Reports in the Italian media yesterday suggested that veteran defender Nicolas Burdisso is on his way to joining Milan in the next transfer window.
The 32-year-old, currently on the books of Serie A leaders Roma, has only managed one match for the Giallorossi so far this season.
Milan have already secured the services of Valencia’s Adil Rami, another defender. He will play his first match for the Rossoneri in January.
With his contract expiring in June next year, Burdisso could leave Roma for a reduced fee.
Keeper Leno signs contract extension
Bayer Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno has extended his contract at the Bundesliga club by one year to 2018 as the Champions League competitors look to hold on to their key players.
Germany’s Under-21 keeper Leno, who follows in the footsteps of Lars Bender after the midfielder extended his Lever-kusen contract to 2019 late last month, had joined as a 19-year-old two years ago.
Leno joined Leverkusen on loan in 2011 before signing a permanent deal a year later.
He has been outstanding so far this season with Leverkusen in third place in the Bundesliga and in with a good chance of reaching the Champions League knockout stage.
Hazard returns
Eden Hazard will return to the Chelsea squad for today’s match with West Brom after accepting Jose Mourinho’s decision to omit him from the midweek defeat of Schalke for disciplinary reasons.
Hazard played no part in the 3-0 win Champions League Group E match this week after missing training on Monday without a valid reason.
Mourinho said he cannot look back on his decision and defender Branislav Ivanovic says the Belgium forward has accepted his punishment.
“It is important for the team, but also Eden accepts this as a discipline and he will be in the next game,” Ivanovic said.
“It means we are serious, and we are all together.”
Weidenfeller gets Germany call
Borussia Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller earned his first Germany call up at the age of 33 when coach Joachim Loew included him in the 24-man squad for their friendly games in Italy and England later this month.
Weidenfeller has been outstanding for his club in the past few seasons as they clinched the 2011 and 2012 Bundesliga titles, the 2012 German Cup and reached the Champions League final last season.
Germany will play Italy in Milan on November 15 before taking on England in London four days later.
Calf setback for Man. City’s Silva
Manchester City playmaker David Silva could be out for up to four weeks with a calf injury, manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed.
The Spain international was substituted after 66 minutes of City’s Champions League victory over CSKA Moscow at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Pellegrini, speaking at a press conference to preview tomorrow’s Premier League clash at Sunderland, said: “David has a problem with his calf.
“I don’t exactly know how many weeks it will be but maybe three or four.”
Schwarzer says time was right
Mark Schwarzer has revealed he called time on his Australia career once he realised he could no longer give his all to the Socceroos.
Schwarzer announced his retirement from international football earlier this week after earning 109 caps for his country.
The 41-year-old admitted the decision was difficult but had to be made as he no longer felt fully committed to his role in the team.
“I felt that I couldn’t give it the commitment that I feel needed to be given to represent your country at a high level and also the World Cup,” Schwarzer said.
“Physically I feel really good, but mentally it was the biggest challenge.”
Schweini troubled by ankle pain
Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger will under-go further ankle surgery after problems arose following the first operation in June, the club said yesterday.
“The last few weeks have been very painful,” Schweinsteiger said.
“I tried but I have reached a point when renewed surgery is unavoidable.”
The Germany international missed much of pre-season training after undergoing surgery in his right ankle following their treble-winning campaign last season.
Undefeated Bayern have already qualified for the Champions League knockout stage and lead the Bundesliga, a point ahead of Borussia Dortmund.