Olando World of Entertainment

  Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness was charged with tax evasion on Tuesday after months of investigations into the high-profile affair were concluded, a Munich court said. Hoeness, the face of Bayern Munich for many years, stunned Germany in April by saying he had voluntarily alerted tax authorities in January to a Swiss bank account he held, throwing the former West Germany international's future into doubt. "A charge has been lifted against Ulrich H. for tax evasion," Munich regional court spokeswoman Andrea Titz told Reuters Television. "The defendant has now four weeks time to respond to this charge which was handed personally to him today," she said. She said it was now up to the court to decide whether to accept the charges and set a date for a trial. Hoeness, who could face a jail sentence but hopes for leniency after naming himself as a tax evader, has said the account had nothing to do with Bayern. He s...

It was a season of spectacular highs and difficult lows for Lionel Messi. The Goal 50 winner may describe 2012-13 as a "complicated" campaign, but now he is looking forward with optimism to scaling even greater heights for both Barcelona and Argentina over the next 12 months. After Messi collected our award for the third time, he told Goal about his "year of blows" along with his hopes for the future as he begins life under fellow Rosario native Gerardo 'Tata' Martino at Barcelona. In the wake of Pep Guardiola's departure last summer, the 26-year-old hit the ground running as he embarked on a spectacular scoring streak under Tito Vilanova. By the end of 2012 he had eclipsed the 75 goals registered in a calendar year by Brazil legend Pele in 1958 and also the 85 converted by German forward Gerd Muller in 1972. Messi struck 91 in total for club and country in 2012 and set another historic mark by scoring in 21 consecutive Liga games as Barca ...

Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain and Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina moved closer to completing their prospective moves to Napoli on Wednesday as they passed medicals. Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis took to social media sites to reveal the news Napoli fans, some of whom greeted Higuain at a Rome airport, had been waiting for all day. "Higuain and Reina have passed their medicals and will soon join the group," said De Laurentiis on Twitter. "We can say that we've worked really hard but we're not stopping there!" Real Madrid forward Higuain, a reported target for both Arsenal and Juventus, is reported to be costing Napoli €37 million plus an extra three million euros based on bonuses. Reina joins on loan from Liverpool and will link up with his former Anfield boss Rafael Benitez, who joined the Italians in the close season. "He's delighted to rediscover the coach Benitez who he knows...

The Catalans' numbers-man Javier Faus says the club's supporters will know what the future holds for their beloved ground by the end of the current year Barcelona finance director Javier Faus has revealed the club will come to a decision about whether to remain at Camp Nou or begin developing a new stadium by the end of 2013. The Catalunya-based arena has housed the Blaugrana supporters for some 56 years, but the club's money-man says the Spanish giants will carefully examine three options by the end of the year - one of which entails building a new home - before allowing the club's supporters to vote on their preferred course of action. He told reporters: "We don’t know what would be better financially. We’ve got three projects on the table: to build a stadium on the current site, next to it or somewhere else. "We don’t want to be hasty about the decision. Before the year is up we’ll have everything ready to...

The Dutchman has denied he is in the running for the vacancy at the Catalan giants while Luis Enrique and Gerardo Martino have emerged as candidates Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman has ruled himself out of the running for the Barcelona job as the search for Tito Vilanova's replacement continues. The Blaugrana 's announcement the Spaniard would step down on Friday resulted in Koeman's name being mentioned, but the 50-year-old has denied he has thought about a return to his former club. "No, I don't think about that at all. I care more about the disease Vilanova has," he told reporters after Feyenoord's friendly draw against Dordrecht. "Who is to become the coach? I don't know, as I do not interfere with that." Another candidate appears in the form of ex-Barcelona B boss Luis Enrique, who has not been registered with the Spanish football federation by present side Celta ahead of the coming season.

