LYON CONFIRM LOPES SIGNING

Lyon have signed right-back Miguel Lopes on a season-long loan from Sporting Lisbon.
The 26-year-old Portugal international has only played for one club outside of the country during his career, in a year-long loan spell with Betis between 2010 and 2011.

He will now join the Ligue 1 side until summer 2014 with a view to a permanent transfer.
Lyon have also revealed they had to fend off interest from one of the star's former clubs, Porto, in order to land his signature.
Lopes made 14 league appearances for Sporting in the second half of last season, following a January move from Porto after his contract had expired.

VILLARREAL SIGN BELGRADE STAR

Villarreal are continuing to strengthen for the step up to La Liga next season having secured defender Aleksandar Pantic from Red Star Belgrade for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old has agreed a three-year contract with the Yellow Submarine following a 12-month stint at Red Star.
Pantic, who has been capped at Under-21 level for Serbia, began his career with FK Rad, making his full debut for the Serbian Superliga outfit in May 2011 at the age of 19.
Prantic joined Red Star last season and made 13 appearances under Robert Prosinecki in the 2012-13 campaign as they finished second in the Serbian top flight.
Villarreal have also recruited Slovenian defender Bojan Jokic from Chievo and midfielder Tomas Pina from Mallorca.

JUANFRAN: WE NEED TO REPLACE FALCAO

Atletico Madrid full-back Juanfran says he is confident the club can find a replacement for Radamel Falcao, given the talents they have been linked with.

The Colombia international hit 28 goals in La Liga last term before leaving Los Colchoneros for newly-promoted Ligue 1 side Monaco.

Juanfran admitted they have lost something with the departure of Falcao, but was optimistic about the effect a replacement could have on the team with a number of names having been targeted already.

"We need someone with that extra quality that Falcao gave us," the 28-year-old told reporters. "It is clear that the names being mentioned will do that.

"[Alvaro] Negredo, [Roberto] Soldado [and David] Villa are all great strikers. Hopefully we'll have a great season.

"The economy in Spain is difficult for teams other than Real Madrid and Barcelona. But we are convinced that things will work out well for us. I'm sure we're going to have a great season."

RONALDO NAMED AMONG GOLDEN FOOT NOMINEES

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has been announced as one of 10 nominees for the 2013 Golden Foot award.

The Portugal international would be the first player from his country to win the prize, which was first given out in 2003, and aims to reward the best player in the world over the age of 28.

Team-mate Iker Casillas and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta have also been nominated.

Past winners of the award, which takes into account the whole of a footballer's career as well as current form, include Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Francesco Totti, and last year's winner, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Players can only win the prize once, which has been presented at a ceremony in Monaco every year since its inception.

The 2013 trophy will be given out by Prince Albert II of Monaco in September, with the winner leaving a cast of their footprints in Monte Carlo's 'Champions Promenade.'

Nominees are chosen by a panel of representatives of Golden Foot's media partners, with a public vote then taking place online.

Alongside Ronaldo, Casillas and Iniesta are:  Samuel Eto'o (Anzhi Makhachkala), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Miroslav Klose (Lazio), David Trezeguet (River Plate) and David Beckham (Paris Saint-Germain prior to retirement).

LILLE: PSG AND MONACO TARGET GOING NO WHERE

Lucas Digne could still stay with Lille this summer despite strong interest from Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, according to the club's president Michel Seydoux.

The full-back, 19, rose to prominence last season following impressive displays in the Champions League with les Dogues, which has caught the attention of France's most financially-backed clubs.

But Seydoux has warned the nouveaux riche in Ligue 1 that there is no pressure to sell Digne and he is determined to ensure the talented prospect remains at the club this season.

Asked if a deal was close, he told L'Equipe: "The transfer will not happen this weekend, but yes, there is a competition between Monaco and PSG.

"But nobody mentions a third solution and that is that he stays with us this season.

"This club is not bankrupt, so that is still a real possible alternative."

Digne has a contract with Lille which runs until the summer of 2017.

GUARIN: I'M FOCUSED ONLY ON INTER MILAN

Inter midfielder Fredy Guarin says he is focused on playing football with his current side.

The highly-rated 27-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Nerazzurri in order to free up funds for summer signings.

The star's representative revealed last week his client had no wish to leave the Giuseppe Meazza side, amidst reported interest from Manchester United, Tottenham and Anzhi Makhachkala.

