Wes prefers to join Man Utd

Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has reportedly snubbed Manchester City's interest in his services in favour of rivals United.

The Dutch playmaker has been linked with a move to Old Trafford throughout the transfer window with the clubs reportedly set to agree to a 27.5 million euros fee.

But rivals Manchester City also enquired about the midfielder, only to be told he was more interested in joining English Premier League champions United.

'Sneijder wants to play for Manchester United because of their prestige and tradition, which meant City never really followed up their interest,' Goal.com were told on Saturday.

'City were also put off by Inter's asking price, which is also a problem for United because of his salary expectations.'

'United have told Inter they will pay 27.5 million euros for Sneijder. Inter have said they want 40 million euros, although they could be willing to sell for 35 million euros.'

Talks have stalled between the parties but it is likely a deal will be reached with new Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini no longer considering Sneijder indispensable.

If Sneijder makes the move, Inter are likely to make a bid for want-away Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez.

The Argentine's representative, Kia Joorabchian, was reportedly in Milan on Thursday to speak with Inter officials.

Sergio "Kun" Aguero nearing Man City deal

Aguero signs autograph for fans outside hospital after medical

Argentina striker Sergio Aguero is edging closer to becoming Manchester City's record signing after arriving in the north west.

The 23-year-old flew in from his homeland to Heathrow and then north to Manchester Airport before heading to the Bridgewater Hospital for his medical.

It is not anticipated Aguero's personal terms - reported to be a five-year contract worth about £200,000 a week - will be a stumbling block for cash-rich City who are backed by the wealth of Sheikh Mansour, a member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family.

City's previous record transfer was Robinho, who arrived from Real Madrid for £32.5million as the new owners made him their marquee signing to signal their intent just days after taking over in August 2008.

The Aguero deal is believed to be closer to £38million, the value of the buy-out clause inserted in the new contract he signed with Atletico Madrid in January.

"Just arrived in Manchester to finalise the details of signing with City," Aguero wrote on Twitter."Everything is going very well! I'll tell you more in a while."

With City striker Carlos Tevez adamant he wants to leave to be nearer his wife and two daughters in Argentina Aguero is seen as the ideal replacement.

Younger than his compatriot by four years, the Atletico star has been a prolific goalscorer in La Liga and that is why he became one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe.

Atletico had resigned themselves to the fact they would lose their prized asset when he announced in May, before he departed to play for Argentina in the Copa America, that he wanted to leave.

Aguero's preference was to remain in Spain, with city rivals Real seemingly the most likely destination, but Atletico were keen to resist such a move.

So an offer from Manchester City, although Italian club Juventus were also interested, represented a better option for the Madrid side.

Atletico coach Gregorio Manzano admitted on Tuesday night that Aguero's departure looked imminent.

"It seems as though in the coming hours we will have a final outcome to the issue that has has occupied us for so long," he told Spanish radio station Cope.

"It is already in it's final stretch, I've asked the players to focus on Thursday's game (a Europa League tie against Stromsgodset).

"Unfortunately we won't be able to call on Kun (Aguero)."

Barcelona youngster, Oriol Romeu is heading to Stamford Bridge

English Premier League club Chelsea have reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Spanish defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu.Romeu, 19, will be in Colombia competing at the Under-20 World Cup for Spain until August 20 at the latest, meaning the deal is not expected to be finalised next month.

With Michael Essien ruled out for up to six months after undergoing knee surgery, Romeu could provide cover in central midfield for the English Premier League side.

“He’s one of the most interesting, bright young players in the number six position, as we like to call it,” Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said.

“And hopefully we can agree personal terms with the player and hopefully he will pass a medical. Oriol is a player, of course with a bright future, he still has to evolve as a player and prove himself as a player.”

Romeu made his full Barcelona debut in May, after featuring for the reserve team 49 times.

Villas-Boas also discussed the future of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The 19-year-old joined Chelsea from Belgian club Racing Genk earlier this month, but was already set to join Atletico Madrid on loan as Chelsea look to further his development.

“Regarding Cortois, it is also a question of time and of deciding where we think it is better for him to evolve as a player, in Spain or in another country,” Villas-Boas said.

“Of course, the Spanish League is extremely competitive and Atletico is a great club to be at, but it is not decided yet.”

Courtois also had the option of returning to Genk next season, but has since passed a medical with Atletico and will spend the 2011/12 campaign at the La Liga club.

