TOTTENHAM 1 - MAN UNITED 3

Premier League champions Manchester United overcame the second-half dismissal of Paul Scholes to end Tottenham Hotspur's 100% start to the season with a 3-1 win at White Hart Lane. Jermain Defoe gave Spurs the lead after 47 second but couldn't hold off United.

 

Jermain Defoe gave Spurs, who had won their previous four matches, a dream start by scoring inside the opening 60 seconds before Ryan Giggs curled home a delightful free-kick.

 

Anderson's first goal for United put the visitors ahead and Wayne Rooney wrapped up the points after Paul Scholes had been sent off for two bookable offences.

 

Man Utd moved up to second in the table after inflicting a 3-1 defeat on Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

STOKE 1 - CHELSEA 2

Carlo Ancelotti saw his Chelsea side stretch their 100% record to five matches at the Britannia Stadium as a stoppage-time goal from Florent Malouda secured a 2-1 victory.

 

Florent Malouda scored an injury-time winner as Chelsea battled back from a goal down to beat Stoke 2-1 at the Britannia Stadium.

 

The France international broke Stoke hearts after Didier Drogba's goal in first-half injury-time had cancelled out Abdoulaye Faye's opener for the hosts.

 

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA

LIVERPOOL 4 - BURNLEY 0

In 2008/09 the Reds' Premier League title challenge was undermined by home draws against supposedly lesser opposition, but they had no such problems on Saturday as three goals from Yossi Benayoun sandwiched around a Dirk Kuyt strike earned the points.

 

Benayoun helped himself to a hat-trick as Liverpool produced a devastating performance to crush Burnley 4-0 at Anfield. Benayoun opened the scoring for the Reds and netted twice in the second half after Dirk Kuyt had also got in on the act.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

MAN CITY 4 - ARSENAL 2

Emmanuel Adebayor had the last laugh on Arsenal as he scored the decisive third goal in a pulsating encounter from which Manchester City emerged with a 4-2 win and their 100% record intact.

 

When Shaun Wright-Phillips sent over a vicious cross, the £25million man had no intention other than to find the net, which he duly did, sending a capacity crowd into ecstasy.

 

Manuel Almunia's own goal gave City a first-half lead before Robin van Persie drew the Gunners level just past the hour mark. Craig Bellamy, Adebayor and Shaun Wright-Phillips put the game to bed for City before the returning Tomas Rosicky scored a late consolation.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

LIVERPOOL 1 - ASTON VILLA 3

Liverpool slumped to their second Premier League defeat in nine days as they lost 3-1 to Aston Villa to put their title credentials firmly on the line.

 

Villa produced a defiant, organised display and deserved their first win at Anfield since 2001.

 

Lucas own goal and a Curtis Davies header saw Villa 2-0 up at the break. Fernando Torres pulled one back but an Ashley Young penalty settled the points.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

JOHNSON PROUD TO BE REDS

Glen Johnson believes Liverpool can steal the title from Manchester United next season.

 

The Anfield club's new £17m full-back is supremely confident his new employers have the quality to go one better than last season, when they finished as runners-up to the men from Old Trafford.

 

The England defender was unveiled on Thursday as Liverpool's first major signing of the summer.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

DECO TO STAY AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

Chelsea midfielder Deco is prepared to stay at the club after seeing Inter Milan withdraw their interest in him. Deco described last season as the worst of his career and was desperate to join Inter, but the Italians insist they cannot afford him. Now the 31-year-old Portugal international has hinted he may stay at Stamford Bridge for another two years.

 

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA

MAN CITY GAVE UP ON ETO'O

Manchester City will renew their search for a new world-class striker on Saturday after ending their interest in Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.

 

The player, who is about to embark on the last year of his contract at the Nou Camp, felt he should receive a significant portion of the £18m City were willing to pay as he would be entitled to leave for nothing next summer.

 

Blues boss Mark Hughes initially signalled his intention to wait for Eto'o to resolve the wrangle. Yet, as the week has dragged on, the argument has just got more confusing and complicated.

 

BOLA BOYZ

CAMPBELL JOINS SUNDERLAND

Sunderland have signed England Under-21 striker Fraizer Campbell from Manchester United for an initial fee of £3.5m, potentially rising to £6m.

