Rangers: Rangers players Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker have objected to the transfer of their contracts to the newco club, issuing statements through their lawyers claiming they are now free agents. Rangers claim the transfer of all player contracts have already taken place, warning that any players disputing the move could face legal action in the wake of reported objections from Rhys McCabe and Sone Aluko.
Salzburg: Ralf Rangnick and Gerard Houllier have both joined a new-look set-up at Austria’s Salzburg, with Roger Schmidt named as the club’s head coach. Rangnick has been linked with several vacancies across Europe since quitting Schalke in September. He has now been named as Salzburg’s sporting director while Houllier will serve as a global sports director.
Cruzeiro: Cruzeiro set down an early marker in the Brazil championship by inflicting a first defeat of the season on Vasco da Gama. The visitors won 3-1 in Rio de Janeiro, never looking back after Walter Montillo had broken the deadlock four minutes before half-time. The result takes Cruzeiro top of the fledgling table while Vasco lie third, with Atletico Mineiro separating the pair after hammering Nautico Recife 5-1.
Yilmaz: Lazio are closing in on the transfer of Trabzonspor striker Burak Yilmaz after lengthy negotiations during the weekend. The Turkey international will cost Lazio €5 million as he has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and other English Premier League teams.
Colotto: Espanyol have completed their first signing of the summer with the capture of defender Diego Colotto on a free transfer from Deportivo. The 31-year-old played 77 times in the top flight during his first three years at Depor and was also part of the Segunda Division title-winning side in 2011/12, the Galicians earning promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
Lecce: Giovanni Semeraro decided to halt an 18-year relationship with Lecce after selling all his family’s shares to businessman Savino Tesoro. “Now 18 years have passed and I am here with a lump in my throat, almost like the moment I started this adventure,” the former Lecce president said. The Serie B club is currently being investigated for their role in a match-fixing scandal and could be docked points or even demoted to division three if found guilty.