Football news

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari faces enormous pressure to succeed in his first season in England and named the London club as one of three favourites for the Premier League title.

"I would put Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool as favourites again but regarding Arsenal... I'm not sure if the squad has enough experience and quality to win," Mourinho, now coach at Inter, told reporters yesterday.

"(Scolari) is a good leader and he can do very well.

"The only insights or advice I would give him ahead of his first season is that he is in a club that is ready to win."

Kaka Jr on loan at Standard Liege

Milan have loaned out Rodrigo Digao - Kaka's younger brother - to Belgian side Standard Liege.

The 23-year-old Brazilian was signed on his brother's recommendation in 2004-05, but managed just one Serie A appearance with the club.

During the last three seasons Digao played on loan at Rimini. However, he failed to win a regular berth at the Serie B club.

Milan said that they will be constantly following the progress of Digao during his term in the Belgian top league this season.

Stoke City end Zigic pursuit

Stoke City have failed in their bid to sign Nikola Zigic, manager Tony Pulis told reporters yesterday.

The Premier League newcomers have been linked with the Valencia forward but Pulis confirmed that after protracted negotiations the Serbia international was not on his way to the Britannia Stadium.

However, he sounded confident that he will strengthen the team this summer.

"The Zigic deal is finished. There will be no further progress," he told reporters. "We have got a lot of work to do. We are still trying to sign new players.

"We are hoping to bring a couple more in before our opening league match. Then we have a couple of weeks to move people in, and one or two people will leave as well."

Simic leaves Milan for Monaco

Dario Simic, 32, has joined Monaco from Milan on a two-year contract, the Serie A club said. The Croatian defender had announced at the end of last season that he wanted to seek pastures new after a frustrating spell at the San Siro.

"We have been tied to Simic by six years of victories, emotions and professionalism," Milan said in a statement. "These are values that will stand the test of time. We wish Dario the best of luck."

The departure of Simic could open the door for Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, who could complete a loan switch in the coming days.

Rovers reject offer for Santa Cruz

Blackburn Rovers have rejected an offer from Premier League rivals Manchester City for striker Roque Santa Cruz.

The Paraguayan forward, who was the club's top scorer last season was linked with several clubs this summer including Manchester City and Manchester United.

"A bid came in last night and it was immediately rejected," a Blackburn official said yesterday.

"Various Manchester City officials have been advised on a number of occasions that the player would not be for sale.

"We are very disappointed, therefore, that they have continued their interest."

Wenger hints at new signing

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger declared that the London club will definitely bring in a new player before the end of the month.

The French manager has suggested for some time that he could add to his squad at the Emirates Stadium with Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan on top of his list.

Speaking after Arsenal's Champions League win over FC Twente, Wenger said: "Will something be done ahead of the second leg? Certainly yes but before Saturday (tomorrow), no.

"Against Twente we missed seven or eight players out so for me our squad looks big because the players who were here did well. But still the season is long and another player will suit us fine."

Study shows rise in foreigners

Foreigners make up more than 40 per cent of the players in Europe's top five leagues with the figure for England's Premiership almost 60 per cent, according to a new study.

The Annual Review of the European Football Players' Labour Market found the number of foreigners in the top divisions in England, Germany, Spain, France and Italy last season had reached 42.4 per cent.

The study said this marked a 3.5 per cent increase on season 2006-07.

England's Premiership again proved the most attractive draw for foreigners, who made up 59.5 per cent of the total.

The study also found foreign players had for the first time contributed more than half (51.9 per cent) of the goals scored in the top five leagues.