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.

AJAX BOSS WARNS ERIKSEN AGAINST LIVERPOOL MOVE

Ajax coach Frank de Boer has warned Christian Eriksen against a move to Liverpool.
The Denmark international has been linked with a switch to Anfield, as well as other clubs such as Roma and Borussia Dortmund, in recent months.

However, since the Bundesliga side signed attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan last week, Eriksen's most likely destination looks set to be Liverpool - a move De Boer feels would be unwise.
"If they play as they do now, I would not go", the former Netherlands international told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
"The playing style would not suit his own but, ultimately, it is for Chris himself to decide."
Eriksen, 21, has just one year remaining on his current contract at the Amsterdam ArenA and looks set to leave before the end of the transfer window.
Should he move to Anfield, he would join an impressive array of attacking talent, with Brendan Rodgers having added signings such as Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto to his squad in the close-season.
Rodgers also has the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez to call on as he attempts to improve his side's seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season.

NAPOLI SIGN SANTOS GOALKEEPER

Napoli have completed the signing of Santos goalkeeper Rafael Cabral for a reported €5 million.

The Partenopei had been heavily linked with a move for the 23-year-old in recent weeks, and the Brazilian giants confirmed a deal has been struck which will see the youngster join the Naples-based outfit on a five-year-deal.

Serie A rivals Roma had reportedly entered the race to sign the stopper but, speaking to Santos' official website, Rafael confirmed the promise of Champions League football available at Stadio San Paolo heavily influenced his decision.

He said: "I have the opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, with one of the five best coaches in the world who has won the Champions League [Rafael Benitez]. All of this weighed heavily in my decision."

Rafael, who initially joined the Peixe as a 13-year-old, had previously expressed a desire to retire at the Vila Belmiro - a promise he intends to keep despite opting for a move to Europe.

"I've always had a desire to end my career here," he added.

"However, I have a dream of playing in the Champions League and becoming a champion of Europe, but I still wish to end my career at Santos."

The Brazil international conceded just 208 times in 194 games, at an average of just 1.07 per game, in his three years as first choice goalkeeper.