..::Football II::..

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Barca, PSG & Man Utd bid for Marquinhos - agent

The representative of the Roma centre-back has told Brazilian media that his client has attracted offers from three top European sides this summer The agent Roma starlet Marquinhos has claimed Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United have bid for his client.

The defender, 19, impressed in Serie A last season, making 26 appearances in his debut season in Europe following a move from Corinthians in 2012.

With the three European giants chasing Marquinhos, the Brazilian's representative Roberto Calenda hinted that a deal could be reached this summer should the Giallorossi consider a bid to be to their liking.

"There are offers from PSG, Manchester United and Barcelona - Roma could accept one of them," Calenda is quoted as saying by Mundo Deportivo.

The capital-based Italian club have recently bolstered their defensive ranks with the purchase of Medhi Benatia from Udinese.

 

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Cavani: Ibrahimovic partnership a pleasure

The Uruguay striker says he is keen to play with the Sweden international after completing his reported €63m move to PSG from Napoli on Tuesday New Paris Saint-Germain signing Edinson Cavani has insisted that he is looking forward to linking up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the French capital this season following the completion of his €63 million transfer on a five-year deal.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis claimed that the Sweden international was not eager to play alongside the Uruguay striker and would seek a move away from the club this summer.

However, the Uruguayan striker claims that he is excited about playing alongside his star team-mate and competing with the Swede and Monaco's Radamel Falcao to be the best goalscorer in France.

"I know that Ibra's a world champion, it'll be a pleasure to play alongside him," the 26-year-old told reporters. "It's very good that he's with us. I hope to be able to form a good partnership with him.

"It's going to be hard [to be Ligue 1's top scorer next season] because we are three big strikers and our ambition is to score for the team.

"It will be very tight but very attractive to watch. I look forward to the competition. Hopefully we will be in good form and bring a lot of goals into Ligue 1.

"This project is very rich, very motivating, very ambitious. Honestly, I am a player who always wants to win. For me this is a club where many would like to play.

"PSG are among the top in the world and is one of the teams that can fight for the Champions League. That's why I made this decision."

The Parisiens president Nasser Al-Khelaifi also expressed a desire to see his two star strikers line up alongside each other but admitted that whether they play together frequently is up to new trainer Laurent Blanc.

"We bought Cavani to play with Zlatan, but the final decision rests with the coach," said the 39-year-old.

 

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Roma sign Maicon from Man City

The Brazilian defender, unwanted by Manuel Pellegrini, leaves the Etihad Stadium after less than a year at the club and returns to Italy with Rudi Garcia's side
Roma have confirmed that they have signed Maicon from Manchester City.

The Serie A side tweeted a picture of the defender training with the club, alongside the message: "Welcome aboard, Maicon!"

The 31-year-old joined City from Inter in August 2012 for a fee of around €3.5 million and made his debut in a 1-1 draw away to Stoke City.

However, he struggled with injury throughout the season and only made 11 appearances in all competitions for the Blues.

New Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini revealed that he had no plans to include the right-back in the upcoming season and reports in Italy suggest that City paid the Brazilian €2m to get him to leave.

Maicon established himself as one of the world's leading defenders during his time at Inter, where he scored 16 goals in 176 league appearances.

 

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Man City agree €25m Negredo deal

The Premier League runners-up make a breakthrough in their pursuit of the forward, with personal terms now set to be discussed, as they swoop for him and Stevan Jovetic.Manchester City have agreed a €25 million plus add-ons deal with Sevilla for striker Alvaro Negredo.

Terms between the clubs were ratified on Tuesday morning before the 27-year-old left the Spanish side's pre-season training camp in Costa Ballena. City officials are set to finalise personal terms with the forward in the next 24 hours.

Negredo, who was targeted by City after the Premier League side baulked at Napoli's €63m asking price for Edinson Cavani, as well as the Uruguayan's €287,000-a-week salary demands, is set to see his salary doubled to around €86,000-a-week.

Sevilla could receive a further €3m in performance-related bonuses on top of the €25m fee paid by City up front, after protracted talks between club officials reached an end.

