NEYMAR RESPONDS TO LUGANO CLAIMS

Neymar has strongly refuted claims of diving from Diego Lugano after Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Uruguay on Wednesday.

The Selecao recorded a 2-1 victory over their South American rivals in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup thanks to goals from Fred and Paulinho, either side of an Edinson Cavani strike, to reach the final of the competition for a third consecutive time. 

But the Barcelona forward was unhappy with comments made by Uruguay defender Lugano prior to the game after he claimed that the former Santos player was guilty of diving.

"He who has a mouth speaks what he wants. This will not hurt me. What matters to me most is to help my team-mates and the team win," he told reporters.

The 21-year-old then acknowledged just how close the contest was, with nerves appearing to get the better of Brazil in the early stages of the game in front of an expectant Belo Horizonte crowd.

“It was typical of a semi-final game. We managed to control the game. We knew it would be hard but we got the win and that was the most important thing," he added.

Brazil striker Fred was also in high spirits after his side’s victory and defended Neymar over accusations of simulation.

"The Uruguayans talked a lot before the game, some [Lugano] attacked Neymar. We beat them on the pitch, and that's our answer," he told reporters after the match.

“Criticism? As I always say, I only respond on the pitch, but the crowd today was great with me. It was amazing.”

SCOLARI: BRAZIL'S MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has spoken of his delight at reaching the Confederations Cup final, and claimed that it was the goal of his squad all along.

Diego Forlan missed an early penalty before Fred made it 1-0 to the host nation just before half-time. Edinson Cavani then levelled in the second period, but Paulinho had the final say with a late winner.

“Our mission was to reach the final, and we have done it,” said Scolari.

“We needed to win games like that to learn how to win in the World Cup,” said the Brazil boss.”Our team is very young and this kind of game helps us to grow.”

The Selecao coach could not hide his delight at having reached the final on Sunday, and was full of superlatives for his players for their effort.

“This is an amazing feeling. I'm so happy, I can't say more. I'm proud of all my players with no exception."

Scolari went on to discuss the impact that the home fans had on the match, and claimed that the bond between the players and the supporters ultimately carried the team to victory.

“The players did it for the fans and overcame adversity.”

His words were echoed by man-of-the-match Julio Cesar, who saved a Forlan penalty kick in the first half to keep his nation in the match.

“I am so happy and proud,” said the QPR goalkeeper. “The way the fans received us was incredible and gave us extra.”

Brazil now move on to the final which takes place at the Maracana on Sunday evening, and will face the victors of the semi-final between Spain and Italy on Thursday evening.

TABAREZ RUES PENALTY MISS

Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez rued Diego Forlan's penalty miss after their 2-1 Confederations Cup semi-final defeat to Brazil on Wednesday.

The Copa America champions were awarded a penalty just 14 minutes in when David Luiz pulled down Diego Lugano in the area, offering the underdogs an opportunity to take advantage of a very nervy start from the hosts.

However, Forlan's spot kick was saved by Julio Cesar and although Uruguay looked set to force extra time, with Edinson Cavani cancelling out Fred's opener, they ultimately succumbed to an 86th-minute header from Paulinho.

"I don’t like to talk about ifs and buts, but what I can say is that when we missed that penalty we gave Brazil the shot in the arm they’d been lacking up to that point," Tabarez told Fifa.com. "You just have to accept results, though, and we accept this defeat.

"That said, we could have taken the game into extra time and we even had chances to win it.

"I’m going away a proud man, though, because I know that if we can play like that, we can give anyone a game."

Uruguay will now meet the loser of Thursday night's clash between Spain and Italy in the play-off for third place in Salvador on Sunday afternoon.

DIEGO CAPEL KEEN ON ATLETICO MADRID

Sporting winger Diego Capel has admitted his interest in a summer move to Atletico Madrid.

The 25-year-old joined the Portuguese giants in 2011 after spending the previous seven years with Sevilla, but has been linked with a return to Spain with Diego Simeone's men.

Leoes endured a disappointing 2012/13 Primeira Liga campaign, in which they finished in a lowly seventh position, and with rumours gathering over the 25-year-old's future, Capel has done little to dampen speculation.