Chelsea will play a Thailand Premier League All-Stars XI in Bangkok on Sunday.

Runners-up to Manchester United last season, they begin their latest Premier League title challenge on August 14 with a trip to Stoke City.

Nasri to reject £115,000-a-week deal, ready to leave Arsenal on a free transfer

Nasri might be off to Eastlands?

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal are in serious trouble as playmaker Samir Nasri is refusing to put pen to paper for a £115,000-a-week contract to be finalized. According to The Sun, the French midfielder shared this news with his Arsenal team mates whom he expects to leave. 

Manchester City have expressed desire in landing Samir Nasri and the player is ready to play the perfect game for the Sky Blues’ £20M offer to work out this summer. 

Arsenal are now in a difficult situation because Nasri’s contract expires next year—meaning that the Gunners will get nothing in terms of money as the player will become a free agent.

Troubled Arsene Wenger spoke to the media about Nasri’s condition at Arsenal, saying:“Not completely [sorted out] but I want him to stay. He knows that. Hopefully we can sort that out in the coming weeks.”

Brazil Beats Equador and Moves Into QF of Copa

Alexandre Pato and Neymar netted two goals apiece as defending champion Brazil beat Ecuador 4-2 in Cordoba to advance to the Copa America quarter-finals as Group B winner.

Defeat for Mano Menezes' side at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes would have sent it crashing out of the competition, but it produced a battling display to earn a last-eight date with pool rival Paraguay.

Felipe Caicedo twice got Ecuador back on level terms, cancelling out Pato's opener and then Neymar's effort, but the Selecao moved up a gear when required to do so to ensure its progress - and Ecuador's exit.

Menezes handed Maicon a starting berth at the expense of Barcelona's Dani Alves, the Inter Milan man turning in a star performance for Brazil, while Robinho also returned to the starting XI.

The Brazilians bossed proceedings from the outset but struggled to create clear-cut chances early on.

The deadlock was broken in the 27th minute when Andre Santos crossed from the left and Pato headed home.

Robinho struck the bar as Brazil searched for a second goal, with Maicon's marauding runs down the right causing all sorts of problems for Ecuador.

However, the next goal of the game arrived at the other end, Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar failing to hold onto a Caicedo effort on the counter-attack eight minutes before the interval.

Brazil restored its advantage within four minutes of the restart, Pato setting up Santos star Neymar to make it 2-1, but once again the lead was short-lived as another Caicedo shot from outside the box found its way past Julio Cesar in the 58th minute.

Ecuador may have been sensing a shock was on the cards, but when Brazil went ahead for a third time there was no way back.

Goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga could not hold onto a Neymar shot and Pato pounced on the loose ball to make it 3-2 on the hour mark and then, 11 minutes later, Neymar notched his second after good play on the right by Maicon and Robinho.

The result left Brazil top of the group ahead of surprise package Venezuela - which will play Chile in the quarter-finals - and third-placed Paraguay, with Ecuador bottom of the pile.

Liverpool Kicks Off Tour With Win Over Guangdong

Charlie Adam received a heroes reception from thousands of fervent fans in China as the £9million new signing made a winning start to life at Liverpool.

The Scotland midfielder came off the bench in the second-half for his first run-out in a Reds shirt following his move from Blackpool.

Manager Kenny Dalglish was buoyed by first-half goals from fringe players Christian Poulsen and David Ngog which ensured the Barclays Premier League side got their Asia tour off on a high note.

And their was a pleasing cameo from £35million striker Andy Carroll who scored the fourth on 85 minutes after he provided the third in the second-half for highly-rated academy prospect Connor Coady, helping the Reds survive two late goals from the hosts.

Argentina finally show up at the Copa America, Lionel Messi Shines

Lionel Messi evades Costa Rica players

Argentina have shrugged off indifferent form in their first two matches to beat Costa Rica 3-0, advancing in the process to the Copa America quarterfinals.

Sergio "Kun" Aguero opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, and added a second just seven minutes into the second half of the match on Monday. The 52nd minute goal came after Aguero was set up by a pass from Barcelona star Lionel Messi, who showed his best form of the tournament.

Angel di Maria, who plays his club football at Real Madrid, scored Argentina's third in the 64th minute, sealing a win that revives pre-tournament expectations that the side would challenge for the title.

