De Laurentiis confirms Chelsea Cavani talks Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis expects negotiations over the sale of Edinson Cavani to Chelsea to begin imminently.
Uruguayan striker Cavani has been linked with a move to the London club as new manager Jose Mourinho looks to strengthen his side after taking over for a second spell in charge.
The UEFA Europa League winners will need to activate a 53 million-pound release clause to bring the 26-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
However, that does not appear to be a stumbling block for Mourinho, with De Laurentiis stating that he is anticipating an approach from the Premier League club.
Category: News Views: 1047 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 15:59
Reading sign Bridge Reading have completed the signing of former Manchester City and Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge on a free transfer.
The 32-year-old joins the Madejski Stadium outfit on a one-year contract following a season-long loan spell with Brighton and Hove Albion after he fell out of favour at the Etihad Stadium.
Bridge missed out on promotion to the Premier League with Gus Poyet's side, as they were eliminated from the Championship play-offs at the semi-final stage by Crystal Palace.
However, Bridge is hopeful of being able to help Nigel Adkins' side back to the top flight following their relegation last season.
Category: News Views: 1005 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 15:57
Damiao in doubt for Confederations Cup The 23-year-old injured his right thigh in training on Thursday and will miss Brazil's friendly against France on Sunday.
Tests are now required to determine if the Internacional forward can participate in the Confederations Cup, which begins with a match against Japan on June 15.
Atletico Mineiro forward Jo has been drafted in as cover for the France friendly.
Damiao will remain with the squad until the extent of his injury has been determined.
Category: News Views: 977 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 15:55
Abidal courts Monaco, PSG Former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal says he would be happy to end his career at Monaco, but could yet join Paris Saint-Germain.
The 33-year-old is a free agent after Barca decided against extending his contract at Camp Nou, prompting the former France international to look elsewhere in a bid to prolong his playing days after battling his way back from cancer and a liver transplant.
Speaking to RMC Sport, Abidal discussed several potential destinations, and spoke of his desire to finish his professional career with the club where it all began in 2000.
"I want to continue playing, but I do not know where. I certainly have some options but nothing concrete," he said.
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Category: News Views: 1075 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 15:53
Puyol cools Neymar hype Carles Puyol has warned Neymar he will need to adapt quickly to European football at Barcelona.
Brazil international Neymar was presented as the latest star of the Camp Nou side on Monday following a transfer totalling 57 million euros, but club captain Puyol has stressed that playing in La Liga will be a tough proposition for the 21-year-old.
"Let's see how he plays in Europe, because it is very different, but a pro adapts to any situation," Puyol told reporters in New York.
The Brazilian's arrival casts further doubt over the future of veteran Spain forward David Villa at the Liga champions.
With Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis Sanchez expected to stay, Puyol a
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Category: News Views: 999 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 15:51
Montillo set to replace injured Messi Alejandro Sabella says Walter Montillo is in line to replace injury-doubt Lionel Messi for Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Colombia.
Argentina can secure their place at World Cup 2014 in Brazil with a win at River Plate's Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires on Friday.
Argentina coach Sabella has one major fitness concern in the form of Messi, who was called up to the national side despite struggling with a hamstring problem since April.
And the 25-year-old was a notable absentee for the final training session before the Colombia clash.
"If Messi can't play, the alternative is Walter Montillo," the Argentina coach told reporters at a press confer
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Category: News Views: 1057 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 15:49
World Cup - Qualifying: Latvia Vs Bosnia and Herzegovina - Betting Tip Latvia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – After many exhibition matches finally arrived this Friday when on the program is the new round of European qualification for the World Championship in Brazil, and we will begin our analysis with a match in Group G, where the leading Bosnia and Herzegovina will play as a guest with the fifth-placed Latvia. This information is quite sufficient to explain, who is the favourite in this match, especially when we know that the Bosnians won Latvia late last year at home with high 4-1. Begins: 07.06.2013 – 18:30 CET
Latvia
Apart from that defeat, the Latvians had experienced at the start of the qualifications the same fate a
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Category: Betting Tips Views: 1934 Added: BetterDate: 07.06.2013 - 13:32
World Cup - Qualifying: Scotland Vs Croatia - Betting Tip SCOTLAND return to action on Friday night, in the first of four remaining World Cup qualifiers. The national side take on Croatia in Zagreb, hoping to give the Tartan Army something to cheer about, or at least to maintain some respectability in Group A.
