Football news

Sven-Goran Eriksson has stepped up his recruitment drive as Manchester City manager by signing three players, the Premier League club said yesterday.

Brazil midfielder Elano Blumer, Croatia defender Vedran Corluka and Spanish fullback Javier Garrido have all completed moves to Eastlands, taking to seven the number of players brought in by Eriksson since he took over last month.

The most high-profile of the trio is wide midfielder Elano who arrives in an eight million pounds ($16.25 million) transfer from Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk.

Alves wants to leave Sevilla

Chelsea target Daniel Alves wants to leave Sevilla for a bigger club, the fullback was quoted by Spanish daily Marca as telling Brazil's SporTV.

"I'm thankful for everything I've won at Sevilla but now is the time to continue my career at a different club," added the Brazil international.

Spanish media reports said Sevilla had received an offer of 22 million euros ($30.07 million) for Alves from English FA Cup holders Chelsea.

Robben refutes big offer rumours

Arjen Robben's father has dismissed reports that the winger has been offered a new big-money contract by Chelsea.

Hans Robben, who acts as his son's agent, said the 23-year-old is still considering a move to Real Madrid.

"It's been reported Arjen was offered £90,000 a week. If that was the case, maybe he would have signed," Hans Robben said.

"In fact, the new contract wasn't really new. It was not good, so we turned it down."

Real could intensify their efforts to complete Robben's transfer after their attempts to sign another Dutch midfielder, Feyenoord's Royston Drenthe, apparently failed.

Tevez warned about United move

Juan Sebastian Veron has warned Carlos Tevez about the pitfalls of joining Manchester United.

The midfielder made a £28 million move to Old Trafford in 2001, but failed to hit top form in two injury-hit seasons.

"Carlos will find that United is not like West Ham in any aspect," Veron said.

"The change will be enormous and if things do not go well he could suffer a mortal fall in fortune.

"To triumph at United is not easy even if you are a superstar. The people at Old Trafford are very critical."

Newcastle agree fee for Smith

Newcastle have agreed a fee with Manchester United for the transfer of striker Alan Smith (picture). The Magpies are in talks with the 26-year-old, who has been linked to a host of Premiership clubs, and it is believed the deal is worth £6m.

Smith could make his Newcastle debut alongside former Leeds team-mate Mark Viduka in a pre-season friendly against Sampdoria on Sunday.

Out-of-contract Lyon captain Cacapa, 31, is also in talks with Newcastle. The Brazilian central defender skippered the French champions in each of their last five title-winning seasons.

Hyypia not interested in Fulham

Sami Hyypia is set to turn down the chance of joining Fulham as he wants to have another go at winning the Premier League title with Liverpool.

Fulham have tabled a £1 million offer for the Finland defender but their chances look bleak as Hyypia wants to remain at Anfield despite losing his place in the team.

"I have one more year to go and, hopefully, I'll play as many games as I did last season," Hyypia said.

"After that, I'll see what I'm going to do. Is this my last chance to win the league with Liverpool? We'll see."

Juve target Uruguayan defender

Uruguayan defender Diego Godin is being linked with a move to Juventus after he revealed his ambition of playing in Europe this season.

The 21-year-old defender impressed for Uruguay during last month's Copa America and has attracted interest from several top sides, including Real Madrid and Inter.

Sources said that the Serie B champions have already made a lucrative offer to Godin's club Nacional and he is expected to discuss personal terms in the coming days.

Milan hampered by injuries

Milan are facing a striker shortage for the Moscow tournament, which starts today, due to a spate of injuries.

The European champions are in the Russian capital to face Lokomotiv Moscow, PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid in a competition to celebrate 170 years of Soviet Railways.

Gabonese youth product Willy Aubameyang may be handed a start as Ronaldo, Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino are all sidelined with injury problems.

Ronaldo pulled a hamstring kicking a ball in training, Inzaghi is nursing a sore left thigh and Gilardino is still recovering from knee surgery.

Coco on his way to St Etienne

Francesco Coco is close to moving to French Ligue 1 club St Etienne.

The 30-year-old Inter defender has two years remaining on his contract, but is expected to complete a surprise transfer to France.

Coco, who spent last season on loan at Torino, has had his St Etienne medical and the player will now talk to the Inter officials to reach an agreement on his release.