New Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed he would not have been allowed to leave Inter Milan for any other club.

The Sweden international was unveiled to the press and more than 50,000 fans at the Nou Camp after putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with Pep Guardiola's side, with Samuel Eto'o going in the other direction.

Ibrahimovic had made little secret of his desire to join the Catalan club and on Tuesday, he told Barca TV a deal with Inter president Massimo Moratti was key to the move.

"I made an agreement with the president of Inter that the only club they could sell me to was Barcelona," he said.

"The others could ask but they wouldn't get a reply.

"The only one I answered was Barca. That gives me a special feeling.

"The move from Malmo to Ajax was good, I was happy. From Ajax to Juve was an important move but emotionally it was a normal event.

"I thought I would have to keep on playing. The transfer from Juve to Inter seemed like an important fact but it didn't change my mood.

"In contrast, this transfer has made me feel nervous.

"Barca has an historic tradition. Everyone wants to be part of this great club, they've made history and I want to be part of that history."

On Tuesday, the 27-year-old had surgery, described by the club as successful, on a fracture in his hand revealed in the player's medical.

The striker will travel with the team to the United States for their upcoming tour but will not play.

He will also miss the friendly with Manchester City on August 19, but Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain announced that he is set to return for the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao four days later.

When he does finally get to represent his new team, he is confident he will slot in without trouble.

He said: "I think I'll fit in really well because it's the way I want to play, the way I want to train, the way I want to learn, because this style of football is what I tasted at Ajax.

"It really suited me and I learned a lot."

Ibrahimovic feels teamwork has become one of his big strengths since his time in Holland.

"It's one of my qualities that I learned in Italy," he said. "It's important to know how to play as part of a team.

"If you don't play as part of the team it's impossible to achieve the objectives that your club is looking for.

"You have to help your team-mates and your team-mates have to help you."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 09:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Inter Milan new boy Samuel Eto'o has rubbished suggestions he has ever had a problem with new coach Jose Mourinho.

Eto'o was unveiled to the press on Tuesday afternoon after completing his switch from Barcelona on Monday night and vowed to propel his new team to European glory.

Reports suggest the Cameroon striker, who fell out of favor with his past two coaches at Barca, could be hampered in this by a fractious relationship with Mourinho.

However, Eto'o has denied he has issues with the Portuguese boss and insists he never insulted his team's style of play following a Champions League match between Barca and Chelsea.

"I never said those words that were attributed to me," he said. "There is also a tape which proves it and, in any case, that was after an intense game.

"Now I am happy to be here, for me it is a great honor to play for a coach like him.

"It has been years that I have been trying to play under Mourinho and I have never managed it."

Mourinho also laughed off suggestions the pair do not see eye to eye, insisting they have very similar personalities.

"I have met Samuel six times in three years, and I never cared to know if he really said something not very nice about me," said the Nerazzurri coach.

"Why? Because he is like me: after losing an important match he doesn't go home happy.

"The year after this game I wanted to take him to Chelsea, but I wasn't allowed to.

"I am very happy to have him with us and I'm not talking only as Jose Mourinho but on behalf of the whole squad.

"Now I am happy, I have the right squad to work in the best of ways this season."

Eto'o has signed a five-year contract with Inter as part of a 'swap' deal that saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic move the other way.

Inter will also receive 45million euros but the 28-year-old, who only had a season left on his contract with Barca, has shrugged off suggestions this proves Ibrahimovic is the more highly rated of the two.

"Ibra is a great player but I am Samuel Eto'o and my past and my victories talk for me," said Eto'o. "I don't like parallels being drawn.

"I believe the victories I have earned until now can contribute to giving my name the right value."

Eto'o scored 125 goals in 144 games for Barca, firing them to a string of titles, including three leagues, two Champions Leagues and a Copa del Rey success, in his five seasons at the club.

The 28-year-old is grateful for his time at the Nou Camp and has now vowed to propel Inter to similar success.

He said: "I want to complete my goodbyes to my ex-team-mates at Barcelona and those who accompanied me in my adventure at Barca, where I spent very happy years, regardless of the problems I had linked to the profession, and where I met people who helped me arrive where I am today.

"I'm leaving Barcelona with my head held high. I am convinced that each team has to write their own story, now I hope to write Inter's.

"It would be great to win the Ballon d'Or but first I'm thinking about the team's interest and not my personal ones.

"My Ballon d'Or at the moment is the scudetto."

Inter, who have lifted the Serie A title the past four seasons, are desperate to win the Champions League.

Having won Europe's most prestigious competition three times with Real Madrid and Barca, Eto'o would love to do the same with his new club.