"I thank my family and my friends for having been with me for this unforgettable holiday," the Colombia international wrote on Twitter.

"I hug them one by one because I love them. Now my goal is Inter," he added.

Guarin moved to Inter from Porto in the 2012 January transfer window, having started his career with Colombian outfit Envigado.

NAPOLI FRONT RUNNER FOR DAMIAO

Napoli are reported to have jumped to the front of the queue to sign Southampton and Tottenham target Leandro Damiao from Internacional.

Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino confirmed his interest in Damiao on Thursday, while Spurs are known to be long-term admirers of the Brazil striker.

However, the Premier League duo now look set to miss out to Napoli, who is expected to be the replacement for Edinson Cavani at Stadio San Paolo.
One of Damiao's representatives has admitted that there is a clear front-runner in the race to land the 23-year-old.
Vinicius Prates told Radio Gaucha: "There is a club that intends to sign the player. The interest exists."
Damiao has emerged in the last week as being one of the names on the top of Mauricio Pochettino's shortlist of potential signings.
The exact transfer fee for Damiao - said to be around £18million - remains unclear, with Prates adding: "The reported value is a lie."

CSKA: MILAN MUST PAY FAIR PRICE FOR TARGET

CSKA Moscow have told AC Milan they are willing to sell Keisuke Honda this summer - but only if they receive a fair price.
General director Roman Babaev has clarified the club's position over the Japan star, who has long been a target of the Rossoneri.

He told Sport Express: "The ball is in Milan's court now. Our position is clear - we are ready to let him go if we receive a reasonable offer."
Honda will be out of contract in December, meaning he is already free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with other clubs, but reports in Italy claim Milan are keen on a cut-price deal to push through a transfer this summer.
Babaev admits such a scenario is a possibility, but does not want his club to be taken advantage of in the market.
"The situation has not changed. Honda could be speaking to another club at the moment because the rules allow it," he continued.
"We are pleased that Milan are interested but we also have to be realistic. Yes, his expiring contract affects his market value but there is a limit as to how low we can go.
"We are not worried if he ends up leaving the club on a free transfer. It is a difficult decision to make - part ways with Honda now or keep him until his contract expires.
"We are interested to see how this progresses."

KROOS: GUARDIOLA BRINGS A FRESH APPROACH

Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos says he is raring to go under new coach Pep Guardiola as he returns to full fitness following a knee operation.
Kroos suffered an adductor injury against Juventus in last season's Champions League quarter-final first leg in April which left him sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

But now back to full fitness and a new coach at the helm, Kroos says he is enjoying the fresh approach the former Barcelona boss has brought to the club.
"Training with Guardiola is good," Kroos told reporters. "He's always talking to each player, trying to give them a vision of the style of football he wants to play.
"I think that with him, every player will have a different task and will have to adapt their game to what he wants. He just has his own style - his own plan.
"He wants to communicate that to each player individually. For some positions, that works better in a one-on-one situation. It's better to do that than talk in front of the whole team."
Bayern go into next season as the first German side to win the treble and kick off their Bundesliga campaign against Borussia Monchengladbach on August 9.

LAZIO REJECT ANY APPROACH FOR HERNANES

Lazio sporting director Igli Tare has insisted that star midfielder Hernanes is not for sale this summer.

The Brazilian was one of the Biancocelesti's top performers last season in the Europa League, Serie A and the Coppa Italia, in which the side beat rivals Roma in the final.

With Paris Saint-Germain reported to be interested in the 28-year-old, Tare has revealed that the player is keen to remain at the Stadio Olimpico and says he is happy with the current squad that the capital-based club have assembled.

"Hernanes is not for sale," the Lazio chief told Il Messaggero. "As far as we are concerned, he has never been on the market.

"He wants to stay and we want him to remain to continue winning. Football is unpredictable, as everyone knows, but he will stay with us.

"We are very satisfied with the squad that we’ve put together. We are competitive in defence and attack, while I think we have one of the best midfields in Serie A. Now we also have players with experience like [Lucas] Biglia.

"Let’s just say we are happy with our current squad, then if a transfer opportunity comes along we will take it."

Along with ex-Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia, Lazio have also brought on board Felipe Anderson from Santos since the summer transfer window opened.

