Snak

Arsenal to take Colombia Under-20 star on trial

Premier League giants Arsenal will take Colombia Under-20 midfielder Sebastian Perez on trial in August, according to Atlético Nacional president Juan Carlos de la Cuesta.

Perez, 20, was a member of the Colombia side that won the prestigious Toulon tournament in 2011, before also winning the 2013 South American Youth Championship in January.

Already in his third season as a first-team player, the classy deep-lying playmaker helped his side to an Apertura league title in 2011, before playing an important role as Atlético captured the imagination in the 2012 Copa Libertadores.

Perez was involved in the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey this past month, but was unable to prevent his side tumbling to a shock elimination in the Round of 16 at the hands of Korea Republic.

He did, though, manage to enhance his reputation at the competition, despite Los Cafeteros’ early exit.

While former Atlético teammate Juan Fernando Quintero has gone on to bigger things with Pescara and, now, Porto, Perez has had to bide his time in Colombian football waiting for the right opportunity to emerge.

Now, with Arsenal prepared to hand him the chance to impress, it may be time for him to take his talents into the European game.

Jeg kan se at RoRo fik de første 53 minutter, hvorefter Marvin Chávez kom ind og scorede. Carlo måtte bæres af banen mod USA, men jeg kender ikke til skadens omfang.

kayokay...men det er tre point, godt for moral, og fint de fik svaret igen på Panamas sejr over Mexico....

jeg smed målene ind på den forrige side....



Police hunt killers of beheaded Brazilian referee

Police in rural Brazil have detained one man and were seeking two others after a referee was beheaded by spectators for stabbing a player to death mid-match.

Officer Valter Costa, who was heading the investigation into the June 30 murders, said police have detained Luis Moraes Souza, 27.

Souza is suspected of hitting the referee over the head and smashing a glass bottle on his face, while his brother, Francisco, is among the two still being sought, as reported on ESPN.

The brutal murder was retaliation after the 20-year-old referee, Otavio Jordao da Silva, sent off Josemir Santos Abreu, 31, from an amateur match in the small town of Centro do Meio, in the northern state of Maranhao.

Angered by the expulsion, Abreu threw Silva to the ground but as the referee got up, he pulled a knife and stabbed the player in the chest, Costa said, and Abreu died on the way to the hospital.

The referee was then tied up by spectators, beaten, stoned and quartered, before his head was put on a stake and planted in the middle of the pitch.

Costa said violence was unusual in Centro de Meio, a remote rural community with little crime, and that those involved in the slayings were all from neighbouring towns.

Paulo Storani, a professor and security expert who spent three decades in Rio´s police forces, called the slayings "an isolated incident" and said they don´t reflect on Brazil´s ability to ensure security at during the World Cup.

He said: "It´s something that´s completely out of the ordinary which took place in an isolated area of the poorest state in the country, an area where violence is very widespread.

"While it´s true we are used to soccer violence in Brazil, this is completely off the charts of what we usually see."

Barcelona launch £30m bid for Chelsea´s David Luiz - report

Barcelona have launched a £30 million bid for David Luiz but Chelsea will refuse to sell him at that price, according to the Daily Mail.

The Spanish champions are said to be prepared to increase their offer for the Brazilian defender, who they view as the long-term successor to captain Carles Puyol.

Luiz has become a key player for the Blues since moving to Stamford Bridge from Benfica in January 2011, but it is said to be 50/50 as to whether he will stay or not.

It has been suggested that recently-reappointed boss Jose Mourinho is unsure of the 26-year-old´s defensive capabilities and would be willing to sell him if an acceptable offer is lodged.

The Seleção star is thought to be very happy at Chelsea but would likely leave for Barcelona, where he would be given more freedom to bring the ball out of defence.

The Catalan giants have already recruited ex-Santos star Neymar this transfer window and are also believed to be strongly interested in Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva.

San Lorenzo: Fontanini está muy cerca

BUENOS AIRES -- El defensor Fabricio Fontanini está cada vez más cerca de convertirse en jugador de San Lorenzo, luego de conocerse que la dirigencia de Atlético de Rafaela estaría dispuesta a aceptar la oferta de 5 millones de pesos por el cincuenta por ciento del pase del futbolista.

Los directivos del conjunto santafesino se reunieron esta noche y mañana podrían dar el visto bueno a la operación, por lo que San Lorenzo deberá desembolsar cerca de 5 millones de pesos para comprar la mitad del pase del ex defensor de Rosario Central.

La intención de los directivos de San Lorenzo es que Fontanini se sume antes del fin de semana a los trabajos de pretemporada que el equipo de Juan Antonio Pizzi realiza en Cardales.

