Rodgers putting his stamp on Liverpool

LIVERPOOL SIGNED AS Roma’s Italy forward Fabio Borini while Argentina midfielder Maxi Rodriguez left Anfield for Newell’s Old Boys as new manager Brendan Rodgers began reshaping his squad yesterday.

Borini, who worked with Rodgers on loan at Swansea City last year, has joined on a long-term deal after passing a medical at the Premier League club. No fee was given, but sources said the deal was worth up to €14 million.

Maxi, who moved to Anfield from Atletico Madrid in January 2010, netted 17 goals in 73 appearances for Liverpool.

Tottenham are close to agreeing a fee for Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Spurs have been in negotiations with Manchester City over making Adebayor’s loan move permanent.

But while talks are progressing, it is understood the deal is far from complete. The 28-year-old former Arsenal marksman will have to accept a drop in wages – he is reported to earn €216,000 a week at Eastlands – but this may be compensated for by a signing-on fee.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was yesterday poised to make a significant transfer breakthrough as he closed in on Lille full back Mathieu Debuchy. The two clubs are close to agreeing a deal for the 26-year-old defender, who was part of France’s Euro 2012 squad.

Darren Ambrose has become Birmingham’s fourth signing in five days after joining from Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee.

Juventus manager Antonio Conte appeared before Italian football federation prosecutors yesterday to answer questions about match-fixing that took place while he was in charge of Siena.

Conte spent three hours 40 minutes answering questions about allegations of sporting fraud during his time at the then-Serie B club Siena in 2011, brought by former player Filippo Carobbio.