Nani happy at 'world's best club'

Manchester United winger Nani has dismissed talk of a move to Barcelona by insisting that he is currently playing for the best club in the world.

There has been growing speculation about Nani's future at Old Trafford following the arrival of Ashley Young, but the Portugal international has already stressed his determination to fight for his place.

More recent reports had claimed Barca could make a move for Nani, but the Portugal international insists there is no question that he could move on.

Onyewu joins Sporting CP

US international defender Oguchi Onyewu has signed a three-year contract with Portuguese giants Sporting CP, ending his difficult two-season spell with Italian champions AC Milan.

The club confirmed the deal to YA.

"Oguchi Onyewu is the latest reinforcement of Sporting," the team announced through their website. "The American central defender has signed a contract with the Lions for the next three seasons."

The two-time World Cup veteran for the US originally signed with Italian team AC Milan in the summer of 2009, however injuries and coaching changes limited the Washington DC native to only a single appearance.

Bruce turns attention to Gardner

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was on Wednesday night working to tie up a move for midfielder Craig Gardner after landing teenage striker Connor Wickham.

The Black Cats quickly put their delight at seeing off the competition to snatch the 18-year-old Ipswich frontman in an £8million swoop on Wednesday to one side to concentrate on a man they hope will be one of his team-mates next season.

Birmingham's Gardner was also on Wearside for talks with Bruce keen to tie him up as quickly as possible as he closed in on a fifth summer signing following in the wake of Ahmed Elmohamady, Wickham and Bosman free transfers Keiren Westwood and Sebastian Larsson, who will formally complete their moves on Friday.

Official: Real Madrid announce signing of Lens' Raphael Varane

Real Madrid have announced they have completed the signing of RC Lens defender Raphael Varane for an undisclosed fee.

The France Under-21 international passed a medical with Real Madrid earlier on Monday and has penned a contract until 2017 with the club.

Varane, who made his professional debut for Lens only last year, has established himself as one of France's most promising youth players despite his club being relegated to Ligue 2.

Upon arriving at the Spanish capital's airport, Varane said he was 'very happy' to sign for Real Madrid, who finished second in La Liga last season.

Gardner deal to be done in 24 hours

Craig Gardner is set to end his 18-month spell with Birmingham in the next 24 hours and complete a £5million move to Sunderland, Press Association Sport understands.

Birmingham fan Gardner admitted it was "a dream come true" when he made the move from local rivals Aston Villa to St Andrew's during the January 2010 transfer window in a £3million deal. He celebrated by finishing as leading scorer with 10 goals in his only full campaign at Blues and helped them lift the Carling Cup.

Hughton a top appointment for Birmingham

The appointment of Chris Hughton as the new Birmingham boss is probably the wisest appointment the Blues board could have made.

The former-Newcastle boss had been linked with lots of vacant positions in recent months and has now finally landed a big job.

Asked if promotion was his ambition he told Sky News: “Yes, (my remit is to get the club promoted). We know it will be a tough task. I hope I can do it.

Official: Inter appoint Gian Piero Gasperini as new coach

Inter have announced that Gian Piero Gasperini is new coach after the 53-year-old signed a two-year deal, the club said via a statement on Friday.

After plenty of speculation surrounding who would come in, a note on the club's official website reads:

"Gian Piero Gasperini is the new Inter coach. The official announcement will arrive once all the bureaucratic formalities are completed. Once this happens, the date of his unveiling to the press will be revealed.

Mourinho Tactical Board ganha actualização na próxima semana

O software chama-se Mourinho Tactical Board e foi desenvolvido pela tecnológica portuguesa Forward Green para o treinador José Mourinho, mas actualmente já é usado por profissionais desta área em cerca de 160 países, em "praticamente todo o mundo".

O balanço é feito por Pedro Araújo, director da empresa, que lançou a primeira versão deste quadro táctico digital a 16 de Abril. Depois de ter alargado o leque de plataformas para as quais a aplicação se encontra disponível, a empresa prepara-se agora para acrescentar-lhe funcionalidades com o lançamento de uma actualização, na próxima semana.

Chelsea confirm Villas-Boas deal

Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of former Porto coach Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager.

The 33-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Stamford Bridge club after resigning from his post with Porto on Tuesday.

A statement on the Chelsea website read: "Andre was the outstanding candidate for the job. He is one of the most talented young managers in football today and has already achieved much in a relatively short space of time."

Source

Celtic boss Neil Lennon to sign improved contract

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is expected to put pen to paper on a new contract by the end of the week.

Lennon has been on a six-month rolling deal since becoming permanent manager last summer, having been caretaker boss for the end of season 2009/10.

His representatives have been locked in talks with the club and a deal has now been agreed in principle.

Reports: Porto boss set for Chelsea

Managerless Chelsea have agreed to pay the release clause for Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas, according to reports in Portugal.

The west London club are looking to fill the vacancy created by the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season and speculation suggests they have targeted Villas-Boas, who led Porto to the domestic double and Europa League success last term.

Real Madrid join Raphael Varane hunt

Real Madrid are considering making a move for Lens defender Raphael Varane, who has been linked with a €10.5 million move to Manchester United.

L'Equipe reports that the Spanish giants will use Zinedine Zidane's French connections to lure the 18-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Champions start at West Brom

Manchester United will start their defence of their Barclays Premier League title with a trip to West Brom.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men are at The Hawthorns on August 13, with their next two games at Old Trafford against Tottenham and Arsenal. The champions round off the campaign on May 13 with a match at Sunderland.

Ray Wilkins: Sturridge can be 'exceptional talent'

Daniel Sturridge has been tipped to become one of the Premier League's most potent strikers by former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins.

