Snak

Milan and Inter interested in Ponte Preta defender César

The centre-back was revealed a target for both Milan clubs by the Italian broadcaster SKY Sports and the website TUTTOmercatoWEB.

Milan, now under the management of Clarence Seedorf, are apparently the most interested. Ponte Preta own 50% of the player’s economic rights and have contracted the player until June 2017. According to the Italian website, the deal would be worth £2.25.

César’s manager, Hugo Garcia, is not currently in the country and said that at the moment he couldn’t comment on the speculation. Whilst the rumours may come as a surprise to the alvinegro, the money would be welcomed by a club whose revenues will fall by 70% this year due to their relegation to Série B. The club has already sold Uendel to Corinthians and are close to selling Rildo to Atlético-MG.

Regardless of the speculation, the 21-year-old remains focussed on the São Paulo state championship which starts on Sunday.

“I let my manager take care of this type of situation. I’m only thinking about Ponte Preta and am preparing for the Paulistão,” he declared.

FA announce Peru, Ecuador, Honduras fixtures for England

ærgeligt at de skal varme op til VM med 3 nederlag.

He ja de skal vidst også spille mod DK, men stensikker Honduransk sejr ;-)

Racing: amistoso ante Santamarina

BUENOS AIRES -- En el último día de trabajos de pretemporada en Tandil, el plantel de Racing se entrenó en el recinto del hotel donde se alojó en los últimos nueve días, realizando ejercicios físicos, bajo las órdenes de los preparadores físicos Pablo Mansilla y Marcelo Fernández.

Al igual que ocurrió en la jornada del miércoles, Diego Villar realizó trabajos diferenciados, trotando y haciendo movimientos de salto y carga. El mediocampista se someterá a estudios médicos en el regreso a Buenos Aires para determinar cuándo podría reincorporarse a los trabajos del grupo.

Por otro lado, desde las 20:30 hs, se estará disputando un partido amistoso ante Santamarina de Tandil y del mismo serán parte mayoría de jugadores que habitualmente no son parte del equipo titular. La formación que pondrá en cancha Reinaldo Merlo es: Nelson Ibáñez; Ismael Quílez, Yonathan Cabral, Leonardo Migliónico, Claudio Corvalán; Iván Pillud, Mariano Bareiro, Luciano Aued, Guillermo Hauche; Mauro Camoranesi; Juan Ignacio Dinenno.

Racing regresará a Buenos Aires en las primeras horas del viernes y, ya al mediodía, volverá a entrenarse en Avellaneda. Cabe recordar que, nuevamente, el plantel deberá viajar, ya que el próximo martes disputará un partido amistoso ante Newell´s, en Mar del Plata.

Quintanar to fight "mafia" influence

New Spanish football anti-corruption chief Manuel Quintanar says his role will involve combatting “mafia” influence in La Liga.

Quintanar has moved from his role as head of Spain’s anti-doping agency to become director of integrity at the Liga de Futbol Profesional (LFP), which, along with the Spanish government, says it wishes to deal more forcefully with issues including fraud, match-fixing, doping, piracy and illegal betting on games.

The lawyer told Marca that organised crime elements had begun to see opportunities of making money out of football.

“At a European level from UEFA they have been informed by FIFA of the enormous worry that exists over what is taking place,” Quintanar said. “To an extent, it involves the mafia, who have found a new way to make illegal business through professional sport.

“We cannot be half-hearted in dealing with this problem and we are trying to improve our attitude towards this. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am looking for support and collaboration so as to have success.”

LFP president Javier Tebas has regularly issued warnings about match-fixing in Spanish football, with a number of games played in recent seasons coming under suspicion, but no serious measures have yet been taken.

Tebas’ concerns appeared to focus more on the influence of foreign betting syndicates, rather than the practice of presidents, players or coaches arranging results in end-of-season games.

Quintanar says he wanted the Spanish courts and police to deal seriously with those in football who were suspected of breaking the law.

