NORWICH SIGN DUTCH INTERNATIONAL

Norwich City have confirmed the signing of Dutch international midfielder Leroy Fer from FC Twente on a four-year deal.

The 23-year-old, who is Chris Hughton's sixth summer signing, scored 21 goals in 71 appearances for FC Twente after starting his career with Feyenoord.

Fer, who has two full caps, captained Holland at Under-17 and Under-19 levels and he was a key part of their European Under-21 Championship team which made it to the semi-finals.
He joins Javier Garrido, Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, Nathan Redmond, Martin Olsson and Carlo Nash in boosting Hughton's options for the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season.
Hughton said: "We are really pleased to have acquired the signature of a player with the qualities that Leroy has.
"He's a very versatile Dutch international and at 23 he has that pleasing balance of having acquired experience playing over 100 games in the Dutch League - but still having plenty of time ahead of him to continue his development as a player here with us at Norwich City."

PSV SIGN CHELSEA DEFENDER AND TWO OTHER PLAYERS

PSV have completed the signings of Jeffrey Bruma, Stijn Schaars and Santiago Arias.
Bruma, 21, joins on a four-year deal from Chelsea, while Schaars, 29, and Arias, 21, have signed three and four-year-deals respectively after arriving from Sporting Lisbon.
The trio continue the Eindhoven club's rebuilding process following the signing of AZ midfielder Adam Maher on the back of losing Dries Mertens, Jeremain Lens and Erik Pieters earlier this summer.

Bruma, who is thought to have cost in the region of €3 million, has impressed in his last two seasons spent on loan at Bundesliga outfit Hamburg, and PSV will be hoping he can further his growing reputation in Eindhoven.
"[Bruma is] a defender that we would have wanted sooner," PSV technical director Marcel Brands told the club's official website.
"Unfortunately, it took a little longer than we had hoped for, but we are pleased that he is here."
Schaars, who played for Vitesse and AZ earlier in his career, returns to the Netherlands after a two-year spell in Portugal as part of a double €1.6 million deal with Colombia right-back Arias.
"It was a difficult operation with Sporting, but we can add a chunk of experience in the team with him," Brands added about the midfielder.
"From the first day we approached Stijn, he could not wait to start."

SAVICEVIC MAKES MATCH FIXING CLAIM

Dejan Savicevic claims members of Red Star Belgrade's 1991 European Cup-winning side were offered €254,000 by football coaches to lose their final against Olympique de Marseille.

The Serbian club went on to triumph 5-3 on penalties in Bari 22 years ago, but, according to Savicevic, only after several players had been approached by unnamed figures in their hotel rooms on the eve of the clash.

"It's not a secret," he said in a telephone interview with Associated Press. "I have been saying this for a while and I have never denied it: 500,000 marks was offered to us.

"We refused it because it is not in our character. Everyone knows it ... ask [goalkeeper Stevan] Stojanovic, or [midfielder] Robert Prosinecki."

The former midfielder, who is now head of Montenegro's football association, went on to lift the Champions League for a second time with AC Milan in 1994.

Marseille, meanwhile, won the Champions League in its inaugural season in 1992-93, but had their Ligue 1 title stripped from them amid a match-fixing scandal.

KLOPP STUNNED BY DORTMUND'S FITNESS

Jurgen Klopp has revealed he has been left stunned by the fitness levels of his Borussia Dortmund squad in pre-season.

The Signal Iduna Park club ended last season on a disappointing note with defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, but Klopp's squad have refused to rest on their laurels during their summer break.

Klopp has taken his side to Austria for a pre-season training camp, where he and the club's fitness coaches have been able to assess the physical condition of the players before embarking on a gruelling schedule, but the former Mainz boss admits he has been taken aback by their efforts.

He told the club's official site: "The fitness levels the players are showing are extraordinary and have allowed us to broaden training plans.

"We sent the new players training plans which they have been following after their holidays and their levels are good, too."

