Football news

Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad yesterday announced they have sealed a deal for Luis Figo.

The Inter midfielder will travel to Jeddah on January 5 to put pen to paper on a highly-lucrative 17-month contract. Serie A leaders Inter had been hoping to keep hold of Figo beyond January but Al Ittihad manager Hamad Al Sanie yesterday said an agreement is in place to bring the former Real Madrid player to the Middle East.

"It's official now," Al Sanie said. "Figo will sign on Friday (today) or Saturday (tomorrow) and he'll arrive in Jeddah on January 5.

"We chose Figo because he's a big star and the coach of the team, Dmitri Davidovic, asked us to look for a midfielder and, after we suggested him Figo, he welcomed the idea."

Milan close in on Grimi

Young Argentine full-back Leandro Grimi is set to become Milan's first signing in the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old, currently on the books of Argentine club Racing, is in Milan to conclude talks over a five-year-deal.

Grimi is being recruited as much as a prospect for the future as for the present but he should still be integrated into the Milan first team squad during the club's winter training camp in Malta next month.

The left-back, who will turn 22 in February, said he is relishing the prospect of playing for the Italian giants.

"For me to arrive at a prestigious club like Milan is a dream come true. I'm delighted," he said.

Pearce denies Richards transfer

Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce yesterday claimed Chelsea have not made contact about signing £18-million-rated England teenager Micah Richards.

Yet, Pearce revealed he is in touch with Chelsea about potential signings, one of which is understood to be former City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Defender Richards, 18, has been strongly linked with a January move to Stamford Bridge.

Pearce said: "There has been no contact from Chelsea, although I have rung them about players coming here."

And Pearce also warned Chelsea that City do not need to sell Richards for financial reasons.

"I must remind everyone that Manchester City are not in the situation they were two years ago, when we had to sell," he said.

"Players will only leave if it benefits the club only."

Inter move looms for Camoranesi

Juventus winger Mauro Camoranesi could be set to join Inter in June according to latest reports in Italy.

The World Cup winner is contracted to the Turin club until 2009 but had already attracted the interest of the Nerazzurri in the summer. At the time, Camoranesi had expressed his doubts about playing in Serie B before Juventus blocked his departure.

La Gazzetta dello Sport has suggested that Inter are ready to make a new offer for the Argentine-born midfielder who has proved to be a key player for Didier Deschamps so far, as the Juve management could let him leave Turin at the end of the season.

Inter could also include Walter Samuel in the deal after the former Roma defender indicated that he would favour a transfer to another club.

Pires dreams of Arsenal return

Robert Pires has set his heart on an Arsenal swansong. The Villarreal player is keen on a return to the North London club where he enjoyed such great success during a trophy-laden six years.

Pires left Arsenal to join Villarreal on a two-year deal last summer. Injuries have scuppered Pires's hopes of hitting the ground running in Spain, and the 33-year-old is desperate to make a success of his career on the continent.

But the former France international is still keeping one eye on his old club.

"After my two years here (Villarreal), I would love to play one last season for Arsenal," Pires admitted.

Calderon admits Eto'o error

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has admitted his club made a huge error of judgment when they allowed Samuel Eto'o to leave and sign for bitter rivals Barcelona.

Real agreed to sell their stake in the Cameroon hit-man in the summer of 2004 and he has since gone on to prove a major hit at the Nou Camp. He has netted over 50 goals for the Catalans and provided the attacking spearhead for a team who have now won back-to-back Spanish league titles.

"To let Eto'o leave was an error," Calderon confessed.

"He has more than demonstrated this, because Eto'o, if he is not the best, he is certainly among the three or four best forwards in the world."

Amauri injury blow for Palermo

Palermo striker Amauri (picture) could be out of action for three months after twisting his right knee and partially damaging cruciate ligaments during the club's 1-1 league draw at Siena last Saturday.

The 26-year-old Brazilian will see a specialist after the Christmas break to decide whether he will need to undergo surgery or not.

Amauri has been a key figure for the Sicilians so far, scoring eight goals in 18 Serie A matches since joining Palermo from Chievo in the summer.

Palermo are currently third in the Italy's top flight.