Pepe Could Choose Portugal

Real Madrid defender Pepe could declare himself eligible to be called up by Luiz Felipe Scolari after qualifying for a Portuguese passport.

The Brazilian born 24-year-old is set to become a European citizen and is considering playing for the country where he spent six years before moving to the Bernabéu.

Pepe qualified for the new passport after completing his sixth-year on the continent in July and is set to turn his back on his native Brazil.

If he does opt to represent his adopted nation then he will follow FC Barcelona star Deco who went down the same path to gain international recognition.

Having been born in Maceió in Brazil, Pepe rose through the ranks at Corinthians Alagoano before heading to Portugal to join Maritimo.

After three years at the Estádio dos Barreiros, he joined Porto for €1m and three players; Tonel, Evaldo and Antonielton Ferreira.

Earlier this summer Real Madrid paid €30m to secure his services, despite the fact that he has never been called up by Brazil.

Ronaldinho Delighted With Spirit

Ronaldinho believes that he will be back to his best this season and is working hard in pre-season to rediscover his form.

The Brazilian superstar was tired at times last term after not having any rest due to the World Cup Finals, but he is enjoying the build-up to the new campaign.

With the arrival of several new faces, Ronaldinho has also been impressed with the attitude of the player's over the past month."This year, the squad that we have has great spirit," he said

."We are still trying to improve and look for a better understanding in training and I think that we are developing a winning side.

"I am working very hard to reach my best level and to help Barcelona as much as I can.

"I feel fine now. Pre-season is the hardest part of the season for any player. Like all my team-mates I am improving and think that everyone is doing well.

The arrival of Thierry Henry has lifted the level of competition for place in the Barça team, but Ronaldinho thinks that the Frenchman's arrival will boost the team's chances of success.

"I am delighted Henry is here. I think he was a great addition to the squad," he continued.

"He is a player with a lot of experience and we hope that he can help us improve and to win trophies.

"I think that there is not problem about which of the four forwards can play, but we will have to see what the coach thinks."

Dunga urges Gilberto to leave Arsenal

Gilberto Silva has been urged to leave Arsenal by his Brazil coach Dunga.

Juventus have made a fresh approach to the Gunners for Gilberto and Dunga says: "I think he is ready for an experience in Italian football and for Juventus."

Juve are ready to tempt Arsenal with a £7 million offer for Gilberto.

Elano "very happy" at Man City

Elano Blumer admits he's "very happy" at Manchester City.

The Brazilian midfielder told the Guardian: "Manchester is beautiful.
"I'm very happy to be here. With two wins in two games it has been an extra special time. I'm very, very happy.

"I don't mind where I am playing. I find it easy to play in several positions.

"[In England] the game is very physical and luckily I can be very agile. I try to touch the ball as fast as I can. I'm learning a lot. I'm working well with the team, getting a good playing relationship with Michael Johnson and Rolando Bianchi."

Daily Video : Anderson Compilation Video

Alves turns down Chelsea’s offer of protection

Chelsea have underlined their determination to sign Daniel Alves by offering to provide the Brazil defender with protective security during what they hope will be his final days in Seville. Alves was badly shaken by the hostile reception he received from supporters at training yesterday after opting out of Seville’s 2-0 Champions League qualifying win over AEK Athens on Wednesday and is understood to fear for his safety.

Alves antagonised Seville’s passionate fans by organising a press conference at which he pleaded to be allowed to leave, before refusing to play for the club in the Champions League. The 22-year-old has rejected Chelsea’s offer for fear of inflaming the situation further, resolving to keep his head down and continue training as normal in the hope that a deal can be reached between the two clubs as soon as possible.

Chelsea are confident of landing their man before the end of the transfer window, but an agreement was no nearer yesterday after Seville rejected their latest offer. Chelsea are willing to make a £17 million down payment or £19.5 million if the fee is payable over the five years of Alves’s contract. Seville are holding out for £21.5 million or £24.5 million respectively.
“We would like to clarify that we consider the offer from Chelsea way below the expected level,” a Seville spokesman said yesterday.

