Chelsea defender Gary Cahill keen to play alongside John Terry

Gary Cahill: Keen to link up with John Terry for Chelsea this season

Terry struggled with injuries last season but was a key part of manager Jose Mourinho's success in his first spell at Stamford Bridge.Gary Cahill is keen to form a partnership with John Terry in the heart of the Chelsea defence as they look to mount a title challenge in the upcoming Premier League season.

Cahill knows they will have to battle David Luiz for a place in the team but he hopes to spend some time alongside Terry, who has impressed on the pre-season tour of Asia.

"Last year he had a couple of niggles and hopefully they're behind him, not just for him but the team," said Cahill.

"It seems like I've only played with him in bits and bobs, with him being in and out, and we've not really had a run of games.

"It would be great if he could stay fit so we can have consistency."

Cahill also had words of praise for striker Romelu Lukaku, who spent last season on loan at West Brom.

The Belgium international scored twice in Chelsea's 8-1 thrashing of the Indonesia All-Stars and has four goals in total from the trip to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta and Cahill has been impressed by what he has seen.

"He had a great loan spell at West Brom last season, has been flying in training and scored two great goals," added Cahill.

"I play against him in training a lot and he's a handful just with his pace and power. His finishing is great too."

As for the chance to work under Mourinho, Cahill admits he is relishing the opportunity.

"It's been exciting to work for Mourinho and we're slowly getting to know him," he said.

"There's a handful of players who knew what to expect from him, but for players like me it's just exciting."

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Yaya Toure glad that Manchester City have brought in "unbelievable players"

Yaya Toure: Excited by new Manchester City arrivals

City have brought in Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas, Fernandinho and Stevan Jovetic so far this summer in a £90million investment under new boss Manuel Pellegrini.Yaya Toure is happy to welcome new signings to Manchester City because he feels the club needed a boost.

Toure believes the signings were necessary to improve the team after City fell short in all competitions last season.

"I'm glad these players have come because we needed it," said Toure, quoted in the Daily Mail.

"They're unbelievable players - Negredo, Navas, Fernandinho and Jovetic, who is a great young talent with a fantastic future.

"We think we have the right players and if we perform like we should then we'll have a very good chance of winning trophies.

"When you lose you must not have done something right. Last season we were a step away from winning the FA Cup but Wigan were better than us.

"In the Premier League and Champions League we were disappointing. We have to be honest and say Manchester United were much better than us.

"This year we want to do the job. The club want to improve in every aspect because we know we have a great challenge against Chelsea, Arsenal, United, Tottenham and Liverpool.

"It's important for me and the club. I know how much everyone desires it. The fans only want to see one Manchester club profit."

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger prepared to wait for Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker is wanted by Premier League rivals Arsenal

The Gunners have already put in a £40,000,001 bid for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez but Wenger is relaxed about the lack of progress on the deal and is not expecting transfer activity ahead of the Emirates Cup next weekend.Arsene Wenger has revealed he is prepared to wait for his transfer targets as he claims Arsenal can win the Premier League title with or without new signings.

"We are ready to do quick deals but all the transfers do not depend only on us," said Wenger, quoted in the Daily Mirror. "But we are prepared to wait. It looks unlikely before the Emirates Cup.

"We still have a strong squad but we are there on the market to try to strengthen our team. With or without additions we can be title challengers next season."

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has publicly questioned the wisdom of Suarez leaving Anfield to join Arsenal as he insists it would be a sideways step - but Wenger would not be drawn on the matter.

"He must explain that," added the Arsenal boss. "I don't know. We are not close to signing Suarez or anybody else so there's no reason why I should talk about it.

"There is nothing to say. I have been away now for two or the weeks and it's hard to see how things are advanced because everyone is on tour at the moment and it's very difficult to get in touch with people.

"What has changed recently is that in Europe some countries like France suddenly have bought some very talented players who two or three years ago would all have come to England. It makes the chase for talent very difficult.

"What we want is not a name but a good player. The name is less important. What is more important is the quality of the player. At the moment I must tell you we are not close to signing anybody.

"We try to do the job and we will try to do it well. But that is in front of us. We have worked a lot but nothing has been concluded with anybody.

"Of course we want to do as many top players as we can. But we also have to focus on the players we have and develop them."

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Paul Scholes hopes Manchester United can sign Cesc Fabregas and urges Wayne Rooney to stay

Paul Scholes believes the arrival of Cesc Fabregas at Manchester United would ensure the club remains a dominant force in the Premier League next season.

New Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino insists he is determined to keep Fabregas, despite constant speculation about the ex-Arsenal midfielder returning to England with United.

David Moyes does not appear ready to end his pursuit of the Spaniard after admitting that talks are 'ongoing' and he would be a fitting replacement for former playmaker Scholes, who would welcome Fabregas' arrival.

Scholes played against Fabregas on a number of occasions before announcing his retirement last season and he feels the 26-year-old would help the club challenge for more silverware in the new campaign.

"Well it would be nice to sign a player of that quality," he told Sky Sports News.

"He's proven in the Premier League, obviously he's with Barcelona, it's a big club, it will be difficult to get him away from there. But if you do, you have to fancy your chances strongly that we can go on and be successful with a player like that in your team."

Wayne Rooney sat out Scholes' final game for United in May after making a transfer request and his future at the club is uncertain, with Chelsea keen to sign the unsettled striker.

Moyes is reluctant to sell Rooney and Scholes has advised the England international to remain at Old Trafford.

"Well my advice would be to stay obviously," he said. "I don't think there's anywhere better than Manchester United to play your football, but it's not the same for every person.

"If someone is not happy there then they want to go. If that's Wayne's feeling then that's up to him, but he's a top, top player and I think every United player and fan hopes he stays."

Moyes is yet to bring in any big names after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson and neighbours Manchester City have already added a host of new faces to their ranks.

But Scholes insists there is no rush for Moyes to bring in recruits because he has inherited a strong squad.

He said: "I don't think there's that much pressure really because he's come in and there's a quality squad there already. There's 18, 19, 20 quality players he's got.

"Obviously even if Alex Ferguson was still there, I'm sure he'd want to sign two or three players. That's the norm every season.

"You win the league by 10 points, whatever it is, you still want to improve the year after. I'm sure David (Moyes) is trying his best to get players and I'm sure he'll want players, and hopefully he can get the ones he wants."

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Barcelona say all Cesc Fabregas bids will be rejected

Gerardo Martino: We are counting on Fabregas

Barcelona have announced that Martino has signed a two-year contract to replace Tito Vilanova and the new man has wasted little time in making it clear that he will be retaining Fabregas.New Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino says there is no chance of midfielder Cesc Fabregas moving to Manchester United.

Although Manchester United have already had two bids for the Spanish international rejected, manager David Moyes said on Thursday that their attempts to sign the 26-year-old were "ongoing".

However, Martino said: "I'm not going to get into the economic interests but, if the club rejected it twice, I add a third one right now.

"He will be staying here."

Vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu added: "It's logical that we've had offers for Fabregas because he is a quality player but he is not for sale.

"We are proud to have him here. It doesn't matter what the offer from United is, we are counting on him.

"It is normal that many clubs are interested in our player Cesc. That is a source of pride for us, but we'll reject all bids."

Every side can improve

Speaking about his aims for the club, Martino said: "Every side, even Barcelona which has already achieved certain moments of excellence, can always improve, and Barca still has things to win.

"We are going to try to recover certain things that we've seen when Barca have been at their best, and add a few ideas of our own."

He said he would not be changing the team's 4-3-3 formation and, regarding star player Lionel Messi, he added: "He will continue to play in exactly the same position, he has to feel comfortable. After that, he'll do the rest."

Alex Song is also convinced that Fabregas will still be a Barcelona player at the start of the new season.

Song, the former Arsenal midfielder who spent six years at the Emirates before moving to Spain in 2012, says his team-mate has no intention of quitting Camp Nou.

After featuring in Barca's friendly defeat at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Song told Sky Sports News he is "100%" sure Fabregas is going nowhere.

He said: "I did not speak with him but I know Cesc is 100 per cent here.

"He loves Barcelona, he loves the club. He will stay here next season and give 100 per cent because I know him very well and he'll want to fight. He's focused on the club.

"He wants just to give his best for Barcelona. He's from Barcelona, he loves Barcelona and he'll want to start the season to show what he can do.

"People are talking and talking, but we know he is focused here and ready to start the season.

"He's enjoying a holiday with his family and I'm sure he wants just to come back here.

"It's my own opinion but I know he will stay here, 100 per cent."

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Gareth Bale may be set to extend his Tottenham contract

Gareth Bale: Enjoyed a superb 2012/13 season

Welsh winger Bale has been linked with a host of top European clubs after a sensational 2012/13 campaign during which he won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards.Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that the club are in talks with Gareth Bale over a new contract.

