Football news

Sevilla have rejected two new offers for Brazilian right-back Daniel Alves, according to president Jose Maria del Nido.

"They didn't meet our requirements," Del Nido said.

The offers are believed to have come from Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Del Nido is reported to want at least 40 million euros ($53.92 million) for the 24-year-old international.

Marca reported that Alves is prepared to refuse to play for the club if they do not listen to the offers.

Valencia stop Van der Vaart talks

Hamburg captain Rafael van der Vaart is no longer in Valencia's plans.

The 24-year-old midfielder had spoken of his desire to move to Spain but the Bundesliga club blocked the move.

"Valencia informed us officially they are no longer interested," Hamburg sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer said. "It is a good feeling for everyone that Rafael will keep playing in Hamburg. It is important that things calm down now."

Van der Vaart's contract with Hamburg expires in 2010.

Everton agree fee for Yakubu

Everton have agreed a club record fee of £11.25 million with Middlesbrough for Nigeria striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

The 24-year-old will now discuss personal terms with Everton, the Premier League club said yesterday.

The deal comfortably surpasses Everton's previous record of £8.5 million spent on England forward Andrew Johnson.

Yakubu joined Middlesbrough from Portsmouth in 2005 and scored 35 goals in 104 appearances, including 16 in all competitions last season.

Huge gulf at Real - Emerson

Milan paid Real Madrid between five and 5.5 million euros for Brazilian midfielder Emerson after the Spanish champions bought the player for 16 million euros a year ago.

The 31-year-old, who will sign a two-year contract with the European champions, said the problems with the club's directors was one of the reasons for his departure.

"The president didn't behave well towards me," he told reporters.

"There is a huge gulf between the players and the directors at Real and that's one of the main problems at the club.

City after Bojinov replacement

Manchester City are looking to bring in a replacement for injured striker Valeri Bojinov. The Bulgarian will be out for at least five months after suffering cruciate knee ligament damage.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said: "Work is going on in the office. We didn't want to have to do it but we have to look carefully at the situation because when you have a player who needs this kind of operation, you can never be sure how long it takes to come back.

"But it is not only a striker, we need one or two midfielders as well."

Boumsong to stay at Juventus

Lyon's hopes of signing Jean-Alain Boumsong from Juventus look to be over after the defender claimed he was sure he would be staying in Turin. Boumsong has been linked with a move to Lyon, who are looking to bolster their defence after seeing their captain Cris ruled out for six months with a knee injury.

But the 27-year-old said: "I see myself at Juventus. If another club of this quality proposes something to me, I will study it out of respect.

"Lyon are a top club but at the moment, I have received no concrete proposition from them."

Peruzzi... no comeback

Angelo Peruzzi said he will not make a comeback to ease Lazio's goalkeeper crisis. Lazio are short of options after their move for Argentine star Juan Pablo Carrizo hit unexpected difficulties.

Lazio may have to wait until January to call upon the River Plate star and look set to play 43-year-old reserve Marco Ballotta for now.

Peruzzi said: "Since the moment I made the decision to quit I have never reconsidered. I feel nostalgia for club football but I can confirm that I have hung my boots up once and for all."

Obinna will not leave Chievo

Despite links with other clubs, highly-rated Nigerian Victor Obinna will play with Chievo in Serie B next season. The Inter-owned striker spent the last two years on loan at the Verona-based club.

However, after Chievo's relegation, the 20-year-old was expected to find a new club but Chievo chief Luca Campadelli thinks differently.

"Obinna will play for Chievo next season," Campadelli said. "There is a five-year contract and it will be respected."

Gers' interest in Stefanovic

Rangers manager Walter Smith confirmed his interest in signing Portsmouth's Serbian defender Dejan Stefanovic.

The 32-year-old centre-back has yet to feature for English Premier League side Portsmouth this season.

Smith said: "Stefanovic is one of a few players we are looking at and will continue to look at until the transfer window is closed."

Wiltord leaves Lyon for Rennes

France striker Sylvain Wiltord is leaving Lyon for Ligue 1 rivals Stade Rennes after agreeing a two-year contract, Rennes said yesterday.

The 33-year-old, who left Rennes in 1997 for Girondins Bordeaux before moving on to Arsenal and then Lyon, has decided to return to his first club, the Brittany side said.

Wiltord, who was told off by his Lyon bosses for poor discipline, had been talking to Rennes for weeks.