Tevez reveals Real rejection

Carlos Tevez has revealed he rejected the chance to join former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

The Argentina striker also confirmed that Chelsea and Liverpool had made inquiries about securing his services. Instead Tevez opted for a move to Manchester City after his extended loan deal at United ended, signing a lucrative five-year deal at Eastlands.

"Real made an offer but there was no agreement," Tevez told the Nation newspaper during a promotional visit to Abu Dhabi with his new club.

He added: "There were talks about deals and agreements but in the end it was only City. They showed lots of interest in me and are intent on growing and signing big players.

"I am sad to leave United but I am excited to join City. I'm thinking about the future and I will grow with this club."

Meanwhile manager Mark Hughes is continuing his pursuit of Emmanuel Adebayor and John Terry. Hughes remains determined to land the two men even though there are suggestions that Adebayor is not keen to leave Arsenal for Eastlands while Chelsea are adamant Terry is not for sale. Adebayor knows as well that there is stiff competition for places in attack at City following the arrivals of Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz with Craig Bellamy also on board.

Terry is Chelsea's defensive rock but Hughes believes the England international is ready for a new challenge.

"We do need new players," Hughes told the Gulf News. "We are still in discussions (over Adebayor) and the talks will continue.

"We have got attacking-minded players but we are looking to bring other players to the club before the transfer window closes.

"We are also looking to strengthen the defence. Every transfer deal is difficult and has different problems. There are areas which we need to address but we are happy with our progress."

Young going nowhere - O'Neill

Manager Martin O'Neill insists the £12million arrival of Stewart Downing at Aston Villa does not spell the end of Ashley Young's time at the club.

With the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and even Real Madrid said to be interested in the former Watford man, speculation has been rife that Young could be on his way from Villa Park.

The signing of Downing only adds more fuel to the fire, but O'Neill insisted on Thursday: "There have been a lot of stories about Ashley - and that's what they are - stories."

Pardew marches into Saints

Southampton have named former Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Pardew as their new manager.

The 47-year-old, who left The Valley in November following an eight-game winless run, has signed a three-year deal at St Mary's.

Saints will kick off the new season in League One with a 10-point penalty, having been relegated and fallen into administration last term.

The south coast club were on the brink of going out of business over the summer until Swiss businessman Markus Liebherr completed his takeover last week.

Liebherr's first action was to sack Dutchman Mark Wotte as first-team coach and he has now turned to Pardew, who has achieved promotions with Reading and West Ham and also took the Hammers to the 2006 FA Cup final.

Liebherr said: "We are delighted to have been able to attract Alan to St Mary's from a very strong field of candidates we identified and who expressed an interest in joining us.

"Alan has a strong track record and impressed us with his vision, commitment and ambition."

Pardew is expected be in the stands when Southampton host Ajax in their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday.

Injury won't halt Villa bid for Downing

Aston Villa were holding talks with England winger Stewart Downing last night after agreeing a £12million fee with Middlesbrough.

The 24-year-old arrived at Villa's training ground on crutches as he took a break from his rehabilitation from foot surgery to discuss personal terms with manager Martin O'Neill.

His pending arrival will spark fresh speculation Ashley Young could be leaving. Downing's injury, suffered in a clash with Villa's Stiliyan Petrov in the penultimate game of last season, means he is unlikely to play again until October and may be out for some time longer.ut O'Neill has made his move in the hope of avoiding a bidding war in January when other clubs might have been prepared to do business once he had proved his fitness.

Sunderland step up Crouch pursuit

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is keen to begin talks with Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch over a possible move to the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats have been in discussions with Pompey for several weeks about the £12million-rated frontman but have yet to agree a fee. Sunderland are in a hurry amid speculation Fulham, who accepted a £5m bid from Hull for Bobby Zamora yesterday, are ready to swoop for the England striker.

Bruce said: 'He is a player I have admired for a very long time, and I suppose a lot of other managers do exactly the same thing.

'We hope we can try to put something together because he would be the type of player, of course, that would signal our intention of the way we want to take the football club forward.'

Asked if a fee had been agreed, Bruce replied: 'I know discussions at high levels were going on late last night, so we will see, and I will be able to tell you more in the next 24 hours.'

Fulham are tipped to turn to Crouch after agreeing to offload Zamora just 12 months after signing the 28-year-old from West Ham. Any deal could take some time, with Zamora currently on the club's pre-season tour of Australia.

Chelsea warn City off priceless Terry

Chelsea have warned Manchester City no amount of money will be enough to prise away John Terry.

