Football news

Luke Moore, the Aston Villa striker, has completed a £3 million move to West Brom after signing a three-year contract.

The 22-year-old joined the Baggies on loan in February and made three starts and seven substitute appearances as they clinched the Championship title.

Moore, who won his fifth England U-21 cap in March's goalless draw with Poland, has penned a deal which will keep him at Albion until at least the summer of 2011.

Moore is a product of Villa's youth system and was a prolific goalscorer for their academy and reserve teams. Alongside brother Stefan, he was part of the club's FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2002.

Cagliari part ways with Ballardini

Cagliari have parted company with coach Davide Ballardini after failing to agree a new deal, the Serie A club said. Ballardini guided the Sardinians to a 14th place finish this season having taken over in December when the club were bottom.

The Sardinians looked doomed to Serie B when Ballardini took over from Nedo Sonetti. But the 44-year-old inspired a 'great escape' as Cagliari battled back to secure survival with a week to spare following a 2-0 win at Udinese.

However, Ballardini hinted that the club may be unable to meet his wage demands and that has now been confirmed. Massimiliano Allegri, who led Sassuolo up from Serie C this term, is the favourite to take over the Stadio Sant'Elia hot seat.

Abbiati not joining Palermo

Christian Abbiati, now on the books of Milan, denied reports that he has completed a move to Palermo. The news that the 30-year-old keeper had joined the Sicilians broke on several websites this week.

It was reported that the former Italy keeper had agreed a £2.8m move to Palermo and was ready to sign a three-year deal.

However, Abbiati issued a statement, saying that negotiations are not complete.

"Christian denies the news that appeared over the last few days from various media sources that he has officially signed for Palermo," it read.

Abbiati spent last season on loan at Atletico Madrid and is not expected to feature in Milan's first-team plans.

Eriksson linked with Mexico job

Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson could take charge of Mexico, according to the president of the national federation.

"We have a very clear picture of the profile we are looking for. We talked with Scolari, we talked with Eriksson and we are closing in on him (the Swede)," Mexican Football Federation president Justino Compean said.

Eriksson is manager of Manchester City but recent media reports have said he is likely to be sacked despite a respectable ninth-place finish in the English Premier League.

Mexico have been looking for a replacement since former Real Madrid striker Hugo Sanchez was sacked as coach in March after only 16 months in the job.

Barzagli may opt for Wolfsburg

Andrea Barzagli, the Palermo defender, is likely to turn down an offer from Fiorentina in order to join Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

The Italy international was close to sealing a deal with Fiorentina but negotiations stalled in the last minute.

Barzagli was reportedly happy to move to Florence and Palermo were set to accept a £6m bid for him.

However, Fiorentina couldn't satisfy his contract demands. Juventus tried to reach an agreement with Palermo by offering £10m for the player, but Wolfsburg are in pole position due to their £2.5m per season contract offer.

Leao quits Santos

Former Brazil goalkeeper and coach Emerson Leao quit as coach of Santos, ending his third stint at Pele's former club after only five months.

Leao, 58, resigned after his side were knocked out of the Libertadores Cup by Mexico's America last week and trounced 4-0 by Cruzeiro in the Brazilian championship.

"We decided it was better to stop here," Leao told a news conference after becoming the fifth Brazilian coach to lose his job in the last two weeks.

He blamed refereeing decisions for his team's failure to do better in the Paulista championship.

Leao played for Brazil at the 1974 and 1978 World Cups and was reserve in 1970 and 1986.

Tottenham want Barca's Giovani

Tottenham emerged as favourites to sign Giovani dos Santos this summer. The 19-year-old is currently on the books of Barcelona and is widely regarded as one of the hottest properties in European football.

He has been forced to wait for his turn at the Nou Camp, but has been tipped for the top since bursting on to the scene at the U-17 World Cup back in 2005.

Dos Santos made 28 Primera Liga appearances last season, and scored a hat-trick on the last day of the season during a 5-3 victory at Murcia. He has five full caps for Mexico despite qualifying to play for Brazil through his father, himself a former footballer, Zizinho.