Football news

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola rubbished reports that central defender Matthew Upson was on his way out before the transfer window is over at the end of this month.

Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa have all been linked with a move for the England international at some stage but no formal approach has been lodged.

Zola said: "As far as I'm concerned, we're looking to buy players not sell them. We've had no offers for Matthew and want to keep him.

"I think he's enjoying his football and looking forward to this season as it's going to be vital for his career."

Defender Lugano turns down Lazio

Lazio will have to start their search for a new defender from scratch after Uruguay international Diego Lugano decided to turn his back on the Serie A and extend his contract at Fenerbahce.

Lugano, also linked with a transfer move to Fiorentina and Roma this summer, seemed on the verge of making the move to Lazio but had second thoughts in the last minute.

Last weekend, he put pen to paper on a new four-year deal with the Turkish club where Lugano has been playing since 2006.

"I am very happy to have extended my contract, especially as a result of the affection shown to me by the fans and the efforts the club put into keeping me here," he was reported as saying.

Riise testifies against ex-agent

Roma defender John Arne Riise appeared in court yesterday to give evidence against his former agent Einar Baardsen, who is accused of swindling €2.5 million from the ex-Liverpool star.

"Baardsen was my best friend and advisor. I had total confidence in him," the Norwegian international said in court.

"I only wanted to play football and I was happy."

Baardsen, who represented Riise between 2001 and 2005, is accused of fraud and embezzlement. Prosecutors claimed he duped money out of the Roma defender.

He allegedly pumped some of that cash into his own companies, despite an agreement to make investments with it on Riise's behalf.

Liverpool scouts monitor Honda

Liverpool are showing keen interest in midfielder Keisuke Honda but the Japan midfielder insisted he is happy to stay at Dutch club VVV Venlo for the time being as he is not considering a move elsewhere.

Honda, who is also courted by PSV and Ajax, said: "I was told before the match (with Den Haag) that a scout from Liverpool had come. I'm very happy and comfortable with life over here.

"The people I've met are friendly and I just don't feel out of place. At the moment, I'm not considering moving abroad."

Venlo have slapped a €10 million price tag on Honda, 23, and any move appears unlikely until the January transfer window.

Mourinho worried after subdued win

The Bahrain national team gave Inter a taste of what is in store in their upcoming Serie A title defence, coach Jose Mourinho has said after the 1-0 win.

The Italian champions had to work hard to win their last preseason friendly, with Mancini heading the winner in the second half of the match in Kapfenberg, Austria.

"We experienced a situation that will occur frequently at the San Siro - playing against opponents who line up 11 men behind the ball," Mourinho was quoted as saying.

Mourinho was pleased with Patrick Vieira's performance in the holding role in front of the defence.

The French midfielder is a candidate to move into that position, with Esteban Cambiasso set to miss the start of the season with a knee injury.

Pompey takeover still on track

Takeover negotiations of Premier League club Portsmouth are still on track, Sulaiman Al-Fahim said after fears the Dubai businessman had backed off after weeks of talks.

Reports said the takeover bid was falling through after Al-Fahim missed owner Alexandre Gaydamak's deadline to complete the transaction.

Fans fear the club could even be placed into administration is order to tackle their debt mountain.

However, all remains calm in Al-Fahim's camp.

"The takeover is still on course," said spokesman Ivo Ilic.

"That is why he attended Saturday's match against Fulham and I think the white coat was a statement of intent."

Hull City fail to sign Negredo

Hull City appear to have failed in their bid to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo, who is set to join Spanish side Zaragoza. The 23-year-old wants to remain in Spain, and Real are ready to let him, AS reported.

Hull had already agreed to Real's terms of an €18 million transfer fee plus a two-year buy-back clause worth €25 million - an offer Zaragoza cannot match, the paper said.

It added the newly-promoted outfit is ready to pay a fee "very far" from the amount sought by Real, but the Madrid club would have an option to buy back the player "for next to nothing" over the next two years.