Liverpool FC want Stewart Downing and Doni deals wrapped up next week

Liverpool will next week look to complete a deal for Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing, while Roma goalkeeper Doni is also closing in on a move to Anfield.

Liverpool have already been busy in the transfer market this summer, with Charlie Adam this week joining £20million signing Jordan Henderson at the club.

Reds' director of football Damien Comolli on Friday said he hopes the club can attract "a few more" players before the end of August and Downing is now top of their list of targets.

Liverpool are believed to be ready to make an improved £18m bid for the 26-year-old, who wants to quit Villa Park and make the move to Merseyside.

Villa insist the England international is not for sale, but it is thought that Downing is prepared to tell new Villa boss Alex McLeish that he wants to leave the club and join Kenny Dalglish's side.

McLeish has insisted that the midfielder is not for sale, while Villa have told both Liverpool and Downing's agent that they will not be forced into selling the player after seeing Ashley Young leave to join Manchester United.

However, reports earlier this week claimed Villa would reluctantly let the player leave the Midlands club should they receive a £19m offer.

Downing could be joined at Anfield by Brazilian keeper Doni, who is set to make a £1m move from Serie A side Roma to provide back-up to first-choice Pepe Reina.

Several other players have also been linked with a move to Anfield including Bolton defender Gary Cahill, Birmingham centre-back Scott Dann and Valencia winger Juan Mata, with the latter a possible alternative to Downing should Villa refuse to sell.

Manchester United target Samir Nasri told to stay at Arsenal FC - report

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri will on Sunday fly out for the club's pre-season tour of Asia and has reportedly been told he will not be sold to Manchester United or Man City.

Nasri held talks with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger this week as the Gunners boss looks to talk the France international into signing a new five-year, £90,000-a-week deal at the Emirates.

Wenger on Friday said the club would do "everything we can" to keep the former Marseille star in north London next season.

And according to the Daily Star, Wenger will tell the contract rebel that he will not be made available for sale.

That brings up the prospect of Wenger running the risk of losing Nasri for nothing next summer - something he has been keen to avoid.

Wenger had previously told Nasri that he would be sold this summer if a new deal was not agreed.

Three years ago, Wenger saw Mathieu Flamini run down his contract before joining AC Milan on a free transfer and has been keen not to allow the same thing to happen again.

On Friday, Wenger has said of transfer speculation surrounding Nasri and captain Cesc Fabregas, who is wanted by Barcelona: "Our position is always the same, we want to keep Cesc and I will fight as hard as I can to keep him.

"Samir Nasri is exactly the same. We will do everything we can to keep him."

But despite Wenger's stance, Manchester United are believed to be confident of signing Nasri in a £20million deal, while bookmakers make the Arsenal midfielder odds-on to move to Old Trafford.

Man City and Chelsea are also interested in the playmaker.

Preview: International friendly, Maldives vs India

Male’, MALDIVES - Maldives meets India for the first time in an International friendly game in preparation for the 2014 FIFA world cup qualifier against Iran. Both teams have held their practice sessions in National Stadium prior to the kick off on 10th July at 2100hrs.

MALDIVES vs INDIA
Friendly
Venue: National Stadium, Male’
kickoff: 2100hrs (Local time)


TEAM NEWS

It is a huge boost for the supporters and to the players as Ashfaaq (Dhagandey) is declared fit to play against India. Doctors gave all clear sign after a scan in Colombo yesterday. On the contrary, Assad Ali was excluded from the squad after a disciplinary issue. Maldivesoccer.com can confirm that Assad Ali did not appear for the last practice session after a dispute in allocating jersey.
However, Coach Diego Cruciani wants his team to forget all the events happening off the football pitch and to concentrate on the game and win it.
“We will be playing for a win in tomorrow night’s game. I will be trying out things which I have in mind for the Iran game”

“But a home game is a very different compared to an away game. The atmosphere and everything you play is totally different compared to the game we will play against Iran in Tehran. So we need to be on top of our game”.
Meanwhile, India’s interim coach Armando Colaco said that there is no rivalry between the two nations, but he want to see a good football game
“There is no rivalry in football. We are building the relationship between Maldives and India and this friendly is part of it. This is our first friendly match in the Maldives and we are glad to be here”
India’s captain for the friendly, Sunil Chetri said that the players needs to give 200 percent in the game.
“Maldives is a very good team. It is a very good side. The last two to three encounters against Maldives have been very closely fought. So I expect it to be a very good game for us to prepare for the match against UAE.”

