Bremen: Diego deal with Juve not complete

Werder Bremen confirmed talks with Juventus over the possible sale of Brazilian midfielder Diego on Friday but said no deal was yet in place.

Diego, 24, steered Werder to their first UEFA Cup final on Thursday, scoring once in their 3-2 win over Hamburg SV.

"There has been a meeting between Juventus and Werder. But we cannot confirm that an agreement was reached," Werder managing director Klaus Allofs said on the team's website.

The Brazilian will, however, miss the UEFA Cup final against Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in Istanbul on May 20 after being booked for an altercation with Hamburg's Alex Silva.

"We will badly miss Diego in Istanbul," Werder coach Thomas Schaaf told reporters, adding that he was "furious" at referee Frank De Bleeckere for booking the Brazilian.

"He is an exceptional player. He helped us to get to the final and I hope the team can bring something back for him."

The gifted playmaker has been the driving force in Werder's run to the final, finding the net four times in two legs to oust Italian side Udinese in the quarter-finals.

Diego blamed compatriot Silva for the booking, which will see him miss Bremen's biggest match of the season.

"Unfortunately I cannot change things," Diego said. "(Silva) swore at me. I did not respond, I was pushed and then got booked."

"But we did a great job and we have a big enough team to win the cup in Istanbul," the 24-year-old said.

Man United close on Valencia deal

Manchester United's 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic looks likely to pip Liverpool for the Premier League title and the Red Devils are also set beat their arch-rivals to the signature of Latic's winger Antonio Valencia, according to Thursday's newspapers.

Sir Alex Ferguson is leading the race to sign the £20million-rated Ecuadorian, who is also attracting interest from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Sources close to United told The Sun that the player wants to move to Old Trafford and Wigan boss Steve Bruce said: "It's inevitable Antonio will leave - but where he goes I'm not quite sure."

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who was yesterday linked with a revived bid for Valencia's David Silva, is consoling himself by preparing to splash out £15million to bring former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan to Anfield in the summer, according to the Daily Star.

The Atletico Madrid striker has scored 27 goals in La Liga this season and is closing in on his second pichichi, the top scorer award in Spain, only one goal behind Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o, who has netted 28 times.

Liverpool's ranks will not be depleted by the departure of midfielder Xabi Alonso, who has been linked with a host of top European clubs for the successive summers, as his agent has revealed the Spaniard is eager to stay at Anfield.

Ignacio Ibañez denied there had been any approaches for his client and told The Guardian: "I know nothing about these reports. As Xabi has always said, he is happy at Liverpool and focused on them."

Frustratingly frugal Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could also dip into the transfer market this season after billionaire shareholder Alisher Usmanov initiated proceedings to clear the club's debt - a result of building the Emirates Stadium - that has hamstrung the Gunners.

The Daily Telegraph report that the Russian is ready to suggest that Stan Kroenke and other stakeholders join him in making a commitment to tackle the £318m burden.

But that will not prevent the Gunners from flogging infuriating striker Emmanuel Adebayor to Chelsea for £10m in the transfer window, according to the Daily Mirror.

The Blues are set to part company with Didier Drogba should Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti take charge at Stamford Bridge as expected and Adebayor, who was linked with the Rossoneri last summer, is top of the Italian's wanted list.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko expects to remain at the club next season and claims he has been given assurances about his future at White Hart Lane.

The Independent claim that the Russian striker met with manager Harry Redknapp and then declared: "I am a Tottenham player and want to remain one."

The Daily Mail 'exclusively reveal' that Manchester City star Stephen Ireland is on the verge of signing a new £4million-a-year deal at Eastlands after he verbally agreed a double-your-money new contract worth £80,000-a-week.

And finally... The Times report that Adrian Boothroyd, Phil Parkinson and Gus Poyet are the favourites to replace Steve Coppell as reading manager.

Plot to break Tevez-agent deal denied by Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson has distanced Manchester United from suggestions they could ask Carlos Tevez to break his contract with Kia Joorabchian in order sign the Argentine on permanent deal.


Carlos Tevez: United future in doubt

United are trying to broker a deal that would keep Tevez at Old Trafford beyond the end of his present two-year 'leasing' agreement, which is due to expire at the end of the month.

On Wednesday evening, after Tevez helped fire United to within a point of the Premier League title thanks to his goal in the 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic, Ferguson revealed that negotiations were complicated because United were not dealing with a club in order to gain Tevez's registration, but Joorabchian who owns the player's economic rights.

