Chelsea midfielder Deco has admitted he could be set for a summer switch to his native Brazil with Fluminense.

The talented playmaker, who was born in South America but represents Portugal at international level, has not been a regular under Carlo Ancelotti this season.

The 32-year-old joined the Blues in an £8million deal from Barcelona under former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari in the summer of 2008.

But he has started just 31 Premier League games during his two seasons in England and could now be set to move on.

The former Porto ace, who still has one year remaining on his current... [Read More]

Sir Alex Ferguson may add just one more player to his Manchester United squad this summer as he plots to regain the Barclays Premier League title from Chelsea.

United chief executive David Gill has indicated funds are available to his manager to spend this summer, but Ferguson revealed he is happy with the balance of his squad, which finished a point behind Chelsea in the title race.

The United manager has already signed rising Mexican star Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara and defender Chris Smalling from Fulham, and a raft of new faces had been expected to follow.

But Ferguson will place his... [Read More]

Arsenal look set for a battle to hold onto captain Cesc Fabregas, as Barcelona continue to publicly court the Spanish midfielder.

Fabregas, who began his career in the Nou Camp youth system before heading to the Gunners as a 16-year-old in 2003, is widely reported to have already informed manager Arsene Wenger of his decision to return home.

Although there has been no official comment from the Barclays Premier League club, Barcelona continue to show little sign of letting up in their public pursuit of the Arsenal captain.

The 23-year-old missed the end of the Gunners' campaign after suffering a... [Read More]

Queens Park Rangers have confirmed the signing of Plymouth striker Jamie Mackie.

Skysports.com revealed last week that QPR were close to a deal for the Scottish forward and they have now confirmed his signing.

The 24-year-old has penned a four-year contract at Loftus Road after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

"I'm really pleased to get him in," said Hoops boss Neil Warnock.

"Obviously with my connections down there, he's a player I've seen, heard and read a lot about.

"He was a stand-out striker for them this season.

"He's full of enthusiasm... [Read More]

The next chief executive of the Scottish Football Association need not be a Scot but he must be "a superman", according to the organisation's president.

Advertisements for the vacant post will go out this week - and SFA president George Peat says a thick skin will be a minimum requirement.

Gordon Smith resigned as chief executive after three years in the job and Peat said Henry McLeish's review of the Scottish game recommends a businessman to run the SFA and a football person to be performance director.

Peat, in Zurich for the International FA Board meeting, said: "The new chief executive has got... [Read More]

UEFA president Michel Platini has waded into the Lord Triesman controversy by offering his support to the peer who was forced to resign as chairman of the FA and England's 2018 World Cup bid after secret recordings were published.

FIFA's ethics committee are to investigate corruption claims about Spain and Russia made by Triesman in a private conversation to a friend, unaware he was being recorded.

Platini said the row may have damaged England's bid but insists it can recover - and believes that Triesman deserves support.

The UEFA president, in Zurich for the International FA Board meeting, said:... [Read More]

Roberto Mancini has revealed he is planning a long-term stay at Manchester City.

As Inter Milan prepare for Saturday's Champions League final against Bayern Munich in Madrid, Mancini could be forgiven a few baleful sighs at the life he has left behind.

Mancini will not even participate in the competition with Manchester City next season after the Blues lost out to Spurs in the battle for that prized top-four spot.

Yet, while Mancini may be happy being back in Italy and united with his family once more, he has no desire to work in Serie A at the moment and cannot wait for the new Premier League... [Read More]

Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson is hoping to launch his latest comeback bid in September.

The luckless Johnson had only just returned from a year out with a major pelvic injury when he ruptured his cruciate knee ligament in training last December.

It condemned the former England Under-21 international to another lengthy period on the sidelines, just as he was trying to force his way back into the first-team picture once more.

As the rest of his team-mates either enjoy their summer break, or prepare for next month's World Cup, Johnson must push himself through a punishing fitness... [Read More]

English football is unlikely to experiment with two extra assistant referees next season because of a shortage of officials, according to a senior Football Association executive.

The International Football Association Board have decided trials with five match officials - with an extra assistant behind each goalline - will continue for the next two years.

The system was used by UEFA for the Europa League last season and this may be extended to the Champions League next season.

Meanwhile, all domestic leagues and FAs can now request to stage further trials from next season.

Jonathan... [Read More]

Jose Mourinho has dismissed suggestions he has already agreed to coach Real Madrid but insisting he has "given everything possible" for Inter Milan.

Mourinho again claimed he cares deeply for the fans of Inter and also appreciates everything the club has done for him in his two years at the San Siro.

But the millions of euros he earns and all of the titles he has won cannot take away the resentment he feels towards some in Italy who have, according to the Portuguese coach, shown him a lack of respect.

For that reason, Mourinho admits he could end up walking away from the Nerazzurri, even if he... [Read More]

Rafael Benitez is confident Liverpool will still be able to attract high-class signings this summer despite the absence of Champions League football next season.

However, whether the Spaniard is there is coach them remains to be seen as his long-term future at Anfield remains unresolved.

Although interest from Juventus has died off after their turned to Luigi del Neri, who resigned as Sampdoria coach yesterday, there are still options to leave Anfield.

Reports have suggested Inter Milan, who appear likely to lose Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid this summer, have approached Benitez about the... [Read More]

Celtic are still searching for a permanent manager but they are keen not to lose ground in the transfer market after reportedly holding talks with Republic of Ireland midfielder Steven Reid.

Reid is coming to the end of his Blackburn contract and is available on a free transfer after being loaned to QPR and West Brom last season.

Neil Lennon remains in charge of Celtic team affairs and flew out to Germany with members of the first-team squad this morning for tonight's friendly against St Pauli.

And Lennon's apparent recommendation of Reid to the Celtic board indicates he remains involved in... [Read More]

Striker Nicolas Anelka is on the brink of signing a new contract extension at Chelsea.

The France international is expected to commit himself to the Blues for a further two years.

Anelka's agent, Doug Pingisi, has revealed that discussions are taking place and that the outcome looks positive.

"We are still in talks [about a new deal] and hopefully we will have news soon," Pingisi told Sky Sports.

"He is happy at Chelsea and of course he wants to stay at Chelsea."

Anelka played a major part in Chelsea's double-winning season under Carlo Ancelotti.

The... [Read More]

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has brushed off speculation linking him with the vacant managerial position at West Ham.

Holloway, hoping to steer Blackpool into the top flight for the first time since 1971 in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final against Cardiff on Saturday, has won many admirers for his work at Bloomfield Road this season.

Holloway, Sam Allardyce, Avram Grant and Dave Jones are reported to be on the Hammers' shortlist to replace Gianfranco Zola after he left Upton Park last week.

Yet Holloway, 47, said: "It's an honour to be linked with something like that but it's not genuine... [Read More]

Manager Ronnie Moore has urged Rotherham's fans to be their 12th man during the second leg of their Coca-Cola League Two play-off semi final tie with Aldershot.

The Millers go into the clash with a one-goal advantage after top-scorer Adam Le Fondre's 88th-minute goal earned them a 1-0 win in Saturday's first leg.

And Moore is hoping they can book a place in Wembley's showpiece final with a little help from the Don Valley Stadium faithful, although he does not believe their temporary home has the same cosy atmosphere as their previous ground, Millmoor.

"The fans were fantastic at Aldershot and now... [Read More]