Football transfer news

Universitario de Deportes striker Andy Polo is set to become a Genoa player in January, when the Peruvian football season comes to a close.

The young star has been subject of interest from European giants such as Arsenal and Real Madrid in previous years, however Genoa have won the race for the 17-year-old’s signature for a fee of around €1m.

“I look forward to it, I’ll be there to train with my new colleagues, I hope everything goes in the best possible way, then I’ll return to the ‘U’ to the years end,” said Polo, speaking to reporters before making the trip to Italy.

After top scoring in Peru’s under-20 Copa Libertadores side, big things are expected from the youngster who has gained many admirers since his professional debut at the age of 16.

During his time at Universitario, Polo has bagged seven goals in 35 appearances, despite playing some of the current campaign as a left midfielder.

Rennes coach Frederic Antonetti believes midfielder Yann M’Vila will remain at the club for the rest of the season, with the French transfer window set to shut on Tuesday night.

After becoming a key player for the club and also featuring for the national side on a regular basis, M’Vila has linked with several of Europe’s biggest sides.

“I do not think he will leave tonight,” Antonetti told Rmcsport.fr.

“He was disappointed because he had all of the great European clubs interested in him. He has 25 caps for France, therefore it must wait. I know that he will regain his best form.”

Both Arsenal and Tottenham were rumoured to be interested in the Frenchman, but neither club could finalise a deal before the closure of the transfer window in England.

The 22-year-old has made 110 appearances during his eight years with Les Rouges et Noirs, scoring two goals.

Sydney FC CEO Tony Pignata is positive that Alessandro Del Piero will agree to join his side despite late interest from Liverpool.

The 37-year-old has been a free agent since his contract with Juventus expired at the end of last season and has courted interest from clubs all across the globe.

Liverpool were the latest side to be linked to the forward but their attempts to hijack a deal appear to have fallen short due to the former Italy international giving his word to join the A-League outfit, leaving the Sky Blues chief with little cause for concern.

“I am optimistic. He still hasn’t signed, but he wants to. Between tonight and tomorrow we will settle the final details, it is a work in progress,” Pignata told Sky Sport Italia.

“Offers from England? Liverpool is a great club, but Australia is a big country.”

According to reports in major newspaper The Australian, Del Piero will sign a deal worth $2m per season which will be a record for the domestic game with an official announcement expected on Wednesday.

Stoke City have confirmed the signing of Michael Owen on a one-year contract.

The 32-year-old, who was released by Manchester United in the summer, will join Tony Pulis’ side subject to approval from the Premier League.

The striker moved to Old Trafford back in 2009 as Sir Alex Ferguson looked to bolster his attacking options following Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80 million to Real Madrid.

Despite netting a dramatic winner in the Red Devils 4-3 win over local rivals Manchester City, he failed to establish himself at the club and made just 31 league appearances, scoring five times.

Speculation over recent days suggested a return to Liverpool could happen as a possible way of boosting their striking options but the Potters have completed a deal to bring him to the Britannia Stadium.

Owen has scored 40 times for England in 89 appearances but has failed to represent his country in recent years.

The Potters have completed a deal for the 32-year-old following his release from Manchester United earlier in the summer, ending speculation linking him with a return to Liverpool

The ex-Real Madrid man will provide competition upfront for Peter Crouch, Jon Walters and Cameron Jerome.

Alessandro Nesta feels that the player exchange deal between Inter and AC Milan involving Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassano was in everybody’s best interests.

The former left the Nerazzurri for the Rossoneri this summer, with the latter moving in the other direction, in what was one of the most controversial deals of the summer transfer window, but the former Italy defender feels the swap-deal was the logical consequence of both players’ respective situations.

“I believe that both Cassano and Pazzini needed to leave. It was the best decision for everyone,” Nesta was quoted as saying by Eurosport.

“Cassano and Pazzini were excess baggage in their respective clubs and therefore everybody won: the clubs and the players.

“Cassano and Pazzini did not even need to move from house because they stayed in the same city.”

The former Milan defender then went on to admit that Italian football is in decline, partially because the players who have dominated Serie A in recent years are all past their prime.

“In my opinion, 1976 was an important year for Italian football. Many great players were born that year. And logically, they all became old at the same time.

“The level in Serie A is decreasing independently of all of us who have left the country. But Italian football has been in a decline for quite some time now.”

Nesta left Milan for Montreal Impact this summer.