Rodgers keen for Liverpool star to sign new deal

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is hoping to tie Philippe Coutinho down to a new long-term contract.

Coutinho has been a huge hit at Anfield since joining the Reds from Inter Milan in an £8.5million deal 18 months ago.

The 22-year-old Brazilian is contracted to the Merseyside club until 2018, but Rodgers wants to extend that and hand him a significant increase on his wages.

“A new contract for Philippe is something we will look to do over the summer,” said Rodgers, speaking after his team's friendly defeat to Manchester United in Miami.

"It’s all in hand. He’s certainly on that list. He’s a valuable player and a great asset to the club. He’s come in here and shown his quality, and really developed as a young player.

“Now he’s moving into the best years of his life as a footballer. He’s 22 and hopefully by the time the next World Cup comes around he will be an important part of the Brazil team, I’m sure his best years will be at Liverpool.

 “He came back to pre-season with a great level of fitness – right on the limit of his weight.

“He’s in great condition, clearly worked hard in the off season and since he’s come back we’ve seen in the games how strong and aggressive he is.”

Arsenal linked with £24m swoop for Sporting Lisbon midfielder

Arsenal are preparing a £24million bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, according to O Jogo.

The Gunners are on the hunt for a defensive midfielder this summer and have already shown an interest in Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin and Real Madrid's Sami Khedira.

However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is now reportedly making a move for Sporting's Carvalho.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, becoming a regular for Sporting and making his international debut. His displays attracted firm interest from Manchester United.

Carvalho's release clause is said to be around £35m, but Arsenal are hoping that the offer of £24m, in one single payment, will persuade Sporting to part with their star midfielder.

Exclusive - Chelsea should have kept Cole and Lampard, claims ex-Blues boss

Avram Grant believes Chelsea have made a mistake by letting Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard leave the club..

The former England duo both departed Stamford Bridge on free transfers this summer, with Cole joining Roma and Lampard agreeing a move to New York City FC.

The former West Ham midfielder has, subsequently, agreed a loan switch to Premier League rivals Manchester City, who own the new MLS franchise.

And former Blues boss Grant claims the 36-year-old, along with Cole, could have benefited the west London side.

“Chelsea could have used both Lampard and Cole for one or two more years,” he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show. “They are still in good shape.

“You need a big squad because Chelsea are playing in all the competitions.

“They could have used them like John Terry. You need young and experienced players in your squad.”

Del Piero wants to play on

Former Italy and Juventus great Alessandro Del Piero on Monday said he wants to play on, despite being 39 and without a club.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup™ winner failed to agree a new contract with Sydney FC at the end of last season but is back in Australia to captain an All Stars side against his old club Juventus on Saturday.

Del Piero said he had been staying fit and wants to keep playing football for at least another year, but is yet to decide where or in what capacity.

Asked by reporters in Sydney whether it could be the last game of his career, Del Piero said: "No, I don't think so.

"It could be my last game in Australia, but I'm still in touch with the (Australian) federation and Sydney FC as well. I'm happy to be here and hope to stay in touch in the future."

Juventus' all-time leading goalscorer said there were currently two "big" but not definite options available to him.

"Now I have to choose exactly what is the best for me with the opportunities, but I want to play on," he added.

"It's my passion. I understand I can follow my passion until I'm 90 years old, but I think I'm in good shape to play for one more year and this is my idea."

The Italian great, who spent 19 years at Juventus, scoring 208 goals in 513 appearances before joining the A-League, said it would be emotional for him on Saturday.

"This is a special game, not only for me but for the Australian federation, all the players," he said.

"It will be, for sure, exciting to come face-to-face with my former team. I don't know what can happen, because it's a very unique situation."

Juventus have brought a full-strength team to Sydney for the match, including new recruit Patrice Evra, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba.

Exclusive – Former Chelsea ace: Lampard MUST be respected for Man City move

Former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho has suggested that Blues fans should respect club legend Frank Lampard’s decision to join Manchester City.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini revealed the England midfielder has agreed to join the Premier League champions until January, as he prepares for his permanent move to newly-formed MLS side New York City.

Lampard’s shock switch was met with mixed reaction from the Chelsea fanbase, with some supporters questioning his legendary status at the club having transferred to a top flight rival.

But former team-mate Carvalho, who won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups during a six-season stay at Stamford Bridge, accepts the decision was made for purely football reasons.

“Obviously I would prefer to see Frank in a Chelsea shirt, but you have to respect his decision to move to City," the former Portugal international told talkSPORT.

“It’s a professional decision he has made for the football, so you must respect that from a player like Lampard.”

Tottenham update: Schneiderlin to leave, but not for Arsenal?

Earlier in the week, Southampton and France midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin was going nowhere, according to club chairman Ralph Krueger.

Do we believe that, though? The player appeared to have a dig at the chairman with this tweet: 'six years of an amazing journey' at the club had been 'DESTROYED in one hour'. However, he could have just been venting his frustration at the player exodus.

Here is the latest news surrounding the potential transfer...

Huge £45m double swoop from Spurs
According to the Mirror, Tottenham will spend £45m on both Schneiderlin and Swansea striker Wilfried Bony. Apparently Spurs’ initial bid of around £13m for Schneiderlin has been rejected and may bump this up to £20m. The Saints reckon he is worth £27m.

Wenger hasn’t spoken to Southampton
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects to do more business in the transfer window, but denies targeting Schneiderlin. The long serving Gunners boss has NOT contacted Southampton about their France international, say the Express.

