Turkey midfielder Hamit Altintop’s switch from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid is set to be completed tomorrow, the Spanish sport daily Marca claimed yesterday.
“It is expected that his signing with Real Madrid will be officially announced on Monday,” wrote Marca, without citing a source.
Another sport daily, As, also reported that Altintop’s deal was nearing completion and said his arrival was “at the express request of (Real coach Jose) Mourinho”.
The arrival of 28-year-old Altintop follows that of his 22-year-old international team-mate Nuri Sahin, who completed a €10 million move to Real from German champions Borussia Dortmund last week.
Hulk extends Porto deal
Porto have paid €13.5 million to acquire 40 per cent of the sporting rights to their Brazilian forward Hulk and extended his contract until 2016, the club announced yesterday.
“FC Porto inform that they have extended the player’s contract until June 30, 2016, maintaining his departure clause at €100m,” the club said.
Hulk, whose full name is Givanildo Vieira de Souza, is the top scorer in the Portuguese championship this season with 23 goals.
The payment to Uruguayan club Atletico Rentistas means that Porto now own 85 per cent of Hulk’s sporting rights.
Hulk, 24, joined Porto in 2008 after they paid €5.5m for 45 per cent of his rights.
Houllier in line for Villa return
Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier could make a surprise return to football this week for his team’s season-ending clash against former club Liverpool, but the Frenchman is unlikely to be in the dugout.
Houllier, who underwent open-heart surgery nine years ago when he was in charge at Anfield, was admitted to a Birmingham hospital on April 20 suffering with a heart problem, and discharged nine days later.
“He won’t be in the dugout, but there might be a visit of such. Maybe there is a chance of it, although it’s something we’ve not spoken about,” said caretaker boss Gary McAllister.
We’ll spend wisely – Dalglish
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has stressed it is not imperative for the club to spend big this summer.
Owners Fenway Sports Group are preparing for their first extended transfer window, having only bought the club last October, but showed in January they are prepared to sanction major spending when it is required.
“Whether it is massively or cheaply, it doesn’t make any difference as long as you spend well,” said the 60-year-old.
“Budgets are all very well and good but it doesn’t guarantee you anything.
“We will be doing business but the better we do the business the more successful we will be.”
Inter target Hazard, Rossi
Inter president Massimo Moratti has revealed that his club were interested in Lille’s young Belgian star Eden Hazard and Villarreal’s Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi.
“It seems to me that Hazard can be a very interesting player,” said Moratti of the 20-year-old.
“My son is always telling me that we should sign Hazard but we haven’t contacted him.”
Moratti told Sky Sport that “Giuseppe Rossi is very strong, but Hazard is more surprising,” adding that Inter were interested in both players.
Moratti’s son, Angelomario Moratti, is Inter vice-president.
Player clear-out dangerous – Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti has warned it would be “dangerous” for Chelsea to make wholesale changes this summer, regardless of who is manager.
Ancelotti appears resigned to losing his job after overseeing what is set to be the Blues’ worst season since Roman Abramovich bought the club.
There are also rumours several players could be moved on but Ancelotti has insisted only minor tweaks were needed and claimed ripping up his blueprint would be a big mistake.
“To change a lot of players would be dangerous,” he said. “The squad is really good. We had two new players in January who, next season, will be better.
“So, to judge our season, you have to stay quiet and calm.”
Wenger wants secret ref ballot
Arsene Wenger believes it would be better if the Premier League decided its matchday referees through a secret ballot 48 hours before kick-off to prevent managers offering public views that could land them in trouble.
Wenger cannot believe Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged for saying Howard Webb was “the right man for the job” ahead of Manchester United’s key clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford last weekend.
“You have to give the referee every chance to go into a game with a clear head and without pressure,” Wenger said.
“I believe that you should not know the name of the referee before the game anyway. It should be a draw 48 hours before and nobody should know who is refereeing what game.”