ROBSON: MANCHESTER UNITED DON'T NEED TO ADD A MIDFIELDER

Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson insists the arrival of a top-class midfielder this summer is not crucial to the Red Devils' hopes of defending their Premier League title.

United are currently in negotiations to sign Barcelona midfielder Thiago and have offered him a £6.2 million-per-year contract.


But Robson, who spent the majority of his playing career in that position, believes the balance of the team is more important than focusing on any one individual to pull the strings.

"I know with the Manchester United fans, they are used to having a really dominant central midfield player," he told the club’s official website.

"But I think what the fans have got to look at is: Is the balance of the squad pretty good anyway without having that type of player in? You've got to say 'yes' as we won the title by 11 points.

"Now, of course you always want to improve but you've got to look at the balance of Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick, Ando [Anderson] and the rest.

"They are still very, very good players but you've got to look at the balance and is that right, rather than go out and try to get an individual who you must rely on all the time."

MANCHESTER UNITED'S TARGET OPEN TO PSV EXIT

Kevin Strootman is open to leaving PSV this summer as he looks to boost his chances of a place at next summer's World Cup.

The likes of Manchester United and Roma have long been linked with a move for the midfielder, although no concrete offers have yet been put forward to the Eredivisie runners-up.

Strootman has now revealed there is significant interest in his signature - although not from any of Europe's elite - and confirmed he would consider leaving his current club.

“There are several clubs interested, but only when they reach an agreement with PSV do I come into the picture,” he told Voetbal International.

“This is not to say that any are in the world's top six.

“There is also interest from Russia, but that is not an option for me. I do not make hasty decisions about my future.

“It was very unfortunate that so many players left PSV [this summer]. I did not expect Dries Mertens and Erik Pieters would leave the club.”

After captaining the Netherlands U-21 squad to the semi-finals in this year’s European Championship, Strootman has now set his sights on cementing himself in the plans of senior coach Louis van Gaal ahead of the World Cup next summer.

“The opinion of Louis van Gaal is also very important to me with the World Cup in Brazil next year," he continued.

Strootman, whose contract runs through the 2015-16 season, has spent two seasons with PSV since joining from Utrecht, starting 62 Eredivisie matches for the club.

NEWCASTLE STAR WANTS TO FINISH CAREER IN ARGENTINA

Newcastle United midfielder Jonas Gutierrez has revealed that, while he is happy with life at St James' Park, he plans to finish his playing career in Argentina.

The former Mallorca star joined the Magpies back in 2008 and has gone on to feature in almost 200 games as a first-team regular at the club.

Gutierrez started 34 Premier League games during the 2012-13 campaign as Newcastle ended a disappointing season in 16th place and although he is keen to remain in England's top flight, a return to his native country is part of his future plans.

"I want to return to Argentina," he told Goal. "I've loved being with this club for many years but I also know you have to be at one hundred per cent.


"And, today, the Premier League is very demanding, very physical. When I am 33 or 34, I'll see if I am physically fit to hold my own at that level.

"The Premier League is the best league in the world. I do not think back to what I accomplished in the past, I enjoy every day.

"I'm 30 years old and I begin to see the end because the guys who come in are younger and it makes everything more difficult. So I try to improve and I'll start my sixth season here and enjoy it."

Toon skipper Fabricio Coloccini was the subject of intense transfer speculation during the 2012-13 season having revealed his desire to return to Argentina, but Gutierrez is hoping his fellow countryman will remain at Newcastle.

"Colo is the captain and that's important. He is the voice of the locker room and everyone respects him a lot," he continued.

"He is a great player and a great person. He is essential for our defence, is our captain and the commanding voice. There are many things that he has won over so many years.

"Losing him could have been very difficult, but football changes a lot, you can not know what will happen. Today he is here in Newcastle and hopefully he will be for many years."

ALONSO DISMISSES TRANSFER RUMOURS TO CHELSEA AND LIVERPOOL

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has refuted rumours linking him with a return to the Premier League.

Former club Liverpool has been mooted as a potential destination for Alonso, while Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who managed the 31-year-old at the Bernabeu for the last three seasons, is thought to be interested in luring the Spaniard to Stamford Bridge.


Mourinho oversaw his first training session since returning for a second spell as Chelsea manager on Tuesday, but Alonso appears unlikely to join him in London.

"The Premier League? No. No way no chance," Alonso is quoted as saying by AS when asked about the prospect of working with Mourinho for a second time.

Specualtion over Alonso's future at Real is unlikely to go away, however, with the Spain international out of contract in June 2014 and able to leave the Santiago Bernabeu for free at the end of next season.

A mainstay of Mourinho's Madrid side, Alonso made 47 appearances in all competitions last term, but a possible move for Real Sociedad midfielder Asier Illarramendi could see his playing time limited next season.

GALLIANI: MILAN MUST MOUNT SERIOUS TITLE CHALLENGE

AC Milan have enough about them to mount a serious title challenge, according to the club's vice-president Adriano Galliani.

Milan finished third in Serie A last season following a miraculous recovery in the second half of the campaign whilst they also reached the last 16 of the Champions League, eventually being defeated by Barcelona.

But Galliani says it is vitally important they finish in the top three again and is hoping for an extended run in the Champions League.

 “The last season was a difficult one for us,” he told reporters. “We had a rough start but a beautiful final stretch.

“So we go into the new season without any psychological issues.

“Our goals are to get back into the Champions League, to try and go as far as possible in that competition and win the Coppa Italia.

