Football news

Arsenal's major shareholder Danny Fiszman insists he will not be selling his stake in the North London club, amid reports the club are primed for a takeover.

"Over the past few months there has been much ill-informed speculation about my shareholding in Arsenal," Fiszman said.

"I have been a member of the board for 15 years now. The club has experienced many successes both on and off the pitch in that time and being part of the Arsenal family is something that is in my heart.

"In short, I have no intention of selling my shares in Arsenal for the foreseeable future.

Kanu still to sign new deal

Portsmouth are confident striker Nwankwo Kanu will sign the new deal offered to him. Kanu, 29, scored 12 goals last season and has been involved in lengthy discussion over his future.

Manager Harry Redknapp revealed chief executive Peter Storrie had hammered out a contract which he expects Kanu to sign.

Kanu was keen to cash in on last season's success by demanding a two-year deal. But Pompey have come up with a compromise, offering the Nigerian a one-year deal with an option for a second year if he plays 20 games.

Scholes out injured

Paul Scholes could miss the start of the season for Manchester United after the club confirmed he would undergo an exploratory knee operation which could keep him out for up to a month.

Scholes picked up a knock to his knee during his side's pre-season tour to Asia and headed home five days early.

Alex Ferguson said: "Paul fell on his knee in the last game. We've sent him home to see what kind of damage there is.

"We don't think it's serious but it could keep him out for three weeks or a month."

Sunderland to talk to Baines

Wigan have finally given their go-ahead for Sunderland to speak to their defender Leighton Baines.

Sunderland will start negotiations with the 22-year-old left-back, although the clubs have yet to agree a fee.

Manager Roy Keane has been chasing the England U-21 international for several weeks and has seen three bids rejected by Wigan.

However, it appears he will now get his chance to persuade £6 million-rated Baines that his future lies at the Stadium of Light.

Keane has so far spent £16 million this summer as he tries to build a squad capable not only of surviving in the Premier League.

Stankovic aiming high

Dejan Stankovic has called for Inter to go one better than last term and win the Champions League in 2008. Speaking at the training camp in Brunico, the versatile midfielder asserted that Roberto Mancini's men could build on their Scudetto success.

"We want to win the Champions League, but most of all this should be Inter's year," he enthused. "This is such a great squad and there is such desire to win.

"This year there will be lots of sides with big ambitions but we will do everything we can to win the league again and confirm that we are the best."

Vieri... a valuable addition

Giampaolo Pazzini, the upcoming Fiorentina striker, has backed the decision to sign veteran Christian Vieri. News that the 34-year-old had agreed a one-year deal was met with incredulity and derision from a large number of Fiorentina fans. However, Pazzini believes that acquiring an experienced forward could prove beneficial.

"Vieri is a valuable addition to the side," the 22-year-old insisted.

"He's a great champion. There's so much to learn from him. Of course there's his great eye for goal, but there are other secrets he can teach us as well."

Real Madrid axe Cassano

Real Madrid have left Antonio Cassano out of the squad for their pre-season training camp in Austria as they try to offload the Italian striker to another club.

The temperamental Italian's name did not feature in the list of 23 players heading for a training camp in Austria and he also failed to attend the Madrid get-together.

"You'll have to ask the directors, we don't know what's happening," confessed Raul. "He didn't turn up for training and is not on the squad list."

Bojinov... no offers so far

Valeri Bojinov's agent admitted there had been no Serie A offers so far for the wantaway Fiorentina striker.

Bojinov has rarely had a chance to shine in Florence and spent last season on loan with Juve where he hit five goals in 18 Serie B appearances. With the arrival of Christian Vieri, Bojinov's task of prising a shirt away from Giampaolo Pazzini or Adrian Mutu looks even more daunting.

"There isn't likely to be space at Fiorentina," admitted representative Gerry Palomba. "I've met with Napoli director Pierpaolo Marino, but we didn't discuss Valeri."

Oliveira looking to score goals

Real Zaragoza striker Ricardo Oliveira is confident he can rediscover his scoring form on his return to Spain after a disappointing season with Serie A side Milan.

"I'll be doing my utmost to score goals and help the team have a great season," the 27-year-old Brazilian said.

"I hope next season will be as good as or even better than the campaign I had when I scored 22 goals for Betis," he said.