KLOPP: LEWANDOWSKI WILL JOIN BAYERN NEXT YEAR

Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed his understanding that striker Robert Lewandowski will join Bayern Munich when his contract runs out next season.
24-year-old Lewandowski has been much sought-after throughout Europe after his goal-scoring exploits for Dortmund, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid all clamouring for his signature alongside the Bavarians.

Bayern appear to have succeeded in the chase however, and could be set to snap up Lewandowski, previously touted at around £30million, for nothing as his contract runs out at the end of the 2013-14 season.
"I think it is a known fact that Robert is going to play for Bayern after the upcoming season," Dortmund manager Klopp told German national newspaper Welt am Sonntag. "Now the only question is how to shape the time until then.
"That is our concern and it is our commitment to our fans and members to ensure that we will have a more competitive team in the upcoming season."
Lewandowski, who plundered 10 goals in Dortmund's exhilarating 2012-13 Champions League campaign last season, has long been on the radar of Europe's elite after joining the Germans in 2010.

The Polish international has scored 54 goals in 98 appearances for Dortmund, with over 30 of those coming last season as Dortmund set up an all-German Champions League final and finished 2nd in the Bundesliga behind Bayern. His four-goal haul against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final placed him firmly on the wishlist of clubs throughout Europe.
Following the departure of midfield starlet Mario Gotze to rivals Bayern on the eve of the Champions League final last season, Klopp has repeatedly expressed his desire to keep the rest of his squad amidst intense interest. Talks with Lewandowski now appear to have broken down though, and the Polish striker has again expressed his wish to leave.
"Up to a certain point we were with Robert's desire for change and were ready to talk. But nothing happened so we had to eventually say: '[A sale] now no longer works for us'," said Klopp.
"And now we want to prove that, with a quality player like Robert, we can be successful in the coming year. Our results in the coming season is what we're all about. I know that Robert and I see it the same way."

SCHOLES SNUBS MANCHESTER UNITED'S COACHING ROLE

Paul Scholes has rejected the chance to form part of Manchester United’s new-look coaching team due to family reasons.

New manager David Moyes revealed that he asked the 38-year-old to follow in the footsteps of Ryan Giggs and former team-mate Phil Neville by becoming a coach following his decision to retire from playing for a second time in May.

Scholes is keen to spend more time with his family after discussing a potential coaching role with Moyes, though the Scot hinting that the former England international still forms part of his long-term plans behind the scenes at Old Trafford.

Moyes told the club’s official website: "I wanted to make sure I had connections to what happened here.

"I spoke to Paul Scholes as well. He wants to have some time off with his family.

"Paul was fantastic with me and wanted to help a lot. I probably spent an hour or two on the phone with him. He wants to spend time with his family at the moment.

"We'll bring him in when he's ready."

On the decision to involve Giggs and Neville in his coaching set-up, Moyes added: "I wanted to make sure I had some young members of staff behind me as well."

Scholes spent his entire professional career at United, winning 11 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice.

WIGAN AGREE FEE FOR GRANT HOLT

Wigan Athletic have agreed a fee with Norwich City for striker Grant Holt. The Latics will now discuss personal terms with the 32-year-old who has been with the Canaries since 2009.
Holt netted 15 league goals in Norwich's first season back in the top flight in 2011/12, but he only scored eight Premier League goals last term and City manager Chris Hughton has been actively seeking reinforcements up front.

The former Sheffield Wednesday, Rochdale, Nottingham Forest and Shrewsbury striker does have a prolific record in the Football League, though, and new Latics boss Owen Coyle wants Holt to spearhead his strike-force in the Championship as Wigan seek an immediate return to the Premier League.
Sky Bet had earlier suspended their betting on Holt's next club after he was repeatedly backed at 1/5 to join Wigan.
Sky Bet football trader Chris Spicer said: "We had to pull the plug on Holt's market due to the sheer volume of bets we've taken on.
"Our customers have been queuing up to back the move, which was an even-money price just two days ago and as long as 8/1 last week."

PODOLSKI: ARSENAL CAN CHALLENGE FOR TITLE

Lukas Podolski is confident Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League title this season after three of their rivals changed manager.
The Germany international striker helped the Gunners finish in the top four once again in his first campaign at the Emirates since moving from Cologne last summer.

Podolski netted 11 times and also weighed in with 10 assists in 2012/13, putting him in the Premier League's top 10 performers in terms of goal contributions.

