Real remain keen on Alonso

Real Madrid still hold hopes of prising Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso away from Anfield, according to club director general Jorge Valdano.

The Spain international has been the subject of intense interest from the free-spending Primera Division side this summer but the midfielder stressed last week that he was happy in England.

However, Alonso's statements have not ended Madrid's interest in the £20million-rated midfielder - a £10.5m buy from Real Sociedad in 2004.

The 27-year-old came close to a switch to Juventus last summer as Reds boss Rafa Benitez attempted to fund a move for then Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.

Neither move materialised and Barry has now joined Manchester City after Alonso proved his worth to Liverpool with a string of impressive displays last season.

Bankrolled by re-elected club president Florentino Perez, Madrid look set to be Europe's biggest spenders this summer and Valdano admits they still have eyes for Alonso.

"We have possibilities there but I don't want to say anything that will make the negotiation more difficult. We will wait a reasonable amount of time," he told Spanish newspaper AS.

Alonso isn't the only Liverpool player on Madrid's radar as full-back Alvaro Arbeloa's performances haven't gone unnoticed by the Spanish giants.

The Spain international's future is up in the air with the arrival of right-back Glen Johnson set to be processed this week, and Madrid are keen should Arbeloa become available.

"The lad only has a year left on his contract with Liverpool and this gives us more possibilities," added Valdano.

"He can play in two or three positions and this versatility is good. He is another option to evaluate."

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City confirm Taylor capture

Manchester City have completed the signing of goalkeeper Stuart Taylor from Aston Villa.

The 28-year old former Arsenal stopper moves to Eastlands for an undisclosed fee and will provide competition for first choice Shay Given.

The former England Under-21 international spent the latter stages of last season on loan at Championship outfit Cardiff City and manager Mark Hughes is glad to have the experienced keeper on board.

"We are delighted to be able to add a goalkeeper of Stuart's undoubted calibre to the squad," Hughes told the club's official website.

"Stuart is still a fairly young goalkeeper at 28 but he provides a wealth of experience and reliability."

The cover will pave the way for promising keeper Joe Hart to move on loan to Birmingham, having played understudy to Given since the Irishman's arrival in January.

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Essien would consider exit

Michael Essien's agent claims the Chelsea midfielder would be willing to consider a summer switch.

Fabian Piveteau claims there are clubs interested in luring the Ghana international away from Stamford Bridge and has refused to rule out the possibility of an approach proving successful.

Essien is happy to remain with the Blues, and has given no suggestion that he is harbouring hopes of a move, but it appears that he would be prepared to listen to offers should an interesting proposition present itself.

Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid would be difficult to turn down, and are prepared to spend big, and Piveteau admits a transfer to Spain could be a possibility.

"Some clubs are interested in Michael," he said.

"He likes Chelsea very much, but football is football and if Real Madrid, Barcelona or some other club make an offer he needs to sit down and discuss what is best for him."

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ZLATAN AND PIRLO TO CHELSEA?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Andrea Pirlo could be Chelsea's big signings of the summer after both Milan clubs admitted they were for sale.

Inter president Massimo Moratti has conceded that Swedish striker Ibrahimovic and Brazilian full-back Maicon are both available at the right price, with the former strongly linked with Chelsea.

"As a fan, of course I want to see them stay but as the president, with the book balances to keep in mind, I have to say that if they wish to go, then they can go," Moratti told Il Giornale. "If anybody wants to sign them, they know the price."

Moratti recently slapped a 90million Euros price tag on Ibrahimovic, who finished as Serie A's top scorer last season.

A move to the Spanish capital looked to be on the cards for the 27-year-old striker after Inter sporting director Marco Branca held talks with Real Madrid executives last week.

However, Moratti brushed aside speculation that those negotiations involved Ibrahimovic's possible transfer to the Bernabeu.

"Branca's trip to Madrid had already been fixed for some time and the reason was Maicon," said Moratti.

"But Florentino Perez is not that interested in defenders, fortunately for us, because Maicon is one of the best in the world."

Meanwhile, AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has suggested that Pirlo could follow former boss Carlo Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge.

"We are going to see what we do with Pirlo, I hope that he is going to stay and I was the first to say so, but we must assess the situation," Berlusconi said on Milan Channel.

A report in the Daily Telegraph suggests that Milan have approached Chelsea to offer Pirlo at a price of around 20 million Euros.

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SPAIN WIN TO SET RECORD

Spain collected their record-breaking 15th consecutive win on Saturday night as they beat hostsSouth Africa 2-0 in the Confederations Cup.

Goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente took Spain ahead of Brazil, Australia, and France, while also moving them level with Brazil's record of 35 games unbeaten.

For South Africa, there was the consolation of a semi-final place, despite a nervous second half, as the other Group A game between Iraq and New Zealand finished goalless.

The game changed five minutes after the break when Aaron Mokoena, beaten for pace by Cesc Fabregas, launched into a reckless dive to bring the Arsenal man down and concede a penalty.

Itumeleng Khune made a good save to deny Villa to his left, and was then alert to hold Fernando Torres' follow-up.

But South Africa had barely stopped celebrating the save when Albert Riera dinked in a cross and Villa - with a hint of handball - brought it down before placing a fine shot inside the right-hand post.

Spain then made sure of the win with Llorente's close-range finish in the 72nd minute.

In Johannesburg, Iraq could have gone through at South Africa's expense with a 2-0 win, but New Zealand stood firm to claim their first ever Confederations Cup point in nine attempts.

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VILLA LEFT CONFUSED

David Villa is not expecting a speedy resolution to the uncertainty surrounding his Valencia future.

