatives have been in negotiations with City throughout the summer over a new £200,000-a-week deal for the player.

And with Spanish giants Real Madrid, who City meet in the Champions League on Tuesday, believed to be keen on bringing Silva to Santiago Bernabeu, the Premier League side have moved to ensure the playmaker joins a number of first-team stars committing their future to the club.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Silva insisted the champions ambition was a key factor behind his decision to remain at Eastlands, with Roberto Mancini’s men now eyeing European success.

“I’m very pleased because I’ve been here for two years now and I feel very happy here at the club, in the city and with all the people,” he told the club’s official website.

“So now I’m delighted to be extending my contract and being here really does feel just like home for me.

“We’ve won the Premier League title and two other trophies too, and the team is growing and we are now aiming at the Champions League and so that also is another reason to want to stay here.

“As I said, I feel very comfortable here and I want to try and win trophies like those. These last two years have gone very well and so let’s hope that the next five go as well or even better.

“The fans have always given me their support since I arrived here, and recently they‘ve been wanting me to sign, so hopefully this goes someway to thanking them for the affection they’ve shown towards me, something which also helped me decide to put pen to paper.”

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has landed in Australia ahead of his move to Sydney FC, and is looking forward to a new chapter of his career.

The veteran forward’s deal with the Bianconeri expired at the end of last season, and after a month of speculation, he eventually chose to ply his trade in the A-League.

And the former Italy international was quick to deny that he had made the move to the Sky Blues for a final pay day before retiring.

“I am not here for the end of my career,” he told reporters at the airport.

“I am here for the start of a new career.”

The 37-year-old spent 19 years with the Turin giants, and won six Scudetti and one Champions League with the Old Lady.

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has revealed that he was also contacted by Arsenal during the summer transfer, but eventually opted to join the Spurs as they gave him ‘a good feeling’.

The Belgium international signed a long-term contract with the White Hart Lane outfit over the summer, and has gone on to start two of their three Premier League matches so far.

His future was uncertain for a long time, however, and the former Ajax captain revealed he questioned Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp over both clubs.

“[Bergkamp] knows Tottenham are a very big club. He’s a very good guy, and I get along with him very well,” the 25-year old told Sky Sports.

“I chose Spurs because they gave me a good feeling. I spoke to Daniel Levy and Rafael van der Vaart. Arsenal did try to sign me, but I’d already made my decision that I wanted to play [for Spurs].

“[Arsenal captain] Thomas [Vermaelen] told me [the Arsenal and Tottenham rivalry] was like Ajax and Feyenoord.

“They’re big rivals but when I walk down the street even the Arsenal fans have been very respectful.”

Tottenham will look to secure their first victory of the season when they travel to Reading on Sunday.

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Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright has stated that he would relish the opportunity for Shanghai Shenhua striker Didier Drogba to sign for the north London club.

The Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move away from his current side amid issues revolving around the club’s boardroom.

Wright, who scored 128 league goals for the Gunners, has spoken highly of the striker who scored the winning penalty in last season’s Champions League final.

“I’d love to see Didier Drogba at Arsenal, I’d like to see him come back to England,” he told Absolute Radio. “And not play against Arsenal because he’s always demolishing them and the back four!”

“Of course you’ve got to play that kind of thing down. I think if Drogba’s coming back to the Premier League I’m sure there’ll be a queue and I think if Arsenal are in and around it, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. That’s not a bad signing.

“Hopefully Arsene can make that happen, if it can happen, because I think he will be a definite positive move in respect of Arsenal and I think he’s still got something to offer in the Premier League. So fingers crossed that something can come of that.”

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