Arsene Wenger will 'fight very hard' to retain Cesc Fabregas

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger today vowed to "fight very hard" to keep captain Cesc Fabregas and other key men at Emirates Stadium next season - but warned there is no guarantee of success if they chose to move elsewhere.

The Gunners are heading for a sixth campaign without silverware following a dramatic collapse after losing the Carling Cup final to Birmingham at Wembley 12 weeks ago.

Indeed, Arsenal are no longer guaranteed Champions League football next season as they have slipped down behind FA Cup winners Manchester City into fourth place ahead of the final match of the Barclays Premier League season at Fulham on Sunday, meaning they may have to go through the qualifiers.

Wenger is expected to bring in some experience over the summer to help give his young squad, but will also face another couple of months fending off speculation Fabregas, a perennial target for boyhood club Barcelona, is to leave.

The Arsenal manager, though, once again cut down that suggestion - and insisted a move to the Nou Camp or anywhere else would not automatically bring medals.

"I expect him to be here, and I will fight very hard to keep him here," said Wenger.

"You have always to fight when you have a player of that quality. You must always fight to keep your players."

Wenger warned his stars the grass might not necessarily be greener away from the Emirates Stadium.

He said: "What guarantees you that if you go somewhere else you will win trophies?

"The biggest pride for a captain is to be committed to his club and deliver trophies with his team.

"A player who changes his club every time he is frustrated or when he doesn't win a trophy, goes nowhere.

"I believe the quality of sports life is to be committed to your club and not just to move out when it does not go as well as you expected."

Wenger added: "Cesc Fabregas played 22 games this season out of 38 and we expect him to play between 30 and 38. That will make a huge difference to our efficiency [next season] as well."

If City win at Bolton, Arsenal will finish fourth, no matter what their result at Craven Cottage.

While Wenger believes his men should have nothing to fear from a two-legged play-off in August, he accepted: "There is a massive difference between third and fourth.

"Fourth is to play a qualifier for the Champions League - that is not Champions League football. Third is guaranteeing to be in it.

Fabregas has long been linked with a move to Barcelona

"We will try to win against Fulham. A draw could be good enough if City lose.

"I do not want to have any regrets and just want to win the game."

While Wenger has confirmed Arsenal, with a reported £35million war chest, will be set for a busy summer in the transfer market, the Gunners boss is not to be drawn on potential targets - having been strongly linked with Blackburn defender Christopher Samba, Bolton's England centre-half Gary Cahill and West Ham midfielder Scott Parker.

"There is a huge potential in the team, but in the decisive moments of the season we were not efficient enough," Wenger said.

"The way we lost some games is something we have to correct for next season."

On whether players would want to join Arsenal rather than one of their big-spending rivals, Wenger added: "If you speak only about money, we are certainly less attractive than some other teams.

"However, if you speak about the quality of the club and the style of play, we have many offers on the table for players who are desperate to join us."

Arsenal will again be without captain Fabregas, because of a thigh problem, while midfielder Samir Nasri (hamstring), Abou Diaby (calf) and Gael Clichy (leg) all face fitness tests ahead of the trip to west London.

Wenger baffled by FA's plan to pick Wilshere but not Carroll

Arsenal manager warns of 'double standards' in England selections for Under-21 championship

The Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is to be left out of Stuart Pearce's England Under-21s squad for the European Championship next month, adding further fuel to Arsène Wenger's indignation that his 19-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere will be selected.

It emerged last night that Pearce has decided against taking Carroll, with whom he has had a testy relationship in the past. Not only does the England camp believe that Carroll lacks fitness for the tournament in Denmark but, unlike Wilshere, they do not believe he is committed to the Under-21s cause.

The announcement of the final 23-man party was delayed again yesterday following a meeting of the Club England board at Wembley and will now take place on Monday, when Fabio Capello announces his senior squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland on 4 June.

Jack Wilshere could miss the start of the new season for Arsenal as a result of England Under-21 exertions

Earlier yesterday Wenger said that there would be "no logic" in resting Carroll for next month while including Wilshere. Pearce is thought likely to exclude Carroll from his 23-man squad on grounds of fatigue. Wenger said that, given that Wilshere had played 49 club games this season and Carroll 29, there was no basis for resting one and not the other.

"It's quite surprising," he said. "If you look at the number of games Carroll played and Wilshere played, I could understand that Carroll doesn't go for some injury problems. For fatigue problems, it will be more difficult to convince people in England that he is more tired than Jack Wilshere."

Wenger predicted that the double standards apparent in resting Carroll but not Wilshere would cause problems for Pearce. "He will be concerned, Pearce, to leave Carroll behind," the Arsenal manager said. "I don't think he will do it because he knows that's opening the door for many other complaints behind that. Because the players as well they react like that: 'If he doesn't go, why do I go?' So I think that could be a dangerous game to leave Carroll behind, because it could create many other problems."

Asked whether he would complain to the Football Association, Wenger said he would more probably be bemused at the decision. "I would be maybe not first on the phone," he said, "but I would think there's no logic in the attitude of selection."

Under Fifa rules there is nothing Arsenal can do to prevent Wilshere's participation after his selection by the FA. Wenger repeated his belief, though, that a summer tournament was not the best way to follow the midfielder's first full season, in which he has played so many games. "We have to accept and respect the choice, even if I think it is the wrong decision," he said. "Jack Wilshere is in the red for a while now and this can be a risk for his health. He knows that he is nearly at the end of his energy level but he is keen to do well. He has played nearly 50 games this year. To go to a tournament for me is a massive risk."

Wenger has had no assurances on the extent of Wilshere's involvement, although he said that "you have to leave the freedom to the manager". He repeated his warning to England that playing for the Under-21s would preclude Wilshere's playing for the seniors against the Netherlands in August. "They know that he will not be available for the friendly," he said. "I want to give him the needed rest after that. I will give him four weeks' rest after the end of the tournament. They go out, and he comes back one month later. So if they go out on 21 June, so he will come back on 21 July." The tournament, in Denmark, ends on 25 June.

