Demba Ba told the Newcastle fans to ignore reports of his imminent exit from St James’ Park as rumours of a buy-out clause in his contract have led to speculation he will be off to Manchester United or Tottenham this month.
But speaking from Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Germany, Ba said: “What can I say?
“The fans see me on the pitch in a Newcastle shirt – that’s my message to them. In the papers there’s been a lot of rubbish!
“Like I said on Twitter, it’s just rumours. People talk, but what I can say is that none of the teams that have been talked about have approached me. I’m still a Newcastle United player.”
Giggs prepares for coaching
Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs is pondering a career in management when he hangs up his boots. The 38-year-old is captaining Team GB and is taking the opportunity to learn as much as possible from Stuart Pearce and his coaching staff.
Giggs said: “Coaching is something I’m looking at more and more.
“In the middle of last season, I completed my UEFA A Licence.
“It’s a different side of things, completely different to being a player. I want to gather as much knowledge as I can and prepare myself as best as I can, if I do want to go into coaching.
“The Olympics is a great platform. I ask as many questions as I can at United and I’ve been the same here with Great Britain.”
Guly pens new deal
Guly do Prado has signed a one-year contract extension with Premier League new boys Southampton.
The 30-year-old Brazilian forward, who has scored 22 goals in 85 appearances for Saints, will now stay at St Mary’s until at least the summer of 2014.
He said: “I’m very happy to have signed a new contract.
“To be able to stay here for another year to help the team was very important for me, and I think I have a big opportunity this season. I’m happy and my family are happy to stay here, so it was good to sign a new contract.”
Barcelona’s Villa raring to go
David Villa has reiterated his desire to get back to full training after missing the last six months with a broken tibia.
Villa suffered the leg injury last December but now feels ready to go and is desperate for pre-season training to begin.
He said: “This is the summer I have most desire for the holidays to end and to be able to go to work already.
“It is also the summer I have enjoyed least. I have passed a check-up and I am desperate to return to normal training with my team-mates, not training separately.”
Buffon starts Juve contract talks
Gianluigi Buffon has opened talks with his club Juventus regarding a new contract that will see the national team goalkeeper extending his stay in Turin until 2015.
Buffon, 34, is only tied to Juventus until June next year, but the two parties want to prolong their relationship.
According to Tuttosport, club officials have started to discuss the matter with Silvano Martina – the Italian international’s representative.
Buffon is currently Juve’s highest earner thanks to his €6 million deal, but the club are hoping he will accept a reduction in wages but better conditions on bonuses.
Pazzini on Werder’s radar
Reports in the Italian media yesterday suggested that Inter’s wantaway striker Giampaolo Pazzini is a transfer target of German Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.
Pazzini revealed last week that he is not in the plans of Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni and the Italy international has been placed on the transfer list this summer.
After initial links with former club Sampdoria were dashed because of the potential costs involved, Gazzetta dello Sport is now saying that Werder Bremen are interested.
However, Pazzini, 27, is said to be keener on a future in Serie A with both Lazio and Juventus seemingly interested in his services.
Cacau ready to quit Stuttgart
Stuttgart forward Cacau is prepared to listen to offers from other clubs in a bid to resurrect his chances of appearing at the 2014 World Cup. The Brazilian-born striker was named in Germany’s initial squad for Euro 2012, despite only fleeting appearances last season.
Cacau was one of three players left behind by Joachim Loew and the 31-year-old believes his lack of opportunities in the Bundesliga was to blame.
“Not playing so often for Stuttgart cost me my place at the Euros and if I carry on getting so few appearances, then I can forget about my dream of playing at the World Cup,” he said.
“I will listen to offers and if everything is right, then I can imagine leaving.”