City have forged a strong relationship with the Spanish outfit this summer following Jesus Navas's €22m move to the Etihad Stadium earlier in July and were given indications that an agreement was close after Sevilla confirmed the signing of Colombian Carlos Bacca from Club Brugge on Thursday.

Bacca will serve as Negredo's replacement under coach Unai Emery, who admitted on Saturday that Negredo was "likely to leave" the club.

The agreement to sign Negredo comes 24 hours after the €27m deal was agreed between City and Fiorentina for attacker Stevan Jovetic.

It is understood that an official announcement over both signings could from the club on Saturday or Sunday, with City's summer spending set to top £90m, following the signings of Navas and Shakhtar midfielder Fernandinho in June.

 

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Aubameyang: I feel like I'm at home

Borussia Dortmund's summer signing has been made to feel welcome at his new club after completing his €15 million move from Saint-Etienne
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says he feels at home after finalising his €15 million transfer from AS Saint-Etienne to Borussia Dortmund.

And it seems the striker is fitting in well at his new club both on and off the pitch, having already scored a goal against Bursaspor and struck the post against Basel during pre-season.

"It's not hard to understand world-class players," the 24-year-old told the club's official website. "You don't need to play with each other for years.

"I've been welcomed very warmly," he continued. "Everyone's very, very attentive, and I feel like [I'm] at home.

"[Moving to Germany] was an easy decision for me as Borussia Dortmund are a very, very, big club. Playing here will help me become a great player."

The Gabon international's speed has already excited members of the Ruhr giants' staff, after he ran 30 metres in 3.8 seconds; just shy of Usain Bolt's time over that distance in his 100 metre world-record run (3.78 seconds).

"Pierre is certainly one of the fastest players that has played here," sporting director Michael Zorc said.

Meawhile, BVB midfielder Sven Bender has urged his side to tighten up defensively next term, having conceded 42 goals last season - only five shy of the two prior campaigns combined.

"We don't have to change our game, but we need to optimise it," said the 24-year-old. "Being compact has always been our strength.

"If you concede fewer goals, you have to score fewer goals to win... That's why we need to focus on the defence and play with discipline. Then we have a chance of beating any team," he added.

 

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Carrick: Manchester United cannot afford slow start

The Red Devils midfielder warns that pre-season must be taken seriously in order to prepare for early Premier League tests against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has warned his team that they cannot afford a slow start to the Premier League season.

The reigning champions will have little time to find their feed under new manager David Moyes, the fixture list having thrown up league clashes with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City within the first month of the season.

The England international is therefore looking to focus on a strong pre-season to get them as ready as possible.

"This week, it's important because then we go on to quite a bit of flying after that," Carrick told the press as United prepare to take on an A-League All Stars team in Australia.
"It's huge, the start of the season we have. It's important we're ready for that, we can't afford a slow start this year, so these few weeks are vital for us."

Carrick also noted that Moyes's approach to training is quite different to that of Sir Alex Ferguson, with the 50-year-old Scot having a lot of input.

"The manager is hands-on in training," he observed. "He's a lot different to Sir Alex in that sense. [Ferguson] tended to take a step back and let the coaches deal with it, whereas David Moyes tends to be right in the thick of it, which is good. It creates an intensity and everyone has responded to that.

"The tour has been really good so far and there is a great atmosphere around the place," Carrick continued, in praise of the new boss. "The manager has brought that in. He's enthusiastic and energetic and intense with his work, and that's rubbed off on everyone.

"Training has been good and there is a huge focus and a good feel around the place. I'm looking forward to this week especially, it's a big week really [for] training, because without the flying this week we've got a bit of time to prepare and get the work in."

 

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Thiago: I've never seen another coach like Pep

Bayern Munich's summer signing has praised his new coach, who brought him to the Allianz Arena after the two worked together at Barcelona Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara says he has never played under another coach like Pep Guardiola.

The midfielder was reunited with the 42-year-old coach after completing a move from Barcelona, whom Guardiola led to three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies between 2008 and 2012.