Wilshere will need "at least three weeks' preparation" dating from his return to training before he can play first-team football. Should he start pre-season on Monday 25 July his three weeks of pre-season would end on 15 August. The Premier League begins on 13 August, and Wenger said Wilshere's participation then was "very unlikely". England play the Netherlands on 10 August. One week later is the Champions League play-off, in which Arsenal will have to compete should they finish fourth in the Premier League.

The examples of Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas give Wenger more reason to be cautious with Wilshere. Both played in the World Cup final last summer and have had their subsequent seasons curtailed by injury. "It is not a coincidence that the two players played less games than what we expected were both in the final of the World Cup," Wenger said. "Both of them have had problems physically to adjust to the season."

City can 'go for it' without big outlay, says chairman

The Manchester City chairman, Khaldoon al-Mubarak, said yesterday that the club's Abu Dhabi owners have always believed that their fourth season in charge – the next campaign – was going to be the one in which the club would "really go for it" and that they were ready to make the biggest strides yet.

City are already encountering agents and clubs talking huge figures for players – including £30m for Alexis Sanchez, Udinese's Chilean striker – and Roberto Mancini faces a challenging summer with Mubarak suggesting only "one or two" signings are needed while the manager wants more.

But though the spending spree is over, Mubarak's interview with the club's website made it clear that third or fourth place in the Premier League is only a staging post, to Abu Dhabi minds. "This was fun; this was great – but believe me the big challenge is next year," Mubarak said. "This season has been a good accomplishment but this sets us up very well for phase two of the progression of this club. Phase two starts next [season.] Sheikh Mansour always felt that it was going to be year four as the year we were going to go for it. Being fourth is a big accomplishment [but] this is one step further. We want to win the league."

Mubarak said Mancini had been "very clear to us" on what the club needed this summer and declared that "the manager will have the final say". But he said there would not be breakneck spending. "Hold your horses, I believe we have quantity now," he declared. Uefa's Financial Fair Play regime was now "driving" the club, insisted the chairman, who said that stadium naming rights were one of the options being examined to help City reduce last year's £121m losses, which are expected to rise when the next financial statement is published in October – before they start to fall.

The £30m that Udinese's canny owner Giampaolo Pozzo will want for Sanchez also reflects the challenging weeks ahead for City. Pozzo has established the kind of scouting model that City are attempting to introduce, typically investing several millions of pounds in promising teenage players, which the club then sell on for a huge mark-up. Sanchez was signed for €3m in 2006 from Cobreloa in his native country, loaned back to Colo-Colo and Cacique – both in Chile – and then River Plate in Argentina. Only now is Pozzo ready to sell him for a 10-fold profit. Prising him away will be more difficult if Udinese, currently fourth in Serie A, secure Champions League football by earning a point at home to champions Milan this weekend.

Edinson Cavani, the Napoli forward, has also been in City's sights, albeit at the unrealistic figure of £50m, though prospects of a move for the player have faded after he concluded negotiations for a five-year deal designed to keep him at the club until 2016, according to Il Corriere dello Sport. Bolton's Gary Cahill is another player on City's radar.

Manchester City deny rumours of Cristiano Ronaldo bid

Manchester City have rejected speculation that they are about to launch a big-money move for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former world player of the year quit Manchester United for Real Madrid in an £80million deal two years ago.

However, despite Ronaldo's 51 goals in all competitions this season, Real missed out on both the La Liga title and Champions League glory.

With relations between Ronaldo and coach Jose Mourinho said to be strained, it has been suggested City could swoop with a bid far in excess of what Real paid for the player.

That move contradicts the claims chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak made in his end of season address on the City website, which was released yesterday, in which he stated firmly that there would not be a mass influx of players this summer and that the Blues were committed to working within UEFA's new financial fair play rules.

And a City spokesman this morning confirmed Ronaldo was not a target.

"There is no substance in these reports whatsoever," said the spokesman.

Ronaldo's relationship with Mourinho is apparently strained

Before manager Roberto Mancini can think about who he wants to bring in, he must resolve issues around players no longer thought to be required.

Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy are both certain to return after West Ham and Cardiff were condemned to the Championship next season, whilst it is also expected Emmanuel Adebayor will not have his stay at Real extended.

City can guarantee a third-placed finish in the Premier League if they beat Bolton on Sunday. That would ensure an automatic berth in the group stages of next season's Champions League.

However, they appear to have a battle on their hands to keep star striker Carlos Tevez, who is reported to have told Argentinian radio station Radio del Plata: "I want to leave Manchester City. Football has changed a lot for me and I don't know if I will even make it to the next World Cup. And that has nothing to do with whether I'm selected or not.

"I've been treated very well here and I'm grateful. I also gave my everything for the club to receive the results it has had. But I need a change of scene."

Mancini said after the midweek win over Stoke that he expected Tevez to remain at Eastlands.

"He has a five-year contract and has told us he wants to stay," the Italian said on Tuesday.

"He said that before. He never had any problem.

"I have spoken with him many times in the last 20 days. It is my opinion that Carlos will stay here next season.

"In December he had a problem. But everyone can change his opinion.

"I don't know what his representatives think.

"Carlos is an important player here. The feeling for him is good."

Jamie Carragher knows management move would mean changes

Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher admits he will have to modify his ultra-competitive on-field attitude if he eventually decides to go into management.

The 33-year-old still has more than a year left on his current deal at Anfield but has long been linked with a move into coaching.

Carragher, the club's second highest appearance-maker with 667, is playing under his fifth Liverpool manager in Kenny Dalglish and accepts he has learned much from all of them.