"With Barca we won the Champions League after many years of disappointment and the fans went delirious," he said. "I think that winning a Champions League with Inter would have the same effect.

"That's an added motive. I will do everything to succeed."

Eto'o has spent his entire career in Spain since leaving Cameroon in 1997, playing for Madrid, Leganes, Espanyol, Mallorca and Barcelona.

However, he expects he will adapt easily to the Serie A style.

"It's true I have always played in Spain but I have great experience of international matches," continued Eto'o. "I left my country, Cameroon, and have become a citizen of the world.

"Here in Serie A there are big players because great players are in teams where they know they will be able to win things.

"I am here because it is a very competitive league.

"It's true Ibra and Kaka have left but there are lots of great players in Italy and I am convinced I have made the best choice."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 09:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is backing new team-mate Michael Owen to fire the Red Devils to glory this season.

As a regular colleague of Owen's with England, Ferdinand is acutely aware of the 29-year-old's predatory instincts.

United supporters are beginning to find out too given Owen has scored in both games on the Red Devils' pre-season tour of the Far East, even though it is fairly obvious that much stiffer tests await than those that were posed by a Malaysian XI over the past few days.

Nevertheless, it is the first step towards proving that Owen has not lost his natural talent amid the wreckage of four awful years at Newcastle, blighted by injury and poor form.

And Ferdinand knows Owen could turn out to be a major factor in United's pursuit of an unprecedented fourth consecutive league championship.

"He is one of those players you might not see for 90 minutes but in time added on, he will score a goal," said Ferdinand.

"Those are the type of players you need to win things.

"It is great to have him in our squad because he is such a good player and a fantastic lad to have around.

"Fingers crossed he can have an injury free season and score some goals for us."

With Fabio Capello largely ignoring Owen on fitness grounds since his installation as England coach 19 months ago, Ferdinand has been restricted to watching from afar as the reputation of England's fourth highest goalscorer took a nosedive.

After Cristiano Ronaldo left for Real Madrid in exchange for a whopping £80million cheque and Carlos Tevez made his bad-tempered way to Manchester City, the United faithful were hoping for a significant statement of intent in response.

The reaction to news of Owen being targeted as a replacement following the failed attempt to sign Karim Benzema was first stunned amazement, then dismay, before finally they arrived at a general feeling of nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Ferdinand probably felt the same, although his time with Owen wearing England's Three Lions gives him an insight available to few others.

"The lads get a great buzz out of seeing someone like Michael Owen score goals," he said.

"When he signed for the club there were a lot of doubters out there. People were saying all kinds of things about him. We have heard it all.

"But the players go in there with an open mind and just hope to see the player we know Michael can be."

It has to be said, the initial signs are encouraging.

"So far this pre-season he has played two games and scored two goals," he said.

"That speaks for itself. When he is on his game, there are not many better finishers in world football."

Question marks hanging over Owen will probably not be totally dispelled until he gets through half a season without suffering a significant injury.

Ferdinand will not be judged quite as harshly, nevertheless, after a back problem that kept him out for six weeks following United's return from their successful Club World Cup quest last December and a calf strain that ruled him out for two weeks immediately before the Champions League final and an England double-header straight afterwards, there are a few doubts about him as well.

"It is probably the first season I have ever been injured really but I still played 43 games," he said.

"However, I accept I missed a few so hopefully this season it will be back to normal practice."

Looking back, Ferdinand accepts he was not 100% in Rome as United were flogged so mercilessly by Barcelona.

Not that he is using it as an excuse, just the reality of life as a modern-day top-flight professional.

"Obviously you would prefer to go into any game feeling you are the best you can be," he said.

"But realistically the football season does not allow for that.

"You carry niggles most of the time and the Champions League final was no different.

"I did a little bit of training on my own this summer but I have started the pre-season with everybody else and been happy with it."

(soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti is confident they can agree a deal with Samuel Eto'o to take him to the San Siro this summer.

The Cameroon striker has been offered to Inter by Barcelona in a swap deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the Swede keen on securing a switch to the Nou Camp.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola admitted earlier this week it was probably best all round for Eto'o to leave the European champions.

Reports have suggested the deal could flounder on the wage demands of Eto'o, but Inter are hopeful they will be able to thrash out a deal.

Eto'o's agent Jose Maria Mesalles has traveled to Milan to hold talks with Inter officials and a five-year deal is believed to be on the table.

Moratti is optimistic a deal will be pushed through to see Eto'o link up with the Italian champions.

"I have no certainty but I'm confident," Moratti told the Italian press.