The outgoing Spaniard, who will resume his fight against cancer after stepping down on Friday, penned a testimony thanking the club for all the support he received Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has written an open letter expressing his gratitude to the club's directors, players and fans. The Catalan outfit called a press conference on Friday to announce the 44-year-old would be unable to fulfill his duties in a coaching capacity ahead of the season following a relapse of his cancer. And Vilanova, who will now reprise his battle against parotid gland cancer, delivered his heartfelt appreciation after leading Barcelona to their 22nd Liga title during his sole season in charge. "Thank you Barca; thank you everyone," he wrote. "After five wonderful years as part of a team that has made dreams come true as a coach, the time has come to face a change in my professional life and to devot...

The Brazil international is set to take Thiago Alcantara's number in his first season in La Liga following the midfielder's move to Bayern Munich Neymar has been given the No.11 shirt to wear in his debut Barcelona season. The forward could potentially have taken the No.7 following David Villa's move to Atletico Madrid for €5 million but the Brazilian is set to line up for the Catalans in Thiago Alcantara's old number following the midfielder's €20m transfer to Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich. The club was announced in an unorthodox fashion - via the loud speakers in the official team store at Camp Nou. Neymar wore the No.7 shirt during the Confederations Cup with Brazil, but has previously worn the No.11 with the Selecao . He also adorned a No.11 jersey at Santos en route to scoring over 100 league goals for the Brasileirao side

  Jose Mourinho launched his new reign at Chelsea with a sensational bid for Manchester United star Wayne Rooney and a friendly victory in Bangkok on Wednesday. The charismatic Portuguese, in his first game back after six seasons away, led a side brimming with new faces to a 1-0 "training session" win over Singha All-Star XI. But the game, in front of tens of thousands of blue-shirted Thai fans, was completely overshadowed by news that Chelsea had tabled an undisclosed bid for the unsettled England striker. Mourinho said the bid, for a reported €10 million was "clean" and "ethical", and he contradicted reports that Juan Mata or David Luiz had been offered as make-weights. "End of story – we made a bid and now it's up to Man United and it's up to the player," he said, adding that Chelsea were not targeting any other players. "We love the player, we are interested in the player, we made the bid. We have noth...

  Chelsea on Wednesday confirmed they had made a written offer for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney for an undisclosed sum but denied that any player had been proposed as a make-weight. British reports earlier said the Premier League champions had rejected Chelsea's offer for the disaffected England striker. "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that yesterday it made a written offer to Manchester United for the transfer of Wayne Rooney," said a club statement . British media said Chelsea had made a £10 million offer, with either midfielder Juan Mata or defender David Luiz thrown in. The club statement did not reveal the price offered for Rooney but it said no player had been offered as part of the deal. "Although the terms of the offer are confidential, for avoidance of doubt and contrary to what is apparently being briefed to the press in Sydney, the proposed purchase price does not include the transfer or loan of any players...

Sevilla are set to finalise the sale of their star striker Alvaro Negredo to English Premier League runners-up Manchester City, the Spanish Liga side's president said on Wednesday. "We are on the verge of sealing the deal with Manchester City. There are just a few loose ends to tie up," Sevilla's president Jose Maria del Nido told a news conference. "If all goes as planned and the documents are signed later today, this afternoon we will say goodbye to him." Spain international Negredo, 27, would follow winger Jesus Navas, signed last month from Sevilla by the English club whose new manager has also moved from Spain – Chilean Manuel Pellegrini from Malaga. Del Nido said City was going to pay "many millions" of euros to sign Negredo, without giving a specific figure. British media reports put the sum at the equivalent of around 28 million euros ($37 million). "Manchester City is buyin...

