West Ham co-chairman David Gold is convinced manager Slaven Bilic would not be “the slightest bit interested in taking on England”.
Bilic had a successful spell as manager of Croatia from 2006 to 2012, his side famously beating England at Wembley in qualifying for the 2008 European Championships which saw then manager Steve McClaren sacked.
“He (Bilic) has managed his own country and I don’t believe he would be the slightest bit interested in taking on England,” Gold was quoted as saying.
“He told us at his interview for this position that his mission was to manage at the highest level in England – the Premier League – with the club he loves West Ham United.”
Higuain not ready to renew Napoli contract
Gonzalo Higuain will not renew his contract with Napoli unless the club remove a buyout clause in it, according to his brother and agent Nicolas Higuain.
The Argentina striker, who is contracted to Napoli until 2018, has a buyout clause of about €95 million in his contract
“We will not renew the contract under any circumstances with this clause,” Nicolas Higuain said
“The president of the club always insists on the buyout clause in case of a possible transfer of Gonzalo and we have our right not to renew the contract.”
Higuain has been linked with a move to Spain’s Atletico Madrid and several Premier League clubs.
Neymar for Rio
Barcelona’s Neymar and Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa were chosen as over-age players for Brazil’s Olympic squad yesterday.
Gabriel Barbosa, the teenage Santos striker who scored on his Brazil debut last month, was also included as one of five forwards.
The other over-age player is Palmeiras goalkeeper Fernando Prass, coach Rogerio Micale told reporters in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil named 18 players, 11 of whom play for Brazilian clubs, and will call up another four before the July 18 deadline.
Lazio midfielder Felipe Anderson, Rafinha Alcantara, of Barcelona, and PSG defender Marquinhos were also included.
Austria’s Fuchs quits international football
Austria captain Christian Fuchs announced his retirement from international football at the age of 30 yesterday, one week after the team’s group-stage elimination at Euro 2016.
Fuchs made 78 appearances, scoring a single goal against Greece in 2010.
“The match against Iceland was my last game for the Austria national team.
“I am very proud of my years in the red-white-red and wish the team the best for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers,” said the Austria left-back in a video posted on Facebook yesterday.
Man. United raise offer for Mkhitaryan
Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Borussia Dortmund’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan after making an “improved offer” for the midfielder, the Bundesliga club’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has said.
The Armenia international has been linked by British media with a move to Old Trafford under new manager Jose Mourinho.
“The situation is now different. Manchester United have made a much improved offer,” Watzke told Sport Bild yesterday.
“In situations like this there are always a lot of different things to consider and in the end, at one point, we have to make a final decision.”
Toulalan secures move to Bordeaux
Bordeaux have signed former France midfielder Jeremy Toulalan from Monaco.
The 32-year-old has penned a two-year contract to become Jocelyn Gourvennec’s first signing since taking over as coach of Les Girondins in May.
A statement on Bordeaux’s website read: “FC Girondins de Bordeaux have completed their first big coup of the summer transfer market with the arrival of Jeremy Toulalan.
“The former Monaco player has signed a two-year contract (to June 2018) after passing his medical.”
Doumbia heads to Basel from Roma
Ivory Coast striker Seydou Doumbia has joined FC Basel on a season-long loan from Roma, the Serie A side has confirmed.
The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Newcastle, but made just three substitute appearances as the Magpies were relegated from the Premier League.
Doumbia has made only six starts for the Giallorossi since joining from CSKA Moscow in January 2015 and will now move temporarily to reigning Swiss Super League champions Basel.
A statement on Roma’s official website read: “AS Roma can confirm that it has reached an agreement with Swiss club FC Basel 1893 for the loan of forward Seydou Doumbia for the duration of the 2016-17 season.”