Football news

Torino are lining up a bid for Inverness striker Marius Niculae. The Romanian put his career back on track in Scotland last season and forced his way into his country's squad for Euro 2008.

He has been linked with a return to former club Sporting Lisbon, but recently admitted he would be happy to see out the final year of his contract with Inverness.

However, Torino have confirmed an interest in Niculae and hope to tempt the forward to the Serie A next season.

"Niculae is a target for us this summer as we look to strengthen our attacking options," Torino supremo Urbano Cairo said.

Inter close in on Roma's Mancini

Amantino Mancini could become Inter's first major signing after recruiting Jose Mourinho as coach as reports say the Serie A champions have already reached agreement with Roma.

The Brazilian forward, who also played for Venezia, was inspirational at times last season, but always seemed reluctant to commit his future to Roma.

Personal terms were agreed after a meeting between the player's agent Gilmar Veloz and Inter director Marco Branca earlier this week as Mancini's five-year spell in Rome is set to end.

It is still unclear exactly how much money Roma will receive in the deal, but reports suggest that the capital club are asking £10m in cash and no part-exchange.

Torres going nowhere - Hicks

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks made it clear yesterday that striker Fernando Torres will not be allowed to leave at any price.

Chelsea are said to be considering a £50m offer for the 24-year-old but Hicks said Torres was staying at Anfield.

"There is no price at which we would consider selling Torres," Hicks said. "The Chelsea rumours in the media are total rubbish."

Spain striker Torres was at the centre of speculation that he was a top target for new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, along with Milan's Kaka. Torres took the Premier League by storm last season, scoring 33 goals after his £20m move to Liverpool from Atletico Madrid.

Aragones unaware of Fenerbahce deal

Spain coach Luis Aragones is unaware of any agreement to coach Turkish side Fenerbahce next season but said that his agent was trying to secure him a job as a club coach.

"I have an agent who is working on things because it is known that I'm stepping down after Euro 2008," the 69-year-old said.

"I heard some talk linking me with America de Mexico before. But right now I can't say anything more than that. If I knew anything more I would tell you."

Marca said this week that Aragones was close to signing a two-year deal with the Turkish club.

Domenech looks to marriage

A nightmare of a match, a 2-0 defeat by arch-rivals Italy and a group-stage exit from Euro 2008 did not prevent France coach Raymond Domenech from thinking of romance yesteday.

Asked whether the incident-ridden game might have been his last in charge, Domenech said his only immediate plans were to marry his partner, television journalist Estelle Denis.

"My future? The only plan I have is to marry Estelle," said Domenech, who faces a struggle to keep his job after a calamitous tournament by the 2006 World Cup runners-up.

"There are beautiful things in life," Domenech told reporters.

"In difficult moments, you want to tell people you love them, you want to say the things that matter."

Galliani's 'price' for Ronaldinho

Milan have said they are willing to take out of favour Brazil forward Ronaldinho off Barcelona's hands but at the right price - nothing.

"Manchester City have offered the Brazilian 12 million (euros) a year. How can we compete?" Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani told reporters.

"Well, if they give him to us for free... we'll think about it."

New Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said on Tuesday that Ronaldinho and team-mates Deco and Samuel Eto'o do not feature in his plans.

Villa set to sign Sidwell

Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell is heading for Aston Villa after both clubs agreed on a £5.5 million transfer fee. The former Reading player only moved to Stamford Bridge last summer on a free transfer, but he was unable to force a regular place.

And after only seven Premier League starts for the Blues, Sidwell has now opted to move to Villa Park.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is keen to bolster his small squad as he attempts to build a side capable of a top-six Premier League finish next season.

Sidwell, 25, could also be viewed as a possible replacement for Villa captain Gareth Barry, who is a transfer target of Liverpool.