SOCCER DIGEST

Everton get in on Hunt:SUNDERLAND are expected to face competition from Everton in their pursuit of the Republic of Ireland international Stephen Hunt. Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, has tracked the Reading winger for the past six months but it is understood that Everton are also monitoring the 26-year-old.

David Moyes is eager to strengthen Everton's midfield and the industrious Hunt has emerged as a potential target this summer.

Reading are resigned to losing Hunt after dropping out of the Premier League but the club, who rejected several bids from Sunderland in January, will not countenance reducing the player's valuation after relegation.

Hunt revealed at the end of the season he has a clause in his contract that is believed to offer the player an escape route but also protects his club, with Reading expected to hold out for offers in excess of €5.6 million.

Hunt, who signed a new contract at the Madejski Stadium in February that, on paper, ties him to the club until 2011, is expected to favour a move to Sunderland, where there is a strong Irish presence. Sunderland have yet to return to Reading with an acceptable offer, however, leaving the door ajar for Everton.

 Eto'o regrets head-butting reporter:THREE-times African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto'o issued a public apology on Cameroon television after head-butting a journalist at a news conference last week.

The Barcelona striker also offered to pay the medical expenses of radio reporter Philippe Bonney, whose nose was allegedly broken in the altercation.

Bonney said at the weekend he would file a lawsuit against the striker. The fracas took place when Cameroonian journalists decided to walk out of a news conference ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde Islands to protest at the team's refusal to grant interviews to local reporters.

There were also allegations that television material and mobile telephones belonging to journalists were damaged by other Cameroon players during the fracas.

Hleb set to team up with Barcelona:ALEXANDER Hleb has met representatives from Barcelona with a view to joining the Spanish side, according to the player's agent. "We have had talks with Barcelona but nothing has been signed," agent Uli Ferber said.

The Arsenal midfielder (27) will make a decision on his future when he comes back from holiday next week.

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is reportedly AC Milan's top summer transfer target. Speculation in the Italian press suggests that Ancelotti has set his sights on Adebayor and that the Togo international has already agreed terms with Milan.

Arsenal, though, are believed to value Adebayor at €40.2 million and it is unlikely Wenger will allow one of his top assets to leave without a fight.

Porto's omission set to be appealed:PORTO chairman Pinto da Costa remains confident his side will compete in next season's Champions League.

The Portuguese giants were yesterday excluded from Europe's elite club competition next season following a bribery scandal which overshadowed their recent SuperLiga conquest.

They were also hit with a six-point deduction after being found guilty of trying to bribe referees during the 2003/'04 campaign.

Porto have already said they will appeal the decision and Pinto da Costa says he is optimistic the decision will eventually go in their favour.

He said: "We are calm and confident that we will play in the Champions League."

Meanwhile, Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia have been excluded from next seasons Champions League after failing to meet licensing criteria, the Bulgarian Football Union confirmed yesterday.

Tottenham close in on dos Santos:GIOVANI dos Santos appears to be edging closer to a move from Barcelona to Tottenham. The 19-year-old Mexico midfielder told Spanish newspaper Sport that he expects to be wearing a Spurs shirt when the new campaign gets under way.

"Next season I will be playing for Tottenham," he said.

Dos Santos has undergone an ankle operation since scoring a hat-trick for Barcelona at the end of the season, and Spurs have been reported to be monitoring his recovery.

So far this summer, head coach Juande Ramos has signed Croatia playmaker Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb, while teenager John Bostock has agreed to join from Crystal Palace but a fee has not been agreed with the two clubs.

With Dimitar Berbatov's future uncertain, Ramos has been linked with a host of players from Spain, the latest suggestion being Sergio Garcia, who plays as a forward for Real Zaragoza and a winger for his country.

Prandelli denies Chelsea talks:FIORENTINA coach Cesare Prandelli is flattered by reports linking him to Chelsea but admits he has had no contact with the London outfit.

Days after AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti reportedly turned down the Chelsea job, Prandelli has been considered a possible candidate to lead the Blues next season.

"I know nothing about Chelsea's interest in me," said Prandelli. "Personally, I have not been approached by them."