ARSENAL TARGET COMPLETES KYIV MOVE

Moroccan international Younes Belhanda's on-off move from French club Montpellier to Dynamo Kyiv has finally been completed, the player announced on Tuesday.

Midfielder Belhanda, 23, spurned interest from both Arsenal and Aston Villa of the English Premier League, to join the Ukrainian giants for an undisclosed fee.

The deal appeared to have fallen through when French press reports suggested the player was reluctant to move to Kyiv, having only signed an agreement in principle.

However, on Tuesday, he told the Dynamo website: "I am very happy to be a Dynamo player, I have signed a five-year contract with a club which is at the highest level and I want to win trophies here.

"I'm not going to comment on the rumours, I can only say I intend to give my best to the club in the years to come."

Belhanda, born in the French town of Avignon of Moroccan parents, opted to play for the north African country after making two appearances at the U-20 level for France, and has since won 21 caps.

TOURE: I WANT TROPHIES AT LIVERPOOL

New Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is looking forward to becoming a full-time footballer again after two years of limited action.
The Ivory Coast international played just 29 league matches in the last two campaigns under Roberto Mancini at Manchester City and views his move to Anfield as the chance to make up for lost time.
"Liverpool have given me the chance to show that at 32 I'm still one of the best defenders, and I will fight for that," said the centre-back, who has officially signed for the Reds after his contract expired with the former Premier League champions.

"These past two years of being 'part-time' have helped me refresh and be more hungry.
"I want to try and help Liverpool win trophies this season."
Toure leaves brother Yaya behind at the Etihad Stadium but he knew it was not an option for him to remain at the club.
"I haven't spoken to him yet really because he's been on holiday but he's going to be on his own there now," he added.
"I wish him the best but I knew I had to leave City. I've come next door and that's a great move for me."
Toure is seen by manager Brendan Rodgers as a short-term replacement for the retired Jamie Carragher.
He certainly has a wealth of Premier League experience, having played for Arsenal before his switch to City, but with Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel still at the club he knows he will have to fight for his place.
"I am used to competition. When I came into Arsenal the competition was Sol Campbell, Martin Keown, Tony Adams - it was hard competition," he told liverpoolfc.com.
"The only way to improve a team is to make players fight for their place.
"I know Jamie Carragher left the club and that's the reason why I'm here.
"He was massive for this club, he was a great professional and a great example for me.
"I will try to do what he did but I think that's going to be really difficult.
"It adds pressure because it's always hard to replace a big, big player like Jamie.
"I'm looking forward to that because I like challenges. I like to lead when I'm on the pitch, I like to speak to the players and organise things."
Toure joined his new team-mates and fellow new arrivals Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas and Simon Mignolet for the first day of pre-season at the club's Melwood training ground before formally signing his contract.
"It's like coming to a new school," he said.
"But as soon as I came, Steven Gerrard came up to me and told me that if I needed anything, I could come to see him - that shows the spirit and mentality of this club.
"The manager welcomed me when I came, and all the players as well.
"It's really important to be part of a team that has spirit and togetherness and that's what I see here.
"For a first day, I'm really happy."
The only absentees were those players who have had international duty this summer.
Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, club and national team-mate Sebastian Coates, and Spain goalkeeper Jose Reina have all been at the Confederations Cup in Brazil and so have been given an extended break.
Suarez's future remains in doubt, however, after a series of interviews while back in South American in which the 26-year-old criticised his dislike of the British press and admitted a move to Real Madrid would appeal.
Also absent were England youngsters Conor Coady and Jon Flanagan and Spaniard Suso, who have been involved in the Under-20s World Cup in Turkey.
Some of the players, including the likes of Raheem Sterling, Joe Allen, Gerrard - all injured towards the end of last season - and Daniel Sturridge have done some pre-preparation work at Melwood in the last week or so to help them get back up to speed.
Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey also rejoined his team-mates despite speculation about his future increasing.
The 21-year-old has been linked with Norwich, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Swansea.
Swans chairman Huw Jenkins claims he has already opened discussions with the Reds about the midfielder.
"There is an interest there and we are talking to Liverpool," he told the South Wales Evening Post.

MILAN: WE WON'T SELL EL SHAARAWY

AC Milan have released a statement confirming they will not sell striker Stephan El Shaarawy this summer following a meeting between the player and the club's CEO Adriano Galliani.

