Football news

Werder Bremen striker Claudio Pizarro has hinted he will leave the club when his contract expires next year.

The former Bayern Munich and Chelsea striker is three years into his second spell with Bremen, but is eager to look for a new challenge in 12 months’ time.

Peruvian Pizarro, 32, has reignited his career at the Weserstadion, after a disappointing year in the English Premier League.

He told Peruvian newspaper El Comercio: “I have another year on my contract, which I will respect. I will try to play a good season. Then I’ll look around for other opportunities.”

Melo close to leaving Juventus

Felipe Melo has announced he is close to leaving Juventus.

The Brazilian midfielder had been strongly linked with a return to his homeland with Sao Paolo among the clubs keen to acquire his services. However, the 28-year-old has confirmed he will continue playing in Europe.

“I had already chosen the place to live in Brazil,” said Melo.

“I know that at Sao Paolo I would have been treated with a lot of affection. However, I have received an offer from a European club that greatly increases my salary.

“Now we are finalising the details and over the next few days all will be completed.”

Melo, who is under contract until June 2014, is a reported target of PSG and Galatasaray.

Jones will be a regular – Ferguson

Alex Ferguson has assured £17m new-boy Phil Jones he will see plenty of action for Man. United this season. The 20-year-old defender has now joined up with his new team-mates after an extended break and looks eager to make an im-pression with the Red Devils.

However, Ferguson revealed Jones’s harboured reservations when he initially discussed a big money move from Blackburn, based upon the number of appearances he might make.

“The area we had to work hardest with Phil was to convince him he would get enough football,” said Ferguson.

“The first thing you can say is last season Nani played the most games for us, with 48. He was still 11 short of the maximum.”

Muslera completes Galatasaray move

Galatasaray have announced the capture of Fernando Muslera from Italian Serie A side Lazio.

The goalkeeper, whose Lazio deal was set to expire in 2012, was made available by the Rome outfit after an agreement over an extension could not be reached.

The Uruguayan international has signed a five-year contract in Turkey that will see him net €2m a campaign.

Lazio have already signed his replacement after they grabbed Federico Marchetti from Cagliari for €5.2m earlier this month.

Redknapp keen on Adebayor

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed an interest in signing Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

The 27-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with Real Madrid after falling out of favour with City boss Roberto Mancini.

Adebayor is expected to be a peripheral figure if he remains at the Etihad Stadium and looks set for a move away this summer.

“He is a name that was men-tioned and I spoke to the chairman about the player, about the pos-sibility of loaning him, but whether they would loan him I don’t know,” Redknapp said.

“If they would loan him he would be of interest. He is a quality player. We will wait and see.”

Terry eyes manager’s job

Chelsea captain John Terry has reiterated his desire to become manager of the club.

Terry, 30, said he believed the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas showed Chelsea were willing to appoint a young manager, pointing out that he will be the same age as the 33-year-old when his contract expires.

“Obviously, that’s my overall aim, to become manager,” Terry said.

“It’s great for current players as well, looking at this, and bringing in Roberto di Matteo as well, and giving chances to players who have been around the club.

“So that gives the players like myself, who have been here a long time, hope that maybe if we do our badges, then there will be roles there in the future.”

Given not worried by age

Shay Given and his new manager Alex McLeish agree age is no barrier to the goalkeeper enjoying success at Aston Villa.

Given has signed a five-year deal after moving to Villa Park from Manchester City, despite being 35 years of age.

But he insisted the length of the contract does not faze him, with the Ireland international pointing to his predecessor in the Aston Villa goal, Brad Friedel, as an example.

“I’m not frightened by the five years,” he said.

“You look at Brad Friedel, who’s 40 and just signed a two-year contract at Tottenham, and Edwin van der Sar, who was 40 last season and probably had one of the best seasons of his career.

“So in terms of age, I want to play football as long as I can.”