Real Madrid have withdrawn from the race to sign Alves to focus all their efforts on securing Arjen Robben, the Holland winger, from Chelsea. Ironically, Real claim that they cannot match the wages that Alves will receive at Stamford Bridge but that has not stopped them offering Robben a 50 per cent pay rise that will take his salary up to £100,000 a week. However, Real have yet to meet Chelsea’s £27 million valuation of the player.

Rogério Ceni Nets Thirtieth Penalty

The chilly southern Brazilian location of Florianópolis – a resort packed with Brazilians, Uruguayans and Argentineans in the summer months – was the scene for veteran goalkeeper Rogério Ceni to score his thirtieth spot kick…

The 34 year-old São Paulo FC Captain and sometime Brazil keeper helped his side to avoid defeat in the Copa Sudamericana (South American Cup; the equivalent of the UEFA Cup) against outsiders Figueirense in the 2-2 first leg knockout match.

Counting yesterday’s strike, Rogério has scored an impressive total of 75 goals in his seventeen seasons with the Tricolor Paulista, but refused to take a lot of credit for the draw despite his goal and several providential saves.

“Every goal is important, but all I did was to contribute to the final result like all my other team-mates who pulled together to ensure that São Paulo didn’t leave Figueirense with the win”, explained the number 1 who hails from the same town as AC Milan man Pato.

Cuca Gives Botafogo Players An Earful

The usually placid tactician made his unhappiness with his men clear in their General Severiano base in Rio de Janeiro after the Lone Star slumped to a 2-3 home defeat to Corinthians saw the longed-for national title slip further from their grasp…

The postponed match – a ninth round clash that was remarked due to the Pan-American games that were hosted in the Carioca Capital – was a great chance to regain lost ground and not let current leaders São Paulo increase the gap between the two sides.

After leading the league for eleven rounds and appearing to be closer than ever to hoisting the title that they had last win way back in 1995, Botafogo have slipped up with a series of poorly-played games that saw the team conspicuously underperforming.

The next game sees a chance for Sunday redemption against Internacional, once again at the fabled Maracanã stadium, and Cuca has made it clear that he expects the very best from his men, bending their collective ear in a 40-minute dressing down.

“Everybody is letting the side down…the balls that make it through our defence are not chased up with vigour…it seems like we’ve got a ball-magnet stuck at the back of our net…and when we do create we have trouble finishing well”, he complained.

“The game against Corinthians said it all – their first chance on target in the first half was a goal , the same thing in the second half…it just can’t carry on like this”, criticised an irate Cuca. “We have to do better and everybody needs to pull their act together.”

Pato urges AC Milan to go for Carlos Eduardo

Alexandre Pato has told local Brazilian media that AC Milan should sign Gremio attacking midfielder Carlos Eduardo.

Pato, who joined Milan earlier this month from Internacional Porto Alegre, has broken his silence in Brazil over his move and yesterday recommended his close friend Carlos Eduardo to the Rossoneri.

Racing Santander swoop for Botafogo striker Andre Lima

Racing Santander have landed Botafogo striker Andre Lima.

The 22 year-old is the Brazilian championship's second top scorer and is moving to Racing for £1.7 million in a co-ownership deal with Botafogo.

Lima is expected to settle his contract with Racing directors over the next 48 hours.

Seleção: Luisão Injury Ends Brazilian Brother Reunion

The Silva family was overjoyed when Dunga called up both Luisão and Alex for the upcoming Brazil match, but an injury has scuppered chances of a family double act in Montpellier, despite yet another Silva being called up in his place…

Tuesday’s 2-1 win over FC Copenhagen saw SL Benfica lose centre-back Luisao in the thirty-seventh minute to an injury.

The towering back – now considered a regular with Brazil under Dunga – had to come off for new signing Freddy Adu and has been cut form the Brazil list.

This means that a potential partnership with younger brother Alex Silva (São Paulo FC) in Montpellier is temporarily out of the question.

