Football news

Ronaldinho's possible transfer from Barcelona to Milan is overshadowing their trip to Juventus tonight.

The Brazilian's brother and agent Roberto de Assis has travelled to Milan to discuss a deal with the European champions, who are fifth in Serie A and in danger of missing the Champions League next season.

"We only want Milan. Otherwise he will stay at Barca," De Assis was quoted as saying in yesterday's Gazzetta dello Sport.

Ronaldo leads nominations

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the nominations for the Professional Footballers' Association players' player of the year. The Man. United winger, 23, who has scored 37 goals this season, also won the award last term.

Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor, both Arsenal, are also up for the prize, along with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres. The other nominee is goalkeeper David James.

Ronaldo, Fabregas and Torres are also in the running to be the PFA young player of the year.

Genoa's Konko prefers Inter

Genoa right-back Abdoulay Konko is wanted by various top clubs in Italy but he has his heart set on a move to Inter. The 24-year-old developed in the Juve youth system after joining from France's Martigues in 2002.

After two years in Serie B on loan to Crotone, Konko was sold to Siena in a co-ownership agreement before joining Genoa.

"Where would I like to go if I left here? I would say Inter, partly because they have been tracking me for a long time," Konko told reporters.

Inzaghi wants Beijing berth

Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi has hinted he would like to play as an overage player at the Beijing Olympics with Juve's Alessandro Del Piero, both of whom look set to miss out on Italy's Euro 2008 squad.

"It would be a fascinating experience. The national team is an honour, the Olympics is a dream," he told reporters.

Kaka wants to play for Brazil at the Games and has repeated his call for his club and country to come to an agreement.

Probe centres on player payments

A police investigation of Birmingham City's co-owner David Sullivan and director Karren Brady centres on payments to two players and a football agent, the English Premier League club said.

In a statement to the stock exchange, the club said there was no allegation that any director of the club had benefited financially from the deals or that there was any material financial impact on the club.

It added that the club and its directors were cooperating fully with the police in the investigation and had asked the London Stock Exchange to resume trading in the company's shares.

Cech recovering quickly

Injured Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech said he was recovering quickly from a face wound sustained in a training ground accident. Cech required multiple stitches to a deep cut to his lower lip on Sunday.

"It looks much better, it feels much better and it is not that swollen," he told Chelsea TV.

Second-placed Chelsea host Wigan Athletic on Monday.

Walcott earns Capello's praises

Fabio Capello has lavished praise on Theo Walcott after witnessing the Arsenal youngster's display against Liverpool in midweek.

"I was delighted with the impact that Walcott made on the game - the run he made for Arsenal's second goal was incredible," he said.

Walcott, 19, was an unused substitute when England lost to France in Paris. England's next international is against the US at Wembley on May 28 and it now looks certain Walcott will play a part in that game.

Crouch agent snubs Roma

Roma have been linked with Peter Crouch but the Liverpool striker's agent is against the move. Crouch has been frustrated with his lack of first-team football at Anfield.

Roma are expected to increase their firepower during the summer and have reportedly been eyeing Crouch.

"We have to remember that Peter has a contract at Liverpool until 2011 and that he plays for one of the best teams in the world," agent Jonathan Barnett stated.

"The English League is a lot more competitive than Serie A at the moment, so to leave Liverpool would mean going to an inferior club."

Parry gets Gillett backing

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry received the backing of the Champions League semi-finalists' co-owner George Gillett yesterday after media speculation that his position may be under threat.

British media reported on Thursday that the club's other co-owner, Tom Hicks, had sent Parry a letter calling for him to resign.

"Any decision to remove him would need the approval of the full Liverpool board which, it should be remembered, consists of six people - myself, Foster (Gillett's 31-year-old son), David Moores, Rick himself, Tom Hicks and Tom junior," Gillett told the Liverpool Echo.