Football news

Djibril Cisse has revealed he always had his heart set on a switch to Marseille. Marseille have "agreed in principle" a deal to sign Cisse from Liverpool despite a late move by West Ham.

French international Cisse has rejected the overtures from the London club and has signed a four-year deal at Stade Velodrome.

"I am very happy, really delighted," Cisse told Marseille's official website. "It has been a long time coming. We fought tooth and nail for this and we have got what we wanted.

"It went very well last season. Marseille is like my home. I am happy here."

Barca agree terms with Milito

Barcelona are reported to have agreed terms with Real Zaragoza defender Gabriel Milito.

The 26-year-old Argentine international is set to move to the Nou Camp after four seasons with Zaragoza. However, the two clubs have yet to reach an agreement with Barcelona failing to meet Zaragoza's demands.

Barca have tried to incorporate both Thiago Motta and Santiago Ezquerro, but Zaragoza want straight cash for the central defender and are holding out for 18 million euros.

Milito's arrival could also mean that Rafael Marquez becomes surplus to requirements, with Atletico Madrid being strongly linked with the player.

Recoba willing to join Napoli

Alvaro Recoba is willing to join Napoli, but only if Inter president Massimo Moratti has no objection to the move.

"Napoli would like to have me and it would be a fascinating challenge for myself," the Uruguayan international said yesterday.

"The only way that would change is if Moratti told me that I could go to Napoli. If that makes him happy then I would be happy too."

Recoba is finally on his way out of the San Siro after a highly disappointing season where he only made a limited number of first-team appearances.

Villa hand trial to French keeper

Aston Villa have handed a trial to French Under 21 goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. The 22-year-old has progressed from Le Havre's famed youth set-up and is now being lined up for a move to England.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has confirmed that he and his staff will run the rule over Mandanda over the coming week.

"He'll come in for a couple of days so we can have a look at him and we'll see what happens after that," O'Neill said.

Fulham deny Camara interest

Fulham have denied reports stating they have tabled a £4 million bid for Wigan striker Henri Camara.

Cottagers boss Lawrie Sanchez is keen to bolster his attacking options for next season and has been linked with moves for West Brom's Diomansy Kamara and Blackburn's Jason Roberts.

So far Sanchez's efforts have been frustrated, leading to speculation he has turned his attention to Senegal forward Camara. But a Fulham spokeswoman said: "Fulham have not made an offer to Wigan for Henri Camara."

Valencia wait on Flamini

Valencia are awaiting news whether French midfielder Mathieu Flamini will join them from Arsenal.

The Spanish club have held talks with the unsettled player who is looking to leave Arsenal after growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities at the Emirates Stadium.

The former Marseille man is thought to be considering buying out the rest of his contract in order to leave the North London club.

Giuly rejects English offers

Ludovic Giuly has revealed he has rejected offers to move to England and is considering staying at Barcelona next season.

The French winger has been strongly linked with a move away from the Nou Camp this summer with the club believed to be ready to let him go.

Tottenham and Newcastle have been linked with the 31-year-old while interest from Monaco and Marseille has cooled after learning of Barcelona's asking price for the midfielder. Giuly is in no rush to leave Barca and is ready to see out the final year of his contract .

Inter close in on defender Rivas

Inter are looking to strengthen their defence with the capture of Nelson Rivas, of River Plate. The 24-year-old is understood to be on the verge of completing a move to the Italian champions.

Nelson Enrique Rivas should land in Milan tomorrow to undergo his medical - even if there may be a delay in securing his signature. Inter are waiting to get a response from Juan Sebastian Veron after they offered the midfielder the chance of a sensational return.

As Inter can only register one more non-EU player, Rivas would immediately be loaned out by the Nerazzurri to accommodate for Veron's possible return.

Bojinov given ultimatum

Fiorentina have told Valeri Bojinov to sign a new contract or face being sold to another club this summer. The Bulgarian wants to prove himself in Florence after an unsuccessful spell on loan at Juventus last term, but it seems that a contract row may see that desire disappear.

"The club told us that we either sign or he'll sell the player. I'm now having doubts over whether Fiorentina really believe in the player or if they want to just sell him." Bojinov's agent Gerry Palomba said.