Football news

Brazilian midfielder Diego has finally completed his on-off transfer from Juventus to Wolfsburg, the buying club announced yesterday.

The 25-year-old has signed a four-year contract estimated by Juventus to be worth around €15 million bringing to an end a move that has been on the cards for several weeks.

The Brazilian, who passed a medical on Wednesday, joined Juventus a year ago from Werder Bremen for €25 million, but struggled to score goals.

Ferdinand close to return

Rio Ferdinand could return to action for Manchester United immediately after the forthcoming international break.

Alex Ferguson had suggested it would be the end of September before the England skipper could contemplate a comeback after suffering a knee ligament injury in training prior to the World Cup.

But Ferdinand has been spurred on to quicken his recovery and Ferguson is looking for a game at some point over the next fortnight to test his fitness.

“Rio hadn’t done anything football-wise when I spoke last week,” said the United boss. “But he has come in and trained this week and done fantastic. He will train with the reserves today.

“He won’t be involved tomorrow (today) of course but we have to try and think when we can get a game with him in the next two weeks.”

Quagliarella joins Juve on loan

Juventus yesterday announced that they have signed Italy striker Fabio Quagliarella on a season-long loan with an option to buy from Serie A rivals Napoli.

The Turin giants are paying €4.5 million to take Quagliarella on loan for the 2010/2011 campaign and will be able to make the move permanent for a further fee of €10.5 million.

The 27-year-old striker will be paid two million euros per season, accor­ding to Italian news agency Ansa.

Quagliarella has played 22 times for Italy and scored five goals, including a delicate chip in their 3-2 defeat by Slovakia at the World Cup.

Juve moved for Quagliarella after being thwarted in their attempts to sign Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale.

West Ham sign Nigerian Obinna

West Ham signed Nigeria striker Victor Obinna on a season-long loan from Inter yesterday.

Obinna passed a medical earlier this week before sealing his move, which has the option of a perma­nent transfer next year if he makes a good impression during his spell at Upton Park.

The 23-year-old, who spent last season on loan with Spanish side Malaga, will compete with Frederic Piquionne, Carlton Cole and Benni McCarthy for a place in Hammers boss Avram Grant’s forward line.

Obinna made two appearances for Nigeria in the recent World Cup, where the Super Eagles failed to progress from the group stages.

Squillaci ready to get physical

Sebastien Squillaci has vowed to embrace the physicality of the English Premier League after sealing his dream move to Arsenal.

Manager Arsene Wenger has already predicted the French defender will offer his team “some variation at the back”, and Squillaci does not intend to shirk any challenges.

“Yes, I do like the duels. I feel it is one of my qualities and here in England there are many duels and it is good to be able to respond physically,” he said.

Squillaci knows it could take a short time to adjust to the demands of the English game.

“Now I am going to discover a new league. I have played against English teams like Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool so I know what to expect,” he said.

Ben Arfa set for Toon move

Newcastle are closing in on the signing of Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa. A move was mooted earlier this month, but the deal stalled over the price of the option to buy the winger if he impressed during his loan spell.

Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier has now confirmed they have agreed a deal with Newcastle for Ben Arfa with the winger due to fly in for talks.

“He will travel to Newcastle tomorrow,” Dassier said yesterday. “They have offered to raise the price for the option-to-buy if Hatem plays 25 matches and also pay the five per cent of the cost to FIFA.

“We will respond. After that it’s up to Hatem to agree a deal. We have to finish this story as soon as possible.”

Hercules to land Trezeguet

French striker David Trezeguet is set to leave Italian club Juventus for newly-promoted Spanish outfit Hercules Alicante, Spanish media reported yesterday.

“Hercules is one step away from carrying out one of the ‘coups’ of the summer: the transfer of Trezeguet,” the sports newspaper AS said.

Trezeguet’s agent, Antonio Caliendo, said he was “optimistic” about a deal for the 32-year-old, who has previously been linked with Liverpool and West Ham.

The Frenchman of Argentine parentage joined Juve from Monaco in 2000 after scoring the golden goal winner for France in the European Championship final against Italy that summer.