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

England and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is confident he will be back in Serie A with AC Milan next season.

The Galaxy star impressed during a six-month loan spell with the Rossoneri last season and new Milan coach Leonardo has revealed he would welcome him back.

Tottenham and Chelsea, now managed by Carlo Ancelotti, the man who brought Beckham to the San Siro in the first place, are also reportedly interested in the former Manchester United player.

However, Beckham claims there is only one destination for him come the end of the Major League Soccer season.

"I hope to return to play for Milan," he told the club website. "They have remained in my heart and honestly I am confident I will greet them again in November.

"Leonardo wants me in rossonero immediately? It's really pleasing to see that I have left good memories."

Speculation is mounting Beckham could leave the Galaxy sooner than expected as his relationship with the club's fans continues to grow sour.

The England international was roundly booed in Sunday's friendly against Milan and had an ugly confrontation with supporters during half-time in what was his first home game since his return from Italy.

However, Galaxy would likely demand close to 13million euros for the 34-year-old.

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Frank Lampard has added to the uncertainty over John Terry's future by admitting he is not sure whether he will stay at Stamford Bridge.

Terry is a target for big-spending Manchester City and has yet to rule out a move to Eastlands even though Chelsea are desperate for him to commit his long-term future to the club.

Lampard, who came close to following former boss Jose Mourinho to Inter Milan last summer, sympathizes with his England colleague and insists he deserves the right to choose where he plays.

He told The Times: "I don't know what he will do.

"I've been in John's position, but everyone at the club wants him to stay. I had an option to leave last summer, to go with a manager who I love, but it came at a time in my life that, maybe, just wasn't right.

"But the situation made me think an awful lot. It wasn't an easy decision, either, and I don't think people should criticize John.

"People should respect his right to choose."

City are reported to have put together a five-year package worth £200,000 a week - comfortably more than he earns in west London - but Lampard insists any move would not be motivated by money.

He added: "When you're a successful player this kind of thing is going to happen and then you have to make a decision. John's a very honorable man and it doesn't come down to money and things like that.

"I know John. I know he'll be thinking about what's the right thing to do as a player and, in the longer term, for his career. This is not just about the money and people shouldn't try to make it that black and white."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Manchester City have announced they have reached an agreement to sign Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez in a reported £25million deal.

The 25-year-old, who left city rivals United at the end of last season, has agreed personal terms and is expected to pen a five-year deal at Eastlands.

City have confirmed the deal has been ratified by the Premier League and the Football Association, and Tevez is expected to have a medical shortly before meeting up with his new team-mates on their pre-season tour to South Africa.

Manager Mark Hughes told the club's official website: "It is terrific news. Carlos is an international player of the highest class who possesses all the attributes that will help drive this club forward."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has handed Michael Owen the number seven shirt - and declared Old Trafford closed for transfer business.

It was anticipated Ferguson would make further signings in addition to Owen, Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan, who joined last week from Bordeaux.

But, faced with a market over-inflated by Real Madrid and Manchester City, Ferguson has decided his current squad is good enough to challenge for an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title, even though Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have left.

He said: "It is the end of our business, so all these stories about who we are supposed to be getting - forget it."

It means Owen will take over Ronaldo's shirt and his place in an attacking line-up containing Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, plus youngsters Daniel Welbeck and Federico Macheda, who will both be given a chance to prove they are worthy of the accolades that have been bestowed on them.

"They are both young players - but young players with ability always get a chance here."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

England midfielder David Beckham has criticized the "unprofessional" conduct of Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan.

The American international had question Beckham's commitment to the club and also the Major Soccer League.

Beckham, who has been on loan to Italian giants AC Milan, revealed he would be seeking to talk to Donovan.

Beckham said: "It's unprofessional. In every football player's eyes throughout the world it would be unprofessional to speak out about a team-mate, especially in the press and not to your face.

"In 17 years, I have played with the biggest teams in the world and the biggest players and not once have I been criticized for my professionalism.

"It's important to get this cleared up."

Beckham, recently recalled to the England set-up by manager Fabio Capello, added: "Me and Landon will talk, but that will be a private conversation."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 01:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

John Terry reportedly told Roman Abramovich that he wants to talk to Manchester City about a possible £50m move.

The Chelsea captain met with the club's Russian owner on Saturday afternoon and - according to reports in several Sunday papers - told him that he wants the chance to discuss a move to the world's richest club.

The Sunday Times reports that Terry was told that the club would not match City's offer of £250,000 a week, and that he would have to hand in a transfer request to engineer a move north.

