Missing you already: What happens when the football season ends?

We All Get Bored

Djourou insists Arsenal are ready to go 'trophy crazy'

Johan Djourou is confident Arsenal will go trophy "crazy" when they finally end their quest for silverware – and insists Arsène Wenger remains the right man to take the club forward.

The Swiss centre-half maintains that once that first trophy is safely in the Emirates Stadium cabinet, then more will swiftly follow.

"You expect better for Arsenal, of course, but I think that when this long run ends it will just go crazy and we will win everything that is there because this club's got so much potential," he said. "It has been six years, but I am just waiting for the moment. I wanted to win something so bad to say to those people 'shh, that's it, it is finished and we have won something'.

"Unfortunately I can't say that now because it is not the case, but it is not even to say that people are wrong, it is for us to show that we are good enough because we know in ourselves that we are good enough."

Liverpool and United splash cash but where are Arsenal?

It has been a turbulent start to the summer at the Emirates – Nasri and Clichy want out while rivals have beaten them to top young talent

It is three years to the month that Arsène Wenger pulled off his last notable transfer coup when he persuaded Aaron Ramsey to choose Arsenal over Manchester United when it had looked like the then 17-year-old was a cert for Old Trafford. Ramsey was invited to fly out to Switzerland to meet Wenger who was then working as a pundit covering the France team at Euro 2008.

Ferguson had relied upon his assistant Mike Phelan to sell Old Trafford to Ramsey who was also sent on a stadium tour open to members of the public, which was not quite the gold-plated reception that a nervous teenager anxious to meet his prospective famous manager had hoped for. He met Wenger, got his assurances in person and agreed to sign for Arsenal there and then.

Three years on and Ferguson is not taking any chances this time. The transfers of Phil Jones, the 19-year-old from Blackburn Rovers, and Ashley Young, the emerging star of the England team, now on his way from Aston Villa, have both been negotiated by United within 17 days of the end of the season. It is widely regarded as Liverpool who have lost out in both deals but where were Arsenal?

Arsenal met with Jones but failed to convince him, just as they did with Chris Smalling before he joined United 18 months' earlier. Jordan Henderson has gone to Liverpool. Signing the best young players – the likes of Theo Walcott and Ramsey – was once Arsenal's answer to their big-spending rivals, but now everyone else is doing that, what exactly is the policy that they intend to pursue?

As is his custom, Wenger was watching France play Poland in Warsaw last night, although not as a co-commentator on French television, and is to go on holiday today. The club's head of youth development, Liam Brady, promised yesterday that the club would be active in the transfer market this summer and it is not implausible that Wenger might be about to pull a stroke that will fire the imagination at the Emirates.

But as ever yesterday, it was more about who will go. The perennial Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona story is spinning again. The Spanish newspapers are already anticipating that Fabregas will spend his summer in Ibiza with Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol. "He [Fabregas] is a great player and he's a player for Barcelona because he already knows the language we speak on the pitch," Pique said yesterday. "He is a great friend of mine and of course I want him to end up wearing the Barcelona shirt."

Cesc Fabregas is once again a target for Barcelona

We have heard it all before but if Barcelona offered £45m-£50m Arsenal would let him go. They are working on the basis that if Darren Bent is worth £24m then an offer of, say, £30m for Fabregas would simply not be entertained. Wenger is opposed to deals that involve players coming in the other direction – to the extent that even if he wanted a Barcelona player he would do that transaction separately to any deal for Fabregas. It is about making the player joining Arsenal feel that he is not a simple footnote to a transfer, but a valued individual himself.

Wenger has sold his last two star-name captains at just the right time and, while Fabregas is still young at 24, injuries have meant that last season he was eclipsed by Jack Wilshere. The 19-year-old Englishman is ready to be the new stellar presence in the side and the club obviously think so, too. You can see that by the prominence he is afforded in all their marketing for next season.

The real scandal at Arsenal, however, is how Samir Nasri and Gaël Clichy have been allowed to drift into the last year of their contracts without anyone at the Emirates being able to shore up two of the most valuable assets in the squad.

Nicklas Bendtner and Gaël Clichy seek exits

This newspaper's revelations that representatives connected to Nasri have already made contact with United show just how close Arsenal now are to losing the player. Whether they sell him this summer at a reduced price or lose him for nothing in 12 months' time, it is an unsatisfactory scenario either way. In the event of a major offer for Nasri failing to materialise, Wenger is understood to be in favour of keeping the player in the hope that he will sign a new deal next season. It sounds like wishful thinking.