 

The 21-year-old was also being tracked by Hull City, where he enjoyed a successful loan spell during the 2007/08 season, but signed a four-year deal with the Black Cats.

 

Campbell spent most of last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, where he helped the team reach the Carling Cup final before being ruled ineligible to face United - who went on to win on penalties.

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

RONALDO BELIEVES HE IS WORTH IT

 

Cristiano Ronaldo believes that the £80million Real Madrid paid for him is a "fair price" and he is more than comfortable with being the most expensive player in the world.

Ronaldo will be officially unveiled as the Spanish giants' latest signing. Despite some disquiet about Real's big-spending policy at a time of economic depression when few other clubs can compete, Ronaldo, never short of self-confidence, believes Madrid are justified in paying the fee - and also feels he can live up to the price tag.

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

MASCHERANO PROUD TO BE LINK WITH BARCA

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has revealed he is "proud" to hear he is attracting interest from Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

 

The Argentina international has been tracked amid rumours that Liverpool maneger Rafael Benitez needs sell to buy over the course of the summer, coupled with Liverpool's need to secure extra finance ahead of a scheduled £350m debt payment on July 24.

 

Even so, it is unlikely that speculation over Mascherano's future will go away while he is giving lip service to the rumours.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

WILSHERE STAYS AT EMIRATES

Arsenal have tied up promising teenager Jack Wilshere on a new long-term contract as the Gunners continue to look to the future.

 

Wales international Aaron Ramsey, 18, on Wednesday agreed an extension to his deal, and the Premier League club have been quick to also secure the potential of Hertfordshire-born Wilshere, at the club since he was just nine.

 

Manager Arsene Wenger rates the England youth international highly. Wilshere signed professional terms when he turned 17 on New Year's Day and had became the youngest player to represent Arsenal in both the league and in European competition when making his first-team breakthrough last season.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

STURRIDGE TO STAMFORD BRIDGE

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of striker Daniel Sturridge on a four-year contract.

 

The 19-year-old starlet has joined Carlo Ancelotti's side after Manchester City continued to stockpile strikers with the signing of Roque Santa Cruz.

 

Sturridge will link up with his new team mates for pre-season training next week. He scored four goals in 26 appearances at Eastlands last term.

 

The fee was undisclosed, and settled by a tribunal. Sturridge is the nephew of former Derby forward Dean.

 

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA

OWEN TO OLD TRAFFORD

 

Michael Owen has been confirmed as a Manchester United player. The striker has signed a two-year deal to play at Old Trafford and no transfer was paid as the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle forward was a free agent.

 

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson happily confirmed the deal and recognized him as a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level.

 

Owen himself was similarly happy, and admitted that Sir Alex had breakfast with him one expressed about United's interest to sign him. And he agreed immediately.

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

REAL MADRID SIGNS BENZEMA

 

Lyon have accepted an offer from Real Madrid for striker Karim Benzema. The striker becomes Real's third major signing after Brazil's Kaka and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

Madrid and Manchester United have been vying for the services of the 21-year-old but Lyon continued to insist before today that the France international would remain at the Stade Gerland for another season at least.

 

However, Les Gones announced on their official website this afternoon that they have accepted a fee of at least 35m euros (£30m) from Madrid for the player, with performance clauses set to see that fee rise to 41m euros.

 

BOLA BOYZ

GALLAS STAYING ALIVE AT EMIRATES

 

William Gallas maintains he has no intentions of leaving Arsenal this summer. The central defender, 32 in August, has endured something of a difficult spell since arriving from Chelsea two years ago.

 

Manager Arsene Wenger eventually replaced Gallas as captain with Cesc Fabregas following public criticism of the young squad and reports of a bust-up with centre-half partner Kolo Toure.

 

However, somewhat ironically, the Frenchman then went on to produce a string of consistent displays as the Gunners found some form over the latter part of the campaign before missing the closing weeks because of injury.

 

Gunners boss Wenger, though, continued to give Gallas his full support, denying suggestions Gallas had played his last game for the Gunners.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

DOOR IS OPEN FOR RIBERY

 

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has left Real Madrid with a glimmer of hope in their pursuit of Franck Ribery, but reiterated that it will take "something crazy" for them to consider a sale.

 

Speaking on the day Louis van Gaal was officially unveiled as the Bavarians' new coach, Hoeness revealed what he had told Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in their last telephone conversation.