The Spaniard has been strongly linked with a transfer to Real Madrid this summer, with Los Che open to a move as they continue to struggle financially.

A transfer was expected to be nearing completion only for Villa's agent, Jose Luis Tamargo, to claim that Valencia are no longer willing to discuss the potential sale of the forward.

Villa, who is currently on international duty at the Confederations Cup, has admitted that the past week has been a difficult period of his career.

"I don't believe that my future will be settled quickly," said Villa.

"The past week hasn't been easy, nobody can imagine what I've been through. It has been a really bad time. I must just put it out of my mind."

Meanwhile, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres feels that his compatriot Villa will remain in Primera Division, despite reported interest from Chelsea.

"Listen, I think Villa will play in Spain next year," said Torres in the Daily Star.

"It's his decision - but I think Barcelona and Real Madrid are trying to sign him and he will be in Spain.

"I don't think Chelsea's money will tempt him, or United. I think with his abilities and qualities he is better for the Spanish league - he scores over 25 goals every season there.

"I would like him to come to Liverpool of course but I think he is too expensive for us.

"I would prefer it if he played in Spain than signed for Chelsea or United. That's what I'll tell him!"

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BIRMINGHAM CLOSE ON HART DEAL

Birmingham City chairman David Gold says it will be a 'disappointment' if the club do not tie up a loan deal for Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Premier League new boys Birmingham are expected to finalise the season-long signing of Hart following the end of England's European Under 21 Championship campaign.

Man City boss Mark Hughes is willing to loan Hart out next season to allow the 22-year-old to gain further experience at first-team level.

Hart started last term as the club's first choice, but he was dropped to the bench following the January arrival of Shay Given from Newcastle United.

He now appears to be on his way to St Andrews and Gold expressed his eagerness to conclude a loan deal for the former Shrewsbury Town youngster.

"It will be a disappointment if we do not tie up a deal quickly," said Gold in the News of the World.

Hart is currently with the Under 21 squad in Sweden and admits he must be playing regularly next season if he is to break into the senior squad for the 2010 World Cup finals.

"The coach has said you need to be playing," commented Hart. "That is what you want to be doing anyway, regardless of whether it gets you in the England side."

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OZIL READY FOR ENGLISH CHALLENGE

Germany forward Mesut Ozil has been one of the most impressive players at the Under-21 European Championships in Sweden, but he knows he will have to be at his very best to help his team beat England on Monday.

The Werder Bremen playmaker set up both goals in Germany's 2-0 win over Finland on Thursday, recovering from a back strain to show his full potential in the second half of that game.

Germany now face England knowing a draw would be good enough to reach the semi-finals, but aiming for a win which would earn them top spot in the group.

Yet England have not dropped a single point in their two previous matches and Ozil admits they are going to be tough opponents.

"It is no coincidence they have picked up six points from their first two games," said the 20-year-old.

"They were the best team in both of their games, even with ten men against Finland.

"It is certainly going to be hard against them because they are very compact. Furthermore, they have plenty of good individual players.

"But we know what we are capable of and we have nothing to fear against England. We will give it all we have got and we want to win the group."

Ozil, capped once at senior level, is out to impress Germany coach Joachim Low as he targets a seat on the plane to South Africa next summer.

"I want to be at the World Cup," he told Werder Bremen's website.

"I will continue giving it my best and trying to recommend myself for a place with my performances here.

"My aim is to play in the senior team."

Ozil has already tasted success this season, winning the DFB-Pokal with Werder, and that has given him a taste for more.

"We won one title with Werder and now really want to become European champions," he said.

"If we manage that, then this season will have gone very, very well for me."

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CISSOKHO STILL SET FOR MILAN

Aly Cissokho's agent remains 'very confident' the full-back will still complete his proposed move from Porto to AC Milan.

The Frenchman looked poised to seal a summer switch to the Serie A giants only for the transfer to collapse after dental problems emerged during a medical.

Milan, who initially agreed a fee thought to be in the region of £12.6million, were keen to renegotiate the terms after discovering the issue.

But it was suggested Porto were reluctant to lower the price or sanction a loan deal, sparking claims that Cissokho would remain in Portugal.

However, amid rumours that a figure of £8.5m has now been accepted, Cissokho's representative, Roger Boli, is optimistic a transfer is on the horizon.

"Only a couple of details are missing, but I am very confident. The biggest obstacle was the deal between the two clubs," Boli told L'Equipe.

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HULL REVEAL OWEN INTEREST

Hull City chairman Paul Duffen has confirmed the club's interest in signing Newcastle United striker Michael Owen 'on the right terms'.

Owen's contract at St James' Park expires at the end of the month and his representatives have sent out a brochure to several Premier League clubs outlining his credentials.

Everton have been linked with a swoop for the former Liverpool star, but now ambitious Hull have thrown their hat into the ring.

Reports claim the Tigers are willing to offer Owen a one-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months and the terms will be heavily incetivised.

Duffen revealed Hull, who finished 17th in their debut season in the Premier League, are interested in taking the 29-year-old to the KC Stadium.

And Duffen is optimistic that he can persuade the England international to join the Tigers providing the 'right deal' can be agreed.

"We're interested in Michael Owen on the right terms," Duffen told the News of the World.

"He's a fantastic footballer. He's had a few injury problems, but we would have to be interested in him.

"If the right deal can be done then we would definitely be keen to sign him. We are an ambitious football club and we want to show that.

"It would be an enormous move for us, but the deal can be done if it is on the right terms."

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