The 20-year-old striker was a sensation in the first half of last season and the Rossoneri's single redeeming feature in a dismal start to the campaign.

But his form tailed off after January, following the arrival of Mario Balotelli, and given the former Manchester City man's ability to play as a lone striker and suggestions the pair were not compatible, speculation mounted regarding El Shaarawy's future.

But the San Siro club have now moved to dismiss any possibility of allowing one of their prized assets to leave the club.

A club statement read: "It was a meeting between Adriano Galliani, Stephan El Shaarawy and the entourage of our young champion. And everything went well.

"Stephan has always been a fan of AC Milan and has reiterated his determination to continue playing in the Rossoneri shirt. This feeling has been reciprocated by Milan, with conviction and confidence.

"Milan and El Shaarawy move forward together, as from June 2011. Milan, the Rossoneri colours and the Pharaoh Rossoneri remain absolutely together."

Premier League side Chelsea had been linked with a move for the former Genoa man, who scored 18 times times in all competitions last season, but will now have to look elsewhere with his current deal with Milan running until 2018.

ALKMAAR REJECT SUNDERLAND BID FOR STRIKER

Sunderland's initial offer for AZ Alkmaar striker Jozy Altidore has been rejected by the Eredivisie side.
It was revealed earlier on Tuesday that the Black Cats had made a move for the American forward as they continue to reshape their squad under new manager Paolo Di Canio. But their opening bid has been knocked back by AZ, who have already banked 8 million euros after allowing Adam Maher to join PSV Eindhoven and are not under pressure to sell.

An AZ spokesman told Dutch press agency ANP: "A first bid was insufficient. We have let them know that. Now we have to wait."
Altidore, who has already had a spell in England with Hull City in 2009, enjoyed the best season of his career last term after scoring 23 league goals for AZ Alkmaar. Sunderland must now consider whether to return with an improved offer for the 23-year-old, or turn their attention to alternative targets.
Altidore claims he would consider a return to the Premier League. The USA international spent a season on loan at the KC Stadium in 2009-10, but struggled to produce his best as the Tigers were relegated from the Premier League.

"It is a fantastic league, anyone will tell you that," Altidore told NASN. "If you look at everything, the Premier League is probably the biggest league in the world. Everybody knows that and it would be a pleasure to play in a league like that again."
On his time at Hull, which brought just one goal, he added: "I think I was 19 or just turned 20 and I had not played in Europe before that. It is a totally different style from the MLS.
"I have come a long way since then. I am almost a different player and I have learned a lot. So I don't think there is any resemblance to that time if I went back to the league any time soon. I have played 100-plus games (since leaving Hull). Playing there at that age and playing in the best league in the world, you can't expect to hit the ground running.
"Some of my performances at Hull were not as bad as people think, some of them were actually pretty good. I don't look back at it as a sad experience. It was a great experience because I got to see what the highest level was like."

MAROTTA: JOVETIC DEAL IS DEAD

Giuseppe Marotta has given up hope of Stevan Jovetic joining Juventus this summer due to the poor relationship between the club and the Montenegrin's owners, Fiorentina.

The 23-year-old has been a target for the Old Lady for over a year now, but the Juve general director has admitted defeat in their attempts to lure the forward to the Bianconeri.

Speaking at the unveiling of Fernando Llorente at Vinovo, Marotta explained that the long-running rift between Juve and the Viola will prevent a deal taking place.

"Jovetic will not come here due to the relationship which everybody is aware of existing between ourselves and Fiorentina," explained Marotta. "That which does not happen today can happen tomorrow, but only if Fiorentina give him to us on a free loan."

But while 'JoJo' will not be donning the black-and-white stripes any time soon, Marotta was happy to introduce Llorente after the striker's Bosman free transfer from Athletic Bilbao and was quick to set the Spaniard a minimum goals target.

"We believe in him. Fernando is a reigning world champion. He's always scored an average of 15 goals per season, he added.

"I want to remind you all that this guy had a rescission clause in his contract at Athletic worth €37 million. That shows that he is another important player like Carlos Tevez. We made the deal official in February when we had agreed the terms and, knowing the human qualities of Llorente we decided to agree upon a four-year contract terms."
With Llorente joining Tevez in striking arrivals, the Old Lady are still looking to add to their defensive ranks with Angelo Ogbonna from neighbours Torino and Marotta remains confident that a transfer will be pushed through.

