Stevan Jovetic has signed a three-year contract extension with Fiorentina which will keep him at the club until June 2016.
The Montenegro international is Fiorentina’s top scorer this season with five goals in nine league appearances.
A statement from the club read: “It is with great satisfaction from both sides that ACF Fiorentina announces that it has agreed a new contract with Stevan Jovetic which will run until June 30, 2016.”
The 21-year-old forward, who joined the Viola in 2008 from Partizan Belgrade, was a reported target of Arsenal this summer.
Olsen to prolong Denmark stay
Denmark coach Morten Olsen has signed a new contract to remain in charge of the team until after the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
Last November, Olsen stated he would not renew his contract which expired at the end of next year’s European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.
However, the former Denmark international has now reassessed his decision and admitted he had been swayed by calls of support from senior players.
Olsen said: “During summer I got calls from both established and newer players in the team, who asked me to reconsider my decision.
“It gave me a good feeling that together we were doing something really good in the national team.”
Footballer’s £20,000 daily wager
Ipswich striker Michael Chopra has revealed he has gambled away up to £2 million and he played with injury to cover a debt.
The former Newcastle, Cardiff and Sunderland player recently checked into the Sporting Chance Clinic to address his addiction.
Chopra said: “Your first bet is your worst bet. As the years have come along and I’ve earned more money I’ve started to gamble more. I was gambling up to £20,000 a day at times.
“As a gambler you want to be playing to get the appearance money. I was playing through injury to cover a debt.”
Anzhi scotch Eto’o loan move rumours
Anzhi Makhachkala have scotched rumours that Samuel Eto’o could be loaned out to Paris St Germain during the Russian Premier League’s winter break.
This week, the www.insidefootball.com website reported Eto’o as telling French television channel Canal “If the opportunity arises, we will see.”
However Anzhi press spokes-man Alexander Udaltsov said Eto’o has since categorically denied telling French media he would consider the opportunity to turn out for PSG.
“When we contacted him, Eto’o said these rumours are completely false,” Udaltsov said.
“He didn’t say anything about this move.”
Ribery says Bayern perfect for him
Franck Ribery wants to see out his playing career at Bayern Munich.
“It’s perfect for me here,” he said in an interview with daily Bild.
“If my body allows it I want to be playing at Bayern when I’m 35,” added the 28-year-old who joined Bayern in 2007 on a four year deal which he extended last year until 2015.
Ribery scored his fifth goal of the season on Saturday in a 4-0 win against Nuremberg.
“This is my best period at Bayern. It’s super, I’m taking great pleasure in contrast to my first two seasons,” he said, underlining his good relationship with manager Jupp Heynckes – in contrast to the fractious rapport he had with former coach Louis van Gaal.
Hazard reveals Milan, Inter interest
Highly-fancied Lille midfielder Eden Hazard said Milan and Inter have both expressed an interest in luring him away from the reigning French champions.
Belgian international Hazard is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the French league and has reportedly been watched by several top European clubs.
“Inter made me an interesting offer in the summer, but there was still some uncertainty regarding the choice of coach and we didn’t know whether Sneijder and Eto’o were going to stay,” Hazard said.
“But it’s not just Inter, Milan have shown an interest as well.
“They proposed that I stay at Lille and then sit down for serious talks at the end of the season.”
Real great backs Messi for captain
Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano said he believed Argentina would benefit if they made Lionel Messi their skipper.
“The captaincy of the national side is a distinction which Messi deserves as he has all the qualities a captain requires,” Argentina-born naturalised Spaniard Di Stefano said.
“He would grow more and I am sure that it (would be) a decision which would bolster the togetherness of the group. His team-mates respect him,” Di Stefano added.
“It is extraordinary to see him play and his goals are a delight... except when he puts one past my team Real Madrid.”