"It always makes you proud when you are linked to such great clubs as Atletico," Capel told AS.

"I always want to continue growing and that is a great club. Now I do not know what will happen in the future, but any player would like to play there."

Last season Capel made 19 appearances for Sporting, scoring six goals in the process. He has been capped twice by Spain.

PEREZ: MADRID HAVE SIGNED ISCO

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has claimed his club have reached an agreement to sign Malaga midfielder Isco, in a deal reported to be worth €27m.

Manchester City have gone head to head with the Spanish giants in the race to sign the Spain Under-21 star this summer and after the tide appeared to have turned in Real Madrid's favour in recent days, confirmation of a move to Madrid now appears to have come from Perez.
"The club and the player have reached an agreement," announced Perez, in statements to Spanish National Radio and reported in AS.

"Isco is one of the great players of Spain and the club's technical staff believe he has the quality to play for Madrid. I know he is enthusiastic to come here, just as I am enthusiastic about him coming."
The report goes on to suggest the transfer will be concluded once Isco has completed his medical, with Real Madrid hoping to unveil the player at a press conference early next week.
The news comes as a blow to new Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who believed he was in pole position to bring Isco to the Etihad Stadium after he enjoyed a successful relationship with him during his time at Malaga.
Yet it seems that the lure of one of Spain's most attractive clubs proved too much for Isco to resist, as he has been assured he will be a central part of new Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti's plans.
The move was also welcomed by Madrid right-back Alvaro Arbeloa who, speaking from Spain's Confederations Cup camp in Brazil, said: "I am very happy with his arrival. He is a great player, young and he will bring a lot to us in the 'creation zone'. Real Madrid always must have different options so that absences do not affect the performance of the team."
Speaking to reporters at the Bernabeu earlier on Wednesday, new Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had claimed not to have taken any part in Madrid’s transfer planning prior to signing for the club, but had still made public his admiration for Isco.
“I can just talk about the quality of this player, he is very good,” Ancelotti said. “Spain’s Under-21 side has fantastic players and he is the one with the most quality of all. He could play for any team.”
Isco's arrival may have some knock-on affects on the rest of Madrid's transfer business this summer. Argentine winger Angel Di Maria, reportedly a €25 million target for Paris Saint Germain and Manchester United - may now be surplus to requirements.
Perez's main target this summer remains Gareth Bale however, with an €80 million plus offer reportedly still in the works at the Bernabeu.

CASILLAS: MOURINHO MADE ME CRY

Iker Casillas has revealed that his treatment at the hands of Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho reduced him to tears.

The Spain international was ostracised during the second half of last season, and forced to spent five months sitting on the bench after losing his place to Diego Lopez through injury.

The demotion of a club icon such as Casillas to the role of the reserve caused great consternation in the Spanish capital and the legendary goalkeeper freely admits that the situation affected him deeply.

"I've cried," Casillas admitted in an interview with Fifa.com, "I've suffered, I've been unwell, I've had sleepless nights."

Casillas admitted that so upset was he by the situation that he considered leaving the club he has represented for the entirety of his professional career before Mourinho eventually departed for Chelsea.

"I'm a 'Madridista' right down to my soul and above all else, what matters to me is the club," he explained.

"I would love to retire at Real Madrid, but I will not make problems if a coach does not have me."

Casillas has retained his No.1 spot for Spain in the Confederations Cup this summer despite his lack of playing time for his club, and he confesses it has been a relief to be playing again.

"I have regained happiness," he enthused. "It was not easy but I'm another Iker Casillas now.

"After five months, it takes some time until everything comes back to you, but, luckily, I have had a great deal of help of my team-mates and coach [Vicente del Bosque] and that's important when it comes to having to start over again."

MIDDLESBROUGH LOAN VARGA

Hungarian international Jozsef Varga insists he is fully focused on winning a permanent move to Middlesbrough.

The 25-year-old has become Tony Mowbary's first signing of the summer, arriving on a season-long loan from Debrecen.
Now Varga, who finished last season on-loan at relegated Bundesliga outfit Greuther Furth, is looking to make his move to England a permanent one.

