Manchester United defender Rafael has returned home early from the club’s tour of the United States to have treatment on a groin problem.
The 24-year-old sustained the injury in training prior to the Red Devils’ win over Roma on Friday.
Even though there are three matches still remaining in America, the Brazilian will not be fit in time to play in any, so the decision was made to send him back to England.
“As he was unlikely to participate in the remaining tour games, returning to the Aon Training Complex affords the best overall option for his recovery in time to continue pre-season preparation when the team returns,” said a statement on manutd.com.
Juventus ready to swap Isla for Savic
Juventus are expected to meet Fiorentina this week and resume talks over a swap involving Stefan Savic and Mauricio Isla, according to reports in Italy.
Savic’s experience in playing in both a back-three as well as in a four-man defence appeals to Juventus as new coach Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly planning to change the team’s tactical approach in 2014/15.
One report said a meeting to discuss a possible move for the 23-year-old is set with Fiorentina this week with negotiations focusing on an exchange deal with Chile’s Isla who has also been linked with a host of English clubs.
Griezmann to join Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have agreed a deal to sign winger Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad.
The 23-year-old was linked with a big-money move to a host of clubs but Primera Division champions Atletico have won the race for the France international.
Atletico announced on their official website: “Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad have reached an agreement for the transfer of Antoine Griezmann.
“The young French footballer will sign a contract with our team once he passes his medical.”
Lewandowski brace powers Bayern
It may only have been a pre-season tournament, but Bayern Munich got their hands on a first piece of silverware on Sunday night thanks to a 3-0 win over Wolfsburg.
Two goals from new signing Robert Lewandowski and a Sebastian Rode effort earned Bayern the Telekom Cup in Hamburg’s HSV Arena.
The Poland international also scored in Saturday’s win over Borussia Moenchengladbach, who ended the four-team tournament last after losing 3-1 to the hosts Hamburg.
“I’m feeling very good,” said Lewandowski.
“Things are getting better by the day.”
Schweini sorry for scurrilous song
Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has issued an apology to Borussia Dortmund after a video of him singing a song insulting the Westphalian club was published on the internet.
Schweinsteiger, who is currently on holiday following the World Cup, sang a popular song among fans in a Munich bar.
The video was then published on the internet, prompting an immediate apology from the Germany international.
“I would like to apologise for this,” he said on Facebook.
“Of course, I don’t want to make anything out to be better than it actually is, it was only a well-known fans’ song, although I didn’t mean to insult anybody with the swear word.”
Milan’s 5-1 defeat upsets Berlusconi
Milan’s 5-1 rout to Manchester City in a friendly match on Sunday night has not gone down well with club president Silvio Berlusconi.
The Rossoneri have conceded consecutive defeats at the start of their tour of the United States and Canada.
With Milan having also lost 5-3 to the English champions 12 months ago, reports reported that president Berlusconi was “furious” with the result.
Tuttosport claimed that Ber-lusconi has spoken of his dismay at the “umpteenth bad impression” given by Milan during their pre-season campaign.
Kaka scores on Sao Paulo return
Kaka made a goalscoring second debut for Sao Paulo but could not prevent his side from slipping to defeat at Goias in the 13th round of the Brazilian Campeonato.
Kaka has returned to his first club on a six-month loan deal from newly-formed Major League Soccer side Orlando City, who he joined earlier this month after leaving Italians Milan.
The former world player of the year got his name on the scoresheet in his first Sao Paulo outing in 11 years with a 76th-minute strike against Goias.
However, that proved only to be a consolation as the home side held on for a 2-1 win.