The 46-year-old was also quick to stress the importance of the next seven days of pre-season training, particularly with the new season looming large on the horizon.

"It´s the most important week of pre-season. In Bad Ragaz we need to set the fitness levels and tactical disciplines for the coming season because we have some huge challenges ahead of us."

Dortmund have been quick to bolster their squad following the loss of Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich, signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan and from Shakhtar Donetsk and Saint-Etienne striker Pierre-Emeric Aubameyang.

ILLARRAMENDI: I'LL JUSTIFY MY €32M TRANSFER PRICE

Asier Illarramendi has vowed to justify his €32 million transfer fee after being unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Saturday.
The midfielder signed a six-year deal at Santiago Bernabeu on Friday after Madrid met the sizeable release clause in his contract, with the player joining from Real Sociedad.

"Today is a very special day for me," he said. "Getting the chance to play here is a very unique opportunity. I will give everything for this crest.
"I would like to show my appreciation to Real Sociedad and their fans for everything they've done for me."
Los Blancos president Florentino Perez also credited Sociedad, and said Illarramendi would be well supported by the Madrid faithful.
"We are happy to welcome Asier Illarramendi to Real Madrid," Perez said. "I would like to show my appreciation to Real Sociedad and their president for making this possible.
"The fans will support you in the good and bad times."
Illarramendi starred for Spain's Under-21 side in their European Championship-winning campaign earlier this summer and has been likened to team-mate Xabi Alonso for his passing-based game.

WENGER: I WANT TO COMMIT MY LONG TERM FUTURE TO ARSENAL

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he is ready to commit his long-term future to the club.

Wenger's current deal with the Gunners expires next season, and he has held preliminary contract talks with chief executive Ivan Gazidis.
The Frenchman was linked earlier this summer with Paris Saint-Germain, who eventually appointed Laurent Blanc as Carlo Ancelotti's successor.

"I am committed to staying longer at this club. I've already had a chat with Ivan. It went very well, not a problem," Wenger said.
"The link with PSG is there because I'm French and I know the owners. But if that was the case then I would be there already. I'm not at PSG because my heart is with Arsenal."
Meanwhile, Wenger has hinted the club are in a better position to spend some money in the current transfer window.
Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney and Liverpool strikerLuis Suarez have been mentioned as possible attacking targets along with Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain.
"They are all realistic targets quality-wise, but not all of them are available to join us," Wenger added.
"We have better financial resources than the years before and it is resources we have created ourselves. That is massively important to us.
"For years we were out of the race for the top-level transfers but we are coming back now because we are in a better financial situation and also because of Financial Fair Play."

PEREZ: EXPECT MORE SIGNINGS AT MADRID

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has hinted at making further signings this summer following the unveiling of Asier Illarramendi on a six-year-deal.

The 23-year-old was presented to the media at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday following his €32 million move from Real Sociedad, but Perez suggested his would not be the last arrival of the summer as they strive to build a team to match Carlo Ancelotti's vision of "spectacular" football.

"We continue to work and look for the spectacular football that Carlo Ancelotti wants," Perez told reporters. "We have an exceptional squad and a team of immense quality, but we are convinced we must keep working to continue being the best club in history.

"Today, a fantastic player arrives at Real Madrid, one who has become one of the great pearls of our game. Asier has been hailed as one of the best players of the [Spain] Under-21 side and he shares the dressing room with many players who are part of that team."

Illarramendi will hold a press conference later on Saturday after being presented to supporters on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch.

VALBUENA: PSG AND MONACO UNDER PRESSURE

Olympique de Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena believes Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco will be under significant pressure in the 2013-14 campaign.

PSG are favourites to complete the capture of Edinson Cavani from Napoli having invested heavily in their squad last season, while newly promoted Monaco have splashed the cash to land the likes of Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho this summer.

