Football news

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has revealed an Italian club is among the contenders to sign Javier Pastore.

The Argentina international is set to leave the Sicilian outfit this summer with several top European clubs, including Barcelona and Chelsea, in the race to acquire the 22-year-old’s services.

“There are five clubs keen on Pastore and one of them is Italian,” Zamparini said. “It’s not Napoli or Juventus.”

Pastore is valued at €50m and is under contract with Palermo until June 2015. “There is a 99 per cent chance that Pastore will leave,” Zamparini added.

“But I think that without him the team will be able to fight to qualify for the Champions League.”

Dalglish backs duo in fitness race

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is confident captain Steven Gerrard and goalkeeper Jose Reina will be fit for the start of the season.

Both key players were left behind when the squad flew out to China for a mini-tour of the Far East on Sunday. Gerrard is continuing his rehabilitation from groin surgery which ended his campaign in mid-March while Reina had a double hernia operation last month.

“Steven is injured at the moment and that’s why he’s not here with us,” said Dalglish. “He has made a fantastic recovery from his operation towards the end of last season.

“The same situation applies to Pepe (Reina) – he had a double hernia operation in June. He isn’t fit and so had to stay at home. He should be ready for the start of the season.”

Cisse eager to seal Lazio move

Panathinaikos forward Djibril Cisse hopes to complete his permanent transfer to Lazio this week.

The Serie A club have reached an agreement with Pana to sign the France international, but the deal remains on hold with Lazio still having to offload one of their strikers.

“I am fed up with waiting for the negotiations to be completed,” Cisse said.

“I hope to be in Rome soon to undergo a medical. For my transfer to Lazio, I have had to give up part of my holidays.”

Beckham set for United reunion

David Beckham is set to face former club Manchester United on their tour of the United States after being voted on to the Major League Soccer All-Stars XI on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder, who played for United from 1993 to 2003 before joining Real Madrid and then the west coast club, was named in the side chosen by fans.

Beckham, 36, is joined in the XI by Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan, former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry and ex-Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez.

Veteran Kasey Keller will start in goal.

United will face the MLS All-Stars at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on July 27.

Roma keen to keep Vucinic

Roma have no intention of selling striker Mirko Vucinic this summer, according to club sporting director Walter Sabatini.

The Montenegro international has been strongly linked with a move to Juventus in recent months. However, Sabatini said: “There are no negotiations in place with the Bianconeri club regarding Vucinic.

“We want to keep Mirko in the team but first we need to consider what his intentions are.”

The 27-year-old, who is under contract with Roma until June 2013, is expected to meet club officials this week to discuss his future.

Vucinic is reportedly keen to leave the Stadio Olimpico, where he has a strained relationship with the Giallorossi fans.

United, Inter to discuss Sneijder

Officials of Manchester United and Inter are expected to meet in the next two days to discuss the transfer of Wesley Sneijder.

The English champions have been strongly linked with a move for the Dutch playmaker and reports suggest Inter are ready to sell at the right price.

Sneijder, who was signed by former Inter manager Jose Mourinho, now at Real Madrid, in the summer of 2009, has long been on United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s wish list.

Inter are demanding €39m for the attacking midfielder who is also the subject of interest from Malaga. According to reports, Inter are ready to cash in on Sneijder in order to boost their bid for Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez.

Essien out for up to six months

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien could be out for up to six months following surgery on a knee injury he suffered in training last week, the Premier League club announced yesterday.

The Ghana international had an operation to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus following a right knee injury.

According to a Chelsea statement, “the surgery was successful and Michael’s full recovery could take up to six months”.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas added: “Everyone at Chelsea wishes Michael well for his recovery. His team-mates and all the staff and I look forward to helping him return to playing as soon as possible.”