He does not know what sort of boss he would make should he decide to take the plunge when he eventually does retire from playing, only that he will have to be a lot calmer.

"I probably wouldn't be able to lose my temper as much as I do on the pitch," said the centre-back.

"Managers these days don't really lose their temper too much, it's the way the modern manager is.

"I'd imagine if Kenny wasn't happy about something he just wouldn't pick you, I suppose that's the best way because sometimes it doesn't matter how much you shout.

"He is very easy going, which is maybe different to other managers I've worked under.

"They had their own styles, which again I've learned from in different ways.

"Every manager does it his own way and Kenny is an individual - he has a sense of humour and he wants that to rub off on his players.

"What it boils down to is success. If you win, it's the right way and if you don't it's looked at as being the wrong way.

"There is no set pattern to being a manager and any player will tell you that they take little things from every manager or coach you play for.

"But when you get into a job like that you only learn from your mistakes - the more experience you get, the better you get in dealing with situations.

"However, until it happens it is not something I'm really thinking about."

Recently Carragher has been focused more on helping teenage defenders John Flanagan and Jack Robinson settle into the first team after injuries forced them to be fast-tracked from the reserves.

It has been an easier job than he could have expected as both, particularly Flanagan who has featured in the past six matches, have not looked out of place.

That points to a healthier future not only for the first team but the academy, from where Carragher himself graduated.

"What Flanno has done is to give everyone at the academy and club generally a lot of hope," he added.

"Supporters want to see local lads progress but more importantly for the lads hoping to progress they now think 'Well, Flanno's done it, so can I'.

"He's in the team on merit now and has shown he is capable of playing out of his comfort zone (at left-back against Newcastle and Fulham)."

Alex Ferguson slams Twitter and considers banning Manchester United players

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a withering attack on social networking website Twitter and hinted that his players could be banned from using it.

Rio Ferdinand is one of the most prolific users of Twitter among the United squad and has already attracted nearly a million followers.

Wayne Rooney also has vast numbers who follow his observations about life, while Michael Owen and Nani are other members of the United squad that use the site.

Rooney found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons this week when he threatened a respondent who had himself been abusive, although he said later his threat was not meant to be taken seriously.

Team-mate Darron Gibson took himself off Twitter after barely two hours last month when he received abuse from United fans.

Ferguson confirmed the club were looking at how best to solve those problems but the 69-year-old simply does not understand why anyone would want to be involved in the first place.

"I don't understand it to be honest with you," he said.

"I don't know why anybody can be bothered with that kind of stuff. How do you find the time to do that? There are a million things you can do in your life without that.

"Get yourself down to the library and read a book. Seriously.

"It is a waste of time.

"It seems to have a certain momentum at the moment. Everyone seems to want to do it."

Ferguson certainly thinks anyone with a high profile needs to act with a huge degree of caution.

"It is responsibility. They are responsible for their actions," he said.

"We as a club are looking at it because there can be issues attached to it. And we don't want that."

When it was pointed out Twitter can bring players closer to supporters, Ferguson was equally scathing.

"It would be better if they did it on the pitch."

Edwin van der Sar set for Old Trafford bow

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Edwin van der Sar will make his final Premier League appearance in Manchester United's clash with Blackpool at Old Trafford.

Despite fears that Ferguson was going to select a very weak team for the encounter, which Blackpool need to win to give themselves the best possible chance of survival, the United boss intends to pick at least half a dozen experienced players.

And Van der Sar, who retires after the Champions League final with Barcelona on May 28, is amongst them.

"I have players who need a game," said Ferguson.

"Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov, Patrice Evra and Edwin van der Sar will play."

If Scholes decides to retire, it would be his last Premier League game for United too.

The 36-year-old has still to tell United whether he is going to accept a one-year contract offer.

But Ferguson thinks he will.

"I don't think this will be his last game," said the United boss.

"We have discussed it and I have encouraged him to stay on for another year."

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has already been scathing about the threat of a fine being dangled over Ferguson should he field a weakened team on Sunday.

The United manager is not bothered about that. He only has a problem if his team loses, which he does not intend to happen.

"You should be criticised if you lose a game that affects other teams," said Ferguson.

"I remember we played Hull a couple of years ago and played a lot of young players but we won the game 1-0.

"For some reason the previous year, Neil Warnock found it easy to criticise us for losing to West Ham. But if he had seen the game we battered them, so it was a bit unfair."

Meanwhile, Ferguson also confirmed he will give his first-choice line-up some part in Gary Neville's testimonial against Juventus on Tuesday, when former England captain David Beckham will be a welcome visitor to Old Trafford.

"We have to think about that game because Gary has been a fantastic servant to this club," said Ferguson.

"I hope he gets the crowd he deserves."

Stoke accuse FA of 'losing the plot' over referees

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has accused the Football Association of "losing the plot" over its rules on managers commenting on referees. Stoke manager Tony Pulis was warned this week as to his future conduct after praising Howard Webb ahead of his side's FA Cup semi-final with Bolton, which Webb officiated.

Pulis's warning from the FA followed similar reprimands received by Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti of Chelsea this week for the same offence, involving the same referee. Coates was unimpressed with the FA, arguing that, while accusations of bias were unacceptable, there was nothing wrong with fair analysis of referees' performances.

"I am beginning to think people are losing the plot with these things," Coates told The Sentinel newspaper. "We are all for respect for referees and officials, but let's be sensible about it all. Managers should not be allowed to question a referee's integrity, that is always wrong, but a manager should be allowed to say if a referee has made a mistake. We all make mistakes – managers, players, chairmen and officials. What is wrong with saying so?"

The charge against Pulis dates back to April and Stoke's FA Cup semi-final against Bolton, which they won. Webb was the referee, and before the game Pulis praised him. "Howard is a great ref in my book, and certainly as good as there is," said Pulis of the World Cup final official. "We are pleased to have him. What makes him special is that little bit of an aura he has about him."