"I arrived to England on Sunday night and passed the compulsory medical on Monday morning. The place was familiar for me, I was here a couple of weeks ago when we had a longer conversation with the manager," said Varga.
"It is flattering as Middlesbrough are a famous and big club and they signed me on Tony Mowbray's wish. The manager looked around in more countries and was looking for a player for this position and said I was his main target.
"It's also attracted me that the club's aim is to win promotion. I hope I'll have more luck in England because I had bad fortune in my short spell in Germany. But I don't look back, I'm motivated by the fact that I'd be playing in a country which is a target for all footballers.
"I've one year to prove my abilities in the Championship and, of course, I'd like Middlesbrough to sign me for a longer period."
Mowbray added: "He's a player who's been on our radar for a while.
"He's versatile, very mobile and athletic. He can break up attacks and tackle but I wouldn't want to pigeonhole him as a defensive midfield player because his athleticism allows him to get into the opposition box as well.
"He's here to see how he can adapt to the English game. He has certain aspects of his game that we're going to have to try to fine-tune but we're looking forward to working with him.
"He's a player with a fully-committed approach who I'm sure our fans will enjoy watching. He's seems a very focussed young man and we're looking forward to starting work with him."
Mowbray has confirmed that Cameroon international defender Andre Bikey has now left the club as Boro confirmed they would not be taking up their option on him.
"We did have an option but we didn't pick it up so he's free to go and talk to other clubs and we're looking at other options," he said.

HANNOVER CONFIDENT OF CAPTURING ARSENAL'S DJOUROU

Hannover 96 general manager Dirk Dufner says that positive talks have been held with Arsenal defender Johan Djourou over a possible return to the Bundesliga side.

The 26-year old spent the second half of the last campaign on loan at Hannover, but he is currently set to return to Arsene Wenger's side in time for pre-season, despite interest from Hamburg too.

Djourou still has another two years remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, although Dufner is hopeful of securing his return to Germany.
"We are in touch with Arsenal FC and we feel talks with the clubs have been put on the right track. We are confident. The lad will now need to make a decision," he explained to BILD.
"He needs to say where the road will lead him next. He knows what Hannover 96 is about and we definitely did the best we could. I hope this will be enough to see him decide for us."
Hamburg general manager Oliver Kreuzer had previously boasted that Hamburg would be a better option for Djourou, saying: "HSV is HSV, and we are just a better club," but Dufner was keen to avoid becoming involved in a row.
"We are trying to sign a player. We are not out to belittle a competitor," he said.

TEVEZ: I REJECTED AC MILAN FOR JUVENTUS

Carlos Tevez arrived in Italy and expressed his delight to be joining Juventus, also revealing he had snubbed AC Milan.

The Manchester City striker is in Turin ahead of completing a £10million move to Juventus.

The 29-year-old was linked with a host of clubs including AC, who he says he decided against joining.
"I'm really happy to be here at Juve", Tevez told Sky Sport Italia.
"It's a really big satisfaction for me. I will tell the rest in the press conference - but Juventus wanted me more than Milan."
Tevez, who is reported to have been handed their famed number 10 shirt, is set to be confirmed as a Juve player on Thursday.

WERDER BREMEN SIGN ITALY U21 CAPTAIN

Italy's Under-21 captain Luca Caldirola has signed a four-year deal with Bundesliga side Werder Bremen from Inter Milan, the north German team confirmed.

The 22-year-old centre-back, has been brought in to replace Greek defender Sokratis, who recently joined Borussia Dortmund.

"Luca is a very interesting player, despite his young age he has plenty of experience and has shown his leadership qualities at his previous clubs," said Thomas Eichin, Bremen's Director of Sport. "He has good technique, a good eye and is creative in an open game."

Caldirola's Italy U-21 side finished second to Spain in the recent UEFA European Championships and his deal to Bremen is worth around €2.5m ($3.25m USD, £2.1m) having spent last season on loan at Brescia.

