..::Football III::..

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Icardi: Why I fell out with Osvaldo

Mauro Icardi has revealed his on-field argument with Pablo Osvaldo in Inter's 1-1 draw with Juventus was prompted by his failure to pass the ball to his team-mate.

The pair almost came to blows in Turin on Tuesday night, where the Argentine struck in the second half to earn a point for his side, before opting to shoot rather than square for his fellow striker as he stood unmarked inside the box late on.

Osvaldo reacted by running over to his strike partner and launching a volley of verbal abuse in his face and after the game Icardi confessed he should have gone for the unselfish option.

"I got it wrong as I should have passed to Osvaldo, but I saw a gap," he told reporters.

"These things happen out on the field and then everything is ok. But I was wrong, I had to pass it to him in hindsight. But we must stick together and fight and see where we are at the end of the season."

The episode is the latest in a number of high-profile incidents that have marred Icardi's time in Italy.

The 21-year-old had an affair with former team-mate Maxi Lopez's then wife, Wanda Naira, while his conduct on social media has often come under-fire.

But the player insists he wants to remain in Milan, adding: "I always say that I want to stay here. My agent says it and so do the club. There is nothing more to add."

Tuesday night's draw continues Inter's resurgence under new boss Roberto Mancini, with the club unbeaten in their last four games and sat in 11th place in Serie A on 22 points.

 

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Alex Song retires from Cameroon duty

Alex Song has announced his retirement from international football.

The 27-year-old, who is on loan at West Ham from Barcelona, made his debut for Cameroon in 2005, making 47 appearances for his country and representing them at two Africa Cups of Nations and two World Cups.

However, he was left out of their initial squad for the upcoming Afcon tournament and he has now decided to end his international career following reports that he could yet be called up.

"Since the World Cup in the summer and my subsequent exclusion from the Cameroon squad for the African Cup of Nations I have taken the decision to retire from International football," he wrote on his Instagram account.

"It is true that there were some discussions of late to include me in the squad for this tournament but I feel after a lot of careful thought and numerous discussions with my family this is the right decision.

"My love for my country will never change but I want to take time to focus purely on domestic football and start to rebuild my career at West Ham United.

"I wish Cameroon all the best and the team will always be in my heart."

Song, whose cousin Rigobert made 137 Cameroon appearances, represented France at Under-16 level but switched his allegiance to the country of his birth for the U-17s.

Cameroon have been drawn alongside Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Guinea for the Equatorial Guinea tournament, which kicks off on January 17.

 

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Everton defeat would have been 'a crime' - Martinez

Everton manager Roberto Martinez feels it would have been "a crime" had his side lost to West Ham following their 1-1 FA Cup third-round draw.

James Collins gave the visitors the lead in the 56th minute at Goodison Park, the centre-back heading in from Morgan Amalfitano's corner, only for Romelu Lukaku to fire home an injury-time equaliser.

Martinez believes the result - which saw Everton end a four-game losing streak - was just reward for a strong display of character.

"It would have been a crime if we had been out of the cup," the Spaniard told BT Sport.

"I am pleased with the character and the reaction we showed. We are low on confidence, but it was a phenomenal reaction and it could easily be a turning point.

"The character we showed, when we're not in a great mood at the moment, was of huge satisfaction. The replay was a huge reward and we look forward to that. The late equaliser could be a turning point."

The two sides will meet again on January 13, with the winners facing a trip to Doncaster Rovers or Bristol City in round four, but Sam Allardyce bemoaned West Ham's inability to see out the win."We could have done an awful lot better. We got a bit desperate and instead of defending properly we let Bryan Oviedo in and he is very lucky with the cross," Allardyce told BT Sport.

"It ends up with Romelu Lukaku," Allardyce told BT Sport. "But we could have done better and defended like we've been defending. It is very disappointing when it is so late in the game."It is never an easy place to come but we were more than a match for Everton. We've had our pocket picked. We are disappointed to lose a goal in injury-time.

