Werder Bremen’s new coach Robin Dutt will show mercy to Eljero Elia and Marko Arnautovic by giving them a second chance with the club next season.
The pair were dropped by former coach Thomas Schaaf toward the end of last season after a string of disciplinary problems.
Dutt, however, believes they could make a difference next season and he is ready to give them another chance.
“Elia and Arnautovic are two very special spices which could do our recipe a lot of good,” he said.
“If we get things right, then they could enrich any meal.”
Independiente suffer relegation
Argentinian club Independiente have been relegated for the first time in their history following a 1-0 home defeat to San Lorenzo in the Clausura championship.
The Buenos Aires club, winners of 16 national titles and a record seven Copa Libertadores, will play in Nacional B next season, leaving Boca Juniors as the only Primera Division club never to be relegated.
Angel Correa scored the decisive goal after 60 minutes which earned San Lorenzo the win and condemned Independiente to the drop.
Cellino rules out Nainggolan sale
Cagliari president Massimo Cellino is determined to fend off interest in Radja Nainggolan who is reportedly a transfer target for Inter, Roma and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Sardinians finished in a comfortable mid-table position in the Serie A last season and their players are admired by many of their league rivals.
Cellino was reported as saying that he will only entertain bids for goalkeeper Michael Agazzi, who has been linked with Fiorentina.
“I will not sell anyone, except maybe Agazzi,” Cellino told L’Unione Sarda newspaper.
“If I sell Nainggolan and get €15m for it, I put at risk our Serie A status, which is worth a total of €45m. Is it worth it?”
Gonalons confirms Napoli interest
The agent of Maxime Gonalons has confirmed that Napoli have expressed an interst in the Lyon midfielder.
Speaking to Le Parisien newspaper, Frederic Guerra said: “It’s true, Napoli among other clubs called me, but I cannot tell you at this moment whether the player is interested in a move.
“That is only because we haven’t discussed it yet.
“We will talk things over when he returns from his summer holidays.”
French international Gona-lons has been at Lyon for four years, scoring three goals in 35 Ligue 1 appearances last season.
Real ready to spend big for Bale
Zinedine Zidane has urged Gareth Bale to tell Tottenham Hotspur that he wants to leave if he feels it is the right time to move on.
Real Madrid are interested in signing Wales international Bale and Zidane, sporting director at the Santiago Bernabeu, has reiterated that they would not be afraid to spend heavily to secure his services.
“If Gareth feels now is the time to move then he has to have a private discussion with his club and express that he wants to leave,” Zidane said.
“I think Real Madrid have made their admiration of Gareth Bale very clear – and it has been made clear that we would not be put off by the cost of the player.”
Tottenham join Lamela race
Tottenham are the latest club to be linked with a move for Roma starlet Erik Lamela.
The Sunday Telegraph has reported that Spurs are lining up a bid for the 21-year-old Argentine forward who is also the subject of interest from Manchester United and Manchester City.
Lamela scored 15 goals for the Giallorossi in 33 games last season and also provided several assists for his team-mates.
The imminent appointment of ex-Roma director general Franco Baldini as Tottenham’s new director of football has increased speculation about Lamela’s potential move to the Londoners.
Lamela joined Roma from River Plate for €12 million two years ago.
Palermo seal Lafferty deal
Palermo have completed the signing of Kyle Lafferty, club president Maurizio Zamparini has announced.
The 25-year-old Irish forward played with Gennaro Gattuso, the new Palermo coach, at Swiss club FC Sion last season.
“We have sealed a deal for Lafferty,” Zamparini said. “He is someone who can lead the forward line by himself, similar to Luca Toni. In Switzerland he hasn’t scored many goals, so we hope he can get them here.”
Goalkeeper Stefano Sorren-tino, who joined Palermo from Chievo in January, has been linked with Roma.
“We are relying on him and Roma haven’t asked us for information,” Zamparini said.