Lucas Maura: Chelsea have had a £32.4m offer for midfielder Lucas Maura rejected according to Sao Paulo president Juvenal Juvenico. Maura, 19, has grabbed the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs after establishing himself as one of Brazil’s most promising young players.

Amalfitano: Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew yesterday completed his first summer signing when he clinched a deal for Reims midfielder Romain Amalfitano. The 22-year-old, who is out of contract at the French club, will officially become a Magpies player on July 1.

Schieber: Striker Julian Schieber has turned down the offer of a new contract with Stuttgart. The 23-year-old had been offered an extended stay until 2016 but told the club’s director of sport Fredi Bobic that his current deal, which has a year left to run on it, will be the last with the club.

Dutch squad: Netherlands coach coach Bert van Marwijk will announce the 23 players he will take to the European Cham-pionships on Saturday. “I won’t be waiting for the deadline of May 29 to decide. I imagine I’ll already have a clear idea on Saturday before the friendly match with Bulgaria,” he was quoted as saying.

Viana: Portugal yesterday replaced injured midfielder Carlos Martins with Braga playmaker Hugo Viana in their 23-man squad for next month’s Euro 2012. Viana, 29, is enjoying one of the best spells of his career at Braga, who finished third in the Portuguese Premier league. Granada midfielder Martins was ruled out of the squad with a muscle injury.

Heskey: Former England striker Emile Heskey has been released by Aston Villa, bringing to an end his three-and-a-half-year stay at the club. The 34-year-old, who managed just one goal in 29 appearances for the Midlands club this season, joined Aston Villa from Wigan Athletic in 2009 after spells at Liverpool and Birmingham City.