Messi demands Barcelona buy Inter Milan's Ibrahimovic

European champs Barcelona are planning a major bid for Inter Milan striker Ibrahimovic.

Corriere dello Sport says Barca star Lionel Messi has urged president Joan Laporta to bring the Swede to the Nou Camp.

And Laporta is ready to meet Messi's request by offering £17 million cash plus Samuel Eto'o in exchange for Ibra.

The super Swede will be handed a base salary of £6.5 million, but with sponsorship and bonuses could stand to make an amazing £12 million-a-year.

Meanwhile, if Ibra hits goal number 25 this weekend in Serie A he will be due a stunning £400,000 bonus.

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Villa's Barry waiting for Arsenal offer

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry wants a move to Arsenal.

The Daily Star says Barry is desperate to play Champions League football during the best years of his career – and the Gunners are his No.1 option.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is still an admirer, but is not keen on splashing out most of his transfer budget taking him to Anfield. That has left Manchester City and Tottenham hopeful of securing a deal – but it is Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who is considering a £12m bid for the 28-year-old.

Wenger is searching for a dominant midfield player to add to a squad which has plenty of talent but lacks genuine bite, and he has watched Barry several times in the past few months.

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Chelsea clinch deal for CSKA Moscow dynamo Zhirkov

Chelsea have clinched a deal for CSKA Moscow star Yuri Zhirkov.

Tvoi Den says Chelsea have landed the Russia international for around £20 million. Zhirkov will join on a four-year contract.

"Yuri has signed the contract with Chelsea just a day or two ago," the newspaper quoted Zhirkov's agent as saying. "He will join his new team this summer."

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Man Utd chief Gill admits Tevez situation is unique

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has admitted that the Carlos Tevez situation is a unique one.

The Argentine striker comes out of a two-year loan deal this summer and United know what they have to pay to keep him at Old Trafford permanently.

Gill said that the matter will be resolved once this season was complete.

"It is unique, but I don't think that necessarily makes it more tricky,” said Gill.

“We're clear we've got an agreement with them, with the company, that if we want to acquire the option we have to pay a certain sum.

"In that respect it is arguably easier because it is a fixed fee. It is not like they can negotiate for weeks. It is a fixed fee.

"He's out of contract on the 30th of June and he will want to understand where he is playing next season well in advance of going on holiday and having a well-deserved break.

"It is in everyone's interests to be resolved and I think it will be pretty quickly.”

He added that Tevez may be disappointed if he was to join another club.

"What we can hopefully achieve with this squad is hopefully there for everyone to see,” he added.

“It is these big events and these big occasions that players want to play in.

"It is about medals, being here and being surrounded by this. Rarely do players at Manchester United think solely about the money, they think about competing in the biggest games at the end of the season.”

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Leonardo to step in as AC Milan prepare Kaka sale

Real Madrid are edging ever closer to landing AC Milan superstar Kaka.

Corriere dello Sport says Kaka and Milan are preparing to part ways this summer, with Real president-elect Florentino Perez waiting to take him to Madrid.

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi admits he may have to sell to buy if the squad is to undergo major surgery before the start of next season.

Still bristling over criticism from fans on Sunday, Berlusconi said: "The Middle East petrodollars and taxes are favoring Spanish and English clubs.

"(But) if I leave, Milan would not win anything."

Meanwhile, Leonardo is expected to be confirmed as new coach next Monday. Carlo Ancelotti will leave for Chelsea, with Brazilian Leonardo taking his place.

The Milan director has already convinced assistant coaches Filippo Galli and Mauro Tassotti to stay on.

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Real Madrid settles on Arsenal's Wenger, Pellegrini

Real Madrid president-elect Florentino Perez has whittled his coaching shortlist down to two names.

Perez's No2, Jorge Valdano, has spent the past month sounding out potential replacements for Juande Ramos, including Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho, AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti and Michael Laudrup.

However, now Valdano has the options down to two men - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Valdano hasn't completely given up on trying to prise Wenger away from the Gunners.

However, AS says he has also discovered that Pellegrini's contract carries a £2.5 million buyout clause and the Chilean is fast emerging as the favoured option.

Indeed, Valdano has already told Perez he regards Pellegrini as "the future Wenger".

