LAZIO SIGN ANDERSON

Lazio have secured the services of Felipe Anderson from Santos for an undisclosed fee, according to the club's official website.

The 20-year-old had long been linked with a move to the Serie A side and has now signed a five-year deal with the Biancocelesti to complete his transfer.

Anderson is a product of the Santos youth academy and made his official first team debut for the Brazilian giants in October 2010.

The midfielder had since developed into a key player at Santos, attracting the interest of a number of European sides in the process.

Lazio initially struck a deal with Santos to sign Anderson in January, but the move then fell through following complications over the necessary paperwork.

Anderson will now continue his career in the Italian capital after all, though, as he joins compatriots Hernanes, Ederson and Andre Dias.

RODGERS: ASPAS IS A FIERCE COMPETITOR

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says that he signed Iago Aspas because he displayed a winning mentality during his time at Celta.

The Reds boss wants to marry technical quality with mental strength going into the new season and observed that the Spaniard became an attractive proposition this summer because he is a fierce competitor on the pitch.

"When we sat down last year we felt we needed to bring more of that mentality into the group - players with quality but also players with a winning mentality," Rodgers told the club's official website.

"Iago is a real competitor but he's also got quality as well. We're really looking forward to seeing him in action."

Aspas is joined at Anfield by fellow Spaniard Luis Alberto, whom the former Swansea City manager sees as one for the future.

"He's one who, over the next period of time, we'll see is an outstanding player. He fits what we're trying to do really well," the Northern Irishman continued.

"He's a very young player but he's played competitive games and the philosophy won't be anything new to him.

"He understands the game very well. He's got the right profile of what we want and he's another player who can score goals. I'm very much looking forward to working with him and seeing how he develops in the squad."

NORWICH CLOSING IN ON DUTCH INTERNATIONAL

Leroy Fer's agent says that the Dutch international has a number of offers, as reports in Holland claim Norwich City are closing in on the FC Twente star.

The 23-year-old midfielder was close to joining Everton in the January transfer window, but the deal fell through.

Now a number of clubs from around Europe are being linked, although it is Norwich who it is claimed are closing in on his signature.
When asked about Norwich signing Fer, his agent Rob Jansen told Tubantia: "There are actually several offers for Fer."
It is also being reported in the Dutch media that Norwich are now in the running to sign another Eredivisie star in the shape of Ajax's Belgian international defender Toby Alderweireld.

MOURINHO: THE OLDER PLAYERS ARE VERY CRUCIAL TO CLUB

As Chelsea returned for pre-season training for the first time under Jose Mourinho in six years, he insisted that his old players were crucial to the club's 'legacy'.

Last season, it seemed the likes of Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and captain John Terry could be playing their final seasons for the club as reports claimed that owner Roman Abramovich wanted a new look.
However, after his first day back on the job, Mourinho was quick to emphasise the importance of his old guard.

"This is the legacy of the club culture - as some guys are arriving they have others who can transmit to them immediately what this club means," Mourinho told The Sun.
"One day, these older players will finish and the younger guys now will be the older ones in the future, so the Chelsea culture is continuously passed on from one generation to the next."
Mourinho also singled out the example of his former star Didier Drogba, who became a club legend.

"I think Didier Drogba, as a man and as a professional, is a good guy to be looked at as a very special player in the history of this club," he said.
"I can use Didier as a profile to persuade the young boys to follow me because he did follow me from day one.
"He was playing in France and nobody really knew a lot about him when I asked the owner Roman Abramovich to buy him.
"Some people thought he was too expensive for somebody who had not proved himself. Then, in the owner's 10th year in charge, he was voted the best player in Chelsea's history.
"I think every player can have the same ambition that Didier had because he was a guy driven by ambition, by emotion, by friendship and by loyalty.
"He was loyal to the club, the manager, his fellow players and the fans."
As he returned, Mourinho admits that his first thought is to make the Chelsea fans 'happy' this season.
"I want to make the Chelsea fans happy - by results, by our playing style, by the mentality and the personality of the team," he said.
"They have to know that we always give everything.
"I know from my record at Chelsea, also at Inter and Madrid, that I made many decisions that helped my teams.
"If I gamble with a very risky decision, it can go the wrong way. How many times did I play here with three defenders?
"I remember against West Ham (in April 2006) we were losing 1-0 and we were playing with 10 men after Maniche got a red card early in the game.
"I still gambled because I wanted to win with 10 men - and we did win, 4-1."

CARDIFF IN TALKS WITH IN DEMAND INCE

Blackpool winger Thomas Ince has held talks with Barclays Premier League new boys Cardiff, ITV Football understands.
Ince's father, Seasiders boss Paul Ince, said at the end of June the Championship club had accepted a bid - reported to be £8million - from Cardiff for the 21-year-old.

And it is understood that the England Under-21 international was in Wales yesterday to discuss a potential move to the Cardiff City Stadium.
Thomas Ince has developed a considerable reputation since joining Blackpool from Liverpool in 2011, emerging as one of the most sought-after players in the English second tier.
Last term he scored 18 goals for the Tangerines and he also netted in their opening pre-season friendly on Saturday, a 2-0 victory over Penrith.
He has eight England Under-21 caps and featured for the team at last month's European Championships in Israel.
Cardiff have already recruited Denmark striker Andreas Cornelius from FC Copenhagen this summer on a five-year-deal as they make preparations for their maiden Premier League campaign, having sealed promotion by winning the Championship title last season.