Romelu Lukaku handed Jose Mourinho a winning start to his new reign as Chelsea manager on Wednesday with a perfectly timed debut goal after the club confirmed a bid for Wayne Rooney. The towering Didier Drogba look-a-like drilled a first-half penalty to give new-look Chelsea a 1-0 win over the Singha All-Star XI, who humbled Manchester United by the same scoreline last week. Lukaku, who starred on loan with West Bromwich Albion last season, has vowed to fight for his place even if Chelsea sign a striker of the calibre of Manchester United's unsettled forward Rooney. And his goal, on a night of promising debut performances by Chelsea's new signings in Bangkok, comes after the club ended widespread speculation by confirming a bid for the England forward. Chelsea played with their shirt names and numbers in Thai but home goalkeeper Narit Taweekul nearly went further with th...

  Les Parisiens' director of football reveals that the Ligue 1 champions have opened negotiations with Napoli over the transfer of the highly-rated Uruguayan forward Leonardo has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain have to bid for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani. The 26-year-old ended last season as Serie A's top goalscorer with 29 goals across the campaign as the Azzurri finished in the runners-up spot, nine points behind champions Juventus. Leonardo, 43, indicated that les Rouge-et-Bleu are keen to sign the Uruguay international and have entered into negotiations with the Italian outfit. "We presented an offer to [Napoli president Aurelio] De Laurentiis that I consider to be very interesting," the Brazilian declared to Il Matino .

The Portuguese defender believes his compatriot is keen on departing Santiago Bernabeu this summer but insists Cristiano Ronaldo will sign a new deal Former Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho has claimed Fabio Coentrao is eager to quit the club this summer. The 25-year-old full-back claimed earlier this year that he has never felt wanted in the Spanish capital, prompting rumours he could follow Jose Mourinho to Chelsea or return to his homeland with Benfica. Carvalho, who recently signed for Monaco, believes his compatriot could well be set to move on from the Liga giants this summer - though he has urged him to stay at the club. "I think that he wants to move on because he thinks that it would be the best thing for him to do career-wise," the 35-year-old told A Bola . "Personally, I think he should continue because he meets Madrid’s requirements. He played well in practically every game last season. "He’s a great left-back, to th...

gles Nigeria Coach Steven Keshi is optimistic that the Super Eagles will fly after he saw his team demolish Ivory Coast 4-1 in a nervy first leg CHAN 2014 encounter played at the main bowl of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. Nigeria won the encounter through goals from Kano Pillars forward Gambo Mohammed, a brace from Sunday Mbah and a late Ifeanyi Edeh goal as the Super Eagles garnered a commanding lead into the second leg. Keshi who spoke to supersport.com after the game was full of praises for his wards but  warned that the tie is far from won and wants his players to maintain focus as they prepare for the return leg. "I usually don't like praising players, but I thought Benjamin Francis had a good game, he worked tirelessly. I'm also pleased with Sunday Mba. "I missed Sunday Mba at the Confederations Cup, today I saw the Sunday Mba that I know, he did pretty well". Keshi said. The Super ...

Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson has ‘regrettably’ disclosed in an interview that her colleague actor John Dumelo has a girlfriend in London. She spilled the beans during a recent interview with Toolz on The Juice on Ndani TV. Yvonne was trying to defend a point she made that she had done nothing with anyone for the past 7 months (after breaking up with Nigerian musician Iyanya). While doing so, she remembered she had kissed John Dumelo in a movie recently. “It’s been seven months…i’m like a secondary virgin right now…yeah. I haven’t seen anyone…done nothing! I haven’t even kissed….oh yeah i kissed John Dumelo in a movie..that’s like my last kiss,” Yvonne said. Toolz further inquired what is going on between the Yvonne and John, since they seem comfortable together and everybody thinks they are having a secret relationship. Yvonne denied it, saying “John is like my brother…he’s a Fanti guy..” Then she got serious and dropped the bombshel...

Tiwa Savage ‘s debut album, Once Upon a Time is FINALLY Out and it was worth the wait, simply because it is a STRONG and well put together album. Listen to these two FIYA singles, Shout Out (ft Iceberg Slim and Sarkodie) and Eminado (ft Don Jazzy)  off the album to check out what to expect in case you are dulling or hesitating on whether or not to pick up the album. DOWNLOAD   Shout Out ft Iceberg Slim and Sarkodie DOWNLOAD  Eminado ft Don Jazzy In addition, Remy Martin is hosting Tiwa’s album launch Today @ Lekki.

