Football news

Manchester City rejected a bid from Turkish side Besiktas for former England striker Darius Vassell who is forming part of Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad on a pre-season tour of Sweden.

Vassell, 27, joined City in a £2m deal from Aston Villa in July 2005.

Ex-City boss Stuart Pearce chose to play Vassell mainly on the wing rather than up front last season, and he managed just three goals in 28 games. In total, he scored 15 goals in 77 appearances for Man. City.

Zaragoza sign Pavon, Matuzalem

Real Zaragoza have signed centre-back Francisco Pavon from Real Madrid on a four-year contract. The 27-year-old stepped up from the youth ranks to Madrid's first team in 2001, and was hailed as an example of the way forward for the club by former president Florentino Perez.

But Perez's plans to combine youth-team products with some of the world's biggest names - the policy of "Zidanes and Pavons" - eventually foundered. Pavon did not play a single league game last season.

Zaragoza also confirmed that they have agreed a deal with Shakhtar Donetsk to sign Brazilian midfielder Francelinho Matuzalem.

Newcastle make market exit

Newcastle United has withdrawn from the London Stock Exchange after being taken over by billionaire Mike Ashley. He took over in June after chairman Freddy Shepherd agreed to sell his 28% stake for £37.6m.

Subsequent share purchases took Ashley's holding over the 75% mark, which triggered a full takeover.

Ashley's 101p a share takeover offer, made by his company St James' Holdings, valued the club at £131m.

Cannavaro says no to Chelsea

Fabio Cannavaro has rejected the chance to join Chelsea, according to his agent. The Real Madrid defender, 33, has been the subject of speculation since Real dismissed coach Fabio Capello.

Gaetano Fedele, Cannavaro's agent, said: Chelsea made an offer but we postponed everything due to Real Madrid's wish. New Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has said that Fabio is untouchable. It's highly unlikely that Fabio will leave Real Madrid at least this year."

Cannavaro is under contract with Real for the next two years.

Faubert out with ankle trouble

Julien Faubert, West Ham's new signing, could be a doubt for the start of the new season after suffering an ankle injury. The 23-year-old midfielder was carried off in the 1-0 friendly defeat in Austria against Sigma Olomuc, of the Czech Republic.

Faubert, a £6.1m signing from Bordeaux, left the ground with his leg in a brace and will undergo tests to determine the extent of his problem.

West Ham fear Faubert could face a lengthy lay-off.

Lazio set to sign keeper Carrizo

Argentine goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo is on his way to join Lazio.

The Serie A club have eyed the River Plate keeper as they look for a new no.1 to replace Angelo Peruzzi, who retired from football.

Reports in South America claim that Lazio officials travelled to Argentina to discuss the player's position, finalising a £5.5m deal with River Plate.

Carrizo is set to sign a five-year deal worth £360,000 per season.

Figo dreams of Champions Cup

Luis Figo said he wants to win the Champions League with Inter before hanging up his boots. The former Portuguese international had originally been set to join Al Ittihad this summer, but the move collapsed.

"I am very happy to be here," Figo told reporters. "We all want to do well and we have great objectives. It is logical that my main target remains the Champions League.

"Even if I am 35, I still dream of winning as much as I can."

Giuly delighted to join Roma

Ludovic Giuly has high ambitions with his new club Roma. The diminutive French winger made it clear that he would settle for nothing less than silverware in his first season in Italy.

"I have lots of great memories from my time at Barcelona, but now I'm here to win," the ex-Monaco player said.

Reports said Giuly refused offers from six other top clubs before joining Roma.

Giuly said: "Francesco Totti is a great player and it will be a pleasure to play alongside him. I'm delighted to be a Roma player."

Fabregas aiming high at Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas wants to stay at Arsenal and captain the side in the near future. The 20-year-old midfielder has chosen to stay at the Emirates Stadium despite interest from Real Madrid, and he feels the club has a chance for success.

Gilberto Silva is the current captain following Thierry Henry's departure but Fabregas admits he would eventually like the armband.

"All players want this kind of responsibility," he said. "It's something that I have liked ever since I have been young and it would be no problem for me to be captain of this club."

Real to play waiting game

Real Madrid are prepared to be patient in their attempts to sign Dutch international Arjen Robben from Chelsea, president Ramon Calderon said.

"The player has already signalled his interest, but there is no agreement with Chelsea," Calderon said.

"It's a negotiation that will continue over the following days or weeks, and if the situation is right economically, he is a player who could join us."