These comments led to the FA warning Pulis "as to his future conduct". Ferguson and Ancelotti were this week warned for the same offence. Ahead of Manchester United's 2-1 league win over Chelsea on 8 May, Ferguson described Webb as "the best man for the job". "He's definitely the best referee in the country," said Ferguson, "there's no doubt about that. We are getting the best referee and we hope it's our turn for a little bit of luck." Ferguson neither accepted nor denied the charge.

Before the same game, Carlo Ancelotti was similarly complimentary. "Howard Webb is a fantastic referee," said the Italian. "He has experience, he has skills, but this is football and sometimes when things are not good you speak about the bad decisions against you."

The rule against speaking about referees before games was brought in at the start of the 2009-10 season, and clubs were formally reminded of it last October. The FA said that Ferguson's comments constituted a "minor breach, but a breach nevertheless" of the rule, and that future breaches would lead to similar charges.

Qatar may be stripped of World Cup, says Blatter

Fifa admits internal inquiry into claims of corruption over 2022 may force a revote

The Fifa president Sepp Blatter made the startling disclosure yesterday that he could not rule out a rerun of the voting for the right to host the 2022 World Cup finals which was controversially won by the tiny Arab emirate of Qatar in December.

Blatter, who is seeking re-election next month for a fourth term, said that a Fifa inquiry into claims made by The Sunday Times that there was corruption in the vote could lead to the Fifa executive committee (ExCo) voting again. It would represent the biggest U-turn in the governing body's history.

While Blatter was not thought to have cast his own vote for Qatar, he knows that any move to go back on the decision would cause huge ructions within world football. While the 75-year-old did not say what he thought the likely outcome of Fifa's investigation would be, he refused to put any limit on the measures they could take if they uncovered wrongdoing.

In an interview with the Press Association, Blatter said that the notion that the 2022 vote would be reheld was "alarming" but conceded it was one that had a groundswell of popular support and was "circulating around the world". He said: "But don't ask me now yes or no, let us go step by step. It's like we are in an ordinary court and in an ordinary court we cannot ask: 'If, if, if'."

Yesterday the Football Association announced it would be abstaining in the Fifa presidency vote on 1 June, which pits Blatter against the Qatari president of the Asian football confederation Mohamed Bin Hammam. The decision was made at an FA board meeting yesterday although it was not passed unanimously. The key opposition was thought to have come from Premier League chairman Dave Richards.

Unfortunately for the FA, its decision to place itself firmly outside the camps of the two power-brokers of world football was undermined by its unwillingness to back its actions up with a detailed condemnation of either candidate. Instead, the FA simply referred to a "well-reported range of issues" as its reasons for abstaining.

In private, the FA felt that it could not be more explicit until its own inquiry – headed by James Dingemans QC – into the explosive revelations of Fifa corruption in the 2018 World Cup bid process by former chairman Lord Triesman, reports a week today.

Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president who is standing for re-election admits there is a ground swell of popular support to rehold the 2022 vote won by Qatar

In response, Blatter described the FA chairman David Bernstein's announcement that the FA was abstaining as "strange". Refusing to accept that an abstention was a political gesture, Blatter said: "It is a bit strange when the No 1 association in the world – which is the FA – have two candidates to choose from and they cannot make a decision which one they support. It's strange."

The key corruption allegations that could trigger a rerun of the 2022 vote were uncovered by The Sunday Times which alleged to a Commons select committee investigation into football governance that ExCo members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma took bribes of $1.5m each to vote for Qatar.

Taking the World Cup from Qatar would be a huge blow to the prestige of Fifa which has been widely criticised for its decision to award the biggest sports event in the world to a country of 1.6 million people with little football culture and temperatures of around 50C in June and July. Qatar spent by far and away the most on its bid, committing £27m on communications alone in one year. To put that in perspective, the next biggest budget in the 2022 race was Australia who spent £28m in total.

It is Bin Hammam's involvement with the Qatar 2022 World Cup campaign that means the FA does not regard him as a suitable alternative to Blatter. If The Sunday Times allegations are proved right then he will be implicated.

Blatter revealed yesterday that Fifa had agreed with The Sunday Times that the newspaper's whistle-blower, who disclosed the alleged bribes paid to the two ExCo members, would come to Zurich to give evidence in person to Fifa's own investigation. Lord Triesman made allegations against a further four ExCo members – Trinidad's Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay, Brazil's Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi of Thailand – who he accused of soliciting bribes and favours from the England 2018 World Cup bid.

There was trouble closer to home for the FA yesterday when the results of a staff survey heavily criticising the organisation's management were leaked. In it, FA staff expressed a lack of faith in senior management, including the general secretary Alex Horne who has had to pick up the pieces after the resignation of two FA chairmen and one chief executive in the space of nine months last year.

FA sources expressed surprise yesterday that the survey had not found itself into the public sphere earlier given that it had been readily available on the intranet of the notoriously leaky organisation for months. The FA says that it has already had extensive meetings to try to put the problem right and that it will be judged on its performance in staging the FA Cup final last Saturday, the Champions League final in eight days' time and the England Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland on 4 June.

TOUCHLINES

MANCHESTER CITY are planning a £25m(RM125m) bid for Everton’s 26-year-old leftbeck Leighton Baines.

TOTTENHAM attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, 28, has dismissed fears he will try to engineer a move so he can play Champions League football next season.

NEWCASTLE are lining up a bid for West Ham striker Carlton Cole. The 27-year-old could be available for £7m (RM35m).

BARCELONA forward Jeffren Suarez, 23, has dampened interest from Liverpool by insisting he wants to stay at the Nou Camp.

MANCHESTER CITY defender Jerome Boateng, 22,  could be on his way out of Eastland in an £8m (RM40m) move to Bayern Munich.

