New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers could snatch midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson away from his former club Swansea.
Sigurdsson is yet to sign a contract with the Swans despite agreement on a club record £6.8m deal to sign him permanently from Hoffenheim following a successful loan spell.
Rodgers had pushed the Swans to sign Sigurdsson but his move to Anfield could prompt a rethink by the player. Rodgers has vowed to let Sigurdsson talk to Swansea first but said he would make a move for the Icelandic should any talks break down.
“If he comes on the market I have to be interested. He knows that I rate his qualities and abilities,” Rodgers said.
Gasperini on Pescara’s shortlist
Serie A newcomers Pescara may turn to GianPiero Gasperini to become their new coach after confirming that the former Genoa and Inter mentor is on a shortlist of potential replacements for Zdenek Zeman who will be coaching Roma next season.
“Zeman is going to Roma because he made the decision with his heart, as it was always his dream to return there,” Daniele Delli Carri, the Pescara director of sport, said.
“We are tracking different coaches and nobody is in pole position. However, Gasperini is on our list. The important thing is to choose a coach who shares Zeman’s football philosophy.”
Rangnick set to join West Brom
Former Stuttgart and Schalke boss Ralf Rangnick has agreed to become West Brom’s new manager, according to reports in Germany.
West Brom held talks with Rangnick last month as they continued their search to find Roy Hodgson’s successor.
And the 53-year-old is reported to have agreed a deal to take the managerial reins at The Hawthorns. Compensation was not an issue as Rangnick has been without a club since leaving Schalke eight months ago, citing exhaustion.
Rangnick had two spells at Schalke in addition to a four-year stint at Hoffenheim.
Beckham backs England at Euros
David Beckham expects the Three Lions to spring a surprise at Euro 2012.
Roy Hodgson’s men are not seen to be among the main contenders but the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder refuses to be pessimistic.
“I think we’re going to go to the European Championship and surprise a lot of people,” the 37-year-old said.
“Expectations are not as high as they have been in previous competitions but we’re talking about England here. No one can doubt the talent or passion we have.”
Rob Green to quit West Ham United
England goalkeeper Rob Green will leave West Ham United this summer after six years, club chairman David Gold has confirmed.
The 32-year-old will be out of contract at the end of June and has not agreed new terms despite the Hammers’ promotion back to the Premier League.
Former captain Matthew Upson left Upton Park as a free agent last year and Green is now set to follow having been linked with Tottenham, QPR, West Bromwich and Spanish side Malaga.
Gold wrote on Twitter: “Robert Green is a free agent he has chosen to move on.
“Nobody wants Rob to leave but nothing is forever.”
Vidic targets opening day
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic hopes to be fit for the start of the season.
The 30-year-old has been out since December because of damaged knee ligaments.
But he said: “I can now run and do some things on the pitch which is better for me psychologically because for the last four months it’s been every day in the gym, which is hard.
“But the worst part is behind me. I can look forward to the second half of the rehabilitation and work more on my fitness.
“Hopefully, I’ll be fit for the big kick-off.”
Loew won’t go after Euro 2012
Germany coach Joachim Loew has been given assurances about his job, no matter what happens at Euro 2012.
Germany go into the tournament as one of the favourites, but a 5-3 defeat to Switzerland a week ago and a far from impressive 2-0 win over Israel in midweek has dampened some of the enthusiasm.
DBF technical director Matt-hias Sammer: “The outcome surely could not be so catastrophic that the high-quality job that Jogi has done over such a long period of time can be seen in a different light without success at the 2012 European Championship.
“In the event of that happening, we would just have to go through a difficult phase with this national team coach.”