ATHLETIC BILBAO SIGN BENAT ETXEBARRIA

Spanish international Benat Etxebarria has re-joined Athletic Bilbao from Real Betis on a five-year deal, Athletic confirmed.

"Athletic club and Real Betis have reached an agreement for the transfer of Benat Etxebarria to our club," said a statement on Athletic's website.

Spanish media reported that the transfer fee will be around €8m ($10.5m USD, £6.8m).

The midfielder had come through the youth ranks at Athletic, but made just one appearance in the senior team before making the move to Betis in 2009.

He broke into the first team a season later and was a key figure as the Seville side were promoted back to La Liga in the 2010/11 season.

Even better things were to come from the 26-year-old in his first full season in the top flight last year.

His excellent range of passing and delivery from dead-ball situations saw him earn a first call-up to the Spain squad in May 2012, although he eventually just missed out on a place in the world champions' squad for UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

This season he made 34 league appearances and scored four goals as Betis finished seventh to qualify for Europe for the first time in eight years.

Athletic meanwhile suffered a disappointing campaign after reaching two cup finals last year as they finished 12th.

The Basque side have been in need of midfield reinforcements since Javi Martinez joined Bayern Munich for €40m back in August.

GERRARD: I'LL BE FIT FOR PRE-SEASON

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says he is around two weeks away from a return to full training as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Gerrard missed the final two games of his side's 2012-13 Premier League campaign after an operation in May, with the midfielder having been troubled by his shoulder for several months.
The 33-year-old England skipper resumed light training last week as he steps up his rehabilitation, and hopes to be ready to play a full part in Liverpool's pre-season.

"It's going well and feeling strong," Gerrard told Liverpool's official website. "I'm six weeks down the line with the rehabilitation from surgery.
"I'm not too far away, maybe a couple of weeks away from contact and being back in full training if everything goes well. I'm looking forward to it.
"It's probably the longest break I've had at this time of year. Being out of the game for six weeks is enough. I'm itching to get back."
The operation forced Gerrard to sit out England's end-of-season friendlies against Ireland and Brazil, amid reports – later dismissed by Liverpool – that he was in danger of missing the start of next season.
The Reds have indicated that their medical team are satisfied with Gerrard's progress since his operation, and he is on course to play a full part for both club and country when the 2013-14 campaign kicks off.
In addition to his club commitments, Gerrard is set to play a key part in England'sWorld Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine in September.
He aims to be ready to play a part in the club's opening pre-season friendly at Preston on July 13, ahead of a three-match tour of the Far East and Australia; his testimonial is against Olympiakos at Anfield on August 3.

ASTIN VILLA TO SIGN FORMER NORWICH GOALKEEPER

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has confirmed Norwich goalkeeper Jed Steer will become his sixth summer acquisition on July 1.
Lambert has already been busy in the transfer market, bringing in defenders Jores Okore and Antonio Luna, midfielders Leandro Bacuna and Aleksandar Tonev, plus Danish striker Nicklas Helenius.

The former Norwich boss was also keen to strengthen his goalkeeping ranks, and has returned to his old club to secure the signing of 20-year-old Steer, who will complete the move to Villa Park once his deal at Carrow Road expires.
The former England Under-19 cap will provide competition for Brad Guzan and Benji Siegrist. Shay Given is expected to leave the club this summer.
Lambert told the club website: "Bringing in Jed will add to the goalkeeping department and helps with everybody pushing one another, learning from one another and making everyone better and wanting to improve.
"You want competition for places throughout the team, which is something we didn't have last season."

PEREZ: ANCELOTTI WILL FACE IMMENSE PRESSURE

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has labelled Carlo Ancelotti "one of the world's top coaches" but warned the Italian that he will never have experienced anything like the pressure he will have to cope with at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti was presented to the press as Jose Mourinho's successor on Wednesday afternoon, having put pen to paper on a three-year contract with los Blancos.

Perez immediately expressed his delight at having finally managed to get his man, but was just as eager to underline the enormity of the job that Ancelotti has undertaken, warning that lifting the Champions League is the club's top priority.

“At this temple of ‘Madridismo’, we begin a new chapter with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm of the first team," the Blancos supremo told the assembled press.

