Arsenal’s new signing Gabriel Paulista could make his Premier League debut against Aston Villa, manager Arsene Wenger said.
The 24-year-old defender joined the Gunners from Spanish side Villarreal earlier this week and Wenger is confident the Brazilian will provide stiff competition for first-choice central defenders Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.
“He’s ready to go. He’ll be in the squad, certainly,” Wenger told a news conference.
“Maybe it will take some time to adapt completely, but overall it is very good to have him.
“This season he has played every game for Villarreal and we have seen him many times. We are convinced about his quality.”
Swansea profits
Swansea have announced a post-tax profit of £1.7 million, with turnover increasing by more than £30 million to nearly £100 million.
The figures, which cover the club’s latest financial accounts ending May 31, 2014, take in a period which saw Swansea finish 12th in their third Premier League season and reach the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Turnover increased by £31.6 million to £98.7 million from £67.1 million in the previous year and was largely due to additional TV broadcasting income negotiated by the Premier League.
Djuricic yet to sign for Saints
Southampton remain interested in Benfica’s attacking midfielder Filip Djuricic, but reports of a confirmed loan deal are premature.
A statement on the Serbia FA’s official Facebook page suggested a six-month deal had been agreed, crediting a report from national broadcaster B92. It had been suggested the move was confirmed by Southampton on their own official website, which was incorrect.
Reports said the Premier League club are keen on the player, but any imminent deal appears unlikely following issues over Djuricic’s representatives.
Djuricic spent the first part of the season on loan at Mainz.
Cuadrado is off to Chelsea – Montella
Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella has confirmed that Juan Guillermo Cuadrado is finalising his permanent move to Chelsea.
Fiorentina are expected to receive £23.3 million and as part of the deal, Chelsea’s forward Mohamed Salah will be moving on loan in the opposite direction.
“The club has done the right thing because we are also getting a very good player (Salah),” coach Vincenzo Montella said.
“Cuadrado is a player that has always arrived with a smile and given everything to Fiorentina.
“I’m happy for him because he is going to a big club.”
Strootman faces longer lay-off
Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after knee surgery yesterday revealed further injury problems.
The 24-year-old Holland international underwent surgery to deal with Cyclops Syndrome, a condition which can cause pain and swelling and is associated with individuals who have undergone cruciate ligament surgery – which Strootman did last March before spending nine months out.
Roma had said on Thursday they hoped to have Strootman back in action within a month, but after the operation Strootman said on Twitter that complications may mean it takes much longer.
Olic returns to Hamburg
Striker Ivica Olic left Wolfsburg yesterday to rejoin Hamburg until 2016 with his former club awaiting to sign Andre Schuerrle from Chelsea.
The 35-year-old Croat, who had played at Hamburg from 2007 to 2009 and then joined Bayern Munich until 2012, had asked for the transfer himself, Wolfsburg said.
“When Ivica came to us we told me we consider him as an important player for us. But his wish was to transfer was too big so we agreed to it,” sports director Klaus Allofs said.
Hamburg, in 14th place in the current standings, are hoping Olic’s scoring and experience will lift them away from the relegation zone.
Asian Cup final an 80,000 sellout
The Asian Cup final between hosts Australia and South Korea at the 80,000-seat capacity Stadium Australia in Sydney today is a sellout, organisers said.
Australia’s progress to a second successive final at the tournament has helped boost ticket sales, which have already far exceeded organisers’ “budget” target of 355,000 for the competition.
“It is the eighth sell-out for the tournament which has already seen 561,178 fans attend 30 matches over 21 days in five cities – five of those sell-outs being for Socceroos’ games,” read a statement released by the local organising committee yesterday.