Football News
Mascherano wants to stay
Unsettled Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano told reporters this week that he does not intend to leave West Ham despite speculation that he could move to Juventus next month.
Mascherano has endured a nightmare spell at Upton Park and has been linked with an exit to Italy after Juventus coach Didier Deschamps admitted his liking for the former River Plate prodigy.
Mascherano was afforded less of a chance to impress than compatriot Carlos Tevez under Alan Pardew's rule. But he insists he is not ready to give up on his dream of playing in England.
"It hasn't crossed my mind to leave the Premier League after being unsuccessful here. But if I'm still not playing, things get complicated," Mascherano said.
Hildebrand likely to leave
Timo Hildebrand, the Germany no.2 goalkeeper, looks set to leave Stuttgart at the end of the season.
Horst Heldt, the club's sporting director, yesterday revealed that negotiations over a new deal had broken down.
"We have withdrawn our offer. Timo has informed us that he cannot make a decision yet," said Heldt.
Stuttgart have already been linked with a move for Hannover's highly-rated goalkeeper Robert Enke, while a return to the Bundesliga for Arsenal's Jens Lehmann is not out of the question either.
Gago to sign for Real - Calderon
Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago will sign for Real Madrid, club president Ramon Calderon said yesterday.
"Everything has turned out as we had hoped for, the player will be here tomorrow," Calderon told Spain's Radio Nacional.
Boca Juniors president Mauricio Macri, who was in Madrid for talks with Real earlier this week, had said he wanted 22 million euros for the player, while media said the Primera Liga side had offered 18 million.
The 20-year-old, who is expected to sign until 2013, was a key part of the Boca team that was pipped to the Argentine championship by Estudiantes in a play-off last week and has been compared to Argentine midfielder Fernando Redondo, who played for Real between 1994 and 2000.
Saha extends contract until 2010
France striker Louis Saha has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Manchester United until 2010, the club said yesterday.
Saha, 28, joined Manchester United from Fulham in January 2004 for £12.8 million and his initial contract ran until the end of the 2008/09 season.
His first two years were hampered by injuries but since the departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid he has become a regular strike partner for Wayne Rooney and is United's leading scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions.
Saha said: "It's great news, I'm really enjoying my time here and I wanted to show my commitment to Manchester United, but also repay the faith that Sir Alex has shown in me.
"Hopefully, we will have an exciting end to the season and add some silverware to the trophy room."