Abramovich is allegedly willing to make Terry the highest-paid player at the club but will not pay him significantly more than current high earner Frank Lampard.

City apparently remain confident that they will sign Terry, with a £5m signing-on fee sweetening the deal, according to the News of the World.

They also suggest that any money recouped from the sale of Terry would be ploughed into a move for AC Milan's Alexandre Pato.

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 01:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

AC Milan have announced the surprise signing of American defender Oguchi Onyewu.

Onyewu, who had a loan spell at Newcastle in 2007, has signed a three-year deal with the Italian giants after leaving Standard Liege.

The 27-year-old was linked with a host of clubs earlier this summer and was in deep talks with Ajax, but Milan have moved to lure him to the San Siro.

Onyewu impressed during the recent Confederations Cup, helping the USA reach the final and Milan have decided to bring him in to bolster their defensive options.

A statement on Milan's official website read: "AC Milan would like to inform that they have signed Oguchi Onyewu on a permanent basis from Standard Liege.

"The USA international has signed until June 30 2012.".

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Michael Owen admits a move to Manchester United was beyond his 'wildest dreams' but the striker is determined to prove his doubters wrong.

Doubts may have been expressed about the wisdom of Sir Alex Ferguson signing the free agent but the two men themselves are convinced the deal will be a success.

There is little financial risk to United, who have signed the player on a free transfer, as Owen can no longer command the £110,000-a-week he was on at Newcastle.

He may not be the marquee name fans were hoping for after losing out to Real Madrid in the £30million pursuit of Lyon striker Karim Benzema, with the club also likely to suffer the same fate with Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.

But at 29, if he can keep himself free from injury, England's greatest modern-day goalscorer may yet have a significant part to play in United's history over the course of his two-year contract.

For the player himself it provides one final chance to prove wrong the doubters - England coach Fabio Capello included - who claim he is finished after four years of injury torment at St James' Park.

United, unlike their other top-four rivals, also present the greatest chance of winning silverware; something Owen has not done since he lifted the League Cup with Liverpool in 2003.

"Manchester United, you automatically think winners, you think trophies, you think the stadium, the massive fan base, but until you sign you don't really let yourself get carried away," said Owen.

"There's so many top players here, obviously it's a very exciting time for me.

"Right throughout the squad they are obviously a fantastic team with fantastic players, that's why they've all won so much throughout their careers, and hopefully I can jump on the bandwagon, score a few goals, and help us to further success."

It could be argued that, injuries aside, Owen was never likely to regain his best form playing in a Newcastle team which lurched from one crisis to the next on and off the pitch and ultimately resulted in them being relegated last season.

Having played for Liverpool, where he won European Footballer of the Year in 2001, and Real Madrid, for one brief season, Owen is used to being surrounded by top talent.

Having such high-class support makes his job as a goalscorer so much easier as he does not have to do it all himself.

There were times at Newcastle, particularly in their failed fight against relegation, when it seemed he was carrying the expectations of not only the team but the entire Geordie nation.

At Old Trafford no one individual is held up as a talisman or a savior - highlighted by the £80million sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Madrid.

With other players to do much of his running and greater creativity around him, Owen has the best environment in which to succeed.

And even he - scorer of 40 goals in 89 England internationals - admits he is excited about playing in the same team as the likes of Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs.

"A few days ago I never really had it in my wildest dreams," said Owen, who seemed set to be fought over by Hull and Stoke before Ferguson made his move.

"I probably won't sleep at night thinking about all the top players I'm going to be playing alongside, so there's a lot to think about and a lot to get excited about."

Owen will also benefit from the full backing of Ferguson, having known for some time his new manager was an admirer of his talents.

"In the last few years I had an idea that the manager obviously thought I had something, so I always clung to that hope that he would ask me to come and play for him one day," he added.

"I'm not silly, I know there will be some people saying maybe the manager shouldn't have signed me.

"That gradually goes in time and as soon as the first game kicks off, I can do my talking on the pitch."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mark Hughes believes top sides are judged by the quality of their strike force and that is exactly why he wants Samuel Eto'o at Manchester City.

While speculation continues about the possible arrival of Carlos Tevez, who is now a free agent after the expiry of his two-year 'lease' arrangement with Manchester United, Eto'o remains at the top of Hughes' summer wish-list.

City have not given up on their hopes of signing the 28-year-old from Barcelona, even though this week's indication has been that Eto'o would remain at the Nou Camp.

Hughes insists the Cameroon star is not merely a marquee signing he is not actually interested in, claiming he could ignite City's entire strike force.

