Football news

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are in talks to acquire Japanese teen striker Takashi Usami, his J-League club Gamba Osaka said yesterday.

“It is true that Bayern Munich have approached us about Usami. But at this stage we have no formal announcement to make. There has been no agreement yet,” Gamba spokeswoman Kana Koizumi told AFP.

Japanese media reported yesterday that the two sides were working out details of a deal over the 19-year-old Usami, citing a German report that his transfer fee has been set at €1.5 million.

Irish midfielder Miller joins Glory

Irish midfielder Liam Miller will play for Australian A-League side Perth Glory for the next two sea-sons, the club said yesterday.

The former Manchester United and Celtic attacking midfielder, 30, will arrive in Perth ahead of the Glory’s pre-season friendly against Celtic on July 9.

Miller also had stints with Leeds United, Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers and joins Glory after two seasons in the Scottish Premier League with Hibernian.

Miller made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in 2004 against the Czech Republic and has made 21 international appearances.

West Ham bid no ‘joke’ – Fernandes

Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes hit back furiously yesterday after West Ham dismissed his offer for a controlling stake as “two bob” and “bizarre.”

Fernandes, who owns budget airline AirAsia and Formula One’s Team Lotus, said his bid, announced on Twitter, was not a joke or a publicity stunt but would have boosted the team after their relegation from the Premier League.

“Make up your mind Sullivan and Gold. One minute you say no offer then you say it’s a joke offer.

“It was a good offer with good money and brought in good people,” Fernandes tweeted, referring to co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

South Korea bribery probe expanded

South Korean prosecutors said yesterday they have charged two suspected gambling brokers as part of a widening probe into football match-fixing.

Five players in the professional K-League have also been arrested and a sixth committed suicide in the growing scandal.

The two alleged fixers purchased sports lottery tickets and paid two players to fix games last month in order to win large sums, prosecutors in the southeastern city of Changwon were quoted by Yonhap news agency as saying.

They allegedly handed 100 million won ($91,716) to a goalkeeper and 120 million won to a midfielder in return for rigging a tournament.

Both players have been arrested.

Rival fan throws punch at Messi

A rival fan threw a punch at Lionel Messi (picture) on Thursday as the Barcelona star was signing autographs and meeting with fans in his home town in Argentina, according to witnesses.

Messi played down the incident, which took place in the town of Rosario some 300 kilometres north of Buenos Aires, telling the media he didn’t feel a thing and only found out about the punch later.

Witnesses said the assailant was among a group of young people who had gathered to get autographs and that he pulled a hood over his head and ran away after the attack.

Police said he was likely a fan of local club Rosario Central, the arch rivals of Newell’s Old Boys, a team Messi, 23, once played for.

Tottenham move in for Friedel

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign American goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

It is understood the 40-year-old will sign a two-year deal with the north London club, where he will provide competition to their error-prone Brazilian number one Heurelho Gomes.

Friedel’s contract at Aston Villa was due to expire at the end of the month and no transfer fee will be involved in the deal.

Manager Harry Redknapp said: “Brad is a top goalkeeper of real quality who has great experience.

“It is good to have three experienced goalkeepers in Gomes, Carlo (Cudicini) and Friedel.”

Lazio hold Marchetti talks

Cagliari goalkeeper Federico Marchetti is a top transfer target for Lazio.

The capital club are keen to bring in a new goalkeeper after contract talks with Fernando Muslera collapsed.

Muslera’s agent has declared that the Uruguayan will not be extending his deal with Lazio who are now likely to sell before his contract expires in 2012.

Marchetti was almost instantly mentioned as a replacement and the player’s agent has already had talks with Lazio president Claudio Lotito.

“There will be more talks with Lotito,” Giuseppe Bozzo said.

“The player is highly rated by Lazio and even Roma.”

Marchetti is believed to have a clause in his Cagliari contract which would allow him to leave if a bid of €5.2m is made by another club.