Villa: I'll celebrate scoring against Barcelona

The 31-year-old insists his friends and former team-mates at Camp Nou will become nothing but "rivals" during the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday.

David Villa has claimed he will likely celebrate any goal he should score for Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona.

The Liga champions take on the Rojiblancos for the first piece of Spanish silverware this season on Wednesday, and Villa - who moved from Camp Nou to Vicente Calderon this summer - insists he will put all friendship aside when he faces his former team-mates.

“I have many friends and fond memories of my three years there,” he told reporters. “But when we start the game, they are my

Rodgers hails Sturridge attitude

The England international missed most of the Reds' pre-season preparations though injury, but returned in time to score the only goal in a 1-0 win over Stoke City.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has praised Daniel Sturridge's mental strength in ensuring he was fit for the start of the season.

Sturridge struck the only goal of the game in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield as Liverpool began the Premier League campaign with an encouraging performance.

An ankle injury sustained while on international duty with England back in May had threatened to leave the striker unavailable to Rodgers for the opening month of the season.

The 23-year-old, though, battled back to

'Prison has changed me' - Breno

The Brazilian is relishing the chance to work with the Bayern Munich Under-23 side on a day-release programme as he continues to serve a jail term for aggravated arson

Former Bayern Munich defender Breno admits he has "changed as a person" during his time in prison.

The 23-year-old was sentenced to three years and nine months in 2012 after being found guilty of aggravated arson following a fire at his rented Munich villa the previous year.

The Brazilian has been offered a post to work for five hours a day with the Bayern Under-23 side and he admits he is indebted to the club for the opportunity following his spell away from the game.

“My time in prison was

Pardew omits Cabaye from Newcastle squad following Arsenal bid

The Magpies manager has been left angry by the timing of the Gunners' £10 million bid for the France international, who misses the Tyneside club's clash against Manchester City.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that Yohan Cabaye has been omitted from his side's opening Premier League clash against Manchester City following a bid from Arsenal.

The Gunners are understood to have had a £10 million offer for the Frenchman rejected after having launched a triple swoop for Cabaye, Geoffrey Kondogbia and

Gourcuff could leave Lyon, says Aulas

The midfielder may yet depart Stade Gerland, while Bafetimbi Gomis is now likely to sign a new contract with the club.

Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff could leave the Ligue 1 side this summer after the club's president Jean-Michel Aulas admitted "anything is possible".

Premier League side Arsenal are believed to be admirers of the 27-year-old, with reports tipping the club to make a bid before the end of the summer transfer window.

And though Aulas still believes the midfielder will remain at

Fulham sign Parker from Tottenham

The 32-year-old, who has previously enjoyed spells with Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle and and West Ham, has decided to spurn QPR in favour of a move to Craven Cottage.

Fulham have confirmed they have completed the signing of Scott Parker from Tottenham.

The 32-year-old midfielder has decided to spurn the interest of recently relegated QPR to sign a three-year deal with Martin Jol's side, and joins for an undisclosed fee.

Fulham will be Parker's fifth London club, the England international having already enjoyed spells with Charlton, Chelsea, West Ham and Tottenham during a distinguished career.

“I’m delighted to be joining Fulham and I’m looking forward to

Juventus suffer Marchisio blow

The midfielder has suffered a "first-second degree tear" of his medial collateral ligament and will now be missing for over a month.

Juventus have confirmed that Claudio Marchisio will be out for a period of between 30 to 35 days, after he picked up an injury during Sunday's Super Cup victory over Lazio.

Goals from Paul Pogba, Giorgio Chiellini, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Carlos Tevez secured the trophy for the Bianconeri on Sunday.

But with the success came a

Arda Turan likely to leave Atletico Madrid for Premier League, agent claims

Atleti are believed to want to retain the Turkey international, but his agent stressed he has a release clause of €24 million suggested interest from England, France and Turkey.

Arda Turan is likely to move to the Premier League this summer, his agent claimed after he confirmed the interest of English clubs in signing the winger from Atletico Madrid.

The 26-year-old won the Europa League in his first season with Atleti after joining from Galatasaray in 2011, and coach Diego Simeone is believed to want to retain him having previously spoken of the value to the club.

The Turkey international’s agent Ahmet Bulut however claimed a

Lewandowski hails Dortmund patience

After a narrow victory on Sunday, the Poland international has lauded his side's composure in breaking down a stubborn visiting rearguard.

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski has praised his team's patience after their 2-1 win against Eintracht Braunschweig on Sunday.

The newly-promoted underdogs were resilient in the face of BVB pressure for much of the afternoon at Signal Iduna Park, much to the frustration of last season's Champions League finalists.

But youngster Jonas Hofmann, who was brought in for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the second half, was able to break the deadlock in the

Pellegrini: Manchester City don't have time to get to know each other

The former Malaga coach warns that his new players must impress straight away and does not believe that his lack of Premier League experience will disadvantage their title bid.

Manuel Pellegrini has warned that Manchester City must start the season with good results and that his established squad and his summer signings do not have the time to get to know each other first.

City host Newcastle on Monday to open their Premier League campaign, with Roberto Mancini having been dismissed and replaced by the former Malaga manager following a disappointing second-place finish last season.

