Football news

Genoa are set to get engaged in talks with Serie A rivals Fiorentina for the signing of goalkeeper Sebastien Frey.

Genoa have a problem at the no.1 position after letting Eduardo leave to join Benfica this summer.

At first, Genoa were expected to sign Emiliano Viviano as a replacement but the Inter-owned keeper sustained a serious injury in pre-season and will be sidelined until next January.

Reports say Frey is likely to accept Genoa as a destination but there is a problem to overcome in terms of his wages. The 31-year-old currently earns €2m a season in Florence, a figure which is a little steep for the Rossoblu.

Ajax chasing striker Dmitri Bulykin

Ajax boss Frank de Boer has confirmed his interest in signing experienced Russian striker Dmitri Bulykin. The 31-year-old spent last season on loan from Anderlecht to ADO Den Haag and proved a big success in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Former Russia international Bulykin has also been linked with a summer move to French club Bordeaux, but De Boer has revealed his admiration for the powerful frontman.

“I find him an interesting player. He is the type of striker we need and can make things happen in the final stages,” De Boer said.

Villa close in on N’Zogbia deal

Aston Villa have resumed talks with Wigan over signing winger Charles N’Zogbia and are close to agreeing a fee, reports said.

Wigan had rejected Villa’s bid of £9 million for the former New-castle player.

But the two clubs held further discussions over the weekend and are believed to be not far from reaching a compromise figure of around £9.5 million.

New Villa boss Alex McLeish needs a new winger after the departures of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively this summer.

He will take nothing for granted after failing to sign N’Zogbia when Birmingham boss last summer.

Enrique slams Newcastle sales

Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique has launched a scathing attack on the club’s transfer policy. The Spaniard accused his employers of a lack of ambition.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said in May that the club would make Enrique a “fantastic” contract offer. The 25-year-old has a year to run on his existing deal and no progress has been made on an extension.

Enrique claimed: “The club is allowing all the major players of the team to go. Seriously, do you think it is the fault of the players? Andy (Carroll), Kevin (Nolan) etc.

“This club will never fight to be among the top six again with this policy.”

I’ve two years left says Beckham

David Beckham believes he has at least two more years left before retirement. The 36-year-old has a year to run on his current contract with LA Galaxy and hinted he may be willing to extend that deal to finish his career in the United States.

“I still feel good, I feel healthy. I’m still enjoying getting up in the morning to go training,” he told reporters.

“Yes (I have), one, maybe two, more years. Until I get up and don’t feel the same, I’ll continue. I still have to play at a certain level but I think I can do that.

“This is the last year in my contract but I enjoy playing in this league, for this franchise, with the players we have and with Bruce Arena as my manager.”

Ki keeps focus on Celtic title bid

Ki Sung-yueng is looking forward to focusing all his attention this season on helping Celtic regain the Scottish Premier League title.

The South Korea midfielder, 22, had last season’s domestic campaign disrupted by the Asian Cup.

However, a more relaxed international calendar in the forthcoming months means Ki can target a long run in the Celtic engine room and he hopes to build on his performance and goal in the 2-0 win over Hibernian on Sunday.

“I went to the Asian Cup last year so I was really tired,” he said.

“This season I have nothing, apart from a World Cup qualifier and that’s no problem.

“I just want to play like Sunday and help the team win the league, that is the priority.”

Flamini out of Super Cup clash

Mathieu Flamini will probably skip the Italian Super Cup match against Inter on August 6 as the France midfielder sustained an injury during training last weekend.

Milan said Flamini underwent tests on Sunday and although it is “not a serious injury, he is expected to rest for around 15 days, if there are no complications”.

It is unlikely the former Arsenal midfielder will recover in time to play the Italian Super Cup clash on August 6 as the Rossoneri travel to Beijing’s Olympic Stadium to face Inter in the traditional season opener.