Argentina now have five points from three matches, having drawn their previous two encounters, and finish second in Group A. Colombia won the group with seven points.

Aguero is now the leading scorer in the tournament so far, with three goals. Argentina, playing on home soil, are seeking to end an 18-year drought in major tournaments.

Under the Copa America format, the top two sides from each of the three groups advance, being joined by the best two third-place teams.

Argentina will now face either Chile, Peru or Uruguay in the quarterfinals, depending on who finishes second in Group C. Colombia will face the third-placed team from those countries.

Groups B and C will be settled on Tuesday and Wednesday. Costa Rica have still not been eliminated, despite Monday's loss, and await the outcome of other matches.

Argentina applied constant pressure in the first half, with Aguero breaking through just before the interval, slotting away a rebound past Costa Rica goalkeeper Leonel Moreira.

In the 52nd minute, he latched onto a through ball from Messi, tucking his shot inside the far post.

Messi set up the third goal, too, finding Di Maria, who slammed the ball into the back of the net from 15 yards out.

Sergio Batista, the Argentina coach and former World Cup winner, fielded an attacking line-up, with Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Di Maria playing just in front of playmaker Messi.

Forwards Carlos Tevez and Ezequiel Lavezzi started on the bench, after having two poor matches in the tournament.

The new lineup looked far more settled, with Messi bossing the game as he has so far failed to do in the tournament.

Ricardo La Volpe, the Costa Rica coach, appeared to be playing for a draw from the start.

Costa Rica have been playing a young squad, composed largely of under-23 internationals, as they are a guest side in the tournament, and their senior side just finished playing the Gold Cup in the United States last month.

U.S. Women Advances to the Women's World Cup in Expense of Brazil

Running low on hope and almost out of time, the Americans were surely beat, about to make their earliest exit from the Women's World Cup.

And then, with one of the most thrilling goals in U.S. history, they weren't.

Showing a dramatic burst , the Americans packed an entire World Cup's worth of theatrics into a 15-minute span by beating Brazil 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie Sunday night.

Abby Wambach tied it with a leaping header in the 122nd minute, and Hope Solo denied the Brazilians - again - in one of the most riveting games in the history of the World Cup - men's or women's.

"There is something special about this group. That energy, that vibe," Solo said. "Even in overtime, you felt something was going to happen."

The United States advanced to Wed­nesday's semifinals against France, which eliminated England on penalty kicks Satur­day.

The U.S. victory came 12 years to the day the Americans' last caught their country's attention in a big way with their penalty-kick shootout victory over China at the Rose Bowl that gave them their second World Cup title.

For Brazil, it is yet another disappointment at a major tournament. And this one is sure to sting more than any others because Marta had it won for the Brazilians, scoring her second goal of the game in the second minute of overtime for the 2-1 lead. But Erika stalled when she went down on a tackle, and the delay added three minutes of stoppage time to the game.

That was all the time Wambach and the Americans needed, after pushing themselves to limit while playing a woman short after Rachel Buehler's 66th-minute ejection.

"Not for one second," Wambach said when asked if she ever felt the Americans were beat. "I kept saying, all it takes is one chance. I kept holding up one finger to the girls."

Two minutes into stoppage time, Megan Rapinoe blasted a left-footed cross from 30 yards out on the left side that Andreia didn't come close to getting her hands on.

Wambach, one of the best players in the world in the air, made contact and with one furious whip of her head, buried it in the near side of the net from about five yards.

The Americans, shooting first, made their three penalty kicks only to have Cristiane and Marta easily match them. But then it was Daiane's turn - the same Daiane who'd given the U.S. a 1-0 lead with an own goal in the second minute of the game. She took a shot, but Solo batted it away.

After Rapinoe blistered the net with a blast and Ali Krieger converted hers, the Americans raced onto the field.

After Brazil spotted the U.S. the lead in the second minute, it spent the next 63 trying furiously for the equalizer.

When they finally did, it was controversial.

Marta made a dangerous run into the box in the 65th, beating two U.S. defenders and Buehler tracked back and dragged her down. Australian referee Jacqui Melksham not only ruled it a penalty but a red card as well. Cristiane, who already scored one goal off a penalty, took the kick. Solo made a perfect read and smacked it away.

But Melksham ordered the penalty retaken - and gave Solo a yellow card, ruling the American had left her line or a teammate encroached the penalty area before the kick was taken.

