Football news

The combined debt of the 20 clubs in Spain's top league swelled by more than 650 million euros to at least 3.5 billion in the year through June 2008, according to a study.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and their rivals had already racked up debts totalling around 2.8 billion euros by June 2007 and slipped at least 664 million euros further into the red in the 12 months after that, said Jose Maria Gay, author of the study and a professor at the University of Barcelona.

"We are faced with a situation where the economic life blood of the clubs is seeping away," Gay said.

"Far from seeing signs of salvation, they are sinking ever further into the mire of enormous debt."

Smith pessimistic over proposal

Rangers boss Walter Smith believes English clubs would block Bolton chairman Phil Gartside's proposal for the Old Firm to join the Premier League.

Gartside has suggested a two-tier English Premier League featuring Scotland's biggest clubs Rangers and Celtic.

But Smith said: "Personally, I'm not sure the English clubs would want Rangers and Celtic there.

"There is a realisation we have two huge clubs and if we went into the Premier League, with the finance there, we would be among some of the top clubs.

"I don't think that would please a huge number of clubs in the Premier League or Championship."

Fergie wants Giggs to win PFA award

Winning the PFA Player of the Year award for the first time would be a fitting reward for Ryan Giggs's contribution to the game, according to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

The 35-year-old Welsh winger is one of five Old Trafford players competing for the accolade today, alongside winger Cristiano Ronaldo, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who won the vote in 2006, completes the list of six nominations.

"I hope he (Giggs) wins it," Ferguson said.

"I think he has played 31 games this season, which the way you use your squad today is good. Hopefully he is rewarded for his contribution to the game."

Sun claims Kaka on way to United

According to The Sun, Milan forward Ricardo Kaka could be on his way out of the Serie A as he is currently mulling over a lucrative deal offered to him by Manchester United. The tabloid said they were relying their report on a source close to the player.

"Kaka wants a five-year contract and wages of £135,000 a week," The Sun quoted the source as saying.

"He is very keen to join United and these are figures that are within United's pay structure. It's up to them what happens now."

Lotito to finalise Zarate deal

Claudio Lotito, the Lazio supremo, is set to complete the permanent signing of Argentine striker Mauro Zarate (picture) for £16m.

Zarate, 21, joined the Italian club on loan from Qatar's Al-Sadd last year and has proved to be a hit in Serie A, scoring 13 goals.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Lotito is currently in Doha to discuss the final details of the transfer. Zarate becomes by far the biggest buy of the Lotito era at Lazio and takes a commanding role in the future of the squad.

He started his career at Velez Sarsfield before joining Al-Sadd, where he remained for only six months. Zarate also had a loan spell at Birmingham.

Lippi plays down Juventus link

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has played down speculation that he will return to Juventus after next year's World Cup, saying he would like to remain in charge of the national team.

"I'm only thinking about the World Cup," the 61-year-old said.

"My dream is to continue after 2010, as long as they don't get rid of me before."

Speculation that Lippi would return to the Turin club, possibly as sporting director, was fuelled when Lippi was recently spotted having lunch with Juve chief executive Jean Claude Blanc.

Lippi, who had two successful stints in Turin between 1994 and 1999 and 2001 and 2004, said the meeting was about Juve's Brazilian-born forward Amauri, who may opt to play for the Azzurri when he gets an Italian passport.

Ibrahimovic eyes Spanish switch

Inter forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he is getting restless after five years in the Serie A and is considering a move, with Spain his favoured destination.

"I won everything in Italy. But there is a moment in your life when you say to yourself you want to try something new," Ibrahimovic said in an interview to be broadcast on Eurosport tomorrow.

"I think Spanish football is more the way I play," the 27-year-old said.

"I have a contract with Inter and I feel good. But at the same time I would like to test something new."

Ibrahimovic said that when he was at Malmo he might easily have joined Arsenal in 2001 rather than Ajax. He had talks with Arsene Wenger but finally opted for Ajax.