"I'm satisfied with the overall effort of the players, but if you don't punish your opponents when you have the chance it comes back to bite you. "We're still in the hat for the fourth round and now we will have to finish the job at home."

 

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'Gomez has lost his way' - Montella

Mario Gomez has "lost his way" according to Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella after the striker missed a penalty in the 1-0 defeat away to Parma on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old has just one goal to his name in 13 appearances this season in all competitions, with his coach admitting the former Bayern Munich man is going through a troubling spell.

He said after the game: "Gomez? We are commenting on the usual things and unfortunately a mistake can happen. We have faith and will support him. He’s a player who has lost his way and needs to find himself in front of goal.”

Gomez's struggles are one of a number of problems facing Montella's Fiorentina, who sit in a disappointing ninth place after the first round of league fixtures in 2015.

First choice oalkeeper Neto has announced his decision not to renew his current deal, which expires in the summer, and as a result he was left out of Tuesday's loss.

That move looks set to be a permanent one by Montella, with Ciprian Tatarusanu preferred between the posts at the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

“My evaluation was global. Neto wasn’t focused and that was inevitable in the circumstances. He remains a great goalkeeper, but at this moment I thought Tatarusanu was more reliable.

“Is this a definitive decision? I think this is the route we are taking, yes. Making his refusal to sign a new contract official took away that calm and concentration from Neto. There are other players whose contracts are up for renewal and they are playing without problems.”

 

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Gerrard: I would have signed new Liverpool deal

Steven Gerrard has admitted that he would have signed a new contract with Liverpool if one was offered during the summer.

The 34-year-old confirmed on Friday that he will not renew his contract and will leave at the end of the season, with the star set to head to Major League Soccer, where LA Galaxy have been widely tipped to be his next club.

Gerrard will bring to a close a 26-year-old association with his boyhood club in June, prompting many to pay tribute to his achievements, but the 34-year-old has now admitted he would have recommitted.

"Yes, if a contract had been put in front of me in pre-season I would have signed it," he told Liverpool Echo.

"I'd just retired from England to concentrate all my efforts on Liverpool. My injury record had been fantastic for the past two-and-a-half years and I had a great season from a personal point of view last season.

"It's all ifs, buts and hindsight now. That period between the summer and the end of November gave me thinking time. There's no blame and I'm not angry about it. The club had other things to worry about.

"Liverpool have been unbelievable for me since I was eight-years-old. This club has helped me fulfil my dreams over and over again. The memories and experiences I've had I wouldn't swap for anything."

Gerrard, though, has hinted at returning to Liverpool following his summer exit, adding: "I enjoy a very strong relationship with Liverpool and I don't see that coming to an end. I hope to serve the club again one day."

 

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Ancelotti wary of Torres impact in Madrid derby

Carlo Ancelotti is wary of the potential threat posed by Fernando Torres when Real Madrid take on city rivals Atletico in the first leg of their last-16 Copa del Rey tie on Wednesday night.

The striker made a sensational return to the Vicente Calderon on Sunday, when he was paraded in front of 45,000 supporters inside the stadium.

He departed the club seven years ago for Liverpool but is back on an 18-month loan deal following unsuccessful spells at Chelsea and AC Milan.

Torres is set to be thrust straight into the thick of the action as Atleti boss Diego Simeone looks to captialise on the feel-good factor surrounding the deal, and Ancelotti has noted the possible danger he could bring.

"Without playing, Torres has already brought excitement," the Italian told reporters on Tuesday. "He has received affection.Torres experience and in this environment playing for his old club he will have extra motivation."

In the first meeting between the two sides in La Liga earlier this season it was Atletico who ran out 2-1 winners at the Bernabeu and Ancelotti praised Simeone's side as one of the best in Europe.

"We know them very well. We have played many times and will play them again this season. They are a tough team because they have great organisation. We have always tried to do our best to win. They are one of the best teams in Europe."

 

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Klopp: I'm super-charged to save Dortmund

Jurgen Klopp has insisted his "batteries are full" and that he is super-charged to save Borussia Dortmund from a shock relegation in 2014-15.