LIVERPOOL and Everton have been warned by West Brom boss Roy Hogson that he will fight to hold on to star midfielder Chris Brunt, 26, if they make an approach.

NEWCASTLE leftback Jose Enrique, 25, reportedly a target for Liverpool, is being chased by French side Lyon.

STRIKER John Carew, 31, has said he wants to quit Aston Villa and make his loan move to Stoke City permanent.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON may escape Premier League sanctions if he field a weakened side in their final game of the season against Blackpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

HOWEVER, United’s boss has promised Blackpool’s relegation rivals that whatever team he picks on Sunday will play to win.

BLACKPOOL could have been ahead of Fulham in the fair-play standings that will decide an additional Europa League place had their coaches scored as highly as Cottagers’ boss Mark Hughes and his backroom staff.

BIRMINGHAM owner Carson Yeung has warned fans there will be little money to spend on players next season with the club facing relegation.

MANCHESTER CITY are plotting an audacious bid to bring Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo back to the Premier League. The Portuguese winger was to replace another Manchester United old boy, Carlos Tevez, at Eastlands – until Tevez decide to stay.

TOTTENHAM will allow Gareth Bale to decide his own future if, as expected, they receive an offer of around £40m (RM200m) for the leftsided star from Manchester City.

MANCHESTER CITY are also in a bidding war with Inter Milan for Udinese and Chile winger Alexis Sanchez. The price is likely to rise to £30m (RM150m).

JUVENTUS are mulling over moves for Manchester City attackers Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko and Arsenal forward Theo Walcott.

LIVERPOOL have made a formal approach to Lille for Belgian play maker Eden Hazard. Arsenal, Real Madrid and Chelsea are also circling.

AC MILAN are ready to use former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini as a makeweight in an offer for Brazilian anchorman Sandro.

BOLTON defender Gary Cahill has told friends that he is optimistic about securing a move to Arsenal over the summer.

EVERTON are believed to be the unnamed English club who have had an offer rejected for Sporting Lisbon forward Yannick Djalo.

MANAGER Sven Goran Eriksson wants to bring Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey back to the striker’s hometown club Leicester.

SUNDERLAND are to recruit Senegalese forward Demba Ba from relegated West Ham to help fill the gap left by loanee Danny Welbeck’s return to Manchester United.

DEFENDER Paul Konchesky could end his miserable spell at Liverpool with a return to Fulham as Carlos Salcido seeks a move back to his native Mexico from Craven Cottage.

ASTON VILLA are monitoring Everton manager David Moyes abd Fulham’s mark Hughes as they prepare for the possibility that Gerard Houllier may not return to the dug-out after his latest hearts problems.

Manchester United target Nikica Jelavic happy at Rangers

Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic insists he is going nowhere despite being linked with a move to Manchester United.

The Croatian has been a hit at Ibrox after netting 19 goals in his debut season despite a spell of almost four months on the sidelines part way through the campaign.

His form saw him linked with a £13million switch to Old Trafford, but the forward - who joined Rangers for £4million last summer - claims he is happy in Glasgow.

Jelavic was quoted in the Daily Record as saying: "Frankly, I do not think about leaving because I am loving it at Rangers.

"Some of the stories about me leaving were simply people getting excited over nothing. I don't think I need to push myself for sale."

Andre Villas-Boas quashes speculation after Porto victory

Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas wrote his name into the history books by lifting the Europa League before moving quickly to insist that neither he nor his star players will be leaving the club this summer.

Falcao's 44th-minute header meant Villas-Boas became the youngest manager to win a UEFA club competition.

The 33-year-old had already won the Portuguese Super Cup and the league before last night's victory, and he will pick up a fourth winners' medal if the Dragons beat Vitoria Guimaraes in Sunday's cup final.

Villas-Boas reaffirmed his commitment to Porto after the victory and insisted he had only played a small part in the club's success this season.

The Porto boss insisted the performances of Hulk, Falcao and other unsung heroes in his squad were the main reason behind the club's storming campaign.

Hulk and Falcao have scored a remarkable 71 goals between them this term. They are bound to be the subject of interest from Europe's giants this summer but Villas-Boas insists they will be staying at the club with him.

"The speculation is normal with managers and players around the world," Villas-Boas said.

"But it's not easy for any of this talent to run away from us.

"Hulk has a release clause of 100million euros, which is not easy for any club to pay. Falcao's is 30million euros.

"It's very difficult for a club to splash around that amount of money. It's not impossible, but let's hope we can keep the majority of our talent next year."

Sir Bobby Robson, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho were among a long list of people Andre Villas-Boas credited for his success.

Villas-Boas paid tribute to Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and the two men who had mentored him throughout his time in management - Sir Bobby Robson and Jose Mourinho - after the win.

Robson gave a 16-year-old Villas-Boas his first break in football by enrolling him in several coaching courses after impressing the Englishman with his passion for the game during his time in charge of Porto.

Villas-Boas went on to forge a career in scouting with Mourinho at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan before taking the helm at the Estadio do Dragao.

"I dedicate this win to my technical staff, the players of Porto and the supporters. But I'd like to pay a compliment to Pep Guardiola and to Jose Mourinho," Villas-Boas said.

"He (Mourinho) introduced me to professional football, and I'd like to dedicate this to him and to someone who has already left us, but was decisive in my career: Sir Bobby Robson.

"I never had the opportunity to say farewell to him. I'd like to dedicate this to him and his wife, Elsie, and thank him for everything he's done for me."

The only brief glimpse Braga got of goal in Dublin last night was when substitute Mossoro wrestled the ball off Fernando and broke free just after the break.

The forward squandered the chance though, driving straight at Helton's legs.

Domingos Paciencia admits it was a disappointing way to end his time in charge of the Arsenalistas, but insists he is still proud of his team for beating the likes of Benfica and Liverpool to get to the final.