Had Nasri been a United or Tottenham player the club would have offered him the stark choice last summer of either signing a new deal or being sold immediately. Somehow, Arsenal took their eye off the ball and they have now surely lost him for good. Nasri was close to signing before the first leg of the last-16 Champions League knockout round tie against Barcelona in February. The deal was all but agreed between the club and his agent but at the last minute Nasri decided to hold off and Arsenal have been unable to bring him back to the table since then.

As for Clichy, the consensus is that he can go, with Liverpool the key English club interested and failing that, an offer from Italy is expected. The player will not give the club another season – he wants to go now – so they will sell him providing they get the valuation they want of around £7m to £8m.

As with most professional footballers, the money on offer is important. But the growing anxiety among the likes of Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Nasri and Walcott – who is entering the last two years of his deal – is whether they will ever be in a position to win something with Arsenal. And when that anxiety is heightened by the departure of high-profile team-mates, it stirs up even more unease.

The signing of 19-year-old Carl Jenkinson from Charlton Athletic for around £1m in compensation is intriguing but not quite the deal that might kickstart a summer of optimism. The likes of Mamadou Sakho (Paris St-Germain), Eden Hazard and Gervinho (both Lille) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Southampton) remain possibilities. At least, unlike Chelsea, Arsenal have a manager in place to make the big strategic decisions but they have made a slow start to the summer and after last season that is not something that they can afford.

I'd buy Henderson and Jones at the drop of a hat, says Pearce

England Under-21 manager says market for £37m duo is distorted but that does not detract from their talent

The sight of Phil Jones and Jordan Henderson out on the training pitch here yesterday convinced the England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce that there is bright young talent coming through the ranks, even if he is inclined to raise an eyebrow at the fees it can command.

Although neither player's transfer had been formally completed at that point, Pearce had been keen that the pair's part in negotiations and medicals should be over in time for them to join his squad late on Wednesday night, ahead of yesterday's first training session in preparation for the European Championship beginning this weekend. They duly threw themselves into practice, showing little sign of being burdened by a combined fee of £37m.

"I know what sort of players I'm dealing with," Pearce said. "They're fantastically focused players and an absolute pleasure to work with. I had contact with both of them beforehand to go and tie up individual deals this week with the clubs. If I was in their position I'd want a deal tied up before I went to a major championship, I wouldn't want to be worrying about it and I think that was their mentality as well.

"I think the market's a little bit distorted financially, but I'm not taking anything away from the real talent there. If I was a club manager and I had the finance to buy those two, I would do it at the drop of a hat. For their ability and also for their mentality to want to get better and be level-headed kids."

Keen as he is to see young English players given an opportunity at the biggest clubs, even Pearce has been surprised at Chris Smalling's progress, admitting that he never expected to be watching him in a Champions League semi-final this season. That was a bonus, as one of the problems for an Under-21 manager is that he needs people who are playing first-team football as often as possible rather than low-key reserve games. He may be prepared to make an exception for Jones next season.

Manchester United and Liverpool's new acquisitions seem certain starters in Sunday's opening group match against Spain, having played important roles in England's qualification. Indeed, Jones, who will be alongside his new United club-mate Smalling, has never lost an England game at any level. "They've got a steely determination between the two of them," Pearce said of the partnership that helped his team through a tricky play-off over two legs against Romania.

"They want to defend, they're happy to get hit with the ball to keep it out the back of the net. That's a real trait to have. Look at the likes of [Nemanja] Vidic, and see how he enjoys defending. People don't like playing against him. I think these two have got a bit of that in them as well."

The Ipswich striker Connor Wickham may agree after being forced out of training yesterday with a knock on the ankle following a collision with Jones, but the injury is not regarded as serious. Another striker in the squad, Aston Villa's Nathan Delfouneso, summed up Jones well as "a bit old-school and a bit modern in that he has a physical side but also technique".

With Kieran Gibbs having been ruled out of the tournament because of an ankle injury, Pearce enjoyed himself playing at left-back in a training game yesterday, watched by several hundred local children at the ground of Fredericia FC, a Danish club whose new manager is the former European Footballer of the Year (and, briefly, Charlton Athletic player) Allan Simonsen.

