Roma ended their search for a forward when they signed Brazilian Julio Baptista (picture) from Real Madrid. The Serie A club said the 26-year-old, nicknamed 'the Beast', had cost an initial nine million euros and had penned a four-year deal.

Roma, second in the league last season, were close to signing Fiorentina's Romania striker Adrian Mutu last month before the deal collapsed.

The Italian Cup holders needed fresh firepower after becoming stretched towards the end of last season when captain Francesco Totti suffered a serious knee injury. Montenegro's Mirko Vucinic was their only real alternative up front.

Baptista was largely a bit part player at Real after signing in 2005 and spent the 2006/07 season on loan at Arsenal.

Lazio eye Pellissier

With Tommaso Rocchi out for a month after fracturing his fibula, Lazio are looking to strengthen their attack with the addition of a new signing until the end of August.

Their hunt could lead to Sergio Pellissier, of Chievo who are back in Serie A this season. However, the player's agent reckons the transfer won't be easy.

"I don't know whether Claudio Lotito will reach for his wallet to strengthen Lazio's attack," Pellissier's agent Oscar Damiani said.

"But Chievo feel that Pellissier is indispensable, even if the player would love to play for a big team like Lazio."

Nasri set for debut

Samir Nasri is likely to make his full Arsenal debut this afternoon in the Premier League opener against West Brom at the Emirates Stadium.

Nasri cost Arsenal £12 million to sign from Marseille but missed the midweek Champions League qualifier against FC Twente because of a niggling thigh and knee complaint. He now seems to have recovered in time for today's match.

The return of the attack-minded Frenchman, who can play wide or just behind the strikers, will be a welcome boost for Arsene Wenger, who has seen his midfield options depleted by injury.

Totti back in action

Francesco Totti was back in action for Roma as he continued to show good signs of recovery from injury during a friendly against Frosinone on Thursday night.

Roma, coming from a 5-0 mauling by Tottenham a few days before, scored the only goal in the first half through Mauro Esposito.

However, all eyes were on Totti who made a showing midway through the second half. He was missing from action since sustaining a cruciate knee ligament injury against Livorno on April 19.

"I felt good," Totti said afterwards.

"The knee is fine and I am happy with this return to football. At first I was a bit anxious but a little fear is normal and my confidence grew after the first 10 or 20 seconds.

"If I continue on this level then I will definitely be back for the Italian Super Cup on August 24."

Thaksin denied request

Thailand's Supreme Court denied a request yesterday by the lawyers of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to have a corruption case against him and his wife suspended after they skipped bail and went into exile.

Lawyers for the couple, who are now subject to an arrest warrant after failing to appear in court on Monday, argued the case should be dropped since they were no longer in the country.

The 59-year-old billionaire's flight to London is almost certain to lead to a guilty verdict being handed down in absentia, potentially jeopardising his ownership of English Premier League club Manchester City.

Under league rules, club directors can be dismissed if they are found guilty of corruption by a "competent court" anywhere in the world.

Coloccini signs for Newcastle

Newcastle United have completed the signing of defender Fabricio Coloccini from Deportivo.

Newcastle said on their website the 26-year-old Argentina international had signed a five-year deal. No details of the transfer fee were disclosed.

Coloccini is the third new arrival at St James' Park in the close-season after his Argentina team-mate Jonas Gutierrez moved from Real Mallorca and Danny Guthrie signed from Liverpool.

Newcastle start the new season with a tough trip to champions Manchester United tomorrow.

Johnson to miss league start

England striker Andy Johnson will miss Fulham's first game of the Premier League season at promoted Hull City today, coach Roy Hodgson told reporters.

Johnson, who arrived from Everton as one of seven new players with Fulham having revamped their squad after flirting with relegation last season, has a thigh strain.

"I'm pretty sure he'll be able to play against Arsenal but we'll have to do without him at Hull," said Hodgson looking ahead to the home game with their London rivals on August 23.

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