It was reported that Old Trafford club may seek to use European law to break the deal between Tevez and Joorabchian, although given the close relationship between player and advisor it is doubtful such a bid would be successful, and Ferguson confirmed it is not a route he intends to go down.

''We could all break our contracts,'' he said. ''I am not discussing anything like that. It is a bit far-fetched really.''

Although Ferguson is of the opinion that Tevez would like to stay with the club, Joorabchian has contradicted this by hinting that the 25-year-old is keen to leave in the summer after becoming disenchanted with the uncertainty over his future and a lack of regular first team action.

Tevez has been linked with a £40m move to AC Milan in the summer, while Real Madrid and Manchester City are also thought to be monitoring the situation.

Under the terms of the lease agreement with Joorabchian it is understood that United could sign the player permanently for a figure of around £22m. Reports suggest United are unwilling to meet that valuation in the current economic climate, while Joorabchian is sticking steadfastly to the figure, arguing that it is a contractual obligation as stipulated under the original lease deal.

Despite the looming end of month deadline, and encouragement from supporters, Ferguson is reverting to previous policy and letting discussions run their course without any further intervention.

''There was a meeting with (chief executive) David Gill on Wednesday, that is a clear fact,'' he said. ''They discussed the avenue under which Carlos could stay with Manchester United. End of story. I realise you (the media) speak to his agent but I do not wish to discuss the matter any further.''

Uefa Champions League Draw

Kevin McCarra offers his verdict on the quarter-final draw Link to this video Liverpool and Chelsea will meet again in the Champions League quarter-final in a tie that has become an almost annual event in European football, and Rafael Benítez's team will be spared a fixture on the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

The two meet in the competition for the fifth consecutive season and for the fourth time in the knockout stages, Liverpool having won in semi-finals in 2005 and 2007 before Chelsea won 4-3 on aggregate last year.

This time around they will renew acquaintance at Anfield on Wednesday 8 April with the return leg the following Tuesday, allaying fears that Liverpool would have to play a match on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. "There's no more important issue than this," said Rick Parry, the club's chief executive, before the dates were confirmed.

The defending champions Manchester United open at Old Trafford against Porto, who under Jose Mourinho knocked them out of the Champions League in 2004 and manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted his contentment at the tie. "This is a good draw for us, we've met Porto before and obviously we respect any Portuguese team," he said. "You sometimes wonder if being at home first is a good or a bad thing but I think in this modern-day competition there is no indication of what is better."

Arsenal will play Villarreal, whom they beat in the semi-finals in 2006 before losing to Barcelona in the final. Arsène Wenger's team travel to Spain for the first match.

The four Premier League clubs have avoided the second-favourites Barcelona, who were drawn against the German champions Bayern Munich, with the first leg at Camp Nou.

The draw for the semi-finals, made at the same time, paved the way for a possible repeat of last year's final as well as a Manchester United-Liverpool showpiece. The winners of United's tie with Porto will play Villarreal or Arsenal while Chelsea or Liverpool will have to find a way past Barça or Bayern.

The Champions League draw in full
Quarter-finals

Tuesday 7 April

Villarreal v Arsenal

Manchester United v Porto

Wednesday 8 April

Liverpool v Chelsea

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

Tuesday 14 April

Bayern Munich v Barcelona

Chelsea v Liverpool

Wednesday 15 April

Arsenal v Villarreal

Porto v Manchester United

Semi-finals

Manchester United or Porto v Villarreal or Arsenal

Barcelona or Bayern Munich v Liverpool or Chelsea

Semi-final ties to be played on 28-29 April and 5-6 May

RAFA EXTENDS IT FINALLY!!!!!!!!

Rafael Benitez signs new Liverpool contract until 2014
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has finally ended speculation over his future, signing a four-year contract extension worth around £20 million that will keep him at Anfield until 2014.

After months of tortured negotiations that have seen the contract redrafted at least eight times, Benitez and the American co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, finally agreed terms yesterday afternoon.

The removal of chief executive Rick Parry, who leaves in May, is understood to have been the key in persuading Benitez to extend a relationship that began in 2004.


Parry’s exit was announced just after the first leg of the Champions League tie with Real Madrid, and once the second leg and the Premier League visit to Manchester United were completed with handsome victories, Benitez decided to end the uncertainty.

The deal was closed with a series of faxes and telephone conversations between the Spaniard’s advisers and the Americans. Frustration at Benitez’s prevarication has been growing, with some connected with the club suspecting he was holding out for an offer from Real Madrid.

