Football news

Egyptian club Zamalek insist Premier League hotshot Amr Zaki will be sold to the highest bidder in the summer.

Zaki, currently on a season-long loan with Wigan, has scored eight goals in his first 12 games in England's top-flight, in the process catching the eye of a host of clubs who are said to be keen to secure his signature.

"Amr Zaki has been in the limelight for a while, and the mass media have been fuelling speculations over his next move," Zamalek said on their website.

"We have the legal rights to either accept or reject offers for the player, and no other club are authorised to interfere in potential negotiations.

"We would accept the highest bid for the player."

Tevez worried about fringe role

Carlos Tevez is worried about his lack of first-team opportunities at Manchester United this season, according to Diego Maradona.

The new Argentina coach, who met with the striker on a trip to United's Carrington training complex last week, said: "Tevez is worried about not being in United's first choice team.

"He's got a challenge ahead of him to win himself a place among lots of extremely good players, including Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.

"But I saw he was in good shape and told him that the best way of showing his ability is to win the arm-wrestle against all the other players.

"Then he'll give himself a good chance with the Argentine team."

Capello wants to manage GB team

Fabio Capello is keen on taking part in the Olympics and has indicated his willingness to manage a Great Britain team at the 2012 Games.

Capello, who described securing the England job as a "childhood dream of mine", said: "I would also like to make another of my dreams come true by taking part in the Olympic Games, something that I was denied as a player, and something that still fills me with regret.

"I think it's only fair that Great Britain should have a football team in the Olympics, but it is up to others to decide how, and with which players."

Inter looking to sell Adriano abroad

Inter striker Adriano could be facing a period of enforced absence from Serie A, possibly lasting until 2012.

The Brazilian hitman's resurgence under Jose Mourinho has been cut short by his disciplinary problems amid reports that Adriano has been axed from the Inter squad after turning up late for training on a couple of occasions.

Last Monday, Adriano called in sick and a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed that Mourinho has called for the 26-year-old to be sold abroad. It has also been reported that Inter want to include a clause in the contract precluding Adriano from returning to Italy until 2012.

Depression almost forced Buffon to quit

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has revealed that he suffered from depression during the 2003-04 season.

In his autobiography, titled 'Numero Uno', Buffon confesses that he considered quitting football five years ago - a season that ended with defeat to Milan in the Champions League final - due to depression.

"Was it because of fame or money? There were thousands of reasons," Buffon writes. "Maybe you realise that you can't find the right woman or you fail to win the Champions League. I went away for two months to receive treatment and to cure the depression.

"I don't have any regrets at all, but I started my life in football when I was just 17 and maybe I didn't live my youth as I wanted."

Ronaldinho relishes Beckham link-up

Ronaldinho is relishing the prospect of playing alongside David Beckham when the England international completes his short-term loan move to Milan in January.

"I am very happy to know that he's coming," Ronaldinho said.

"He's going to help us a lot and I'm looking forward to helping him be the great player he is as well. I always like the way he plays and it's very cool to play with important people."

Ronaldinho and Beckham are regarded as two of the finest free-kick takers but the Brazilian refused to speculate on who will be handed set-piece duties with the Rossoneri.

"That's not a problem, (although) it could be a problem for the team we're playing against," Ronaldinho said.

O'Neill to strengthen strike force

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed that he will be looking to increase his striking options in the January transfer window.

Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew have led Villa's attack for most of this season but the Aston Villa manager is keen to have more competition for places for the second half of the campaign.

Emile Heskey has been linked with a move to Villa and reports yesterday suggested that O'Neill had set his sights on Michael Owen.

"We have Marlon Harewood and young Nathan Delfouneso, who I think will become a really good player," O'Neill said.

"But, without naming names, it is fair to say we are looking to see if we can bring someone in to get a bit of extra strength in that department."