Afterwards Pearce emphasised the points made in The Independent yesterday by Sir Trevor Brooking about the importance of experience gained in tournaments like these – and of winning them: "I think we've got a lot of lessons to learn and the one reason I would say that is you have to look at the trophy cabinet. It never lies."

Clearly still sore about Arsenal's reluctance to release Jack Wilshere, Pearce replied when asked for one specific lesson to be learnt: "You need to turn up to tournaments with your best players for a start. I fought tooth and nail to get Theo Walcott here two years ago. Doing my job the best I can, I have to make sure the best players in England are here. And it's a mouthwatering prospect for our players to take on the best Spain have to offer on Sunday."

Liverpool complete Henderson signing

Liverpool have completed the signing of midfielder Jordan Henderson from Sunderland.

Henderson has put pen to paper on what the Merseyside club have described as a "long-term deal", having agreed personal terms and visited the Reds' Melwood training complex yesterday before undergoing a medical.

The highly-rated 20-year-old has moved for an undisclosed fee, with reports suggesting it could be up to £20million.

A statement on Liverpool's official website read: "Liverpool Football Club have completed the signing of Jordan Henderson after the 20-year-old passed a medical and agreed personal terms.

"Henderson travelled to Merseyside on Wednesday after a fee was agreed with Sunderland. He then underwent a medical examination in Liverpool before signing a long-term deal.

"The midfielder has now joined the England Under-21 squad in Denmark as they prepare for the European Championships.

"Henderson's first game after completing his transfer is likely to be against Spain Under-21s on Sunday."

It had been thought Reds striker David Ngog might travel in the opposite direction as part of the transfer but for now the Frenchman remains at Anfield.

Henderson is Liverpool's first signing of the summer and - following the big-money captures of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez in January - the third high-profile new recruit since Fenway Sports Group's takeover of the club and Kenny Dalglish's return as manager last season.

Although currently with Stuart Pearce's England Under-21s in Denmark, Henderson won his first senior international cap against France last November and his value has soared over the past year, despite a recent dip in form.

The Sunderland-born player is a product of the Wearsiders' youth academy and he made his Black Cats debut in a 5-0 defeat to Chelsea in November 2008.

In total he has made 79 appearances for the club, scoring five goals, and he also spent a spell on loan at Coventry in the 2008-09 season.

Sunderland had been reluctant to part company with one of their prized assets, but chairman Niall Quinn yesterday said Henderson leaves with their blessing.

He is the second key player to depart the Stadium of Light in 2011 after Darren Bent's January move to Aston Villa, but manager Steve Bruce should now have funds to strengthen.

Dalglish, meanwhile, is likely to continue doing business in the transfer window as he attempts to rejuvenate his squad this summer.

Liverpool are believed to retain interest in Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam, while Ipswich youngster Connor Wickham is thought to be another target.

Crouch is staying, says Redknapp

Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, says he is not looking to sell Peter Crouch this summer despite reported interested from Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who tried to sign the striker two years ago.

Asked if Crouch would leave Tottenham in the close season, Redknapp said: "I doubt it. Crouchy is a good player. I like him. He is a great lad and I love him as a fella. He is not one I'm looking to shift. We are looking to bring a striker in but he is not one of those that we are looking to sell if we can help it."

United open talks with £8m Nasri

In a huge blow to Arsène Wenger, Arsenal's French midfielder moves step closer to sealing Old Trafford transfer

Manchester United yesterday began talks with Samir Nasri's representatives, as their early summer activity continued to frustrate Arsenal and leave other clubs trailing in their wake.

The talks in Manchester were only exploratory, conducted among intermediaries from both sides, and did not include the Frenchman's agent Jean-Pierre Bernes. But United's willingness to open negotiations with a midfielder who appears to have concluded that he has no future at Arsenal suggests they may be ready to capitalise on an opportunity in the transfer market. The 23-year-old, who was superb in the first half of last season, will fall out of contract next summer and will therefore come cheap – possibly as little as £8m.

United hold a fair number of the cards if their interest firms up. Chelsea have indicated that they are not interested in signing the player, who joined Arsenal in 2008, but it is understood that he does want to stay in England. With United's £17m deal to sign Ashley Young set to be completed by the weekend, Nasri appears to be just one of a number of options. The prospect of Wesley Sneijder moving to Old Trafford from Internazionale remains a genuine one.