Además, en el ciclón son optimistas en relación con la posibilidad de que mañana se resuelvan favorablemente las negociaciones con el delantero uruguayo Martín Cauteruccio y con el defensor sanjuanino Emmanuel Mas, y que ambos firmen de inmediato sus contratos.

Hasta el momento, Pizzi cuenta con el delantero Fernando Elizari, proveniente de Quilmes, y con el arquero Cristian Alvarez con pasado reciente en el Espanyol de Barcelona.

U20 World Cup: Europe-bound Uruguayans help down favourites Spain

Following Uruguay´s success over Nigeria in the Round of 16, we focused on the individual contribution of forward Nicolas Lopez to the side´s success.

However, against Spain on Saturday night there was no room for individual brilliance in attack as a tense affair was ultimately separated by just one goal in extra time. Uruguay were content to allow their opponents more than their fair share of possession, but earned a well-deserved victory based on brilliant defensive organisation and swift, direct attack.

That is not to say, though, that there were no standout performers -- three names in particular topped the billing on this occasion, all of whom are set to arrive on European shores this summer. Inter bound left-midfielder Diego Laxalt offered pace, industry and no shortage of innovation on his flank. Man United-owned Guillermo Varela was a constant cause of frustration to the Spanish attack from his right-back position, while Atletico Madrid´s Jose Gimenez was a mountainous figure in the heart of defence.

Each player, though, will face very different challenges in the season ahead.

Diego Laxalt, 20 years old, Left Midfield, Internazionale

Laxalt may still be very raw but it is clear that the Uruguayan has the potential to be a very good player. His surging runs down the wing were a constant worry to the Spanish side and while he had a tendency to rush his final pass, an improved sense of judgement should come with experience.

Technically, he is strong and he has the ability to beat players in confined spaces, as well as enough speed to simply beat his man in a foot race. Importantly, though, he is dedicated to his defensive duties and was able to offer fullback Gianni Rodriguez excellent protection throughout, much to the frustration of Jese and Javi Manquillo on the Spanish right side.

At Inter, he will likely be earmarked for the left wingback position currently contested by Japanese Yuto Nagatomo and Alvaro Pereira. It is likely that opportunities will be few and far between at first -- assuming that both positional rivals remain -- but it is conceivable that with a few solid performances the club may decide to ship the aging Pereira out.

Laxalt´s task will be one of learning to be more patient in possession and also the positional responsibilities of wing-back play. At 2.8 million euros, though, he looks like an excellent long-term capture.

Guillermo Varela, 19 years old, Right-back, Manchester United

Much was made of Varela´s lack of first-team experience when his transfer to the Red Devils was made official last month, but new manager David Moyes would no doubt have been impressed with his young charge´s performance in helping nullify a much-vaunted Spanish attacking unit.

Up against him for much of the encounter was Barcelona B star Gerard Deulofeu, a player tipped to make an impact at the Camp Nou within the next couple of years. For the vast majority of the encounter, though, Varela was a equal match for all of Deulofeu´s pace and skill. On all bar one occasion he timed his tackles well and was generally well-positioned to repel any threat.

However he does need to work on his attacking game, which is something he should develop at Old Trafford. While he should have been awarded a penalty on one of his forays forward, he has been reluctant to consistently push upfield in the tournament thus far. Another area United will look to work upon is his tackling technique, which can see him rush in to take the ball early. Against better players, it could leave him exposed or liable to pick up cards.

In that respect, the example of Man United´s first-choice right-back Rafael will be invaluable, with the Brazilian having worked on similar aspects of his game while evolving into one of the Premier League´s leading full-backs. Varela will spend the year covering for Rafael and likely playing regularly for the club´s Under-21 side. He looks, though, to be a potentially clever acquisition by the English side.

Jose Gimenez, 18 years old, Centre-back, Atletico Madrid

The rock at the heart of the Uruguayan defence, Spain-bound Gimenez was sensational on Saturday night in denying La Rojita from creating more than a couple of major chances over the 120 minutes. Tall and stocky, Gimenez was everywhere for his side, intercepting passes, cutting out crosses and making several vital blocks.

With a full season of first-team football already under his belt at Danubio, Gimenez is one of the more experienced members of the side at senior level despite his age. His reading of the game shone through against La Roja as he formed a formidable partnership with team captain Gaston Silva to keep Spain´s strikerless side largely in check.

Like his two colleagues, Gimenez earned himself a transfer with impressive showings at the South American Under-20 Championship in January and has continued that form into this competition. He is, though, perhaps the furthest from first-team football in the upcoming season.