Benitez has repeatedly used the contract negotiations to enhance his position at Anfield. He has often raised the stakes, twice publicly rejecting contract offers on the eve of crucial league matches since January.

He has also quibbled over detail, demanding that the contract be paid in euros, then sterling, and seeking a clause that allows him to leave if the club is sold and he does not like the new owners.

“My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I’m delighted to sign this new deal,’’ Benitez said last night. “I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying.”

“It is wonderful news that Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the football club,’’ said Hicks. Gillett said: “With Rafa continuing to manage the team, we can look forward to more great football and success on the pitch.”

Big deal - How the Benitez contract saga unfolded:

August 2008: Benitez reportedly comes close to quitting the club over their failure to back his transfer bid for Gareth Barry.

November 2008: The club’s co-owner Tom Hicks expresses his desire to sort Benitez’s long-term future out and talks over a five-year extension open.

December 2008: Benitez agrees personal terms on the extension to his current contract. Sources close to the deal intimate that money is not an issue. Benitez is concerned, though, that he should play a more active role in setting valuations on transfer targets and the two sides fail to agree a deal.

January 2009: The Spaniard turns down two drafts of his deal amid fears he does not enjoy the same level of control in the transfer market as several of his Premier League counterparts. He also wants assurances on contracts for his coaches and criticises the club for being slow to offer players such as Daniel Agger new deals.

February 2009: Benitez turns down another draft of his deal after asking for guarantees over his own personal position in the event that the club is sold or secures new investment. He insists he does want to stay but admits there are no guarantees that he will be able to.

February 2009: A flurry of bets force bookmakers to stop all wagers on whether Benitez will quit as Liverpool manager by the end of the month.

March 2009: Chief executive Rick Parry announces he is to leave the club at the end of the season after 12 years at the helm.

March 18 2009: Benitez finally puts pen to paper on a new five-year deal after the club satisfies all of his demands, stating he would never have been able to say no to staying.

EDUARDO OUT AGAIN!!!!!!!

Arsenal Striker Eduardo Injured Again
The Gunners' number 9 is set for another, thankfully short, lay-off, after last night's epic tussle in Rome.

FA Cup: Da Silva Eduardo, Arsenal - Cardiff (PA)
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Eduardo Da Silva
Arsenal striker Eduardo Da Silva picked up a minor injury in Rome last night, after his side progreessed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Roma, after a penalty shoot-out.

The Brazilian-born Croatian international suffered a minor groin strain during the first half of extra-time in Rome, something his manager believes might have led to him missing his spot-kick in the shoot-out. He will therefore miss the Gunners' weekend home game with Blackburn Rovers.

"Unfortunately we have lost Eduardo with a groin problem," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Thursday.

"He got it in the first half of extra time and I wonder if that stopped him from taking his penalty that well.

"It shows you that no matter what you do in training when you go to the uncontrolled movements of top, top level competition your body needs time to adjust. It is only a short-term injury but he is out for Saturday."

Andrey Arshavin is available to Wenger for the game on Staurday, after being cup-tied for last night's win, and defender Mikael Silvestre will also be in the squad, though he is severely lacking in match fitness.

"He has not played a game in a long time so I am not sure that I will use him but he is available if needed," Wenger added.

Cesc Spitting Saga

FA Await Report On Arsenal's Fabregas
The English FA are yet to receive the referee's report following claims that Cesc Fabregas spat at Hull City assistant boss Brian Horton...

FA Cup: Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal - Hull City (PA)
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Arsenal knocked Hull City out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory at Ashburton Grove last night, and injured club captain Cesc Fabregas was seen to emerge from the dug-out to join his team-mate's on-field celebrations.

Thos celebrations have been marred, however, by accusations from the Tigers' assistant manager, Brian Horton, that the Gunners skipper spat at him.

Hull manager Phil Brown indignantly declared in numerous interviews during the aftermath that he and his club were far from happy with how events had trasnpired.

Horton was expected to submit a formal complaint to the FA today, but no verdict - or indeed any action - can be rightfully made before the FA receive referee Mike Riley's report.

An FA spokesperson is quoted by Reuters as saying today, "We are aware of the allegations but are waiting for the report from referee Mike Riley, or if there is any complaint from Hull City."

As soon as the allegations were levelled at Fabregas, the Arsenal captain was quick to publicly refute the claim on the club's official website.

"I categorically deny that I spat at anybody after the match," he said.

Brown, though, says he saw it with his own eyes, explaining in a post-match press conference, "I was there and I witnessed it, he spat at my assistant manager down the tunnel.

"He spat at his feet."