"He is a man who possesses great knowledge of the game, an intelligent winner and an extraordinary person.

“Ancelotti is used to the highest pressure of the most intense coaching jobs, but he has to know that nothing he has experienced so far will be like what awaits him at this club

“We are talking about one of the world’s top coaches. As a player, he was a fundamental part of the great AC Milan side.

"But, you know, Carlo, that the Champions League is the most coveted trophy, both for our members and our fans ... "

Perez has no doubt about Ancelotti's ability to deliver exactly what he wants, though, admitting that he has been chasing the former Italy international for some time now.

“Some years ago, Carlo, I said to you: ‘You will be my coach’. That day has arrived.

"Ancelotti’s dream was to coach Real Madrid and now it has become a reality. The challenge starts here, and here the challenges are always huge."

Ancelotti joins Madrid just over a month after leading Paris Saint-Germain to their first Ligue 1 title since 1994.

MEULANSTEEN LEAVES MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United have confirmed that first-team coach Rene Meulensteen has left the club.

The Dutchman leaves Old Trafford after serving 12 years on the coaching staff, which was interrupted briefly in 2006 for an ill-fated six month spell in charge of Danish club Brondby.

The 49-year-old played an integral role in Alex Ferguson's success over the last decade, but had been poised to leave the club ever since the Scot's retirement after seeing assistant manager Mike Phelan and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele depart following David Moyes' arrival.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward told the club's official website: "I'd like to thank Rene for his contribution to the club, particularly since he returned to Old Trafford in 2007.

"He has been first-team coach for five years and in that time has given great assistance to Sir Alex Ferguson and Mick Phelan in keeping the team at the top of the game not only in this country but in Europe as well.

"On behalf of everyone at United, I wish him well for the future."

Rene Meulensteen said: "I would like to thank Sir Alex Ferguson, the owners, all colleagues, players and fans who made my time at Manchester United very special and one I will never forget. I wish everyone at this great football club all the best."

Meulensteen originally arrived at Old Trafford from Qatari club Al Sadd as "skills development coach" in 2001, coaching all of the youngsters from age 9 to 21, before earning a promotion to reserve team manager following Ricky Sbragia's departure in 2005.

After leaving to take over at Brondby, he returned to the club in early 2007 and was appointed first-team coach when Carlos Queiroz's departure to manage Portugal led to Mike Phelan's promotion to assistant manager.

During his second spell at Old Trafford the club won four Premier League titles, two Capital One Cup trophies and one Champions League win in 2008.

FLAMINI'S FUTURE AT AC MILAN IN DOUBT

Mathieu Flamini's future at AC Milan remains in doubt - despite showdown talks between the player's agent and the club on Wednesday.

The Frenchman's current contract with the club expires at the end of the month but the two parties had been expected to thrash out an extension.

However, Flamini's representative, Helene Misserly, told reporters after Wednesday's talks that an agreement over a new deal has yet to be reached.

"The meeting was helpful for making our position clear, and to understand that of Milan," the agent explained to reporters. "But in order to reach a decision, we will need to meet again.

"Flamini is happy at Milan, but it's not certain that he will stay there."

Flamini, who has three France caps to his name, joined Milan from Arsenal five years ago.

HIGUAIN: SWITCH TO ARSENAL VERY CLOSE

Gonzalo Higuain's agent and brother, Nicolas Higuain, says that the Real Madrid striker is closing in on a move to Arsenal.

The 25-year old had previously announced his desire to leave the Bernabeu after spending six-and-a-half seasons in Spain since joining from River Plate in 2006, and Arsene Wenger is believed to be keen to make the Argentine a part of his squad for the forthcoming season.

Higuain has been linked with a number of European clubs including Juventus and Napoli, but the striker's agent believes that the Gunners are the nearest to clinching his signature.

"I can't deny that Gonzalo is now close to Arsenal."
Nicolas Higuain

"I think that Higuain is now closer to Arsenal," he told TMW.
"Juventus are a great club, but Gonzalo is too expensive for them. Napoli are a strong side and that place represents a lot for Argentines.
"Saying that, I can't deny that Gonzalo is now close to Arsenal."