"Ogbonna is a target. We will look at it with Torino president Urbano Cairo in the coming days and we will try to come to a deal because we want this transfer. He is a player who we could use at left-back, but we must not forget that we have a very competitive squad which has won two successive Scudetti."

HULL CITY SIGN SCOTISH INTERNATIONAL

Hull have completed the signing of Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor from Besiktas for an undisclosed fee.
The 31-year-old former Rangers player has signed a three-year deal at the KC Stadium as the Tigers continue to prepare for their return to the Premier League.
McGregor told Hull's website: "I'm really excited to be here and I'm happy that everything is done now.
"I can't wait to get started here. This is a great chance for me to play in the Premier League and I'm looking forward to the season ahead."

McGregor, who spent 14 years with Rangers before his move to Turkey last summer, has won 29 caps for his country.
He returned in August 2010 from over a year in international exile after he was dropped over a late-night drinking session with team-mate Barry Ferguson. The pair were then caught making v-signs to photographers while on the substitutes' bench during a game against Iceland.

His move to the KC Stadium, which is subject to international clearance, represents the latest step in City boss Steve Bruce's efforts to strengthen his defence ahead of the top-flight campaign.
Bruce has already signed defender Curtis Davies from Birmingham and given new contracts to centre-back James Chester and full-back Liam Rosenior.
McGregor fills one of the club's primary needs for the new season, with the erratic Eldin Jakupovic and the untried Mark Oxley the only senior keepers previously on their books. Hull took Fulham's David Stockdale on loan for the latter part of last season.
Forward Sone Aluko was quick to welcome his former Gers team-mate to East Yorkshire, writing on Twitter: "Buzzing McGregor has signed for us! Top class keeper and what a guy! Welcome to Hull Greegsy!!''

BAYERN: STILL NO ACCEPTABLE BID FOR GOMEZ

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has revealed the club are still waiting to receive an acceptable offer for striker Mario Gomez.

Reports had suggested Serie A side Fiorentina were on the brink of sealing an €18 million deal for the forward, with personal terms said to be agreed on a four-year contract worth around €4.6m-per-year.

However, Bayern have refuted those claims and insist they have yet to receive an offer that matches their valuation of the former Stuttgart player.

“As of now the club have not received a bid which we are satisfied with for Gomez,”  Sammer said to SID.

If a development does not arrive within the next two days, Gomez will travel with Bayern’s squad to a training camp in Trentino on Thursday as planned.

The Germany international has enjoyed a prolific spell with the Bavarians, scoring 75 goals in 115 Bundesliga games for the club.

Despite being contracted with the German champions until the summer of 2016, Gomez is expected to move during this summer’s transfer window after losing his regular starting place to Croatian Mario Mandzukic last season.

Sammer also dismissed reports linking the Champions League winners with a swoop for Chelsea and Brazil defender David Luiz but did not rule out more arrivals in the weeks ahead.

BERNARD RULES OUT MOVE TO TOTTENHAM

Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund appear to be out of the race to sign Bernard after the Atletico Mineiro midfielder's agent admitted Porto were the only one of the trio not to have been put off by his asking price.

Spurs have been linked with a couple of Brazilians this summer and appear set to sign Paulinho after he revealed on Monday that an agreement had been reached to take him to White Hart Lane.

But it does not look as though he will be joined in London by Bernard, who was also a part of the winning Confederations Cup squad, as the 20-year-old's representative says talks have stalled.
A switch to Champions League finalists Dortmund has also been ruled out, while Shakhtar Donetsk have yet to submit an offer after also being credited with an interest.
Agent Adriano Spadoto told O Tempo: "The negotiations with Dortmund and Tottenham have cooled due to Bernard's high asking price, and he won't go to any of these clubs.
"There is nothing from Shakhtar, they have made no offer."
Porto now look to be in pole position to land Bernard's signature, especially as the BMG bank have connections with the Portuguese club and also Mineiro.
"The agreement (with BMG) is a factor, so Porto are the most likely destination for Bernard," said Spadoto.
"I believe that Bernard will leave Atletico Mineiro after the Copa Libertadores and the official announcement will be made by (Mineiro president) Alexandre Kalil."