Neither can a move for Tottenham's Luka Modric be ruled out, even though Chelsea may offer competition for him. United are keeping their options open, with the past 48 hours underlining Sir Alex Ferguson's resolve to do far more than merely tinker with his squad as he sets about getting closer to the standard Barcelona attained in last month's Champions League final. There has, as yet, been no official approach from United to Arsenal about Nasri. The losers in the Nasri saga are again Arsenal, who had retained some hope that he would be willing to give them first refusal on his continued services and consider any new deal they put before him when he returned from international duty. Nasri was left out of the France squad that played Poland last night.

But Nasri, evidently dissatisfied by the events of last season, feels that he will not collect silverware by staying in north London and had sanctioned yesterday's discussions. It would be a bitter blow for Arsène Wenger if United do take the Frenchman, in the week that he lost Blackburn Rovers' Phil Jones to his old adversary, Ferguson – despite several phone calls made in an attempt to wrest him out of United's grasp.

Nasri's departure would also leave Arsenal more in need than ever of holding on to Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard's departure to Barcelona is slightly less likely this summer than last, but just as Nasri's representatives arrived in Manchester yesterday, the usual summer noises from Catalonia began, linking Fabregas with the European champions.

Arsenal would sell him if they receive an offer of at least £45m.

"He's a great player and he's a player from Barcelona because he already knows the language we speak on the pitch," said Gerard Pique on a day when the Spanish papers were full of talk of Fabregas finally returning to Barcelona. "He is a great friend of mine and of course I want him to end up wearing the Barcelona shirt." Fabregas is expected to holiday in Ibiza this summer with Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol, as he did last year.

Samir Nasri is out of contract next season, meaning that he could be available for as little as £8m this summer

The prospect of Nasri simply positioning himself for an improved six-figure deal at Arsenal cannot entirely be ruled out. Wenger has said of the player: "One thing's for sure – we're not selling him to Manchester United." But Nasri responded to that on TF1's Telefoot on French television at the weekend. "Let's find out if their interest is true first," he said. "Then we'll talk about it. I don't know if I will sign a new contract. Anyway, the discussions are ongoing. Do I want to go to United? We should see if their interest is real and if it is concrete first."

Arsenal respect Nasri and believe he would not try to negotiate a better deal publicly. The contracts of both Nasri and his compatriot Gaël Clichy expire next summer and the club hope to tie them to five-year deals worth £90,000-a-week.

Though there are suggestions that Arsenal may be ready to move for Bolton's Gary Cahill, a Modric move to Chelsea would be by far the greater statement of intent. Chelsea are also understood to be planning to retain the services of Didier Drogba.

Sneijder is not understood to interest Chelsea, and the Dutch playmaker also appeared eager to cool talk of a move to Manchester yesterday, describing his life with Internazionale in Milan as "beautiful and picturesque". "At Inter, there is a family atmosphere, and there is every reason to aim high," he said. "Milan is beautiful, picturesque. Elegance reigns, and I love it. At the moment I am very happy here, I do not see why I should go."

Aston Villa's move for Michael Bradley on hold

Aston Villa have been given more time to decide about signing United States midfielder Michael Bradley on a permanent basis because of their managerial situation, Press Association Sport understands.

The 23-year-old, part of his country's 2010 World Cup squad, spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Villa had an option to buy the player at the end of the campaign under the terms of the initial agreement, but the German club have allowed them until a replacement for Gerard Houllier is in place to make a final decision.

Bradley made just one start - against Manchester City in the FA Cup - and two substitute appearances during his four-month stint at Villa Park.

The £6million January signing of Jean Makoun and the re-emergence of skipper Stiliyan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker, who has since left on a free transfer, meant he had few opportunities.

Villa are continuing their search for a new manager with former England coach Steve McClaren and ex-Tottenham boss Martin Jol among the front-runners.

Club owner Randy Lerner hopes to make an appointment by next week.

Schalke may move for Jens Lehmann

Schalke are eyeing a possible move for Jens Lehmann as they bid to fill the gap left by Manuel Neuer.

