Football news

Manchester City will play Champions League finalists Inter on their pre-season tour to America.

The match, in Baltimore on July 31, pits manager Roberto Mancini against his former club and City's football administrator Brian Marwood said it was a fitting conclusion to the trip.

"I think this is the type of fixture everyone connected with the club and our supporters in particular will relish," he told the club's website mcfc.co.uk.

"I know Roberto's eyes lit up when we mentioned we were hoping to play Inter."

City will also face Sporting Lisbon, New York Red Bulls and Mexico's Club America while in the US.

Inzaghi pens new Milan deal

Former Italy striker Filippo Inzaghi yesterday signed a new one-year contract with Milan. The 36-year-old was due to reach the end of his deal at the San Siro this summer but has committed until the end of June 2011.

Inzaghi joined Milan from Juventus in 2001 but his future was in some doubt until yesterday's confirmation of his extension.

Milan announced the news in a one-sentence statement on their official website, and Inzaghi is now poised to complete a full decade as a Milan player.

His retention follows a poor season by Inzaghi's high standards, however, as he scored just twice in 24 Serie A appearances as Milan finished third behind champions Inter and Roma.

Novo seals S. Gijon switch

Striker Nacho Novo has left Rangers to return to Spain with Sporting Gijon.

The 31-year-old, who scored the Gers' winner in last year's Scottish Cup final against Falkirk as well as the goal which clinched the 2005 Scottish Premier League title, turned down a new contract with the club in favour of pursuing first-team football in his homeland.

Novo scored nine times last season despite being limited largely to substitute appearances, starting just 14 SPL games.

He has signed a two-year deal with Sporting, who finished 15th in the Primera Liga this season.

Zidane approves Ribery decision

Zinedine Zidane is pleased Franck Ribery looks set to commit his future to Bayern Munich, even if it means the pair will not get to work together next season.

Zidane works for Real Madrid as an adviser and has already tried to convince Ribery to join the Spaniards, but it now appears the France winger is going to sign a new five-year deal with the Bundesliga side.

"The important thing is that the player does what his heart says," he told the Bild newspaper.

"He does not have to join Real just because I say so. If he stays (with Bayern), then I think it is perfect. I would have really liked to have him here because he is a great player and I like him as a person."

Hammers target USA-bound Henry

West Ham have launched an audacious bid to lure Barcelona striker Thierry Henry to the club as they aim to rebound from an almost catastrophic season in the Premier League.

Barcelona announced earlier this week that France international Henry was set to leave the Spanish giants after talks were held between the club and Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.

But according to The Sun, debt-hit West Ham would dig deep to make Henry, who spent several years with Arsenal, the highest-paid player in their history.

Joint chairman David Sullivan said a two-year deal worth around £75,000 a week, more than 7.5 million in total, was on the table.

Defender Calve free to join Celtic

Nancy defender Jean Calve has told Celtic they can sign him for nothing. The Ligue One side have reportedly offered the full-back to the Hoops for £600,000 as part of a £1.8million double deal with midfielder Landry NGuemo, who was on loan at Parkhead last season.

However, Calve, who was close to signing for Celtic last summer, insists he has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave without a fee after a bonus row.

"When Celtic signed Landry on loan last year they spoke to Nancy about me joining them too," he said.

"They wanted to sign me, not at the money Nancy were asking for. The big difference between this year and last is the transfer fee.

"I still have two years left on my contract at Nancy, but I'm free to speak to any club I want and free to move if they want to sign me."

Messi scare for Argentina

Argentina midfielder Lionel Messi handed coach Diego Maradona a World Cup scare yesterday when he injured his right knee in a training match.

Barcelona star Messi immediately left the practice session, but the seriousness of the injury was played down by officials.

"Messi is fine. It was only a knock and nothing else," said team official Nicolas Otamendi.

Argentina were training ahead of a World Cup friendly match against Canada tomorrow before flying to South Africa for the finals next week.