In all likelihood, the centre-back will spend at least the next 12 months in Atletico´s B-side, playing in Spain´s Segunda B division. Three of the Spanish side on Saturday night -- Saul, Manquillo and Oliver Torres -- have played at that level over the past year and all have since made strides into the club´s first-team setup. It is a good place to start.

While it is difficult to make too many predictions about any of the three players listed, they are all heading to clubs where it would appear opportunities will be offered to young players. They have all proven to be talented prospects and, given the right coaching, can refine their game and become real assets to Uruguay in the future.

First, though, they will have a chance to help their side to Under-20 World Cup success, but must make it past surprise package Iraq in the semifinal. Elsewhere, tournament favourites France will take on Ghana for the second place in next Saturday´s final.

måske noget for Vasco....

Alex Silva ´relieved´ after Flamengo contract termination

Alex Silva has admitted he is "relieved" after reaching an agreement to terminate his contract at Flamengo.

The 28-year-old returned to the club after suffering a serious knee injury while on loan at Cruzeiro earlier this year, and has since been made to train separately from the rest of the first-team squad.

Silva has only made 22 appearances since arriving from São Paulo in 2011, and admits he is relieved to have ended his "suffering" at the club by convincing the Flamengo board to terminate his deal.

"I admit that it is a relief. It has taken six months of suffering. Several times I came home sad and often cried in my room," he told Globo Esporte.

"This termination agreement is a good thing, not only for me but also for Flamengo."

His spell at the club took a turn for the worst in January 2012 when he refused to board a plane to Bolivia due to unpaid wages, ahead of Flamengo’s crucial Copa Libertadores game against Real Potosi.

Alex Silva added: "The crowd did not have patience with me.

"I made a mistake when I decided not to travel to Bolivia."

The Brazilian centre-back, who has seven international caps, will now be free to join a new club.

Five offers for Atlético Mineiro star Bernard

Atlético Mineiro star Bernard is reluctant to discuss his future but has confirmed that five offers are on the table.

Tottenham Hotspur, Porto and Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs said to be monitoring the 20-year-old’s situation in Brazil.

And Bernard has admitted that he expects to be on the move this summer, and that there are no shortage of clubs willing to bring him to Europe.

The Brazil international told Sportv: "I have already said that I won´t talk about this, but the president has admitted publicly that there are five offers."

Bernard, who was part of the Seleção’s Confederations Cup-winning squad, is keeping his cards close to his chest but those who represent him are a little more open, as reported on Sky Sports.

Juan Reol, the press agent who assists Bernard´s agent Adriano Spadoto, has revealed that Spurs have cooled their interest since signing Paulinho from Corinthians, and that Atlético may reveal Bernard’s situation in the near future.

He told Globo Esporte: "The Atlético Mineiro board are the only ones who can talk about negotiations, but of course there are offers.

"Dortmund have expressed an interest. Tottenham as well, but since they have signed Paulinho they have gone cold.

"Porto are also one of the clubs, but we have to understand that Bernard won´t negotiate during the Copa Libertadores.

"If Atlético Mineiro are eliminated on Wednesday, it is likely that [club president] Alexandre Kalil will talk about negotiations a few days later."

Lazio complete Felipe Anderson deal

Lazio have completed the signing of Felipe Anderson from Santos for an undisclosed fee, according to the club´s official website.
The 20-year-old had been set to join the Biancocelesti in January, but the move fell through following complications over the necessary paperwork.

But the Serie A side have now secured his signature on a five-year deal, with a fee of €8 million thought to have been agreed between the sides last month.

The negotiations involved in the deal have been drawn out though, due to the complicated involvement of third-party investors.

Lazio’s director of sport Igli Tare said they were the "most paradoxical and shocking" negotiations he has ever been involved in.

It has been reported that Santos will net €4 million from Anderson’s sale and 25 per cent of any future transfer fee for the midfielder, while Doyen Sports will be handed €3.8m for their share.

Anderson is a product of the Pexie’s youth academy and made his official first team debut aged 17 in October 2010.

The Brazil Under-20 international will now continue his career in the Italian capital, joining compatriots Hernanes, Ederson and Andre Dias at the Stadio Olimpico.

Leandro Damião holds Napoli meeting - report

Leandro Damião has reportedly attended a meeting between his representatives and Napoli officials in order to push through a transfer from Internacional.

The striker has been the subject of intense interest from the likes of Tottenham, Southampton as well as Napoli themselves.

Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio believes that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, coach Rafa Benitez and sporting director Riccardo Bignon were on route to meet with the player and his representatives to try and accelerate a deal.

But now Napoli seems to have stolen a march on their rivals in securing the services of the Seleção striker.

However, it is unknown whether Napoli are prepared to pay the asking price for the 23-year-old, with Internacional demanding €25 million for the player.