God has added another year to Tolulope ‘Toolz’ Oniru life today. aToolz is a vivacious and award-winning on-air personality. May you find your happiness in everything you do. Wishing you the most blessed and happiest birthday ever. You deserve it.

  Dejan Stankovic has terminated his contract with Inter Milan after nine years at the club, saying goodbye to fans in an emotional letter on the club's official website (www.inter.it) on Saturday. "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 Serbian midfielder said. "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." The 34-year-old former Serbia international, who spent much of last season injured, won a host of trophies after joining the club in 2009, including five league titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup. He was a key figure in the Inter side that won the treble in 2010. He terminated his contract by mutual consent with In...

The influential midfielder says Bayern are even hungrier than last year, but is not sure they can still make steps forward under their new coach Bastian Schweinsteiger believes it will not be easy for Pep Guardiola to improve Bayern Munich after their stellar 2012-13 campaign, but hopes the Spanish coach can achieve just that. The Bavarians won a historic treble under Jupp Heynckes last season and Schweinsteiger thinks they will need some time to get used to their new coach as he is uncertain they can replicate last year's feats. "We all hope that Pep will improve us in certain things, even if that’s going to be a bit difficult," Schweinsteiger was quoted as saying by Bundesliga.com . "We’ve all got to get used to each other, which means the new coaching team getting to know Bayern as much as it means Bayern getting to know the coaching team. "It’s something special for the entire club. For us as a team, we’ve got to know a ver...

The Chile international has mixed feelings about the 2012-13 campaign, and is eager to show the best of himself next season Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez has admitted that he was not satisfied with his performances last term and is determined to improve in the 2013-14 campaign. The Chile international, who joined the club in July 2011, netted eight goals in 29 Primera Division appearances in 2012-13, yet he feels that he should have done better over the course of the campaign. "I have mixed feelings about last season. I wanted to do more for the team, but was unable to really contribute something until the end of the season," the 24-year-old was quoted as saying by Sport . "I scored a number of goals in the final games of the season, though, and I'm pleased with that. "My ambition for next season is to win trophies and to become an important player for the team, although that won't be easy. A great player has joined us with Ne...

The Spain international and his partner Sara Carbonero have revealed they are set to become parents, with the reporter believed to be 13 weeks pregnant 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.

A suspected fake National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member, Opeyemi Ajala, 34, has been remanded in prison custody after he was arrested by the police at Dolphin Division, Ikoyi, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, and charged to court. He allegedly told the police that he was contracted by Olotu Osayowanon now at large to help him serve the one year compulsory scheme with an agreement that he would be paying him N19,000 monthly. Trouble started for Opeyemi, a resident of 25, Jebba Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos on 27 June, 2013 when he went to the Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA, Ikoyi, Lagos to register for the one year NYSC compulsory scheme as a graduate. During screening, the officer in charge of the programme reportedly discovered that all the documents he presented were fake. The fake documents found on him, according to the police include forged death certificate of one Osarogie Olotu, Acceptance Letter from Eti Osa LCDA, BA Certificate from the University of New Castle, United Kingdom ...

Unknown to many, two of Nigeria’s great and Ex-Super Eagles skippers, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha and Kanu Nwankwo are not having the best of relationship but often try to keep it away from the media. The sour relationship between them started many years ago after the midfield maestro quit international football. Kanu who at that time won the FA Cup with Portsmouth FC was selected alongside Austin Okocha to decide who got the ambassadorial honour for Fidelity Bank Plc. Due to the influence of Kanu among some South East governors, the former Arsenal striker won it and this did not go down well with Jay jay . The two, according to a very close source, have often avoided each other any time event brings them together. The source disclosed that, supremacy of sort thus exists between them and it is of note that either of them ever invited another for any personal event in the past.