The Signal Iduna Park club are two points adrift from safety in the Bundesliga, placed just one place off the bottom, while the only team that finished above them last season, Bayern Munich have triple BVB's tally of 15 points.

Although progress to the last 16 of the Champions League was secured by claiming top spot in Group D, Dortmund's domestic form has been abysmal as they have won just four of their opening 17 matches.

Following the break from action, Dortmund returned to training on Tuesday before they travel to La Manga in Spain as further preparation for their first game back at Bayer Leverkusen on January 31.

"My batteries are full!" Klopp told reporters. "I am full of anticipation."We have a huge schedule in front of us and we want to start the second half of the season in a good, positive mood."Striker Adrian Ramos continues to struggle with a thigh problem but will head to Spain to train with the squad, while Erik Durm, Neven Subotic and Ciro Immobile missed Tuesday's session due to illness.

Klopp will have to contend without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Gabon, as well as Shinji Kagawa and goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak, who are to take part in the Asian Cup for Japan and Australia respectively.

 

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Manchester City open talks for €38m-rated Bony

Manchester City have opened talks over a €38 million move for Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony.

The Premier League champions are yet to make a formal offer for Bony but have held advanced discussions and are ready to test the Swans' resolve to keep their star striker in January.

Swansea will demand €38m for Bony, although City are reluctant to pay more than €32m on the Ivorian, with their spending power restricted by financial fair play constraints.

Liverpool and Tottenham are huge admirers of the 26-year-old but City have now emerged as favourites for his signature as Manuel Pellegrini looks to bolster his striker options.

Pellegrini's attack has been hampered by injuries to strikers Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic this season and the Chilean now wants Bony to boost City's chances of retaining their league title and competing in the Champions League.

Bony was the top scorer in the Premier League in 2014 with 20 goals and only signed a new contract with Swansea in November, which removed a release clause that existed in his old contract.

The Ivorian is currently away preparing to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations and would not be available to play for City until the end of the month.

Bony joined Swansea from Vitesse Arnhem for a club-record €15m in 2013 and has scored 35 goals in 70 appearances in all competitions for the Welsh side.

 

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Bony niyamai​

 

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Burnley want permanent deal for Man Utd starlet Keane

Burnley manager Sean Dyche is planning talks with Manchester United officials over a permanent transfer for defender Michael Keane.

An injury to Michael Duff in November handed Keane - who moved to Turf Moor initially on loan until January - a chance to hold down a regular first-team place at Burnley and the 21-year-old has impressed at the heart of defence.

Keane has been restricted to just five appearances for United, with the majority of his career spent out on loan at clubs like Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City, and Dyche is keen to keep hold of the England Under-21s international if a deal can be reached.

"We will wait and see and have a discussion with him and Manchester United," Dyche told the press. "It's been ongoing since he came here."

Meanwhile, Burnley have handed fellow defender Kevin Long a new contract until June 2017.

Long made his first Premier League appearance in the 3-3 draw at Newcastle on New Year's Day when injury forced off captain Jason Shackell, only for his own afternoon to be cruelly curtailed 20 minutes after his introduction due to a cruciate knee problem.

The 24-year-old has been ruled out for the season but his long-term future is secure as he starts on his gruelling road to recovery.

 

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Confirmed: Torres will start versus Real Madrid

Fernando Torres will make his Atletico Madrid return in their starting line-up against Real Madrid on Wednesday, Diego Simeone confirmed.

The 30-year-old striker returned to the Vicente Calderon on loan this month, with Rojiblancos flop Alessio Cerci taking his place at AC Milan, having left for Liverpool in 2007.

An unsuccessful spell at Chelsea followed and he attempted to revive his career at San Siro this season but failed, triggering Atletico to swoop and bring him back to La Liga.

It will be in the Copa del Rey, however, that Torres makes his comeback for the club he captained in his youth as Atletico take on Carlo Ancelotti's reigning cup champions in the last 16 first leg on home soil.

