Football news

Milan have shifted their focus to a new striker, Brazil international Luis Fabiano who plays for Sevilla in the Primera Liga.

Last week, Wolfsburg informed Milan that Edin Dzeko will be staying put despite a lucrative offer from the Rossoneri.

Dzeko, 23, told reporters he would stay loyal to Wolfsburg and see out the rest of his contract. That made Milan turn their attention to Fabiano, the best striker at the Confederations Cup. The 28-year-old scored five goals, two of which actually knocked Italy out of the competition.

Fabiano has a buyout clause in his contract worth £25m. He recently said it would be a dream to play for Milan.

Juventus to play W. Auckland Town

English non-League club West Auckland Town will play Juventus in a friendly in Turin on August 1.

The match will mark the 100th anniversary of the club's 6-1 defeat of Juve to win the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, which was later dubbed 'the first World Cup.'

The trophy is widely seen as the forerunner to the Jules Rimet Trophy, which was won by England in 1966.

West Auckland, then a team mainly made up of coal miners, defeated German side Stuttgart in the inaugural competition in 1907 before beating Winterthur, of Switzerland, 2-0 in the final.

Two years later, they retained the trophy - which became theirs to keep - by beating Zurich in the opening match and then trouncing Juventus.

United say Ronaldo deal completed

Manchester United yesterday confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo's world-record €93 million transfer to Real Madrid has been completed. A statement on the Manchester United website confirmed that the transfer fee had been paid.

Manager Alex Ferguson used the occasion to pay tribute to the Portuguese winger despite friction between him and the player last season as the Real transfer loomed.

"Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United. His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world," he said.

"His contribution has been a major factor in the club's success in that time.

"Everyone here wishes him well in his future career."

Burnley pay record fee for Fletcher

Scottish international striker Steven Fletcher became newly-promoted English Premier League side Burnley's record signing this week when they agreed a £3 million fee with Scottish club Hibernian.

The 22-year-old had been a target of Celtic back in January but it had been turned down.

Fletcher's fee is double the previous record outlay when Burnley signed Martin Paterson and Chris Eagles for £1.5 million apiece last year.

Fletcher, who still had four years left on his contract, had been very disappointed when the Celtic offer was turned down and had insisted he wanted to turn his attention to play in England.

He scored 52 goals in nearly 190 appearances for Hibs.

Gallas says Inter link just rumours

Arsenal central defender William Gallas told reporters he will not change club this summer despite media reports he could join Inter in the Serie A.

The former Arsenal skipper has endured a difficult time at the Emirates Stadium since signing from Chelsea in 2006. After having the captain's armband taken away from him, many thought he would be on his way out in this transfer window.

Inter are reported to be interested in signing a new centre-half and Gallas would perfectly fit the bill for them.

"I am at Arsenal, my contract is still valid for a year, so I am an Arsenal player," Gallas said.

"I am relaxed and looking for-ward to next season with Arsenal."

Hearts sign Spanish winger Abreu

Spanish winger Jesus Manuel Santana Abreu became Hearts' second signing of the close season when he joined from Tenerife.

The 24-year-old, known as Suso, attracted interest when he scored nine times for Spanish Third Division side UD Fuerteventura - where he was on loan from Tenerife - last season.

He joins midfielder Ian Black as Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo's summer signings so far.

"I like to take players on one versus one and provide the final pass into the box," Abreu said.

"I am a quick player and aggressive. And I like to score goals."

Total 90 Ascente ball for Serie A

The Italian football federation this week unveiled the official ball that will be used for matches in the top Serie A league and other competi-tions next season.

The ball, Nike's Total 90 Ascente, was on display at the federation's headquarters in Milan by Lega Calcio president Giancarlo Abete.

Tested in a wind tunnel with 'micro-grooves', which make it more aerodynamic, the Ascent is red and silver as opposed to the red and white ball seen last season.

The ball will make its debut on August 8 when Inter and Lazio face off in the Italian Super Cup in Beijing.