Gloria Oghenevo, the Former Super Falcons player is set to wed her love, Martins Ovie Poto. Their traditional wedding holds on Friday 12th July and the white wedding on Saturday July 13th at Crest Hotel in Jos. Best wishes!

The Internazionale midfielder has recovered from his injury and is set to play a bigger part in club and country commitments in the new season Inter midfielder Joel Obi has sent cheering news to Nigeria selectors that he would be available for the final Group F 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Malawi of on September 5. The 22-year-old said he has passed through all the necessary steps for recovery and would be joining Inter on July 10 for full training sessions ahead of the new season. “Firstly I want to thank God Almighty for helping me to see through the process of my recovery from the injury that has stopped me from playing for my club and country for some time now,” said Obi. “I want to tell you especially that I will be re-joining my teammates for full training sessions on July 10. So that means I will be back fully on that day and I am really happy about this. “It is not...

Mallorca vice-president Llorenzo Serra Ferrer claims Atletico Madrid are one of "six or seven teams" who have expressed an interest in signing Giovani dos Santosthis summer. The €6 million-rated forward signed a four-year deal with the Islanders last summer after finally making a permanent move from Tottenham, who had previously loaned him out on a regular basis. Despite Mallorca's relegation, Giovani's form was one of the few positives to emerge from the campaign as he impressed in his 29 Liga appearances last season. The club's relegation means a summer transfer is almost inevitable for the 24-year-old and Ferrer has named a number of clubs who are interested, including Atletico - who finished third in the top-flight last season - and Valencia. "With Giovani we have six or seven teams interested, without exaggeration," Ferrer told AS . "Some have made offers but have so far failed to interest the player. Others...

Palermo's president has revealed the terms offered by the Ligue 1 outfit to the Uruguay international and praised the player's current club for holding out for a big transfer fee Maurizio Zamparini has claimed Paris Saint-Germain have offered Napoli striker Edinson Cavani an €8 million per year deal. The Ligue 1 champions are reportedly willing to match the 26-year-old's €63 million minimum fee release clause and have already agreed personal terms with Cavani over a five-year deal. And the Palermo president praised the Partenopei for holding firm during negotiations and commanding a colossal fee for the Uruguay international. "I have texted De Laurentiis to congratulate him on doing even better than I did [while dealing with PSG]. He has outdone the €43 million that we got for Javier Pastore when we sold him to PSG," the Palermo president told Radio Radio . "De Laurentiis had to make this deal. He did well t...

  The Nigeria international left-back has ended his contract with Milan by joining a club in Turkey Taye Taiwo has signed for Turkish club, Bursaspor in a three-year deal. The former Marseille defender was on the books of AC Milan, from where he was loaned to Dynamo Kiev, for whom he played last season. The Super Eagles defender did not settle in Milan and has now parted ways with the serial Italian and Champions League winners. He could be joined in Bursaspor in the following days by another Nigerian, Michael Eneramo who is expected to join on a free from Sivasspor. The 28-year old defender also went on loan to Queens Park Rangers in the 2011/12 season. Bursaspor are building for an assault on the Champions League even though they came fourth in the league as Fenerbahce and Besiktas have been banned for match fixing from European competitions.

