Juventus closin in on €14m rated Ogbonna

The Serie A champions have already secured the services of Federico Peluso from Atalanta on a permanent deal, but they are not done reinforcing their defence just yet and intend to make the 25-year-old Ogbonna their next signing.

The centre-back, who has a contract with Torino until June 2016, has long been linked with a move to a bigger club and Juventus now appear to have won the race for his siganture.

The Old Lady have reached an agreement in principle with Torino over a €14 million transfer fee, with two players moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

Ciro Immobile is one of the men who will move to their local rivals as counterweight, while both sides are still in talks over who will accompany the 23-year-old to the Stadio Olimpico outfit.

Torino are keen on Switzerland international Reto Ziegler, but the left-back's wage demands could prove to be a problem.

Therefore, Frederik Sorensen could be included in the deal instead, although Granata coach Giampiero Ventura is not convinced the young Dane has what it takes to make an immediate impact at the club

Juventus are confident that a solution will soon be found, though, and hope to complete the signing of Ogbonna shortly.

"The best of people are those who benefit others the most."

The Premier League outfit are willing to increase their initial €16 million bid for the 24-year-old, but no decision is expected from the player until after the Confederations Cup

By Greg Stobart in Rio de Janeiro

Tottenham are favourites to sign Corinthians midfielder Paulinho and are ready to meet the £17 million buyout clause in the midfielder’s contract.

Sources at the Brazilian club have dismissed claims from Shakhtar Donetsk director Sergiy Palkin that the 24-year-old has signed a pre-contract with Inter, although the Serie A outfit are still expected to compete for the player’s signature.

Paulinho’s representative held talks with Tottenham last week over a deal for his client and a bid is expected after extensive talks were held, despite Corinthians president Mario Gobbi insisting the Sao Paulo-based club have not received any offers for their star man.

Spurs are understood to have indicated that they are willing to pay around €16m to land the Brazil international but are prepared to increase their offer as manager Andre Villas-Boas looks to boost his squad to mount a top-four challenge next term.

Paulinho is not expected to make a final decision on his future until after Brazil’s involvement in the Confederations Cup, but Tottenham are considered clear favourites to sign the box-to-box midfielder, who has previously been linked with Chelsea and Manchester City.

The north London club are targeting the Brazilian market and have also held talks over a move for Atletico Mineiro playmaker Bernard, although Villas-Boas is concerned that the 20-year-old may be too lightweight to play in the Premier League at this stage of his career.

Franco Baldini, Tottenham’s incoming technical director who is currently on holiday, is also believed to be a fan of Paulinho and has a strong network of contacts in Brazilian football.

Spurs are not expecting to complete any transfer business before the end of the month but are eager to improve their squad this summer, not least to make a point to Gareth Bale as the triple-winning footballer of the year attracts interest from Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

Balotelli ready to take on whole world in lone striker role - and it could be bad news for El Shaarawy at Milan

The Rossoneri striker excelled up front on his own for the Azzurri against Mexico, casting further doubt on Manchester City target Stephan El Shaarawy's future at San Siro
 Andrea Pirlo dominated the game. Again. But Mario Balotelli dominated the headlines. Again. That was wholly unsurprising, of course.

Just two weeks after leaving the field at the Generali Arena to a cacophony of boos following his typically senseless dismissal in a 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic, the Italy forward exited the field at the iconic Maracana stadium to a standing ovation after scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over Mexico.

It was a hugely significant display from Balotelli. Not quite on the same level as his two-goal salvo in the Euro 2012 semi-final success over Germany 12 months ago, but momentous nonetheless. Indeed, it was no surprise that he had responded to his winner in the same manner as his second strike against the Germans: with a gratuitous pec-flex
 Balotelli’s ecstasy was understandable, of course. The build-up to the game had been dominated by yet another debate over his undeniably suspect temperament in the wake of the sending off against the Czechs, for two bookings in the space of four minutes, and the seemingly inevitable tirade on Twitter that followed.

Ronaldo urged him to ignore on-field provocation and warned him against throwing his career away. Adriano, who knows a thing or two about wasting talent, claimed Balotelli can be as good as Messi - if only he gets his act together. Dunga, meanwhile, compared 'Super Mario' to Pele.

Then, two days before Italy’s Confederations Cup opener against Mexico, it emerged that Cesare Prandelli had decided to switch to a 4-3-2-1 ‘Christmas tree’ formation with ‘Super Mario’ as the star.

The pressure on Balotelli going into the Azzurri’s tournament opener was, therefore, immense. Early in the second half, he appeared ready to blow. Again. He squared up to Gerardo Torrado after a robust challenge from the midfielder. Just three minutes later, Balotelli lashed out - at his own boot, which had come off after he had been hauled down in the area by Hector Moreno. Balotelli had reached his notoriously low breaking point.

