Football news

Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam has handed in a transfer request, according to his agent.

The news comes after manager Ian Holloway revealed that three clubs had made unsuccessful bids for the player – Aston Villa, Bir-mingham City and latterly Liverpool.

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston said they had rejected a £4 million offer from Liverpool on Friday.

But Adam is now keen to move on and his agent Kenny Moyes said: “I can confirm Charlie has handed in a transfer request.”

Adam arrived at Bloomfield Road in January 2009 initially on loan from Rangers. He sealed a permanent move that summer after Blackpool paid £500,000 for his services.

Kean impressed by debutant Jones

Steve Kean feels Blackburn have acquired a gem in Jermaine Jones after the defender impressed on his debut in the 2-0 Premier League victory over WBA on Sunday.

The 29-year-old US international arrived at Ewood Park last week in a loan deal from Schalke until the end of the season and was thrown straight into the action at left-back.

Rovers boss Kean said: “He’s not even fully fit. He has not played for a number of weeks. I tried to say to him at the end, ‘just save your legs a little bit’, but he finds that difficult, he wants to tackle and join in.

“His passing was fantastic. He was a £10m player before his last injury but I think he’ll be fantastic for us.”

Montolivo not moving in January

Riccardo Montolivo will not change clubs in the mid-winter transfer window, the Fiorentina captain told reporters yesterday even though a transfer at the end of the season is still in the offing.

“As of today there is a 100 per cent chance of staying in Florence,” Montolivo said.

“Tomorrow I don’t know. I have the moral obligation of only thinking about Florence.”

Montolivo, 25, had stalled on signing a new contract a few months back, leading to specu-lation about his future.

Reja dismisses Zarate reports

Lazio coach Edy Reja has brushed aside reports linking Mauro Zarate with a move to Juventus before the end of the transfer window. The Argentine striker is a reported target of the Turin giants but Lazio are adamant they will not sell the 23-year-old.

When asked about Juve’s interest in Zarate, Reja said: “I don’t understand where certain rumours emerge. Zarate will not move, I am certain of that.”

Zarate, who was also linked with a £14m move to Liverpool earlier this month, has scored four times in 20 league appearances for Lazio this season.

The South American player is under contract with the Serie A outfit until June 2014.

Nesta faces three-week lay-off

Milan defender Alessandro Nesta will be sidelined for three weeks after dislocating his left shoulder during his team’s 2-0 triumph over Cesena on Sunday.

Tests ruled out any fracture or ligament damage but the former Italy international has been advised to rest by doctors.

“I believe Nesta will be out for two to three weeks and will miss six to seven games,” said club vice-pre-sident Adriano Galliani.

Nesta will sit out this week’s Coppa Italia quarter-final clash at Sampdoria as well as Serie A games at Catania, Lazio, Genoa and Parma.

The 34-year-old is expected to recover in time for the first leg of Milan’s Champions League tie against Tottenham Hotspur on February 15.

Schwarzer set to match record

Veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is set to reach another landmark in his long career today, equalling Australia’s all-time caps record.

The Fulham star is preparing to make his 87th appearance in Australia’s Asian Cup semi-final against Uzbekistan, matching the feat of Alex Tobin, who played between 1988-1998.

Schwarzer, 38, will almost certainly break the record even if they lose, with either the final awaiting them or a third-place play-off match.

Tobin was in the Australian side when Schwarzer made his debut against Canada in 1993.

Two other current Socceroos are near the top of their country’s all-time appearance list, with Brett Emerton on 81 caps and Lucas Neill on 68.

Fabiano fired up for Real Madrid

Brazil forward Luis Fabiano warned Real Madrid that Sevilla are psyched up for tomorrow’s King’s Cup semi-final as they look to reach the final and retain the trophy.

Fabiano scored a hat-trick in Sevilla’s 4-1 home win over Levante on Saturday and now the cup holders have Real in their sights.

“Every game is a final now and we have to continue playing like this,” said Fabiano.

“It will be a great game against Real and we have to go into the match to get a victory against them and try to go on to retain the cup.

“They are a great team but we can beat them. We want another title and to leave Real Madrid empty-handed.”