Football news

Thierry Henry will not be making a return to the English Premier League and will instead be at Barcelona next season, the Catalan club's vice-president Ferran Soriano has said.

Reports yesterday linked the Frenchman with a return to London after just one season in La Liga. When asked about a possible return to England for Henry, Soriano said: "I don't think so. I spoke with him at length a week ago and he is happy in Barcelona."

Gerrard a great player - Grant

Avram Grant is keen to lure Steven Gerrard to Chelsea after revealing his admiration for the Liverpool captain.

The Chelsea manager is preparing to take on Gerrard and Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Anfield tomorrow in what could be a key match for his future at Stamford Bridge.

"Gerrard is a great player and a great person," Grant said. "For me, he is the player of the year in England, and maybe in Europe, because of the influence he has on the team."

United linked with Gattuso

Reports in Italy suggest Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso could be the subject of a bid from Manchester United this summer.

Sir Alex Ferguson has never disguised his admiration for the World Cup winner and is ready to offer a four-year contract worth £3m per season net, according to the latest reports in Italian media.

It is claimed that Gattuso has already agreed basic personal terms with United and Milan would be willing to release him after nine years of service. However, the Rossoneri are not prepared to let him go for the proposed £10 million and want a higher offer for the 30-year-old.

Arsenal must spend big - Graham

Former Arsenal manager George Graham has warned Arsene Wenger he needs to sign up to four top players if he is to challenge Manchester United and Chelsea again.

"Arsene has got to sit down and be honest with himself, which I am sure he is," Graham said.

"After three-quarters of the season, they were five points clear, absolutely over-achieving, and then in the run-in, they are stumbling all the time.

"He needs, in my opinion, three or even four ready-made players, which will cost a lot of money."

Totti has knee surgery

Roma striker Francesco Totti could miss the start of next season after undergoing a knee operation, the club doctor said yesterday.

The 31-year-old, troubled by niggles all season, suffered a cruciate ligament injury in title-chasing Roma's 1-1 draw with Livorno on Saturday.

"Professor Pierpaolo Mariani will perform a surgical operation to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament, which will take place in the afternoon," Roma club doctor Mario Brozzi said yesterday.

"I am a bit scared because I heard a crack," Totti told reporters as he arrived at the club clinic yesterday. "I will definitely return stronger than before."

Ferguson proud of team

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his side played like "champions" in the 1-1 draw at Blackburn on Saturday.

"We'd rather have had three points and I think we deserved three points," said Ferguson, whose side will effectively seal the title if they win at Chelsea.

"But our second-half performance was phenomenal. Our tenacity was fantastic and we played like champions. The attitude and character was fantastic. I'm really proud of them."

Nike back Inter for Ronaldinho

Inter are reportedly using Nike to steal an edge over Milan in the race to sign Ronaldinho from Barcelona.

Nerazzurri chief Massimo Moratti has said the Spaniards "wouldn't move a muscle before hearing our proposal."

As Barca, Ronaldinho and Inter are all sponsored by Nike, the Serie A leaders hope to use the kit giant to convince the Brazilian to join them ahead of city rivals Milan.

Robson still unsure over Capello

Sir Bobby Robson believes the national team should be led by a British manager and expressed doubts about Fabio Capello whom he feels is hampered by his lack of English.

"We've got talent in our own league, why look abroad?" Robson said.

"The FA expanded the search and talked to Capello - big track record, so they've gone for him. But wait and see, I'm not so sure."

Robson has backed Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate as a future England boss, saying: "Southgate will turn out to be a fine England manager."

Parreira to quit South Africa

Brazilian World Cup winner Carlos Alberto Parreira will announce his resignation as coach of South Africa, soccer federation officials said.

Parreira was due to meet with the federation's executive committee to explain that he is being forced to end his tenure after just 16 months because of the poor health of his wife.

Parreira had been tasked with preparing South Africa's side for the 2010 World Cup, which the country is hosting. Despite indifferent results over the last year, he was widely regarded as being on the right track for success.