Thai cash injection
Championship club Leicester denied reports that chairman Milan Mandaric has reached an agreement to sell the club to a group of Thai businessmen.
Mandaric is looking for new investors to take the club forward and it had been claimed that the Serbian-American was on the verge of selling a significant part of his stake to a Thai consortium for around €31 million.
Leicester officials confirmed former Portsmouth owner Mandaric has held talks with several potential candidates, but insisted no agreement had been reached to sell the team.
Poldi bid depends on Huntelaar
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has confirmed the club’s interest in Germany striker Lukas Podolski, but admits they would have to offload Klaas Jan Huntelaar to finance the move.
The Serie A outfit are in search of a versatile forward and have pinpointed Podolski as their no.1 target.
But Galliani said: “Podolski will arrive only if one condition is met and that is the transfer of Huntelaar to the Premier League, which would then open a few paths from a financial standpoint.”
Tottenham and Aston Villa are among the clubs reportedly interested in the Dutchman.
Lennon keen on Uruguay’s Juarez
Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes he is close to making Mexico midfielder Efrain Juarez his latest summer signing. The Hoops boss is confident of landing the 22-year-old, who started three games at the World Cup.
And Lennon hopes he could even make his Celtic debut against Manchester United while on their pre-season tour of North America.
He said: “We are very close to signing him and hopefully over the next few days we’ll have something on that. He might not come to Philly but hopefully he’ll come to Toronto.
“I saw Juarez playing against England at Wembley. We watched him again and again and asked if he would fit in to what we wanted to do here... we’re not paying massive money for him.”
Gattuso wants more playing time
Gennaro Gattuso, 32, is hoping he will have a prominent role at Milan under new coach Massimiliano Allegri.
The midfielder is under contract until June 2012 but will consider a transfer if he does not receive an increase in playing time.
“Gattuso is a gladiator and always wants to win,” said Gattuso’s agent Andrea D’Amico.
“Last year was a difficult one for him because of a serious injury and he had to start over. Considering that last season he started on the bench, he wants to understand what his role will be in Milan’s new project.
“Once he knows, he will make a decision.”
No Gunners bid for Zapata – agent
Arsenal have not yet made an offer for Udinese defender Cristian Zapata.
The Colombia international is a reported target of the Gunners and is under contract with the Serie A outfit until June 2012.
“It’s nice to hear that Arsenal are interested in the player,” said Zapata’s agent Massimo Italiani.
“For several years now, he has been linked to prestigious clubs and that means that he is doing things well. Several Italian clubs are also interested in Zapata but for the time being, I have not received any offers from Italy or England.”
The 23-year-old joined Udinese in 2005 from Deportivo Cali.
Frey not for sale – Fiorentina
Fiorentina have no intention of letting Sebastien Frey leave the club this summer despite the arrival of Artur Boruc. The signing of Polish goalkeeper Boruc from Celtic earlier this week has increased speculation that Frey could be on his way out.
But Fiorentina club administrator Sandro Mencucci said: “The arrival of Boruc doesn’t change anything.
“Sebastien is not for sale and Fiorentina does not wish to see him leave.”
Frey has been the Viola’s number one since 2006 and is under contract at the club for another three seasons. The 30-year-old Frenchman was a reported target of Arsenal earlier this year.
Scholes could play beyond 2011
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has indicated he could prolong his career beyond 2011. It was widely expected that the 35-year-old would retire at the end of the next campaign.
He secured a one-year extension to his deal at the end of last season, when United lost their Premier League crown to Chelsea.
Scholes, who has made 643 appearances for United, is uncertain as to how his club future will pan out.
“I do not know if it will be my last season,” he said.
“I will just take every game as it comes. If I am feeling okay and doing the job that the manager wants me to do then we will see how things are at the end of next season. Hopefully next season will be another good one for me.”