Dimitar Berbatov is confident Manchester United will feel the benefit of his decision to retire from international duty.

After scoring two goals in United’s opening couple of fixtures this season, including the opener in Monday’s 3-0 win over Newcastle, Berbatov is confident he has made the correct decision.

“Everything comes to an end at some point,” Berbatov told United Review. “I said to myself a long time ago that when I got nearer to 30 I would step down and let the younger guys take over.

“Now I can concentrate fully on my football with United, have a bit more rest during the season and enjoy watching my country.”

Tiago rejoins Atletico on loan

Portugal midfielder Tiago has rejoined Atletico Madrid after the Spanish club renewed his loan from Juventus for the forthcoming season.

The former Chelsea and Porto player spent the second half of last season at the Vicente Calderon and impressed Quique Sanchez Flores sufficiently to be brought back to the Spanish capital.

“I’m delighted to return to Atletico,” he said. “I wanted to come back and here I am again, eager to start training.

“Right now my goal is to be ready to play as soon as possible. It will be hard to play the European Super Cup on August 27 because I haven’t done any training with the ball.”

Milan declare Boateng interest

Milan have confirmed their interest in Kevin-Prince Boateng, who spent last season at Portsmouth.

According to Milan, the 23-year-old Ghanaian midfielder has clinched a move to Genoa, however that has not put off the Serie A giants in their pursuit.

The Milan website reported that Boateng was at the club’s headquarters on Monday.

The report added: “Kevin Prince Boateng is owned by Genoa and is waiting for an agreement between Milan and Genoa which will enable the player to train and play friendlies with the Rossoneri.”

Portsmouth have yet to confirm Boateng’s reported transfer to Genoa.

Liverpool sign Aussie as cover for Reina

Australian international goal­keeper Brad Jones signed for Premier League giants Liverpool yesterday from Championship side Middlesbrough for £2.3 million.

The 28-year-old, who has been at ’Boro for nine years but made just 76 appearances and been loaned out five times, will act as cover for Liverpool’s first choice ’keeper Spanish international Pepe Reina.

An added benefit for Liverpool is that Jones qualifies as a “home-grown” player under the new Premier League rules after joining Middlesbrough from Australian amateur side Bayswater City.

Diego is a no-go for Schalke

Schalke manager Felix Magath has promised more new signings before the transfer deadline, although Diego will not be arriving in Gelsenkirchen.

The Royal Blues were believed to be interested in bringing the Brazilian playmaker back to the Bundesliga after a disappointing first season with Juventus, but Magath has ruled that out.

“We are not signing Diego,” he said after his side’s 2-1 win over third division side Aalen in the German Cup. “We don’t have any chance of that.”

However, Magath is still not happy with the team he has at his disposal and added that further transfers will be made over the next fortnight. “We have our eyes on players who have more quality than those players we already have,” he admitted.

Rovers confirm takeover talks

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed they have held a “cordial and productive meeting” with Indian businessman Ahsan Ali Syed’s company over a proposed takeover.

Bahrain-based Syed, owner of Western Gulf Advisory, confirmed on Monday he was keen to buy the Lancashire club and said he wanted to give manager Sam Allardyce a transfer kitty of up to £100 million.

Syed also said he would like to complete the takeover inside the next fortnight but Rovers have not made any other comment apart from confirming the talks are continuing.

Syed, 36, is reported to have around £300 million to spend on the takeover, covering the club’s debts and new players.

Almunia would prefer to stay

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has said he would reluctantly consider his Arsenal future if boss Arsene Wenger signs another senior goalkeeper before the transfer deadline.

Almunia is currently Wenger’s first choice between the posts, although that status has been undermined by the club’s interest in Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer while Manchester City’s Shay Given has also been linked to the Gunners.

Almunia is keen to remain in north London, but admits should another goalkeeper arrive at the club then he would reassess his options.

“If somebody comes in, I will have to talk about my future at Arsenal. That is it. I cannot talk now, because the talking would be for nothing,” he told the Evening Standard.

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