France midfielder Alou Diarra is on the verge of joining English Premiership side West Ham, media reports said, adding that the Marseille player has only to pass a medical.
The 31-year-old, who signed for the southern French club from Bordeaux last year, is finalising his departure before signing for the east London side, La Provence daily said.
Diarra has already got experience of England’s top flight, having spent a short time at Liverpool in 2002.
Reports have suggested that another Marseille player could be heading across the Channel – Spanish defender Cesar Azpili-cueta. Chelsea are understood to be interested.
Fletcher wants to leave Wolves
Steven Fletcher has handed in a transfer request but Wolves are not ready to part with their striker unless their valuation is met.
Fletcher, 25, joined Wolves in 2010 from Burnley and he has hit double figures in both his Premier League campaigns with the club. But now following relegation, he is seemingly determined to move, with Sunderland bidding for his services.
The Black Cats have had a couple of bids rejected this month and this has now prompted Fletcher to make his decision.
“Just handed in a transfer request just to let the fans know where I am at right now,” he tweeted yesterday.
Kyle is back
Kevin Kyle insists he has proved the doubters wrong who claimed his career was over after making his debut for Rangers. The striker, 31, played the final 10 minutes of Wednesday night’s 4-0 Scottish League Cup win over East Fife.
Kyle was thrilled to make his bow in front of more than 38,000 fans in what was Rangers’ first match at Ibrox since the club lost their Premier League status.
“Nineteen months I waited so I’m over the moon,” he said.
“It’s great to be here. I knew I could get back playing, I never doubted it. I was just being sent to dummies who told me that I wouldn’t play football again.”
Boca win delayed Copa Argentina
Boca Juniors have won the relaunched Copa Argentina with a 2-1 win over Racing Club in the delayed final to remain the only champions of the competition in its chequered 42-year history.
The match had been due for June 23 to round off the 2011-12 season but, in a story typical of the confusion which surrounds Argentine football, was delayed because of fixture congestion.
Boca were also winners in 1969 on the only other occasion the tournament was completed.
In 1970, the tournament was abandoned after the first leg of the final and was never held again until the Argentine FA relaunched it last season.
Vargas happy to stay in Florence
Juan Manuel Vargas admits he is unsure what the future holds but he hopes to stay at Fiorentina.
The 28-year-old has been linked with a move and his agent recently claimed a switch to Liverpool was “an option”.
Winger Vargas does not know what will happen before the transfer window closes at the end of the month but he is currently focused on training with Fiorentina.
He insists he is happy at the Italian club, despite reports suggesting he does not figure in the plans of head coach Vincenzo Montella.
“I don’t know what my future will be,” he said.
“I am training with Fiorentina and hope to remain here.”
Real Madrid humble Milan 5-1
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a pair of second-half goals as Real Madrid trounced Milan 5-1 in an exhibition game at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.
Kaka had three assists against his former team in the match-up between two of Europe’s top clubs.
Angel di Maria gave Real the lead before Robinho tied it for Milan nine minutes later.
Ronaldo finished off two exquisite passing plays in the 49th and 66th minutes.
Sergio Ramos made it 4-1 with a header following Kaka’s corner and Jose Callejon capped the scoring off Kaka’s chip shot in the 89th.
Real Madrid outshot Milan 27-8.
United bidding to buy Van Persie
Manchester United are trying to sign Dutch international striker Robin van Persie from Premier League rivals Arsenal, said manager Alex Ferguson.
“We have made a bid. We’re trying our best but there’s no progress at this moment in time,” Ferguson said.
“We’re not getting any breakthrough with Arsenal. I don’t know what their thoughts are because they’re not giving anything away.”
Van Persie was the league’s top scorer last season with 30 goals, three more than United spearhead Wayne Rooney who finished in second place.