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Barcelona vice-president Josep Bartomeu says the club are ready to make a move for Neymar once Brazilian is ready to leave Santos.

Neymar is continually being linked with a move to Europe, but has repeatedly insisted that he is in no rush to leave his native country before World Cup 2014 in his homeland.

Nevertheless, Barca continue to monitor Neymar's situation, and are ready to pounce when the 21-year-old decides to leave Santos.

"Neymar has to step up first and say that he's ready to leave Santos. When that happens, Barca will be ready to try and sign him, because the technical staff want him," Bartomeu told La Porteria.

Argentine great Diego Maradona has returned to Italy in a bid to clear his name in a tax evasion case.

The former Napoli star has allegedly racked up a debt of 40 million euros, after failing to pay taxes between 1984 and 1991.

During that period the World Cup winner helped Napoli win two Serie A titles - the only silverware they have ever won in the league.

Dozens of supporters sang songs to welcome Maradona back, nearly 20 years after he played for the club.

The Manchester United supporters' trust say opposition to the club's owners is still strong eight years after they took over.

The Glazer family did not receive a warm welcome when they used leveraged debt to acquire the English Premier League giants in 2005.

And their decision to float United's shares on the New York stock exchange in August did little to increase their popularity.

The move was perceived as an attempt by the Glazers to improve their personal position rather than further the club's football interests.

Former Bayern Munich defender Robert Kovac said striker Mario Mandzukic is developing into one of the most promising attackers in Europe.

The Croatia international has netted 15 times for Bayern in the Bundesliga this season and Kovac, a former team-mate of Mandzukic, conceded the forward has exceeded his personal expectations.

The veteran centre-back told TZ Online: "Before the season started I had classed him as a reserve player, but his hard work is paying off and he has taken the league by storm.

"I'm very familiar with Mario. We played together at Dinamo Zagreb and he has really made a huge step forward and changed very much in contrast to his early career." 

Andre Villas-Boas has backed Gareth Bale to be voted Player of the Year after a stunning late winner in Tottenham's 3-2 victory at West Ham.

Bale's 30-yard strike in the 90th minute at Upton Park took his tally for the season to 15 Premier League goals and moved the north London club up to third on the table, as they challenge for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.

Villas-Boas hailed Bale's recent displays - he has scored eight goals in his past six appearances for Spurs - and backed the Welshman to be named the league's best player at the end-of-season awards.

"I think he is," Villas-Boas said when asked if Bale was the leading candidate for the accolade. 

Marko Jesic has been recalled to the Newcastle Jets squad for their crucial A-League clash away to the Wellington Phoenix on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Young Socceroo has been named in a 16-man squad in place of in-form forward Ryan Griffiths, who did not travel to New Zealand on Monday afternoon due to personal reasons.

Jesic has been with the Jets since 2008 and made a spectacular debut with the winning goal in a 1-0 win over the Melbourne Victory.

He also formed a very productive partnership with former English international Francis Jeffers for the Jets under the guidance of coach Branko Culina two seasons ago.

Odd: 1.80

A pulsating encounter saw both sides draw 1-1 in the first leg of the semi-final tie, though the Blaugrana's away goal means they hold a slender advantage ahead of Tuesday night.