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

LYON CONFIRM BENZEMA BID

 

Lyon have confirmed that they have received a bid for Karim Benzema from an unnamed club, but insist that any agreement over the France international's transfer is yet to be reached. The side in question is thought to be Real Madrid with strong reports in both Spain and France linking them with a £35million move for the 21-year-old.

 

The striker is also been rumoured to have interested Manchester United with manager Sir Alex Ferguson said to be a big admirer of the gifted youngster. The Premier League champions have £80million burning a hole in their pocket after the confirmed sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real and know that they must find someone to take on the scoring burden left by the Portugal winger.

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

SIR ALEX HAILS VELENCIA

 

Sir Alex Ferguson believes new signing Antonio Valencia can help Manchester United to a record fourth consecutive league title. Having sold World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a record £80m, United are believed to have reinvested around £16m on the Wigan Athletic winger.

 

Valencia, 23, is likely to be the first of a handful of new arrivals at Old Trafford as Ferguson seeks to replace the attacking threats of Ronaldo and striker Carlos Tevez, who has opted not to join the Red Devils permanently.

 

But despite the prospect of more new names on the way, Ferguson is already convinced he has secured a player who can have a big impact on next term's title defence. If nothing else, Valencia's arrival ensures Wayne Rooney should be given the more central berth he craves next season as the Ecuador star is unlikely to venture into the middle quite as much as Ronaldo.

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

VAN PERSIE REJECTS MOVE TALK

 

Robin van Persie has rejected speculation linking him with a move away from Arsenal, insisting he wants to stay at the club. The Dutchman is yet to sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, despite being locked in talks over a contract extension for the last few months.

 

Manchester United have been linked with a shock move for the forward, but van Persie plans to stay at Arsenal and is determined to establish himself as the best player in the world at the club. Van Persie is desperate for success at Arsenal after only lifting the FA Cup during his first five seasons in north London.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

BRAZIL 3 - USA 2

 

Brazil produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat USA 3-2 in the final of the Confederations Cup in South Africa. Having knocked out Spain in the semi-finals, USA appeared set to cause another shock after taking a 2-0 lead into the half-time interval.

 

Luis Fabiano struck early in the second period before the striker equalised on 74 minutes and captain Lucio headed a dramatic winner six minutes from time. Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey provided USA with a dream start as he helped Jonathan Spector's cross into the net after just 10 minutes. And it got better for USA on 27 minutes after Landon Donovan drilled home a low shot following a quick counter-attack from the edge of their own box.

 

Brazil got back into the game within the opening 60 seconds of the second half when Fabiano turned sharply on the edge of the area before firing a shot beyond Tim Howard. The reprieve lasted until 16 minutes from time when Fabiano pounced on the loose ball to nod home from close range after Robinho's close-range effort came back off the bar. With just six minutes left on the clock, Brazil claimed the trophy when Lucio rose powerfully at the far post to head Elano's corner beyond a helpless Howard.

 

BOLA BOYZ

SOUTH AFRICA 2 - SPAIN 3

 

Xabi Alonso's free-kick in extra-time enabled Spain to see off the plucky challenge of South Africa and clinch third place in the Confederations Cup.

 

European champions Spain, whose 35-match unbeaten run came to a shock end against the United States in the semi-finals, were lethargic for much of the encounter and appeared to be heading for another defeat when Katlego Mphela put Bafana Bafana ahead after 73 minutes.

 

But two goals in the final three minutes from substitute Daniel Guiza turned the match around only for Mphela to send the game into extra-time with a blistering free-kick.

 

Spain sealed it when Liverpool midfielder Alonso curled a 107th-minute free-kick from the left into the area which eluded everyone and ended up in the bottom right-hand corner.

 

MAN UTD   ARSENAL  LIVERPOOL CHELSEA

ARSENAL ENTER RACE TO SIGN BENZEMA

 

Arsenal are reported to be in the race to sign Lyon striker Karim Benzema, as they look to replace Emmanuel Adebayor should he leave for AC Milan this summer. The highly-rated Benzema has been linked with Manchester United for the past six months, but the News of the World claim that the striker is now subject of interest from Arsene Wenger.