Valbuena, who helped Marseille clinch second spot behind PSG in Ligue 1 last season, feels the huge investment at each club will lead to a huge amount of expectation heading into the new season.

"The pressure will be mainly on their shoulders [PSG and Monaco]," he told La Provence. "Plenty is expected of them in relation to their spending and their recruitment."

Marseille have likewise invested in the market so far this summer, securing the signing of Dimitri Payet from Lille and agreeing a deal for Le Havre youngster Benjamin Mendy, and Valbuena is confident his side can compete for trophies next season.

"I'm still pumped," the 28-year-old added. "This season is super important. I want to be better, to be more decisive, to win titles, because it is magic to achieve things with l'OM."

INTER MILAN IN TALKS WITH PSG DEFENDER

Inter Milan director Piero Ausilio has confirmed they are in talks to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Gregory van der Wiel.

Inter are hoping to bring in van der Wiel on a loan deal as they look to bring in a new right-back this sumer.
Dutch defender van der Wiel refused to rule out a move to Inter earlier this week and Ausilio has admitted talks are ongoing for the former Ajax man.

"We have an open discussion with PSG over van der Wiel. We are talking about a loan, so we'll see," said Ausilio
However, Ausilio has admitted that Juventus have so far rejected their overtures for Mauricio Isla.
"We are talking to Juve, but everyone sticks to their guns," added Ausilio. "They have one evaluation of the player, we have another."
Inter have also ended their interest in Basel defender Aleksandar Dragovic, feeling they have enough cover at the back.
"We like Dragovic, but we are covered in that area of the team there are seven players," concluded Ausilio.

COUTINHO INSISTS LIVERPOOL WANT TOP FOUR FINISH

Coutinho insists last season's impressive finish to the Premier League season has left Liverpool feeling confident of mounting a top-four challenge this term.

Brendan Rodgers' men lost just one of their last 16 matches in the league campaign, with the Brazilian No.10 and fellow January signing Daniel Sturridge at the heart of the revival.


And Coutinho is adamant this form means the Merseysiders will head into the new season full of belief in their ability to return Champions League football to Anfield.

"Some new players have arrived to help us and the team finished well last year, so we hope to be able to finish within the top four," he told the club's official website.

"That's what we have always fought for, but we should think on a game-by-game basis because the competition is very long and we have to sustain good performances throughout the whole season."

Coutinho wowed the Anfield faithful with some dazzling trickery and vision last season, and the 21-year-old revealed the secret of his success is his laid back nature on the pitch.

"I always try to be relaxed, always play football and enjoy myself because what I like doing most is to play football, so I'm not concerned with pressure or such things," he added.

"I just try to enjoy myself on the field and always do my best to help the team.

"I'll work as hard as I've always done, always trying to improve each day as much as I can and always trying to learn from the more experienced players and the manager. Always working hard is what is most important."

ADAN: I HAVE NO HARD FEELINGS FOR MOURINHO

Real Madrid goalkeeper Antonio Adan insists he has no hard feelings for former coach Jose Mourinho after he was dropped last season in favour of new signing Diego Lopez.

The 26-year-old was handed the No.1 spot last season after Iker Casillas' hand injury in January, but the acquisition of Lopez promptly saw him demoted back to a role amongst the substitutes despite the coach's public declaration of support for his abilities.

While he admits he is unsure why Mourinho lost faith in him as Casillas' replacement, he maintains he respects the decision made by his former boss and stresses he enjoys a good relationship with his fellow shot-stoppers in the Spanish capital.

“These things happen in football and you have no control over them," he told AS when asked about why he was dropped. "I tried to work even harder and give my best for the team but the club decided to sign another goalkeeper. The coach’s job is to select his team every Sunday and all I can do is keep working hard and accept what decisions he makes.

“The declarations which Mourinho made in public are there for everyone to listen to and that question would be better directed to him than to me.

"I am not able to say why he suddenly lost confidence in me. But I have no hard feelings towards Mou and I respect his decisions.

