Football news

Bayern Munich yesterday dismissed speculation they are about to sign Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo from Juventus.

According to Italian press reports, the Bundesliga club have made a 10-million-euro offer for the 33-year-old who is under contract with Juve until 2014.

“Bayern have neither made an offer to Juventus nor had contact with the player and his advisors,” Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

Pirlo impressed during the recent Euro 2012 in which Italy lost 4-0 to Spain in the final.

Arsenal to have Niang on trial

French starlet M’Baye Niang will be having a trial at Arsenal after a move for the highly-rated 17-year-old forward by the London club.

It is understood that Niang will link up with Arsenal this week but new Caen coach Patrice Garande does not believe he should be looking to leave at this point.

“What I say in relation to him is simple, he has talent – yes, does he have the potential to make a career – yes,” he said.

“But is he doing the right thing for this at the moment – no.”

Asked if he would be using him next season, Garande replied: “If he is here I will count on him, if he leaves tomorrow we won’t.”

Pazzini to leave

Giampaolo Pazzini will be seeking pastures new this summer after announcing that he is not part of Inter’s plans for the future during a club pre-season presentation.

“Inter have made their decisions and I believe that I am not part of the project,” Pazzini told the fans present.

In January last year, the 27-year-old signed a four-and-a-half year deal at Inter following a superb spell at Sampdoria where his partnership with Antonio Cassano helped lead the side to a Champions League qualification spot in 2010.

Pazzini scored 11 goals in 17 appearances in the second half of the 2010-2011 season for Inter before falling out of form and managing a mere five in 33 appearances last season.

Lovenkrands to join Birmingham

Peter Lovenkrands has become Lee Clark’s first signing as Birmingham boss.

The 32-year-old Danish forward has agreed personal terms on his Bosman free transfer to St Andrew’s and is due to report for training today as the Blues kickstart their pre-season preparations under Clark, who took the reins from Chris Hughton towards the end of June.

Lovenkrands’s move has been made possible after City’s transfer embargo was finally lifted by the Football League last Wednesday, having been placed on the club in March for not filing their 2010/11 accounts on time.

The Denmark international was released by Newcastle earlier this summer.

Astori rejects Spartak move

Cagliari defender Davide Astori has confirmed he has turned down a move to Spartak Moscow.

The 25-year-old was set to join the Russian Premier League club this month in a reported €15 million deal and put pen to paper on a four-year contract.

“I want to thank the Spartak Moscow executives for their consideration, but I will remain at Cagliari,” Astori said.

“I want to give a sense of fulfilment to my career at Cagliari. I believe in this club and I will try to do my best and have a starring role next season.”

Astori, a product of Milan’s youth academy, is expected to sign a two-year contract extension with the Sardinian outfit. His current deal ends in June 2014.

Borriello on the transfer list

Roma have put striker Marco Borriello on the transfer list. The 30-year-old, who is currently in pre-season training with the Giallorossi in Riscone, is not in Roma coach Zdenek Zeman’s plans for next season.

“We have placed Borriello on the transfer list and he is well aware of it,” Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini said.

Borriello is a reported target of Genoa and Fiorentina this summer, but both clubs reportedly consider his high wages an obstacle.

The former Milan and Juventus player earns €5.4 million per season and is under contract with Roma until June 2015.

Suarez receives Olympic call-up

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been included in Uruguay’s 2012 Olympic squad, along with club colleague Sebastian Coates.

A strong 18-man line-up also includes Napoli’s in-demand forward Edinson Cavani, who continues to be linked with big-money moves to Europe’s top clubs.

Suarez, Cavani and Arevalo Rios have been selected as over-age players and the former’s involvement at the London Games means he will miss part of Liverpool’s pre-season.

Uruguay have been placed in Group A for the football tournament and will face the United Arab Emirates, Senegal and hosts Team GB.