City manager Mark Hughes has gone public with his desire to tempt Terry to become the Eastlands club's latest big-name signing. However, at an event to announce a new three-year deal with kit sponsors Samsung, chief executive Peter Kenyon was adamant Chelsea have no plans to sell the England skipper.

'He is not for sale at any price,' Kenyon told Sky News. 'John's going to remain with us. He is our talisman, the heart of Chelsea. It is irrelevant what another club will offer.'

Hughes, who looks set to complete the £25million signing of Emmanuel Adebayor today after the Arsenal striker was granted a work permit, had been encouraged by the failure of Terry to publicly dismiss the idea of leaving Stamford Bridge. But there was encouragement for Chelsea fans on that front when the defender stood alongside new coach Carlo Ancelotti to mark the contract with Samsung.

Terry's appearance to publicise the deal - believed to be worth more than the £11m-a-year agreement in place for the past five years - could suggest he remains committed to the club.

Kenyon also dismissed as 'mad speculation' reports he himself feels marginalised and may leave Chelsea, with City a possible destination.

Meanwhile, Uefa has reduced the European bans given to Blues striker Didier Drogba and defender Jose Bosingwa for their conduct following Chelsea's Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona in May.

European football's governing body has reduced both players' suspension by one game on appeal.

Fergie snubs forced me to move on, insists Tevez

Carlos Tevez has accused Sir Alex Ferguson of not showing him enough love at Manchester United.

Tevez yesterday became one of the few players to cross the Manchester divide, joining City immediately after quitting United in a five-year deal worth around £170,000 a week.

Ferguson claimed Tevez had a deal in place last January and that the Argentina striker refused to return phone messages.

But Tevez says it was the United boss who snubbed him, triggering the disenchantment that made him leave. 'I felt Sir Alex Ferguson and [chief executive] David Gill did not do enough to try to keep me,' said the 25-year-old.

'I was at Manchester United for two years. I never got a call or a text message from Sir Alex Ferguson.

'The only time he spoke to me was after the Champions League final in Rome when I was going back to Argentina. I don't think this is the way to treat a player who is at a club for two years. There was no line of communication.'

Tevez was unhappy at his lack of first-team action at United so he must have supreme confidence in his own ability as City will have ten strikers in their squad if Emmanuel Adebayor joins from Arsenal for £25million.

It is estimated City have paid £25.5m to buy Tevez, gaining his registration from the investors who owned his 'economic rights'. 'To bring one of the top strikers in world football to the club is fantastic,' added City boss Mark Hughes.

Tevez will join his new team-mates on their three-match tour of South Africa when they leave today.

City open their Premier League campaign at Blackburn on August 15, while Tevez returns to Old Trafford with his new club on September 20.

No Newcastle return for Kinnear

Joe Kinnear will not return to Newcastle as the club's new manager, sources at the club said today.

A report claimed the 62-year-old has been asked to take charge at St James' Park for the second time as Mike Ashley struggles to offload the club he put up for sale days after relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship was confirmed.

However, sources at Tyneside have insisted that is not the case and efforts to secure a deal with prospective buyers, who will then appoint their own manager, are ongoing.

Fans' favourite Alan Shearer remains at the end of a telephone line just waiting for a call after making his position on the vacancy clear.

However, Ashley, who held talks with the 38-year-old before deciding to sell the club, has his hands tied with those consortia leading the race to buy him out insisting it is they who will make any appointment.

In the meantime, coach Chris Hughton is acting as caretaker for the third time in less than a year with assistance from Colin Calderwood.

Kinnear arrived on Tyneside last September in the wake of Kevin Keegan's departure, much to the astonishment of the football world, and presided over a difficult period in the club's turbulent recent history.

The Magpies won four of the 20 games for which he was in charge before he succumbed to heart problems once again hours before a 3-2 Barclays Premier League victory at West Brom.

Kinnear needed further surgery, which ruled him out for the rest of the season, and Newcastle won just once more in their final 13 league fixtures, the last eight of them under Shearer.

Despite today's denial, there is a growing realisation within the Tyneside hierarchy that, if a sale does not go through soon, they will have to do something on the managerial front, and that could only be on a temporary basis.

The start of the new season is a little more than three weeks away - the Magpies travel to West Brom on August 8 - and the process of re-shaping the squad is yet to get under way.

Several players have already registered their displeasure with the lack of progress off the field, and some have indicated privately that their patience is wearing thin.

Should Ashley decide he has to appoint a short-term boss, Kinnear is at least available and has indicated he is keen to return to work.

However, he was the man who presided over the January departures of Shay Given and Charles N'Zogbia and the one who, after being linked with a series of big-money signings, recruited Kevin Nolan, Ryan Taylor and Peter Lovenkrands.