The fee could rise to €25m, with the 22-year-old becoming the Bavarians' third signing of the summer, after Mario Gotze and Jan Kirchhoff.

"We all know what a coach Guardiola is," Thiago told reporters. "I played in the youth team under him, and I have not seen a comparable coach. He has always had a lot of trust in me and I have to thank him now.

"There are not many clubs at the level of Bayern Munich or Barcelona. It was not easy to move, I felt very good at Barcelona. But it is a marvellous new challenge.

"It's a beautiful city, especially now in the summer, the city bubbling with enthusiasm for football. Bayern is a great club with a long and successful history.

"I'm ready for next week's friendly against Barcelona. I am excited to see my old team-mates. They are all fine fellows and have all wished me the same thing: 'Good luck, success and all the best.'"

The playmaker also spoke about his new shirt, which will display 'Thiago' along with the No.6, but the Spain international joked that his full name is too long to fit on the jersey.

"[My] whole name just did not fit on the jersey, [and] besides, I've just always been called Thiago," he added.

Club CEO Karl-HeinzRummenigge also gave his take on Bayern's newest signing, for whom he has nothing but praise.

"He is a player that suits Bayern. He will keep the quality level high and is someone that suits our philosophy of buying young and talented players, just like [Mario] Gotze.

"It may be an advantage that he mastered Baca's system, but this was not the reason for his signing," he added.

 

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Sunderland sign Giaccherini from Juventus

The Black Cats have captured the 28-year-old Italy international for a reported €8 million fee on a four-year contract Sunderland have confirmed that they have completed the signing of Juventus midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini on a four-year deal.

The Italy international was a part of the Juventus side which has won successive Serie A titles in 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Howver, he has struggled to nail down a starting spot in Turin and decided to continue his career elsewhere, so will link up with fellow Italian Paolo Di Canio in England.

Giaccherini was also a part of Italy’s Confederations Cup squad, and netted in their 4-2 loss to Barzil and played his part in helping them finish third after beating Uruguay 3-2 on penalties in the third-place play-off match.

The midfielder has made a total of 14 appearances for his country netting twice and establishing himself as a regular member of Cesare Prandelli's squad.

The 28-year-old started his career at Cesena and has previously had spells on loan at Forli, Bellaria Igea and Pavia.

 

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Vilanova confirms Thiago Silva interest

The Barcelona boss is looking at several candidates to bolster his side's back line but hinted that it would be difficult to bring the PSG star to Camp Nou Tito Vilanova has confirmed he is looking to buy a centre-back during the summer transfer window, admitting he is looking at alternatives to prime target Thiago Silva.

The Paris Saint-Germain stopper confirmed his intention to see out his current deal at Parc des Princes despite interest from Barcelona, while Roma youngster Marquinhos has also been linked with a switch to Camp Nou.

Although sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta denied any official bid had been made for Marquinhos, both he and Vilanova hinted at further interest in the 19-year-old as a move for Thiago Silva appears to be stalling.

"The intention is to find a centre-back. I would like him [Thiago Silva] to come, but I have not given just one name. We want to sign a centre-back," Vilanova told a press conference on Tuesday.

Zubizarreta added: "We do not usually say which player we want, negotiations are not retransmitted. We intend to have the best squad possible. It's not true there's an offer [for Marquinhos], but he's an interesting player."

Vilanova went on to voice his dismay and Barcelona's defensive injury misfortunes last season, and hinted at disappointment in the performances of Alex Song, who was frequently asked to slot into the back four in the absence of Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano.

"We already talked in November and February [about replacements]," he continued. "[Seydou] Keita left and Song had to come. We thought he could fill the gap and did not count on the possibility of having so many injuries and so much bad luck. We will bring in a central defender, for sure."

The scarcity of options at the back allowed Masia graduate Marc Bartra to stake his claim for further first-team action next season, and Vilanova encouraged the youngster to seize any more chances that come his way.

"He will have to win the spotlight. It is the players who earn their minutes," the 44-year-old added.

 

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Vilanova: I expected more from Pep

The Barcelona boss has revealed his disappointment at the conduct of his former colleague at Camp Nou as he recovered from a cancer relapse in New York
Tito Vilanova has taken a swipe at Pep Guardiola, claiming he "expected more" from him during his recovery from surgery last season.