Luisão has been replaced by 22 year-old Fluminense centre-back Thiago Silva (no relation) who makes his debut at absolute level.

Thiago Silva is considered (along with Alex Silva) as one of the three best backs emerging in Brazil and was a bulwark in the recent conquest of the Copa do Brasil (Brazil Cup)

Brazil Update: Corinthians Flip Botafogo

Rio de Janeiro saw the clash of two monochrome greats go Corinthians’ way as the Paulista visitors managed to turn a 1-0 deficit into a tight 2-3 win as the Timão continue to come back from the brink of relegation…and the Lone Star appears to be in danger of seeing their Brasileirão chances burnt up in a solar flare…

In the game that was postponed by the Pan-American games Carpegiani and his revived Timão defeated vice-leader Botafogo at Maracanã. Young Corinthians gun Nilton shot twice: the first hitting his team in the foot as he smacked the ball into his own net, but import Arce equalised soon after and Nilton turned the game over for the Timão.

Veteran striker Finazzi made it 1-3 before Dodô netted a penalty for the Fogão, but the reaction came too late despite Kadu seeing red and leaving the hosts with an extra man for the last twelve minutes. The win sees Corinthians (12th – 23 points) rise above the danger zone while Botafogo (2nd – 33 points) are now seven behind São Paulo.

Romário Included In Vasco Copa Sudamericana Squad

He may have taken some time off to promote Brazil in suit and tie in Switzerland, but it looks like Romário won’t be hanging his boots up quite yet…

The 41 year-old striker is set to continue wearing the Vasco da Gama number 11 as he has been written into the Carioca squad of 25 players down to play the Copa Sudamericana (South American Cup; the equivalent of the UEFA Cup).

The debut match takes place for the Bacalhau with a visit to Atlético Paranaense in Curitiba. It’s still not known if the Baixinho will continue until the end of the Cup. On the other hand keeper Roberto, right-back Thiago Maciel, midfielders Júnior and Ernane as well as striker Martin Carvalho were all left out.

Milan Offer €14M For Baptista Over Dinner

Julio Baptista could be forced into accepting a move to AC Milan after the Italian giants made a new bid of €14m during a dinner with Real Madrid's directors.

The Brazilian has been a target for the Rossoneri throughout the summer, but he has always insisted that he wants to stay at the Bernabéu and prove himself.

Despite that, Madrid may have other plans and could be ready to accept Milan's latest offer in order to recoup some of their summer spending spree.

Adriano Galliani, Milan's vice-president, held talks about Baptista during a dinner with Madrid's Predrag Mijatovic and put forward the new bid of €14m.

A tentative agreement was made, but the final decision will be left down to the player to decide if he wants to leave Spain and move to Serie A.

Baptista is due to be informed of the offer on Wednesday in a meeting with his agent, Herminio Menéndez, and Mijatovic and will be given two days to decide his future.

During the same meeting, Galliani again enquired about Emerson, who is also reported to be interesting Inter.

Madrid paid €16m for the Brazilian midfielder last summer and want at least €10m of that back, although both Italian clubs have only offered €5m so far.

Alves expected to join Chelsea

Sevilla's right-back Daniel Alves is expected to become a Chelsea player today.

The Brazilian international has already agreed terms and will move to Stamford Bridge in a deal that should be worth in excess of €30m.

Chelsea have beaten off competition from Real Madrid for the Brazilian, although the capture of Alves may well pave the way for Real to complete the signing of Arjen Robben, for whom the Spanish club have offered €30m.

Representatives from Chelsea met Sevilla's director-general José María Cruz in Madrid last night in an attempt to finalise the deal for Alves.

Sevilla president José María del Nido verbally agreed to allow the player to leave this summer if Sevilla received an offer that was "right" for both parties and with Alves revealing he wanted a move, all that remained was for a fee to be agreed.

"I want to continue growing as a player and if that has to be somewhere else, then it will be somewhere else," Alves said.