ASTON VILLA DROP BENTEKE FROM OFFICIAL TOUR

Aston Villa have confirmed star striker Christian Benteke has handed in a transfer request.
The Belgian has not travelled to a pre-season training camp in Germany after being given extra time off by Villa, who are reluctant to part company with one of their best players.
In a statement, the club said: "In response to reports that Christian Benteke has not travelled to Germany with the club and has made a transfer request, we can confirm that both are accurate.

"For clarity's sake, however, he had already been given extra time off until July 18 and was reminded that there are three years remaining on his contract, we consider him to be a Villa player and expect that he will be with us for the 2013-14 season.
"Having received his transfer request, we have also informed him that should we receive an offer within an appropriate timeframe during pre-season which meets our valuation we would act upon it. But he will remain a Villa player should this not happen."
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Benteke was crucial to Villa avoiding relegation last season with 19 goals in the league, while he scored 23 in all competitions after moving to the midlands from Genk for a reported £7million.
The news is likely to alert London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea, both of whom have been linked with Benteke and can offer him Champions League football this season.
Villa boss Paul Lambert expressed his disappointment at Benteke's decision although he remains hopeful the 22-year-old will remain at Villa Park.
"While we're hugely disappointed that Christian has put in a transfer request, it's important that people appreciate we are trying to build something strong and vibrant here at the club, something this club demands and stands for, and we want Christian to be part of that," he said.

MOURINHO: I'LL PLAY NICE AND ATTRACTIVE FOOTBALL AT CHELSEA

Jose Mourinho has promised Chelsea fans a more attractive brand of football next season.

The Portuguese's first spell at Stamford Bridge was largely successful but the Blues still came under criticism for a percieved negative approach to matches and the 50-year-old says that his aim is to make the supporters happy by the results and the style in which they are achieved.

"I want to make the Chelsea fans happy - by results, by our playing style, by the mentality and the personality of the team," Mourinho told The Sun.

"They have to know that we always give everything. I know from my record at Chelsea, also at Inter and Madrid, that I made many decisions that helped my teams.

"If I gamble with a very risky decision, it can go the wrong way. How many times did I play here with three defenders?

"I remember against West Ham [in April 2006] we were losing 1-0 and we were playing with 10 men after Maniche got a red card early in the game. I still gambled because I wanted to win with 10 men — and we did win, 4-1."

The Blues have announced the arrival of youngsters Andre Schurrle and Marco van Ginkel already this summer but the former Porto coach says that the Chelsea old guard still have a part to play.

He added: "This is the legacy of the club culture — as some guys are arriving they have others who can transmit to them immediately what this club means.

"One day, these older players will finish and the younger guys now will be the older ones in the future, so the Chelsea culture is continuously passed on from one generation to the next."

NEWCASTLE TARGET BENT AND REMY

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has confirmed he wants to sign strikers Darren Bent and Loic Remy.

Pardew wants to boost his strikeforce which was over-reliant on Papiss Cisse last season.
Bent is out of favour at Aston Villa, whilst Remy is available following QPR's relegation to the Championship.

Pardew had tried to sign Remy from Marseille in the January transfer window but was beaten to it by Harry Redknapp.
Pardew told the Northern Echo: "Both of those players are on our list. I make no bones about that.
"But they are under contract at other clubs. It's difficult, you have to be careful. It's nice for our fans to hear names, but I don't want to disrupt other clubs' preparations.
"We have a list of four or five strikers who will push Papiss Cisse, Shola Ameobi, Adam Campbell and Yoan Gouffran because that will be important next season.
"We do need two strikers. Last year, I didn't think there was enough competition in that area for a Premier League team."

INTER SIGNING DELIGHTED TO BE BACK TO CHILDHOOD CLUB

Marco Andreolli is delighted with his return to Inter and says he has nothing but fond memories of his previous spell with the Giuseppe Meazza side.

The defender, 27, previously wore the Inter jersey from 2003 until 2007 before joining Roma in search of regular first team action, but returned to the Nerazzurri on a free transfer last week.

"I'm really proud and happy to be back home. I grew up with Inter, I made my Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia debuts here," Andreolli told the official club website.

"We won the Coppa Italia with the Primavera and I scored against AC Milan in the final.

"I'll never forget how excited I was that day.

"I went mad when we won the 2007 Scudetto at Siena and I was lucky to be a part of so many other great achievements.

"Then I went to Roma, Sassuolo and Chievo and I'm grateful to everyone - coaches, team-mates and club officials alike - who's helped me improve as a player.

"Now I'm back here to take up from where I left off and give everything I've got for my Inter.

"I hope to relive the thrills I had here the first time."

Andreolli has signed a four-year deal with Inter.

MADRID LEGEND SET TO RETURN TO CLUB

Real Madrid say club legend Raul will be wearing the Blancos jersey for 45 minutes in the upcoming Santiago Bernabeu Trophy clash against the forward's current club Al-Sadd this summer.

The Spanish giants host the Qatari champions on August 22 in the annual friendly game, with the 36-year-old playing one half for each side to celebrate his return.

"Al-Sadd will be the rival of Real Madrid in the next edition of the Santiago Bernabeu Trophy. The Qatari team will play against the Blancos on Thursday August 22 to contest the XXXV edition of the tournament (22:30 hours)," a Madrid statement on the club's official website reads.

"Raul will return to the stadium where he played for 16 seasons. To commemorate this occasion, the former captain of Real Madrid will play 45 minutes with each team."

The former Spain international left Madrid for Schalke in the summer of 2010 after well over 700 official appearances for the Liga giants.

He then spent two seasons at the Bundesliga outfit before joining Al-Sadd last year, helping them to secure their 13th league crown.

Real Madrid won the annual friendly fixture 8-0 against Colombian side Millonarios last year.