Football news

Manager Mark Hughes said yesterday that Manchester City had an improved bid for Blackburn Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz rejected.

Hughes, who signed the Paraguay international when he was Rovers boss last season, said: "We made a bid in the region of €12 million ($18.07 million) in the summer and it is significantly higher than that... but he is Blackburn's player and they don't want to deal at the level we have made a bid at."

Hughes also revealed West Ham have turned down Man. City's approaches for Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy.

Toure not looking to quit Barca

Yaya Toure's agent has not been contacted by Manchester City about the Barcelona midfielder and also warned any prospective suitors that the Ivory Coast international is not seeking a move away from the Nou Camp.

Manchester City have recently been linked with a big-money bid for the combative midfielder as have Premier League rivals Arsenal, for whom Toure's brother Kolo currently plays.

"Toure is happy at Barca, currently the best team in Europe, and he has no intention of moving," Dimitri Seluk, Toure's agent, said.

"Manchester City have ambition and money but they have not spoken with me, they need to do it with Barca."

Man. City interested in Trezeguet

Manchester City are still interested in signing Juventus striker David Trezeguet, according to the Frenchman's agent.

Trezeguet, 31, is out of action until the start of next month after undergoing knee surgery in September but his agent, Antonio Caliendo, claimed that the Frenchman's injury is not putting off City.

"A man close to Man. City called me some days ago to tell me of his interest in David," Caliendo told L'Equipe.

"I believe the club are ready to put on the table a bid of more than €20 million to get him."

Gallas 'essential' to Arsenal

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor said William Gallas, who was stripped of the captaincy after hitting out at team-mates in the press in November, was essential to the Premier League side.

"He is our big brother and it has not been easy for him," the Togolese told French sports daily L'Equipe.

"These critics, he had them on his heart. He told us someone had to thump his fist on the table. Someone had to say these things, to make each person face up to their responsibilities.

"If he had said nothing, where would we be today? Gallas has always been like that - he has experience, he has won titles, played in a World Cup final."

Deco rejects 'favouritism' claims

Chelsea midfielder Deco has voiced his disappointment at claims that he is Luiz Felipe Scolari's pet player.

The former Barcelona star has been a regular for the Blues this season while the likes of Joe Cole have found themselves substituted in virtually every game.

"I do not understand why people are saying this about me and Felipao (Scolari)," Deco was quoted as saying.

"When we first came (to Chelsea) and we made a good start, it was all 'Felipao is the boss - this team is going to win everything'.

"Now it's all different and people are looking to blame somebody."

Inter ready to spend big for Hamsik

Inter are prepared to part with a huge sum of money to lure Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik to San Siro.

The Italian champions tried to sign Slovakian international Hamsik last summer but were told he was not for sale at any price.

Tuttosport yesterday reported that Inter are preparing a hefty bid for Hamsik. Their offer would see Brazilian star Mancini join Napoli on loan for the rest of the season plus a fee of around £35m.

Although Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis is determined to keep hold of his key men, he would find it hard to turn down such a large sum of money from Inter.

Juventus close in on Felipe

Juventus are close to sealing a deal for Brazilian wing-back Felipe Mattioni.

The highly-rated Gremio defender has been on Juve's target list for some time, but nothing has been concrete as yet.

This week, Gremio chairman Andreas Krieger assured his fans that Felipe would be staying at the Brazilian club for another season but Itasportpress yesterday reported that the Bianconeri will announce the signature of Felipe for a fee of £5 million within the next few days.

Felipe's agent is Mino Raiola who also represents Pavel Nedved and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and has a good rapport with Juve.