Schalke 04 director of sport Horst Heldt has dismissed speculation linking the club with an audacious move for Barcelona full-back Dani Alves.
Reports had suggested the Royal Blues were set to make the Brazil international their first signing of the summer, but Heldt says there is no truth to the rumours.
“I usually don’t do this, but this time there is such a completely false representation of our transfer policy in public,” Heldt told his club’s website.
“Dani Alves is a world-class footballer. But we have not considered this player, not even theoretically.”
CL defeat haunts Rummenigge
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admits he still cannot get the Champions League defeat to Chelsea off his mind.
Bayern went into the final, which was staged in their own stadium, with high hopes and expectations that they would end their 11-year wait for Europe’s top club trophy. But the Bavarians were beaten by Chelsea after a penalty shoot-out.
“When I wake up, my first thoughts are always about this game,” he said.
“The pain within our club is so strong, stronger than it was after we lost to Manchester United in the final of 1999. I feel it is going to haunt us for a long time to come.”
Keane urges calm
Robbie Keane has told his Ireland team-mates to relax as they prepare to launch themselves into Euro 2012 battle.
The Irish squad left Dublin for their pre-tournament training camp in Montecatini, two weeks to the day before they open their campaign against Croatia.
He said: “It’s important that the players stay relaxed up until that first game against Croatia. We can’t get too tensed up.
“I mentioned before we played Estonia (in the Euro 2012 play-off) how relaxed the players were. As a player, I think the more relaxed you go into a game, actually the better you play.”
Martinez to reveal plans
Liverpool’s hunt for a new manager could be over after it emerged that Roberto Martinez is set to announce his future plans tomorrow.
Press Association said that Wigan will hold a press briefing this week in which Martinez is expected to announce whether or not he will stay at the club.
Martinez met Liverpool’s owners in Miami last week to discuss the managerial vacancy and was not put off by the huge challenge that would face any new manager.
However, it is understood Martinez has not made up his mind completely whether to accept that challenge.
Thiago Silva calls for reinforcements
Thiago Silva has joined Milan team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic in demanding that the Serie A giants bring in reinforcements during the summer.
Last week, Ibrahimovic raised eyebrows when he stated that the Rossoneri had “no money” to buy the five top players they need this summer.
So far, Riccardo Montolivo and Bakaye Traoré joined Milan on a free transfer this month.
“Ibra and I want the same thing, which is for Milan to win,” the Brazilian said.
“This season it was so-so, therefore to win we need quality reinforcements.”
Cavani denies Juve rumours
Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani has laughed off suggestions that he is on the verge of joining Italian champions Juventus from Napoli.
Cavani was a key player for Napoli last season helping them to win their first piece of silverware for 22 years after winning the Coppa Italia.
“The Coppa Italia is simply the start for Napoli so that we can do even better next year,” he told the Corriere dello Sport.
“I read the stories about me and the transfer market, but I know how the media game goes. It’s part of the sport and of my job, but I don’t listen to the rumours, nor do they annoy me.”
Donovan hat-trick inspires US
Landon Donovan scored a hat-trick on Saturday as the Americans routed Scotland 5-1 in an international friendly that served as a World Cup qualifying tune-up.
Donovan scored in the third minute and found the net again in the 60th and 65th minutes, boosting his US career goal total to 49 before 41,000 spectators.
Donovan, also set a US record with his 125th start, one more than defender Jeff Agoos totalled for the ‘Stars and Stripes’ from 1988 through 2003.
Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones scored the other goals for the US while Scotland pulled a goal back from an own goal by Geoff Cameron.