Diouf: Stoke look set to make Senegal striker Mame Biram Diouf their second new signing of the summer. Reports said former Manchester United player Diouf, 26, whose contract with German outfit Hanover is coming to an end, has been at the Potters’ training ground this week for talks with their manager Mark Hughes and chief executive Tony Scholes. On Thursday Stoke announced the signing of Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley.
Barca Friendly: Barcelona will play a pre-season friendly in Helsinki against Finnish champions HJK on August 9. With the average August temperature in the Nordic country’s capital around 16 degree Celsius, it would be a vastly different experience for many Barcelona players who represent their countries at next month’s World Cup in tropical Brazil.
Upson: Promoted Leicester City have moved to strengthen their squad for life in the Premier League next season by snapping up former England central defender Matthew Upson on a free. Leicester said the 35-year-old former Arsenal, West Ham United and Birmingham City player had agreed a one-year deal.
Bayern Suits: Bayern Munich players will be wearing suits made by designer Giorgio Armani from next season after the German double winners signed a three-year deal with the Italian fashion group. The tailor made suits will be worn at official club functions or when the team travel and will have personalised labels for each of the players.
Iturbe: Verona have acquired the full registration rights of Argentinian forward Juan Manuel Iturbe at a price of €15 million from FC Porto, the Portuguese giants have announced. The 20-year-old played on a season-loan deal at Verona and scored eight goals in 33 league appearances to help the promoted outfit finish 10th in Serie A.
Decider: Cyprus’s top soccer governing body has decided to call a replay of a title decider between AEL Limassol and APOEL Nicosia after it was abandoned last week when a firework hit a player. The judicial committee of the Cyprus FA decided in a majority vote to call a replay of the game on neutral ground and without spectators. The game was level at 0-0 when it was interrupted in the 51st minute. AEL top the standings with 81 points, three ahead of APOEL who have a superior goal difference.