Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has revealed his club is in talks with Chelsea re-garding left-back Filipe Luis’s possible return to the Calderon stadium this summer.
The Brazil international joined Chelsea in a £15.8 million transfer last summer after four seasons at Atletico and is under contract with the Blues for another two seasons.
Filipe Luis made just nine league starts for the Premier League champions this past season and is reportedly keen to return to Spain.
Cerezo said: “Filipe Luis is a great player. We would be de-lighted if he comes back and I think that we will find a solution.”
Wenger says no Benzema move
Manager Arsene Wenger has played down suggestions Arsenal are about to swoop for £40 million-rated France international striker Karim Benzema from Real Madrid.
Having already brought in keeper Petr Cech from Chelsea in a £10 million deal, Arsenal were reported to be ready to launch a big-money move for Benzema.
Wenger, though, indicated any such transfer move was not on the immediate agenda.
“I don’t know where that story comes from, but that is not happening at the moment,” Wenger told reporters yesterday.
Kaboul completes Sunderland move
Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul has completed his move to Sunderland after signing a four-year deal.
The 29-year-old, who was a target for former Black Cats boss Roy Keane seven years ago, has joined the club for an undisclosed fee after travelling to Wearside for a medical.
Kaboul said: “I’m delighted to be a Sunderland player and it’s an honour to join this club. I can’t wait to start playing for the Sunderland supporters.”
Kaboul is Advocaat’s fourth summer signing to date, following in the footsteps of Sebastian Coates, Adam Matthews and Jeremain Lens.
Michu in demand
Granada have confirmed their interest in signing Spanish forward Michu from Swansea.
Swansea are keen to sell the Spain international, who has one year left on his contract, and the 29-year-old has been linked with a return to La Liga.
“We like Michu a lot,” Granada sporting director Juan Carlos Cordero said.
“We have spoken to him and with his agent, but there is no agreement nor have we begun negotiations. He would be a very important player for Granada.”
Michu was sent out on loan to Napoli last season but an injury-plagued campaign saw him make just five appearances for the Serie A club.
Downing returns to the second tier
Four years after joining Liverpool for a fee of 20 million pounds, Stewart Downing dropped out of the top flight after signing a four-year contract to return to Middlesbrough, the Championship club said.
The 30-year-old, who made 35 appearances for England without scoring, returns to the club where he spent eight years from Premier League side West Ham United, for a fee reported to be in the region of five million pounds.
“It’s an amazing signing for us. He’s more than just a player,” Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka said.
“Nobody expected him to come here, but he wants to be here, and is completely committed to the club and the team. He is a very good person and I’m excited to work with him.”
Hero Ghiggia dies
Alcides Ghiggia, the Uruguayan striker who silenced the Maracana at the 1950 World Cup by scoring the winner against Brazil, died of a heart attack at the age of 88 on Thursday, the 65th anni-versary of Uruguay’s famous soccer success.
The stunning 2-1 victory over Brazil gave Uruguay their second World Cup title and it remains one of the most talked about results of all time.
He was the last surviving member of that triumphant side.
“He came in this morning with a sore back and they hospitalised him,” his son, Arcadio, told a Uruguayan television station.
“He was talking to me about football and suddenly he stopped. They tried to revive him but to no avail.”
Everton not signing Evans
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has moved quickly to quash rumours in the media suggesting his club were poised to sign Manchester United central defender Jonny Evans.
A number of UK newspapers claimed Everton were offering eight million pounds for the Northern Ireland international but Martinez gave a terse and emphatic response when questioned about the link yesterday.
“No, it’s not true,” the Spaniard told reporters.
“I always said that I am not going to be commenting on any of the names that are being shared around but I can tell you there is nothing true about that subject.”