 

Should the future of £25m Togo striker Adebayor be decided in the next few weeks, Arsenal will be keen to bolster their strikeforce and a £30m bid for Benzema could be accepted.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

A "STRATOSPHERIC" OFFER FOR ETO'O

 

Barcelona president Joan Laporta claims that Manchester City have made a ''stratospheric'' offer to sign Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o. Speculation has been rife about where Eto'o will be next season as, with his contract set to expire next summer, Barca were keen to either tie him to a new deal or cash in on the Cameroon striker.

 

Reports suggest the Catalan giants have accepted a 30m euro bid from City and Laporta believes the temptation of a mega salary would prove too much for Eto'o. Eto'o contributed 36 goals last season as Barca claimed an unprecedented Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble.

ARBELOA KEEN TO QUIT REDS

 

Álvaro Arbeloa is desperate to quit Liverpool and join Real Madrid - according to his agent. The 26-year-old's future is in doubt, with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez confirming the signing of Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson and Real are ready to offer up to £8m for Arbeloa, who is unlikely to figure on Merseyside next season.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

ENGLAND WILL BE MAIN THREAT AT WORLD CUP

 

Brazil star Kaka believes England are shaping up to be one of his country's main rivals at next summer's World Cup finals. The South Americans have shown ominous form in progressing to the final of the Confederations Cup, where they will face the USA in Johannesburg.

 

Along with European champions Spain, Brazil look sure to go into next year's tournament as favourites, but the Real Madrid playmaker believes they are not the only ones capable of taking the crown. And after seven wins in seven qualifying matches, he has has cited Fabio Capello's rejuvenated England as a major threat.

BOLA BOYZ

MAN UTD KEEN ON BENZEMA

 

Karim Benzema's agent has claimed that Manchester United are keen to sign the Lyon playmaker this summer. The talented young France international has been strongly linked with a move to both Old Trafford and Real Madrid, although Lyon are keen to retain the services of their prized asset.

 

The Ligue 1 side admitted on Thursday that Real had made an enquiry, while United have remained silent on their transfer targets as they look to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure for Santiago Bernabeu. But Karim Djaziri has now insisted that Sir Alex Ferguson has earmarked his client for a move to the Premier League and believes it is inevitable that Benzema will leave Lyon in the future.

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

SOUTH AFRICA 0 - BRAZIL 1

 

Substitute Daniel Alves broke South African hearts with an 87th-minute free-kick for Brazil that dumped the hosts out of the Confederations Cup with a narrow semi-final victory in Johannesburg.

 

The Barcelona right-back, who only came on for the closing stages of the game, smashed in a powerful 18-yard set-piece from the left to stun the huge crowd at the Ellis Park Stadium after their side had performed impressively for most parts of the game.

 

However, they eventually fell short and will now meet Spain in the third-place play-off on Sunday, while the Selecao will face the United States in the tournament final.

 

MAN UTD   ARSENAL  LIVERPOOL CHELSEA

CHELSEA IS JUST A TOY FOR ABRAMOVICH

 

Chelsea's want-away midfielder Deco has accused Blues owner Roman Abramovich of treating  the club like a 'toy' and has blamed him for the exit of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Portuguese playmaker Deco was brought to West London from Barcelona last summer for a fee of £8m and he enjoyed an excellent start to his career with the Blues. However, the 31-year-old struggled for appearances and form during the second half of the campaign, and is now seeking an exit.

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA

BERBATOV ARRIVAL SIDELINED TEVEZ

 

Carlos Tevez claims he knew his days at Manchester United were numbered when Dimitar Berbatov joined the club. The Argentina striker will be playing for a new team next season after turning down a five-year contract to remain at Old Trafford.

 

And he felt Berbatov's arrival from Tottenham last summer, which provided further competition for places up front, proved to him his future did not lie at Old Trafford. Though, he claimed that he had given his life for United's shirt.

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

SPAIN 0 - USA 2

The world will surely take notice of this... The U.S. soccer team is in the final of the Confederations Cup, beating mighty Spain 2-0. Goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey led to an upset of the planet's top-ranked team.

Even more stunning, the Americans were on the verge of elimination and ready to head home last weekend before a reversal of fortune. By winning, the maligned United States advanced to its first men's FIFA final since starting play in 1916.

RIBERY FOR REAL

The long wait to decide the future of Franck Ribery could soon be over after the player's agent revealed that the Frenchman wants to sign for Real Madrid. Ribery has his pick of Europe's top clubs this summer, but appears set on a move to the Bernabeu.