“We need to make everyone aware, starting with the judiciary, of this issue,” he said. “The police can already work with what is laid down in the penal code, which offers very strong sanctions. We need to have zero tolerance with fraud in sport, and my job is to inform and ensure that measures are taken quickly at each step. The machinery needs to be well oiled so that, at any hint of a crime, we can act.”

Quintanar only took up his former role as head of the Spanish anti-doping agency (AEA) last October, when he replaced Ana Munoz.

Munoz had been very vocal in that role about the need to examine evidence that emerged during the trial of Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes, which could possibly have included links to football.

No progress has been reported over Munoz´s declared intention to identify former clients of Fuentes, despite calls from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and elsewhere for the identities of 35 unknown sportspeople who had worked with the doctor to be revealed.

Colón attacker Lucas Mugni linked with Flamengo

Flamengo are interested in signing Colón playmaker Lucas Mugni as they seek reinforcement for 2014.

These reports are according to Lance who also state that Fla will firmly look to buy players in the South American market and have been following the 22-year-old Argentine for some time.

Mengão have already made six signings during the close season but Mugni would be a significant addition to a squad looking for success in the year ahead.

The attacking midfielder has been a regular in the Colón team since coming through the youth academy in 2010 and has been capped internationally at youth level.

He has represented Argentina’s under-17 and under-20 teams and will hope a move to Brazil can boost his chances of making the senior squad in the future.

Mugni endured an average 2013 with Colón and will hope a transfer can help him rediscover his early career form, which earmarked him as one of the brightest stars in Argentina’s Premier Division.

Reports suggest Alex Telles is close to Galatasaray move again

The problems between Galatasaray and Grêmio over the transfer of Alex Telles are close to be resolved according to Lance.

They report that Telles should be in Istanbul today and all that needs to happen is for Gala to fax over documents to seal the deal.

Telles’ agent Fernando Otto told Lance that the deal is nearly finalized.

“Grêmio is only waiting for a document, a fax but it is all right. We will travel to Turkey on Thursday.”

Only last week this transfer seemed virtually completed with just some final agreements needed but Grêmio then suspended the deal due to changes in the payments.

They insisted that these changes didn’t provide them the guarantees they wanted but now it seems finally Telles will move to Turkey. The fee is approximately €7 million, with 40% percent of that sum paid upfront whilst the rest will be in various installments according to Zerohora.

The left-back’s move to Gala will depend on the Turkish club selling two overseas players though as Turkish Football Federation rules restrict clubs to a maximum of 10 foreign players and currently Galatasaray has 11.

It is believed that this won’t be a problem though, with departures expected soon, and Telles will most likely complete his transfer over the next few days.

Cruzeiro turn down bid of £8.3m for Everton Ribeiro

Director of Football Alexandre Mattos says that the amount offered doesn’t come close to their valuation of the player.

Voted Brasileirão player of the season in 2013, the attacking midfielder, Everton Ribeiro, has been linked with a host of European clubs in this transfer window. Cruzeiro, however, do not intend to sell their star player. The player’s agent, Robson Ferreira, revealed that the Belo Horizonte club received an offer for the player but that the amount offered was insufficient.

“Cruzeiro have been made an offer and we’re in the process of organising a meeting for the coming days. The club wants to keep him and he also wants to help the club in their Copa Libertadores campaign this year. We will try and get together to find a solution that works for both parties,” said Robson Ferreira.

The Director of Football, Alexandre Mattos, spoke to confirm that the value of the offer did not meet the club’s expectations. “The situation with Everton Ribeiro is like this: an English investment fund got in contact asking how much he would cost. They began to talk about prices but it was immediately clear that those prices were below our estimations,” he said.

Esteban Paredes to Return to Colo Colo

QUERETARO — The Mexican Queretaro Club announced that the Chilean striker Esteban Paredes asked to return to his country for personal reasons and will leave the club. “It’s about his marriage and he is fully prepared to return to his country, to be with his family and we will support him 100 percent,” said team president Adolfo Rios.

