Football News

Felix Magath yesterday told reporters he does not expect any arrivals or departures at Bayern Munich this month, leaving Manchester United frustrated in their pursuit of Owen Hargreaves.

The England international revealed last week that Alex Ferguson had tabled a renewed £20 million bid for his services after originally failing to strike a deal following Hargreaves' impressive performances at the World Cup finals.

However, Magath has now stated that the German champions are not expecting any changes to their squad before the end of the month.

"No, I'm assuming we'll go in pursuit of our targets - retaining the league championship and performing well in the Champions League - with the squad we have at the moment," the coach said.

Maccarone on way to Siena

Massimo Maccarone is set to leave Middlesbrough and join Siena in his home country on a free transfer. Limited playing time at Boro has forced the 27-year-old to seek a return home.

The former Empoli striker has scored only one goal in seven league appearances for the Premiership club this season.

"I have just returned from Middlesbrough," Maccarone's agent Paolo Fabbri said. "We have undergone negotiations for the player's free transfer to Siena."

Middlesbrough paid Empoli a club record £8.15 million for Maccarone in 2002.

Ronaldinho open to offers

Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho has not yet signed a new Barcelona deal according to his brother. The World Player of the Year for 2004 and 2005 has been a huge success at the Nou Camp since joining from PSG in the summer of 2003.

But while negotiations are reportedly ongoing with talk that Barca would offer a huge contract extension through to 2014, his brother and agent Robert Assis says Ronaldinho will consider offers from other clubs.

"There are no problems between Ronaldinho and Barcelona but that doesn't mean that we will not take in consideration other offers.

"For example, we know there is interest from a team in the United States."

Makelele denies rift rumours

Claude Makelele said reports he had complained about Michael Ballack's contribution at Chelsea were wrong. Some newspapers claimed Makelele, along with Didier Drogba, had met Jose Mourinho to discuss the German's impact since joining from Bayern Munich.

But the veteran Frenchman insisted there has been no rift caused by Ballack's arrival at Stamford Bridge.

"These reports are lies," Makelele told the Daily Star.

"Most people who know me, and who know Didier, would say we are not the type of players to talk in the papers.

"It's daft. Michael knows that we have solidarity, we're all together, the whole squad, so there's nothing in that."

Fulham fans delight Montella

The home support of the Fulham fans is helping Vincenzo Montella to settle quickly in London. The ex-Roma striker, who joined Fulham on loan earlier this month, has so far made a positive impact with the west Londoners.

The Italian hit-man helped Chris Coleman's side fight back to beat Leicester in the FA Cup last week before scoring Fulham's goal in a 1-1 Premiership draw with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Montella admitted the start of his spell in England could not have been better.

"It's fantastic because the chorus came before my goals," Montella said. "The (Fulham) supporters prepared it when I arrived in London. It means they have adopted me with affection, and it gave me a big charge."

Atkinson returns with Kettering

Former Manchester United manager Ron Atkinson has returned to Kettering Town, the club that launched his coaching career, as director of football.

Atkinson, who steered United to two FA Cup triumphs in the 1980s, has been out of the game since resigning as a television pundit in 2004 after making racist comments.

Kettering manager Morell Maison is black but Atkinson, known as 'Big Ron', rejected suggestions that his decision to take the job was designed to repair his image.

Mancini wants to renew contract

Amantino Mancini wants to prolong his stay with Roma. The Brazilian had been linked with a June exit after an alleged rift with Francesco Totti but Mancini confirmed that the misunderstanding belongs to the past.

"I am not going to ask to leave at the end of the season, I am enjoying my time here," the 26-year-old said.

"I am contracted until 2009 and I am proud to be a Roma player. I have read stories in the papers, but I want to clarify that I have never been contacted by any other club.

"The problems with Totti? We had an argument in 2005 and we never spoke about it afterwards. Now we have finally clarified this issue."

Conflicting reports on Lampard

Frank Lampard was yesterday linked with a move to Italy. The 28-year-old is tied to a contract with Chelsea until June 2009, but he has not yet renewed his deal which fuelled speculation that he might leave.

Tuttosport yesterday claimed that Juventus may be keen on making a bid, while the Corriere dello Sport suggested Inter were monitoring his situation.

However, an Italian football agent said Lampard - who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2001 from West Ham - will not leave London.

"The reports are groundless," said Franco Granello. "Lampard has a huge contract with Chelsea and he is fine there."