Sturridge led the line for England in their opening European Under-21 Championship match against Spain on Sunday. Strike partner Danny Welbeck scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw, but Sturridge showed plenty of class at the top end of the pitch.

Real Madrid looks to speed up Coentrão deal

Real Madrid will finalise a deal with Benfica for left-back Fabio Coentrao in the next few days, Spanish news daily Marca claims.

The Spanish giants have been strongly linked with Coentrao since the end of last season, with the player himself making no secret of his wish to work under compatriot Jose Mourinho.

GPS de táctica com selo especial

"Não é por acaso que José Mourinho é o melhor treinador do Mundo." A sentença é de Luís Campos, agora menos próximo dos bancos, mas com uma experiência acumulada que lhe permitiu ser o elo de ligação entre o técnico do Real Madrid e a equipa informática que desenvolveu a aplicação inovadora.

O Special One sentiu necessidade de "criar uma ferramenta que permitisse, de forma rápida, visualizar de forma parcial ou global o trabalho realizado no treino e possíveis alterações em jogo", explica Luís Campos. Foi assim que o processo de elaboração do Mourinho Tactical Board (MTB) tomou forma, dando origem, após meses de árduo trabalho, a um programa que apenas pode ser adquirido por download facilmente localizável através do Google.

Official: Miroslav Klose signs two-year deal with Lazio

Experienced attacker Miroslav Klose has joined Serie A outfit Lazio on a two-year deal after passing his medical, the Italian side have confirmed on their official website.

The capital club were eager to add some more depth to their front line ahead of the 2011-12 campaign in order to be ready to compete in three competitions following their Europa League qualification, and head coach Edy Reja now has his desired reinforcement in the form of the German international.

USA 2-0 Canada: Altidore & Dempsey on target

The USA claimed first place in Gold Cup Group C on Tuesday following their 2-0 win against Canada.

On home soil in Detroit, the Stars and Stripes managed to have long spells in possession, but their opportunities on goal were limited. The USA nonetheless took the lead on 15 minutes as Jozy Altidore ran onto Landon Donovan's through ball and fired a low drive that slipped under Lars Hirschfeld's arms and into the net.

Reds agree Henderson deal

Liverpool have finally made the breakthrough in their £20million move for Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Press Association Sport understands the deal, which would see striker David Ngog travelling in the opposite direction, has been completed subject to medicals for both players on Wednesday.

The news comes after days of frenzied speculation, with the Reds seemingly determined to get their hands on Henderson before he heads off with the England Under-21s squad for the European Championships in Denmark on Wednesday.

Jol is the new Fulham boss

The former Tottenham boss, 55, replaces Mark Hughes who resigned last Thursday after one season at the helm. Jol has agreed an initial two-year deal at Craven Cottage with the option of a further 12 months. He said: "I am very happy to join Fulham Football Club, a wonderful traditional club.

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

Liverpool and Sunderland hold Jordan Henderson talks

Liverpool continue to hold talks with Sunderland over the transfer of Black Cats midfielder Jordan Henderson.

The Anfield club hope a deal can be finalised before the 20-year-old leaves with England's Under-21 squad.

Stuart Pearce's side leave for the European Championships in Denmark on Wednesday.

Newcastle make move for Taylor

Newcastle have made an undisclosed bid for Swansea left-back Neil Taylor.

The 22-year-old Wales international made 30 league appearances last season - including 26 starts - as the Welsh club clinched promotion to the Barclays Premier League via the npower Championship play-offs.

"We have received a proposal from Newcastle regarding Neil," Swans chairman Huw Jenkins told www.swanseacity.net. "But the proposal has not been accepted or rejected at this stage."

Jose Mourinho is the world's best coach - Real Madrid president Florentino Perez

Perez reinforces faith in 'Special One' and promises next season will bring more success in terms of silverware.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists José Mourinho is the best coach in the world and is certain that the capital city club are destined for big things next season.

Perez was eager to reiterate his faith in the 'Special One' in front of 5000 club members who visited Valdebebas for a tour of Madrid's training facilities.

Crouch committed to England

Peter Crouch remains committed to England despite starting only one international during the past 13 months, it is understood.

Tottenham striker Crouch was reported to be ready to walk away from England while Fabio Capello remained as head coach after not being named among the substitutes for Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland.

Official: Antonio Conte appointed new Juventus coach

Juventus have confirmed Antonio Conte will be their coach for the next two years after the 41-year-old signed a contract in Turin on Tuesday afternoon.

A statement on the club's official website reads:

"Antonio Conte has returned to Juventus. This time to lead them not from the pitch, but from the bench. He is the new coach. Conte has signed a two-year contract that will tie him to the Bianconeri until June 30, 2013."

Michael Mancienne signs for Hamburg from Chelsea

The 23-year-old will join his new team-mates after competing for England at the European Under-21 Championship.

Londoner Mancienne has had limited chances at Chelsea but he now joins Blues former technical director Frank Arnesen at the German club.

"Hamburg are a big club with a lot of tradition and some fantastic fans," Mancienne said.

Young eyes Champions League

Ashley Young has set his sights on starring in the Champions League one day.

With Wayne Rooney suspended and Liverpool duo Steven Gerrard and Andy Carroll both missing through injury, Young looks certain to start England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland at Wembley on Saturday.

It would represent another high spot in an excellent year for Young, which has not gone unnoticed away from Villa Park. "I have never doubted my ability. There will always be people who do and everybody is entitled to their opinion. But my opinion is that I can play in the biggest and best competitions," said Young.