Football news

Liverpool could include Djibril Cisse in their offer to Atletico Madrid for striker Fernando Torres.

The French forward spent last season on loan at Marseille who are keen to extend his stay but Liverpool have ruled out any prospect of a new loan. Reports in Spain suggest Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has made contact over Torres and is ready to offer Cisse and other players to try and land Atletico's captain.

Arsenal and Manchester United are also being tipped to table bids for the Spanish international, but Liverpool appear to be heading the race at present.

Eto'o going nowhere - Barcelona

Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano has refuted talk that Samuel Eto'o could join Arsenal following Thierry Henry's move to the Nou Camp.

Soriano insisted that the 26-year-old Eto'o will be staying, despite being linked with a move to several Premiership clubs as well as Milan.

"He wants to stay and we want him to stay," Soriano told BBC Five Live. "If things go right we will have him playing with Thierry Henry next season. Definitely, he will be staying."

Emre commits to Newcastle

Newcastle midfielder Emre has committed himself to the club and is ready to fight for his place under new boss Sam Allardyce.

The Turkey international had been linked with a return home to former club Galatasaray or rivals Fenerbahce.

"I'm happy in England and I'm not thinking about leaving Newcastle," Emre said. "I have received serious offers from Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, but I have great respect for Sam Allardyce, and I want to continue my career in England."

Roma seal Esposito switch

Cagliari president Massimo Cellino has confirmed that Mauro Esposito will join Roma in a co-ownership deal.

The winger, who spent six months on the sidelines last term due to a knee injury, was also a target for Roma last summer, but the Giallorossi failed to complete the transfer then.

Cagliari have agreed to let Esposito join Roma while keeping 50 per cent of his contract. They have reportedly been offered £3.5m by Roma, plus the loans of Gianluca Curci and Daniele Galloppa.

Atalanta close in on Ahumada

Atalanta are very close to clinching a deal for River Plate stalwart Oscar Ahumada, according to the Argentine club's president.

The Bergamaschi are looking to strengthen their midfield in view of Cristiano Doni's likely departure and have kept their eye on the 24-year-old Argentine playmaker.

"There are still some documents to be signed, but I can say that Ahumada has been transferred to Atalanta because they have accepted to pay the £1.4m that River want for the player," said Jose Maria Aguilar.

"We are very proud of Ahumada because he grew up at River and our current coach Daniel Passarella considers him one of the most important players in the team. However, we can't halt his career," added the official.

I'd be better than Sven - Warnock

Neil Warnock reckons he would do a better job than Sven-Goran Eriksson at Manchester City. Eriksson is set to hold more talks with prospective City owner Thaksin Shinawatra with a view to becoming the new manager at Eastlands.

However Warnock, who resigned as Sheffield United manager at the end of the season following their relegation, thinks he would outperform the Swede.

Asked if he would do better than Eriksson, Warnock told Sky Sports News: "That's a little bit of a pointed question... but the answer is yes."

Clubs await Smith's return

Alan Smith's agent is refusing to disclose any information on the striker's immediate future, amid reports that Middlesbrough were close to striking a deal, worth £6 million, for his services.

The 26-year-old Manchester United striker is being closely tracked by a number of clubs, with the likes of Tottenham, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton, Portsmouth and Sunderland all linked.

Smith's agent Alex Black said a decision will not be made on his future until later this week when he returns from holiday. "There is a lot of stuff going about at the moment," Black told the Manchester Evening News.

"But nothing is going to be done until Alan comes back from his break."

Ince takes charge of MK Dons

Milton Keynes Dons presented former Macclesfield boss Paul Ince as their new manager yesterday. Ince, who took over at Macclesfield in October, resigned from his position with the Moss Rose club on Sunday.

The manager's position has been vacant at MK Dons since Martin Allen left the League Two club last month to take over at Championship side Leicester.

The former England captain preserved Macclesfield's Football League status on the final day of last season having taken over when they were at the bottom of the table.

Bojinov keen on Fiorentina stay

Bulgaria striker Valeri Bojinov wants to stay at Fiorentina despite lucrative offers from other Serie A clubs.

"I want to play for Fiorentina," the 21-year-old forward, who was on loan at Juventus last season, told Bulgarian sports website www.gong.bg.

"I still have two more years left to run on my contract and I would like to sign an extension."