Football news

Milan have given up in their bid to sign strikers Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho from Barcelona.

"Eto'o isn't moving from Barcelona and neither is Ronaldinho because they are not for sale," Adriano Galliani said.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was thought to be keen on signing the 26-year-old Eto'o, whose position at Barcelona looked less secure after Thierry Henry's arrival from Arsenal.

Galliani said: "Milan's competitive as it is. We've got Ronaldo, (Filippo) Inzaghi, (Alberto) Gilardino and we've got Kaka. For me, Kaka is a striker. He was top scorer in the Champions League".

Heinze won't join Liverpool

Alex Ferguson has ruled out the possibility of Gabriel Heinze joining rivals Liverpool. Liverpool made a £6m bid for the 29-year-old Argentine defender but it was rejected by United.

Heinze has also been linked with Real Madrid and Inter but Ferguson said: "I can assure you Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel. We have had a couple of offers for him and we have turned them down."

Heinze has become a firm favourite with the fans at Old Trafford but told Ferguson earlier this month that he wanted a move.

China chasing Papin

China are looking to former France striker Jean-Pierre Papin to replace Zhu Guanghu as coach after their early exit from the Asian Cup.

"Yes, I am a candidate for China coach. I am interested in that position, but perhaps I'm not the only one on the list," Titan Sports quoted Papin as saying.

"If the situation is fine, why not? And I have to point out it's not mine, but the Chinese Football Association's decision."

Papin, 43, who left RC Strasbourg in June after guiding the club to promotion to the French Ligue 1, said he would talk with the CFA in Beijing later this month.

Faubert faces six months out

West Ham United's new France international Julien Faubert faces a six-month lay-off after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

The 23-year-old midfielder, bought earlier this month for £6.1 million from Bordeaux, was injured in a friendly against Czech side Sigma Olomouc on Tuesday.

"It's a devastating blow for everyone, especially Julien. He had fitted in so well and was showing all the attributes needed to be a success in the Premiership," manager Alan Curbishley said.

Kroenke wants Arsenal talks

Stan Kroenke, the Arsenal stakeholder, is looking to meet the rest of the board following talks with chairman Peter Hill-Wood and managing director Keith Edelman. The US billionaire owns 12% of the club and reports suggested he was considering a full takeover bid.

Spokesman Paul Andrews said: "He's very bullish about it. He now looks forward to meeting the other board members. He has been meeting with the people from Arsenal for the past year-and-a half and he is very fond of the way they run their business operation."

Asked whether Kroenke had a healthy relationship with Hill-Wood, who was initially hostile towards the businessman's interest in the club, Andrews replied: "Absolutely."

Geremi happy at Newcastle

Geremi has admitted it took him just seconds to decide to leave Premier League side Chelsea for Newcastle United. The 28-year-old international, who joined on a free transfer, is the Magpies' fourth close-season signing.

Geremi said: "As soon as I heard that Newcastle were interested, I said yes straight away. Newcastle have always had huge ambition and amazing fans.

"I will now be more happy to play with the fans behind me."

Cruz not quitting Inter

Julio Cruz denied he will be leaving Inter and said he still wants to end his career at the San Siro. Italian newspapers have run stories recently that suggest the Argentine is unsettled with the Italian champions.

After scoring Inter's first goal of the pre-season against China's Olympic side on Tuesday, Cruz decided to set the record straight.

"What I said the other day has been misunderstood," he explained.

"I never said I want to leave Inter. I see my name in all the newspapers and it's not good because I never caused any trouble with anyone.

"Inter is a bit like a family to me. I love this club and things are going well."

Vaughan out for 'months'

Everton striker James Vaughan will miss the start of the Premier League season after suffering a dislocated shoulder in Wednesday night's pre-season friendly at Preston North End.

Alan Irvine, Everton's assistant manager, said that the 19-year-old Vaughan, the Premier League's youngest ever scorer, would be sidelined for "months rather than weeks".

"Having suffered the injury myself, I know how painful it is and how long it can take to get back," Irvine said.

Vieri joins Fiorentina

Christian Vieri is on his way to Fiorentina after signing a one-year deal. Reports had been suggesting that the 34-year-old's agent Sergio Berti was in talks regarding the possibility of Vieri plying his trade in Florence.

Yesterday, a statement from Fiorentina confirmed that Vieri was set to join, with reports claiming he will receive £1m for the 2007-08 campaign with a bonus for appearances and goals.

"The striker is about to sign. We have come to an agreement with the player's agent," a brief press release read.