Football news

Barcelona forward Ronaldinho is still hopeful of moving to Milan even though the Serie A club's interest seemed to have waned, the player's agent and brother Roberto de Assis said.

"The chances that Ronaldinho will play for Milan next year are the same as they were a few months ago," de Assis told Sportal.it. "We know that Ronaldinho likes Milan and Milan like Ronaldinho and we'll keep working to take the world's best player to the world's greatest club."

Milan said in April that they had agreed personal terms with de Assis for Ronaldinho but the transfer broke down over Barcelona's asking price.

Inter in no rush to sign players

New Inter coach Jose Mourinho said the Serie A champions will not hurry into the transfer market.

"It will be an important week for the market but we should not be rushed," Mourinho told reporters.

Inter are close to signing Roma's Brazilian winger Mancini, according to media reports.

Club president Massimo Moratti has said that Chelsea's midfielder Frank Lampard and Barcelona playmaker Deco are targets.

Lazio to rival Celtic for Samaras

Celtic could face competition from Serie A side Lazio in their bid to sign Georgios Samaras on a permanent deal.

The Greek striker spent the second half of last season on loan at Parkhead from Manchester City, scoring five goals in the process and manager Gordon Strachan is now reportedly keen to sign him permanently.

However, Lazio have also expressed their interest in signing the 23-year-old.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito told the Daily Record: "Samaras is a player we're considering and we'll see what happens. I can confirm we're actively trying to sign a striker and hope to secure a deal for one any day soon."

Newly-promoted Serie A side Lecce are also rumoured to be keen on Samaras.

Ince determined to keep Santa Cruz

New Blackburn manager Paul Ince is ready to warn former boss Sir Alex Ferguson that his chances of luring Roque Santa Cruz to Old Trafford are as good as nil.

The Paraguayan made an instant impact at Blackburn after signing from Bayern Munich last summer as he plundered 23 goals in all competitions - a performance which has reportedly drawn interest from the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.

But Ince has no interest in allowing the striker to join Ferguson.

"If he comes on asking about Santa Cruz then I'll just tell him he's not having him," he said.

"I had a text off Sir Alex to say 'congratulations, well done', as I've had off numerous people. But I'm under no illusions, I'm the enemy now."

Portsmouth put off by Crouch fee

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp could abandon his bid to sign Liverpool striker Peter Crouch because his price tag is "too expensive".

Redknapp is keen to take Crouch back to Fratton Park to form a partnership with Pompey's current record signing Jermain Defoe.

Reports claim that a club record bid of £9 million for Crouch, who has a year left on his contract, has been turned down by Liverpool.

"I'd love to bring Crouchie back here," Redknapp said.

"But the fee seems a bit too high, and at the end of the day it comes down to the price."

Trezeguet unlikely to join Barca - agent

David Trezeguet's agent has played down the prospect of the Frenchman sealing a move to Barcelona in the close season.

Barcelona have been repeatedly linked with Trezeguet, whose position at Juve is uncertain after the arrival of Amauri in spite of his 20-goal haul last term.

"It will be hard to convince Juventus to let Trezeguet go, even if Barca really push for him," Antonio Caliendo was quoted as saying.

"I don't know what the Spaniards are prepared to pay, but I think Juventus will only consider an offer of at least £25m. I know that the player wants to stay at Juve."

Milan '£3m' away from Adebayor

Milan are '£3 million' away from agreeing a deal for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor, according to reports in Italy.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani's painstaking search for a new striker to play alongside Brazilian Alexandre Pato has focused on just one name lately - Adebayor.

According to Mediaset, Arsenal are demanding £31m for the immediate completion of the deal, while Milan's current offer is around £28m.

Barcelona had been considered as favourites to land Adebayor after reportedly tabling a £25m bid, but Adebayor is determined to play in Serie A rather than La Liga.