Today's other stories in brief
Sunderland consider move for Keane
SUNDERLAND are closing in on a €11.7 million deal for Darren Bent and the club have considered a swoop for his Tottenham team-mate Robbie Keane.
Keane only rejoined Spurs from Liverpool in January and was appointed captain by Harry Redknapp. The manager, though, needs to raise funds for further squad strengthening and Sunderland’s Steve Bruce could give him a difficult decision to make.
Defender Hermann Hreidarsson will decide next week if he wants to accept a new contract from Portsmouth or join Bolton, Wolves or Reading. But the 34-year-old’s first choice remains Rangers.
Sol Campbell has been offered a new contract by Portsmouth. The captain (34) becomes a Bosman free agent this summer.
Benayoun to use Barcelona link to start Liverpool talks
YOSSI Benayoun has distanced himself from the prospect of a shock move to Barcelona, but admits he will have to discuss his future with Liverpool.
It has been claimed the European champions have enquired about Benayoun, in the same week that fellow Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano was linked with the Catalan giants.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez killed off that suggestion by saying Barcelona could not afford Mascherano and he would reject even €70 million for the player. But with just two years left on his current contract, Israel captain Benayoun’s advisors could well be angling for a new deal for the 27-year-old.
Benayoun said recently: “It could be Real Madrid knocking on my door, I would still rather stay at Liverpool. I have had some offers so maybe I need to talk with Liverpool.”
Ezequiel Lavezzi’s agent insists Serie A club Napoli have received an offer from Liverpool for the Argentina striker.
Eto'o won't be kept at all costs
BARCELONA president Joan Laporta has reiterated that the club are keen to keep star striker Samuel Eto’o, but insists they will not be held to ransom.
The €30 million-rated Cameroon international has been linked with Manchester City, where manager Mark Hughes is keen to bolster his attacking options for an assault on the top six of the Premier League.
But Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho, who could offer a swap deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, may be in pole position in the wake of Laporta’s confirmation that talks have taken place with Inter opposite number Massimo Moratti.
European champions Barcelona maintain they want Eto’o to stay at Camp Nou after the 28-year-old enjoyed a renaissance campaign under Pep Guardiola to hit 30 Primera Liga goals last season.
However, Laporta is adamant that there is a limit to any new deal: There was a meeting with Moratti, because Mourinho likes Eto’o a lot.
“We want him to renew his contract, but not at any cost.
Duff not looking for Burnley move
DAMIEN Duff’s advisor, Pat Devlin, has denied that the player is set to leave Newcastle and join Premier League new boys Burnley.
The move would make headlines in the north-west of England after the 30-year-old Republic of Ireland winger began his career with the Clarets’ fierce rivals Blackburn.
“No, he’s still under contract at Newcastle and that would be his first port of call,” Devlin is quoted as saying.
Atletico ready to cash in on Aguero
ATLETICO Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says the club will listen to “interesting offers” for Chelsea target Sergio Aguero.
The Argentina international has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge after Chelsea failed in their bids to sign Real Madrid new boy Kaka and Valencia striker David Villa.
Atletico have previously stated that they intend to keep Aguero at the Vicente Calderon but it now appears they may be prepared to sell the highly-rated forward.
“We will open talks if an interesting offer is made,” Cerezo said. “Many people have spoken about Aguero but the truth is that Atletico have not been contacted by any suitor.”
ARSENAL goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has signed a new long-term contract with the north London club. The 24-year-old Pole has established himself as the Gunners’ number two behind Manuel Almunia since 2007.
McGhee wanted Celtic job more
MARK McGhee was delighted to be named the new manager of Aberdeen but admitted bossing Celtic would have been his first choice.
The 52-year-old has signed a one-year rolling contract to return to the club where he enjoyed a glittering period as a player between 1978 and 1984, that included a European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.
McGhee said: “Aberdeen fans know that in Scottish football on a scale of one to three you have Rangers and Celtic and then Aberdeen comes in third.
“I think that any player or manager has the right to want to play or manage at the best club possible.”
Meanwhile. Yokohama F-Marinos have revealed they are still in talks with Shunsuke Nakamura (30) concerning a deal to bring the Celtic midfielder back to his native Japan on a free transfer.