Lehmann, 41, came out of retirement to play out the end of last season with former club Arsenal as they went through a goalkeeping crisis, and Schalke, another of his old sides, are considering making an approach for him.

They signed Ralf Faehrmann from Eintracht Frankfurt after Neuer joined Bayern Munich, and general manager Horst Heldt says Lehmann is in their thinking as well.

He told dpa: "We always said that we want to hire a second goalkeeper if Manuel Neuer leaves.

"There are various scenarios and Jens Lehmann is a part of it."

The 22-year-old Faehrmann added: "I can learn a lot every day from Jens Lehmann."

Liverpool move for Doni, claims agent

Liverpool are in talks with Roma to sign Brazilian goalkeeper Alexander Doni, according to the players agent.

Doni, who is under contract with the Serie A club for a further season, has been strongly linked with a move away from the Eternal City this summer.

"I spoke to the club (Roma) yesterday and they confirmed they are holding talks with Liverpool to reach an agreement regarding the transfer of Doni," Doni4s agent Ovidio Colucci told Press Association Sport.

"Once an agreement is reached betwen the two clubs, we will begin negotiating personal terms with Liverpool.

"Doni would be very happy to join Liverpool and play in the Premier League."

The 31-year-old joined Roma in 2005 from Brazilian side Juventude.

The South American has been an understudy to Julio Sergio in recent seasons, and made 16 league appearances for Roma this term.

Hamburg sign Goekhan Toere from Chelsea

Hamburger SV has signed Turkey Under-21 forward Goekhan Toere from Chelsea.

The 19-year-old is the third player from Chelsea to follow sporting director Frank Arnesen to Hamburg. Arnesen decided last year not to renew his contract with the English club.

"I'm looking forward to Hamburg. It's a club with great tradition, located in a fantastic city," Toere told the club's website after signing late on Monday. "I'll give my best for this team."

Hamburg said that Toere — who was born and grew up in Cologne, Germany — signed a three year deal after undergoing a medical. No fee was disclosed.

Toere played for Bayer Leverkusen's youth teams before moving to Chelsea in January 2009.

"Goekhan is a young and extremely talented player," Arnesen said. "He's left-footed and happy to attack from the wing. He is also a physically strong player with good vision. We have to, and will, give him the necessary time he needs to continue his progression."

The Bundesliga club already announced the signings of Italy Under-19 midfielder Jacopo Sala and England youth team international Michael Mancienne from Chelsea.

Fulham appoint Martin Jol as manager

Martin Jol was today confirmed as Fulham's new manager.

The 55-year-old former Tottenham boss has agreed an initial two-year contract at Craven Cottage with the option of a further 12 months.

The Dutchman replaces Mark Hughes, who resigned as Fulham manager last Thursday after one season at the helm.

Jol, who was sacked by Spurs in 2007, was linked with the Fulham role last year but Ajax refused to release him from his post as head coach at the Amsterdam Arena.

He has been out of work since quitting the Dutch club last December and has now spoken of his excitement at returning to the Barclays Premier League.

"I am very happy to join Fulham Football Club, a wonderful traditional club," he told http://www.fulhamfc.com/.

"It is a club with good, solid foundations and a great fan base.

"I am looking forward to being part of the Fulham family and thank the chairman for the trust he's shown in me."

Hughes stepped down from his role last week after guiding the club to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League and earning them a return to Europe via the Fair Play League.

He also built on a reputation initially forged at Blackburn and then Manchester City, where many felt he was unlucky to lose his job, but departed insisting he had had no contact with any other club.

The Welshman's decision left the Cottagers searching for a new manager for the second consecutive summer, after losing Roy Hodgson to Liverpool last year.

Jol will have little time to get his feet under the table, with the Fulham players due to report back for pre-season training on June 23 and facing a Europa League qualifier in less than four weeks' time.

A club statement confirmed: "Martin joins Fulham on an initial two-year contract with the club having an option to extend for a further year.

"He will arrive at our Motspur Park training ground in advance of the players return to training later this month."

Jol moved to Spurs in summer 2004, initially as an assistant to Jacques Santini, after having started his coaching career with stints at Roda JC and RKC Waalwijk in his homeland.

The Dutchman was handed the top job at White Hart Lane when the Frenchman left the following November and won many admirers for the attractive football played under him.