The Barcelona boss underwent treatment in New York for a cancer relapse towards the end of 2012, and although Guardiola visited him during his time in America, the 44-year-old has revealed he did not see his former Blaugrana colleague in the months after his surgery.

"When I was in New York, Pep visited me for two days," Vilanova told a press conference on Tuesday.

"He is my friend and I needed him and he was not there. But after the surgery and during the two months recovery period he did not visit me any more. I expected more from him. I would have acted differently."

Vilanova's illness has proved a source of tension between Barcelona and the current Bayern Munich boss in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, Guardiola accused Blaugrana president Sandro Rosell of using his old No.2's health problems to undermine him, prompting the club to hit back at the former Camp Nou favourite.

 

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Chelsea apologise over Ramires miscommunication

The Brazilian was not selected for the Confederations Cup after missing two friendlies last season, with the CBF President questioning his commitment
Chelsea have apologised to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) after a miscommunication cost Ramires a place in the Selecao squad for the Confederations Cup.The midfielder was not selected following his absence from two friendly matches against Russia and Italy last season.

CBF president Jose Maria Marin questioned Ramires' commitment to the national team, suggesting the 26-year-old was attending his wife's dinner party.But a Chelsea spokesman said: "Contrary to media reports, Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Ramires was not available to play for Brazil in friendly matches against Russia and Italy in March of this year due to injury.

"The left adductor muscle injury was confirmed following an MRI scan and he underwent treatment at Chelsea FC's medical department from March 17 to March 28.

"Throughout this time information was relayed to the Brazilian national team doctor in the usual way and the treatment was agreed between the club and national team.
"However, Chelsea FC would like to apologise that it was not made clear when Ramires would be able to report back to the national squad."

 

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Mourinho refuses to rule out further Chelsea signings

The new Blues boss remained coy over further acquisitions, with unsettled Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer Jose Mourinho has refused to rule out further signings this summer with unsettled Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney reportedly top of his shopping list.

Mourinho has already brought in Kevin De Bruyne, Marco van Ginkel and Andre Schurrle as well as Mark Schwarzer to add competition for Petr Cech.

And the returning Chelsea manager remained tight-lipped on potential transfers but would not rule out spending more money in his bid to transform the Blues into title challengers.

"Big clubs will always be connected with big players, but there are always rumours," Mourinho told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the Blues' friendly against the Singha All Stars on Wednesday.

"Until 31 August we will see if someone can improve the squad but my focus is to improve these guys.

"We want to be there [at the top of the table] and will be fighting [for the title]."

 

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Bayern will not become Barcelona, insists Robben

The Netherlands winger has stressed the European champions will continue to develop in their own particular style under their new coach Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben insists his side will not attempt to emulate Barcelona under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola.

The former Blaugrana boss took the reins at the Allianz Arena after Jupp Heynckes departed at the end of last season, with Guardiola spending €25 million to take Thiago Alcantara from Camp Nou earlier this week.

But Robben, 29, has made it clear the Bavarians will continue to improve in their own robust style, while stressing the need to ensure last season was not a one off.

"We have our own qualities," he told Sp!ts when asked whether they would look to copy Barcelona. "We have shown that we can win prizes our way. It's up to us to make the next step and become better."

Robben struck the winning goal in Bayern's 2-1 Champions League final triumph over Borussia Dortmund last term, completing an historic treble for the Bundesliga champions.

Bayern kick off the defence of their domestic crown at home to Borussia Monchengladach on August 9.

 

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Busquets signs new Barcelona deal

Director of football Andoni Zubizarreta confirmed the 25-year-old has extended his current contract until at least the end of 2017-18, with a €150 million buyout clause included Sergio Busquets has extended his current Barcelona contract, the club have confirmed.

The 25-year-old has penned fresh terms to keep him at Camp Nou until June 2018, with the option to extend the deal by a further year.

Director of football Andoni Zubizarreta confirmed the news in a press conference on Tuesday, adding that the Spain international's new contract would include a buyout clause of €150 million.