ANCELOTTI: MY CLEAR OBJECTIVE IS TO WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Carlo Ancelotti said finally delivering the long awaited 'decima' - tenth European Cup - was his clear objective at his presentation as Real Madrid's new coach on Wednesday afternoon.
Ancelotti, who won the trophy as both a player and coach at AC Milan, was made aware of his responsibility when given a tour of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu's glittering trophy room by Blancos president Florentino Perez before he met journalists in the nearby press facility.
The Italian, who it was confirmed has full charge of all footballing matters at Madrid, said that taking on such a big task was not a problem for him, but a motivation.

"We all know that la decima is the big objective, for the club, for everyone," Ancelotti said. "I have that ambition and that responsibility, that is not a problem for me. Every year the coach has a responsibility. To win la decima is such a big motivation."
Madrid's last Champions League title came in 2002, when Zinedine Zidane volleyed in a memorable winning goal over Bayer Leverkusen. Ancelotti confirmed that the Frenchman would be one of his assistant's next season, without quite clarifying the exact role he would play.
"Zidane will be on the bench, the only pity is he cannot play," the new boss joked. "Zizou was a fantastic player, everybody knows him, now he has decided to be a coach. I am very happy to work at his side. He will be a very good assistant, along with my usual assistant Paul Clement."
Ancelotti was also careful to be nice to his former employers Paris Saint-Germain, stressing repeatedly that both he and Madrid retained a friendly relationship with the French club despite the month-long saga as PSG's Qatari owners first refused to release him, then struggled to find a suitable replacement.
"PSG is now the past," he said. "I want to thank everyone in Paris for the experience I had there, but that is over now. I want to wish luck to everyone there, including [the French club's new coach] Laurent Blanc."
Asked about whether he would play a different style of football than his own predecessor at the Bernabeu, Jose Mourinho, Ancelotti said that a club of Madrid's 'prestige' was always tasked with playing an exciting "spectacular" game.
"The most prestigious club in the world needs to win, playing spectacular football, because the history and tradition of this club is to play offensively, spectacularly, and we are going to work to play football that can give happiness to the fans," the former Chelsea boss said. "This team has lots of quality in attack, and in midfield too. I do not think it will be difficult organise an attacking style."

TEVEZ TO UNDERGO JUVENTUS MEDICAL

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez will undergo a medical at Juventus later on Wednesday ahead of a £13.5million transfer to the Turin club.
The Argentine is also set to agree personal terms as he brings the curtain down on a tumultuous four-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.
The move was sanctioned by new manager Manuel Pellegrini. City director of football Txiki Begiristain was in Turin on Tuesday to thrash out the deal with his Juventus counterparts.

The Serie A side will pay an initial £7.6m with the remainder of the fee dependent on various clauses being met during what is believed to be a three-year deal for the 29-year-old forward.
However, the deal is worth considerably more in real terms for the Premier League club, with Tevez one of the highest earners at the Etihad on a reported £196,000-a-week.
The Argentina international has spent an eventful seven years in England, beginning with his move to West Ham in 2006 which was dogged with controversy.
Tevez's goals kept the Hammers in the top flight but the Londoners were fined a massive £5.5m due to his third-party ownership status.

He then moved to Manchester United where he won two Premier League titles and the Champions League before his deteriorating relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson prompted Mark Hughes to take him across the city.
However, Hughes was replaced by Roberto Mancini just six months later and Tevez frequently clashed with the Italian.
That came to a head in Munich in September 2011 when Tevez refused to warm-up during a Champions League defeat to Bayern.
Mancini vowed he would never play for the club again and Tevez was subsequently put on "gardening leave" but after a January exit failed to materialise, he was allowed to return to the fold in February 2012 and helped lead City to their first league title for 44 years.

BENITEZ: I WANT TO KEEP CAVANI

Napoli coach Rafa Benitez insists they do not want to sell star striker Edinson Cavani following weeks of speculation over his future.