“I don’t think past will do anything. Every match is a different match. We are playing a preparatory game in here. It would be very tough. We will give 200 percent and I hope it will be a fantastic game for everyone”

Maldives national team captain for the match, Imran Mohammed urged the supporters to be behind the team in the match.

“This match is played in Maldives. Any match played in the national stadium is an important match for us. Playing against India is special because we have had a rivalry in football. All the players are working with the same target, which is to win the game”

“I want to thank the supporters and I hope that supporters will come in numbers to support the team. They are the 12th player in the team. It’s very important for us”

HEAD TO HEAD

2009	Dhaka	09/12/2009	India	3 – 1	Maldives
2009	Dhaka	13/12/2009	India	0 – 2	Maldives
2008	Colombo	14/06/2008	India	0 - 1	Maldives
2008	Male	07/06/2008	Maldives	0 - 1	India
2005	Karachi	14/12/2005	Maldives	0 - 1	India
2000	Male	08/05/2000	Maldives	1 - 0	India
1999	Kathmandu	04/10/1999	India	3 - 1	Maldives
1999	Margao	29/04/1999	Maldives	1 - 2	India
1997	Kathmandu	13/09/1997	India	5 - 1	Maldives
1997	Kathmandu	09/09/1997	India	2 - 2	Maldives
1987	Calcutta	23/11/1987	India	5 - 0	Maldives

STATISTICS
India                                Maldives
11        Matches Played        11  
7                    Wins                 3  
1                  Draws                 1  
22              Goals for              9    

PROBABLE LINE UP - MALDIVES
Mohamed Imran(GK), Ahmed Saeed (Ammaty), Assad Abdul Ghanee, Akram Abdul Ghanee, Mohamed Umair, Mohamed Arif (Bakaa), Shamveel Qasim(Bonda), Ismail Mohamed (Issey), Mukhthar Naseer (2 Kilo), Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo), Thoriq (Tom)

Man Utd striker Javier Hernandez will join Real Madrid CF - Gus Poyet

Manchester United have been warned that they face losing striker Javier Hernandez to Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants have been keen on signing the Mexico international striker for some time following his brilliant debut season in the Premier League.

But the 23-year-old recently dismissed talk of a summer move to Jose Mourinho's side, saying he wants to repay Sir Alex Ferguson's faith in him following his £7million move from Chivas Guadalajara last summer.

However, according to Brighton manager Gus Poyet, who is currently working as a pundit during the Copa America, the Premier League champions will face a struggle to keep hold of the talented youngster.

"I respect United," he said. "But there are much bigger teams, including Real Madrid.

"Due to their history they are bigger than United.

"I don't think it would be a surprise for Chicharito to go to Real."

Hernandez recently insisted he is keen to help the Red Devils win more trophies in the coming years, saying: "I could not have hoped for such a good campaign. I had a dream season.

"Success is written into the DNA of this club, I’m in the best club in the world. Everything is done to succeed and win titles.

"I want to do even better next season. I want to help this club make history."

LA Galaxy 2-1 Chicago Fire - David Beckham scores direct from corner

David Beckham scored direct from a corner as Los Angeles Galaxy beat Chicago Fire 2-1 in the MLS on Saturday night.

Beckham had set up Landon Donovan to open the scoring after 58th minutes before Cristian Nazarith equalised four minutes later.

But Beckham's corner found the net to put the Galaxy 2-1 up, with the result seeing the former England international's side extend their unbeaten run to 12 games.

Beckham said afterwards: "I saw the goal keeper going out of the goal and saw a little bit of a gap.

"So I knew if I put in an area it was either going to get a touch off somebody or go straight in."

Chelsea FC want Luka Modric and Carlos Tevez in £80m deal - report

Chelsea are reportedly preparing to make an £80million swoop for Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez and Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric.

Tottenham continue to insist that Modric is not for sale after the club rejected a £22m bid from Chelsea late last month.

