The Italian football federation yesterday confirmed that the Azzurri’s first match at home from the Euro 2016 Group H qualifiers against Azerbaijan will be played in Palermo.
The Italians will get their qualifying bid for the European Championship going on September 9 with an away trip to Norway.
The Italy-Azerbaijan fixture is scheduled for October 10 at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
It has also been established that Italy’s next home match, against Croatia on November 16, will be played at the San Siro. Malta and Bulgaria are also in Group H.
Janmaat for Magpies
Newcastle United have signed Dutch World Cup defender Daryl Janmaat on a six-year-deal from Feyenoord.
Janmaat, 24, made five appearances for the Netherlands in Brazil and scored five goals in 63 league appearances since joining Feye-noord from Heerenveen in 2012.
No transfer fee was announced but British media reported Newcastle paid around five million pounds for Janmaat, whose arrival allowed France full-back Mathieu Debuchy to complete his move to Arsenal.
Janmaat joins midfielders Remy Cabella, Siem de Jong and Jack Colback, and strikers Ayoze Perez and Emmanuel Riviere as new arrivals at Newcastle.
Hammers announce Enner Valencia deal
West Ham have announced the signing of Pachuca striker Enner Valencia on a five-year contract, with the Ecuador international awaiting a work permit to complete the deal.
Valencia, 25, scored all three of Ecuador’s goals in the 2014 World Cup, attracting attention from throughout Europe as a result.
But it is West Ham who have won the race for his signature, with the Hammers announcing the signing ahead of their pre-season tour of New Zealand.
No offers for Swansea’s Bony
Swansea are yet to receive any formal bids for striker Wilfried Bony, reports said.
Bony, who joined Swansea last summer for a club record £12 million, is a top target for Tottenham while Liverpool are also interested in the striker.
So far, however, neither club has made a concrete offer for the 25-year-old, who scored 16 goals in the Premier League last season.
Should the Ivory Coast striker depart, the Swans would be left short of options up front after the club confirmed Michu’s switch to Napoli on a year-long loan deal on Thursday.
Swansea are currently on a pre-season tour of America but Bony did not travel with the squad having been granted time off following his involvement at the World Cup.
Pastore staying put says his agent
The agent of Javier Pastore insists the Argentinian playmaker will remain at PSG despite recent reports linking him with a move to Juventus this summer.
The Italian media claim Pastore is the top target of the Serie A champions, with new Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri keen to acquire the 25-year-old’s services.
“Is Juventus interested in Pastore? No one has called me but I can confirm that Pastore will remain at PSG,” Pastore’s agent Marcelo Simonian said.
Pastore joined Paris SG from Palermo in 2011.
The South American, who was also a reported target of top Premier League clubs this summer, is under contract with the Ligue 1 giants until June 2016.
Romeu commits to Chelsea
Midfielder Oriol Romeu has signed a three-year contract extension with Chelsea, the Premier League club have announced.
The 22-year-old, who joined the Blues from Barcelona in 2011, is now tied to Stamford Bridge until 2017.
The former Spain U-21 international spent last season on loan at Valencia in his homeland, but returned to Chelsea this summer and played in Wednesday night’s 5-0 friendly win over Wycombe.
That was Romeu’s first appearance for the Blues since he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at Sunderland in December 2012.
Mathieu makes Valencia exit plea
Barcelona target Jeremy Mathieu has urged Valencia not to deny him the chance to move to “the biggest club in the world”.
Barca have been closely linked with Mathieu as they look to strengthen their defence following the retirement of captain Carles Puyol, but Valencia insist they will only sell the 30-year-old Frenchman if his €20 million release clause is met.
With developments seemingly at an impasse, Mathieu issued a press release asking Valencia to open negotiations.
“Valencia have an offer on the table from an important club for my services,” Mathieu said.
“I won’t hide the fact that for me it would mean a step forward in my career in every sense.
“I ask Valencia to understand the current situation and accept to negotiate my exit.”
Mathieu joined Valencia in 2009 from Toulouse.