Yesterday, Alves was omitted from Sevilla's squad to face AEK Athens in the Champions League qualifier to ensure he is not cup-tied when he joins Chelsea.

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos said the decision to pull out of the squad came not from the club but from the player.

"Dani told me he was not in the right frame of mind to play," said Ramos, "I cannot handcuff someone and force them to come to work."

Mourinho delighted to welcome Alex to Chelsea

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has welcomed new signing Alex from PSV Eindhoven.

Mourinho said: "He's just started training a couple of days ago - with the group and then on his own.

"He's not ready to play. He dominates in the air and has the physique to adapt to the English way of playing. Maybe one of the reasons we lost the championship last season was because we did not have a lot of defenders.

"We lost Robert Huth and William Gallas in pre-season and John Terry was out for three months. Khalid Boulahrouz and Ricardo Carvalho were also out injured and we did not really have any solutions.

"I was scared whenever any of my central defenders went into a challenge and it was not a good situation for us just to have Carvalho and Terry.

"Now there is no reason to be scared like we were last season because we have Terry, Carvalho Tal Ben Haim and Alex."

The Chelsea boss also believes competition for places among his defensive quartet will be something the Brazilian will relish.

He added: "He plays in the most famous national team in the history of football and if he can cope with the challenge of that, he can cope with it at Chelsea.

"It is competitive in the Brazil squad and in Chelsea it is the same."

Daily Video : Luis Fabiano Scores In Spanish Super Cup Against Real Madrid

Injured defender Juan replaced from Brazil friendly against Algeria

SAO PAULO, Brazil: AS Roma defender Juan was dropped from the Brazil squad to face Algeria in a friendly next week in France because of a muscle injury.

Brazil coach Dunga summoned Benfica's Luisao to replace Juan, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation said on Monday.

Juan called Brazil doctor Jose Luis Runco to advise of his injury and will send a medical report to the Brazilian confederation.

For the first time, Luisao will play in the national team alongside younger brother Alex Silva, a Sao Paulo player who was chosen by Dunga last week.

The match in Montpellier will be Brazil's first since winning the Copa America in Venezuela last month.

Stars Ronaldinho and Kaka will return to the team after skipping the South American championship.

The confederation also said it has not finalized a deal to play the United States in a friendly on Sept. 9 in Chicago, as announced by the U.S. Soccer Federation. The CBF said the negotiations are advanced, however.

Brazil will play Mexico on Sept. 12 in Boston

Brazil midfielder Josue moves from Sao Paulo to Wolfsburg

SAO PAULO, Brazil: Brazil midfielder Josue reached a deal to move from Brazilian champion Sao Paulo to German club Wolfsburg.

Josue, who has been a regular in Brazil's national team this year, will be transferred for nearly US$2 million (€1.4 million), Sao Paulo said on its Web site. The 28-year-old player will keep US$280,000 (€205,000) of that fee.

Josue's contract with Sao Paulo will expire at the end of the year, and he was expected to play only another 12 Brazilian league matches between assignments with the national team.

"It was his desire to play in Europe and to release him was our way of recognizing his magnificent work for Sao Paulo," said the club's vice president, Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva.

Josue has been with Sao Paulo since 2005 after being signed from Goias. He played 157 matches for the four-time national champion, scoring seven goals and helping it win the Copa Libertadores, the Club World Cup, the Sao Paulo state championship and the Brazilian league.

Sao Paulo leads the national championship by seven points from Botafogo, which has a game in hand.

Zico: I'm living out my passion

Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known simply as Zico, rates as one of the most enduringly popular Brazil stars of the 70s and 80s, after scoring 52 goals in 72 appearances for his country. Pele nominated him for the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 living greats of the game which includes the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Bobby Charlton, Michel Platini and Emilio Butragueno.

The man hailed as the 'White Pele' lives with his wife in the teeming metropolis of Istanbul, where he is currently in his second season at the helm of Turkish top flight giants Fenerbahce. Last term, Zico helped celebrate the famous club's centenary year by guiding Fener to a 17th domestic championship, and the Brazilian is now looking forward to his team making a mark on the international scene.

