Football transfer news

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has ruled the club out from making a move for former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in the near future.

The 34-year-old Ivory Coast international brought an end to an eight-year stay at Stamford Bridge at the end of last season by moving to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua in a deal believed to be worth £200,000 a week.
However, since then a behind-the-scenes power struggle at the Chinese Super League outfit has led to reports that Drogba is looking for a way out already, with the club struggling to pay his wages, but Wenger has denied that he is interested in offering Drogba a dramatic and early return to the top flight.

“At the moment no. In my opinion he is not free. He has just left England,” Wenger told reporters.

“I don’t know about the situation because he came out with a completely different statement.

“You hear he might go to Real Madrid – but then he says ‘I am staying in China’. Is it just because he wants to be paid off? I don’t know.”

The current Spanish champions Real Madrid along with Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool side have been mooted as possible future destinations should he decide to leave China, although the player’s representatives denied that Drogba wanted to leave last week.

Bayern Munich general manager Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisted that Athletic Bilbao will not take any legal action against the club regarding the transfer of Javi Martinez.

It had been alleged that the Spain international had travelled to Germany without permission to undergo a medical at the Allianz Arena, much to the displeasure of club president Josu Urrutia.

However, the former West Germany striker is confident that his side will not face any sanctions, and stressed that the Bavarians did not act in an illegal manner.

“Athletic should not retaliate. President Urrutia assured the player and his family that he will not take any legal action,” Rummenigge told Sportbild.

“When a club buys a player for €40 million there must be the right to check if the player is in perfect condition before signing contracts.”

Javi Martinez could make his first start for Bayern Munich as the German side take on Mainz at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade has denied that the club have agreed to sell Stevan Jovetic to Manchester City in January.

Goal.com exclusively revealed City’s interest in the Montenegro international this summer, although the clubs were unable to strike a deal and Prade insists the player will remain at the Stadio Artemio Franchi until next summer at least.

“Jovetic’s buy-out clause? I want to close this issue once and for all,” he told La Nazione. “What we will do will be done in a transparent way.

“So when there will be news about Jovetic’s contract, we will notify it in an official manner.

“A pre-arrangement with Manchester City? The Della Valle family [Fiorentina owners] has excellent relations with City but there is no preliminary contracts with anyone.

“Jo-Jo is our player and he will be at least until the end of the season.”

La Viola’s technical director, Eduardo Macia, admitted that the Serie A club would be unable to keep hold of Jovetic for much longer and expects him to be sold soon.

“It will be very difficult to keep him at Fiorentina, he is a great player who will eventually play for another club,” Macia told Todomercadoweb.es.

“For us his situation is similar to that of Steven Gerrard for Liverpool. This summer we decided that Jovetic was not on the market and he understood it perfectly despite Juventus’ offer.”

Luca Toni has revealed that he wants to revitalise his career at Fiorentina after his deadline day move back to the Artemio Franchi.

The 35-year-old enjoyed a prolific two-year spell at the club between 2005 and 2007 which saw him score 47 Serie A goals in 67 appearances.

He left the club for Bayern Munich five years ago, and was winding down his career with Al Nasr in the United Arab Emirates, but made a shock return to Serie A this summer.

“I cannot wait to get back on the field and make the fans happy,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.

“I am glad to be back, I had my most beautiful years here. I want to start where I left off. I think we can play some good football this year. It is a great project.”

The 2006 World Cup winner went on to say that he is looking forward to playing alongside midfielder Borja Valero, and is hoping to make his second debut for Vincenzo Montella’s side against Catania on Sunday.

“Borja Valero is really strong. I did not know him, but I’ve been impressed in the days that we’ve trained together,” he said.

“I have trained well and feel fine. I have put myself at the disposal of the coach and only he can decide if I play.

“The Catania game will be very difficult because they are a strong group. They have a settled squad, whereas we are a new team.”

EXCLUSIVE
By Elia Raimondo

AC Milan are closely monitoring the progress of Ajax starlet Davy Klaassen as they look to further rejuvenate their squad, Goal.com can reveal.

The Serie A powerhouse already secured the services of promising youngsters such as M’Baye Niang and Gabriel in the summer transfer window, and they have earmarked 19-year-old Klaassen as their next youthful, potential addition.

Klaassen is a product of the Ajax youth academy, and has been linked to Dennis Bergkamp for his intelligent positioning and movement.

The attacking midfielder, who can also play as a forward, made his official first team debut in the Champions League match versus Lyon last term, and has so far netted once in 10 appearances for the Eredivisie champions.

However, Klaassen will not be available on the cheap if Milan decide to step up their chase for the Netherlands Under-21 international.

He has a contract with Ajax until the summer of 2016, and the Amsterdam giants value the hot prospect at €7 million.