Shanghai Shenhua have entered the “final round” of negotiations to bring striker Didier Drogba to China, the Shanghai Daily reported yesterday.
The Chinese Super League club have reportedly been in talks for months with Drogba, who would join his former Chelsea team-mate striker Nicolas Anelka if the deal goes through.
“A top Shenhua official left for Ivory Coast for the final round of negotiations to sign striker Didier Drogba,” the report said.
The newspaper said a Shenhua board member, Zhou Jun, would hold direct talks with the 34-year-old player.
Gattuso signs for FC Sion
Former Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has agreed a two-year deal with FC Sion, the Swiss club announced yesterday.
The 34-year-old was released by Milan at the end of last season after 13 years at the Serie A club.
He had been linked with a return to former employers Rangers, but the uncertainty surrounding their future prompted Gattuso to look elsewhere.
Sion announced the player’s arrival on their official website.
Gattuso twice won the Serie A title with Milan, as well as two Champions League trophies. He was also a member of Italy’s World Cup winning squad in 2006.
Redknapp axed by top brass
Harry Redknapp refuses to be downbeat after being sacked by Tottenham in “strange, unexpected circumstances”.
The former Portsmouth boss said he wished he could have stayed but believed the writing was on the wall as he was disliked by the Tottenham hierarchy.
He said: “I won’t slit my throat over it. I want to get on with my life instead of moping about getting the sack. I loved every minute of my time at Spurs and I’ve no regrets.
“When people at the top don’t like you, what can you do about it? I can’t do anything about that.”
Rossi’s recovery
Giuseppe Rossi’s future will only be decided once he returns from injury.
Rossi, who is currently recovering from a knee operation, has been linked with a return to Serie A for some time.
Roma, Juventus, Napoli and Inter were reportedly keen to acquire the 25-year-old’s services before Rossi suffered a recurrence of a cruciate injury in his right knee back in April.
He is expected to return to play in January 2013.
“Roma had shown an interest in Giuseppe Rossi,” Rossi’s agent Federico Pastorello said.
“However, negotiations have proved more difficult since the player’s injury. Talks will re-open once Giuseppe Rossi returns to play.”
Laudrup takes over at Swansea
Swansea have confirmed the appointment of former Denmark international Michael Laudrup (picture) as their new manager.
Laudrup replaces Brendan Rodgers who joined Liverpool earlier this month.
The former Brondby, Getafe, Spartak Moscow and Real Mallorca boss has penned a two-year-deal with the Welsh club.
A statement read: “Swansea City are pleased to confirm the appointment of Michael Laudrup as the club’s new manager.
“Contracts were completed at noon today on a two-year deal.”
Forlan could stay at Inter
Striker Diego Forlan could remain at Inter next season, according to his father.
The Uruguay international has been strongly linked with a move away from the Serie A side this summer.
Forlan, who is courted by Atletico Mineiro, joined the Nerazzurri from Atletico Madrid last year but failed to make much of an impact in his first season in Serie A.
“For the time being there is no negotiation with any club,” Forlan’s father Pablo said.
“As it is right now, he will remain at Inter. He has one year left in his contract with the Nerazzurri club.”
United’s Kagawa to skip Olympics
Alex Ferguson has been handed some good news after it was confirmed new signing Shinji Kagawa would not be called up for Olympic duty by Japan.
The Manchester United boss has already put his foot down over the London 2012 tournament, even though Great Britain will play their first match against Senegal, at Old Trafford on July 25.
Ferguson has barred any over-age player, with the exception of Ryan Giggs, from being called up by GB boss Stuart Pearce, and persuaded Mexico to give Javier Hernandez a rest.
Twenty-three-year-old Kagawa is eligible to compete but it has been confirmed the midfielder, who will join United from German champions Borussia Dortmund once he has passed a medical and gained a work permit, will not be selected.