The team featuring stars such as Roberto Carlos, Stephen Appiah and Mateja Kezman started the new season on a high by winning the Turkish Super Cup 2-1 against city rivals Besiktas. FIFA.com spoke exclusively to Zico about his job in Turkey, Brazilian football, the players he would love to sign and his personal goals.

FIFA.com: Zico, you won the Turkish league title in your very first season as Fenerbahce coach, and you've now added the Super Cup to that. What are your targets for the new campaign?
Zico: We're determined to go as far as we can in the UEFA Champions League. The club has made a few signings and upped the quality in the squad. We have alternatives for every position, so I can rotate my line-ups and give every player plenty of recovery time. That's a major plus compared to last season. Defending our domestic title won't be easy, as we face stiff competition from Galatasaray, Besiktas and Trabzonspor. The players and I owe it to Fenerbahce to repay the club's investment.

Fenerbahce is your third coaching position, following a spell with Kashima Antlers in the Japanese top flight from 1994 and one as Japan coach from 2002 to 2006. What's it like working in Turkey?
The biggest difference between my time in Japan and here at Fenerbahce is the organisational support and a fully-functioning club structure. I'm free to focus 100 percent on my work with the team here, and don't have to worry about anything which goes on away from the playing side. In Japan I discovered a passion for coaching, and I can live out that passion here in Turkey.

You sound very happy at Fenerbahce. Can you speak any Turkish?
No, Turkish is a very difficult language. When I work with the team I always have an interpreter by my side, and he's also a trusted confidante. He has to convey my philosophy, motivational speeches and tactics to the team with the same enthusiasm as I have. My interpreter has to speak my language in two senses of the phrase.

You come across as an unruffled, organised and friendly personality. What are you like as a coach?
It depends on the situation, but it's a big advantage that I played professionally under a variety of different coaches. I have a feel for the needs of all my individual players. Our successful partnership is based on trust between myself and my players. I'm always willing to listen to every player. I lay down the law when it matters, but I'm sometimes a bit too nice to my lads (laughs). At the end of the day, the coach shoulders the responsibility, and that has to be clear to everyone at all times.

Working on a daily basis with so many different personalities also poses a few problems. How stressful is the job of coach?
I'm very good at dealing with stress. I avoid fights with my wife - provided I don't bring my work home with me (laughs). Since my time in Japan, where I drove over 100 kilometres to work every day, I've become used to thinking through problems in the car. I'm alone and clear-headed, I don't disturb anyone and nobody disturbs me. I don't even get stressed about the fans, even though they're really fanatical here in Turkey. It's a love-hate relationship. You simply have to learn to live with it.

Let's turn to your home country for a moment. How would you rate Brazilian football at the moment?
My biggest concern at the moment is the fact that players are leaving for Europe at an ever-younger age nowadays. Alexandre Pato has only just turned 17 and he's on his way to AC Milan. I hope he continues to develop and makes the breakthrough there. The problem is that these clubs expect instant success, but what these talented youths need is time to improve. Unfortunately, we've had a few cases where Brazilian youngsters haven't been given that time, and have been shipped off back home after a couple of years with their confidence in tatters. This trend is bad for Brazilian football as a whole.

The Fenerbahce squad features six of your fellow countrymen...
But that's exactly the difference compared to some other European clubs. Our Brazilians are established professionals. Roberto Carlos, for example, can make a real difference out on the field. Players aged between 20 and 35 are at exactly the right age for football.

If you could pick another Brazilian for your squad, who would it be?
Kaka of AC Milan, because he makes a difference.

Looking back over your playing and coaching career to date, what have been your most memorable games as a player and as a coach?
As a player, I always think back fondly to the 1981 Copa Libertadores final. I was with Flamengo of Rio de Janeiro when we beat Chilean side Cobreloa 2-1 (Zico scored both goals). It was a victory for artistry over muscle. As a coach, it can only be winning the 2004 AFC Asian Cup with Japan. Nobody gave us a chance in the final against China in Peking, but matches are won and lost on the field of play and not off it. That was my most significant honour.