 

Real Madrid and Barcelona head the queue for the midfielder, but agent Alan Miglaccio says that the Bayern star has been persuaded that joining Madrid would be a better option by compatriot Zinedine Zidane, who now works for Los Merengues.

BOLA BOYZ

RONALDO'S READY FOR REAL LIFE

 

Cristiano Ronaldo says he will need time to adapt to the different style of the Spanish game, but is confident he can quickly match the Real Madrid fans' high expectations as he closes in on a world record £80m move to the Bernabeu.

 

Having reportedly passed a medical over the weekend, the Portuguese star knows that even the FIFA World Player of the Year can struggle to adapt to new surroundings.

Ronaldo is also aware of the weight of expectation that will come with his staggering transfer fee but he insists he is comfortable carrying the burden. 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

ROBINHO WANTS ETO'O

Robinho believes Manchester City will be 'almost unbeatable' if the club manage to sign Samuel Eto'o from Barcelona this summer.

 

The Cameroon forward is reportedly a target for City as the big-spending Premier League side look to add to their strikeforce - which already includes £17m signing Roque Santa Cruz - and could yet contain Carlos Tevez too.

 

BOLA BOYZ

NOW CHELSEA WANTS TORRES-VILLA

 

Chelsea are ready to test Liverpool's resolve with a £50 million bid for Fernando Torres. They have also offered Valencia £35m for the spanish striking partner David Villa.

 

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is worried the huge sum offered by Chelsea could tempt American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Liverpool's true financial state will be revealed soon, and Benitez is beginning to fear the worst.

 

Benitez was hopeful of landing 27-year-old Villa. Now he not only has to face up to Chelsea signing Villa but also possibility of losing Torres. Chelsea's bid for Villa is £4m higher than Real Madrid's and preferred by debt-ridden Valencia.

Roman Abramovich is prepared to take advantage of Liverpool's own money worries by making the sort of offer he hopes Gillett and Hicks will not be able to refuse. 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

ITALY 0 - BRAZIL 3

 

World Champions Italy were soundly beaten by Brazil in the Confederations Cup on Sunday thanks to three goals in eight first-half minutes. The United States capitalised on Italy's capitulation stunning Egypt by beating them 3-0 to qualify for the event's semi-finals.

 

Strikes from Luis Fabiano after 37 and 43 minutes and an own goal from Andrea Dossena just before the interval left the holders top of Group B and set up a semi-final against hosts South Africa in Johannesburg on Thursday.

 

BOLA BOYZ 

CHELSEA WILL APPEAL FOR DROGBA

Chelsea have told UEFA they intend to lodge an appeal against the lengthy European bans handed out to striker Didier Drogba and defender Jose Bosingwa.

 

Drogba was given a six-match ban, the last two games suspended for two years, for his angry confrontation with referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of their Champions League semi-final defeat to Barcelona in May.

 

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA

BENZEMA MAY JOIN UNITED FROM BIG-MONEY DEAL

 

Lyon could be tempted to sell Karim Benzema to Manchester United if the Premier League side put in a big-money bid, according to director Bernard Lacombe.

 

Benzema is one of the world's hottest properties and speculation is rife that United are ready to use some of the money from the impending sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid to bring the young striker to Old Trafford.

 

Lacombe claimed recently Benzema would remain at the Stade Gerland, but has now revealed the 21-year-old could be sold if the price is right.

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

BRAZIL 3 - USA 0

 

The U.S. was hammered for the second time in a four-day span at the Confederations Cup, with Brazil outplaying the Americans 3-0 Thursday.

 

Felipe Melo scored off Maicon's free kick in the seventh minute and Robinho made it 2-0 in the 20th, completing a counterattack that began when DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan failed to combine on a short corner kick. Maicon added the third goal in the 62nd.

 

BOLA BOYZ

ITALY 0 - EGYPT 1

 

Egypt scored their greatest ever victory with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win on Thursday over world champions Italy who had never previously lost to an African team.

 

The shock result means Group B in the Confederations Cup hangs in the balance with all four teams still able to progress to next week's semi-finals.

 

Mohamed Hommos's goal five minutes before halftime clinched the first points of the tournament for the African champions, who narrowly lost 4-3 to Brazil in their opening game.