Giroud helping out the Gunners?
Arsenal did speak with Morgan Schneiderlin about a possible move and striker and World Cup team-mate Olivier Giroud has reportedly been putting a good word in for his countryman. It is unclear if the club has stepped up their efforts to sign the player since then, say Get French football news.

Schneiderlin "nailed on to leave" St Mary's
Sun journalist Paul Jiggins told talkSPORT he believes the midfielder is “nailed on to leave”, though the saga could continue and we may still be discussing it on deadline day, he said.

Blow for Manchester United! Van Persie will miss Season Opener

Manchester United will have to do without star striker Robin van Persie for their opening Premier League match against Swansea City after he was given an extended break following the World Cup.

The Dutch forward played a key role in helping the Netherlands finish third in Brazil under his now club boss, Louis van Gaal, but has not featured in any of United's pre-season games.

Van Persie, 30, is due to return to training on Monday but having missed large chunks of last season through injury, Van Gaal revealed he would not be rushing the striker into action.

“When a player has been on holiday for three weeks they have to train,” the Red Devils boss said.

“I’m sorry but players have to train and Robin needs a full training regime behind him before he can play again.

“People can criticise me for my decision but I know what to do with players who have had three weeks’ holiday. Hopefully, Robin will get his fitness back very fast but, for now, he won’t play.

“Robin wants to play every game, I know that, but so do the other 30 players in the squad.

Higginbotham: Louis van Gaal’s attention to detail is ‘unbelievable’

Former Manchester United defender Danny Higginbotham has praised new Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal for his ‘unbelievable’ attention to detail during the club’s pre-season.

Speaking with Extra Time, Higginbotham said that the early signs of the Van Gaal era at Old Trafford are encouraging.

“Football’s evolving all the time. I retired recently and from when I started, to when I finished it came on leaps and bounds in terms of the technology used for fitness, nutrition, everything.

"One thing I have seen from being over here is the attention to detail that’s paid towards everything by the manager. It’s absolutely unbelievable,”

"As a player sometimes you find that you go on to the pitch at certain clubs and don’t know what’s asked of you. Here under the new manager you can see that after changing the formation the players have taken to it straight away, and it’s been really exciting to watch, to see how it’s developing. The managing and coaching staff have been absolutely brilliant from what I’ve seen so far.”

The ex-United man also thinks the steady evolution of the team in pre-season is a good sign of things to come in the Premier League.

“If you can get the results in pre-season, players playing well and goalscorers scoring as has been happening here then it can only help your confidence. You can see with every game that the team, with the formation, are gelling more and more. That last game against Inter should never have gone to penalties. United were the dominant force in that game,”

“Players look so much more comfortable. Mata playing behind Rooney and Welbeck: all three have been brilliant so far. Ashley Young playing at left and right wingback has been brilliant too.

"One of the things about Van Gaal as a manager is that he’s already gauging what the players are best at. It’s brilliant to see how in a short time they’ve taken everything in and everyone has gotten on board with what’s happening at the club. Hopefully it bears well for the season ahead.”

Chelsea fans turn their back on Manchester City-bound legend

Frank Lampard's prospective move to Manchester City on a short-term loan has generated shockwaves in football, not least among some very unhappy Chelsea supporters.

The legendary Blues midfielder left Stamford Bridge at the end of the season after 13 trophy laden years and then agreed a move to New York City FC, who are part owned by the Premier League champions.

No problems there as Lampard left with the well wishes of Chelsea supporters but with the MLS side not in action until March, it has now emerged he is set to join City on a six month loan.

And that creates a big problem for some Blues fans. While some have understood the 36-year-old's decision, others have gone apoplectic at the midfielder's decision to join their Premier League title rivals.

Transfer rumours and paper review - Saturday, August 2

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Saturday's newspapers...

Barcelona are set to scupper Manchester United's £30m attempt to sign Colombian midfielder Juan Cuadrado, 26, from Fiorentina. (Daily Express)

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Manchester United. (Manchester Evening News)

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has been told that £32m Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, 23, will be his last signing this summer. (Times)

Barcelona and Brondby are considering making a move for Liverpool's Danish centre-back Daniel Agger, 29, who is considering his future at Anfield following the arrival of £20m defender Dejan Lovren from Southampton. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal may make a move to sign former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa, 31, from Real Madrid if Thomas Vermaelen, 28, leaves the Emirates Stadium. (AS)

Manchester United are ready to sign Vermaelen for about £12m, despite the fact the centre-back is suffering from a minor hamstring injury he picked up with Belgium during the World Cup. (Guardian)

Liverpool have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Paris St-Germain's 29-year-old forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, with the Argentina international preferring a move to Juventus. (Daily Express)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew says he has given up his attempt to sign QPR's 27-year-old striker Loic Remy. (Newcastle Chronicle)

West Ham are lining up a move for Stoke City striker Peter Crouch, 33, as they look to bolster their attacking options after Samuel Eto'o priced himself out of a move to Upton Park. (Daily Star)

Southampton's Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc, 34, has emerged as an unlikely transfer target for German champions Bayern Munich. (Telegraph)

Liverpool are lending Manchester United a helping hand in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, 25, with the Reds willing to let 21-year-old Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori move to the Bundesliga on loan to replace the German. (Daily Star)

Everton and Norwich City are both keen to sign Ostersunds FK's Gambian striker Modou Barrow, 21, according to his agent Willie McKay. (Sky Sports)

Tottenham are in talks to sign Villarreal's £21m-rated Argentine defender Mateo Musacchio, 23, who has previously been linked with Barcelona. (Daily Mirror)

QPR are considering a loan move for Juventus's 26-year-old midfielder Mauricio Isla. (Daily Mail)