SUNDERLAND CLOSING IN ON ARSENAL KEEPER

Promising full-back Benjamin Mendy is due on Wearside later this week to tie up a move to Sunderland.
The 18-year-old Le Havre defender is expected to head for England to complete his switch with the two clubs having agreed a deal some time ago.
Left-back Mendy has also been linked with Arsenal, Lyon and Marseille this summer, but the player has indicated that the Stadium of Light will be his destination and Press Association Sport understands the transfer could be completed within days.

That would represent a major boost for manager Paolo Di Canio and his recruitment team, headed by new director of football Roberto De Fanti.
The Black Cats confirmed three new signings yesterday as defenders Valentin Roberge and Modibo Diakite and midfielder Cabral officially became Sunderland players after running down their contracts at Maritimo, Lazio and Basle respectively.
But work is continuing apace to further re-shape not only the first team, but the development squad too.
Di Canio is hot on the trail of Velez Sarsfield's 21-year-old right-back Gino Peruzzi, while Le Havre midfielder El-Hadji Ba, 20, is expected to complete a Bosman free transfer sooner rather than later.
The Black Cats are also close to adding Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Manonne to the ranks after agreeing a fee with the Gunners over the weekend.
Italian Mannone, 25, made 13 appearances for Arsene Wenger's men last season, four of them in the Champions League, although his last game came in November after number one Wojciech Szczesny had returned from an ankle injury.
He spent the remainder of the season on the bench with Lukasz Fabianski getting the nod when Szczesny succumbed to injury once again in March.
A move to Sunderland may give him a better chance of competing for a first-team place, although he would arrive with Keiren Westwood seemingly the man in possession following Simon Mignolet's departure for Liverpool.
The Reds paid an initial £9million for the Belgium international, representing a significant profit on the £2mil the Black Cats had handed over for him three years earlier.
Mannone's price-tag is understood to amount to a fraction of the proceeds of Mignolet's sale.
Di Canio and his players are due to return for pre-season training tomorrow with the rebuilding work only partially complete and further arrivals and departures in the offing.
The Italian is desperate to recruit at least one striker, and AZ Alkmaar's United States international Jozy Altidore has been heavily linked with the club.
But there could be further departures too amid speculation that full-back Phil Bardsley, skipper Lee Cattermole and playmaker Stephane Sessegnon may leave.

JUVENTUS SET TO RELEASE THREE FIRST TEAM PLAYERS

Juventus are set to sell Fabio Quagliarella, Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Matri as they look to make space for further recruits.
The Bianconeri have wasted little time in launching their summer transfer assault, with Fernando Llorente completing his free transfer from Athletic Bilbao on Monday and Carlos Tevez unveiled for an €11.8 million fee last week.

The arrival of the two strikers means there is now an over-crowded forward department at Juventus Stadium and coach Antonio Conte has decided to allow the trio of forwards - who mustered just 33 goals between them last season - to leave in the summer window.

AC Milan are believed to hold an interest in Matri, 28, but their preference for a loan deal is of little interest to the Serie A champions, with his current deal running until June 2017.

Juve are, however, hoping Vucinic will attract permanent bids from England, with Premier League sides Manchester United and Tottenham having been linked with the 29-year-old Montenegro international in recent times.

But the future of Quagliarella remains unclear. Like Vucinic, the Italian has a contract with the club until 2015 and is believed to be ready to fight for his place in Turin, despite the prospect of reduced playing time next season.

Lazio and Roma both made tentative enquiries for the 30-year-old in May but are yet to follow up with a firm bid, while interest could also emerge from the Bundesliga.

SAMBA SET FOR £12M MOVE BACK TO ANZHI

QPR centre-back Christopher Samba is on the verge of re-joining Anzhi Makhachkala for £12million, Press Association Sport understands.
The 29-year-old was signed from the Russian club for an undisclosed club-record fee in January as the Hoops looked to beat the drop from the Barclays Premier League.
Just six months on Samba is understood to be close to a return to Anzhi for the price relegated QPR are believed to have forked out for him.

It is a surprise about turn by the defender, who expressed his relief that the Rs rejected a bid from Russia just weeks after he signed.
"All the money in the world cannot make you happy if you don't have your family with you," Samba said.
"I came back to be with my family. Life needs to have both sides - enjoy your football and have your loved ones close to you.
"I have no plans to go back to Russia."
The former Blackburn centre-back was one of the west Londoners' key targets in January as Harry Redknapp looked to shore up his defence.
Samba failed to live up to his billing and was unimpressive for the Rs, notably in a woeful performance against rivals Fulham in April
The Congolese defender gifted the Cottagers the opening two goals in what ended up as a 3-2 defeat, all but ending their hopes of staving off relegation.
Samba did himself few favours afterwards by hitting out at those questioning his value and not many fans in W12 will be sad to see the back of him.
Other high earners like Djibril Cisse, Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell have all left this summer as the Rs begin to cut their cloth ahead of life in the npower Championship.