Reports have again surfaced in Spain that Real Madrid have submitted an official bid for the 24-year-old but Villas-Boas is hoping to keep hold of his prized asset and believes a new contract can be agreed before the start of the season.

"There were contacts last year between the club and his agent," said Villas-Boas. "And there are still ongoing contacts between club and agent.

"The player renewed his contract last year by the beginning of the season, if you remember, and it's something that is being dealt with by the chairman and the agent.

Confident

"Talks are ongoing, but that doesn't mean there is an agreement."

When asked if he was confident that an agreement would be reached, the Spurs boss added: "At the moment we are confident. The player is under contract, a good contract at Tottenham, which was done last year.

"It's something we are speaking about but we don't have any further developments."

Asked if there had been any formal bids for Bale, a smiling Villas-Boas replied: "I'm not going to make any comments on that one!

"The player is a special player and had a wonderful season last year, we recognise the level he was playing at.

"At the moment we are extremely happy with his performances and happy with the conditions that he has.

"We understand that we are speaking with his agent for a possible improvement but, at the moment, we don't need to make any further statement regarding transfer speculation or his contract."

Bale missed Wednesday's Barclays Asia Trophy match against Sunderland due to injury and will probably sit out Saturday's game against South China as well.

"He is very near to recovery and I think we will only see him back in training in London," said Villas-Boas.

"He has made a slight strain, he has pulled his muscle on his right side. Seven to 10 days is a normal period for this kind of injury and he is within that timeframe. He's very near to coming back."

Gylfi Sigurdsson is one of several Spurs players to express their hope that Bale will be staying at White Hart Lane.

"He's a great player and if he stays it will be fantastic. I am sure he will stay because he's still here," he told reporters.

"He is a draw for other players to come here. Good players want to play with other big players. It's a big club and hopefully he'll stay and we'll bring in a few other good players."

Sigurdsson is also of the opinion that Bale's presence can help Spurs to push on and claim a Champions League spot this time around.

"The players here talk about getting into the Champions League two seasons ago and how fantastic it was," he said.

"Missing out when Chelsea won the Champions League and being fifth last season was very disappointing.

"It's hard to deal with for a couple of weeks after the season ends but then you start thinking about the next season. We're determined to make it our year."

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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says Arsenal must up bid for Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez: Acceptable offer has yet to be received for Liverpool striker

"If Arsenal want the player, then they have to produce the value for the player," Rodgers told reporters in Australia.The Gunners put in a bid of £40,000,001 for the striker earlier this week but Rodgers argues that it will take a lot more than that before the Uruguay international is allowed to leave Anfield.

"There was an offer a few weeks ago of £35million and two weeks later it is now £40m and a pound - I don't think it is anywhere near the value of what he is worth.

"But it is twofold, really. A player may want to go, but then somebody has to pay the value or worth of that player."

Suarez featured briefly as a substitute for Liverpool in their 2-0 victory over Melbourne Victory on Wednesday and the Reds boss expects the striker to play for as long as he is paid by the club.

Rodgers added: "There is no change for me or Luis. He is a paid player at Liverpool so he just needs to get on with getting fit. That is how it is.

"Until somebody tells me something different, that is what all my concentration will be on. There will be no games played at Liverpool.

"Luis is part of the group and he knows the standard you have to meet at this club - on and off the field.

"After the bid came in Luis was OK, he said he was OK to go on the pitch and his focus was fine.

"It may be a distraction but players are played enough money now to produce for their clubs and he just has to keep his professionalism, which he has done."

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Manchester United's bid for Cesc Fabregas is 'ongoing'

Cesc Fabregas: Barcelona midfielder remains a transfer target for Manchester United

United have had two bids for the Spain international turned down already but Moyes insists they have not given up hope of landing the former Arsenal man.Manchester United manager David Moyes says the club are continuing with their attempts to sign midfielder Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona.

Asked about the potential deal at a Thursday press conference as United continue their tour of Japan, Moyes said: "It is ongoing."

And the new United boss also said that forward Robin van Persie is likely to feature in Friday's friendly against Cerezo Osaka.

Van Persie felt tightness in his thigh during Tuesday's loss in Yokohama and had to be taken off.

Van Persie expected to play

But Moyes said: "It was just a precaution. I expect he will play tomorrow."

However, Michael Carrick is unlikely to be risked on Friday, although Moyes says the midfielder's tight groin is getting better.