The Uruguay international has emerged as one of the most sought-after players in the summer transfer window with a host of clubs said to be chasing his signature.
Cavani has a release clause of 63million euros (£54million) in his contract and Benitez is adamant that the Serie A side would not accept a fee below that amount.

Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been linked with Cavani recently, with the forward admitting on Tuesday morning he felt the sum being requested for his services was too high.
Benitez accepts there is nothing Napoli can do if the release clause is met, but is united in his belief with president Aurelio De Laurentiis that Cavani should stay.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea boss told Radio Marca: "Neither me or the president want Cavani to leave because he's a really important player for us.
"Clearly, there is a clause that you can't control, but we want him to stay to score many goals and to continue growing with Napoli.

"He found success and fame with this team and he can stay for another year with supporters who love him.
"Napoli don't need the money. Should he leave, it will be for his clause, and it's a really high sum.
"But our intention is that he will stay. The president's intention is to strengthen the team and Cavani is our most important player.
"I don't know if he has had any offers, but I know there is a clause and anyone who wants him will have to pay it."

MARCHISIO: TEVEZ IS WELCOME IN TURIN

Claudio Marchisio has applauded the imminent arrival of Carlos Tevez at Juventus and has stressed that the Manchester City attacker is more than welcome at the Serie A champions.

The Turin giants agreed terms with City over a transfer fee on Tuesday evening and are widely expected to complete the €11.8 million signing of the 29-year-old in the upcoming days, much to the satisfaction of Marchisio.

"I have already said it before and I repeat that great champions [like Tevez] are always more than welcome at Juventus," the Italy international was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.

However, the midfielder added that the former Manchester United striker must give his all for the club if he is to succeed and will have to focus solely on his football.

"It's crucial that he arrives here with the right motivation and the desire to give everything for the Juventus shirt, though."

Meanwhile, Juventus are also hopeful of luring Aleksandar Kolarov away from Manchester City ahead of the 2013-14 campaign.

The Scudetto holders are keen to add a left wing-back to their squad and they see the 27-year-old Serbia international, whose contract runs until June 2015, as the ideal signing.

LIVERPOOL LEGEND HAILS NEW SIGNING

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has applauded the club's decision to sign goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from Sunderland, believing that it is a "fantastic deal" for the club.

The Belgian completed his switch to Anfield on Tuesday, signing a long-term contract with Brendan Rodgers' side, and Fowler believes the move will help the 25-year-old in his quest to dislodge Thibaut Courtois in the battle to be his country's No.1.

LIVERPOOL'S MIGNOLET
MIGNOLET'S 2012-13 PL SEASON
GAMES PLAYED GOALS CONCEDED CLEAN SHEETS SAVES SAVES/SHOTS RATIO	38 54 11 149 73.4%

"I think he was a great keeper last year," Fowler told Goal. "You'd have to look at his nationality as well. The flux of Belgian players in the top leagues and top teams is frightening. I think it's a fantastic deal.

"He performed well last year in the Premier League, made some great saves and obviously he wants to be the Belgian No.1 and playing in the Premier League is certainly going to stabilise that."

On the subject of Luis Suarez's future, who has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid, Fowler hailed the Uruguay striker and is hoping that Rodgers can keep hold of his star man.

"I don't think there's ever a good time to sell players to be honest," the former Leeds striker continued. "Suarez is a phenomenal player and I've said many times that any team with him in is a strong one.

"What I'll say is that he's a great player and will score goals but he's not the only player at Liverpool. There's many players who fight for a spot and they all want to win. Regardless of what happens to Suarez, at the time he's a Liverpool player and I think he will continue to be a Liverpool player. Let's see ... let's hope."
"You want him to be the best player in the world and he's on his way there but some of his misdemeanours are not great and Suarez is the first to admit that," Fowler admitted. "He's said that many times himself.

"But, I'll be honest with you, I'm going to focus on his football. I love watching him as a player. He excites me and people should try to focus more on his playing style. I know he doesn't really help himself at times but I'm a big fan of what he tries to achieve on the pitch."

The Reds finished seventh in the Premier League last term, again missing out on a place in the Champions League, but Fowler believes that the club are heading in the right direction with Rodgers at the helm.

