Football news

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi and Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero have been included in Argentina's squad for the Beijing Olympics tournament.

Former Barcelona and Villarreal midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, now with Boca Juniors, was also included by the champions as an over-age player.

Messi has already said that he is torn between playing for Argentina and Barcelona in August.

Coach Sergio Batista's 18-man squad named on Wednesday also included Inter defender Nicolas Burdisso, Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago and Liverpool's Javier Mascherano.

Argentina face Serbia, Australia and Ivory Coast in their first-round group.

China's Suns on the move in Europe

Sun Xiang, the first Chinese to play in the UEFA Champions League, has moved from Shanghai Shenhua to Austria Vienna on a one-year loan deal.

The 26-year-old international, who played in the world's premier club competition with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in 2007, will undergo a medical after the loan deal was signed on Tuesday, Soccer News reported.

Another China defender Sun Jihai has joined Sheffield United on a two-year deal, according to the English Championship (second division) club's website.

The versatile 30-year-old was released at the end of last season after six years at Manchester City and joins a club with a tradition of involvement with Chinese football.

Chelsea linked with Arshavin

Russia midfielder Andrei Arshavin has not ruled out a move to Chelsea, a Zenit St Petersburg spokesman has claimed.

Barcelona were thought to be leading the race to sign the 27-year-old but a Zenit spokesman has said that talks between Chelsea and the player's agent have taken place and a move to Stamford Bridge could be an option.

"We do not want to sell Arshavin. That's exactly why we need Andrei to meet the bosses of the club - to understand what he is really after," Zenit spokesman Konstantin Sarsania said.

"My understanding was that he would like to go and play abroad. But he isn't only interested in moving to Barcelona. There's also Chelsea. Andrei never rejected the idea of moving there."

Di Matteo takes charge of MK Dons

Former Chelsea and Lazio midfielder Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed manager of MK Dons on a one-year contract with a further one-year option, the English League One (third division) club said on their website.

The 38-year-old former Italy international, whose playing career was cut short by injury, replaces Paul Ince, who has taken over at Blackburn Rovers.

United wait on Ronaldo's injury

Medical teams from Manchester United and Portugal are to seek further specialist advice over an ankle injury sustained by winger Cristiano Ronaldo, the Premier League champions said.

Ronaldo said after Portugal's quarter-final exit from Euro 2008 last month that he had been carrying an injury for three months and would need an operation.

Ronaldo remains in the spotlight because of the uncertainty over where the 23-year-old will be playing next season.

United have said he is not for sale but Real Madrid have made clear their interest. Ronaldo said last month that "the possibilities (of going to Real) are big".

Asked about his future in Lisbon by Portuguese television, Ronaldo said: "I will not talk about anything. I cannot speak."

No offers for Eto'o and Ronaldinho - Barca

Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain has claimed that the club are still "waiting for concrete offers" for Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o despite reports of firm interest from teams in the English Premier League.

Both players have been told they are not in the plans of new Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, as was Portuguese playmaker Deco, who this week joined Chelsea.

"There is no news," Begiristain told reporters when asked whether Barcelona have received enquiries for Ronaldinho and Eto'o.

"We are waiting for concrete offers from other clubs so that we can negotiate."

Palladino joins Genoa in co-ownership deal

Raffaele Palladino has completed a co-ownership agreement to move from Juventus to Genoa.

The young Italian forward has been at Juventus since 2002 and had loan spells at Salernitana and Livorno.

After being recalled in 2006, Palladino's first-team opportunities have been limited and he has become frustrated at warming the bench.

The two sides have agreed that Genoa will pay around £4m for 50 per cent of the 24-year-old's rights and he will spend the season at Marassi.

Meanwhile, defender Domenico Criscito, who is owned by Juve, will spend another season on loan at Genoa.