"Tomorrow Torres will start," Simeone, who pushed for the Spain international's signing personally, told reporters on Tuesday. "His footballing qualities are what we need. He has fit in well. I'm happy with his arrival."

Real Madrid might have been beaten on Sunday by Valencia - the first time they have not won since Atletico defeated them in La Liga last September - but Simeone thinks the team which eliminated them from the Copa del Rey last year are as big a threat as ever.

"The Blancos are still in fine shape, they come into this match having just won the Club World Cup last month," the Argentine coach added. "They're a huge rival with a great coach. We will try to make a great game - not with words, but with deeds."

Atletico have a huge nine days coming up: after they host Real Madrid on Wednesday, they are set for a visit to second-placed Barcelona in La Liga before going to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg of their Copa del Rey knockout clash.

 

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Official: Chelsea keeper Schwarzer completes Leicester City switch

Premier League strugglers Leicester City have completed the signing of veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer from Chelsea.

The 42-year-old has penned a deal at the Midlands club until June 2016 as manager Nigel Pearson has opted to add a player with plenty of top-flight experience to his squad with rock-bottom Leicester battling against relegation.

Schwarzer has made over 600 appearances in a career that has included spells at Middlesbrough and Fulham.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho confirmed at the weekend that Schwarzer was set to leave Stamford Bridge and he was full of praise for the former Australia international, who had been with the league leaders since July 2013 to provide cover for the likes of Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois.

"On behalf of myself, my staff and my players I want to say we are going to miss the big guy. We wish him all the best in his new life at Leicester," said Mourinho to reporters following Chelsea's FA Cup win over Watford.

With first-choice Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel sidelined with a broken metatarsal, Schwarzer will challenge Ben Hamer for a place in Pearson's starting XI.

Leicester, who beat Newcastle 1-0 in the FA Cup last time out, host Aston Villa in the league on Saturday.

 

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Official: Zarate joins QPR on loan

QPR have completed the loan signing of West Ham's out-of-favour striker Mauro Zarate.

The 27-year-old, who only moved to Upton Park in the summer, will stay with the Rs until the end of the season.

"I need this. I need to play and Queens Park Rangers gave me the chance to show what I can do," he told the club's official website.

"It's very difficult when you don't play. The last year I played every game in Argentina so coming to West Ham and not playing was very bad for me and very bad for my career, so I decided to come to QPR to play."

Zarate has made five starts for West Ham in the Premier League, along with two further substitute appearances, and scored two goals.

Crystal Palace and Southampton were among the teams also interested in the Chile international, who recently declared for his new nation and hopes to play in the Copa America in the summer, before the Rs won the race to sign him by pulling ahead in late December.

"We're really pleased to bring Mauro in," QPR manager Harry Redknapp enthused. "He's a good footballer, someone with great ability who can play as a No.10.

"I first saw him when he was on loan at Birmingham quite a few years back and I actually tried to take him to Portsmouth back then. He's a more-than capable player, he's already shown that, and hopefully he can come in here and do well for us."

 

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Ancelotti: I'm not enjoying Barca chaos

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he is getting no pleasure from Barcelona’s current problems and suspects they will soon be back on track.

Luis Enrique has come under fire for his decision to grant Lionel Messi and Neymar an extended winter break only to leave them on the bench for Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad.

Messi then missed training on Monday with suspected gastroenteritis – a development which gave further fuel to those who claim the Argentina superstar is currently unhappy with life at Camp Nou.

If that was not disruptive enough for Barca, director of football Andoni Zubizarreta was sacked yesterday following criticism of president Josep Maria Bartomeu and was followed out of the door by his number two Carles Puyol.Ancelotti could be forgiven for viewing events in Catalonia with glee but the Italian played a straight bat when asked about it on Tuesday.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Copa del Rey clash with city rivals Atletico, he told reporters: “I’m not happy about Barcelona's problems, because I have things to fix of my own. I look at my own team, not what happens in Barcelona. Let’s just say that teams have problems during the season.”