U.S.-Brazil to Play in Chicago

The world's top-ranked team will travel to Chicago to face the Americans on Sept. 9.

The U.S. National Team will face five-time World Cup champion Brazil on September 9 in Chicago (ESPN2, 4 p.m. ET). It will be a match pitting the champions of CONCACAF against the champions of CONMEBOL after both teams captured their confederation championships earlier this summer.

It will mark Brazil’s first trip to Chicago and a rare road trip to the United States, as the world’s top-ranked team begins preparations for the start of South American World Cup qualifying in October.

"It is a very exciting opportunity for our players to get to play perhaps the most storied team in the world,” said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley. “We have developed a tremendous schedule for 2007, and adding Brazil is another important piece of the puzzle as we continue to build our team towards World Cup qualifying next year. I have told our players many times that these are special games, and we need to take advantage of the opportunity. We are very much looking forward to the challenge.”

Brazil is led by two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, AC Milan midfielder Kaka and Real Madrid Robinho. Former Brazilian star Dunga is the team’s head coach after signing on after the 2006 World Cup. He has led Brazil to a 11-2-3 record since taking over, which included two 3-0 victories over Argentina.

The U.S. has a 1-11-0 record overall in this series, which dates all the way back to 1930. The lone win came on Feb. 10, 1998, during the Gold Cup, with current Chivas USA head coach Preki Radosavljevic scoring the game-winner on a free kick in a 1-0 victory. The two sides last met in the 2003 edition of the Gold Cup, with Kaka scoring in a 2-1 victory in overtime in the semifinals.

The Americans were originally scheduled to play Mexico on September 9 in Mexico City, however that match was canceled due to contractual and financial considerations.

Anderson willing to wait for Man Utd chance

Manchester United signing Anderson says he's prepared to bide his time for a first team chance.

The Brazilian says that personal glory is secondary to the United cause. "I have to think of the team," the Brazil forward, who could be a substitute for tomorrow's match away to Portsmouth, said.

Botafogo draws Figueirense 1-1, loses ground to Sao Paulo atop Brazilian league

SAO PAULO, Brazil: Botafogo allowed a 76th-minute equalizer against Figueirense to drop seven points back from leader Sao Paulo at the halfway point of the Brazilian league on Sunday.

Sao Paulo, the defending champion, beat Paranaense 2-0 on Saturday to keep alive a seven-match winning streak and maintain a comfortable lead in the 20-team standings after 19 rounds. It has 40 points, while second-place Botafogo — which has a game in hand — has 33.

Botafogo, winless in three matches, got on the board at Orlando Scarpelli stadium in Florianopolis with a well-struck free kick by veteran striker Dodo in the 49th. He curled a right-footer over the wall and into the left-upper corner of Figueirense goalkeeper Wilson.

Figueirense's equalizer late in the game came in a controversial play in which Botafogo complained of offsides.

After a free kick cross into the area, substitute midfielder Vinicius — apparently offsides — headed the ball back into the box for striker Otacilio Neto's close-range goal.

"You can't avoid being upset after a mistake like this," Botafogo Cuca said, complaining of the refereeing.

Botafogo was coming off a 2-0 loss to Sao Paulo last Wednesday.

The titleholders kept their lead by defeating Atletico Paranaense 2-0 at Morumbi stadium with goals by midfielder Jorge Wagner and striker Borges.

Sao Paulo has outscored its opponents 15-3 in its current seven-match winning streak. The team's last setback was a 1-0 defeat to Fluminense nearly a month ago.

Also Saturday, five-time champion Flamengo rallied to defeat Nautico 2-1 with a 87th-minute winner by defender Leonardo Moura. It was the team's second win in 13 matches. Brazil's most popular club remains second-to-last in the standings with 15 points from 15 matches.

