New Twente striker Luc Castaignos says he returned to Holland for regular first team football and to win the Eredivisie title.
The 19-year-old signed a four-year deal with Steve McClaren’s side after failing to make an impact with Inter – making just six league starts last season.
“I opted for the security to be able to play again,” said Castaignos. “I’ve always learned: when you have a chance, you should seize with both hands.
“Eventually I noticed that Inter do not have much confidence in me. Then it is very simple, you should go somewhere else for your chance. At Inter, I trained and played with the best of Europe. With Twente, I play for the championship.”
Mancini junior joins Valladolid
Andrea Mancini, the son of Man. City boss Roberto, has signed for Spanish third division side Valladolid B. The 19-year-old was released by City at the end of last season and has signed a one-year deal with the reserve side of the Primera Liga club.
That does mean, though, that Mancini is eligible to play in top flight should he be called upon.
He said: “Valladolid is a good team in the Spanish league and I am going to have to work hard.
“I have to win my chance in the youth team to play with Valladolid, but if I work hard I don’t see why it can’t happen.”
Puyol is back
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has been given the all-clear to resume playing after undergoing knee surgery earlier this summer.
The 34-year-old defender re-turned to training last week after missing the end of the 2011/12 season, including his nation’s triumphant European Championship defence, and going under the knife in May.
“The captain successfully recovered from his knee injury and was given the medical all-clear,” Barca said yesterday.
“This morning, Carles Puyol was given the green light to play by the club’s medical services. Puyol joined training last week and he completed a couple of sessions with the group.”
Carroll turns down West Ham
West Ham have failed in a bid to sign Andy Carroll despite Liver-pool accepting their £19m offer.
The Hammers had agreed a £2 million season-long loan with a stipulation that they pay £17 million at the end of the season should they retain their Premier League status.
However, having spent weeks working on the bid and finding the resources to fund the striker’s £80,000-a-week wages, Carroll has rejected the chance to move to Upton Park.
“Sadly we have a deal in place with Liverpool, but the player does not want to come,” a West Ham spokesman said.
Roma confirm Destro deal
Roma have confirmed the loan signing of Italy U-21 striker Mattia Destro from Genoa for €11.5 million, with the option of a permanent deal next summer for an additional €4.5m.
Reports said the 21-year-old has already agreed personal terms to keep him at the Stadio Olimpico until June 30, 2017.
A club statement read: “Roma announces that it has signed with Genoa an agreement to acquire the temporary playing rights of Mattia Destro for a fee of 11.5 million euros.
“The agreement, filed today at the offices of the Lega Serie A, also includes the right of option to purchase the player outright, from the 2013-14 season, for €4.5 million.”
Maicon to skip Hajduk Split tie
Inter continued to fuel speculation that Douglas Maicon is on his way out of the San Siro after leaving the Brazil right-back out of their squad for the Europa League match against Hajduk Split tomorrow.
Maicon was in the list that Inter submitted to UEFA last month but he won’t play at Hajduk in the first leg of the third qualifying round.
Reports said his omission may not be for tactical reasons alone as Maicon could still leave Inter this summer as his contract expires next June.
Chelsea and Real Madrid are among the clubs showing interest for Maicon.
Man. Utd confirm share plans
Manchester United hope to raise around $300 million by selling just over 10 per cent of the club on the New York Stock Exchange, the Glazer family announced yesterday.
The United owners initially claimed they would use the funds to pay off the club’s £400 million debt. However, the prospectus that has been released indicates only half the money will be used for that purpose, with the rest going directly to the Glazer family.
This late change in stance may anger the United supporters who have opposed the family’s reign following their takeover of the club in 2005.
The news came a day after United confirmed a massive new shirt sponsorship deal with US car giant Chevrolet, which takes effect from 2014.