"I do not know the dressing room of Barcelona, so I cannot comment on Luis Enrique's decision [to rest Messi, Neymar and Dani Alves].

"Everyone faces decisions regarding the dressing room and Luis Enrique is best placed to make those decisions. It looked like a fair one."Ancelotti was also forced to defend Gareth Bale after the Welshman came in for criticism following Madrid's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Valencia at the weekend.

The former Tottenham winger was accused of selfishness after opting to shoot rather than passing the ball to Karim Benzema in a dangerous position, but Ancelotti stressed the 25-year-old made the right decision.

"I do not think Bale is selfish. I have seen the situation again and it was not easy to pass the ball, it was very complicated. He had no room and he tried to shoot," the Italian said.

"There is no need to talk about Bale. He knows very well when he needs to pass but he took the right decision.

"If he feels pressure it is positive because he has scored goals in the finals he has played in. Against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday he will play."

 

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Van Gaal: Rooney could be dropped to improve balance

Louis van Gaal says Wayne Rooney may not play every week as he continues to shape his Manchester United team.

Rooney has made 17 appearances in all competitions so far this season, having been awarded the club captaincy at the start of the Dutchman's reign, and has been deployed in both midfield and attack.

But Van Gaal claims Rooney's selection is "dependable on how the balance in the team is" as United look to continue their recent unbeaten run of 11 games in all competitions.

"I need balance in the team. I'm looking for the balance," Van Gaal told reporters.

"I hope to perform better because then the game shall be more attractive. I don't know if I shall use him always because it's also dependable of the form of the strikers.

"He's also a very good striker so I can use him on different positions and I like that because I like multi-functional players. I normally buy more multi-functional players than specialists."

Meanwhile, Van Gaal insists he is looking to build a young core at Old Trafford, having already promoted the likes of Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett and James Wilson to the first team this season.

"I have had the time to know all my players," he added. "That's another exciting time because that's why I became a manager.

"I want to work with young people. It keeps you young and you can make a team out of it. Now we are still building up and in the process."

 

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'Messi worth €87m more than Ronaldo'

Lionel Messi is worth €87 million more than Cristiano Ronaldo, according to research within the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) in Switzerland.

The 27-year-old attacker has won four Ballons d'Or in his career so far and skippered Argentina to the World Cup final last year, winning the Golden Ball award for being the best player in the process.

Like Ronaldo with Real Madrid, Messi has a contract with Barcelona until June 2018, although reports have been circulating in recent weeks that he might swap Camp Nou for Chelsea due to discontent in Catalunya.

But Chelsea will know Messi will not be cheap: the Football Observatory, a research group within CIES, suggest Messi currently has a valuation of €220m.

Ronaldo is next in the list, valued at €133m, while world-record signing Gareth Bale sits in 10th with an estimated net worth of €60m to the Santiago Bernabeu club.

Chelsea have three players in the top 10: Eden Hazard is rated at €99m in third spot just ahead of fourth-placed Diego Costa (€84m) and fellow summer signing Cesc Fabregas in eighth (€62m).

Juventus bagged Paul Pogba for free in 2012, now he's valued at €72m - fifth in CIES' ranking as of January 2015 - while the other three spots in the top 10 are filled by Premier League players: Manchester City's Sergio Aguero at €65m in sixth, Liverpool's Raheem Sterling at €63m in seventh and Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.

Notable absentees from the top 10 include Neymar (11th at €58m), Bayern Munich's highest-valued star Mario Gotze (13th at €52m) and 2014's most expensive player Luis Suarez (16th at €48m).

European champions Real Madrid have the most players on the list with eight other stars in addition to Ronaldo and Bale in the top 120: James Rodriguez in 15th, Isco in 17th, Karim Benzema in 21st, Toni Kroos in 23rd, Luka Modric in 27th, Sergio Ramos in 40th, Dani Carvajal in 68th, Raphael Varane in 87th and Marcelo in 94th.

The oldest player in CIES' 2015 valuation tally is 31-year-old Franck Ribery, tied for 106th at €20m, while Manchester United's teenage left-back Luke Shaw is valued at €26m along with Mario Balotelli and Gerard Pique in 65th.

