Pep won't sign long-term deal

Pep Guardiola says he does not want to be tied down to a long-term contract at Barcelona because he needs to feel free to decide his future.

The 40-year-old was promoted from Barcelona's B team in June 2008 to replace Frank Rijkaard at the helm of the senior side.

Since then Guardiola has extended his contract with the reigning Spanish and European champions on a year-by-year basis, with his current deal due to expire next June.

Alexis Sanchez joins Barcelona from Udinese for £23m

Alexis Sanchez is set to join Barcelona from Udinese for a fee of £23m, which could rise as high as £33m.

The Chilean winger, who will undergo a medical on Monday, has signed a five-year deal with the La Liga and Champions League holders.

Sanchez, 22, was voted Serie A's best player last season having scored 12 times in 31 games.

Sanchez, who has 40 caps for Chile, signed for Udinese in 2006 from Chilean side Cobreloa.

Udinese confirm Barcelona deal for Sanchez

The Serie A outfit have finalised a deal with the European champions for the Chile international, with an official announcement to be made in the coming days.

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Udinese over the signing of Alexis Sanchez, according to Gino Pozzo, the son of Udinese club owner Giampaolo Pozzo.

Speaking with Spanish radio station RAC1 upon his arrival on Wednesday at Barcelona's El Prat airport, Pozzo stated that "the agreement with Barcelona for Alexis Sanchez is complete."

The Chilean, who has finished international duty with his country in the 2011 Copa America, is expected to join Barca's pre-season training camp once the deal is officially rubber-stamped.

David Beckham: "I'll prove I'm still the Real deal"

Becks and his LA Galaxy team-mates are gearing up for the World Football Challenge in the States, which also features Premier League champions Manchester United.

And the England international is looking forward to proving he can still cut it among the best players in the world.

Beckham, who starred for Madrid from 2003 to 2007, said: "I spent four amazing years at Real Madrid.

"To go from a club like Manchester United to Real Madrid, it really doesn't get much better than that in football.

"I've got many friends still there. To be facing Real Madrid for the first time since I left is emotional.

"You get attached to the club, you get attached to the people.

10 reasons why you should watch the 2011 Copa America

Showcasing the very best of South American football, the Copa America is a true festival of what has been dubbed 'The Beautiful Game'. This July, 12 teams will fight for the right to be crowned continental champions, over 28 hard-fought games finishing with the final in River Plate's legendary Estadio Monumental.

Despite the presence of some of the world's best teams, however, audiences outside of the Americas have often held a rather blasé approach to the Copa America. Of course, time differences play a big part in this; for example, Friday's opening match kicks off in La Plata at 01:50 BST, discouraging all but the most fervent fans of South American fútbol.

There have also been issues in the past with finding the games on television, and requiring cable or satellite packages to access the exciting matches on show. For those willing to burn the midnight oil and tune in though, the rewards and excitement could make the late nights more than worth it. Goal.com presents the top 10 reasons to watch this year's Copa America...

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.

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.

Fab set to snub Utd for Real move

MANCHESTER UNITED look set to miss out to Real Madrid in the race to sign £26million-rated Benfica star Fabio Coentrao.

The left-sided Portugal international has been linked with the Red Devils, Real and Barcelona but admits his preferred destination would be the Bernabeu.

Messi plays down final heroics

Lionel Messi played down his magical Champions League final performance after helping Barcelona cement their status as the greatest team of their era against Manchester United at Wembley.

Messi continued his march towards the pantheon of all-time greats with a mesmeric display on the biggest club stage of them all as Barca romped to a 3-1 victory that gave them their fourth European Cup and third in six years. The Argentina star scored a stunning solo goal and was named man of the match.

Ferdinand: We can deal with Messi

Former England captain hails the departing Van der Sar but insists he is not thinking about his own future just yet, and also reveals he would have Ronaldo in his team before Messi

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is confident that his side can handle the threat of Barcelona star Lionel Messi in Saturday's Champions League final at Wembley.

Manchester United will sign Atletico Madrid's David De Gea

Spanish goalkeeper set to arrive at Old Trafford to replace Edwin van der Sar, who will retire after Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona.

Edwin van der Sar will retire after his side’s Champions League final against Barcelona on Saturday and Ferguson, who was speaking after Gary Neville’s testimonial, revealed the 20-year-old is on his way to replace the Dutchman.

Real Madrid confirm Sahin signing

Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin.

The 22-year-old Turkey international has agreed a six-year deal with the Spanish giants after helping Dortmund land this season's Bundesliga title.

Sahin becomes Jose Mourinho's first signing for the 2011/12 campaign as Madrid contemplate missing out on the La Liga crown to Barcelona once again.

Will Tidey - Lionel Messi unlocks the door to greatness

Despite his undisputed genius, there was still a question mark over Lionel Messi's pedigree for greatness ahead of last night's Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.

Messi might be a twice world footballer of the year, and still only 23 years old, but was his mesmeric talent applying itself when it really mattered?

The little maestro had scored a record 50 times for Barcelona this season before he stepped on the field, but not once in six previous matches at this stage of Europe's biggest club competition.

Gareth Lowe: Are Barcelona really 'more than a club'?

Recently, more than ever before, Barcelona's claims of being "more than a club" have come under close scrutiny. A club that for over 100 years bore no sponsor on the front of their shirt, a club that donates unprecedented amounts to charity and a club that acts as a standard bearer for the region of Catalonia.

The one club who have more grounds on which to dispute those claims than anybody else, is Arsenal. If anybody has ever been given a reason to dislike Barcelona, it's the north Londoners.

Their public pursuit of captain Cesc Fabregas ruffled the feathers of the Gunners, before consecutive Champions League exits at the Camp Nou, marred with controversy despite clear Catalan dominance in both second-legs, have added to the suffering that Barcelona have caused Arsenal in recent years.

Can Arsenal really beat Barcelona?

Arsenal will be looking for sweet revenge tonight as they take on the one team in the world that plays football just that little bit prettier than they do. The Gunners have matured and have surprised many this season, but have they improved enough to beat the Spanish champions Barcelona?

History tells us that the great Catalan club are beatable, but also that clubs must adjust their tactics and play to their best to be in with a chance of winning. Football.co.uk's Jamie Clarke ponders some of the ways in which Arsene Wenger might approach tonight's clash at the Emirates.

Barcelona wait on Fabregas

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is still hoping to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas despite the club's failed attempt to bring in the Catalan midfielder last summer.

Former Barca president Joan Laporta was frustrated in his plans to sign Fabregas before stepping down last year, and Rosell was also unable to recruit the midfielder - who was a youth player at the Catalan club - upon taking over in July.

"Will we sign Cesc this summer? I'll tell you in June," the Barca president told reporters at an event in Arenys de Mar on Saturday morning.