Football news

Montreal Impact, the MLS club, are interested in signing veteran Juventus striker Alessandro del Piero for a reported $5m per season.

Del Piero’s contract at Juventus expires next summer and it has already been confirmed that the deal will not be renewed even though he said he wants to prolong his career.

Reports said Del Piero already had offers from French and Russian clubs but it seems he is more interested in playing in the US where big names such as David Beckham and Thierry Henry are plying their trade in the twilight of their careers.

Ibisevic on Stuttgart’s radar

Stuttgart are expected to firm up their interest in Hoffenheim striker Vedad Ibisevic in the wake of their 3-1 defeat to Schalke on Saturday.

Hoffenheim coach Holger Stanislawski has already said he would not stand in the Bosnian’s way, although he has stressed that a sale would weaken his side with just over a week to go before the transfer window closes.

“We know what we have with Vedo,” he said.

“He has experience which other players at our club don’t possess. And he has the quality that other players have yet to reach.”

Police probe Chelsea fans

Claims that a group of Chelsea fans were involved in racist chanting on a train back from the club’s 0-0 draw at Norwich are being investigated. British Transport Police said they had been made aware of the alleged incident after the clubs’ league match on Saturday.

Chelsea have vowed to take action against fans involved in racist chanting.

A statement read: “Chelsea FC is concerned to hear that a small number of fans travelling back by train from Norwich were alleged to be involved in racist chants and comments.

“We are working to help the relevant authorities identify those responsible.”

Kean insists Samba will stay

Blackburn manager Steve Kean insists Christopher Samba will be at Ewood Park when the transfer window closes despite specula-tion over the defender’s future.

Samba, who handed in a transfer request last week, has been the subject of two offers from one Premier League club, thought to be QPR, who are managed by former Blackburn boss Mark Hughes, while Tottenham are also interested.

Kean said: “If he is going to move it’s not going to be in this window. It’s not a case where we’re trying to get teams bidding against each other to get the figure up. We just want to keep him... simple as that.”

Coleman clarifies Larissa exit

Chris Coleman has reiterated that he left Larissa because of the Greek club’s financial problems and not to take the Wales job.

Coleman, who left Greece earlier this month after seven months in charge, also claimed that he was paid “hardly anything at all” after his first month in charge of Larissa.

Larissa have announced their intention to take legal action against the FA of Wales.

Coleman said: “In Greece, I was there six months and I got paid the first month, then after that hardly anything at all.

“However, I felt guilty complaining because some of my players didn’t get paid for 18 months.”

Napoli showing Gabbiadini interest

Manolo Gabbiadini, the Atalanta U-21 striker, is said to be on his way from Bergamo this week to join Napoli.

Gabbiadini has been unable so far to find a regular place in the Atalanta team and Tuttosport said he has asked for a move.

Napoli are looking to strengthen their squad with the side still involved in the Italian Cup and Champions League. It seems they have offered the second half of Luca Cigarini’s contract in exchange for Gabbiadini.

Cigarini is currently playing in Bergamo and co-owned between Napoli and Atalanta.

McCoist hopeful

Rangers manager Ally McCoist is adamant his side can still catch Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League despite losing further ground in the title race after being held to a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Ibrox.

Celtic secured their 12th league win in a row on Saturday with a 2-0 victory away to St Mirren to put them four points above Rangers with 14 games remaining.

But having held a 15-point lead in autumn, the Gers coach is confident he has the players to overtake Neil Lennon’s side.

“Absolutely, of that there is no doubt,” McCoist said.

“We have a squad here I believe can win the championship and to do that, we obviously have to catch them.”