With last season's top three, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, having switched bosses, Podolski is determined to see Arsenal make the most of their stability and mount a sustained challenge.
"The hope is that this season Arsenal will be at the top of the league. English football, thankfully, is not like Spain where you only have two teams - Barcelona and Real Madrid - who fight at the top," said the 28-year-old in The Sun.
"In the Premier League, you have five, six, even seven top, top teams. It's very difficult but I know that Arsenal are one of those top teams who will be involved
"You don't know how the season will work out. A few of the other teams all have new managers, so it's difficult to say.
"But they will be strong and equally, Arsenal will be strong."
Podolski will be back for pre-season training at London Colney on Monday having been given an extended break due to his participation in Germany's friendlies in America in late May and early June. On Thursday, he will be heading for Indonesia and the start of the club's pre-season tour of the Far East.
"It will be good to be back in training and I feel fit," he added. "This is a very important time of the year.
"This will be my first tour with Arsenal and I'm really looking forward to it. I hope Arsenal can have a good pre-season and, hopefully, all of us can be injury free. It's good to have Jack Wilshere back but we need all our players to be available.
"Last season was a good season for me. I scored a lot of goals and made a lot of assists so I was happy.
"I came from a small team like Cologne so it wasn't easy but, hopefully, this year will be better."
A month ago, Podolski was being linked with a return to the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, but he was quick to deny the transfer talk.
The striker is likely to face increased competition for places in north London next season, with Gonzalo Higuain expected to arrive from Real Madrid for a fee of around £23million, but he is not fazed by the prospect.
"It's always good when good players come in. I don't worry about a specific player. And it's certainly not a problem," said Podolski.
"I'm strong enough and I have qualities. And when good players come in, I'll play with good players.
"Every season, players come in and players go. But I think it's good news if top players come in."

LEONARDO CONFIRM PSG BID FOR CAVANI

Leonardo has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain have to bid for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.

The 26-year-old ended last season as Serie A's top goalscorer with 29 goals across the campaign as the Azzurri finished in the runners-up spot, nine points behind champions Juventus.

Leonardo, 43, indicated that les Rouge-et-Bleu are keen to sign the Uruguay international and have entered into negotiations with the Italian outfit.

"We presented an offer to [Napoli president Aurelio] De Laurentiis that I consider to be very interesting," the Brazilian declared to Il Matino.

"We are pursuing negotiations. We remain in contact and there could be new developments over the next days."

Cavani, whose deal at the San Paolo runs until 2017, has been attracting interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea in recent weeks but a €63 million buy-out clause in his contract has made any potential move tricky.

However, reports have suggested that PSG are the first club to have offered at least the €63m that De Laurentiis is demanding.

BENITEZ TAKES SWIPE AT INTER MILAN

Rafa Benitez has taken a swipe at former employers Inter, claiming the club hierarchy ignored his plans to develop the squad.

The Spaniard replaced Jose Mourinho at the Nerazzurri in June 2010 but was dismissed barely six months later after a string of disappointing results, leaving the then-Champions League holders and 2009-10 season treble winners in seventh place in Serie A.

Inter laboured to a ninth-placed finish in Italy's top flight last season, and Benitez, who took the reins at Napoli after spending much of last season as interim boss at Chelsea, believes the club has paid the price for not listening to his ideas three years ago.

"I prefer to remember only the positive things from my time at Inter," the 53-year-old stressed to Minuto 116.

"For example, the fact we won the Italian Super Cup and Club World Cup.

"However, many people pass judgment without knowing what really happened. The truth is that the club and technical staff sat down together to plan a renewal of the squad, including the names of new players, but these suggestions were never followed.

"The way I see it, this was the cause of everything that happened at Inter that year and possibly even in the following campaigns."

Benitez, who famously led Liverpool to Champions League success in 2005, saw his relationship with Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti sour after calling for investment in players after the club's 2010 Club World Cup success.

However, the former Valencia boss insists that he was right to ask for reinforcements despite Inter having just enjoyed the most successful season in their history under Jose Mourinho prior to his arrival.

"In order to continue winning, it is crucial to know when to renew the side. Sooner or later it has to be done," he continued.

"Now I have the opportunity for a new experience in Italy. I hope it will be a long one, because that would mean we had success and achieved our objectives."

MADRID PLAYER WANTS TO QUIT CLUB

Former Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho has claimed Fabio Coentrao is eager to quit the club this summer.