City close in on Adebayor and Terry after Tevez finally completes his United switch

Carlos Tevez completed his £25.5million move to Manchester City yesterday and looks set to be joined at Eastlands by further star names.

As Tevez was being unveiled, Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor was having a medical.

And if a work permit is granted for the Togo forward he could be on today's flight to South Africa for City's three-match tour along with a growing number of top players.

If that was not enough, manager Mark Hughes has not given up on signing England captain John Terry and the defender's future is likely to be resolved before Chelsea leave tomorrow for a tour of the United States.

'I have had fantastic respect for John Terry since I saw him as a young player when I was at Chelsea,' said Hughes.

'He's a great player and an outstanding captain. Any manager would covet a player like that. But we have to respect he plays for Chelsea.'

Adebayor's days at Arsenal appear numbered, even though City remained silent on the prospect of a £25m transfer being speeded through.

'There has been discussions between ourselves and Arsenal,' Hughes confirmed.

'Yes, there has been contact and possibly there is a deal to be done.'

Villa agree £12million fee for Downing

Middlesbrough and Aston Villa have agreed a fee of around £12million for England winger Stewart Downing.

Metro understands the two clubs have struck a deal which could see the 24-year-old midfielder leave his home-town club for the midlands.
Downing is currently recovering from foot surgery which is likely to sideline him until October at the earliest, but has been promised by chairman Steve Gibson that he can leave if a big club comes in at the right price.

Beckham: I may come back to Premier League

David Beckham would consider a return to the Barclays Premier League - despite having said he would never play for an English side other than Manchester United.

The 34-year-old was speaking in California where he has returned to link up with the Los Angeles Galaxy after a spell in Serie A playing for AC Milan.

Beckham is desperate to play in next year's World Cup and admitted he would ponder a move back to his homeland if it would increase his chances, saying: "I would definitely consider it."

He added: "Never say never. When I left United, I said I would never want to play for another English club.

"My heart was in Manchester - and I couldn't see myself wearing another shirt in the Premiership and playing against United. Now I wouldn't rule it out."

More likely is a return to Milan, where he impressed then coach Carlo Ancelotti, now with Chelsea, with his fitness and professionalism.

"Obviously Milan expressed that they want me to go back, so I don't see any reason why that would change," he said.

"We'll have to wait and see. I hope to be going back there."

Meanwhile, Beckham has been making peace with Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan, who recently questioned the midfielder's commitment.

Beckham had a meeting with Donovan and manager Bruce Arena on his return and said: "I'm not going to talk about what was said. That was between me, Landon and the manager but we had a good talk."

Spurs set for shock swoop for ex-Arsenal captain Vieira

Tottenham fans may have to brace themselves for the sight of a former Arsenal skipper playing in their colours next season after boss Harry Redknapp made Patrick Vieira his number one transfer target.

The French midfielder could move to White Hart Lane on a free transfer from Inter Milan – on the proviso that he takes a huge salary cut. The Daily Mail reports that Spurs boss Redknapp has given the green light to opening discussions with the ex-Gunner, with a one-year contract up for grabs.zBut 33-year-old Vieira may have to accept a pay-as-you-play deal and accept wages of about £35,000-a-week to make the deal happen.

This is not about money, this is about a chance to play

Vieira has struggled with injuries during his time in Italy but is said to be desperate for a fresh start and a return to England – even if it is with his former club's arch-rivals.

'This is not about money, this is about a chance to play,' a friend of Vieira's told the newspaper. 'He has great memories of his time in London at Arsenal but that is in the past. The deal is not completed but he has an open mind. He is not afraid of the challenge from Spurs.'

Vieira was previously linked with a move to Premier League newcomers Birmingham City, but that switch has seemingly broken down.

United not interested in Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o's hopes of a big-money move to the Premier League appear to be dwindling.

After Manchester City publicly ended their attempts to sign the Barcelona forward on a massive contract last Friday, neighbours United have now distanced themselves from offering Eto'o an exit from the Nou Camp as well.

MORE: Manchester United transfer news and speculation

It had been suggested the Red Devils were ready to offer Eto'o wages in the region of £150,000-a-week to bolster their striking options, memories still fresh of his opening goal against them in last season's Champions League final.

However, while there will be no public statement on the speculation from Old Trafford, senior figures at United have distanced themselves from such talk.

Thoughts of a bid for the Cameroon star have already been rejected, with Sir Alex Ferguson happy to look elsewhere if, as is believed, he wants further attacking options despite the shock capture of Michael Owen, who will be officially unveiled tomorrow.

It leaves Eto'o in a quandary given City made it perfectly clear on Friday their announcement was not a game of brinkmanship aimed at securing the marquee signing they are known to be keen on.