Following his dismissal in October 2007 - he was unceremoniously dumped following the UEFA Cup defeat to Getafe - he spent the 2008/09 campaign at Hamburg before succeeding Marco van Basten as Ajax coach in May 2009.

He helped the Amsterdammers to KNVB Beker glory in 2010 before stepping down last December with the club in fourth place in the Eredivisie standings in what turned out to be a title-winning campaign.

Miroslav Klose leaving Bayern Munich

Germany striker Miroslav Klose is leaving Bayern Munich after failing to agree a new contract with the Bundesliga club.

The Polish-born Klose has been at Bayern for the past four seasons, scoring 24 goals in 98 Bundesliga games. His contract expires at the end of the month.

"Unfortunately the talks with Miroslav Klose have not produced a positive result," Bayern's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a statement on Monday. "We would have gladly extended his contract, but we couldn't find common ground on the duration."

Bayern was willing to give Klose a one-year extension, while the striker wanted a two-year deal. Klose, who won the German double with Bayern in 2008 and 2010, turns 33 on Thursday.

Klose's destination was not known.

"I had four beautiful and successful years in Munich and I'd like to sincerely thank Bayern for that," Klose said in the statement. "It was always something special to be able to play for this club."

Klose has played 109 games for Germany and scored 61 goals, putting him second on the all-time list behind Gerd Mueller's 68.

He will miss Germany's European Championship qualifier in Azerbaijan on Tuesday due to injury.

Klose is coming off a quiet season with Bayern, where he was mostly a backup for Mario Gomez, the Bundesliga's top scorer with 28 goals. Klose managed only one goal in 20 appearances.

But Klose remains Germany coach Joachim Loew's striker of choice and usually gets the nod ahead of Gomez, if fit.

With 14 goals at three World Cup tournaments, Klose is tied for second place with Mueller — one goal less than record holder Ronaldo of Brazil.

Wolves hope to clinch Jamie O'Hara deal

Wolves are optimistic of completing the permanent signing of Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara in the next few days.

Wolves have confirmed that "negotiations are ongoing" with O'Hara, who made a big impact when on loan at Molineux during the second half of last season.

Reports that the deal has already been formally completed are described as "premature".

But the player has already intimated he wants to make a full-time move to Wolves, and manager Mick McCarthy is keen to keep him.

O'Hara impressed playing just behind the central striker and scored three goals in his 13 appearances.

He was relegated when on loan to Portsmouth for the 2009-2010 season.

But O'Hara helped Wolves stay in the Barclays Premier League on the final day of the last campaign with his goal against Blackburn.

O'Hara confirmed to Press Association Sport at the end of the season that "I want to stay at Wolves" as it was a club "which is going forward".

Zoltan Gera in talks over West Brom return

West Brom are targeting their former midfielder, Zoltan Gera, who is available on a free transfer from Fulham.

Current Baggies boss Roy Hodgson signed the Hungary international when in charge of Fulham in the summer of 2008.

He wants to be reunited with the 32-year-old and Press Association Sport understands that initial talks have taken place.

Gera is believed to be willing to return to West Brom where he was a fans' favourite.

He made 155 appearances in his four-year spell at the Hawthorns after a £1.5million move from Ferencvaros in 2004.

Hodgson has already signed Ipswich centre-back Gareth McAuley and Preston full-back Billy Jones since the end of the season.

He is also still interested in Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan but may lose out in the race to sign Watford striker Danny Graham, who has also been targeted by Swansea and Cardiff.

Meanwhile, skipper Chris Brunt appears content to commit his future to the Baggies.

He said: "I've got a contract at Albion and until someone tells me otherwise, I'll be be playing here.

"I enjoy playing for West Brom, have got a decent relationship with the fans, and know the ins and outs of the club."

Javier Hernandez stars in Mexico rout

Mexico made a commanding start to the defence of their Gold Cup crown as Javier Hernandez hit a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over El Salvador in Texas.

The 2009 champions breezed to victory against their Central American neighbours with Manchester United striker Hernandez scoring his side's last three in the 60th, 67th and 95th minutes, the latter being a penalty deep into added time.

Efrain Juarez and Aldo de Negris had set up the win with the two opening goals.

Also in Group A's opening fixtures, Costa Rica enjoyed a similarly emphatic start with victory over their Caribbean neighbours Cuba, winning 5-0 at the Cowboys Stadium.

