Bougherra: Rangers have ag-reed a fee of £1.7 million with Qatari side Lekhwiya for the sale of Madjid Bougherra, manager Ally McCoist said. “There are just bits and pieces to be tied up there. I think that deal is just about done,” said McCoist. Bougherra, 28, arrived in Scotland in the summer of 2008 from Charlton.
Griezmann: Real Sociedad striker Antoine Griezmann has his sights set on a move to Atletico Madrid. The 20-year-old, who is currently on international duty at the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia, believes the capital club offer him a better chance of progressing into the senior France side. He said: “I have made a decision, I want to go to Atletico, who play regularly in the European cups.”
Schaefer: Wolfsburg defender Marcel Schaefer has been stripped of the captaincy by coach Felix Magath just before the start of the new season. Wolfsburg travel to Cologne today but are still reeling from a 3-2 German Cup defeat to fourth division Leipzig last weekend. Magath has taken the drastic step of replacing Schaefer as skipper in a bid to shake up the team.
Milovanovic: Greek Super League club Panionios Athens announced the signing of Serbian midfielder Dejan Milovanovic on a one-year loan deal from French club Lens yesterday. Milovanovic, 27, played the bulk of his career at Red Star Belgrade (2001-2008) where he scored 17 goals in 152 matches. He joined Lens in 2008 and played for two seasons, scoring two goals in 40 matches.
Bellamy: Wales manager Gary Speed has included Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy in his 25-man squad to face Australia in Cardiff on Wednesday. Bellamy spent last season on loan at Cardiff City but is set to start this term without first-team football as he is yet to agree a similar deal for the forthcoming campaign after a move to Celtic fell through.
Alcantara: Spain coach Vicente del Bosque handed a first call-up to Thiago Alcantara when naming his squad for next Wednesday’s friendly against Italy in Bari. Barcelona midfielder Alcantara, 20, was born in Italy. The son of 1994 Brazilian World Cup winner Mazinho, he enjoyed a breakthrough at the Nou Camp last season, scoring two goals in 12 league appearances.
Pantilimon: Manchester City have signed goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon from Poli Timisoara. The 24-year-old Romanian joins the FA Cup holders as cover for Joe Hart following the departure of Shay Given to City’s top-flight rivals Aston Villa.
Championship: Hull City vs Blackpool 0-1.
Bundesliga: Bor. Dortmund vs Hamburg 3-1.