Football news

Samir Nasri will be an Arsenal player in around "10 days", the Marseille midfielder's agent said yesterday.

Nasri, 21, has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal and a deal had reportedly been struck towards the end of June after the player's official website announced the France international had secured his transfer to the Premier League.

However, the statement proved to be premature, and was subsequently removed, sparking confusion over the progress of the switch.

Agent Jean-Pierre Bernes said: "He is on his holidays. It (the transfer) will be made when he will be back, in about 10 days."

Mourinho has doubts on Arshavin

Jose Mourinho told reporters Inter are unlikely to join the race to sign Andrei Arshavin, the Zenit St Petersburg playmaker.

Arshavin's impressive displays for Russia have caught the eye of a number of top European clubs, sparking a potential bidding war for his services this summer.

Mourinho said: "Arshavin is a fine player. But is he mature enough to play in the Serie A?

"At the Euros he showed a lot of inspiration against Sweden and Holland. But he looked like he was absolutely switched off in the next match against Spain.

"At Inter we are looking for players who are capable of playing to the highest of standards all season and not for two to five games in a row."

Atletico sign Sinama Pongolle

Atletico Madrid have signed French striker Florent Sinama Pongolle on a four-year deal from Recreativo Huelva. Atletico said that the striker would be presented at the Calderon next Monday but they did not disclose the fee.

The 23-year-old former Liverpool player, who scored 22 league goals in two seasons with Recreativo, is Atletico's third major signing of the close season.

Czech Republic captain Tomas Ujfalusi and Netherlands defender John Heitinga have also agreed deals with Atletico, who are in the third qualifying round of the Champions League after finishing in fourth spot in the La Liga last season.

Italy-Brazil friendly in London

Brazil will face Italy in a friendly international on February 11 next year, the Brazilian Football Federation announced yesterday.

The two football superpowers will meet ahead of the second part of their World Cup 2010 qualification campaigns. While the Brazilians failed to reveal the venue, their Italian counterparts said the match will be held in London even though nothing is official yet.

Before the lucrative friendly, coach Marcello Lippi leads the Azzurri in World Cup qualification Group Eight with a visit to Cyprus on September 9 before tests against Georgia, Bulgaria and Montenegro.

There will then be a break in international fixtures until the end of March 2009.

Makelele - a PSG target

Paul Le Guen, the Paris SG coach, wants Claude Makelele (picture), at his club and has already held first talks with the Chelsea midfielder. The former Lyon and Rangers manager has spoken openly about the ex-France international, although he is yet to sign the 35-year-old holding player.

Le Guen has now confirmed he has told Makelele he wants to see him playing at the Parc des Princes next season.

However, it remains to be seen if Le Guen's wish will be granted as Makelele, who has a year left on his Blues deal, has previously stated he is looking to end his career at Stamford Bridge.

"I have spoken to the player to tell him that, like last year, we have the intention to make him come to Paris," Le Guen said.

Degen completes 'Pool transfer

Liverpool have completed the transfer of Philipp Degen, the Switzerland defender who moves to Anfield on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

The 25-year-old, will compete with Alvaro Arbeloa and Steve Finnan for the right-back berth. He has signed a four-year deal.

An unused substitute during Euro 2008, Degen agreed to join Liverpool in May.

Degen, whose twin brother David plays for Basel, began his career with Basel in 1996, making his debut in 2001, before joining Dortmund in 2005.

He has made 26 appearances for Switzerland since making his international debut in 2005.

Ledesma to earn Italy passport

Cristian Ledesma, the Argentine midfielder, is set to be granted an Italian passport. The 25-year-old Lazio man has been playing in Italy since he joined Lecce in 2001 and he should receive a passport before the beginning of August.

Ledesma has never been capped for his homeland and could follow in the footsteps of Mauro Camoranesi, now a regular in the Italy squad. Reports said Marcello Lippi sees Ledesma as a possible successor to Milan's Andrea Pirlo, who is nearing the end of his international career.

Ledesma is expected to sign a new contract this month to tie him to Lazio until 2013 and he has often stressed he wants to remain in Italy.