Standard Liege’s Belgian international Steven Defour and France’s Eliaquim Mangala have both signed five-year contracts with Porto, the Brussels daily Le Soir reported yesterday.
The Belgian club will receive €13 million for the two transfers, six million for midfielder Defour and seven million for defender Mangala, the newspaper reported.
Defour, 23, arrived at Liege in 2006 and was Belgian champion in 2008 and 2009, winning the Belgium Cup last season.
French youth international Mangala, 20, joined the club in 2008, and had been targeted by other clubs including Spanish outfit Valencia.
Rubin land Valdez from Hercules
Two-time Russian champions Rubin Kazan confirmed yesterday they have signed Paraguayan forward Nelson Valdez from Spanish side Hercules on a three-year deal for an undisclosed sum.
The 27-year-old began his footballing career in Atletico Tembetari before joining Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, where he played 80 matches and scored 21 goals on his way to the German title in 2004.
He played for another German side Borussia Dortmund from 2006 to 2010 before joining Hercules, where he played 25 matches and scored eight goals.
Dalglish calls for patience
Kenny Dalglish has admitted that it will take time for his new players to settle following the Liverpool manager’s summer spending spree.
Four of Dalglish’s five new recruits, namely Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Jose Enrique and Jordan Henderson, started as Liverpool were held to a disappointing 1-1 home draw by Sunderland on the opening day of the Premier League season.
“It’s a big ordeal to come out and play a first game at Anfield, especially for Jose who only signed on Friday,” said Dalglish.
“The new boys all did something you’d remember them for in the game and all things considered, we’re happy with them.”
Dunga hopes to recover QPR loan
Former Brazil manager Dunga is ready to take legal action against QPR if the Premier League club fail to repay a £750,000 loan he claims he made in 2006.
Dunga reportedly invested in QPR when the west London outfit was under previous ownership and he is now trying to recover a loan made during that period.
The 47-year-old hopes the current owners of the club, who include F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, agree to repay his loan.
“I loaned my money to QPR in good faith when they needed it and am very disappointed that the new owners, who are very wealthy, are now refusing to pay it back,” Dunga said.
“I am confident in the English system of justice and that the court will help me recover my loans.”
Mexes eyes end of injury misery
France centre-back Philippe Mexes said he can’t wait to reach the end of the tunnel following four months of injury hell.
Speaking to the official TV channel of new side Milan, Mexes admitted he’s wary about rushing his return from a serious knee injury, which he suffered in April while at Roma.
“I know that I can’t rush to avoid a setback but I’m working with Milan’s medical staff to return as soon as possible,” he said.
“I’m getting my form back slowly, I’ve tried to kick a ball but I have to go calmly.
“When the pain goes away I’ll be ready to play for the gaffer. I hope it happens as soon as possible and I think within two or three weeks I’ll see the end of the tunnel.”
Magath wants video officials
Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath has demanded the introduction of video officials in Germany after the referee admitted he was wrong to disallow a goal as Wolves were beaten 1-0 at home by Bayern Munich on Saturday.
“If four referees are not able to assess a scene properly, then it’s time for the television evidence,” fumed Magath.
Magath was angry after German referee Knut Kircher ruled Patrick Helmes was offside when he looked to have scored with a header in the 40th minute. “I thought it was a legitimate goal,” said Magath after replays showed Helmes was not offside.
Kircher later admitted on television that he had made a mistake and the goal should have stood.
Kean issues warning to Rovers owners
Blackburn boss Steve Kean has sent a stark warning to the club’s Indian owners that they will have to splash the cash in order to avoid a bleak Premier League season at Ewood Park after Rovers lost 2-1 to Wolves on Saturday.
Kean said: “We are making realistic bids and they are not coming off. Maybe we will have to pay over the odds to ensure that we get people here.
“We have to speed up the process because I don’t think we can go another couple of games having to play central midfielders at centre-half. We certainly need bodies.
“We’ve got 11 players who were on the books in one form or another that have left the club since last season and we’ve brought three in.”