Busquets, who turns 25 on Tuesday, has made 238 apperances for Barcelona since making his senior debut in 2008.

 

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Congratulations Busquets!​

 

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Nani set for Manchester United stay

he Portugal international will be offered a lucrative contract extension at Old Trafford after manager David Moyes made clear that he regards the winger as central to his plans.David Moyes will keep hold of Nani at Manchester United after convincing the winger that his future lies at Old Trafford, Goal can reveal.

The 26-year-old has been told that the new manager regards him as central to his plans for United's first team and will underline that importance with a lucrative contract extension.

While the exact details of Nani's new deal have still to be clarified, the winger is said to be delighted with Moyes' commitment to offer him more playing time following an injury-hampered campaign in which he made just 10 Premier League appearances last term, the lowest total of his six seasons as a United player.

Nani was deeply frustrated with both his lack of playing time last season as well as what the wide man perceived as Sir Alex Ferguson's lack of trust in him, telling friends that he did not want to see out the final year of his Old Trafford contract.

Goal's special report back in March revealed that Nani was part of a group of players, including Antonio Valencia, Chicharito, Anderson and Anders Lindegaard, who then manager Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared to offload while Galatasaray were known admirers before giving up their pursuit after a failed £6 million bid.

Premier League rivals Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City all also explored the possibility of a move for Nani while the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Zenit, who were ready to invest €40m on a transfer a year ago only for United to refuse to sell, were also keen.

Convincing Nani to re-commit himself to United represents a major coup for new manager Moyes, albeit one that risks criticism after the former Sporting Lisbon star's turbulent 2012-13 campaign.

The winger was prevented from flying to Asia and Australia for the first leg of United's pre-season tour by the after-effects of a nose operation but he is due to begin training under Moyes this week.

 

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Manchester United stun Garay with €7m salary offer

Doubts over Nemanja Vidic's longevity and ongoing concerns over Chris Smalling's fitness have prompted Old Trafford chiefs to tempt the Argentina defender with mammoth offer.Manchester United have staggered the representatives of Benfica defender Ezequiel Garay after promising the Argentine star an annual salary of €7 million, Goal can reveal.

Old Trafford officials have held informal talks with those close to the 26-year-old centre-half over a contract worth €132k-a-week that would represent a significant rise on his current deal at the Portuguese club, with David Moyes keen to bolster his backline following a number of injuries to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic last season.

Reports claim that the Premier League champions are willing to pay up to €20m for the former Real Madrid star, but Goal understands that the clubs have not yet held formal talks over a potential transfer.

Garay, who joined Benfica in 2011 as part of the deal that took Fabio Coentrao to Madrid, has been a target for United since early in the year, with club scouts having monitored his progress as Benfica reached the Europa League final against Chelsea in May.

Concerns have mounted at United over the squad's strength in depth in the centre of defence, with Ferdinand and captain Vidic - who hasn't travelled on the club's pre-season tour due to suffering from sciatica, both having been hampered with injuries in recent years.

Meanwhile Chris Smalling, seen by many at the club as a long-term successor to Ferdinand, made only 15 league appearances for the champions last term, and also missed out on the club's trip to Asia and Australasia with an ongoing foot problem.

Garay, it is hoped by those at Carrington, could slot in seamlessly to United's central defensive roster, which also includes Jonny Evans and Phil Jones.

United's new chief executive Ed Woodward insisted that Moyes has the ability to sign a "stellar player" if required this summer on Sunday, and has sanctioned the financial package prepared for Garay, which is similar to that offered by the club to Thiago Alcantara prior to the midfielder joining Bayern Munich last week.

 

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Arteta: It's about time Arsenal splashed cash

The Spaniard believes the Gunners have fallen behind their rivals with a lack of spending in recent years, and hopes the pursuit of Luis Suarez heralds a change of approach Arsenal vice-captain Mikel Arteta has been buoyed by the club's attempts to lure Luis Suarez and says it is "about time" they splashed out.

