Football news

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has emerged as a front-runner for the vacancy at Aston Villa after being given permission to hold talks with the club, it was reported yesterday.

Wigan owner Dave Whelan confirmed to the Daily Telegraph that the Latics had given the green light for Martinez to speak to Villa, who are seeking to replace Gerard Houllier after the Frenchman stood down for health reasons.

Whelan said although he was happy for Martinez to speak to Villa, he was confident that the respected 37-year-old Spaniard would remain at Wigan.

Bayern set date for fans meeting

Bayern Munich bosses have organised face to face talks with a group of fans for July 2 after angry protests about the running of the club last season.

“Our goal is to create a harmonious, successful, tolerant and respectful club,” said Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“We want to conclude agreements for further co-operation.”

Rummenigge and Bayern president Uli Hoeness were left shocked last season when a group of hardcore fans held a series of violent demonstrations at their Allianz Arena stadium.

Players and back room staff are also expected to attend the meeting with a group of 10 fans.

Elmohamady pens Sunderland deal

Sunderland yesterday completed the signing of Egypt international Ahmed Elmohamady on a permanent deal.

The winger, who can also play at right-back, spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light from ENPPI in a deal which included an option for Sunderland to buy him outright.

That clause has now been exercised and the 23-year-old has joined on a pre-arranged undisclosed fee having signed a three-year contract.

Manager Steve Bruce told www.safc.com: “Ahmed has done well in his first season with the club and has shown plenty of potential. We look forward to helping him grow as a player and I think there is much more to come from him.”

Inler in talks with Napoli

Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler has yet to agree personal terms with Napoli before completing his permanent transfer to the southern club.

The Switzerland international is set to join Napoli in a deal worth an estimated €20 million.

“We reached an agreement with Napoli two weeks ago,” Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo said. “Before we agreed, we spoke to Gokhan and he said he was happy with the destination.

“The transfer fee was around €20 million. Now Inler and (Napoli president Aurelio) De Laurentiis have to agree the financial terms, which is something that has nothing to do with us.”

Lazio confirm Klose signing

Germany striker Miroslav Klose has signed a two-year deal with Italian giants Lazio after failing to agree on a contract extension with German league side Bayern Munich.

Klose, who turned 33 yesterday, finally signed the deal late on Wednesday night and joins on a free transfer with his Bayern contract to expire at the end of the month after four years in Munich.

Bayern confirmed on Monday that talks over a new deal had broken down and Klose, the top-scorer at the 2006 World Cup, has wasted no time in finding a new club.

“Miroslav Klose is a Lazio player,” read a brief statement on the Lazio website.

Kaka committed to Real cause

Kaka is hoping to rebound from the “most difficult season of his career” and prove his worth at Real Madrid.

Although speculation has linked him with a move back to Italy, Kaka is determined to make an impact next year and repay the faith shown in him by coach Jose Mourinho.

“When you have an operation, the worst bit is the psychological part,” he said.

“And I can say Mourinho and his coaching staff did a lot in that regard.

“It has been said Mourinho does not want me in Madrid but that is not true. He has always been very honest with me and consistent in his decisions about me and the team in general.

“My desire is to remain at Real Madrid.”

Liverpool set for China debut

Liverpool will kick off an Asian tour next month with their first ever game in China, where they are estimated to have tens of millions of fans, officials said yesterday.

The Reds, who visited Thailand and Singapore two years ago, will play a friendly against Guangdong Sunray Cave in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou on July 13, before heading to Malaysia.

“Our club and the city of Liverpool have great links with China. The city of Liverpool has the oldest Chinese community in Europe,” said club managing director Ian Ayre.

Liverpool will also play a Malaysian XI in Kuala Lumpur on July 16. Sponsor Standard Chartered said the team were estimated to have up to 60 million fans in mainland China alone.