Corinthians, Brazil's second-most popular club, rallied late to beat Copa Libertadores runner-up Gremio 2-1 at Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo. The four-time champion scored in the 81st and 83rd minutes to grab the win and leave the relegation zone. It has 23 points from 18 matches in 15th place.

On Sunday, Cruzeiro beat last-place America 2-1 in Natal with an 88th-minute winner by striker Alecsandro to move to third in the standings with 32 points from 18 matches.

Vasco dropped to fourth after drawing Parana 0-0 in Curitiba, while fifth-place Palmeiras got past Atletico Mineiro 2-1 at Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte with a pair of goals by midfielder Martinez.

Internacional, last year's runner-up, beat Goias 1-0 at the Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre in the return of coach Abel Braga, who left the club for a short period earlier this year and was rehired last week. The victory, Inter's first in four matches, moved the club to ninth place.

At Maracana stadium, 11th-place Fluminense snapped a five-match winless streak by routing eighth-place Santos 3-0 behind two goals by midfielder Thiago Neves.

Adriano in Valencia link

Reports in Italy claim that Valencia have offered 15million euros for Internazionale striker Adriano, but the approach has been turned down by the Serie A champions.

The Spanish side's offer is believed to fall well short of Adriano's valuation, with suggestions that Internazionale have slapped a 25million euro fee on the Brazilian as they look to deter potential suitors.

The offer is likely to spark an increased amount of bidding activity around Adriano, but his club have previously stated their intention to keep him, despite his personal and injury problems last season.

Adriano is contracted to Inter until 2010, and it remains to be seen as to whether Inter will cash in.

Valencia would face a difficult job in persuading Adriano to move away from the San Siro, after he previously stated he would only be interested in joining a fellow Serie A team.

Milan's Ronaldinho Bid Rejected

AC Milan have had a bid of 60million euros for Ronaldinho turned down by Barcelona, according to the player's agent.

Roberto Assis, who is also the 27-year-old's brother, told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Milan offered 60million euros, but Barcelona said no."

Assis claimed the Catalan giants would like the Brazil international playmaker to stay at the Nou Camp for the rest of his career. His current deal expires in 2010.

"To be honest, the contract of Ronaldinho has already been touched up four times," he said.

"There is an interest at Barcelona to extend the contract until the closing of Ronaldinho's career."

Sevilla pull Chelsea target Alves out of Euro squad

Sevilla will not consider Daniel Alves for Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens.

The Brazilian will be left out of coach Juande Ramos' squad, says Marca, as Chelsea continue negotiations with Sevilla over the right-back.

Sevilla want £24 million for Alves, who has attracted two major offers from Chelsea in the last seven days.

Man City boss Eriksson: I never had Elano for England

Sven Goran Eriksson enjoyed a winning start as Manchester City manager with an impressive 2-0 victory at West Ham.

Eriksson had admitted that he had not seen some of the eight players he signed in the summer in a £40million spree funded by controversial new City owner, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, play many live games.

But two of them, £8.8million Italian striker Rolando Bianchi and free transfer Brazilian Geovanni, scored the goals which demolished dismal Hammers - and left the Upton Park fans applauding Eriksson.


Eriksson said: "It can only be stupid people who say I would sign players I did not know anything about.

"Okay, I haven't seen all of them play nine or 10 times but I have big scouting staff at the club and I have as many videos as I need to watch.

"I've always signed good football players. And with these ones, some are young and for the future and some, like (Martin) Petrov and Elano, are more experienced."

It was Elano, another Brazilian who cost £8million from Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, who starred in City's stylish performance as their new-look team - with eight debut-makers - repeated the win they had at West Ham last December and doubled the scoreline.

He made a storming run and cross for Bianchi's 18th-minute opener and often ran West Ham ragged in his support striker role.

But he had been substituted when compatriot Geovanni clinched the three points with a rifling strike three minutes from time.

Eriksson, brushing off questions about whether he enjoyed club football more than his ill-fated England reign, declared: "England is history for me today. I don't think I had a player like Elano with England.

"We are playing a different way with Manchester City. It is a big club and the aim is to make it much better.