COURTOIS EYES BARCELONA'S SCALP IN SUPER CUP

Thibaut Courtois is targeting another trophy with Atletico Madrid and has his eyes on the scalp of Barcelona in August's Super Cup.

The goalkeeper, who will spend a third year on loan at the Vicente Calderon from Chelsea this season, was part of the side that beat Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final in May.

Courtois is keen to claim another major victory over one of the Spanish giants, though he accepts that competing with the duo for the La Liga will be extremely tough.

"The team's objective has to be to win another trophy," Courtois told reporters at a press conference. "In August [during the Super Cup tie with Barcelona] we can win another one.

"We should also fight for the top of the league, but it will be difficult [to break Barca and Real Madrid's hegemony].

"We have to try to get as far in the Champions League as we can this season. We saw Malaga reach the quarter-finals, so nearly reach the semi-finals, so we'll see if we can get there."

Former talisman Radamel Falcao departed in a big-money switch for Monaco, but the 21-year-old shot-stopper insisted the side will still possess the means to challenge on all fronts.

"The team is all here and only missing Radamel," Courtois added. "I believe that the club is looking for other reinforcements in attack and I think we have the team to play well.

"I'm very happy because it was my desire to stay here and reach an agreement with Atletico for another year. The pre-season is hard, but it's important to compete and get to next June. I want to keep improving and go a step further."

MONACO SIGN FRENCH INTERNATIONAL

Monaco have continued their summer spending spree with the signing of France international Jeremy Toulalan from Malaga.

The 29-year-old midfielder has penned a two-year contract with Monaco with the option of a further year on top, the newly-promoted Ligue 1 club have announced on their website.

Toulalan, who will be presented by his new club on Monday, joins the likes of Radamel Falcao, Ricardo Carvalho, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho as new arrivals at the big-spending Monte Carlo club, who are bankrolled by ambitious Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev.
Monaco sporting director Vadim Vasilyev said on his club's website: "We are happy with the signature of Jeremy. His skills, his European and international experience, will be an important asset for our team this season."
Toulalan joined Malaga from Lyon in 2011 and played 57 competitive matches for the Primera Division outfit. The former Nantes player has won 36 caps with France.

MILAN LOOKING TO SIGN FIORENTINA STRIKER AS ROBINHO REPLACEMENT

AC Milan are looking to secure the services of Fiorentina attacker Adem Ljajic to replace Robinho if the Brazilian leaves, says the club's CEO Adriano Galliani.

Robinho has been linked with a return to Brazil to play for Santos but the transfer has stalled because Milan's asking price is too high for the 29-year-old.

Galliani is not sure whether the forward will be at the club come the start of the season but, if he does depart San Siro, the Rossoneri chief says highly-rated Fiorentina man Ljajic, 21, could be part of their contingency plans.

"If Robinho does leave, there are several candidates to replace him, including Ljajic," he told reporters.

"He is a Fiorentina player and I'm not sure they will want to sell. We are sure, however, we have a great team. Again, if someone leaves, someone will be signed, but otherwise we're okay."

With the Brazilian transfer market closing soon, Milan's CEO knows time is running out to do a deal which would see Robinho leave the club for his homeland.

He added: "We are in discussions, but we only have a week to sort something - the Brazilian market close on 15 July."

Meanwhile, Santos vice-president Odilio Rodriguez says negotiations are still taking place between Milan and his club over the transfer of the former Manchester City and Real Madrid forward.

Milan's asking price has dropped to €8 million from €10m but no deal has been reached yet.

"The operation is still difficult," he told Globo Esporte. "We need to analyse the total volume of money involved in this operation. But we are still discussing."

ALLEN: I WANT TO MAKE A FRESH START AT LIVERPOOL

Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen is hoping for a "fresh start" at the club after recovering from a shoulder injury that disrupted his debut season at Anfield.

The Wales international moved to Merseyside from Swansea City last season but missed the end of 2012-13 after undergoing surgery in March.

However, the 23-year-old has now returned to full fitness and says that he cannot wait for the start of the new season.

"It's brilliant to be back. Obviously we all enjoy our break and our holidays but, at the same time, we can't wait to get back in and get started," he told the club's official website.

"Having missed the end of last season, I personally couldn't wait to get back in. Hopefully I can put the injury behind me once and for all.

"I think, for anyone, your first year at a new club can be tough in some ways but I feel settled here now and I'm looking forward to a fresh start with the coming season. Hopefully I can put in some good performances.

"I think last season I may have put myself under too much pressure. So it's a case of just giving my best every day in training and in every match. That's all I can do, really."

The Reds have been busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Iago Aspas, Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Simon Mignolet and Allen reports that the news faces are looking good.

"They've settled in really well," he added. "With new signings you sometimes worry that it might take them a little time to adapt but they've settled straight in and they've got into the swing of things straight away, which is a really, really positive sign."

ANSOTEGI: ILLARRAMENDI TO MADRID IS NOT A DONE DEAL

Asier Illarramendi is not a Real Madrid player yet and it is not worth speculating about his future, according to his Real Sociedad team-mate Ion Ansotegi.

According to reports, Madrid are set to offer la Real €30 million, which would be enough to prise the highly-rated Under-21 Spain international away from the Basque club as it triggers a release clause in his contract.

On Friday current skipper Xabi Prieto was adamant that it would take a hefty offer to lure Illarramendi away from the Anoeta and centre-back Ansotegui refused to be drawn on the rumours.

"Until we’re told anything, there's no point talking about possibilities and hypothetical situations," he told AS.

"For the moment all we know is that Asier is a ‘La Real’ player. Unless we’re told otherwise, he has to be here on Thursday [for training]. Those of us who are here should keep calm and not take any notice of what is being said.

