Football news

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas indicated that Florent Malouda's expected move to Chelsea may not yet happen even though the player has expressed his desire to join the Premier League club.

Malouda was absent from the squad's first day of pre-season training on Monday but with Chelsea yet to meet Lyon's believed valuation of around £17 million, Aulas fears the deal may not be finalised.

"I said to Florent that I wasn't sure the deal was going to materialise and that it was necessary he went to Tignes (Lyon's training base)," said Aulas. "Sometimes, things happen quickly but I don't feel these people really want to tie up this deal."

Birmingham sign Dutch winger

Birmingham City have completed their fifth signing of a busy pre-season with the capture of Dutch winger Daniel de Ridder.

The 23-year-old, who impressed at the recent European U-21 Championship, arrives at St Andrews on a free transfer, as his contract at Spanish side Celta Vigo expired.

De Ridder, who can play both in midfield and as a striker, has signed a three-year deal and seems to be a great coup given his versatility.

Van der Gouw rejoins Keane

Raimond van der Gouw is set to join Sunderland as a goalkeeping coach. Manager Roy Keane has successfully contacted his former Manchester United team-mate and asked him to become a member of his coaching staff ahead of the forthcoming season.

Van der Gouw has been working as a goalkeeping coach at Dutch side AGOVV Apeldoorn but the club is willing to co-operate and allow him to move to the Stadium of Light.

The Dutchman spent six years at Old Trafford where he played alongside Keane.

Silvestre in Bordeaux link

Bordeaux are interested in Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre. New Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc is understood to be on the lookout for a new defender and France Football reported he has targeted Silvestre.

The report said Blanc, who played alongside Silvestre at Manchester United, has contacted the 29-year-old who last season struggled to hold a first-team place due to the emergence of Patrice Evra and return to fitness of Gabriel Heinze.

Ziegler to stay at Sampdoria

Tottenham winger Reto Ziegler has signed for Sampdoria on a permanent basis. The Switzerland international had joined Sampdoria on loan in January.

Ziegler made 15 appearances in the Serie A last season and is happy to have completed a move to Sampdoria.

"I feel good at Sampdoria," said the 21-year-old. "This is the right club for me to improve as a player."

Santa Cruz wants to play in Italy

Unsettled Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz has revealed his desire of playing in the Italian Serie A, with Roma or Milan his preferred destinations.

"I am looking for a different club because I don't want to stay at Bayern," the 26-year-old revealed. "My contract doesn't expire until next year, but I am allowed to rescind it.

"My coach has told me that two English clubs are keen to sign me, but I would like to play in Italy," he insisted.

"I really like Francesco Totti's Roma - they are my ideal club. But if they are not interested, Milan would be good."

Milito unlikely to join Juve

Juventus are not confident they are going to capture the services of Gabriel Milito.

The Serie B champions have opened talks with Real Zaragoza over the defender but negotiations have hit a snag with the Spanish side requesting a huge fee for the player.

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said: "We have our financial limits and we will continue in this way.

"Optimistic? Surely not. There is a big economical difference. Anyway, we are following other ways."

Bianchi set for Napoli move

Rolando Bianchi, the Reggina forward, wants to join Napoli this summer. He was a revelation last season, scoring 18 goals and attracted interest from several top clubs, including Juventus.

But the promising forward has declared that his heart is set on a move to newly-promoted Napoli.

"I read in lots of places that I wanted to join Juventus and that Napoli was just a fall-back option, but that's not true at all," the ex-Atalanta youth explained.

"I'm not mad to refuse Napoli's lucrative offer as it is a huge opportunity for me."

Geremi agrees Newcastle deal

Cameroon international Geremi is set to leave Chelsea for Premier League rivals Newcastle United on a free transfer after agreeing a three-year contract.

The 28-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, has agreed personal terms and passed a medical but needs a work permit to complete the deal, Newcastle said.

He joined Chelsea in 2003 after four years with Real Madrid in Spain and a fifth on loan from Real to Newcastle's northeast rivals Middlesbrough in 2002-03.

Geremi is the fourth recruit by new manager Sam Allardyce after fellow midfielder Joey Barton, Australian striker Mark Viduka and Czech defender David Rozenhal.