London:Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson Thursday rejected reports that Dutch star Wesley Sneijder was moving to Old Trafford from Italian club Inter Milan. The Italian media was abuzz that a deal will be sealed once the wage terms were agreed upon. Ferguson, however, rejected the reports saying Inter are not interested in selling Sneijder. “I keep reading about this, there’s absolutely nothing at all to that (reports of United’s interest in the player). First of all I don’t think Inter are prepared to sell him anyway,” Ferguson was quoted as saying by ESPN Soccernet Press Pass. The Guardian reported that despite Ferguson’s denial, United chief executive David Gill is reported to have been in contact with parties close to Sneijder, and to have received assurances that the player would be open to a move. (IANS)
Adebayor waiting for Real Madrid call
MADRID: Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor is waiting for Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho to call so he can return to the club where he had a successful loan spell last season and has ruled out moving anywhere else. The Togo international told Thursday’s Spanish sports daily as he would “get on the first plane to Los Angeles” where the Spanish club are on the opening leg of a pre-season tour. “I am not interested in looking for any other move that is not going back to Real Madrid,” said the 27-year-old, who slipped down the pecking order at City after they signed Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko in the January transfer window. “I am waiting for his (Mourinho’s) call and I hope it comes. If it was up to me I would play three or four years for Madrid and then retire in the white shirt.” (Agencies)
England’s Baldini set for Roma move
LONDON: England general manager Franco Baldini is to join Roma at the end of England’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, the Football Association (FA) announced Thursday. A long-time associated of England boss Fabio Capello, Baldini is regarded as the best English speaker among the Italian regime overseeing the England team. As such, Baldini has acted as a conduit between Capello and his players but he has also long been linked with a move to Serie A side Roma. “Franco has been given a good opportunity by Roma but I am happy he will stay with me and the England team until after the qualification programme,” Capello said. (Agencies)