Football news

Gabriel Heinze wants to move to the Serie A, the defender saying Juventus were a great club in an interview with L’Equipe, yesterday.

Heinze, 33, is likely to leave Marseille at the end of the season. His contract expires in 2012 but the Argentine admitted that he wants to leave France in summer.

“There is only a small chance that I will stay at Marseille. I have other projects for the rest of my career,” the left-back said.

“Juventus are a great club. I’ve been close to a move to Serie A on two occasions in the past, I hope that I get a third opportunity.”

Scharner upset to miss derby

West Brom midfielder Paul Scharner has revealed his disappointment at being suspended for the crucial derby clash with Wolves next Sunday. He picked up his first red card in domestic football when sent off during Saturday’s 2-1 success over Aston Villa.

A win for Roy Hodgson’s side at Molineux would edge Albion’s bitter rivals closer to relegation.

Scharner said: “I am really disappointed to miss the derby. If you look on Facebook, I’ve had a lot of responses about the derbies.

“They are the two biggest games of the season and our fans are asking me on facebook to send them down.”

Izaguirre highly rated by hoops

Celtic assistant manager Johan Mjallby believes PFA Scotland Player of the Year Emilio Izaguirre could be one of the best left-backs in the world.

The Honduras international collected the prize late Sunday ahead of team-mate Gary Hooper after making a major impact in his first season at Celtic Park.

Mjallby said: “Emilio has probably been the signing of the season and it’s brilliant for him to win. He has been marvellous.

“I think this boy has every chance to be one of the best in the world.”

Izaguirre has been linked with Manchester United and Liver-pool but he has three years left on his Celtic contract.

Rovers make offer for Freiburg’s Cisse

Bundesliga club Freiburg confirmed they have been contacted by Blackburn Rovers with a view to the transfer of Senegalese international Papiss Cisse.

“I can confirm that Blackburn have made us an offer,” Freiburg sporting director Dirk Dufner said without revealing the sum.

Dufner also revealed that Cisse, the second best scorer in the Bundesliga with 22 goals, had also been watched by Arsenal and Liverpool.

Freiburg, seventh in the current Bundesliga standings, are demanding a minimum 15 million euros for the 25-year-old Cisse, recruited in January 2010 from France Division Two club Metz for €1.5 million.

Totti overtakes Baggio goal tally

Roma captain Francesco Totti moved up to fifth on the all-time Serie A scoring chart with two goals in Sunday’s 3-2 win at Bari. His 205th and 206th strikes took him past Roberto Baggio in the scoring list.

Totti’s 206th goal also saw him extend his lead as the highest scorer currently active over Juve’s Alessandro Del Piero, joint ninth on 184.

The all-time scoring record is held by Silvio Piola, who scored 274 goals for Pro Vercelli, Lazio, Juventus and Novara.

Then comes Gunnar Nordahl (225 goals for Milan and Roma), Giuseppe Meazza (216 for Inter, Milan and Juve) and Jose Altafini (216 for Milan, Napoli and Juventus).

Milan delay decision on Pirlo

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said Andrea Pirlo’s future at the club will only be discussed at the end of the season.

The veteran’s contract expires in the next couple of months and he is reportedly being chased by Serie A clubs Roma and Juventus as well as Chelsea, from the English Premiership.

“This is not the time to be talking about such things,” Allegri said when quizzed on the contract situation of the 32-year-old playmaker.

“The club will sit down with the player at the end of the season and together we’ll decide what to do.”

Milan are likely to consider offering Pirlo a new deal, but not at the figures his agent has allegedly requested.

Bin Hammam backs his chances

Mohammed bin Hammam, who is hoping to unseat Sepp Blatter as FIFA president, believes he is gaining more support by the day as his profile builds ahead of the June 1 vote.

“I started from zero and I believe that as of today I have the same chances as Blatter,” said the Qatari head of the Asian Football Confederation.

“Now I am better known among delegates and each day I get more votes.”

Bin Hammam said he would make sure the game’s riches were more evenly distributed if he wins the election.

“I think I can be an advantage for football, for the little countries... I have worked in football for 40 years.”