As the crowd jeered, Marta stepped up for the retake and buried the ball to pull Brazil even.

But the Americans have talked repeatedly about their resilience. On this day, it was on full display.

"We're just fighting for each other out there," said captain Christie Rampone. "We were totally believing the whole time."

Chile, Peru almost to QF of Copa America

While favourites Argentina and Brazil struggle for form, Chile and Peru are awakening from years of slumber at the Copa America after moving to the brink of the quarter-finals on Friday.

Peru won the last of their two South American championships in 1975 in the halycon days of the gifted Teofilo Cubillas, who would go on to prove a star turn at the 1978 World Cup. Chile, meanwhile, have been bridesmaids at four finals but never the continental bride.

That may change if promising starlet Alexis Sanchez has his way. The Barcelona target scored to land a precious 1-1 draw with fancied Uruguay and leave the Chileans with four points — surely enough to start looking forward to the last eight.

Peru are joint top of Group C with the Chileans, having earned four points of their own after Paolo Guerrero's second goal of the tournament saw off inexperienced Mexico 1-0 in Mendoza.

With both joint leaders having held Uruguay and defeated the Mexicans, regular special guests at the South American event, Peru and Chile can look forward to a Pacific "clasico" on Tuesday with the pressure largely off. A draw will send both sides through while Uruguay will have to beat Mexico to ensure their own passage.

A third straight draw would leave Diego Forlans' Charruas, like Argentina chasing a record 15th title, perched on the precipice. Sanchez came to the event trying hard to put aside reports of interest in his talents from European champions Barcelona.

But his instinctive finish just after the hour mark to level Alvaro Pereira's opener eight minutes into the second half served to underline the talent of the 22-year-old from Tocopillo.

Chile coach Claudio Borghi is emerging as the would-be purist at the championships as his side have turned in some of the most entertaining football compared to the sterile fare of the hosts and Brazil.

Brazil late show to draw with Paraguay in Copa, risk of elimination

Holders Brazil jeopardised their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Saturday after they just pulled out a last-gasp 2-2 draw with Paraguay.

After taking a first-half lead through new face Jadson the five-times world champions trailed 2-1 with barely a minute remaining before Fred saved his side after the favourites had stared defeat in the face.

Paraguay were left to kick themselves after coming so close to an upset victory.

“We had it won and then we go and let them off the hook,” stormed Argentine-born midfielder Nestor Ortigoza.

Brazil coach Mano Menezes recognised fans were not impressed by their team to date.

“The Copa is a tough tournament. But I do understand the anxiety of the fans - we’re looking for solutions,” he insisted.

Menezes sprung a surprise at the outset in dropping Robinho to the bench after his poor showing in the auriverde’s opening goalless draw with Venezuela.

That result, which came despite Menezes selecting an attacking line-up, prompted a rethink and AC Milan star Robinho exited to allow Jadson a chance to prove himself.

The Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder started off by getting himself booked but six minutes before the break he fired home a crisp low shot from outside the area to spark jubilation among the yellow-clad hordes at the Mario Kempes stadium.

But a muted Brazilian side who, like winless hosts Argentina, are struggling badly at the South American showcase event, then went to sleep and almost paid a heavy price.

Eleven minutes after the restart Paraguay, desperate to get more points on the board after Ecuador held them in their opening encounter, were level through Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz.

The veteran fired in after outmuscling Julio Cesar following a pinpoint cross from the left by Marcelo Estigarribia.

Ten minutes later, and with Brazil, having sent on Elano for Jadson, strangely unwilling to regain their grip on proceedings after the equaliser, it was 2-1 to the Paraguayans with Nelson Haedo Valdez bundling in a deflected effort which looped home.

Brazil fullback Daniel Alves lost the ball to Santa Cruz, who found Valdez and his shot deflected in on the rebound as he collided with Thiago Silva.

With just a quarter of the match left, Menezes reacted by withdrawing Chelsea’s Ramires and throwing on Liverpool’s Lucas.

He then also withdrew the disappointing Neymar for Fred in a final throw of the dice with nine minutes remaining and that finally unlocked the door as the reserve striker struck at the death to deny the Paraguayans a famous win.

Paraguay, twice continental champions - their last title came in 1979 - now are provisionally joint top of Group B with Brazil, both having two points.