Milan are edging closer to the signing of Argentine Mateo Musacchio from Villarreal.
La Gazzetta dello Sport said talks are already underway between the two clubs as new Milan coach Vincenzo Montella wants to strengthen his options in defence by bringing the highly-rated 25-year-old to the San Siro.
Villarreal’s asking price for Musacchio is believed to be in the region of €25 million although Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is planning further negotiations this week with representatives of the La Liga club.
Should the deal be completed, Musacchio will partner Alessio Romagnoli at the heart of the Milan defence.
Petrov returns
Stiliyan Petrov made his first Aston Villa appearance in more than four years as Roberto Di Matteo’s side hammered Austrians Gak 1902 8-0.
Petrov played the second half as Villa romped home over their Austrian opponents, the 37-year-old stepping up his comeback after beating leukaemia.
Bulgaria midfielder Petrov last turned out for Villa in March 2012, before retiring ill.
The 105-cap international confirmed his comeback earlier this summer, and has now duly donned Villa’s claret and blue on their pre-season tour.
Sammer quits job at Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have accepted a request from Matthias Sammer to step down from his role as the Bundesliga club’s director of sport with immediate effect.
Sammer kept a low profile towards the end of last season when a health problem prevented him from attending Bayern’s final matches, but he said in a statement on the club’s website that he is now fully fit again.
“I’m feeling good,” he said.
“My health is fully restored and the numerous medical examinations confirm this 100 per cent.
“Being director of sport at Bayern means working seven days a week with all of your energy devoted to the club, the team and also being a public figure.
“I would rather not deal with these duties at the moment.”
Keane strikes again
An early strike from Ireland international Robbie Keane secured Los Angeles Galaxy’s 1-0 away win against Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer during the weekend.
Striker Gyasi Zardes found Keane with a low cross in the 15th minute. Keane slid to flick a shot off the crossbar and in for only the second away win for Los Angeles in the current MLS campaign.
“It’s always difficult when you play away from home,” said Keane, who scored his sixth of the season and second in two games since returning from his stint with Ireland at Euro 2016.
Inter could part with captain Icardi
Clubs started lining up for striker Mauro Icardi yesterday after his wife and agent – Wanda Nara – told reporters that the Inter captain was on the transfer market.
“From what I can see, Inter have put Mauro Icardi up for sale,” she was quoted as saying.
“Already, there are many clubs interested. Mauro would be very sad to leave Inter, but we’ve understood the club’s economic situation and evidently they cannot hold him back.”
Inter have already rejected a €40m bid for Icardi from West Ham with interest also coming from Serie A rivals Juventus, Spain’s Atletico Madrid and Premier League clubs Manchester United and Tottenham.
Ajax to miss their new striker Milik
Ajax will have to do without their Poland international striker Arek Milik when they play their opening match in the new Champions League campaign this month.
The 22-year-old will not yet be back from vacation when the four-time European champions enter the competition in the third qualifying round on July 26.
“It had been previously arranged that he would go on holiday after the last game for Poland at Euro 2016,” new Ajax coach Peter Bosz said.
“He needs a break and we are sticking to the arrangement.”
Ajax will find out the identity of their opponents in Europe at the draw in Nyon on Friday.
Ajeti joins Torino from Frosinone
Albania international Arlind Ajeti has left Frosinone to sign for Torino in the Serie A.
The central defender had also been linked with Lazio, but Torino yesterday confirmed Ajeti had signed a contract to play for them next season.
Ajeti, 22, said: “I did not hesitate to join Torino... they believe in young players and this is the faith I need.
“I am happy to start the new season straight away with my new team-mates.”
Last season, Ajeti played 16 times for Frosinone who eventually lost their place in the top flight after only one year.