Football news

Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio could miss the start of the season after injuring his knee on holiday and requiring a cartilage operation.

"He was injured playing with his son and was really disappointed because he was enjoying the summer," Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said.

"He had the operation - he has had a problem with his cartilage - so he will be one month out, maximum two, not six months like I see in the press."

The 29-year-old Brazilian left-back was a regular last season, making 33 appearances.

Inter's Santon to sign new deal

Inter's talented wing-back Davide Santon is set to sign a new contract with the Italian champions.

The 18-year-old has impressed after making his debut last season and now Inter want to tie him on a long-term contract running up to 2014. Reports said Santon will see his wages multiply by 10... he will now earn around one million euros a year.

Santon is naturally a right-back, but was used on the left by Jose Mourinho last season as an alternative to Maxwell whose future at Inter is still in doubt.

Inter started their pre-season training yesterday. The squad will fly out to Los Angeles tomorrow to continue their build-up to the new season.

Shakhtar defender says no to Barcelona

Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine defender Dmytro Chygrynsky has turned down Barcelona's offer to join the Spanish club, preferring to stay with this year's UEFA Cup winners.

"I fully understand that Barcelona doesn't make such proposals everyday just to anyone. This is an important moment," Chygrynsky said.

"It may be that I won't have such an opportunity again in my career. On the other hand, if I prove to myself that I am worthy of such a proposal, I will raise the bar of my ability."

Billionaire owner Rinat Akhmetov has pumped cash into his club, home to several Brazilian players.

Shakhtar's new stadium, which the club says is one the best in Europe and cost up to $400 million, opens next month.

Real Madrid still after Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid are still chasing Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, sporting director Miguel Pardeza said yesterday.

"Madrid should not rule out an option until it has been finally closed off," Pardeza said at a news conference.

"Right now there is an insurmountable economic barrier but it is something that can change," he said, adding that the club was looking at alternatives to Alonso but Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was not a target.

Vucinic rejects switch to England

Mirko Vucinic, 26, does not intend to part ways with Roma in search of a new career in the English Premiership.

The Roma striker was linked with a move to Tottenham and Liverpool this summer but the Montenegro international has told Roma he won't move despite the tempting offers.

"Even if it is pleasing to hear that teams are interested in you, as it shows that I have matured and am a player of international standard, I'm staying at Roma," he told Roma Channel.

"The last contract which I signed illustrated that I have clear ideas about my future and Roma are my future. I owe a lot to this club, especially after my first season here when I would have thrown myself out."

Vucinic joined Roma in 2006 following Lecce's relegation from Serie A.

Pennant completes Zaragoza move

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant completed his switch from Anfield to promoted Spanish side Real Zaragoza this week on a three-year deal.

The 26-year-old, who played in the 2007 Champions League final, said he had snubbed offers from other clubs to play in Spain.

"I wanted to come to Spain. I had offers from other important clubs in Europe but I wanted to sign for Real Zaragoza," Pennant, who played 163 matches in three seasons at Liverpool, told the club's website.

"I want to get started and do well in the championship."

Fulham interested in winger Zenden

Boudewijn Zenden, 32, could be heading back to England in this transfer window as Fulham are interested in signing him after a two-year spell with Marseille came to an end last month.

The former Liverpool and Middlesbrough Dutch winger, who has won 54 caps for his country, is vastly experienced when it comes to Premier League football having played for Chelsea for three years prior to joining Boro.

He claims other European clubs are chasing his signature, including Roy Hodgson's Fulham.

"I can still sign a new deal but also Fulham, Genoa, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos want to sign me," he said.