But then something unusual happened: Balotelli heeded Ronaldo’s advice by responding to provocation in the best possible fashion: with a goal. With 12 minutes remaining, he turned a hopeful lob into the area from Emanuele Giaccherini into a through-ball by out-muscling Francisco Javier Rodriguez before driving the ball home. It was the perfect riposte to Mexico’s manhandling.

It was also vindication for Prandelli. The change of formation, coming as it had on the eve of a major tournament, had been a bold move. But a necessary one.

Nobody had been more excited by the news that Mario Balotelli would be joining Stephan El Shaarawy at AC Milan in January than Prandelli, as it meant that the two forwards he wanted to lead his attack at the 2014 World Cup would be playing alongside one another on a weekly basis.

However, while Balotelli has excelled at San Siro, El Shaarawy has suffered. The 20-year-old scored 15 goals before Balotelli’s arrival - but has managed just one since. It could be argued that El Shaarawy has simply experienced a dip in form, but it is more likely that the pair are incompatible, simply because no striker is compatible with Balotelli.

There is a reason why Milan refuse to start Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini alongside one another. There is a reason why Balotelli, even at this early stage of his career, has yet to forge a great rapport with any of the forwards whom he has played alongside. Balotelli has many wonderful natural and technical attributes, but his movement is poor. He is revered for the part he played in Sergio Aguero's title winner for Manchester City last year, but he is not yet particularly adept at linking well with others.

Lone ranger | Balotelli impressed at the head of the Italy attack

The only player with whom he has gelled is Antonio Cassano, but the Barese was not positioned alongside Balotelli at Euro 2012, operating instead in a free role which effectively left Italy’s No.9 to lead the line on his own. Just as he did against Mexico.

Therefore, Balotelli’s performance at the Maracana can only have cast more doubt over El Shaarawy’s future at San Siro. With City keen on signing the forward, Rossoneri CEO Adriano Galliani has already rather tellingly admitted that the 20-year-old is not “unsellable” and, on the evidence of the last five months, Milan might well be better off cashing in on one of their most valuable assets and using the money generated to build an attack around Balotelli.

As he demonstrated against Mexico, Balotelli is not only capable of getting the better of opposition defences, he is also, far more importantly, capable of getting the best out of himself. That is precisely why Prandelli has already sacrificed El Shaarawy for the good of Italy, and why Galliani might decide to do likewise for Milan.

The Gunners face a battle to hang on to their in-demand defender this summer following enquiries from the two European giants for the €23.5 million-rated Frenchman
Barcelona and Bayern Munich have both made enquiries for the France international and are prepared to offer him a bumper pay rise to move to the continent while the Gunners have slapped a €23.5 million price tag on the 27-year-old in an attempt to ward off interest from the two big hitters.

WHO'S THE KOS
KOSCIELNY'S 2012-13 STATS
GAMES PLAYED GOALS YELLOW CARDS RED CARDS	34 4 5 1

However, Arsenal are expecting bids from one or both clubs, with a growing acceptance among the Emirates Stadium hierarchy that they are vulnerable if the centre-back pushes for a move.

Goal revealed in May that new Bayern coach Pep Guardiola had sanctioned a move for Koscielny and his representative Stephane Courbis admitted to Eurosport France on uSunday that the player had been targeted by both the Champions League holders and the Spanish champions.

"Laurent is part of a shortlist of two clubs," said Courbis. "Bayern or Barca have not contacted the player to discuss a possible transfer but I know that [he] is part of a shortlist of three or four players from both clubs."

Arsenal fear that Koscielny could be tempted by a big offer from either team. The 27-year-old has four years remaining on the £75,000-a-week contract that he signed last summer but the two continental giants could both offer him a salary worth more than £100,000 a week as well as a chance to play for two of Europe's elite clubs.

Koscielny caught the eye of Guardiola and Barcelona's top brass when Arsenal beat the recently crowned Spanish champions 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium in a first-leg Champions League tie in February 2011. He was also outstanding in the Gunners' 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena in the first knockout stage of this season's tournament.

Bayern are targeting a proven centre-back this summer who will be comfortable with Guardiola's fluid playing style, while Barcelona want a left-sided centre-back to provide competition to Carlos Puyol, 35, after releasing Eric Abidal.

There had been strong interest from the Catalan club in Thomas Vermaelen and he remains on their shortlist but Barca are believed to have prioritised the capture of Koscielny.

Meanwhile, Bayern have intensified their search for a new central defender after Holger Badstuber underwent knee surgery in May that the club claim will rule him out for another nine months.

Koscielny joined Arsenal from Lorient in 2010 for around €11m and has developed into one of the most accomplished defenders in the English top flight. The France international was a key figure in Arsenal securing a top-four Premier League finish and Arsene Wenger would hate to lose him.

Speaking earlier in June, Koscielny admitted he could leave Arsenal. "It is hard to not win titles year after year," he conceded. "We are competitors, professionals, we want to win. I want to add to my list of achievements. If Arsenal cannot allow me that, I'll seek a move elsewhere. I have to see if I have clubs interested in me. I will not go to any club."