 

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Copa Del Rey 2015.01.07 1st Leg Fixtures

Copa Del Rey 2015.01.07 1st Leg Fixtures

Villareal Vs Real Sociedad

Atletico Madrid Vs Real Madrid

Almeria Vs Getafe

Valencia Vs Espanyol​

 

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Barca elections to be held in 2015

Incumbent Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has announced the club will hold an election at the end of the current season.An election was due to be held in 2016 but Bartomeu has decided to bring it forward to due to pressure on the club, as issues on and off the pitch have mounted this season.

After turning up an hour late for Wednesday’s press conference, Bartomeu said: “Sorry for the delay. I have called this press conference to communicate we have decided to call elections at the end of the season.

“The elections have been called to ease the pressure around the club. It’s undue pressure as this club works well socially and economically.”

Bartomeu, who confirmed he would stand, added: “I ask all candidates to use fair play during the campaign as they talk to socios who will vote.“In the end the most important thing is that the team fights for trophies, so everyone - including the candidates and supporters - should work towards that.”

Former president Joan Laporta is keen on a return to Camp Nou and intends to bring Pep Guardiola back as sporting director.

It has been a troubled spell in charge for Bartomeu, who took over the presidency in January 2014 following the resignation of Sandro Rosell.

Rosell stood down after being accused of the misappropriation of funds relating to the transfer of Neymar to Barca in the summer of 2013.

The club has also seen a two-window transfer ban upheld by the Court of Arbitration of Sport after being found guilty of breaching transfer regulations and will not be able to sign any new players in 2015.

On Monday, Bartomeu sacked director of football Andoni Zubizarreta while speculation is rife that coach Luis Enrique and star striker Lionel Messi are at loggerheads.

 

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Falcao: I'm settled at Manchester United now

Radamel Falcao insists he is settled at Manchester United, fuelling suggestions that he will extend his stay at Old Trafford beyond this season.

United have shaken hands on a €56 million deal to sign Falcao when his lucrative season-long loan from Monaco ends next summer, though they are reserving the right to wait until the Colombian proves his long-term fitness before committing to the transfer.

Last month Falcao confirmed he would like to become a permanent fixture at United and the 28-year-old has now reiterated how well he is settling into life in Manchester.

"I'm good," he told the club's official website. "My family are comfortable. We're enjoying life in Manchester and here at the club. The people have been great with me, with my family. We're happy and very grateful.

"Right from the start, my colleagues welcomed me. They supported me and helped me with whatever I needed. They are a really humble group of players, really decent and, well, I was taken aback by how kind they've been."

Falcao also confirmed he is relishing the challenge of adapting to Premier League football - he has scored three goals in 12 Premier League appearances - and insists he has no regrets about leaving Monaco.

"It's more attractive than the French league," he added. "Defenders are stronger and more aggressive. In a good way, you know? It's intense and, well, overall just more physical."

 

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AC Milan sign up Suso for summer transfer

AC Milan have confirmed that Suso has signed a deal which will see him leave Liverpool at the end of his contract in the summer to join San Siro.

Reports surfaced on Wednesday that the Spaniard had agreed a four-year deal with the Rossoneri and, hours later, it was announced on the club's official television channel that Suso would link up with Filippo Inzaghi's squad at the end of 2014-15.

The 21-year-old has spent four and a half years at Anfield after being bought in 2010 and developed in the academy, however he has failed to make a real breakthrough from the bench on Merseyside into the first team.

Suso is expected to undergo a Milan medical in the next few weeks, with his agent having previously suggested that the Italian giants will try to reach an agreement with Liverpool to bring him to Serie A in January instead of waiting until July.

The attacking midfielder has made appearances for Spain at every youth level, which included winning the Under-19 European Championship in 2012, although he is yet to play for the senior international side.

Suso, who has only just returned from a groin injury, has made 21 first-team appearances for Liverpool since making his debut in 2012.