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Kaka issued

Kabar mengejutkan datang dari San Siro. Playmaker jenius asal Brasil, Ricardo Kaka, dikabarkan siap dijual AC Milan. Ya, cerita transfer Kaka kembali bergulir. Usai menolak tawaran gila-gilaan klub Premier League Manchester City di awal tahun lalu, pemain tengah 27 tahun ini dinyatakan mulai dilirik kembali oleh Real Madrid.
Mantan presiden Madrid Florentino Perez diberitakan ingin memboyong Kaka sebagai bagian dari kampanye untuk menduduki kembali kursi presiden di Santiago Bernabeu. Media-media di Spanyol bahkan menyebut Kaka sudah membuat kesepakatan dengan Madrid.
Tapi, bukan kabar ketertarikan El Merengues yang menghebohkan publik sepakbola. Niatan presiden klub Silvio Berlusconi melepas Kaka lah yang patut diperhitungkan.
"Kali ini saya siap menjual Kaka," kata Berlusconi dilansir Il Giorno, Kamis (21/5/2009).
Pernyataan tersebut di atas semakin menguatkan saga kepindahan Kaka ke Spanyol. Sebelumnya, Berlusconi yang juga menjabat sebagai Perdana Menteri Italia melontarkan kekecewaannya terhadap kinerja pelatih Carlo Ancelotti yang gagal mempersembahkan scudetto.

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No congratulations from Benitez to Ferguson over Man Utd title win

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has failed to congratulate Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after the Red Devils won this year’s Premiership.

The duo have been involved in a bitter feud this season and Benitez could not bring himself to congratulate his counterpart, opting to say well done to the club instead.

"I will say congratulations to Manchester United. They have done well, but I do not want to say too much,” Benitez said.

"I prefer just to say well done to the club, a big club, a good club.

"Normally you have to be polite and respect the other manager. During the season we have seen a lot of things that I didn't like, so that's it.

"I say congratulations to United because they have won. And that's it."

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Moratti "hopes" Ibrahimovic wants Inter Milan stay

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti hopes they can convince Zlatan Ibrahimovic to carry on next season.

With Barcelona and Real Madrid circling, Moratti declared: "We need to understand his character, to accept his way of doing things that sometimes can create problems.

"I admire him as a player and as a person, because he is a serious professional. I hope he has the desire to continue to stay with us, because we have an important project."

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Barcelona boss Guardiola looking forward to Man Utd final

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola says he is looking forward to the Champions League final against title holders Manchester United.

The Catalan club scraped through to the final after winning on away goals against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but Guardiola is now looking forward and planning his preparation for Rome on May 27.

"Manchester are the champions, an unbelievable team and a coach with experience," he said.

"We are going to prepare well. I expect us to have the ball, them to stay back and to counter-attack.

"I'm sure it will be a nice final because we will attack, we know that. I know they are a huge team but we are Barcelona."

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Hiddink unsure about ‘conspiracy’ allegations after Chelsea loss

Chelsea boss Guus Hididnk said he is unsure if UEFA wanted a Barcelona v Manchester United final and believes conspiracy is too strong a word to use.

The Blues were controversially beaten in the semi-final of the Champions League due to some blatant refereeing errors prompting Hiddink to choose his words carefully during the after-match.

"Conspiracy is a very tough word and, if there is, you have to prove it,” he said.

"Obviously there is a lot written and said prior to this game. I can only mention what I see. I cannot say whether UEFA wouldn't like another English final.

"They (referees) are human as well and everyone can be influenced by certain singing around, that could be possible.

"These are all half accusations. It's difficult to have a right opinion about that.

"In big games like this you need top-notch referees who have had big experience," Hiddink added.

"The overall feeling was of injustice and I can understand fully the emotion of players.

"If you see three or four (incidents), that is the worst I have seen."

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Drogba right to criticise referees – Hiddink

Guus Hiddink has backed the reaction of striker Didier Drogba after the final whistle of Wednesday night’s controversial Champions League semi-final.

The Ivorian was furious at the end of the match which Chelsea lost in questionable circumstances, labelling the referee a disgrace to the television cameras on the pitch among other actions.

Hiddink said he can understand Drogba’s anger and would defend him where he could.

"Of course I can fully understand his reaction, he was full of emotion," Hiddink said.

"The moment he starts hitting, he is going somewhere he shouldn't go. I will protect him."

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Arsenal’s Bendtner regrets actions after CL loss to Man Utd

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner says he regrets his actions just hours after the club lost the Champions League semi-final to Manchester United.

The young Dane was photographed leaving a London nightclub at 4am on Wednesday morning with his pants down and belt undone.

He has since apologised for his behaviour and is looking to finish the season on a high with the Gunners.

"I love this club and was so disappointed to lose against Manchester United last night," Bendtner said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Reaching a Champions League final is one of my biggest dreams and getting knocked out was a massive blow. However, no matter how disappointed I was, it does not excuse my behaviour later in the evening.

"I may be young, but my actions were a poor error of judgment and something I deeply regret.

"I want to apologise to the club and the fans for letting them and myself down.

"I cannot change the past, but will learn from my mistakes.

"Tuesday night is behind me now and I want to use my energy to fully focus on our three remaining games this season - starting with Chelsea on Sunday."

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