Wenger has already lined up a move for Swansea City’s Ashley Williams as he prepares to rebuild his defence ahead of next season.

As revealed by Goal, the Wales captain has agreed personal terms with the Gunners and the Londoners are hopeful of signing the 28-year-old if they can agree a fee with Swansea.

The France legend is excited about the two ambitious football projects and believes they will attract even more investors to the championship in the future

Former France international Christian Karembeu says clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco greatly aid the growth of Ligue 1.

Qatari-owned PSG convincingly won the Ligue 1 title this season, while Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev's Monaco earned promotion to France's top flight and have already began their recruitment drive for next year, having landed stars such as Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho.

And Karembeu is delighted with this development in the league as he believes it will attract even more investors to France in the future.

"This is a blessing for us. It has raised the profile of the championship," the 42-year-old told RMC Sport.

"They [Monaco and PSG] bring in the best global and European players, which is good for the French championship.

"The championship will grow compared to other European leagues. If the trend continues it will cause more entrepreneurs to invest in France, whether they are Chinese, Indonesian or from other parts of the world."

The France legend is excited about the two ambitious football projects and believes they will attract even more investors to the championship in the future

Former France international Christian Karembeu says clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco greatly aid the growth of Ligue 1.

Qatari-owned PSG convincingly won the Ligue 1 title this season, while Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev's Monaco earned promotion to France's top flight and have already began their recruitment drive for next year, having landed stars such as Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho.

And Karembeu is delighted with this development in the league as he believes it will attract even more investors to France in the future.

"This is a blessing for us. It has raised the profile of the championship," the 42-year-old told RMC Sport.

"They [Monaco and PSG] bring in the best global and European players, which is good for the French championship.

"The championship will grow compared to other European leagues. If the trend continues it will cause more entrepreneurs to invest in France, whether they are Chinese, Indonesian or from other parts of the world."

   The treble-winning boss says he will not coach another team, while backing the decision to appoint Pep Guardiola at the Allianz Arena

Jupp Heynckes has called time on his coaching career by revealing that he will not take another job after leaving Bayern Munich.

Under the stewardship of the 68-year-old German, the Bavarians enjoyed a glittering season, sealing the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League.

They became only the seventh side in Europe to have achieved the feat of winning the league, domestic cup and European Cup in a single campaign.

However, with Pep Guardiola set to take over the reigns at die Roten, Heynckes has decided that the time has come to retire.

"I'm somewhat against finality," the former Borussia Monchengladbach striker told Der Spiegal.

"But I can say it for sure, I will not coach a team again. I've had a dignified exit from football."

The ex-Germany international has enjoyed a highly successful career, both as a player and a coach, lifting four Bundesliga titles as a forward at Monchengladbach, as well as the 1974 World Cup with die Nationalelf.

Heynckes also spoke positively of Bayern's future under Guardiola, stressing that he fully endorsed the move.

"It's the right decision," he continued.

"You have to take this opportunity. If they had not found a replacement for me, we might have talked again but the situation now is the best for me. Guardiola will get a perfect working team."

    The Portuguese is confident his now former team-mate will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu, while revealing his disappointment at how his time at the club came to an end

Monaco's latest recruit Ricardo Carvalho is confident Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Real Madrid and sign a new contract.

The defender joined the free-spending Ligue 1 new-boys at the end of May on the back of three years at the Santiago Bernabeu.

And though his time at the club didn't end on a positive note, with the club dethroned as Liga champions by Barcelona and suffering Copa del Rey final defeat to Atletico Madrid, the Portuguese is confident Madrid will soon be boosted by Cristiano Ronaldo signing a new deal at the club.

He told Marca: "The president is doing everything he can for Cristiano to sign a new contract and he'll stay."

Los Blancos were dogged by publicised spats, notably between coach Jose Mourinho and key players like Iker Casillas and Pepe, for much of last season.

And the veteran stopper believes the underlying disagreements that marred their campaign could have been managed better.

"We felt that we didn't end the season well. When we should have been stronger, we weren't," the 35-year-old added.

"I don't know whether or not Pepe feels he made a mistake [publicly criticising Mourinho], or whether he is sorry, but it's something that could have been avoided by talking face-to-face.

"If you aren't winning, you have to stick together, be even stronger. But this year, as a dressing room, we should have been more united during the tough times."

Despite the debacle, Carvalho still looks back on his two-year spell in the capital with pleasure, claiming he had achieved a lifelong ambition by playing for the club.

"I was very happy at Real. It was something I'd always wanted and I fulfilled a dream," he continued. "These past two years with my injuries, I was sad at not being able to play. I was always fit at Chelsea.

"I was on cloud nine during my first season at Real Madrid. That year gave me everything. It might have been the best time of my career.

"Before joining Chelsea, [president] Florentino [Perez] spoke with Pinto da Costa [Porto chairman] and [Luis] Figo called me. I was eager to sign, but the offer was low back then.