Scotland v Croatia
Friday 7 June
Venue: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb
Kick-off: 7:15pm
TV coverage: BBC Two Scotland, from 7pm
Much of the build-up has been dominated by the fighting talk from the Croatia ca
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Category: Betting Tips Views: 1598 Added: BetterDate: 07.06.2013 - 13:25
FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Bolivia - Venezuela Venezuela's dreams of reaching the 2014 World Cup remain intact but they will need a win over Bolivia to keep up the pressure on Chile.
Cesar Farias' side currently occupy fifth place in the CONMEBOL group, trailing Chile in the fourth and final automatic qualification spot by virtue of goal difference with five games remaining.
And, though securing a place in the top five will see Venezuela reach the play-offs, they will be keen to avoid that lottery by grabbing fourth spot.
If they are to do so they will desperately need to rediscover their form. They have won just twice in their la
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Category: News Views: 1052 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 01:16
FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Central African Republic - South Africa South Africa will look to extend their unbeaten run when they meet Central African Republic on Saturday.
Gordon Igesund's men have avoided defeat over 90 minutes in their last seven outings, though they exited the Africa Cup of Nations at the hands of Mali on penalties during that time.
Despite that good run, the 2010 World Cup hosts have not had things all their own way as they bid to qualify for the 2014 tournament via CAF qualification round two Group A.
They currently sit in second place, two points adrift of leaders Ethopia, having won one game and drawn the other two.
Category: News Views: 850 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 01:14
FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Morocco - Tanzania Tanzania could end Morocco’s World Cup qualification hopes when the sides meet on Saturday.
Kim Poulsen’s men currently occupy second place in CAF qualifying round two Group C, four points ahead of their north African opponents in third, and are looking to carve out a potentially decisive advantage.
These teams last met in the the most recent round of qualification fixtures in March, with Tanzania running out 3-1 winners at home.
They had beaten group rock-bottom Gambia and suffered defeat at the hands of the Ivory Coast prior to that, while Morocco could take only draws from both fixtures.
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Category: News Views: 997 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 01:13
Manchester City confirm signing of Fernandinho Manchester City have announced the arrival of Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk on a four-year contract.
The 28-year-old has been a long-term target for City and, despite not having a manager in place, the club have completed a deal reportedly worth in the region of 29 million pounds.
Fernandinho spent eight seasons in Donetsk, winning the league seven times, the UEFA Cup once, and featuring in the UEFA Champions League on a regular basis.
But the Brazilian, who has five caps for his country, says he is now looking forward to a new experience, and described moving to England as a "dream".
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Category: News Views: 842 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 01:11
Bale: I love playing for Villas-Boas Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has talked up manager Andre Villa Boas' role in his recent development.
The 23-year-old scored a career-best 26 goals in 44 appearances for the London club in 2012-13, form which has seen him linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
But Bale, who is under contract with Spurs until 2016, has hinted that he could remain at White Hart Lane by discussing his happiness with life under Villas-Boas.
"He has helped me in all aspects of my game," he told Spurs TV. "In training we have been working on things that I can do in games and in games he has given me the confidence to do what I want and do what I do best, which is a massive thing for a
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Category: News Views: 863 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 01:10
Liverpool hopeful on Sturridge fitness Liverpool hope Daniel Sturridge will be fit for the start of the season after he suffered an ankle injury on international duty last week.
The 23-year-old was stretchered off during England's match against the Republic of Ireland last Wednesday, raising fears he may not be ready for the start of the 2013-14 Premier League campaign.
However, Liverpool have now confirmed they hope he will return in time for August 17.
The striker suffered a high ankle sprain and a full assessment of the damage was postponed until the swelling had subsided.
The diagnosis came after England manager Roy Hodgson had init
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Category: News Views: 774 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 01:07
Mourinho prepared to bench Chelsea stars Jose Mourinho has declared he will pay no attention to reputations when picking his Chelsea team.
The Portuguese parted company with Real Madrid in May amid rumours of widespread discontent in the dressing room after a number of the squad's more experienced members were demoted to the bench.
Mourinho's decision to stick with Diego Lopez in goal after club captain Iker Casillas recovered from injury provoked the ire of players and fans, but the former Porto and Inter manager stressed that he is not afraid of upsetting big name players if he feels it is best for the team.
"I am a coach who looks for a meritocracy," he told Spanish television station Punto Pelota.
Category: News Views: 772 Added: SkyDate: 07.06.2013 - 01:05