“I think I am very lucky to be able to say that Iker and Diego Lopez are my friends and they have always treated me well. All three of us have come up from the youth teams.

"Diego coached me when I was younger and I have spent four or five seasons training with Iker and he is a very good friend of mine. So whatever the coach decides won’t change anything between us."

Adan went on to admit he may be forced to look elsewhere for first-team football in future if he is unable to secure more regular action in future.

“I will think about what’s best for me. In terms of my career, I want to be at a club where I will get to play regularly," he said.

"I am still under contract and if nothing changes, I will remain a Real Madrid player. Under that premise, I have to look at what is the best solution for me. I’ll wait until I receive an interesting offer but I am just looking for what is best for me."

LIVERPOOL TARGET TURNS DOWN NORWICH OFFER

Ajax defender Toby Alderweireld has turned down a move to Norwich City, according to the player's agent.

Alderweireld has been linked with a move away from Ajax all summer, with the likes of Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen credited with an interest in his services.

However, Norwich agreed a fee with Ajax to bring Alderweireld to Carrow Road, but were unable to agree personal terms with the Belgian international.
Alderweireld's agent, Soren Lerby, rejected suggestions that it was Norwich's standing in the game that persuaded the 24-year-old to reject their overtures.
"The problem was not that Norwich didn't fit Toby's ambitions, but we simply failed to agree terms," Lerby told Algemeen Dagblad.
Alderweireld, who is entering the final year of his contract at the Amsterdam ArenA, has admitted that if a move does not materialise this summer he is happy to stay Ajax.
"There is still other interest and a transfer takes a long time," Alderweireld told voetbal.nl. "We're only in mid-July it can still be done. If a nice club comes, it can go fast.
"If there is nothing, then I'll just stay at Ajax."

PSG CONFIDENT OF SIGNING CAVANI

Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc has admitted he is "confident" a deal for Edinson Cavani will soon be completed.

Club sporting director Leonardo confirmed last week the Ligue 1 champions had tabled a bid for the Uruguay star, with reports suggesting they had agreed to match his €63 million release clause.

Although the Brazilian is set to stand down from his post at PSG, Blanc remains optimistic that a deal to bring the coveted striker to Parc des Princes will be completed.

"I am confident," he told reporters after PSG's 2-1 friendly win over Rapid Vienna on Friday. "But as the player is not yet officially at the club, it would be useless to work on projected ideas. It's best to wait until the player is officially with the club."

PSG are also in the hunt for Roma defender Marquinhos, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona, and Blanc admits the interest in the 19-year-old will complicate any potential deal.

"I know the player very well from Serie A," he said of the Brazilian. "It's a difficult issue since, from what I know, we're not the only ones after this player. It proves his value.

"Our priorities in the market, as I said a few days ago, are to find a striker and a left-back."

Blanc is dismayed at Leonardo's impending departure, stressing that he would have loved to work with the former AC Milan star far beyond this summer.

"I would have liked to continue working with him," Blanc added. "We worked together for two weeks and had a truly good understanding.

"When I signed for PSG, I didn't know he was leaving. I understood he wanted to take a step back, but to then think he would not be there at all? No."

FULHAM OWNER SELLS CLUB

Mohamed Al Fayed's 16-year association with Fulham has come to an end after the Egyptian agreed a deal for the sale of the club to Shahid Khan.
The 84-year-old former Harrods owner has transformed the west Londoners from a third-tier outfit to an established Premier League side since taking over in 1997.
Sustained reports this week had suggested Al Fayed would now sell the club and the Cottagers last night confirmed a deal has been struck with Khan, billionaire owner of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.

