Lionel Messi’s father has reaffirmed that he and his son have done nothing wrong following their court summons as part of an inquiry into alleged tax fraud.
Jorge Horacio Messi claims the Barcelona forward has been part of a media-led witch-hunt.
Messi senior pointed out that his son pays substantial amounts in tax each year.
He told radio station Cope: “I can assure you that what (Lionel) pays every year is an eight-figure sum.
“We are relaxed because we have never missed a payment to the tax authority.”
Courtois to stay at Atletico on loan
Chelsea’s Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will remain at Atletico Madrid on loan for a third season, the La Liga club said yesterday.
The 21-year-old, who won Spain’s ‘Zamora’ trophy for conceding the fewest goals in the top flight last season, said on Atletico’s website he had wanted to stay on to compete with the Spanish side in the Champions League next term.
He has made 98 appearances for Atletico, helping them win the Europa League in 2012, the European Super Cup, when they beat Chelsea in the final, and last season’s King’s Cup.
Liverpool close in on Mignolet
Liverpool have agreed a deal with Sunderland for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and the Belgium international will sign for the Merseyside club early this week for nine million pounds ($13.85 million), British media reported yesterday.
The Liverpool Echo newspaper said the 25-year-old goalkeeper was expected to have his medical examination and discussions with the club over personal terms after he returned from holiday this weekend.
Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers has also completed the signing of Spanish forward Luis Alberto from Sevilla, subject to international clearance, the club said on their website.
Galletti makes emotional return
Former Argentina international Luciano Galletti has made an emotional return to the Greek top flight following a three-year absence, after recovering from a kidney transplant.
The 33-year-old midfielder, who won two Greek league and cup doubles with Olympiakos from 2007-2009, has agreed to join Super League team OFI Crete on a one-year deal. Galletti underwent a successful kidney transplant in October 2012, the donor being his father Ruben.
“I’m delighted to have come to Heraklion to play for this club,” said Galletti.
“I am feeling great and have trained with Estudiantes. I expect to continue my fitness training here to be ready for the start of the season.”
Gong for United target Alcantara
Reported Manchester United target Thiago Alcantara has received another vote of confidence after being named player of the tournament for the European Under-21 Championships in Israel.
The midfielder captained Spain throughout their victorious campaign and hit a hat-trick in the first half of the final to lead his side to a 4-2 victory over Italy.
The Barcelona man, who is free to leave the Catalan club if a suitor can stump up €18 million, was named player of the tournament by UEFA’s technical team.
Thiago was also named in the 23-man all star squad for the tournament, alongside 10 of his Spain team-mates.
City out of Cavani race – Napoli
Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has claimed Manchester City are not prepared to meet their £53.6 million asking price for striker Edinson Cavani.
De Laurentiis has also said Real Madrid are the only club to have made an acceptable offer for the Uruguay forward while he has had no contact with Chelsea.
De Laurentiis said: “Manchester City don’t have the money to pay for Cavani, they say, ‘We don’t pay that’.
“The Abu Dhabi (owners) have said they will never spend €63 million for Cavani.
“They say, ‘We can give other things’, but they are not in the interest of our club.”
Chelsea sign mega adidas kit deal
Chelsea and adidas’ new 10-year contract is worth $450 million, Press Association Sport has reported.
The Blues on Friday announced their “biggest deal to date” after chief executive Ron Gourlay negotiated the agreement directly with adidas counterpart Herbert Hainer.
An industry insider with knowledge of the deal confirmed it was worth $45 million a year, or around £290m in total until 2023.
It is significantly more than the reported £18million-a-season received from Samsung for shirt sponsorship, meaning the Blues are less reliant on billionaire owner Roman Abramovich and assists in the adherence to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.