The transfer window saw

Zabaleta signs new Manchester City deal until 2017

The 28-year-old Argentine has established himself as a firm favourite at the Etihad Stadium since signing five years ago, and he is delighted to have penned an extension.

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2017.

The Argentine has made has made 175 appearances for City since signing from Espanyol in 2008, and has emerged as the club's first-choice right-back in recent seasons.

 "I have been here for five years and it feels like home. Signing a contract extension with the club makes me feel very happy," he told the club's official website.

"I feel great here, I like the

Villas-Boas denies Tottenham bid for Willian

The Spurs boss says the Brazilian is a player who he 'appreciates' and concedes the club could make further signings before the end of the transfer window.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas insists his side have not submitted a bid for Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder Willian but admits he admires the Brazilian.

We reported on Monday that Liverpool have launched a formal offer of €30 million (£25.6m) for the 25-year-old, while the club are also willing to match the player's £85,000-a-week salary.

When asked if Tottenham have made a bid for Willian, Villas-Boas told reporters: "No, no."

But when asked if he admires the

Kingsley Boateng completes Catania loan

The striker joins the Rossazzurri on season-long deal, with the Sicilian club having an option to purchase a 50% stake in the player next summer.

Milan have confirmed that Kingsley Boateng has joined Catania on loan for the entire 2013-14 season.

The 19-year-old striker will join up with Rolando Maran's side ahead of this weekend’s Serie A opener, and the deal also includes an option for the Sicilian club to purchase a 50% stake in Boateng at the end of his spell.

Boateng featured regularly for

Arsenal launch triple swoop for Cabaye, Kondogbia & Uchida

The Gunners have submitted formal bids for the Newcastle midfielder and Japanese full-back, and made an enquiry over Sevilla's 20-year-old French star.

Arsenal are ready to begin a late summer spending spree after launching a triple swoop for Yohan Cabaye, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Atsuto Uchida,.

The Gunners had a £10 million bid for Newcastle midfielder Cabaye rejected on Monday before turning their attention to Sevilla powerhouse Kondogbia.

Arsenal made an enquiry rather than a formal offer for the 20-year-old midfield anchorman and were told he would only be sold if the €20m buy-out clause in his

Boateng backs brother in fight against racism

The Germany star has attended an event in Miami against racial abuse in the sport to support his brother Kevin-Prince.

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has taken a stance against racism after his brother, AC Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng, was subjected to abusive chants earlier this year.

The Rossoneri midfielder walked off the pitch after abusive shouts from the stands during a friendly against Pro Patria in January.

And speaking at an event against racism in football in Miami, the Bayern Munich man has

Ferdinand hits back at Mourinho swipe

The Chelsea boss claimed Manchester United were not an "unbelievable team" last season, while the 34-year-old defender warns his side should not be ruled out of the title race.

Rio Ferdinand has hit back at Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese criticised the calibre of Manchester United's title-winning team.

Mourinho claimed neither United nor Manchester City had been "extraordinary" champions in the past two seasons.

"That was his first sound bite of the season, wasn't it? I think we expected it," Ferdinand said of the Chelsea manager's comments.

"I'm looking forward to Chelsea. We are really looking forward to it. Now we can

Lippi: Juventus will need luck in the Champions League

The former Azzurri boss feels the Bianconeri could have gone all the way in the competition last term, but were unfortunate to draw Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

Juventus will need lady luck on their side if they are to triumph in the Champions League this season, according to Marcello Lippi.

Antonio Conte's men were defeated 4-0 on aggregate by the Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the tournament last term, with the Bavarians going on to win the tournament.

And the former Juve boss - who lifted the Champions League with the club in 1996 - feels the luck of the draw was against the Bianconeri, but believes they are capable of

Prandelli: Juventus will win Serie A

The Azzurri head coach expects the Bianconeri to be Serie A champions once again, but believes Napoli and Fiorentina's new recruits will see them challenge.

Cesare Prandelli says Juventus are "the number one favourite" to retain their Serie A title and predicted another season of success for Antonio Conte's side.

The reigning Italian champions start the defence of their title away to Sampdoria next Saturday and are firm favourites to record a third successive first place finish.

Conte's men ended last season nine points clear of closest challengers Napoli, and have since added the names of Carlos Tevez, Fernando Lllorente and Angelo Ogbonna to an

Muller: Bayern have a score to settle with Chelsea

The Germany star has set his sights on avenging their defeat in the 2012 Champions League final and says his team need to improve defensively under Pep Guardiola.

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller feels his team "have a score to settle" against Chelsea ahead of their European Super Cup tie with the Blues on August 30.

The Blues won the 2011-12 Champions League final against the Bavarians 4-3 on penalties, but the Germans eventually bounced back by securing the treble the following campaign.

But despite the success, Muller says his team are ready to retaliate for the defeat two seasons ago, when they meet Jose Mourinho's side in Prague at the

Michu: Van Persie is best striker in the world

The Spaniard believes the Manchester United forward will once again be a major contender for the Premier League's Golden Boot this season.

Michu has labelled Robin van Persie as the best striker in the world after the Dutchman's double against Swansea City on Saturday.

Van Persie, who claimed the golden boot in the Premier League last season, struck twice in Manchester United's 4-1 away win at the Liberty Stadium, with Danny Welbeck matching his contribution.

"He had two chances and he scored two goals, but that is why