Football news

Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido has slammed Marseille’s offer for Luis Fabiano as “ridiculous” and is confident of keeping the Brazil striker.

The 29-year-old is out of contract at Sevilla next summer but has a buy-out clause which would allow him to move for €30m.

“It’s true that Marseille are interested, it’s true that Sevilla have put a price on him and it’s true that time is running out for Luis Fabiano to leave,” he said.

“But Sevilla aren’t going to move a shred from the price and we don’t want Marseille to match the price because what we want is for him to stay. The offer that Marseille made was ridiculous, although it seems they are ready to improve that.”

No end to Reds takeover saga

Liverpool’s ownership battle looks like dragging on past the end of the transfer window after the board reviewed a number of proposed bids. A meeting in London yesterday assessed plans put forward by several potential new owners but no firm decision was made.

Chairman Martin Broughton said last month he hoped a sale could be completed before the close of this transfer window but the process is set to drag on longer.

“The Liverpool FC board has reviewed a number of proposed bids at a meeting,” read a club statement.

“The sale process is continuing. However, its timing and outcome remain uncertain. In the meantime, we will not comment on rumour and speculation.”

Raul targets Bundesliga title

Raul has set his sights on winning the Bundesliga with his new club Schalke and earning some more silverware before ending his career with the German club.

The Spaniard joined the Royal Blues after leaving Real Madrid following 16 years with the club, but he refuses to see the transfer as a step down in his career. Instead, he is as motivated as ever to win silverware.

“It would have been the easiest thing to do to stay there, but we wanted to do something new,” he said.

“A lot is possible with our coach, Magath. He wants to win the title for Schalke for the first time in over 50 years. That is also what I want. I think that I have made a very good choice for the end of my career.”

Portugal dismiss Aragones talk

The Portugal Football Federation have moved to deny reports they are lining up Luis Aragones to replace coach Carlos Queiroz.

It is thought the FPF are consi­dering dismissing Queiroz, following a disappointing two years in charge, and are in talks with Aragones, who steered Spain to Euro 2008 success. However, the FPF claim Queiroz will be at the helm for the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

A statement read: “Following after yet another rumour given by the press, the Portuguese Football Federation has to categorically deny and refute the content of the alleged news.”

Balotelli’s temper not a concern

Roberto Mancini is confident he will have no problems with Mario Balotelli’s notoriously fiery temper. The 20-year-old became Manchester City’s fifth new arrival of the summer on Friday when he signed a five-year contract with the Eastlands outfit.

A deal estimated to be around £22m, has taken Mancini’s summer spending beyond the £100m mark, placing a huge weight of expectation on the Italian. And, with Balotelli, Mancini is also inheriting a combustible character.

“Balotelli is a young guy and he is a good guy,” Mancini said.

“Like all the young men, sometimes his behaviour is not good. But it is wrong to say he is not a good man. I don’t believe he will have a big problem.”

Gerrard in favour of Arteta switch

Steven Gerrard has revealed he would “love” Everton counterpart Mikel Arteta to come into the England fold.

Arteta, Spanish by nationality, has never been capped by the world champions. He qualifies for England through the residency rule. And Liverpool skipper Gerrard admits he would welcome his Merseyside rival into the England camp.

He said: “I’d certainly love nothing better than to see Arteta available for England. You want to play with the best players, and if it makes the England squad better, of course I’d like to see it.

“I think it happens to most national teams but it’s up to him if he wants to make himself available.”

Werder turn down Real Ozil offer

Real Madrid on Friday failed in a bid to persuade Werder Bremen to part with German World Cup sensation Mesut Ozil, with their offer dismissed as “unacceptable”.

“We have received an unaccep­table offer and we will not allow negotiations to open,” Werder sports director Klaus Allofs said.

Financial details of the bid were not disclosed but German media reported that a 16-million-euro price tag had been placed on Ozil whose contract with Werder expires in June 2011.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho admitted his great interest in the 21-year-old.

“His club said no. Now we will have to see what happens. It would be great if he could join us,” said Mourinho.