RANIERI: WE WILL SIGN MORE PLAYERS AT MONACO

Claudio Ranieri has insisted that Monaco's busienss in the transfer market is not over just yet and they intend to make a few more signings as they are chase Champions League qualification in 2013-14.

The Ligue 1 side have already added seven new players to their roster, including high-profile names such as Radamel Falcao, Ricardo Carvalho, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho, but the Italian feels they still lack a bit of quality that would allow them to compete with Paris Saint-Germain.

"The club's objective is to finish in the top three, but the team is still missing something," he told the Corriere dello Sport.

"We are missing some players of substance who would really add something to the team. The squad has already changed a lot compared to last year and has become very strong, but we are not complete yet.

"We are still far away from PSG's level, although I understand that the people will see Ligue 1 as a battle between us and them. We have an ambitious president and a lot of money."

Monaco have won seven Ligue 1 titles but their last success was back in 2000.

SWANSEA MAKE MOVE FOR BELGIAN INTERNATIONAL

Swansea City have made a move for Belgian international Nacer Chadli.

The FC Twente winger has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs in recent months.

Fulham, Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Brom have all been credited with an interest in the highly-rated 23-year-old - whilst Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Dontesk are also said to be keen.
But now Swansea's interest can be confirmed and the player's agent has told Sky Sports that a bid has been lodged.
"I understand that a bid has been made by Swansea," Daniel Evrard said.
"I cannot say anything more about the situation."

BOBAN: EL SHAARAWY'S FUTURE IN DOUBT

Former AC Milan midfielder Zvonimir Boban believes Stephan El Shaarawy is at risk of being sold this summer unless he improves his game.

The Italy international was one of the stars of the first half of the 2012-13 campaign, but his progress halted after the winter break as he struggled to hit his best form.

A number of recent reports even suggested that Milan could cash in on the 20-year-old if a good offer comes in and Boban thinks a transfer is not out of the question.

"El Shaarawy needs to improve a lot. He is too predictable at the moment. Everybody knows what's going to happen when he cuts inside," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"I get the idea that Milan see him as a good player, but nothing more than that. I get the feeling that they are already considering selling him.

"[Adriano] Galliani has already said that he's not unsellable, so I think they will sell him if the price is right."

El Shaarawy's current contract with Milan runs until June 2018.

KINNEAR: I'M THE BEST DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

Joe Kinnear insists he is "head and shoulders" above every other director of football in the Premier League because of his experience.
The 66-year-old's appointment was greeted by a less than favourable response on Tyneside, but having started work in earnest at St James' Park yesterday, he believes he is more than qualified for the job.
He told the Shields Gazette: "Every top club in the land has got one [a director of football]. We haven't - that's the difference.
"The manager can't do everything. I'm probably the only football manager to be a director of football. I don't know any other ex-managers who have.
"I've been a manager for 35 years. I've been Manager of the Year. I've won every award there is in football as a player.

"I think all those qualities put me head and shoulders above every other director of football."
Newcastle have tried the director of football system before with Dennis Wise, whose title was executive director (football), working above then manager Kevin Keegan.
It was a move which backfired spectacularly with Keegan eventually walking out and successfully fighting a claim for constructive dismissal.
However, Kinnear is convinced he can form a working partnership with manager Alan Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr as the club sets about the task of improving the squad for next season.
He said: "Some directors of football have never played the game.
"I'm lending my experience as a manager for all those years - 10 years at Wimbledon, two years at Nottingham Forest, two years winning promotion at Luton and, of course, almost two years at Newcastle. I would still be there had it [a heart attack] not occurred."
Kinnear was actually in charge at St James' for a little more than six months before his health problems struck.
His first act could be to sanction the departure of utility man James Perch, who is currently the subject of a bid from relegated Wigan.
Perch, 27, has emerged as something of a cult figure on Tyneside after a difficult start to his career in a black and white shirt.
However, despite the fact that he provides cover across the back four and in a defensive midfield role, it appears that the Magpies could be ready to offload him as they review the current squad.