Marcos Urena opened the scoring within seven minutes with goals following from Alvaro Saborio. Urena added his second of the night early in the second half before Heiner Mora scored a minute later and Joel Campbell wrapped up the win.

Darren Bent committed to Aston Villa

England striker Darren Bent has pledged his future to Aston Villa and insisted: "I'm tired of moving around."

Villa look like losing the services of Ashley Young - linked strongly with a move to Manchester United - while Stewart Downing is stalling over signing a new deal.

But Bent, signed from Sunderland for £18million in January, has assured fans he is going nowhere despite former manager Gerard Houllier parting company with the club because of health reasons.

Bent said: "They (the fans) don't need to worry about me. I'm tired of moving around.

"I am at Aston Villa now and I have loved every minute I have been at the club. The people are nice and the staff are nice.

"It's a shame that a big part of what brought me to the club, Gerard Houllier, has left.

"But at the same time I am committed to Aston Villa and I am looking forward to the season coming.

"Every time I go to the training ground, I get a buzz and hopefully it will continue next season."

Bent was signed from Sunderland for £18million in January

Villa are continuing their search for a new manager, with former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti continuing to impress chairman-owner Randy Lerner.

Former England boss Steve McClaren and one-time Tottenham boss Martin Jol are also believed to be under consideration by Lerner.

Villa also continue to be linked with Mark Hughes even though they have insisted his departure from Fulham was not connected with their own managerial position being vacant.

Chelsea baulk at Turkey's £4m price tag for release of Hiddink

Chelsea are to open talks today with the Turkish Football Federation about releasing manager Guus Hiddink from his contract but are understood to be unwilling to meet the £4m compensation the Turks are demanding.

Hiddink, 64, has a year left to run on his £4m-a-year job in Istanbul but is prepared to answer Chelsea's call and take over the manager's job vacated by the sacking of Double-winning Carlo Ancelotti less than an hour after the club's final game of the season at Everton.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is keen to bring Hiddink back to the club he led to the FA Cup when he took temporary charge for three months in 2009 following the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

However, it is a point of principle with Hiddink that he does not break a contract, and he is insisting he will not walk out on Turkey. Instead he wants Chelsea to agree a compensation package with the national federation so he can depart on good terms. The Turks are understood to want £4m to release Hiddink and Chelsea are claiming the sum is too high. However, it is only the start of a negotiation process that is likely to end with Hiddink departing.

Abramovich is understood to favour Hiddink taking over as manager, with full responsibility for team affairs, as he did two years ago. Since then Hiddink has worked as an informal adviser to Abramovich on an ad-hoc basis. The Chelsea owner also paid the bulk of Hiddink's salary as the Russia coach from 2006 to 2010.

The Dutchman, who has also managed Real Madrid and the Dutch and South Korean national teams, is open to the possibility, possibly only for a year before moving upstairs to become director of football. Last week he made it clear he favours a return to the day-to-day involvement of club football, saying: "I feel energetic and I like working every day."

Some in the Netherlands, however, doubt he would be willing to commit 100 per cent to Chelsea, as he enjoys living in an apartment in Amsterdam and loves to play golf, and would prefer to come to London as director of football.

Guus Hiddink gets vocal during Turkey's 1-1 draw at Group A rivals Belgium on Friday

Chelsea have also discussed the merits of Mark Hughes, who last week invoked a clause in his contract with Fulham allowing him to walk away midway through the two-year deal. Hughes, however, will only be considered as a candidate to be the next manager at Chelsea, where he played for three years from 1995 to 1998, should the deal for Hiddink fall through.

Chelsea are keen for the new manager to be in place by mid-June, giving him a couple of weeks to acclimatise before the first team return to training on 4 July. The club play three friendlies in Europe before heading off to Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong on a pre-season tour later in July.

Their former sporting director Frank Arnesen has meanwhile been raiding the club's reserve side, in his new role as director of football at Hamburg. The Turkish teenager Gokhan Tore, who was born in Germany, is set to sign a three-year contract for the club today, for a fee of around £1m.

It follows Arnesen's moves last week to sign the England Under-21 defender Michael Mancienne and the Italy Under-19 midfielder Jacopo Sala from Chelsea. Hamburg are also keen on a fourth Chelsea player, the Dutch defender Jeffrey Bruma.