Football news

Italy’s Serie A, which is due to get under way this weekend, was facing a strike threat yesterday after players and club bosses failed to agree over a new collective bargaining deal.

If the strike goes ahead, it will be the second European league disrupted by industrial action after players in Spain’s top two divisions went on strike last week, with a repeat of their stoppage planned for this weekend.

“The Serie A clubs voted 18 to two against an agreement with the AIC (the players’ union),” said Maurizio Beretta, the president of LEGA (union of Serie A clubs).

The two sides are locked over a new collective bargaining agreement after the last contract expired at the end of the 2010-11 season.

Hamburg swoop for Chelsea’s Rajkovic

Hamburg have confirmed the signing of defender Slobodan Rajkovic for an undisclosed fee from Chelsea.

The 22-year-old Serbian passed a medical late Tuesday and put pen to paper on a four-year contract with the German club yester-day.

He could make his debut for the Bundesliga team in their home game against Cologne on Saturday.

Newcastle, Arsenal fined for brawl

Newcastle and Arsenal were both fined £30,000 by the Football Association after being found guilty of failing to control their players in the ill-tempered goalless draw at St James’ Park on August 13.

Arsenal forward Gervinho was sent off in the second half for striking Magpies midfielder Joey Barton after the pair had squared up following what Newcastle claimed was a dive.

Arsenal midfielder Alex Song was also slapped with a three-match ban for stamping on Barton’s leg in an incident not seen by referee Peter Walton.

But now both clubs have been fined following a mass confrontation.

Eto’o completes move to Anzhi

Anzhi Makhachkala completed the signing of striker Samuel Eto’o from Inter yesterday evening.

The Cameroon striker has joined the big-spending Russian club on a three-year deal which will make him one of the highest-paid players in world football.

Anzhi spokesman Alexander Udaltsov said: “Just right now in Italy, Samuel signed a three-year contract so we can officially say the deal is done.

“We just received the medical results and he is in the right physical condition so we can sign the three-year contract.”

Udaltsov said his club would pay an initial €15m for Eto’o, rising to €21m and that he would earn €30m over the course of his contract.

Lukaku in awe of Drogba

Newly-signed Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku admits he is living the dream by training alongside the player he idolises at the club he adores.

Decking his room out in Chelsea memorabilia, the £20m signing from Anderlecht always knew his destiny would take him to the club he supports.

“Three or four years ago I had two jerseys of Drogba, one to sleep in and one to wear in the street when I was playing with my friends,” he said.

“I had a poster above my bed of Didier and I always wore the same boots as him. I’d watch Chelsea train on Chelsea TV, people called me crazy, my mum called me crazy.

“I said it was normal... I want to know what it’s like there so that I’m ready when I go there.”

Aquilani joins Milan from ’Pool

Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani has agreed to join defending Serie A champions Milan from Liverpool, Italian sport websites reported yesterday.

Aquilani, who spent last season on loan at Juventus, is expected to undergo a medical examination today before signing his contract.

The 27-year-old joined Liver-pool from Roma for €14 million in 2009 but failed to hold down a first-team place at the Reds, largely due to a succession of injuries. He played 35 games for Juventus last season, scoring two goals, and forced his way back into the Italy squad.

He would become Milan’s fourth summer recruit after French centre-back Philippe Mexes (Roma), Nigerian left-back Taye Taiwo (Marseille) and 18-year-old Italian attacking midfielder Stephan El-Shaarawy (Genoa).

Velez lose striker Silva to Fiorentina

Velez Sarsfield announced that they have agreed a deal to sell Uruguayan striker Santiago Silva to Fiorentina.

“We received a fax from Fiorentina informing us that they would pay the release clause stipulated in Santiago Silva’s contract,” said Velez president Fernando Raffaini.

Press reports say that Fiorentina will pay just over €1.7 million for the player.

Silva, 30, follows former Velez team-mates Ricardo Alvarez (Inter) and Maximiliano Moralez (Atalanta) in leaving the Argentina champions for Italy this summer.