Angela Simmons covers the latest issue of ROLLING OUT where she dishes on the pressures of being one of the "Simmons" and becoming more transparent with her fans.  Find out what she said inside and get the deets her hosting "106 & Park" this summer....and what happened to the other hosts!  "106 & PARK" is undergoing exciting changes. Angela Simmons will continue to guest host until the end of the summer. Bow Wow aka "Mr. 106 & Park" will continue as the lead host; Miss. Mykie, Paigion and Shorty Da Prince will no longer remain on the show. BET Networks is happy to have worked with these bright, young stars and will continue to support them and their upcoming endeavors."   See photos fron Angela's  Olori Swank -styled photoshoot here:

Bieber posted this pic above today, on his Istagram page with the caption "#heartbreaker."   What does he mean with that #word  

Here’s something new from Starboy Entertainment producer Maleek Berry featuring Wizkid and Phenom titled “New Bounce” . As the title suggests, it has a lil “bounce” to it. Peep this one.  [ DOWNLOAD ]

Safa has announced that the South African national team will honour former President Nelson Mandela by hosting the reigning African Champions Nigeria on August 14 Bafana Bafana will play two international matches in the space of four days to honour Mandela in August. First, they will take on the Super Eagles at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on August 14. Then they will play 2013 Afcon runners up Burkina Faso in the Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on August 17. On the same date the Springboks rugby team will face Argentina in a test match, also at the FNB Stadium, being a unique occasion for both the soccer and rugby team to share the stage.  The occasion will finish off with a concert at night. “It is a great honour for us to be associated with such a huge and significant, and also highly important project for our former State President. When we got the invite to be part of this ...

  David Moyes plans to put his own "stamp" on Manchester United but vowed to continue the attacking traditions of the reigning Premier League champions. The former Everton boss has replaced the retired Alex Ferguson and has been charged with continuing on the success of the club that has won 20 English league titles, three European  Cups, 11 FA Cups, four League Cups and a European Cup Winners' Cup in a success-laden history. "Whoever was going to take over this job knows what the manager did before," Moyes, who has never won a major trophy, said. "The manager before was incredible. His achievements, there are no better. "All I can do is what David Moyes has done before. I will definitely continue the traditions of Manchester United, but I have to put my own stamp on the club. "I'm very fortunate I'm taking over the champions of England, so that gives me a great start, better than most would get. ...

The versatile attacker will continue his career in the Eredivisie after an unsuccessful two-year spell in Serie A Barcelona have announced on their official website that Bojan Krkic has left the club for Ajax on a one-year loan deal. The Eredivisie champions were keen to add some more firepower to their squad following the departure of Ryan Babel and Miralem Sulejmani earlier this summer and they see the 22-year-old Bojan as the ideal addition. "He’s a quality player who knows what it’s like to perform at the highest level," Ajax coach Frank de Boer told Voetbal International earlier this week. "Bojan is a roving attacker like a Viktor Fischer-type. He’s not a real right winger like Isaac Cuenca, but I would like to have him." The forward is a product of the Barcelona youth academy, but never really managed to live up to the high expectations at the Catalans. He returned to the club this summer after unsuccessful spells at Roma and...

The Italy international has held summit talks with Roma chiefs about his future at the Stadio Olimpico, with the club prepared to listen to offers above €17.5 million By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are ready to rival Chelsea in the race to sign Daniele De Rossi. The Roma midfielder met with the club’s sporting director Walter Sabatini earlier this week to discuss his future after returning from international duty at the Confederations Cup with Italy. New coach Rudi Garcia wants to keep De Rossi, but he turns 30 later in July and will be allowed to leave the Giallorossi for around €17.5 million after a troubled 2012-13 season in which he lost his regular starting place in the heart of the midfield.

The former Inter coach has hailed the Giallorossi a "great club" and flirted with the idea of taking over at Stadio Olimpico in the future Roberto Mancini has revealed his interest in Roma's "project" but ruled out making an imminent return to Serie A. The 48-year-old has been out of work ever since he got the sack at Manchester City earlier this summer, but insists he is in no rush to return to the dug-out and will wait for the right opportunity. "I am not yet ready to return to Serie A. I would like a few more experiences abroad first. La Liga or the Premier League, who knows... I am calm and awaiting what happens," Mancini told Corriere dello Sport . "There has never been direct contact with Roma. Roma are a great club, though, with a lot of prestige. They are building a team to start a new cycle and I cannot deny that it's an interesting proje...