In demanding half an estimated £18million transfer fee City had agreed to pay Barcelona, Eto'o said he would remain in Catalonia for the final year of his contract before leaving for nothing.

Without a further intervention, the 28-year-old looks likely to do just that.

Not that such a scenario sits easily with Barcelona, who are keen to complete a deal with Valencia for David Villa but are seeking to offload Eto'o first.

Ironically, Villa's insistence on remaining in Spain, rather than join Chelsea as John Terry believed was probable in the spring is one of the reasons given for the England skipper's willingness to, at the very least, talk to the Eastlands outfit, who are due to leave for South Africa on Wednesday, 24 hours before United head to the Far East for a four-match tour.

City hope to seal Tevez deal

Manchester City are hopeful of clinching the signature of Carlos Tevez before they head off for a three-match tour of South Africa on Wednesday.

Tevez has been tipped to land at Eastlands since informing Manchester United he would not be making his 'lease' deal permanent.

MORE: Manchester City transfer news and speculation

The South American's subsequent stinging attack on Sir Alex Ferguson has not endeared him to the Red Devils faithful, nor former United striker and current academy director Brian McClair, who branded Tevez 'disrespectful' for claiming he should have started the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in May.

However, his stock will have risen among the Blues support, who will have noticed how effective Tevez's all-action style can be. City officials have always been quietly confident of getting their man.

Aware of the complexities surrounding the Argentina star - who would have to join the Blues under normal contract conditions, rather than the third-party status that caused such controversy when it was unearthed at West Ham - City have been reluctant to appear too bullish.

Yet, if talk of a medical, which would have to take place tomorrow when the player returns from holiday, proves to be accurate ahead of a departure for South Africa, Tevez could then join fellow new recruits Gareth Barry and Roque Santa Cruz.

City are also monitoring John Terry's situation with interest as the Chelsea skipper continues to give the impression of wanting to talk with the Blues hierarchy.

Terry is said to have had a meeting with Roman Abramovich this weekend and is bound to have raised concerns about the failure to land any of the big-name targets that were put to him as possible signings last spring.

Fearing another season without either the Premier League or Champions League trophies despite the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti, Terry's head is sure to have been turned to some extent by the offer of a massive salary, said to be way beyond his current £135,000-a-week deal.

It is claimed City are ready with a third bid for the 28-year-old, which may just be enough to trigger a formal transfer request.

Real ready to give up on Alonso deal

Real Madrid are not giving up the chase for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso - but coach Manuel Pellegrini admits it will be hard to thrash out a deal for the Spain international.

Despite the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol this summer Real are now looking to strengthen their midfield with Reds star Alonso top of their wish-list.

However Madrid are not finding it straightforward to cut a deal with the Anfield club and admit they are some way short of Liverpool's £35million valuation of the player. 'It's not a mystery Real Madrid are interested in signing him [Alonso] but it won't be easy,' said Pellegrini.

'We are looking at alternatives for some positions.

'The attack is complete and perhaps a central midfielder or full-back is still missing but the rest of the positions are covered.' Meanwhile Brazil playmaker Kaka insists he and Ronaldo were worth every penny of the huge £130m Real forked out jointly for them.

Kaka insisted: '[The reason] Madrid have decided to pay so much money for us is because we are worth it, isn't it? Because we've shown it with our football over the last few years.

'We are in a sport which pays these kinds of figures and within this sphere it could be that we are worth this investment.

'In the case of Cristiano Ronaldo he has shown he's No.1 and that he's worth this money.'

Ronaldo deal sealed

Real Madrid and Manchester United have finalised an agreement for the £80million transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish club.

United confirmed earlier this month they had accepted a world-record £80million bid from the Primera Division side.

A statement on Madrid's website, www.realmadrid.com, on Friday evening read: "Real Madrid and Manchester United have signed a final agreement for the transfer of the rights of Cristiano Ronaldo from July 1. The player will be tied to Real Madrid for the next six seasons and will be presented on July 6 at the Santiago Bernabeu."
The Portugal superstar came close to joining Madrid last summer before Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to stay at Old Trafford.

But Ramon Calderon, who was president of Madrid at the time, claimed this month a "gentleman's agreement" existed over the signing before he left the Spanish giants in January.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo becomes the latest signing in Florentino Perez's Madrid revolution.

Perez, who was responsible for bringing the likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Luis Figo to the Bernabeu in his first stint as president, has already taken Brazil star Kaka from AC Milan and Spain international Raul Albiol from Valencia.

