Football news

Young Chilean striker Angelo Henriquez is to join Manchester United, his club Universidad de Chile announced in a statement on Friday.

“Angelo Henriquez will join Manchester United this month,” said Universidad de Chile, the 2011 winners of the Copa Sudamericana.

The talented 18-year-old will join United for a fee of $5.5 million (£3.5m), after undergoing a medical in England this week, and will become the first Chilean ever to play for the Old Trafford club.

“The player is physically and mentally prepared to take this determining step in his career,” added the selling club.

Marquinhos agrees Roma move

Roma have clinched a deal for Corinthians central defender Marquinhos worth €5m.

According to the latest rumours, a meeting was held on Friday night to bash out the final details of the transfer.

Marquinhos will move on loan for €1.5m with an option to join the Giallorossi permanently at the end of the season for a further €3.5m.

The Brazilian defender has been offered a five-year contract with option for a sixth season.

Barca still team to beat – Alves

Brazilian defender Dani Alves described his Barcelona team as the best in the world and remained the side to beat despite being dethroned as champions by bitter rivals Real Madrid.

“We are still the team to beat because we are the best team in the world,” he said.

Last season, Barcelona’s three-year title grip was loosened by Real Madrid and they will start the new campaign under a new coach after Tito Vilanova succeeded Pep Guardiola.

“If there is somebody who can apply the same concepts of the game, it’s Tito Vilanova,” added Alves.

Oscar undaunted by pressure

Oscar shrugged off the pressure of playing for Chelsea, claiming he had not even felt the burden of being made Brazil’s new number 10.

The 20-year-old took part in his first training session at the Blues’ Cobham headquarters on Friday, having finally linked up with his new team-mates after spending the past few weeks on international duty.

A £25m price tag means big things will be expected of Oscar but he told his new club’s official website, chelseafc.com: “I hope I won’t feel any pressure – I am not feeling it at the moment.

“Back in Brazil, when I broke into the national team, people were asking the same question, did I feel pressure at being the number 10 of the team, the new star? But I didn’t feel pressure. I think it will be similar here.”

De Rossi not keen on City transfer

Daniele De Rossi has no plans to leave Roma to join English champions Mancherster City, reports in Italy said yesterday.

Sportmediaset yesterday reported that after a summer of negotiations and speculation, City made a £35m offer to Roma for their inspirational midfielder on Friday evening.

However, De Rossi is not keen to leave his boyhood club for pastures new in England despite wages worth £6m per season.

His agent Sergio Berti met City officials earlier in the week but, contrary to reports in the English press, he was discussing his other client Aleksandar Kolarov, the City full-back.

No Saints deal for Ramirez

Gaston Ramirez’s move to Southampton is on the verge of collapse.

“The offer has not been considered suitable. Bologna cannot be forced to follow the rules of players and agents,” the Serie A club said.

The 21-year-old Uruguayan told Sky Sport Italia this morning that “there are just a few details missing with Bologna for my transfer to the Saints.”

However, Bologna president Albano Guaraldi has come out for the second time this evening to clarify the increasingly bizarre affair.

“The situation is much more complicated than he thinks. It’s not just about figures, but seeing what is included and what isn’t,” said the president on Sky Sport 24.

Proctor completes Swans switch

Swansea have completed the signing of Preston striker Jamie Proctor for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old has signed a two-year contract at the Liberty Stadium and becomes the sixth signing of Michael Laudrup’s time in charge following the acquisitions of Michu, Chico Flores, Jonathan de Guzman, Itay Shechter and Kyle Bartley.

Swansea are awaiting international clearance for the move, and Proctor will initially join the club’s Under-21 set-up, and is set to feature in their season-opener tomorrow.