The agent of Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko has denied reports he had talks with Roma over a possible transfer of the player to the Serie A club.

The Italian press has fuelled speculation that the Bosnia international will move to Italy as part of a deal that would see Roma playmaker Adem Ljajic join City.

Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic said earlier this week that his compatriot Dzeko would go “running” to Roma but his agent Irfan Redzepagic brushed aside that claim.

“I was frankly surprised by Pjanic’s comments, unless he knows something that I don’t,” Redzepagic said.

“I have had no contact with Roma, nor am I aware of any talks between the two clubs.”

Jara ban reduced

Chile defender Gonzalo Jara’s Copa America ban for provoking Edinson Cavani has been cut from three games to two.

“After hearing the appeal CONMEBOL decided to reduce the sanction to two games,” the organisation said.

The suspension still means Jara will play no other part in the tournament. His fine was also reduced from $7,500 to $5,000.

Jara received his ban for “unsporting behaviour” after he stuck his finger up Cavani’s backside in the quarter-final win over Uruguay last week.

Cresswell commits to Hammers

West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell has signed a new five-year contract after playing a starring role in his debut season with the club.

The left-back was signed from Ipswich last summer and went on to play every league game in West Ham’s 2014/15 campaign.

His consistent displays earned him the Hammer of the Year and the Player’s Player of the Year awards and the club’s hierarchy have now tied him down to a long-term stay.

Cash-strapped CSKA Sofia demoted

Bulgaria’s most successful club CSKA Sofia will relaunch from the third division following their financial crisis, the domestic football union (BFU) said.

The decision marks a spectacular fall from grace for CSKA, who have won 31 league titles and reached three European semi-finals in happier times between 1967 and 1989.

Last month, cash-strapped CSKA and three other teams were denied licences to compete in next season’s Bulgarian professional championship and European competitions.

There were speculations Bulgarian soccer could be restructured and the domestic second division will accommodate CSKA but local authorities said the licensing procedure is complete and changes in professional divisions cannot be made.

Leicester part ways with coach Pearson

Nigel Pearson has been sacked as manager of Leicester despite keeping the Foxes in the Premier League last season.

Pearson took charge at the King Power Stadium for the second time in November 2011 and presided over promotion in the 2013/14 season to the top-flight, where they finished a respectable 14th in their maiden campaign after a brilliant run of results in the final weeks.

However, the club announced Pearson had been relieved of his duties.

“The board of directors recognises the success Nigel has helped to bring to Leicester City during his two spells in charge of the club, particularly during the last three and a half years,” the club said.

“However, it has become clear to the club that fundamental differences in perspective exist between us.”

Gazza inspires England women

England’s women have been preparing for their World Cup semi-final by watching the Paul Gascoigne movie.

The film, released earlier this month, charts the life and career of one of England’s most maverick players.

Arguably Gascoigne’s most famous moment in an England shirt involved a World Cup semi-final, when he was brought to tears as England went out of Italia 90 at the hands of West Germany.

And Mark Sampson’s women have been drawing inspiration from the film, with keeper Siobhan Chamberlain tweeting yesterday morning: “Loved watching Gascoigne with the girls tonight. Such pride & honour to play for @england. How it should be!”

Gascoigne, 48, made 57 appearances for England, scoring 10 goals.

United make bid for Ramos – reports

Manchester United have made a 28.6 million pound bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, British media reported yesterday.

Media reports said the 29-year-old Spain international was keen to move to Old Trafford, despite having two years left on his Real contract.

United manager Louis van Gaal is seeking to shore up the Premier League club’s defence to help improve on last season’s fourth-place finish.

Manchester United confirmed on Monday that defender Phil Jones had signed a contract ex-tension until at least 2019.

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