Football news

Wayne Rooney is starting to mature but still has plenty of room for improvement, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said.

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez leaving over the summer, the spotlight has turned on Rooney who will be expected to score more goals this season after getting 20 in all competitions during the last campaign.

"You are seeing maturity from Wayne now, which is what you expect from younger players, but there is still a lot of improvement to come. He's not the finished article yet," Ferguson said.

His comments echo those of England manager Fabio Capello who recently said he believed Rooney would be a more devastating striker by the time the 2010 World Cup kicks off.

Al-Jazira spend big to sign Oliveira

Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira has signed for the Abu Dhabi-based Al-Jazira club from Real Betis for a country transfer fee record of €14 million.

The fee for the deal, believed to be between three and four years, will be split between Real Betis and Zaragoza, where the 29-year-old played between 2007 and January.

Oliveira, who has 11 Brazil caps, said he realised the Emirati league would be of a lower standard of football than Spain, but added that it had been an offer he and his family could not refuse.

Al-Jazira are owned by Sheikh Mansur Ben Zayed al-Nahyan, a member of the ruling family in oil-rich Abu Dhabi who is also the owner of Manchester City.

Wenger not bringing replacements yet

Arsene Wenger has denied speculation that Arsenal are close to signing a replacement for striker Emmanuel Adebayor who joined Manchester City on Saturday.

Wenger has been linked with a bid for Bordeaux forward Marouane Chamakh but he claimed a deal will not happen soon.

"We're not on the verge of signing anybody but I'm able to spend the money if we find the right players," he said.

"We'll see in pre-season if we need to make any additions. Chamakh is one of the players we've followed and if we need to go for a striker he's a possibility."

Hughes still in hunt for Terry

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has not given up hope of signing John Terry even though Chelsea have no intention of parting with their captain.

"He's obviously the type of player we need if we're going to progress and compete at the top level," Hughes told BBC Sportsweek.

"There may be a point that we concede (defeat), but I don't think we're at that point as yet."

City have had an active summer in the transfer market, signing Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor in an £80m spree.

Leonardo keen on Fabiano swoop

Milan coach Leonardo insists signing Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano would not be a gamble for the Rossoneri.

The Brazil international is Milan's top transfer target but their €14 million bid was rejected out of hand by the Spanish club last week.

"Luis Fabiano is without doubt a good player," Leonardo said. "He is the striker of the Brazilian national team and, like all deals, it has to run its course.

"I don't think you can call him a gamble for our league, because he may have already matured at 23 years old. Milan don't turn to the transfer market just to buy a name, if we do, it's because we need him."

Liverpool enter chase for Young

Liverpool have joined the chase to sign Ashley Young from Aston Villa, according to the News of the World.

The winger has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in the Premier League and Villa have reportedly rejected an opening £18 million offer from Tottenham, saying it is nowhere near their £30m valuation of the player.

Now the door may be open for Liverpool to get involved as their move for Valencia midfielder David Silva has stalled but Villa manager Martin O'Neill is determined to hang on to Young.

"There have been a lot of stories about Ashley," O'Neill said. "No-one has come in and asked us about Ashley Young and I have got to tell you, if they did they would get short shrift."

Scotland completes Wigan move

Wigan Athletic have completed the signing of Jason Scotland from Swansea City for two million pounds ($3.26 million) after the Trinidad and Tobago striker received international clearance, the club said yesterday.

The 30-year-old signed a two-year deal and said: "It's great to get to play in the Premier League. It's a big step up.

"Hopefully I can take it in my stride and do well. Just thinking about lining up against some of the best players in the world makes me smile."

Scotland teams up again with Roberto Martinez, his manager at Swansea who moved to take over at Wigan following the departure of Steve Bruce to Sunderland.