"I hope Braga will grow and become stronger," the 42-year-old said.

"I'm sad to go out in this way. But we're still proud of ourselves."

Jack Wilshere selected for England Under-21 Championship reveals Arsene Wenger

Jack Wilshere has been selected for the England squad for this summer's European Under-21 Championship, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Wenger revealed this morning that Gunners midfielder Wilshere had made Stuart Pearce's final 23-man party for the finals in Denmark.

Pearce had been expected to announce his squad on June 1 but the Football Association have confirmed that may well be brought forward to this afternoon.

Wenger said: "I heard he has been picked.

"We just have to accept and respect the choice even if we think it is the wrong decision

Despite Wenger's opposition, Wilshere's selection is no surprise, with Pearce having included him in his provisional 40-man squad earlier this month.

Fellow senior international Andy Carroll was also included but there was doubt today over whether the Liverpool striker would take his place in the final 23.

Reports suggest the 22-year-old had expressed concern over his fitness after enduring an injury-hit second half of the season, and questioned whether tournament football could do him more harm than good ahead of the new campaign.

Also, like Wenger, Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has suggested he is not in favour of players being drafted back into the under-21 fold after graduating to the senior set-up.

In addition, Wenger has expressed concern about 19-year-old Wilshere suffering burnout as result of the number of games he has played for club and country this season.

Wenger said today: "Jack Wilshere is in the red for a while now and this can be a risk for his health.

"He will respect the decision. He knows that he is nearly at the end of his energy level but he is keen to do well.

Jack Wilshere is determined to play for the England Under-21s at this summer's European Championship

"He has played nearly 50 games this year. To go to a tournament for me is a massive risk.

"I am happy if the under-21s do well because I want England to do very well.

"I think it is not the right decision but will respect (it) and let him go."

Pearce has been adamant that including the best players at his disposal is crucial not only to England's chances this summer but also to boosting the country's hopes of success at future World Cups and European Championships.

One player who has confirmed he did not make the final 23 is Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach.

His omission may spark speculation Fabio Capello is preparing to make him a permanent part of the senior set-up following Ben Foster's decision to make himself unavailable for selection.

Loach, who was twice promoted last year following a series of withdrawals, wrote on Twitter yesterday: "Didn't make final 23..so no more 21s for me.

"Just an honour to have gained 14 caps for my country. Time to relax n have a few weeks off now."

Both Wilshere and Carroll are expected to be named in the senior squad for the June 4 Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley meaning they would miss the under-21s' pre-tournament training camp.

England's Under-21 Championship campaign begins on June 12 and they will play three games in eight days, and five in 15 days if they reach the final.

Alex Ferguson targets 'three signings' for Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he intends to make three new signings this summer.

It was always likely to be a time of change at Manchester United given Edwin van der Sar is due to follow Gary Neville into retirement and Paul Scholes has yet to confirm whether he will extend his career by a further season.

In addition, there are major doubts hanging over senior figures such as Michael Owen, Wes Brown and Owen Hargreaves.

And whilst youngsters Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley will be given their chance after impressing during loan spells with Sunderland and Wigan respectively, Ferguson realises he must bring in new blood.

"We have some ideas in mind," the United boss told MUTV at the annual United's awards ceremony at Old Trafford. "Hopefully we can get them put in place.

We have Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes coming towards the end of their careers, Gary Neville has already retired and Edwin van der Sar is retiring, so there are holes we want to plug up in terms of the safety and security of the team for the next few years.

"Of course, we have some excellent young players and a lot of them have progressed, which gives us a great, powerful squad.

"I am looking at maybe three signings which would boost our overall quality in our team."

United have been heavily linked with Atletico Madrid's 20-year-old keeper David De Gea, although it would go against Ferguson's preference for a goalkeeper with great experience.

Aston Villa's Ashley Young has long been viewed as a potential United target, although more latterly Inter Milan playmaker Wesley Sneijder has come into the reckoning.

The Dutch World Cup finalist would be an obvious replacement for Scholes, whom chief executive David Gill admitted last weekend might opt to call time on his stellar career after the Champions League final with Barcelona at Wembley on May 28.

Ferguson admitted he is still mulling over his likely line-up for that game, although last night he was still revelling in United's record 19th league title.

In particular, he managed a laugh at the antics of some intrepid fans, who managed to get a banner into Anfield proclaiming "MUFC 19 times" which they hung from the Anfield Road End of the ground before making a very quick getaway.

"I wish I had taken that banner to Liverpool on Sunday," laughed Ferguson.

"I bet there were 76,000 fans wishing they had thought of that."

In addition to Nani scooping the players' player of the year prize, Javier Hernandez was crowned fans' player of the year, with Wayne Rooney the overwhelming choice for goal of the season for his magnificent overhead kick against Manchester City at Old Trafford in February.

Arsene Wenger in Twitter warning after Wayne Rooney 'threat'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Twitter is an invaluable way for players to be closer to fans, but has warned there can be "negative repercussions" if not used properly.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney maintains his heated exchanged on the social networking site, where he has more than 570,000 followers, during which he wrote "I'll put u asleep within 10 seconds" after being provoked by an abusive post, was nothing more than banter.

Many Barclays Premier League players have accounts on Twitter, including Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, striker Robin van Persie and their England midfielder Jack Wilshere.

Wenger feels such media can be good for relations, provided they are not abused.

"At the moment we allow it. We are thinking about how to use it the best way," the Frenchman said.

"It can be very positive because it can be a good communication for the players with the fans which doesn't exist anymore.

Rooney told a fellow Tweeter: "I'll put u asleep within 10 seconds"

"It can as well have negative repercussions for the clubs if it is not well used so we are thinking about it.

"We will see what kind of direction we will go."

