Kanoute: French-born former Mali striker Fredi Kanoute could prolong his career with Iranian club Mes Kerman, based in the southeastern city of Kerman, it was reported yesterday. Kanoute brought his career with Sevilla – whom he joined in 2005 from Tottenham Hotspur – to an end last Sunday, hinting that he would continue playing outside of Spain.
Moreira: Swansea have cancelled the contract of goalkeeper Jose Moreira by mutual consent. The 30-year-old joined on a two-year deal last summer from Benfica, but made just one appearance as Michel Vorm and Gerhard Tremmel proved to be Brendan Rodgers’ preferred goalkeeping options.
Solskjaer: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to hold talks with Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner about becoming the club’s next manager. Solskjaer’s odds on taking up the post vacated by Alex McLeish were slashed down to 6-4 from 25-1, with the Norwegian odds-on favourite. Lerner’s private jet flew into Solskjaer’s home town of Kristiansund this week to collect the 39-year-old and fly him to Birmingham to begin negotiations.
McArthur: Wigan’s Scotland midfielder James McArthur signed a two-year contract extension with the Premier League club yesterday. McArthur, 24, has been rewarded for playing a key part in the Latics’ top-flight survival as they climbed away from the relegation zone with impressive wins in the closing weeks of the season.
Villa Park: The Community Shield clash between Manchester City and Chelsea at the start of next season will be staged at Villa Park rather than Wembley. The annual curtain-raiser to the new top-flight season is traditionally played at Wembley, but the English national stadium in London is hosting the Olympic football final on the same weekend as Premier League champions City are due to meet FA Cup winners Chelsea.
Grant: Israel’s Avram Grant has quit as coach of Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade after only five months. Grant said his departure was down to “personal reasons”, without giving further details. According to reports, Grant had agreed a €900,000 annual salary and additional 400,000-euro bonus if he succeeded in qualifying Partizan for the Champions League.