Football news

Birmingham’s in-demand winger Sebastian Larsson has emerged as a target for Blackburn Rovers.

Rovers are understood to have made a bid – believed to be around £500,000 – for the Sweden international. Larsson was also a target for Newcastle United and the two clubs agreed a fee.

But the move fell through after Larsson was unable to agree personal terms with the north-east club. Larsson is out of contract in the summer and has failed so far to reach agreement over a new deal.

Simeone relishes Catania test

Newly-installed Catania coach Diego Simeone is confident he can turn the team’s fortunes around.

Simeone has replaced Marco Giampaolo, who was sacked this week after a string of poor results.

The former River Plate and San Lorenzo coach, who has signed a contract until June 2012, said: “I am very happy to have joined Catania.

“I thank the club for giving me the opportunity to return to Italy. For me this is a beautiful challenge and an important experience.

“I am enthusiastic and convinced that this group has the resources to do well.”

Simeone, 40, played in Serie A with Pisa, Inter and Lazio before retiring in 2006.

Balotelli should focus on football

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has told Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli he should “speak less and play more”.

Balotelli joined City from Inter last summer and recently made headlines in the press by declaring Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney was not the best player in Manchester.

When asked about the 20-year-old Italy international, Ronaldo said: “He is a good player but he has to speak less and play more.

“In the Premier League, if he knows how to listen and wants to learn, he could become a great player. I hope he achieves that.

“However, today he puts many other things ahead of his career and this is not good.”

Behrami baffled by move breakdown

Valon Behrami admits he does not know whether his move from West Ham to Fiorentina will materialise. The 25-year-old midfielder has not played for the Hammers since the 5-0 defeat at Newcastle on January 5, having been in and out of the side because of injury.

It appeared the Swiss, who arrived at Upton Park from Lazio in a £5m deal during July 2008, was all set for a transfer back to Italy as Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino admitted he “fitted their requirements”.

However, the deal appears to have stalled and Behrami feels he has been left in limbo.

“Will I go to Florence? Good question. At the moment my move to Florence is far from certain,” Behrami said.

Gullit ‘stunned’ by Grozny move

Ruud Gullit admitted yesterday that he knew nothing about Terek Grozny until being named manager of the Chechen side and was “stunned” by the offer to take charge.

Gullit told two Moscow sports dailies that he did not expect to spend much time in a city that is only now rebuilding from two wars in the past 15 years.

“Obviously, I could have never possibly imagined one day ending up in the Caucasus. Terek’s phone-call stunned me. But life is full of surprises,” the former Dutch captain said.

Gullit told the Sport Express that he would “only be going to Grozny for matches” and spending the rest of his time at a training base about 200kms west of the Chechen capital.

“The only thing that concerns me at this point is the language barrier,” he added.

Di Matteo confirms Carew interest

West Brom coach Roberto Di Matteo has confirmed his interest in signing Aston Villa striker John Carew. Di Matteo hopes Villa will allow Carew to leave after the signing of Darren Bent from Sunderland for £18 million.

The Norwegian had already slipped down the pecking order at Villa before Bent’s arrival.

Di Matteo confirmed: “They (Villa) know of our interest (in Carew). But obviously it has been a bit hectic there the last couple of days (with the Bent signing).

“We have a few other options as well that we are pushing forward with.”

Carew has been Aston Villa’s leading scorer for the past three seasons and is out of contract in the summer.

Kapo leaves Celtic after three months

Celtic have confirmed Olivier Kapo has left the club after just three months. The Frenchman joined the Hoops in November and made just two appearances.

Celtic say they took an option to terminate the former Birmingham and Wigan midfielder’s contract this month.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon said: “These are the facts. Olivier Kapo signed a contract with the club which allowed us to terminate on January 10, 2011. Celtic took this option to terminate as we felt he had not done enough to justify a longer-term contract.

“We were willing to look at an extension to this short term contract with Olivier. However, he was not willing to accept these terms.”