Earlier this season, West Ham striker Carlton Cole was charged by the Football Association with improper conduct for remarks posted during England's 1-1 draw with Ghana at Wembley in March, while Liverpool striker Ryan Babel was fined £10,000 after he posted a link to a mock-up picture of referee Howard Webb in a Manchester United shirt after an FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford.

Arsenal set for summer of sell-offs and play-offs

Arsenal are facing a difficult summer thanks to a probable Champions League play-off in August and a possible squad overhaul before then. Having surrendered third place in the Premier League to Manchester City on Tuesday night, the north Londoners may face the inconvenience of having to qualify for the Champions League through the play-off round. Should Arsenal fail to get a better result at Fulham on Sunday than City record at Bolton then they will finish fourth, requiring them to play two more games in August just to reach the group stage.

The play-off should not be desperately difficult. Arsenal have recent, successful experience of the stage. They beat Celtic 5-1 on aggregate in 2009, Twente 6-0 in 2008 and Sparta Prague 5-0 in 2007. Their place in the Uefa rankings guarantees their being seeded, which would allow them to avoid Bayern Munich, Lyons and Villarreal. Udinese, fourth in Serie A with one game left, are the most threatening non-seeds. Dynamo Kiev and Twente would offer challenging ties, while Standard Liège, AEK Athens and Rubin Kazan might provide more accommodating tests should they win their third qualifying round fixtures.

If Arsenal end up having to participate in the play-offs, it would be a good indicator of how far their season has sunk from its winter heights. In late February, Arsène Wenger's side were involved in a two-horse race for the Premier League title with Manchester United; had just beaten Barcelona at home in the Champions League last 16; and were set for a Carling Cup final against Birmingham City.

However, they lost at Wembley after gifting Birmingham the winning goal and the trauma of that defeat threw Arsenal into a spin from which they have never recovered. They were swiftly knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup by Barcelona and Manchester United respectively. Of the 10 league games they have played since, they have won two, drawn five and lost three; dropping them down from second to fourth. This collapse of form has led to increasing discontent among fans, which manifested itself in booing after the recent home defeat to Aston Villa and draw with Liverpool.

One hope for unhappy supporters is that Wenger will retreat from his purist's approach to both tactics and signings. Arsenal have played 4-2-3-1 all season and Wenger admitted last week that "against the teams who only came to defend, maybe we have dropped too many points". There is a sense that they lack variety in attack, as well as the now-traditional absences of an authoritative centre-back and a midfield enforcer.

To those ends, Arsenal are thought to be considering moves for Bolton centre-half Gary Cahill as well as Paris St-Germain defender Mamadou Sakho. In midfield Scott Parker is a key target, and his signing would represent an about-turn given Wenger's recent reluctance to buy players in their 30s. Many of the disappointing fringe players are likely to leave, including Denilson, Tomas Rosicky, Emmanuel Eboué and Andrei Arshavin.

AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo set to join Juventus

Andrea Pirlo will leave new Serie A champions AC Milan when his contract expires at the end of the season, the Italy midfielder said today.

"It's a mutual decision, I've had 10 unforgettable years here," he told reporters.

The playmaker has been heavily linked in Italian media reports with a move to fallen giants Juventus. He nearly joined Chelsea two years ago.

Pirlo has suffered a string of injuries and was not a regular under Massimiliano Allegri this season having lost his much of his former sparkle.

Milan, who won their first scudetto since 2004 this month and face Udinese in their final game of the campaign on Sunday, said in statements that striker Filippo Inzaghi and defender Alessandro Nesta had signed new one-year deals.

Inzaghi, 37, missed most of the season due to a knee ligament injury.

The club earlier announced that midfielder Mark van Bommel and reserve goalkeeper Flavio Roma had penned new contracts until June 2012 while Brazil defender Thiago Silva is now tied to the club until 2016.

The Rossoneri are yet to announce the futures of veteran midfielders Clarence Seedorf and Massimo Ambrosini as they consider rejuvenating their squad for a major assault on the Champions League next season.

Dutchman Seedorf is wanted by clubs in Brazil.

Milan are in the process of signing AS Roma centre half Philippe Mexes and Olympique Marseille left back Taye Taiwo on free transfers.

Falcao strikes to give Porto Europa victory

Porto 1 Braga 0

Andre Villas-Boas wrote his name into the history books as he followed his illustrious predecessors in leading Porto to glory with a 1-0 victory over Braga in tonight's Europa League final in Dublin.

Falcao's header just before the end of the first half was enough to give the 33-year-old Porto boss his third trophy of an incredible first season in charge which sees him become the youngest coach to win a UEFA competition.

Braga substitute Mossoro wasted a golden chance to equalise when he fired straight at Helton when clean through, but otherwise the Arsenalistas never looked like threatening the Portuguese champions.

The match may not have been a pulsating affair, but that should not detract from the magnitude of Villas-Boas' achievements.

The young coach has enjoyed a stellar first full campaign in management, clinching the league unbeaten and the Portuguese Super Cup before tonight's victory, which guarantees him a place alongside some of Porto's coaching greats.

Two of Villas-Boas' mentors, Sir Bobby Robson and Jose Mourinho both won Europe's second club competition with the club and the fact that the Dragons have rampaged through Portugal and Europe this season will only serve to strengthen rumours linking the Porto boss with a summer move to one of the continent's heavyweights.

The match had been billed as an entertaining encounter but the majority of the opening 45 minutes slipped by without barely raising a pulse of the 45,391 fans inside the Aviva Stadium.

Hulk was Porto's best player in the opening exchanges, drifting down the right flank, skipping past the wayward full-back Silvio on a few occasions.

The Brazil striker, who has been linked with a number of Europe's top clubs, used his skill to slip past Silvio and Paulo Cesar before firing just past Artur's far post from six yards.

Silvestre Varela's ambitious overhead kick sailed over the bar, but the Braga goal was rarely threatened.