"I think that we're at that transitional period, trying to bring in new players and they'll need to gel," he said. "There's a lot of potential and the progression I've seen for the last few years that has definitely been there and I fully expect it to be happening this year.

"Brendan is making the right noises, he is doing the right things, bringing the right players in. There's so much you can do and it's really down to the players to prove their worth and get the club into the top four. When you get into that position, and maintain consistency, you'll be confident and might challenge to move further up the table."

Robbie Fowler was in Jakarta to promote the club's pre-season Asia Tour 2013. For information on tickets, visit lfctour.com.

BARCELONA SEND ARAUJO BACK TO BOCA JUNIORS

Barcelona have announced on their official website that they have decided not to exercise their option to extend Boca Juniors attacker Sergio Araujo's stay at the club with one additional season.

The Argentine forward, 21, joined the Catalans on a one-year loan deal in the summer of 2012 and spent last season with Barcelona B in the Segunda Division.

The Blaugrana had an option to extend Araujo's stay at the club by one year, but Araujo has failed to convince Barca's technical staff and will return to his parent club.

"Barcelona will not extend Sergio Araujo's loan deal ahead of next season. The player, who arrived at Barca in the summer of 2012, on a one-year loan term with the option of extending his stay for an additional year, will return to his club of origin, Boca Juniors," a Barcelona statement reads.

The Argentina Under-23 starlet made 34 league appearances for Barca B, netting seven goals in the process.

JUVENTUS TARGET MANCHESTER CITY'S KOLAROV

Juventus have made Aleksandar Kolarov their second Manchester City target this summer alongside Carlos Tevez.

The Serie A outfit believe that the Serbia international will slot into their wing-back system and are hoping to take advantage of City's desire to sell the 27-year-old to secure a cut-price move.

The left-sided defender moved to the Etihad Stadium from Lazio for around €18 million in 2010 and the Premier League runners-up are willing to take something of a hit on that figure as they look to cut his €105,000-a-week earnings from the wage bill.

The Bianconeri are closing in on a deal for Tevez after agreeing an €11.8m fee, which could rise to over €17m should Juve win Serie A and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, and they are confident of also securing Kolarov's signature for a combined outlay of around €23.5m.

The former Lazio star struggled to make an impression for City during 2011-12 and openly hinted that he would leave the Etihad Stadium if he could be guaranteed regular football elsewhere.

"I am in constant contact with my agent, so we will soon see what happens," he said in June 2012. "I am very happy here in Manchester but my goal is to play with greater regularity. I said it to [former boss Roberto] Mancini.

"Money has nothing to do with it and I have no problem with wages. It's simply that I would like to be able to feel more of a regular."

And, after making just 11 Premier League starts last season, Juventus believe that they can tempt the defender to move to Turin, although they will struggle to match his current €233,000-per-week pay.

City's move for Edinson Cavani, meanwhile, has hit a snag; their Edin Dzeko-plus-cash offer was rejected and Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis recently claimed that they are unwilling to pay his €63m buyout clause in full.

HUMMELS BAFFLED BY GOTZE'S DEPARTURE

Mats Hummels cannot believe Mario Gotze chose to leave Borussia Dortmund for Bayern Munich and he feels there are no "sporting reasons" to switch clubs.

The attacking midfielder will start the 2013-14 campaign at the Bundesliga champions as Bayern triggered his €37 million buyout clause.

Hummels is not amused with his former team-mate's decision to join BVB's domestic rivals and hinted that money was the overriding motivation behind the move away from Signal Iduna Park.

"I do not understand Gotze's decision and I have told him just that. Everybody at Dortmund was surprised. This only further shows that this was never an issue," Hummels told Sport Bild.

"Everybody can see how good our team has become. I simply do not believe that there were any sporting reasons to leave BVB.

"It was clear to see that the team had really made steps forward and Mario got along with all of us very well. That's why it annoyed me so much that he felt it was necessary to leave at such an early stage of his career."

Gotze, 21, is a product of the Dortmund youth academy and played a key role in their Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012.