"My time of serving as the custodian of Fulham Football Club would one day come to an end, and I feel that time has now arrived," Al Fayed said in a statement released to Press Association Sport.
"The time is right because I have found a very good man in Shahid Khan to accept the responsibility and privilege that I have enjoyed at Fulham since 1997.
"Fulham will be in very good hands with Shahid, whose success in business and passion for sport is very evident.
"I ask everyone who loves Fulham and our Craven Cottage home to welcome Shahid as he begins his journey as the next guardian of Fulham Football Club."
Khan is worth £1.9billion, according to Forbes, making him the 490th richest man in the world.
Born in Pakistan, the 62-year-old moved to the United States aged 16 for college and secured an engineering degree from the University of Illinois.
Khan went on to create an auto parts empire and such riches allowed him to buy NFL franchise the Jaguars, who will play one regular season game a season at Wembley for the next four years.
He said: "I was recently very fortunate to have been introduced to Mohamed Al Fayed, a man I respect and admire immensely for what he has accomplished in his life and - above all - what he has given others.
"Today, he is giving me the privilege and responsibility of serving as the next custodian of Fulham Football Club.
"I am extremely honoured to accept and want to thank him, on behalf of everyone who loves Fulham, for 16 years of exceptional service to the club.
"Mr Al Fayed rescued the club in its hour of need and has led it to a sustained place within the Premier League.
"Fulham is the perfect club at the perfect time for me.
"I want to be clear, I do not view myself so much as the owner of Fulham, but a custodian of the club on behalf of its fans.
"My priority is to ensure the club and Craven Cottage each have a viable and sustainable Premier League future that fans of present and future generations can be proud of.
"We will manage the club's financial and operational affairs with prudence and care, with youth development and community programmes as fundamentally important elements of Fulham's future."

MOYES: WE ARE CLOSING IN ON OUR TRANSFER TARGETS

New Manchester United manager David Moyes insists the club are closing in on their transfer targets.

The English champions were linked with a move for Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara, but the player looks likely to join his old boss Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.

Moyes was guarded over that development, when asked if the Spain U-21 international remained on United's radar.
"I never said at any time he was," said Moyes.
"There are people we are actively chasing and we are happy with the way things are going."
Speculation mounts on Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay moving to Old Trafford, although there has been no official word from either club.
Meanwhile, Moyes is preparing for his first match in charge of United when his team play Singha All Stars later today.

MOYES FALLS TO SHOCK DEBUT DEFEAT

David Moyes' tenure as Manchester United manager started on a sour note as the Premier League champions fell to a shock friendly defeat to Thailand All-Stars.
In a game lacking real flow and multiple missed chances, it was the Thai outfit who looked the more dangerous throughout and a sole 49th-minute strike from the impressive Teeratep Winothai secured the victory.

Moyes opted for a mix of youth and experience in his first selection, teaming the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs with young Belgian Adnan Januzaj.
Perhaps understandably, United started rustily and after four minutes were in debt to a wonderful recovery challenge from Jonny Evans to deny the hosts the lead after United’s offside trap was broken by Winothai.

Indeed, it took 22 minutes for United to carve out their first real opportunity; Fabio’s cross from the right-hand side was inch-perfect for the onrushing Januzaj to prod home but somehow, the youngster tapped it over the bar.

Slowly, the visitors began to take control and on the half-hour mark, Danny Welbeck finally escaped the attentions of his marker to race clear onto a Tom Cleverley through-ball, only for poor ball control to let him down when attempting to round the keeper.

Januzaj was proving to be a prominent player of the first half and, after the Belgian negotiated his way past a defender with a fine piece of skill, his cross-cum-shot flashed wide of the post.

However, United continued to be troubled by the ball over the top and another one on 35 minutes set Winothai clear but his fierce half-volley was tipped round the post by Amos.

The Thai outfit seemed to be relishing the occasion and after going close on two previous occasions, Winothai finally found the net just four minutes after half-time.

Some shoddy defending from United suddenly saw the hosts gifted a three-on-two attack and, after a quick exchange of passes, Winothai beat Ben Amos at his near post with a close-range strike.