The underdogs looked cagey and unwilling to take the risk of racing at their opponents, perhaps mindful of the threat that Porto posed on the counter.

Porto goalkeeper Helton rushed out to prevent Lima from shooting from 15 yards but Braga otherwise looked impotent.

Hugo Viana entered the book for a sliding tackle on Hulk, who then wasted a 35-yard free-kick by shooting at least 10 feet over the Braga goal.

Fredy Guarin found Varela in the box but the Porto forward spectacularly miscued a diving header wide as the game dithered on.

A brilliant flick from Guarin allowed him to slip past Alberto Rodriguez, but Paulao covered to deny the Porto man an opportunity to shoot.

Artur almost paid a high price for his lethargic attempt to clear when his kick was charged down by Falcao but the ball bounced wide of the Braga goal.

The prolific striker soon had the ball in the net though when he lost his marker to meet Guarin's cross and nod home from six yards with 90 seconds of the first half remaining.

It was the Colombian's 17th goal of the competition proper, with an additional strike coming in the club's play-off against Rapid Vienna in September.

Braga boss Domingos Paciencia brought on Kaka and Mossoro for Hugo Viana and Alberto Rodriguez at the break and the move almost paid off immediately.

Mossoro could not have wished for a better opportunity to equalise when he dispossessed Fernando to race through, but he dallied and the Porto stopper saved with his legs.

Cristian Sapunaru clattered into Paulo Cesar and went into the referee's book before Braga duo Miguel Garcia and Mossoro also saw yellow moments later.

Braga looked more lively in the second half but Mossoro's opportunity aside, Helton was still not being tested.

Paciencia looked to Albert Meyong for inspiration, the Cameroon striker coming on for Lima with 25 minutes left.

Porto's Falcao scores the winning goal against Braga in the Europa League final

A pacy ball across the box eluded Falcao's head as Porto looked for the killer blow before Paulao headed just over at the other end from six yards, although he was correctly ruled to be offside by the linesman.

Villas-Boas crouched nervously on the touchline as Alan played in Meyong but the Porto boss had little to be worried about as Helton easily claimed the striker's weak shot.

Kaka became the fifth Braga man to see yellow when he was harshly adjudged to have fouled Falcao.

Porto substitute Fernando Belluschi sent a swerving shot just wide of Artur's near post with five minutes left as Braga struggled to get into the game.

Porto dominated possession, but the Arsenalistas had a good chance to threaten the leaders' goal with a corner three minutes from time but Alan sent the ball too deep.

Meyong was presented with a chance in the final minute of injury time but he volleyed over before being correctly called offside.

Braga keeper Artur had a header saved in the last move of the match before the final whistle went and Villas-Boas was mobbed by his victorious team on the pitch.

City chairman rules out huge spending spree this summer

Only two arrivals likely with transfer business dependent on resolving future of captain Tevez

The Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak said last night that the club would sign only two players this summer, underlining the impression that manager Roberto Mancini will not find his board willing to spend vast amounts as they prepare to compete in the Champions League.

"It won't be like last summer, or the summer before," said Mubarak. "What you will see this year is strengthening the squad in areas that we feel require more depth. We don't need quantity, as today we have quality. We just need a couple of players."

The chairman's words, part of an interview that will be screened on the City website today, reinforce City football administrator Brian Marwood's message on Sunday that there would be only "tinkering" this summer. Mancini has said that "this is the summer we can buy" and publicly voiced his fears after the FA Cup final triumph over Stoke City that City could end up being out of the Champions League places at the end of next season – like Tottenham this year – if they do not spend.

Mubarak indicated that buying players would be a collective process – and it does seem clear that Mancini will not dictate the process. "It's always been a team approach," the chairman said. "We have a great operation with everyone involved, headed by our CEO Garry Cook, who I must say has done a phenomenal job for us. I'm so proud of what he has accomplished."

City's activity may depend on the destiny of Carlos Tevez, who is no nearer to committing his future to the club, despite the optimistic note sounded by Mancini after City climbed to third place in the Premier League on Tuesday night.

Carlos Tevez is bemused by his manager Roberto Mancini announcing the striker's intention to stay at City

Mancini said he had been told by Tevez that he wants to stay after the 3-0 win over Stoke but the player is actually no closer to resolving uncertainties over his future and there has been no contact from the club to seek a resolution to the impasse with the captain. Some within City do not share Mancini's optimism about the player's intentions, which the manager expressed 72 hours after the Argentine had said he would need to consult his family.

Why Mancini spoke so confidently is unclear. He may be attempting to force the issue, though City's Nigel de Jong has delivered the most impassioned case yet for the need to keep the striker after his two goals sank Stoke. "Where in Europe or in the world can you see a striker who has such a high-scoring rate, plus that work rate that Carlos has?" De Jong said. "He's compact and small but he wins every battle with every defender – where do you see that? Where can you find a striker similar to him? There are very few. There are maybe a couple but he is one of the greats at the moment. So it's important for us and the club that he stays here."

Mancini feels the same, though the struggle to win Tevez's heart to the City cause has gone on for more than a year and the manager's words were a source of some bemusement to the striker yesterday. De Jong said he did not know whether Tevez would stay. "It's hard to say at the moment," he said. "He's made it clear to the squad he still sees himself as a Manchester City player and we hope he will continue to be. For us the main target is this season and we'll see what happens in the summer. The speculation has already begun regarding who is coming and who is going out of City."

Finishing third in the league would mean avoiding a Champions League play-off. "It won't be easy in that round," De Jong said. "You have to try and get third if you can."

Mubarak said of the FA Cup success and Champions League qualification: "It is an incredible feeling. I'm absolutely delighted for everyone involved in the club. The team, the players, coaches and the fans of course. I feel strongly a winning mentality is coming into the team. We have an incredible squad with so many talented individuals and a lot of heart in that squad. We have an incredible foundation for incredible years ahead."