 

BOLA BOYZ

TORRES TO STAY AT ANFIELD

 

Fernando Torres has brushed off transfer speculation by insisting he will stay at Liverpool for as long as he is wanted. He is not greedy to leave Anfield just to earn a little more somewhere else.

 

The 25-year-old has been linked with Manchester United following their acceptance of Real Madrid's £80m bid for Cristiano Ronaldo and will be sad to see the Portuguese leave the Premier League, but insists Liverpool will not win the title by default.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

MAN UTD IN PURSUIT FOR RIBERY & VILLA

 

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona have all made offers for France playmaker Franck Ribery.

 

Sir Alex Ferguson is also hoping to beat Real Madrid in the race to sign David Villa, who is almost certain to be sold this summer by debt-laden Valencia.

 

Ribery is also a target for big-spending Real Madrid but Rummenigge revealed three of their European rivals have stolen a march in their pursuit of the 26-year-old.

 

Villa is one of the most coveted strikers in the world game and with Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid all chasing the 27-year-old it would be a major coup if Ferguson were successful in luring the Spanish international to Old Trafford.

 

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD

PATO HEADING TO STAMFORD BRIDGE?

 

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato has urged Carlo Ancelotti to take him to Chelsea, admitting that he would love to link up with his former boss at Stamford Bridge.

 

The youngster arrived at the San Siro from Brazilian club Internacional in 2007 and was thrown straight into first-team action by Ancelotti. Scoring 18 goals last season, Pato has become a sensation in Serie A and, although under contract until 2012, made it clear that he would be willing to follow his former employer to England.

 

BOLA BOYZ  CHELSEA

ARSENAL SIGN THOMAS VERMAELEN

 

Arsenal have completed the signing of versatile Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax Amsterdam. The 23-year-old, who can play either centrally or on the left, passed a medical on Friday and will bolster a defence that came under fire from all quarters last season.

 

Arsenal have not disclosed the fee or the length of the 'long-term' contract, but Vermaelen's agent recently suggested a four-year deal had been offered to his client and reports estimate the transfer fee to be around £10m.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

TEVEZ SAYS NO TO ANFIELD

Carlos Tevez has reportedly ruled out a summer move to Liverpool. The Argentina international has spent the last two seasons on loan with Manchester United, but has made his desire to quit the club this summer clear after failing to start games as regularly as he would like.

A trio of Premier League clubs have shown an interest in the bullish forward - with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea reported to be considering bids of around £25m - but the player has himself ruled out a move to Anfield because of 'emotional ties'.

 

The Argentine international isn't prepared to make a move that would strengthen the side that was the biggest threat to the Old Trafford supremacy last season, despite pleas from international team-mate Javier Mascherano to join him at the club. Manchester City are now favourites to land his much coveted signature before the start of next season.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

SPAIN 5 - NEW ZEALAND 0

Spain opened their Confederations Cup campaign with a smashing win over New Zealand. The win extended their unbeaten run to 33 matches.

 

The top team in Oceania were no match for the European Champions, who were 4-0 up inside 24 minutes with Liverpool striker Fernando Torres grabbing a hat-trick.

 

Cesc Fabregas was also on the scoresheet with David Villa netting a fifth in front of a sparse crowd in the mining town of Rustenburg.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

FABREGAS TO STAY DESPITE ADMIRING GUARDIOLA

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas admits that Pep Guardiola is his idol. Though, he has received no contact from Barcelona. The Gunners midfielder has been persistently linked with a return to the Camp Nou, where he spent his youth career before moving to England in 2003.

Fabregas expressed that he is happy at Emirates Stadium, and hinted that working under former Barca midfielder and now manager Guardiola, would not be a totally unpleasant prospect.

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL

RONALDO DEPARTURE NOT WORRYING UNITED

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United had done well to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford for as long as they did before finally succumbing to Real Madrid's advances. Ronaldo's desire to leave the reigning three-time Premier League champions had become all too apparent in recent months, and Ferguson insists it was out of the question to expect the player to stay any longer.

Despite Glazer's heavy debt to service, Sir Alex has been assured that he can pursue the likes of Antonio Valencia and Franck Ribery without worrying too much about the cost. The Glazer family spokesman also eplained that the manager is having their full support.

BOLA BOYZ  MAN UTD