England in final after shoot-out win

Stuart Pearce ended England's semi-final spot-kick hoodoo as his under-21s defeated Sweden 5-4 on penalties after extra-time - following a 3-3 draw - to reach the European Under-21 Championship final.

Pearce lost at the last-four stage twice as a player and as a coach two years ago - but it looked like his youngsters would cruise to victory in Gothenburg after leading at half-time through Martin Cranie, Nedum Onuoha and Mattias Bjarsmyr's own goal.

The Swedes then staged a stunning revival at Gamla Ullevi and levelled through two goals from Marcus Berg and another from Ola Toivonen before Fraizer Campbell was sent off for England in extra-time.
Goalkeeper Joe Hart was booked to rule him out of the final but also scored one and saved one, sending England through.

It was James Milner who took the corner that saw England lead after just 53 seconds. Micah Richards jumped for the ball initially but it found its way to Cranie, who took a touch with his chest before volleying home with the help of Gabriel Agbonlahor jumping over the ball in front of Sweden goalkeeper Johan Dahlin.

While Bjarsmyr was being treated off the field, England grabbed the second. It was a Milner corner again, with Onuoha this time allowed to take a touch close to the six-yard area, turn Rasmus Bengtsson and fire into the bottom corner.

It got worse for Bjarsmyr before the break when he tried to clear Lee Cattermole's header from Theo Walcott's cross but sliced into his own net.

The Swedes eventually forced their way into the game and Berg gave Sweden a glimmer of hope with 22 minutes remaining when he turned in Guillermo Molins' cross.

Jack Rodwell came on for Mark Noble to shore up the midfield, but Toivonen found the net from a free-kick to give the Swedes real hope, then the equaliser came with nine minutes left. Molins crossed from the right again, Rasmus Elm flicked backwards at the far post, with Berg applying the final touch.

Campbell received his second booking of the match during extra-time when he challenged with Mikael Lustig, and he had stormed off the pitch even before the red card had been shown.

Liverpool star Gerrard: I could retire in four years

Steven Gerrard has said he could retire from football in four years time when his Anfield contract expires.

The Liverpool captain's contract runs out in 2013 and he admits will be tempted to call it a day and complete his career as a one-club man. Gerrard also revealed how close he came to joining Chelsea in 2005.

I will be 33 at the end of my contract in 2013 and I don't know if I will go any further,' Gerrard told France Football.

'If I do retire, then I will know that from the start to the end of my career I only had one club. And I don't want to think about wearing any other shirt in the future.

'I was close to leaving in the past, maybe twice, most notably in 2005. That year we (Liverpool) were a long way off the Premier League title and Chelsea's interest turned my head.

'It was a difficult moment for me. However, now when I look back I am very happy that I chose to stay here. It has given me real pride.'

Shearer could be Newcastle boss in days

Alan Shearer could be installed as Newcastle manager before a takeover is completed.

Managing director Derek Llambias has revealed that the 38-year-old could be appointed within days provided that the groups currently engaged in the bidding process for the club all agree they want him as boss.

Interested parties who have proved they have the finance to push a deal through will be able to study the club's books from tomorrow, when an on-line 'data room' opens.
Although a successful buy-out could then still be some weeks away as they carry out due diligence, Shearer could be put in place to belatedly start the business of preparing for the new season.

Llambias told the Journal: 'There could be some movement regarding Alan Shearer at the end of this week or early next week.

'The data room will be open on Wednesday, which will allow the groups who have proved they have the money to buy the club to look at the books.

'Nobody has been able to do that yet because the data room hasn't been opened.

'We will not be making any decision on Alan as manager - that is not up to us, that is down to the groups who are buying the club.

'If they want to appoint him, then it's up to them. We will speak to them about it. If they do want Alan, then something could be done in the next few days.

'That's where we are at this stage and everything is ongoing.

New contract for Torres

Liverpool have rewarded Fernando Torres with a new contract that will keep him at Anfield until at least 2013.

Although the Spain striker still had four years remaining on his original six-year contract, Liverpool have offered him improved terms and added an option to take the deal through to 2014.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "Fernando is one of the best strikers in the game today and, at his age, can only get better." He added: "Every major side would want him in their team, but he has shown how much he wants to achieve success at Liverpool by committing his future to the club.

"He's a special talent but still has the hunger to improve his game."

Benitez is looking to secure the futures of his key players after watching them push Manchester United all the way in the title race this season before settling for second place.

Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard and Benitez himself have already signed new contracts in the last two months.

"We've made huge progress this season and now we need to take the next step," Benitez added on the club's website.

"We are building something special here and securing such important players on long-term deals means we can move forward with confidence. This sends out a very positive message to everyone connected with the club."