Sevilla's chairman has said that the Copa del Rey winners have a "zero per cent" chance of signing the striker in this summer's transfer window Atletico Madrid have all but given up on signing Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo as they "can't compete" with the financial clout of Manchester City. Manuel Pellegrini is believed to have set his sights on signing the 27-year-old, with reports in Spain suggesting a €25m deal had been agreed between the two clubs. And now Atleti have added fuel to the speculation linking Negredo with a move to the Etihad Stadium after admitting they could not compete with the Premier League club's financial might in the battle to sign the Spain international. "We can't compete with the petrodollars," an Atletico spokesman told Orgull de Nervion . "We're speaking but we won't be able to reach the amount Manchester City can offer".

Midfielder Ryan Giggs has been appointed player-coach at Manchester United, the English champions said on Thursday. Giggs, 39, signed a one-year extension to his playing contract in March and will combine his new duties with being a member of the first-team squad. "I'm delighted that Ryan has accepted the chance to become player-coach. His success and ability to adapt his game over a number of years gives him an unrivalled perspective on the modern game," manager David Moyes said in a statement. "His career is an example to any aspiring young player and I'm sure that both he and the players will benefit from his new role." Former Welsh international Giggs, who made his senior debut for United in March 1991, is the most decorated player in English soccer with 13 Premier League winner's medals, four FA Cup winner's medals and two Champions League winner's medals among his collection. "It's a great privilege to be ...

  The flamboyant attacker has decided to leave the Nerazzurri after just one season and will continue his career at the Stadio Ennio Tardini side Parma have secured the services of Antonio Cassano from Inter for an undisclosed fee. Both sides had long been in talks over the 30-year-old and Parma revealed on their official club website on Wednesday that a deal has been completed. Cassano will be wearing the No.99 jersey at his new club. The attacker had been at Inter for only one season after joining the club from AC Milan in the summer of 2012 in a deal that saw Giampaolo Pazzini head to the Rossoneri . Cassano netted seven goals in 28 Serie A appearances for the Giuseppe Meazza side last season, but he was not part of new head coach Walter Mazzarri's plans for the future. He previously played for the likes of Bari, Roma, Real Madrid and Sampdoria. The forward will be unveiled to the press on Thursday.

The 22-year-old midfielder is close to a move to Manchester United but, given the decline of his senior team-mate, could feature much more for the Catalans if he stayed at Camp No u As Brazil battered Spain in the Confederations Cup final on Sunday, Thiago Alcantara will have been an interested spectator. Born to Brazilian parents but raised in Spain (the country he has chosen to represent at international level), the Barcelona midfielder has set his sights on next summer's World Cup. And on Sunday's evidence, he has every chance of being there. Thiago is on the brink of leaving Barcelona as he seeks more first-team opportunities in 2013-14 to impress Spain boss Vicente del Bosque, but Sunday showed Xavi to be a fading force and the midfielder may not need to leave Camp Nou at all in order to achieve his World Cup dream. Xavi was overrun against Brazil and with his persistent Achilles tendon problems, is no longer the mobile mid...

The forward is on a high following his big-money move and success with the national team, while Jose Bakero is confident he can play alongside Lionel Messi Neymar says he is going through a "great time in his life" at Barcelona on the back of a dream summer for the Brazil star. The 21-year-old joined Barca in a deal worth €57 million from Santos at the start of June and then capped a fruitful month by beating Spain 3-0 in the final of the Confederations Cup. "I am very satisfied to have won the Confederations Cup on home soil and I am going through a great time of my life at Barcelona," Neymar told reporters after a charity game in Peru. Meanwhile, former Blaugrana star Jose Bakero is confident that the Brazilian has what it takes to succeed at Camp Nou and will form a good partnership with Lionel Messi. "The best thing for Barcelona is to have Messi and Neymar together. It will make the team even stronger than before." Ne...