Regarding injured players who are rehabilitating back in Manchester, the manager said the news was good.

"There was a practice match at the training ground the other day in which Nemanja Vidic, Antonio Valencia and Nani all got some playing time," he said.

"Wayne Rooney is running and is probably at the level we would have thought he would be at. He has picked up his work again this week."

Meanwhile, Alex Song is convinced Fabregas will still be a Barcelona player at the start of the new season.

Song, the former Arsenal midfielder who spent six years at the Emirates before moving to Spain in 2012, says his team-mate has no intention of quitting Camp Nou.

After featuring in Barca's friendly defeat at Bayern Munich, Song told Sky Sports News he is "100%" sure Fabregas is going nowhere.

He said: "I did not speak with him but I know Cesc is 100 per cent here.

"He loves Barcelona, he loves the club. He will stay here next season and give 100 per cent because I know him very well and he'll want to fight. He's focused on the club.

"He wants just to give his best for Barcelona. He's from Barcelona, he loves Barcelona and he'll want to start the season to show what he can do.

"People are talking and talking, but we know he is focused here and ready to start the season.

"He's enjoying a holiday with his family and I'm sure he wants just to come back here.

"It's my own opinion but I know he will stay here, 100 per cent."

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Villas-Boas confirms Tottenham interest in 'great' Soldado

Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that Tottenham is interested in Valencia striker Roberto Soldado, but stressed that no deal has been agreed.

The north Londoners have sent technical director Franco Baldini to Spain to negotiate a deal for the 28-year-old, who scored 30 goals in all competitions last term.

Valencia president Amadeo Salvo has insisted Soldado will only leave the Mestalla if a club matches his 30 million euro buyout clause, with Villas-Boas stressing that no deal has yet been agreed with the Liga outfit.

"At the moment, he's just one of the players we are interested in," Villas-Boas told reporters. "It's not a lie to anybody that we've been looking for a striker to strengthen our squad and to have more strength in depth.

"Roberto is one of the players we have been following and his career speaks for itself. He's a great striker. But there isn't a deal being struck at the moment, it's just interest and conversations."

With just Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor the only first-team strikers at Villas-Boas' disposal, the Portuguese is keen to bolster his attacking options and has turned his attentions to Soldado after the club refused to meet Aston Villa's 25m pound asking price for Christian Benteke.

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Gerardo Martino has described Barcelona as having players "every coach wants" following his hiring as head coach on Tuesday.

Gerardo Martino has described Barcelona as having players "every coach wants" following his hiring as head coach on Tuesday.

Martino was confirmed as the new Camp Nou boss just days after Tito Vilanova's shocking resignation over health problems as he continues his battle against cancer.

Gerardo Martino was named Barcelona's new coach on Tuesday. 

Martino, who steps down as Newell's Old Boys boss to take the two-year deal in Catalunya, is thrilled to get the opportunity to coach Lionel Messi and is crossing his fingers that he will be a huge success.

"For my career as a coach, with the players that Barcelona have, with Leo there, it's exactly what every coach wants," Martino told reporters at a press conference in Argentina. "I hope I can be as good as they are expecting and help them keep winning."

Martino reached a two-year agreement with Barcelona and was presented Tuesday afternoon at a press conference in in Rosario, Argentina. Despite having no coaching experience with a European club, Martino received the backing of Messi in recent days.

"I'm really happy that Barcelona considered me and my way of working. I have hopes that everything will go perfect, and, despite the [high] expectations, that everything will go great," the 50-year-old said.

"My first goal is to get adapted to the club with my people the best way. Then we have to fight for every competition we play."

Martino is the fourth Argentine to coach Barcelona, after Helenio Herrera (1958-60, 1980 and 1980-81), Roque Olsen (1965-67), and Cesar Luis Menotti (1983-84).

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Manchester City confirms Negredo signing

Manchester City has confirmed the signing of Spain and Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo in a deal thought to be worth up to about 24 million pounds.

The 27-year-old Negredo scored 63 goals in 95 appearances for Sevilla but will now wear the No. 9 shirt for the Citizens as new boss Manuel Pellegrini's fourth signing at the Etihad Stadium. Negredo follows in the footsteps of Fernandinho, Stevan Jovetic and former teammate Jesus Navas, who joined City from Sevilla earlier this summer.

"City are delighted to announce the signing of Alvaro Negredo, who becomes the club’s third new recruit of the summer," read a statement. "He will join up with the squad on the pre-season tour, and wear the No. 9 shirt."

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