Esteban Paredes is just one step from becoming a great support for Colo Colo for the 2014 Clausura tournament. The national striker will leave Queretaro, the club that accepted the player’s wish of returning, in exchange for a $ 1.2 million, which is still in negotiation.

From Macul, players, historical references, and the coaching staff are eager for his arrival, especially coach Hector Tapia, who has stated on more than one occasion the need for the club to have the quality and experience of Paredes.

“I would love to play for Colo Colo and make all of our fans happy again”, added Paredes, who is willing to reduce his salary to make that happen: In Mexico he got paid more than CLP$ 30 million monthly and he is asking Colo Colo for half, approximately CLP$ 16 million.

Esteban Paredes will arrive in Chile this Thursday to see if he will sign for Colo colo or not.

Sampaoli’s Swedish Surprise

The Swedish right defender with a Chilean father and Finnish mother, Miiko Albornoz, was scouted by Jorge Sampaoli and will come to Chile to fight for a spot on the National team.

SANTIAGO – According to La Tercera, a couple of weeks ago, the interest of the Swedish National team for having him on the adult team was confirmed, which contrasted with his desire to play for Chile. The dilemma arises from his dual nationality. But before deciding, he preferred to wait and see if Jorge Sampaoli would give him a chance to play for Chile in the friendly games against Costa Rica or Germany.

“Three weeks ago, when we were on vacation in Chile, Felipe Correa (manager of the national teams) contacted us and asked for his situation and if he was interested in playing for Chile. They told us that they wanted to see him and see if they could count on him” said Manuel Albornoz, the player’s father.

On the other hand the young athlete did not hide his happiness, with the possibility to represent Chile, “I am very happy, fulfilling my lifelong dream. I was raised far from here, but I have always had a Chilean heart”.

He also added that “I am going to fight for a spot; I am not going for a vacation. I want to work hard and be a real alternative for the team. I’m getting my own hopes up, even, with possibly of playing in the World Cup”.

Albornoz has played for all the youth National teams of Sweden, which has made him gain recognition from people, which is why “there was much disappointment among fans for refusing to play for the adult team. Many questioned him and, therefore, everything has been difficult,” said Manuel.

Finally the father confessed that “It was a decision we made as a family. Still, he is very happy and excited to have the opportunity to play for the country he has always wanted to play for.

Sampaoli has delivered the official list of players who will play in the Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso Stadium on Wednesday. On this occasion, Albornoz is likely to be selected and Sampaoli will test this possible new addition to the team.

Chile will face two friendly games against Costa Rica on January 22 and Germany on March 5. While the squad is comprised mainly of domestic players, Albornoz is not the only “international” to get a call up. Carlos Muñoz will join training on Sunday from Baniyas, with Sampaoli still undecided on his final attacking options. Mark González, who is expected to return to Chile to join Universidad Católica, has also been named in the squad, as well as the recently returned Esteban Paredes.

Chile squad to face Costa Rica


1 – Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Católica)
2 – Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile)
3 – Paulo Garcés (O’Higgins)
4 – Gonzalo Fierro (Colo Colo)
5 – Cristian Álvarez (Universidad Católica)
6 – José Rojas (Universidad de Chile)
7 – Albert Acevedo (O’Higgins)
8 – Enzo Andía (Universidad Católica)
9 – Osvaldo González (Universidad de Chile)
10 – Fernando Cordero (Universidad Católica)
11 – Miiko Albornoz (Malmö FF – Sweden)
12 – César Fuentes (O’Higgins)
13 – Esteban Pavez (Colo Colo)
14 – José Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo)
15 – Fernando Meneses (Universidad Católica)
16 – Braulio Leal (O’Higgins)
17 – Pablo Hernández (O’Higgins)
18 – Mark González (CSKA – Russia)
19 – Rubén Farfán (Universidad de Chile)
20 – Gonzalo Barriga (O’Higgins)
21 – Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo)
22 – Carlos Muñoz (Baniyas FC – UAE)
23 – Gustavo Canales (Unión Española)