Football news

Milan have ruled themselves out of the race to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, with the Spain international set to join Barcelona instead.

The Italian champions had expressed an interest in acquiring the 24-year-old’s services this summer, but reports in Spain claim that Barca are close to securing the midfielder’s signature after increasing their initial offer to £35 million.

“Fabregas will not join us because he will join a different club,” Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani told the club’s official website, www.acmilan.com.

Toronto capture Frings, Koevermans

Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC have announced the signings of veteran duo Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans.

Former Germany international Frings, 34, and Koevermans, 32, have arrived at the Canadian side on free transfers, putting pen to paper on ‘designated player’ deals – meaning their contracts fall outside the constrictions of the club’s salary cap.

Midfielder Frings, who has made 79 appearances for Germany, was released by Werder Bremen at the end of last season while Koevermans, a prolific striker in his homeland and capped four times by Holland, has been without a club since leaving PSV Eindhoven.

Palermo get €50m bid for Pastore

Javier Pastore will not leave Palermo for less than €50 million, according to his agent.

The Argentina international is set to end his stay in Sicily this summer with Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona all in the race to acquire the highly-rated 22-year-old playmaker.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has confirmed that there was only a 10 per cent chance that Pastore would remain with the Sicilian outfit next season with an unnamed club having already made a €50 million bid to acquire his services.

Pastore’s agent Marcelo Simonian corroborated what Zamparini had said when he told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “It’s true, there is someone that wants him at that price. This is the basis, hence, the price will absolutely not be lowered.”

Cuper named Santander coach

Much-travelled Argentinian coach Hector Cuper has been appointed coach of Racing Santander.

“Hector Cuper will be the coach of Racing during the 2011-2012 season,” the club said in a statement.

The 55-year-old, who was capped five times as a player by Argentina in the 1980s, takes over from Marcelino Toral who left at the end of last season to take over at Sevilla after guiding Santander to 12th in the league.

Cuper, whose previous clubs include Real Mallorca, Inter and Valencia as well as the Georgian national team, has been out of a job since leaving Greek club Aris last January.

Aquilani upbeat over Reds return

Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani insists he is looking forward to returning to Liverpool following his season-long loan at Juventus.

Aquilani was not offered a permanent deal by the Turin giants despite making 33 league appearances for the Bianconeri last term.

The 26-year-old was a reported target of Napoli and Milan, but has confirmed he will move back to Anfield this summer.

“I return to Liverpool with great enthusiasm,” Aquilani told Sky Italia. “This is not a problem. It’s not true that I didn’t want to return to England.”

Liverpool signed Aquilani for a reported fee of £20 million from Roma in 2009 and he is under contract with the Reds until June 2014.

Man. City close on Clichy, eye Nasri

Manchester City are close to completing a move for French left-back Gael Clichy and are also interested in signing his Arsenal colleague Samir Nasri, Sky Sports claimed yesterday.

The big-spending FA Cup winners have reportedly stolen a march on Liverpool in the race to sign Clichy and are preparing a £20 million bid for France midfielder Nasri.

Nasri, 24, enjoyed his best season in an Arsenal shirt last term, scoring 10 league goals, but has yet to agree a contract extension and is also rumoured to have attracted interest from champions Manchester United.

He joined Arsene Wenger's side from Marseille in 2008 and has since made over 80 appearances for the club.

Stoke told to up Cole offer

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has told Stoke they will have to increase their offer if they want to sign striker Carlton Cole.

The Potters are reported to have made an opening bid of £3 million, plus various add-ons, for the 27-year-old England international.

Allardyce accepts the Hammers have to look at balancing the books after their relegation from the Premier League last season but stressed players would not be allowed to leave cheaply.

“I believe at this stage that the offer is not good enough. It is not to the club’s valuation,” the West Ham boss told The Sentinel.