Guangzhou Evergrande manager Luiz Felipe Scolari believes midfielder Paulinho’s proposed move to Barcelona is unlikely to happen as the Chinese Super League’s transfer regulations make it too expensive to find a replacement.
The Brazilian’s form for the six-time Chinese champions has been impressive since signing for the club two-and-a-half years ago and the 28-year-old admitted last week that the Catalan club had expressed an interest in taking him to Spain.
“His release clause is €40m and none of the Chinese clubs will let their key players go because it would be difficult and expensive to find a replacement due to the new rules,” the Brazilian coach told reporters.
Donnarumma to meet Milan officials
Gianluigi Donnarumma will hold talks with Milan about his future after the Euro U-21 Championship, his agent Mino Raiola said.
On Sunday, the 18-year-old goalkeeper posted on Instagram that he would discuss a new contract with Milan after the Euro Championship. He then deleted his entire Instagram account an hour later, claiming he had been “hacked,” but maintained his Twitter account.
His agent Raiola then confirmed the news.
“‘Tweets’ between me and Gigi are tweets of friendship. After Euros we’ll meet Milan. Now Italy U-21 is important.”
Balotelli to stay on at Nice
Striker Mario Balotelli has signed a one-year contract extension with Nice, the French club said on Sunday.
The Italy international moved to France from Liverpool on a free transfer last August after the Premier League club’s manager Juergen Klopp confirmed he had no future at Anfield.
“Mario Balotelli will continue with OGC Nice in 2017/18. The Italian signed his contract on Sunday evening,” Nice said.
Balotelli joined Liverpool from Milan in 2014 but never fulfilled his potential.
Rooney urged to move to China
Wayne Rooney should consider a move to China if he decides to leave Manchester United this summer, according to Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Rooney is yet to announce where he will play next season after saying in May he had “more or less” come to a decision.
“I haven’t spoken to Rooney for a long time, so I don’t know what he is thinking, but if he went to China I think he would have a positive experience,” Eriksson said.
“He has a young family but there are international schools in the big cities and I know for sure he would have every help possible to make him settle. He would be made very welcome.”
Ronaldo pondering on future
Lille director of football Luis Campos says Cristiano Ronaldo has told him he is “taking some time to think” over whether he should remain at Real Madrid due to his “sadness” at being accused of tax fraud by the Spanish authorities.
However, Campos expects the Portugal international to remain with Madrid.
Campos, who is close to Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes, was asked if PSG have a chance to taking advantage of the situation and replied: “I do not know.
“Cristiano has told me that he needs some days to think. That is normal. The situation with Real Madrid in these moments is a bit tense, which is normal too, but Cristiano will have time to make the right decision, I am sure about that.”
Mourinho’s father passes away
Jose Mourinho’s father, former Portugal goalkeeper Jose Manuel Mourinho Felix, has died at the age of 79.
Manchester United manager Mourinho posted a black and white picture of him as a child with his father without making any comment on his Instagram account on Sunday.
Portuguese club Vitoria Setubal, who Mourinho Felix played for and managed during his career, confirmed the news on their website and said that his funeral will take place this morning.
The statement read: “Vitoria FC regrets to announce the death of its former player, coach and director Jose Manuel Mourinho Felix and expresses its solidarity and deepest condolences to the bereaved family.”