Football news

Milan may have splashed out this season to bring in super stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Antonio Cassano but according to Fiorentina boss Sinisa Mihajlovic Napoli’s Edinson Cavani is the signing of the season.

Cavani scored a hat-trick on Sunday as Napoli beat Juventus 3-0 and Mihajlovic believes the 23-year-old on-loan Palermo forward tops any other acquisition.

“First it was Ibra but now you can say that Cavani is the best signing in this league,” he said ahead of his team’s meeting with Napoli tomorrow in Naples.

“Napoli are doing very well but we can play our game.”

Voeller proposes summer move

The Bundesliga should move to a summer format ahead of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, according to Rudi Voeller.

“The World Cup in Qatar has to take place in winter and it’s a chance for us to re-do our calendar,” Voeller, the current sporting director of Bayer Leverkusen, said.

“The Bundesliga must run from February to November rather than August to May as it currently does.

“Of the 34 days of the season, you’re ‘frozen’ during 20 of them.”

Man. City expect duo to leave

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed Roque Santa Cruz is almost certain to return to Blackburn within the coming days and paved the way for Shaun Wright-Phillips’s departure as well.

Mancini has already stated that Edin Dzeko will probably be the only new face arriving at Eastlands during the current transfer window, so most of the attention around City this month is set to be on the players who will leave.

Wayne Bridge was first man out of the exit door, joining West Ham for the remainder of the season.

Santa Cruz’s departure was always on the cards.

“It is the same situation for Roque and Shaun Wright-Phillips,” said Mancini.

“Roque has two or three options.”

Bridge completes Hammers move

West Ham have confirmed the signing of Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge on loan until the end of the season. The 30-year-old has dropped down the pecking order at Eastlands since the arrival of Aleksandar Kolarov and Jerome Boateng in the summer.

“It will be great to play a part in helping keep West Ham in the Premier League. It would be a big achievement,” Bridge said.

Bridge watched on from the stands at Upton Park on Tuesday night when manager Avram Grant was forced to switch Matthew Upson to left-back as the Hammers beat Birmingham 2-1 in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.

It has been a problem position in a difficult season for the Hammers, which has seen them struggle in the Premier League, despite their cup success.

Mourinho pleased red card rescinded

Jose Mourinho said he was pleased the red card to Villarreal midfielder Cani for throwing a water bottle at him during a weekend league match in Spain has been rescinded.

“I am glad Cani’s red card was rescinded,” the Real Madrid coach said.

“Nevertheless, if one of my men throws a bottle at someone he gets a three-month suspension.

“He threw a plastic bottle at me. I don’t consider it an aggression. It was just a gesture from yet another person who thinks everything I do has negative connotations.”

Cani, 29, tossed a water bottle at Mourinho during Real’s 4-2 victory over Villarreal on Sunday. He was reacting to Mourinho’s wild celebrations after Kaka sealed the victory for Real in the 82nd minute.

Houllier confirms Makoun interest

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is stepping up his bid to sign midfielder Jean Makoun from his former club Lyon in a £6m deal.

Houllier is flying out to France to speak to Lyon about the prospects of capturing the Cameroon international and he has no doubts that the 27-year-old would enhance Villa’s squad.

Houllier said: “Makoun could be a good asset for us because he is experienced, he has played in the Champions League with Lille and Lyon.”

Houllier also remains interested in signing Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam after making an improved £3.5m bid.

Villa’s first offer of around £2.5m was rejected with Birmingham also interested in acquiring Adam.

Mancini leaves Inter with a sour taste

Amantino Mancini waved goodbye to Italian football this week but left the Serie A on a bitter note as he accused his club Inter of never giving him a chance to settle in the team.

The Brazilian winger returned home after signing a new deal with Atletico Mineiro on Tuesday. He had played outside his country for eight years.

“We reached an agreement, as I had little space at Inter and am a bit sad, as it wasn’t what I wanted when I moved from Roma,” Mancini said.

“I wanted to continue in the Serie A, but was unable to repeat that form. In the last few months I hoped to have a bit more room, or at least an opportunity, but everyone got their shot except me.”