Football news

Peter Hill-Wood, the Arsenal chairman, said his club has no intention of selling striker Emmanuel Adebayor at any price.

Barcelona and Milan are keen on the Togo international forward, who is under contract at the Emirates until 2011. Barca have reportedly had a £25 million offer rejected.

Arsenal have responded to calls from the player's agent Stephane Courbis to demonstrate their desire to keep the 24-year-old and are adamant they will not be selling.

"We want him to stay," Hill-Wood told reporters. "Adebayor still has a long time left on his contract and we have absolutely no intention of releasing him."

Fiorentina snap up Jefferson

Fiorentina have signed Brazilian forward Jefferson on a five-year deal after his contract ran out at Parana, the Serie A club said in a statement.

The Florence club, who play in August's Champions League qualifiers, have been busy during the transfer window with striker Alberto Gilardino, defender Gianluca Comotto and Juan Manuel Vargas among the new arrivals.

The move for Jefferson had been on the cards for the last few weeks but the paperwork was completed during the weekend and the 20-year-old has become the sixth acquisition this summer for the Florence club.

Jefferson could be sent out on loan this term to gain experience of Italian football. If so, he will be a target for a number of Serie B sides.

Portsmouth close in on Crouch

Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, has tabled a £10 million bid for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.

Reports suggest that Pompey and Liverpool have agreed a fee for Crouch and that the England forward will sign a four-year deal at Fratton Park.

Redknapp is eager for additional firepower in his Portsmouth attack as they prepare for next season's UEFA Cup.

"Crouch did a very good job for me when at Southampton and I am sure he will do the same now," Redknapp said.

"He has got bags of ability and apart from being good in the air he is very skilful on the ground."

Inter step up transfer activity

Inter have made their first offer to Chelsea for Frank Lampard and increased their bid for Mancini, of Roma. The Italian champions are looking to make three big signings this summer to strengthen the squad for new coach Jose Mourinho.

After weeks of speculation, reports said that Inter have made an official bid of £6.5m for the Chelsea midfielder. A three-year contract awaits the England international should the offer be accepted.

Inter, meanwhile, are edging closer towards the signing of Roma midfielder Mancini.

The Brazilian's agent, Gilmar Veloz, is due to arrive in Italy this week and an agreement is expected to be reached.

Queiroz set for Portugal job

Manchester United's assistant-manager Carlos Queiroz (picture) has hinted he may be about to leave the English champions to become the new manager of Portugal.

Queiroz met officials from the Football Federation at the weekend. He was offered a £1.5m four-year deal to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari.

"From my part, there is not much to say, it needs to be resolved between the federation and United," he said.

Queiroz has previously managed Real Madrid, South Africa and the UAE as well as Portugal's U-20 side.

Real Madrid want to keep Robinho

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has reiterated the club's desire to retain Robinho.

The Brazil international has been the subject of much transfer debate lately, with Real's pursuit of winger Cristiano Ronaldo throwing his future at the Santiago Bernabeu into doubt.

However, Calderon said that he expects Robinho to be part of Bernd Schuster's plans for the 2008/09 campaign.

"We have the intention to make very few changes, neither on arrivals nor departures," he told AS.

"The squad is young and it is strong. There are no direct negotiations at the moment for the exit of Robinho."

Ronaldinho to join Milan - Dunga

Brazil coach Carlos Dunga expects Ronaldinho to join Milan as that is the forward's preferred destination.

Ronaldinho has been told he is surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp with Milan and Manchester City confirming their interest in the talented playmaker.

Vice-president Adriano Galliani claimed Ronaldinho had rejected an offer to join City, and now Dunga believes Milan are in pole position to land the player.

"Ronaldinho wants to go to Milan," the Brazil coach said.

"Nowadays it is the player who determines his future. Milan have all the good cards in their hand."