Football news

Chelsea captain John Terry insists he won't use his influence at Stamford Bridge to pressure Carlo Ancelotti into making big-money buys.

Recent reports suggested Terry demanded assurances that Chelsea were still committed to signing high-profile players before he decided to spurn Manchester City's advances.

The England defender was persuaded to stay after talks with Blues owner Roman Abramovich, after which Terry spoke of his relationship with the Russian in glowing terms.

But Terry said: "I want to clear something up. I'm a player and it's the manager and board who make those decisions.

"The only thing I spoke about with the club was it was important people like Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole, whose contracts are up now, stay with us."

Liverpool and Real discuss Xabi deal

Liverpool and Real Madrid are still negotiating the possible transfer of midfielder Xabi Alonso to the big-spending Spanish club.

Officials of both clubs - Jose Angel Sanchez for Real and Christian Purslow for Liverpool - met on Sunday in Barcelona to discuss the move.

AS said Real has offered €30 million for the Spain international, an amount it said was about five million less than that sought by Liverpool.

Marca said Liverpool is seeking €40 million for the 27-year-old.

But it said if negotiations break down Real are ready to target Steven Defour of Standard Liege instead.

Everton concern at Fellaini illness

Everton manager David Moyes is concerned midfielder Marouane Fellaini may miss the start of the season with the Belgium international suffering from a virus which has caused him to lose weight.

Fellaini did play in Sunday's pre-season draw with Coventry but Moyes is worried he may not make the start of the Premiership campaign at home to Arsenal on August 15.

"Fellaini has had an illness for most of the summer which has affected him," said Moyes.

"He picked up a viral infection in the summer. It got into his blood, he lost a lot of weight.

"It's noticeable looking at him how thin he has become. It has definitely had an effect on his performance."

Chamakh wants move to Arsenal

Marouane Chamakh has accused French champions Bordeaux of asking for too much money from Arsenal, who have expressed an interest in the Morocco striker.

"Going to Arsenal is my dream," Chamakh told L'Equipe.

"I am at the end of my contract and the club want to turn this into a money issue. What the club are asking for me is not fair."

Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud confirmed Arsenal had bid for the 25-year-old.

Arsenal are understood to have offered just £5 million, which Triaud branded 'ridiculous'. But now events have taken a fresh turn as Chamakh missed Bordeaux's clash with Villarreal on Sunday.

Trezeguet to stay at Juventus

David Trezeguet has no intention of leaving Juventus, until at least the end of the season, the French forward said.

The 31-year-old has attracted interest from Milan and Roma this summer, although Juve recently said they would only be prepared to sell him to a club outside Serie A.

"I am definitely staying at Juventus for the whole season," Trezeguet said.

"After 10 years in Turin I don't think it's right to leave now.

"At the back of this decision is the decisive support of those who backed me in the recent period - that is, the management, the coach, my mates and the supporters."

Trezeguet is under contract with Juventus until 2011.

Avoid Wales over swine flu - Russia

Russian football fans should stay away from the national team's World Cup qualifying tie with Wales in Cardiff next month due to the risk of contracting swine flu, the state health agency said.

"This would be an extremely inappropriate undertaking at a time of a flu epidemic," the head of Russia's state health agency Gennady Onishchenko said.

"We will persuade our compatriots not to go to this match in Britain," he said.

Onishchenko expressed fear that "the expressions of emotion on the part of football fans involving intense shouting" could lead to the airborne transmission of the flu virus.

The two sides are due to play their Group Four qualifier on September 9.

Britain is the hardest hit country in Europe by the A(H1N1) virus. Russia has been relatively spared by the swine flu pandemic.

Milan step up Fabiano interest

Milan have stepped up their efforts to sign Luis Fabiano.

They had a £12.5m bid for Fabiano turned down by Seville last month as the Spanish club are demanding another £4 million to close the deal.

The trasfer looks to be back on as Milan are ready to increase their bid from £12.5m to £15m plus incentives.

Milan directors have come under fire from their fans, their coach, and their own players in recent weeks for not investing this summer.

The Rossoneri have signed just one player in the offseason, bringing in Oguchi Onyewu from Standard Liege.