Football news

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits he is mystified by reports linking midfielder Lee Cattermole with Liverpool.

Speculation earlier this summer suggested the 23-year-old could be a target for the Reds, who have since signed his team-mate Jordan Henderson.

And claims that recent arrival John O’Shea may be handed Cattermole’s captain’s armband have sparked fresh talk of a departure.

Bruce said: “I don’t know where that has come from. It’s news to me. I have not even thought about this situation. I have had bigger things on my plate to worry about.”

De Rossi key for Roma – coach

New Roma coach Luis Enrique is determined to keep combative midfielder Daniele de Rossi at the club.

The Italy international’s current deal with Roma expires next summer and no agreement has yet been reached over an extension, but Luis Enrique will be doing everything he can to hold on to the 27-year-old.

The Spaniard said: “De Rossi is one of the most important players at Roma. For me he is pivotal, a key element. Now that I’ve met him in person, I like him even more.”

De Rossi has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea among the clubs reportedly keen to acquire his services.

Maccarone could end up at Atalanta

Atalanta are looking to add more options to their attack in their bid to retain their Serie A status at the first time of asking with the signing of much-travelled striker Massimo Maccarone from Sampdoria.

Maccarone, 31, could be made available for transfer after Sampdoria, who were relegated last season, brought in two new strikers for their Serie B campaign – Cristian Bertani (ex-Novara) and last season’s Serie B top scorer Federico Piovaccari (ex-Cittadella).

Maccarone is a former Middles-brough player. He joined Sampdoria in January, after six months at Palermo, but only netted three goals in 17 games.

De Boer worried over duo’s future

Ajax coach Frank de Boer is hoping he can persuade defender Jan Vertonghen and goalkeeper Maar-ten Stekelenburg to commit to the Eredivisie champions.

Belgium international Verton-ghen has been linked with Arsenal and recently hinted he would consider a move away from Am-sterdam. He has a contract with Ajax until 2013, but De Boer is optimistic the defender can be persuaded to extend that.

“I asked him to sign and he was positive about it,” De Boer said.

The picture is less clear where Stekelenburg is concerned.

The 28-year-old will be out of contract next summer and De Boer is keen to quickly sort out the Holland international’s future one way or the other.

Montolivo stripped off captaincy

Riccardo Montolivo is no longer the Fiorentina captain, the club said yesterday.

Montolivo’s contract in Flo-rence runs out next June and he intends to leave despite Fioren-tina’s efforts in trying to convince him to stay.

Montolivo, 26, was handed the club’s armband in June 2008.

Veteran defender Alessandro Gamberini is now expected to lead the side out during the 2011-12 campaign.

It’s unclear whether Montolivo will stay in Florence and see out his contract given the limited interest in his services. He’s been linked with various clubs this summer but there doesn’t seem to have been any concrete approach to sign the Italy international.

Mazzarri expects Hamsik to stay

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri is confident Marek Hamsik will remain at the club.

“Marek is happy to work with me and he is very motivated,” said Mazzarri.

“He is happy to remain here. I have spoken to him and from what I know, in the end he will not leave.”

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis recently placed a huge €100 million price tag on the 23-year-old Hamsik, who is a target of Milan. Hamsik joined Napoli from Brescia in 2007 and is under con-tract with the Serie A outfit for another four years.

He scored 11 goals in 37 league appearances to help the Naples outfit finish third last season and qualify for the Champions League.

Vidic braced for Man. City challenge

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic expects a fierce Barclays Premier League fight with rivals Manchester City this season.

Vidic is anxious not to be seen spending time worrying about Man. United’s rivals as the count-down to a new campaign begins, but is certain City will pose their biggest challenge yet for major honours.

“It is clear Manchester City have the money and they will sign new players,” said the Serbia defender.

“They will definitely be in posi-tion to fight for the league. But we have to focus on ourselves. We have to think about what happens at our door, not our neighbours.”