The Gunners believe they are in with a chance of tempting Suarez south from Liverpool, despite the Uruguayan attacker's claims that he wants to leave England.
And Arteta, speaking in Vietnam where Arsenal will play the national team in a friendly on Wednesday, feels the fact his club is tabling a bid for such a talented player is a sign of a shift in their approach.

"The club have said they are going to be very ambitious in the market and have got the financial resources to get big players," Arteta said.

"I think it's about time. When you compare us to other top English clubs and the money they have paid, we are very far apart."Now, financially, they are very strong so maybe we will be more aggressive in the transfer market.

"Big signings create a good atmosphere and we need to do something because other teams are doing it and I think we will."Arteta said he is hopeful the club can convince Arsene Wenger to stay at the Emirates beyond the end of this season, when the manager's contract expires, saying the Frenchman was a large reason for his move from Everton two years ago.

"When you sign for Arsenal, you are absolutely signing for the manager as well," the Spaniard said."Everyone knows what a great manager he has been. He gives you a positive to make the decision to join the club.

"I don't think it will be any different for the new players who are arriving because he has got a big reputation and they want to try his philosophy. Any player will always improve under him."He is someone who has brought stability to this club. He has changed the way this club works.

"I don't know what's going to happen, that's a decision between him and the directors but the players are really happy with him and want to succeed with him."

 

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Tottenham & Aston Villa locked in talks over €23m Benteke deal

Paul Lambert's side are still demanding €29m for their wantaway forward, who is due to return to training on Thursday and wants a deal to go through this week.Tottenham are locked in talks with Aston Villa over a deal to take striker Christian Benteke to White Hart Lane.

The Belgian is keen for the transfer to go through this week and Spurs are hopeful of reaching a compromise agreement to prevent a summer transfer saga.

Villa want €29 million for Benteke, who scored 23 goals last season, while Spurs have indicated they are willing to offer around £15m after making an approach for the 22-year-old last week.

The Londoners will offer further incentives to take the value of their offer to around £20m, which they believe will be enough to land the former Genk man.

Benteke, who would triple his £20,000-a-week wages at Spurs, handed in a transfer request last week as he attempts to force through a move away from Villa Park.

He is due to return to training on Thursday after being left out of Villa’s pre-season trip to Germany and given extended time off by manager Paul Lambert.

Liverpool have also made an enquiry for Benteke while Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is considering an offer for the forward, who went on strike last summer to force through his €9m transfer from Genk.

Benteke is understood to have first indicated his preference to move to Spurs several months ago, with the north London club stepping up their interest after losing out to Atletico Madrid in the race to land David Villa.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas wants his squad for the new season in place early as he looks to mount a challenge for a top-four finish.

Brazil international midfielder Paulinho has arrived from Corinthians in a €20m deal while the club are also looking for a versatile winger, with FC Twente star Nacer Chadli a potential option.

 

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Luzern 1-4 Borussia Dortmund

Bayern Munich target Robert Lewandowski was among the scorers in Tuesday's pre-season victory for the Bundesliga runners up Borussia Dortmund continued their preparations for the new season as they breezed to a 4-1 victory over Luzern at the Swissporarena.

BVB, who will look to reclaim the Bundesliga title from rivals Bayern Munich in 2013-14, included new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan and forward Robert Lewandowski among their starters on Tuesday.And they made the perfect start to the match when forward Marvin Ducksch capitalised on a series of Luzern defensive errors to fire the away side ahead from Jonas Hoffman's delivery after nine minutes.

Lewandowski doubled the visitors' advantage soon after when he headed home a well-rehearsed set piece from Jannik Bandowski.Luzern threatened an unlikely comeback in the 38th minute when Dario Lezcano scored, but Mkhitaryan struck just before half-time to restore Dortmund's two-goal cushion.

And there was to be no let up in the second period as substitute Marco Reus converted a Nuri Sahin delivery just ten minutes after the re-start. The away side continued to press forward with Reus and new-boy Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both going close, but they were unable to find another goal.

It was another good work out for Dortmund, who had secured 3-1 and 4-1 victories over Basel and Bursaspor respectively in their previous pre-season fixtures.