 “It’s not down to me or any player to talk about what could happen in the future. Last year, Asier was very important for us; if he stays, he’ll continue to be important.

"He is a high-quality player, but he isn’t the only one. There are other players who played to a very high level [last season], and there will be teams who want to sign them. I don’t think it’s down to me to tell him to stay or to go. It’s something that Real, Madrid and he should decide.”

Illarramendi has a contract with Real Sociedad until 2018.

LIVERPOOL: STURRIDGE WILL BE FIT FOR START OF THE SEASON

Liverpool expect striker Daniel Sturridge to be fit in time for the start of the new season.

The 23-year-old was stretchered off with an ankle injury during England's 1-1 friendly draw with Republic of Ireland at Wembley in May.

The Reds are now back in pre-season training and, while Sturridge is still sidelined, the club's head of performance, Glen Driscoll, is happy with his progress.


"Daniel Sturridge is the only player in the squad not training at the moment but he's progressing really well and he's still on target to make the start of the season," he told the club's official website.

"Steven Gerrard is still being modified but he's about to enter all out training."

Driscoll was also upbeat on the health of the other members of the squad who are returning to training after injury.

"Martin Kelly is back in full training and doing really well," he added. "He has absolutely no problems.

"Raheem Sterling has actually come back a little bit earlier, like Martin, to do some extra conditioning so they hit the ground running. He looks extremely sharp.

"Joe Allen also did some extra work and is raring to go now."

Liverpool kick off their 2013-14 campaign at Anfield against Stoke City on August 17.

GIACCHERINI WANTS JUVENTUS STAY

Emanuele Giaccherini is happy at Juventus and does not want to leave the club, according to his representative Fulvio Valcareggi.

Giaccherini, 28, produced some impressive performances for Italy in the Confederations Cup following a season of sporadic opportunities to showcase his talents for the Bianconeri.

But his agent says the attacker is quite content with his squad status at the Serie A champions, even with interest coming from abroad.

 “The great performances at the Confederations Cup certainly caught the attention of international clubs, but Emanuele is happy at Juventus," Fulvio Valcareggi told TuttoJuve.

“In Turin there have always been signs of respect and admiration for Emanuele, so there are absolutely no doubts. We want Giaccherini to stay with Juventus.”

Giaccherini, who has a contract with Juve until the summer of 2015, made 17 league appearances last season.

LEDLEY: WANYAMA IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR A TOP PREMIER LEAGUE SIDE

Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley says that team-mate Victor Wanyama is good enough to play for a top Premier League club.

The Kenyan's future is the subject of hot debate. Southampton, whose interest has been confirmed by Mauricio Pochettino, have had a £12 million bid accepted but have been joined by Liverpool, Everton and Cardiff City in the race for his signature.

Ledley expects his team-mate to leave and feels that he has the ability to become a huge success in the Premier League.


"He's been great but it looks like he'll continue his career somewhere else now," he told the Daily Record.

"The Celtic fans know how good Victor is and realise we got him at a steal. He can play for a top team in the Premier League, easily. He's got great potential and, if he can get to a top club, it would be fantastic to go up against him in the Champions League in the future.

"Anyone who saw him in that competition last year will know how good he is. I'm surprised none of the top clubs have come in for him but it's early days in the transfer window.

"If Victor goes it will be a massive blow to us. He was terrific in the Champions League for us last season."

Ledley, who spent six years at Cardiff prior to his move to Celtic, also feels that the Bluebirds would be an excellent move for Wanyama.

"The way Cardiff play would suit him as he could be their midfield holding player. He would be a fantastic signing for them," he argued. "They are nowhere near as big as Celtic but it’s the capital of Wales and they're getting more recognition now they are in the Premier League.

"If Victor went there, he'd enjoy it. I have friends who are fans and they've seen him when they're up watching me at Celtic. I know they were excited about the prospect of him going there."

INTER MILAN TERMINATE STANKOVIC CONTRACT

Dejan Stankovic bid a fond farewell to Inter fans on Saturday following his decision to terminate his contract with the club.
Stankovic, 34, made only three appearances last year and is now a free agent following his departure from the San Siro giants.

Last month, the Serb insisted he was determined to stay and fight for his place but with no contract extension offered and sides, including Fiorentina and several from the MLS, reportedly holding an interest in him, Stankovic said an emotional goodbye to supporters.
"Dear Nerazzurri fans," he wrote in a statement on the club's official website. "This is your 'Drago' speaking, with a sense of emotion but also with great pleasure.
"I don't know if I can find the right words to say goodbye and to thank you properly for everything you have given me, your affection, your trust and your honesty.
"The last 10 years have been the best of my life. I have grown both as a man and, with immense joy, as a footballer.
"My family and I want to thank the Moratti family. I'd like to mention my president in particular: he gave me the opportunity to wear the Inter shirt, which I have been happy and extremely honoured first of all to play in, and then with which I was able to win everything there was to win."
Stankovic made 315 appearances for Inter after joining from Lazio in 2004.
His time with the Nerazzurri brought him five Serie A titles, four Coppa Italia wins and one victory in the Champions League.

CASILLAS TO BECOME A FATHER FOR THE FIRST TIME

Spain and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is set to become a father for the first time, he has confirmed.

The 32-year-old and his partner Sara Carbonero, who is a journalist for Tele 5, revealed the news on Saturday on their way back from the Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Casillas, who fell out of favour at Madrid last season, played in the final, in which Spain lost 3-0 to the hosts. Miss Carbonero, meanwhile, was out in Brazil on media duties covering the tournament.

"We are very happy," Casillas told reporters at Barajas Airport, Madrid.

The couple met back in February 2010 and it is reported that Casillas' girlfriend is 13 weeks pregnant.

The pair will now go on holiday to an unknown destination.