Wolves’ outgoing chief executive Jez Moxey will take up the same role with Norwich City.

Moxey, 53, has spent the last 16 years in the role at Wolves, who confirmed last week he would leave after a three-month period of transition when they an-nounced their £45 million club takeover by Chinese investment group Fosun International.

Moxey, who has also been chief executive at Stoke, took on the role at Wolves in 2000 and during his tenure the club has twice been promoted to the Premier League, in 2004 and 2009.

City make approach for Everton’s Stones

Manchester City have opened discussions with Everton over signing England defender John Stones, reports said.

City are currently in China on their pre-season tour but continue to be linked with a series of big-money transfers, with the Toffees centre-half said to be top of their list.

Leonardo Bonucci, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Marlos Moreno were all said to be City targets but various reports yesterday suggested they are closer to bringing in Stones.

Everton would value Stones, 22, at up to £50 million in the current climate.

Top clubs reject EFL Trophy invite

A number of top Premier League clubs were missing from the EFL Trophy group-stage draw this week after rejecting invitations from the Football League to include their academy sides in the revamped competition.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Man. City, Man. United and Tottenham all opted against taking part, but the inclusion of Leicester City and Chelsea will be considered a boost by the Football League.

In an attempt to refresh the competition, formerly the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, 16 ‘category one’ academy outfits were invited to join the 48 sides from League One and League Two.

But a number of teams passed up the chance with fixture clashes believed to have been given for the rejections.

Sakho lacked respect

Mamadou Sakho was sent back from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the US because of a lack of respect towards rules, manager Juergen Klopp said.

The France international is currently nursing an Achilles injury and is expected to miss the start of the league season.

Klopp said Sakho broke rules during the tour.

“He missed the departure of the plane, he missed a session and then was late for a meal,” Klopp said.

“I have to build a group here, I have to start anew, so I thought it maybe made sense that he flew home to Liverpool and after eight days, when we come back, we can talk about it.”

Mancini says no trouble with Inter

Roberto Mancini rubbished speculation that he was leaving Inter after leading his team in a pre-season friendly against Estudiantes which finished one-all.

“You’re the ones who talked about a resignation, not me,” Mancini told reporters.

“I never said that I’m leaving. I’m here and I’m working to improve Inter.

“I’m doing my best for Inter because I want to make sure the team is ready by the time the season kicks off. I’m not interested in any of the other talk.”

Arsenal unable to outgun their rivals

Arsenal do not have the financial strength to “outgun” Premier League rivals in the transfer market according to the club’s chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

Over the past few years, Arsenal have signed marquee names like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, but they have still spent considerably less than many of their rivals.

“We can’t afford to outgun competitors that have far more money – we have to be very careful, very selective,” Gazidis said.

“That means we can’t afford to make huge mistakes in the transfer market. The constraints within the Premier League are less and less about pure finances.”

Cahill to fight for England future

Defender Gary Cahill has said he is ready to prove his worth to new England manager Sam Allardyce to retain his place in the team.

The 30-year-old, who has 47 caps for England, was regularly picked by former manager Roy Hodgson.

“I’m looking to keep involved and keep that shirt. I am excited to be working under Sam Allardyce,” Cahill said.

“I’m looking to impress him at the start of the season and also if I’m fortunate enough to be involved in the squad.

“It’s going to be interesting to work under him. It’s down to me to play well and make sure I hit the ground running so that I am in the squad.”

Allardyce is known to impose a very direct and combative brand of football on his teams, which once led to Jose Mourinho labelling the style of play as ‘19th-century football’.

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