Football news

South Korean midfielder Lee Chung-Yong is in transfer negotiations with English Premier League club Bolton. The 21-year-old FC Seoul winger said he would take a medical after completing the talks.

"A deal has yet to be signed but I will try to come back with good results," he told reporters at Incheon airport near Seoul before departing.

A successful deal would make Lee the seventh Korean to play in England, following the example set by Park Ji-Sung of Manchester United.

Korean media quoted Lee's agent Kim Sung-Tae as saying the deal would eclipse the record set in 2003 for a South Korean moving overseas, when Lee Chun-Soo joined Spain's Real Sociedad for 3.5 million dollars.

Bid to woo back 'scared' fans

Japan's Urawa Reds are trying to repair Saitama Stadium's image as an intimidating and potentially dangerous place for rival fans to visit.

The club was fined a Japanese record $185,000 last year following violent clashes between fans after a J-League match against Gamba Osaka.

Faced with dwindling numbers of away fans, Japan's best-supported club has launched a charm offensive to make their home ground a more welcoming place.

Urawa have put up welcome banners for away fans at the nearest railway station while new measures will include showing highlights of their opponents' games on the stadium's screen.

Nakamura labelled 'football nerd'

Spanish media have labelled Espanyol's clean-living new Japanese signing Shunsuke Nakamura a "football nerd" a week after his arrival in the country.

Spanish newspaper AS noted the 31-year-old never touches alcohol, never goes to bed before going through a rigorous set of stretching exercises and watches nothing but football on TV.

"You (Nakamura) really are football crazy," yesterday's Nikkan Sports quoted the Madrid-based tabloid as saying.

Boro reject UAE offer for Alves

Middlesbrough have rejected a three million pounds bid from an unnamed United Arab Emirates club for Brazilian striker Afonso Alves.

The 28-year-old has struggled to make an impact at the Riverside Stadium since his club record £12 million transfer from Dutch team Heerenveen in January 2008.

His lack of goals contributed to Middlesbrough's relegation from the Premier League last season, but boss Gareth Southgate has no intention of selling Alves on the cheap.

Southgate told the Northern Echo: "We have had a bid for Afonso, but it wasn't something we deemed to be acceptable."

The Middlesbrough manager also confirmed that stay-away striker Mido will continue to be fined as long as he fails to report for training.

Juve can win scudetto - Platini

UEFA president Michel Platini believes that the signing of Diego will give Juventus a better chance of winning the scudetto. The Bianconeri have also added Felipe Melo and Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro to their ranks.

"Juventus have their accounts in order and are a great example of financial fair play. That way they can invest in champions like Diego," Platini told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"This year they have reinforced and Inter are losing something. The strengths are being re-balanced."

Asked for his opinion on Diego, Platini replied: "Yes, but above all, I like to speak about No. 10s. This way we keep the vocation alive."

Fergie backs Foster despite howler

Alex Ferguson has reiterated his belief that goalkeeper Ben Foster will one day be England's number one despite his error in the opening match of their Asian tour.

Foster came on as a second-half substitute in their win over a Malaysian XI on Saturday but got off to the worst possible start when he failed to control a Darron Gibson backpass and Amri Yahyah pounced to score an equaliser.

Ferguson though had sympathy for the 26-year-old. "That was Ben's first game for three or four months, he dislocated a finger ligament at the end of last season," he said.

"I've said it before but, in the long-run, I think he'll be England's goalkeeper. I'm absolutely certain of that."

Fulham, Spurs also keen on Chamakh

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh has revealed that Fulham and Tottenham are keen to sign him but he is not expecting to join Arsenal.

Chamakh is looking to leave the French champions and the Morocco international is eager to secure a deal in the Premier League.

"I want a new challenge, I have a soft spot for the English league," Chamakh told L'Equipe.

"My wish is to leave Bordeaux. With my agent, we have agreed terms with several English clubs that are keen to sign me. They are just waiting for my decision.

"They are notably Sunderland, Blackburn, Tottenham and Fulham. Arsenal? I don't really believe in it anymore. My officials have not received any offer so far."