Reports in the Italian media last the weekend said that Fiorentina are close to securing a deal for striker Kenny Miller, of Scottish giants Rangers.
It is understood Fiorentina want to sign a new striker in this month’s transfer window as a replacement for Adrian Mutu who was axed from the squad last week for his unruly behaviour.
Mutu, 31, has already been linked with Serie A sides since his bust-up with Fiorentina, as he was a target for Milan before they captured Antonio Cassano.
Miller’s contract with Rangers is set to expire this season.
Dzeko transfer – a blessing in disguise
Wolfsburg coach Steve McClaren believes that the sale of Edin Dzeko to Manchester City is a blessing in disguise for his team. Although the Wolves have lost a man who scored 66 goals in 111 games for them, McClaren expects his team to be better off without him.
“I have already seen other players take on more responsibility,” he said.
Dzeko is the team’s top scorer this season with 10 goals, but speculation surrounding his future may well have been an unsettling influence in the dressing room. Now the Bosnian has gone, the rest of the team has the chance to prove their point, according to McClaren.
“The players no longer need to hide in Edin’s shadow,” he added.
Hummels against move to Bayern
Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels would not even entertain the idea of rejoining Bayern Munich in the future, despite reported interest from his former club.
Hummels joined Dortmund initially on loan from Bayern in 2008 and the Westphalians were so impressed that they made the transfer permanent in 2009.
However, Bayern are believed to have inserted a clause in his contract with Dortmund which gives them first option on signing him back and they seem keen on activating that clause.
“Even if I had a clause which meant they could sign me back for just two euros, I don’t want to leave. I would rather stay with Dortmund,” he said.
Real rule out winter signings
Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez has told coach Jose Mourinho he cannot sign a new striker in the winter transfer window to cover for the injured Gonzalo Higuain.
The Portuguese coach is concerned that with Higuain ruled out for at least another two months he has only Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to rely on up front.
But Perez believes that “with Benzema, Cristiano, Higuain from March and the pool (of players), there is more than enough,” Marca quoted him as saying.
“There’ll be no signings,” Perez said.
Higuain is to undergo surgery in the United States to fix a slipped disc.
Walcott apologises for diving
Theo Walcott apologised for diving to try to win a penalty during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Leeds in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
With Arsene Wenger’s team trailing 1-0 in the closing minutes, Walcott tumbled to the turf after a challenge from Alex Bruce in the penalty area.
Referee Phil Dowd initially awarded the penalty but, after consulting with his assistant, he changed his mind.
Walcott, who then won the stoppage-time penalty that Cesc Fabregas scored for Arsenal’s equaliser, later issued a statement apologising for his actions.
“I want to apologise to the managers because I actually dived. I was trying to win the penalty,” Walcott said.
“I am not the sort of player to do it, but I own up to it and apologise.”
Stevenage player floored by punch
An investigation has been launched after Stevenage defender Scott Laird was floored by a punch from a fan while celebrating his side’s shock 3-1 FA Cup victory over Newcastle.
“Scott Laird was stood celebrating and a fan just came over and smashed him from the side. He went to the ground and it is a shame for the afternoon to end in that way,” said Graham Westley, the manager of fourth division Stevenage.
“He is a bit bewildered. He (the fan) gave him a right-hander, just smashed him across the cheek and knocked him to the ground. He said to me: ‘It’s lucky I’ve got a big head to take it.’ It was a sad way for things to end.”
Park tight-lipped on Korea future
Manchester United winger Park Ji-Sung said yesterday that he will make an announcement about his international future with South Korea at the end of the Asian Cup.
The 29-year-old is currently in the Qatari capital Doha preparing for his side’s opening group match against Bahrain today.
Prior to arriving in Qatar, Park’s father told South Korean media that the Asian Cup would be his son’s last major tournament in the red shirt of his national side.
Quizzed about the reports, however, Park was non-committal.
“At the moment I can’t say anything. I will say after the Asian Cup,” he said.