But the Blues are believed to be preparing to make a fresh bid for the Croatia international as they face up to being without Michael Essien for several months.

Essien was injured in training on Friday and is undergoing medical tests, with the club fearing that yet another knee injury could rule the Ghana international out for as long as six months, while some reports on Saturday suggested the 28-year-old could even miss the entire 2011/12 campaign.

According to the Sunday Express, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to make an improved bid for the midfielder of more than £30m as the Russian looks to test Tottenham's resolve.

And according to sources close to Abramovich, he is ready to give new manager Andre Villas-Boas "whatever it takes" to sign the players the 33-year-old needs, which could include Tevez.

The Argentina international last week confirmed he wants to leave City this summer, and although he cited family reasons for wanting to move, it is believed that a move to London - not Argentina where his daughters are - would appeal.

City want £50m for Tevez, which almost certainly rules out the chance of a move back to Argentina.

But other than Real Madrid - who are interested - Chelsea are the only other club who could afford both his transfer fee and his wage demands.

Modric is Chelsea's priority, according to Sunday's report, although the Blues could make a move for Javier Pastore should Tottenham continue to dig their heels.

Chelsea FC striker Nicolas Anelka wanted by Paris Saint-Germain - report

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly lining up a bid for Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka.

Reports last week had suggested Chelsea were prepared to sell Anelka as they look to bring Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez and Porto striker Falcao to the club this summer.

There have been rumblings in recent days that PSG have been considering making a bid for the striker, and according to the Daily Star Sunday, Anelka is now their top transfer target.

The Ligue 1 side have plenty of money to spend this summer following their recent take over by Qatari investors, and after being snubbed by Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o and Manchester United forward, a move for Anelka is now on the cards.

According to Sunday's report, Anelka will be offered a three-year contract by his home city club, although the France international wants to hold talks with new Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas before making any decisions over his future.

However, 'AVB'  is believed to be keen on using a 4-3-3 formation next season - a large reason why he is keen on raiding former club Porto for Falcao, who was a key player for the Portuguese coach at the club last season.

Recent reports suggested Anelka was not seen as part of the 33-year-old's plans for next season should he adopt that formation, and that he could be offloaded to make way for a new signing.

Blackburn vs Wolves

Sat 13 Aug 2011, Kick-off: 19:00, Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers Visit Official Site >  Confirmed Squad The confirmed squad for this match will be available 30 minutes before kick-off.  Injuries & Suspensions     = suspended (1 match) = suspended (+1 match) = injured

Blackburn Rovers (3rd) v Wolverhampton Wanderers (20th) L L W D D W Form D L D W W L These sides met on the final day of the 2010/11 season with both needing points to survive. Blackburn will hope for a repeat of their 3-2 success. Blackburn team news Blackburn could be without their two most experienced central defenders. Chris Samba is doubtful with a groin injury while Ryan Nelsen, though back in training, is still feeling the after-effects of his knee operation. New midfield signing Radosav Petrovic is unlikely to have received his visa in time to play. Wolves team news Striker Kevin Doyle is winning his battle to be fit. Doyle withdrew from the Republic of Ireland squad for the midweek international against Croatia due to a knee injury, but Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes he has a "70-30" chance of being available. New skipper and summer signing Roger Johnson will make his competitive debut, but midfielders Dave Edwards (back) and Adlene Guedioura (ankle) miss out. squads Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Bunn, Salgado, Givet, Hanley, Samba, Olsson, Emerton, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Dunn, Grella, Formica, Rochina, Hoilett, Roberts, Goodwillie, Blackman, Aley, Anderson, Henley. Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hennessey, De Vries, Stearman, Zubar, Craddock, Johnson, Berra, Elokobi, Ward, Hunt, Hammill, Milijas, Henry, Kightly, O'Hara, Jarvis, Doyle, Fletcher, Ebanks-Blake, Keogh, Davis.  Fantasy Player Pick Mauro Formica (Blackburn Rovers) With two goals in pre-season, the striker has caught the eye.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Visit Official Site >  Confirmed Squad The confirmed squad for this match will be available 30 minutes before kick-off.  Injuries & Suspensions Mouyokolo Edwards Guedioura     = suspended (1 match) = suspended (+1 match) = injured