United tried to hit back quickly but Welbeck, who looked lively but clumsy throughout, could only find the keeper’s midriff from a tight angle.

The goal certainly did seem to spark Moyes’ men into life and on the hour mark it was Fabio who was next to threaten with a curling effort that was comfortably beaten away by the goalkeeper.

The visitors handed a United debut to Wilfried Zaha as a raft of substitutions began to affect the pattern of the second 45 minutes.

With 10 minutes to play, the former Crystal Palace starlet almost stole the show when, moments after Welbeck had scuffed wide when clean through, the winger unleashed a rasping left-footed effort that curled against the post.

But an equaliser failed to materalise and Moyes was left with an unwelcome start as he begins life at United. 

WENGER: ARSENAL HAVE ADAVANTAGE OVER TITLE RIVALS

Arsene Wenger hopes Arsenal's stability can help them break an eight-year trophy drought this season.

With Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea all entering the 2013-14 season under new management, the Frenchman is the only boss from last term's top-four clubs to retain his position for the coming campaign.


And Wenger, speaking from Indonesia where Arsenal are about to begin a pre-season tour of Asia, believes that could give his team a head start on their rivals this season.

"Nobody knows what effect the changes will have but we hope to take advantage of our greater stability," Wenger told reporters.

"What has been frustrating for me is that in recent years we couldn't give our fans what they expected of us.

"But now we are in a position where we want to compete for the title again. Our challenge is to close the gap on Manchester United, City and Chelsea."

Wenger recently revealed his desire to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium beyond the end of next season, with his contract set to expire in 12 months' time, and positive talks regarding an extension have taken place with Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

ASPAS SCORES ON DEBUT AS LIVERPOOL WIN EMPHATICALLY

Liverpool's new forward Iago Aspas marked his debut with a goal but he will have to score plenty more if Reds fans are to celebrate a new hero to replace wantaway striker Luis Suarez.
The Spaniard, signed from Celta Vigo for £7.7million, curled home his side's final effort as they eased their way back into action to comfortably win the specially-commissioned Shankly Shield, in honour of Reds' iconic manager and former Lilywhites player Bill Shankly at Deepdale.
In reality the game had already been settled with goals from Philippe Coutinho, Jordon Ibe and Raheem Sterling in little more than a gentle run-out, - even if temperatures on the pitch touched 30 degrees.

It provided no proper gauge for an assessment on the work manager Brendan Rodgers has done over the summer or his four new signings, who all featured.
Aside from one first-half save from Scott Laird's shot, goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had nothing to do, while centre-back Kolo Toure may have had a more testing afternoon had new Preston signing Kevin Davies been ready to play.
Rodgers' two Spanish imports, Aspas and Luis Alberto, played the second half with Aspas' 20-yard left-foot curler for Liverpool's fourth in the 75th minute the highlight.
The elephant in the room - and not on the pitch - was Suarez, the Uruguay international currently on extended leave because of Confederations Cup duty who seemingly wants out of Anfield.
Rodgers did not speak to the media after the match, wanting to avoid an inquisition over the 26-year-old for whom the club have already turned down a £30million bid from Arsenal.
Fellow forward Daniel Sturridge was absent, still making his way back from an ankle injury, and while captain Steven Gerrard was fit after missing the last two matches of the season to have a shoulder operation, he watched from the sidelines.
Who will provide the goals without that trio remains to be seen, with Rodgers still looking to add attacking options after missing out on Shakhtar Donetsk's Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Aspas showed he has the potential to contribute but while forward Fabio Borini, who missed plenty of last season with injuries, was a willing runner he spurned his one chance with only goalkeeper Declan Rudd to beat.
Coutinho, inventive in the opening 45 minutes, won and converted a spot-kick after a 13th-minute foul by John Welsh.
Ibe, 17, cut in from the left to drill a low right-foot shot just inside the post, Sterling raced on to Aspas' pass to round replacement goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann before the new Spanish signing wrapped things up.