Other soccer stories in brief
Cannavaro's done deal
Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro completed his move to Real Madrid yesterday when he signed a three-year contract.
Cannavaro was signed from Juventus along with Brazilian midfielder Emerson as the Italian club were forced to unload players following their relegation after the Serie A match-fixing scandal.
Spanish media reported the combined fee to be about €20 million.
Brazil call on Dunga
Former Brazil midfielder and captain Dunga has been surprisingly named as the country's new national team coach.
The 42-year-old, with no previous coaching experience, replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira, who resigned last week.
The midifelder, famous for his fighting spirit, captained the Brazil team that won the 1994 World Cup and wore the armband again four years later when they were runners-up to France. He was also in the 1990 team.
Petrov switch likely
Stilian Petrov is set to become a Portsmouth player by the weekend, according to Fratton Park chairman Milan Mandaric.
Portsmouth have made two bids for the 27-year-old Bulgarian international but on both occasions failed to meet Celtic's valuation of the player, which Mandaric confirmed to be £5 million.
The Portsmouth chairman said yesterday that an agreement between the two clubs was imminent. He said: "We are still in close contact with Celtic and are talking to them about Petrov. I am very hopeful that we can conclude those talks over a few days and he'll come to us. Perhaps even by the weekend."
Meanwhile, Club Bruges have completed the signing of Danish international defender Brian Priske (29) from Portsmouth.
City hold onto Barton
Joey Barton and Micah Richards have signed new four-year contracts with Manchester United.
The future of midfielder Barton (23) had been in some doubt after he stunned City with a transfer request last season, while 18-year-old defender Richards was linked with a move to Tottenham.
Some luck for Fortune Quinton Fortune will seal his move to Bolton today, according to his agent.
Fortune has been training with the club for the past few weeks after being released by Manchester United.
In brief . . .
Andy van der Meyde was left behind for treatment on a groin injury as Everton embarked on their two-match trip to the USA . . . Former West Ham and Everton defender Slaven Bilic (37) was named as Croatia's national coach yesterday, replacing Zlatko Kranjcar who was sacked earlier this month . . . Reports in the Portuguese media say West Ham are readying a £3 million bid for Portugal international goalkeeper Ricardo, who plays for Sporting Lisbon . . . Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent has stated the Swedish striker will require a substantial pay rise to remain at Juventus . . . Bolton Wanderers striker Jared Borgetti will sign for Spanish side Racing Santander, according to reports in his native Mexico.