The 25-year-old full-back claimed earlier this year that he has never felt wanted in the Spanish capital, prompting rumours he could follow Jose Mourinho to Chelsea or return to his homeland with Benfica.

Carvalho, who recently signed for Monaco, believes his compatriot could well be set to move on from the Liga giants this summer - though he has urged him to stay at the club.

"I think that he wants to move on because he thinks that it would be the best thing for him to do career-wise," the 35-year-old told A Bola.

"Personally, I think he should continue because he meets Madrid’s requirements. He played well in practically every game last season.

"He’s a great left-back, to the point where he even made a few of his critics change their opinion about him. I do think that he has a place at Real Madrid."

Another Portugal star linked with a summer move away from Real Madrid is Cristiano Ronaldo, although Carvalho is confident his compatriot will sign a new deal at the club and placed him above Barcelona's Lionel Messi as the world's finest player.

"Every player who has quit Real Madrid will have regretted it later," Carvalho continued. "Cristiano will renew his contract.

"Cristiano is a winner, he always wants to play and win and that’s why I am in no doubt that he will continue with Madrid.

"Cristiano is a more complete player than Messi and I am not just saying that because I am Portuguese, looking at it objectively, it’s what I think." Z1QZ

VITESSE SIGN CHELSEA PLAYER ON LOAN

Vitesse Arnhem have announced the re-signing of Chelsea defender Patrick van Aanholt on a season-long loan.

The Dutch left-back has agreed his third spell with the Eredivisie club having also spent time in his homeland in the second half of the 2011/2012 season, along with all of the last campaign.

Van Aanholt, 22, is highly rated at Chelsea, who on Friday signed midfielder Marco van Ginkel from Vitesse, but he would face tough competition for places with Ashley Cole and Ryan Bertrand.
A statement on Vitesse's official website read: "Patrick van Aanholt will play again next season at Vitesse.
"The 22-year-old defender is hired for a season from Chelsea Football Club. Van Aanholt begins his third season in Arnhem."

MALAGA STAR SET TO LEAVE CLUB

Martin Demichelis is to leave Malaga this summer after the club and player were unable to agree a new deal, coach Bernd Schuster has confirmed.

Demichelis, who has made 103 appearances for the Andalusians since joining from Bayern Munich in 2011, saw his contract expire on July 1 and will now be allowed to depart the club as a free agent.

Schuster confirmed that the 32-year-old will not remain with the Liga outfit after the two parties could not agree to new terms, with Argentine giants River Plate having offered the defender the opportunity to re-join his old club.

"Our offer has been answered," the 53-year-old told reporters at a press conference.

"We would have liked him to continue as he's a respected and important part of this team. But it seems that our ideas are different and we must accept that.

"Now we must find a replacement."

Demichelis began his senior career at River Plate before moving to Germany to join Bayern for €5 million in the summer of 2004.

If the defender does move to the Buenos Aires-based side, he may well be joined by Benfica's Pablo Aimar, who admitted he would relish the chance to return to his homeland once more.

"I think about the future and would like to return to Argentina," the 33-year-old attacking midfielder was quoted as saying by Ole.

"I very much appreciate the interest of River. While I will evaluate what I do in the coming days, I do not make decisions for myself. I have a large family and the decision affects everyone. I guess the doors are open and they are ready to come back [to Argentina]. I'm thankful to River."

MANCINI ADMITS TO SERIA A INTEREST

Roberto Mancini will consider the prospects of returning to Serie A one day, but reiterated he was just enjoying his break from the game for the time being.

The 48-year-old has been out of job since being sacked by Manchester City in May, amidst failing to defend the club's Premier League crown and losing the FA Cup final 1-0 to Wigan.

The Italian admitted he might be interested in making a return the country he made his name as a coach, at Lazio and Inter, though he reiterated he was in no rush to do so.

"I have time to come back to Italy, as I am still young," Mancini told Sky Sports Italia. "Staying abroad, or being put in charge of a national team, could also be a good experience.

"However, I'm happy with this time off. I've done this work for many years, and there is always so much pressure. Going forward relentlessly is not easy."

However, Mancini expressed his bitterness at being shown the door at the Etihad again, claiming the Premier League runners-up comprehensively failed to grasp the feats he achieved during his four-year tenure.

"We did things well with a team that hadn't won for 50 years," he lamented. "I brought in three throphies, so I am very happy with what I achieved there."