Football news

Former Brazil forward Friaca, who scored in the 1950 World Cup final defeat by Uruguay, died on Monday. The 84-year-old had been in intensive care at the Sao Jose do Avai hospital, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said.

The host nation's 2-1 defeat by Uruguay was a big shock.

Brazil went into the final game of a four-team mini-league needing to draw to land the trophy.

A crowd estimated at more than 200,000 crammed into the Maracana and their optimism seemed justified when Friaca put them ahead, his only goal in 13 international appearances.

Uruguay, though, hit back through Juan Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia.

Ronaldo has Real deal - report

Guillem Balague, a veteran Spanish sports writer, said Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has already agreed on a transfer move to Real Madrid in summer with president Ramon Calderon.

Balague wrote on his website that Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes have struck a deal with Calderon and not with Florentino Perez, the former Real supremo.

That enabled Ronaldo to announce on Monday night: "My agent does not have an agreement with Florentino Perez."

However, Spanish newspaper AS said: "In spite of Ronaldo's agreement with Ramon Calderon, the refusal of Alex Ferguson to sell his best player remains a significant obstacle.

"And, if United refuse to sell, then the secret agreement with Calderon remains nothing more than that."

Striker Beattie joins Stoke City

Stoke City signed former England striker James Beattie from Sheffield United.

The 30-year-old former Blackburn Rovers, Southampton and Everton player, who has scored 12 goals this season for Championship side Sheffield United, agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with Premier League strugglers Stoke.

"James is a player who has an absolutely phenomenal goal-scoring record and I am delighted to have him here," manager Tony Pulis said.

Beattie, who made his England debut in a friendly against Australia in 2003, won five caps but fell out of international favour during a disappointing spell at Everton.

Hamann facing long lay-off

Dietmar Hamann will probably have to miss several games for Manchester City to nurse a toe injury sustained in training on Monday.

First analysis suggest the 35-year-old midfielder, formerly of Liverpool and Newcastle, could be out of action for up to three months.

Mark Hughes, the City manager, said: "Dietmar kicked a ball in training with the end of a toe, and unfortunately it looks like he may have ruptured a tendon.

"The best case scenario is that it will be nine weeks, but it could be 12."

Govou not leaving Lyon for Pompey

Sidney Govou said rumours that he is bound to leave Lyon to join Portsmouth were not true.

Pompey manager Tony Adams is looking to find a replacement for Jermain Defoe and reports had suggested Govou was his target.

At the moment, however, Govou is staying focused on Lyon.

"Portsmouth? I don't know where that rumour came from," he said.

"As I don't have any agent anymore, there are a lot of rumours. The day something will really happen, I will talk.

"Could I leave Lyon this winter? I would like to say no, but if a club comes and would attract me, I'm ready to talk."

Jodlowiec at Napoli for season 2009/10

The football agent of Poland's Tomasz Jodlowiec told reporters the Polonia Warsaw defender will play for Napoli next season.

The Serie A club have been in talks with Jodlowiec's representative for several months but now it seems that the transfer has been completed and he will join the San Paolo outfit at the end of the season.

"My client turned down a five-year offer from Polonia Warsaw halfway through last year," Radoslaw Ozuch said.

"We have been discussing a possible move to Napoli for quite a long time now and I can confirm that it will take place soon.

"Jodlowiec won't be leaving in the winter, but he will join Napoli at the end of the season."

Arshavin drops Arsenal hint

Andrei Arshavin, 27, dropped a clear hint he is interested in a move to Arsenal this month.

The Londoners are engaged in talks with Zenit St Petersburg over the Russian playmaker's transfer and already had one bid turned down.

Arsenal are believed to be leading the chase for Arshavin even though some reports also said Manchester City are likely to join the race.

Arsenal's first offer was around £10 million.

Arshavin thinks Arsenal's style of play will suit him fine.

"In some games last season, we played football which was very similar to that of Arsenal," he said.

"I would prefer the no.10 but in the team where I hope to move it's not vacant."

At Arsenal, the no. 10 shirt belongs to William Gallas.