“To finish first, second or third is crucial. Everyone knows that the economic advantages of the Champions League are huge.”

Galliaini also revealed they are still in talks with Santos over the transfer of Robinho. The Brazilian has been linked with a move back to his homeland but no deal has been finalised yet.

Milan are looking to acquire the services of Fiorentina's Adem Ljajic and CSKA's Keisuke Honda as replacements for the 29-year-old.

He added: “Negotiations are underway with Santos. The boy [Robinho] wants to go home.

“There are still some things to be sorted out though.

“Ljajic? There have been some rumours, and I will not deny it.

“Honda? We hope to get him to Milan in January.”

GOMEZ THANKS BEST CLUB IN THE WORLD, BAYERN

Mario Gomez has issued a heartfelt thank you to former club Bayern Munich as he prepares for life with new club Fiorentina.

The Germany international inked a four-year-deal with the Serie A club just a month after completing a remarkable treble with the European champions, and he admitted he will leave the club with something of a heavy heart.

“Dear fans, it is time to announce that I'll be leaving the club with a weeping and a laughing eye,” he posted on his official Facebook page.

“I would like to thank you fans and of course my team-mates, the staff and all the people at Bayern for the sensational support you gave me.

“It was a great time at the best club in the world. I am very grateful for the great experience that I could made here in these four years.”

“Now begins a new chapter for me and I look forward to joining my new club Fiorentina, as well as the city, the country, the language and the culture... and of course the delicious food.

“I will be still very connected to Munich and this great club and wish the team all of the best and much success. I’m sure they will remain the best team in the world with this great coach next year.

“Once again many thanks, especially to fans. Your Mario.”

FORMER BARCELONA STAR QUITS CSKA SOFIA

Hristo Stoichkov has quit his role as coach of CSKA Sofia after only a month in charge.

The legendary Bulgaria striker took charge of the struggling side in a bid to steer them towards European qualification, but has admitted to losing patience with the club's hierarchy, claiming he has not enjoyed the support he expected when taking up the post.

In a letter intended for the local media, the former Barcelona star stated: “I’m fed up, I’m leaving.

“I agreed to start coaching without a contract and I had a great desire to help.

"I had the support of the players and my staff. We endured until it became clear there's no chance of promises being fulfilled.

"It is not my understanding of fair, transparent and professional work. This is no way to achieve high goals if there's no respect between players, coaches and officials on the one hand, and the club owners on the other."

The 31-time Bulgarian champions have been plagued by financial problems in recent seasons, and could only manage a third-placed finish last season.

The club face having to play in an amateur championship next season unless they are able to merge with another top-flight side before the league commences on July 20. Fifteen supporters were arrested last month for vandalising the Bulgarian FA headquarters after the governing body declined to sanction any such merger.

Stoichkov, who won seven trophies with the club during his illustrious playing career, became the club's fourth coach this year, and their ninth since January 2010.

MADRID: NO OFFER FOR HIGUAIN FROM ARSENAL

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has dismissed speculation Gonzalo Higuain is about to join Arsenal by revealing the London club are yet to make an offer for the Argentina international.
Higuain, who told the media on the final day of the Primera Division season that he was going to leave Madrid in the summer, was reported to be on the verge of a £23millon move to the Emirates Stadium.

However, during an interview with Univision, Perez insisted: "We don't want Higuain to leave. What's more no-one from Arsenal has come to us and made us any offers at all for him. There are no offers on the table."
Madrid have made two signings so far this summer, bringing defender Dani Carvajal and midfielder Isco to the Bernabeu from Bayer Leverkusen and Malaga respectively, but Perez remained tight-lipped on future transfers.
The club have been heavily linked with Tottenham winger Gareth Bale but Perez insisted a deal was not imminent.
"He is a great player who belongs to a cub we enjoy good relations with, but we have not made any offer," he said.
It has been reported Madrid will sign Spain Under-21 midfielder Asier Illaramendi from Real Sociedad in the coming days.
And although Perez did not confirm a move for the 23-year-old, he indicated Madrid were looking to sign a long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso, who will turn 32 in November and who suffered from a groin injury towards the end of the season which forced him to undergo surgery in June.
He admitted: "We are concerned about the state of Xabi Alonso. Defensive midfield is a very important position and we should be looking to strengthen there."
Uncertainty remains at Madrid over the long-term future of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Perez said he was calm about the situation.
"Ronaldo wants to retire at Real Madrid, and we want him to retire here, just like Zidane and so many other great players did. You can be absolutely certain that Cristiano will retire at Real Madrid."

ATLETICO MADRID AGREE DEAL FOR ARSENAL AND TOTTENHAM TARGET

Barcelona have reached an agreement in principal for the transfer of striker David Villa to Atletico Madrid.

The Primera Division champions announced on their website that the deal will cost up to 5.1million euros (4.4million) with Barca receiving 50 per cent of any future transfer fee.
The 31-year-old Spain international joined Barca from Valencia in 2010 but has been wildly linked with a move away from the Nou Camp over recent months after struggling to tie down a first-team berth at the Catalan club last season.

DORTMUND AGREE DEAL FOR LIVERPOOL TARGET

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed they have agreed a deal to sign highly sought-after Shakhtar Donetsk striker Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Mkhitaryan, 24, will complete a switch to Dortmund later this week with reports suggesting the deal is around €25 million and will sign a four-year deal with the Bundesliga runners-up.

The Armenia forward has had his medical with BVB on Monday and although a contract is still yet to be signed, the stock market has been alerted.