Football News

Arturo Lupoli has left England to join Fiorentina in the Serie A. The 20-year-old Italian striker, who was on loan at Derby last season, joined Arsenal as an apprentice in 2004.

He struggled to make the grade with the Gunners, making only one league appearance and being used as part of Arsene Wenger's second-string side in the League Cup.

"Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Arturo for his contribution to the club," an Arsenal FC statement said.

Hargreaves seals United switch

Owen Hargreaves sealed his transfer from Bayern Munich to Manchester United. The England midfielder, who is believed to have cost £17m, has signed a four-year deal with United.

"It has been a long time coming... it was probably the worst-kept secret in football," the England midfielder said.

"I think it's great to finally reach a positive conclusion. Especially after all the time and energy that has been put in from everyone involved."

Hargreaves won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern as well as the 2001 Champions League.

Preziosi increases Genoa budget

Enrico Preziosi, the Genoa supremo, has pledged a further €14.8m to build a squad that can survive in Serie A next season.

"We have already spent €4.45m on Papa Waigo, €1.93m for co-ownership of Marco Borriello with Milan, while Juventus valued Matteo Paro at €2.97m," Preziosi said.

"It's far from over. We are thinking of investing at least as much again for those three or four signings we still need... we cannot afford to present a squad that is only fighting to avoid the drop."

Genoa are finally back in the top flight after finishing third behind Juventus and Napoli in the Serie B.

£121,000-a-week... not enough

UK newspapers reported yesterday that Frank Lampard has turned down the offer of a new contract. Reports follow claims Chelsea were willing to make him the top earner at Stamford Bridge.

One newspaper said the deal would have eclipsed the £121,000-a-week given to Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack.

Lampard, 29, has two years left on his current contract and said last week he was content to see out that period of time at the club.

"They don't have to offer me anything so I'll just carry on," he said.

Arsenal want Tevez on loan

Arsenal and Manchester United are locked in a battle for the signature of Carlos Tevez as Arsene Wenger has identified Tevez as the ideal replacement for Thierry Henry.

Arsenal, however, cannot afford the £28 million asking price for a permanent deal and are instead preparing a £9 million package for a season-long loan. Alex Ferguson is also thought to be in the hunt for the Argentine and may also favour a loan deal because of uncertainty over the player's ownership.

Inter and Real Madrid are also interested, but it is thought Tevez may prefer to stay in England.

West Ham to sign Faubert

West Ham United have reached agreement with Girondins Bordeaux to sign France midfielder Julien Faubert, 23.

"We've reached an agreement with West Ham," Bordeaux chairman Jean-Louis Triaud said. "Faubert is in London to have a medical which means his move is going well."

French media said Bordeaux had already rejected a six-million-euro offer from Glasgow Rangers for Faubert, a defensive midfielder who can also play at full-back.

Parma interested in Roma's Curci

Gianluca Curci said he would love to join Parma to make his mark on Serie A once more.

"I greeted the news of Parma's interest with great pride," the goalkeeper said. "This is a club and a team that is very young, building for next season with real enthusiasm."

Curci was the first choice for Italy in the U-21 UEFA Championships.

Parma are restructuring with new coach Domenico Di Carlo and the possible arrivals could include Palermo's David Di Michele and Reginaldo, of Fiorentina.

'Between us and United' - Drogba

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba reckons Arsenal will be out of the race for the Premiership after losing Thierry Henry to Barcelona.

"Arsenal have a serious problem because Henry's absence is a very complicated issue to resolve," Drogba told reporters. "It means it will be us and Manchester United fighting for the title again."

Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast forward has denied reports linking him with a move to Milan.

"Milan? "I only know what I read in the press but there is no problem with my contract with Chelsea," he said.

Mourinho defends Porto '04 title

Porto have found themselves caught up in a controversy over their title success in 2004. Club president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa has been accused of corruption by bribing referees, leading calls for the Portuguese giants to be stripped of their title.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, Porto coach in 2004, has not been implicated in the inquiry. He rejected suggestions that the championship title was helped by bribes.

"The only thing I know is my team at Porto did a fantastic job," Mourinho said. "I know what I did, the pride I have in it, the contribution I made towards those successes."