"He is a world star and a European Cup winner, the type that scores you 23 goals a season," said Hughes.

"With those types of player you know exactly what you will get - quality, a winner's mentality and someone who will get people out of their seats.

"My feeling is that it is the right time for him to help us in our ambitions.

"There is an old adage in football that you stand or fall by your strikers.

"There are times in games when things aren't going particularly well when you need somebody with the ability to win games on their own.

"All the top clubs have them. If we can add players who can do it to the ones we already have, it gives us a better chance."

Hughes accepts there is a chance Eto'o will eventually opt to remain where he is, if only to stop Barcelona pocketing the entire £25million transfer fee for a player who would be allowed to leave for nothing in 12 months' time.

Moves to lure Tevez to Eastlands can now be sped up, with some suggestion that a deal could be done as soon as Monday.

Hughes is adding nothing to such talk. However, he is prepared to concede high expectations of City, which were so wide of the mark last term, would be an accurate assessment of the feeling inside the club this year.

"People's perceptions about us will be accurate this year," he said.

"If we can get the players we are hoping for we will have more tools to do the job. We didn't have that last year.

"But leading into the new season I fully expect us to be in better shape and be better prepared than we were last year when expectations were the same as they will be this time.

"Last year we couldn't fulfill them. This year I anticipate we will."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Big-spending Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Lyon to sign Manchester United target Karim Benzema, according to the striker's agent.

Widespread reports in Spain and France have suggested Real are closing in on the signature of the France international.

Benzema's future has been the subject of intense speculation for the last few weeks, with United also credited with an interest in the striker and Miralem Pjanic claiming they will win the race for the 21-year-old.

However, Benzema's agent claims Real have won the race for the forward's signature after agreeing a fee of 35million euros with Lyon.

Karim Djaziri has told French radio that a deal has been agreed between the two clubs and that only personal terms and a medical need to be completed to see the move go through.

If the striker makes the move to the Bernabeu he will become the Spanish giants' fourth big-money arrival of the summer following the captures of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Albiol.

Lyon see things differently, however, with director of communications Olivier Blanc telling L'Equipe: "We certainly did receive an offer of a sum appreciably superior to the sum that has been mentioned, but nothing says that it comes from Real. There is no agreement with anyone."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Brazilian superstar Kaka is confident Real Madrid are building a squad capable of knocking arch rivals Barcelona off their throne next season.

Kaka was unveiled as Madrid's first recruit of what could be a busy summer on Tuesday night following the return of Florentino Perez to the club presidency at the start of June.

Perez promised a "spectacular project" to get fallen giants Madrid back to top of the football tree both in Spain and Europe, and he has wasted no time trying to fulfill that pledge.

Aside from the signing of Kaka for a reported price tag of around £56million, Madrid have also finalized a deal with Manchester United that will see Cristiano Ronaldo move to Spain for a world-record £80million.

Valencia center-back Raul Albiol has also been snapped up for a fee believed to be around £13million while the likes of Franck Ribery, David Villa and Xabi Alonso are regularly being linked with Madrid in the media.

Even if Madrid do not bring in any more players they already look set to have much more quality than last season, when they could only watch on in envy as Barca claimed an unprecedented treble of Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League.

Pep Guardiola's side are again likely to be the team to beat next season, but Kaka feels Madrid can give the Catalan outfit a run for their money.

When asked following his presentation if he thought Madrid could challenge Barca, Kaka said: "Yes. That's what Florentino Perez's sporting project is for, to beat Barcelona next season.

"Their three titles are deserved, but Real Madrid are going to be a major team next season, both in Europe and in Spain."

The 27-year-old former FIFA World Player of the Year admitted speaking to Perez about his plans for Madrid helped persuade him to make the move to the Bernabeu.

"When I spoke to the president he showed us his sporting project, and it influenced my decision a lot," explained Kaka, who had attracted the interest of other clubs, including wealthy English outfits Chelsea and Manchester City.

"He's a winner and everything he wants is with this in mind.

"I asked him if he could do everything that he said, and he has shown that he can. It's a great privilege to form part of great teams. I've been fortunate to play with great players, and I'm now going to continue doing the same."

Kaka knows it is not enough just to have a host of talented individuals at the club, though, insisting hard work is what separates the haves from the have-nots.

"My experience in football has told me that talent alone is not enough," said Kaka, who will be aiming to take Madrid past the last-16 stage of the Champions League for the first time in six years next season.

"I've met players with a lot of talent who have not been successful, and others with less talent who have been champions.

"It's something else to have a team of players with talent who sacrifice themselves to achieve the same aim."

(Soccer365.com)

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)