Football news

Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger are both targets for Juve in the transfer season even though Bayern Munich will be reluctant to part with their prized assets.

Both players were reported to have said that during Euro 2008 there was interest from Juve.

"There is a lot of talk and people seem to forget they have a contract with us," Bayern official Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

"We certainly have no intention of putting them on the market."

Both players have spent most of the season on the bench at Bayern.

Podolski in particular told journalists he did well in Euro 2008 because coach Joachim Loew put faith in him, something Bayern trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld did not.

Barry desperate for Anfield move

Gareth Barry is still desperate to join Liverpool and criticised Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill for making no effort to persuade him to stay.

Despite his pleas to the Villa board to allow him to leave, the Midlanders have rejected a reported £15 million bid from the Reds a few weeks back.

"My mind's made up, I want to join Liverpool," he said.

"Villa kept saying they wanted me to stay but I have not heard from the manager for weeks. There's no going back, it's time for me to move on.

"I want to play Champions League football and that's why I have to leave Villa."

Seedorf - eye on Premier League

Clarence Seedorf is harbouring hopes of playing in the Premier League before he ends his career.

The 32-year-old Milan midfielder has played for Ajax, Sampdoria, Real Madrid and Inter before.

Seedorf said: "I'd always love to play in the Premier League but things just don't happen like that.

"I've never touched the Premier League yet, but let's say you never know.

"I'm always following with a very special eye the movements in the Premier League because at the moment it's an example for everybody."

Chelsea not giving up on Lampard

Reports in Italy say Frank Lampard has already agreed a deal to team up with his former coach Jose Mourinho at Inter but Chelsea want the England midfielder to honour the remaining 12 months of his contract.

Lampard is in Italy to undergo a medical and put pen to paper on a four-year contract worth £5.8m per season. Inter are only offering £7.8m to Chelsea.

However, Chelsea are not ready to let Lampard go without a fight.

According to the latest reports, if he does not accept a new wage deal, then Chelsea are willing to hold the midfielder to his contract until July 2009.

At that stage he can leave on a free transfer.

Adebayor may leave for Barcelona

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor said yesterday there was a good chance he could be leaving Arsenal to join Barcelona.

"Barcelona have made a good financial offer," Adebayor told reporters. "Yes, I am still under contract to Arsenal but it is up to the directors to satisfy my demands, otherwise I will leave."

Recent media reports have also linked the 24-year-old player with a move to Milan but Adebayor made it clear the lure of Spanish soccer was strong.

"You have to take advantage of the moment," he said. "Why not go to Barcelona if the manager there (Pep Guardiola) already has me in his plans. That means there is a big chance of seeing me there."

Atalanta fans don't want Vieri back

The hate campaign of Atalanta fans could be behind Christian Vieri's decision to leave the Serie A, with Premiership newcomers Hull City likely to be his next team.

Veteran Vieri was due to return for a third spell at Atalanta this summer but the supporters labelled him a 'traitor' after he walked out to join Fiorentina the year before.

The campaign to prevent Vieri's comeback to Atalanta took the form of a petition, posters plastered around Bergamo and even a heap of rubbish poured on to the gates of the villa where Vieri was meant to be staying.

According to the Daily Star, Vieri has now agreed a £10,000-per-week contract with Hull City. Vieri speaks fluent English as he spent much of his childhood in Australia.

Nakamura not for sale - Celtic

Celtic have ruled out selling Shunsuke Nakamura after the playmaker was linked with a move to Italy's Bologna.

The Scottish champions said Nakamura remains an integral part of their plans for the coming season, which will be his fourth at the club.

Bologna club president Alfredo Cazzola was reported to have launched a bid for Nakamura even though Celtic denied they have received an offer.

"We have not received any offer from Bologna or from any other club," a Celtic spokesman said.

"In any case Naka is delighted to be staying with Celtic and that is what he will be doing."