SOCCER SHORTS:DUTCH LEGEND Edgar Davids could be on the verge of returning to English football with Crystal Palace.
It is understood that Crystal Palace manager George Burley has offered the 37-year-old former Holland midfielder the chance to resurrect his career – two years after he last played a competitive game for Ajax.
Davids, who enjoyed a glittering career in Italy at Juventus, Inter and AC Milan, is said to be keen to return to London having enjoyed two seasons with Tottenham between 2005 and 2007.
Cash-strapped Palace were only saved from going bust this summer by local businessmen Steve Parish and Martin Long, who have since said the days of extravagant spending at Selhurst Park are over.
But a pay-as-you-play deal would suit both parties, especially as Davids would need time to regain his fitness.
Mourinho factor persuades Ozil to throw in his lot with Real
REAL MADRID have completed their pre-season spending by signing Mesut Ozil and have new coach Jose Mourinhos powers of persuasion to thank for luring the Germany midfielder to the La Liga club.
The 21-year-old playmaker passed a medical and signed a six-year deal with the Spanish giants to complete a move from Werder Bremen which came to fruition the previous day after weeks of speculation on his possible destination.
“I spoke to my advisers and looked at the options but I always wanted to join the best team in the world, and to play under the best coach in the world, Jose Mourinho,” Ozil said through an interpreter at a news conference at the Bernabeu.
“I chatted to him and he convinced me. What we spoke about will remain between him and me but thats why I am here.”
Ozil, who denied forcing Werder’s hand by refusing to train ahead of their Champions League play-off match against Sampdoria, said fellow German international Sami Khedira had also played a role in helping him make his choice.
“I congratulated him when he joined Real, and we later exchanged emails,” he said. “I asked him what life was like at the club and he told me the climate was splendid and that they had a great team.”
Mourinho now has a host of talented youngsters but has up to four players competing for the attacking midfield role with Ozil, Kaka, Sergio Canales and Rafael van der Vaart vying for the same spot. With the squad needing to be reduced by one to 25, the Dutchman looks the most likely to lose out.
Knee ligament injury rules Nasri out for a month
ARSENAL’S FRANCE midfielder Samir Nasri will be sidelined for a month following knee surgery, the Premier League club announced yesterday.
Nasri played for the full 90 minutes in Arsenal’s season opening 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday but picked up a minor knee ligament injury during the match.
The timing is a blow for manager Arsène Wenger as Nasri was in good form during pre-season and at Anfield.
“Samir Nasri will today undergo minor surgery on his knee following a meniscal injury sustained during the match against Liverpool,” the London club said on their website (www.arsenal.com).
“Nasri, who has been in impressive form, will be out of action for a month.”
Wenger looks set to move for the want-away Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who is reported to have handed in a transfer request after the Cottagers rejected a €2.4million summer bid for the Australian.
Milan sign Prince-Boateng on loan
GHANA INTERNATIONAL Kevin-Prince Boateng joined Genoa from Championship club Portsmouth yesterday before immediately signing for AC Milan on loan.
The German-born midfielder, whose impressive displays helped Ghana reach the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup, will spend the season at Milan who have already agreed a deal with Serie A rivals Genoa to make the move permanent.
“Kevin-Prince Boateng is from today a Milan player, arriving on loan from Genoa, but with a buy-out clause in favour of Milan, read a statement on the club’s website (www.acmilan.com).
The 23-year-old has been training with Genoa in recent days. Earlier this month owner Enrico Preziosi said: “Our club must have good relations with the big clubs. Boateng will be a Genoa player but will not play with us. We’ll see what club we can find an agreement with.”
Fulham swoop for Dembele
FULHAM HAVE signed Belgium striker Moussa Dembele from AZ Alkmaar on a three-year contract, the Premier League club announced yesterday afternoon.
Dembele, who can also play on the wing, arrives at Craven Cottage for a fee believed to be €6 million and has won 28 caps.
“Moussa is strong and quick and will add another dimension to our attacking options,” Fulham manager Mark Hughes told the club’s website.
