Football news

Former Italy striker Christian Vieri is set to sign for Blackburn Rovers, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 35-year-old left Atalanta before the end of last season by mutual consent after he grew tired of abuse from fans expecting more from him than two goals in nine league appearances.

According to reports, former France forward Ibrahim Ba has been instrumental in the deal to sign 'Vieri. Ba played for current Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce at Bolton in 2003.

If the deal goes through, Blackburn would become Vieri's 14th professional club.

The former Juventus, Inter and Milan player has only once played more than 10 league games in a season since leaving Inter in 2005 due to a succession of injury problems.

Empoli full-back on way to United

Alberto Massacci, 16, said he is on his way to joining Manchester United. The young full-back still has to make his Empoli debut but is regarded as a promising talent.

United have been criticised in the past for signing young Italian talent before they can be secured to contracts by their respective clubs, as was the case with Federico Macheda and Giuseppe Rossi.

Reports said Massacci has already had a medical at Old Trafford and is currently in the UK to complete his transfer.

"When Alex Ferguson rang me up, I couldn't believe it," he told reporters.

"I had an hour-long conversation with him, in English. In life a chance like this only comes past you once."

Ferrari move to Besiktas hits snag

Turkey champions Besiktas have already agreed personal terms with Matteo Ferrari but the move is currently on hold as his club Genoa are reluctant to pay the Italian defender bonus money.

"There is a problem between the player and his club," Besiktas owner Yidrim Demorian said.

"We have already reached an agreement with him, but until he resolves this issue with Genoa, then he won't put pen to paper on the contract.

"We believe he told his club that he would only leave after receiving the money."

Reports said Ferrari, formerly of Inter, Roma and Everton, wants a bonus to rescind from his contract.

Boston to host Milan derby

The first Milan derby of the season will take place in Boston in the United States where Inter and Milan will play a friendly on July 26.

That will be new Milan coach Leonardo's first chance to test his skills against Inter counterpart Jose Mourinho.

The two clubs will both play four matches in the US, each taking on Mexicans Club America and Chelsea.

Milan will also play a friendly against David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy while Inter have a game against the University of California.

Paul Ince returns to MK Dons in League One

Former Blackburn Rovers manager Paul Ince (picture) has rejoined Milton Keynes Dons, the League One side said.

Ince, 40, whose ill-fated six-month spell in charge of Premier League Blackburn ended in December, led MK Dons to the League Two (fourth division) title in his first season in charge in 2007/08.

"He remains one of the most talented young managers in this country and I'm enormously excited about what he can help us achieve," MK Dons chairman Pete Winkleman said.

Ince, who won 53 England caps, signed a two-year deal with the Dons to replace Roberto Di Matteo who left to West Bromwich Albion last week.

Media split on Owen's move

Britain's newspapers could not decide if Michael Owen's surprise move to Manchester United represented another canny swoop by Alex Ferguson or a waste of money on an injury-prone player.

Ferguson has insisted the move is no gamble given Owen's high calibre history but there was some scepticism among commentators.

"He simply cannot sustain a run of games," the Daily Mail said.

But the Guardian hailed the signing of a "proven poacher".

"For all the efforts of the departed Ronaldo, United do not score as freely as they once did," it said, highlighting Ferguson's history of gambling on players such as Eric Cantona and Laurent Blanc.

Milan eye Huntelaar and Luis Fabiano

Milan are targeting Real Madrid striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Sevilla's Luis Fabiano, chief executive Adriano Galliani told reporters.

Milan, who sold playmaker Kaka to Real, had been pursuing Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko but the German champions will not sell so the Serie A side are now eyeing a loan move for Dutch international Huntelaar or a permanent deal for the Brazilian.

"Huntelaar and Luis Fabiano? More or less," said Galliani, also linked with Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor.