Jose Mourinho reacted angrily this week when Barcelona vice-president Marc Ingla told reporters that the Portuguese tactician had arranged a meeting with the club before the appointment of Josep Guardiola.

According to Mourinho, the meeting took place at the request of Ingla and sporting director Txiki Beguiristain.

"I don't want to waste my time with things that don't interest me and only Inter interest me at the moment," Mourinho insisted.

"But I can assure you that Mr Ingla is lying because he and Mr Beguiristain asked to meet me in Lisbon."

Sevilla sign Konko from Genoa

Sevilla have signed French right-back Abdoulay Konko from Serie A side Genoa on a five-year contract, the Primera Liga club said.

The versatile 24-year-old can also play in midfield and will be seen as a replacement for Brazil full-back Daniel Alves, who is close to completing a move to Barcelona.

Spanish media reported the deal was worth around nine million euros ($13.9 million).

McClaren - FC Twente coach

Former England manager Steve McClaren has been appointed as coach of FC Twente, the Dutch club said yesterday.

The 47-year-old, sacked as England coach last year after failing to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals, has agreed a two-year contract, according to the club's website.

He was closely linked with the vacant post at Blackburn in the wake of Mark Hughes's move to Manchester City, but after several weeks of talks with Twente president Joop Munsterman, he has decided to relaunch his career on the continent.

McClaren said: "I am delighted to accept the offer to become the new manager of FC Twente.

"From our first meetings, I have found Mr Munsterman and his staff helpful and co-operative, and I cannot wait to start working with them."

Vargas set to join Fiorentina

Peru wing-back Juan Manuel Vargas is on his way to Florence after Fiorentina and Catania reached agreement on a transfer fee.

Vargas has made a name for himself in Sicily and played a vital part in keeping the club afloat last term. Vargas, however, wants a bigger club for next season and after a brief flirtation with Roma he seems to be set for Fiorentina.

There have been reports that Catania will receive around £6m for his services.

"What is the fee? The sum that I have read in the newspapers is a little lower than the player's value," Catania director Pietro Lo Monaco said.

"The only thing that is lacking is an agreement between the player and Fiorentina."

Liverpool ask Juve €20m for Alonso

Liverpool have reportedly upped their price for Xabi Alonso and now want Juventus to pay €20 million for the Spanish playmaker.

Juventus general manager Jean-Claude Blanc, however, is still confident of signing Alonso whose transfer had been expected to be sealed on Monday but talks have stalled. Liverpool are said to be demanding two million euros more than Juve's offer.

Blanc still believes Alonso, currently at Euro 2008, will be in Turin next season.

"Xabi Alonso? It's a transfer that we're taking forward and we'll compare him to other deals which could be done.

"We're looking for a very talented midfielder, there's not many of those around and some of them aren't available."

No replays in dugouts

There will be less pressure on match officials as from next season after Premier League managers voted to ban the use of monitors in pitch-side dugouts.

"It's just one of a number of things we are looking at in terms of the respect agenda," Premier League boss Richard Scudamore said.

"The clubs voted to take that facility away from the proximity of the technical areas."

Former international referee Graham Poll says the move will be welcomed by top-flight referees in England.

"At last they have listened to the referees," he said.

"We have been canvassing for this for years and years because it clearly causes conflict."

Allardyce not joining Blackburn

Sam Allardyce will not succeed Mark Hughes at Blackburn Rovers.

The former Newcastle manager had been in the running to land the Ewood Park job following Hughes's departure for Manchester City along with Paul Ince and Michael Laudrup.

However, Allardyce yesterday told reporters that he no longer wants the job.

MK Dons manager Ince remains in pole position despite not holding the necessary qualifications to coach in the Premier League.

Ince's case has now been strengthened further with the news that Allardyce has pulled out of the running, leaving it as an apparent two-horse race for the post.

Allardyce has been out of work since January after being sacked by Newcastle following just under eight months in charge.