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Pastore has become the tenth player to join PSG this summer after the French club, who has a new sporting director Leonardo as well as a new owner, has spent tens if not hundreds of millions on transfers only this past two months. Said Palermo president: “We closed the deal last night (Friday) around midnight. Basically it’s the official transfer of Pastore to Paris St Germain based on a €43m.” pastore is now at his fourth club, having also gathered 31 selections for Huracan for which he scored eight goals, and five appearances with his first side Talleres. The Argentine scored 15 goals in 69 games with Palermo, finishing the season with 11 goals and five assists in 31 selections.

He helped the Sicilian club reach this term’s Italian Cup final, something which propelled the Italians through the Europa League competition. Apart from his move, Leonardo has also brought Jeremy Menez, Blaise Matuidi, Palermo’s keeper Salvatore Sirigu, Milan Bisevac, Nicolas Douchez, Granddi Ngoyi, Loris Arnaud, Kevin Gameiro and Momo Sissoko of Juventus who is expected to make his debut in Ligue 1. “I opted for PSG because the club has a very ambitious project. I didn’t hesitate for a second when the chance presented itself. Leonardo and Antoine Kombouaré found the right words. I was motivated by the project. I’ve never played in France,” the said the former Liverpool midfielder.

Sissoko, who is the second best name among the newly arrived, only scored three goals with the Old Lady in Serie A for which he picked 71 selections. He is now at his fourth big club, having played for Valencia between 2003-05 with which he had gathered 45 selections. He is to set new heights with PSG who have already qualified for the next term’s Europa League competition thanks to a fourth position captured this past season. PSG finished the season four points behind Olympique Lyon, but just two above their main followers FC Sochaux, as they also failed to make the French Cup final. Lille OSC won both the title and the Super Cup to become a new threat in the French league.

The Antoine Kombouare side is currently in England, playing a friendly game against Americans Red Bull New York, and will make the new season debut against FC Lorient on August 6.

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The two new acquisitions were presented by PSG’s new director Brazilian Leonardo who split with Inter Milan as coach this summer. “They are two 24-year-olds who both play for the French national team. It is very important to have France internationals in our squad. Jérémy Ménez had a lot of offers and he chose PSG. Blaise confirmed his potential last season and has plenty of character. They have the same characteristics as Ludovic Giuly and Claude Makelele,” said Leonardo who is aiming at least a couple of more signings this window. As for Matuidi, the 24-year-old split with Saint Etienne after a four-year adventure which brought the defender three goals and 132 selections. He is at his third team, having played for Troyes between 2004-07 for which he had scored four goals and gathered 67 selections.

Apart from the two players, former Valenciennes centre back Milan Bisevac has also been given a three-year deal by PSG. The 27-year-old officially became a PSG player earlier this week as the Serb is to set new heights with the top side. He scored four goals in 100 games for his previous side with which he spent three years. Unfortunately, neither of the three acquisitions won’t be able to make a UEFA Champions League debut as PSG only finished fourth in the Ligue 1 last season, four points behind Lyon who grabbed the last UCL position. Even more than that, Leonardo is willing to bid Juventus’s Sissoko and Palermo’s keeper Salvatore Sirigu and Javier Pastore.

The 26-year-old French defender Sissoko is edging his move to PSG who are ready to pay the Italians a reported eight million euro amount. Instead, the fight for Pastore must be a very tight one with Chelsea having also lined up for the move. The Blues are believed to have become the main candidate s for the 22-year-old Argentine who is keen to part with Palermo with which he reached last term’s Italian Cup and whom he has helped to reach a Europa League spot. Pastore has scored 14 goals in 68 games with Palermo whom he joined back in 2009, but is now nearing a big move to Stamford Bridge. Thus, PSG could lost the race and switch their focus on other striker. Antoine Kombouare’s side will make their new season debut against FC Lorient whom they face on August 6.

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Aguero scored 74 goals in 175 appearances with the Spaniards, City becoming his third team after Independiente for which he had scored 23 goals and gathered 54 selections. “To be honest, I don’t think I’ll have too many problems settling in to the team. I’ll be concentrated to the maximum in everything I do, movement, running off the ball, winning the ball back and scoring goals… My style has always been to fight to the death for every ball, and give 100 percent every game,” said the player at his arrival in Manchester. Mancini has now al the reasons to remain relaxed as his offensive line has been completed with the Argentine’s arrival. Anyway, the Italian manager, who brought the FA Cup on the Eastlands last season, is also likely to keep both strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez.

Neither the Togolese, nor the Argentine has found any team yet, so the two might stay in Manchester for another season. Adebayor hopes his move to Real Madrid will be completed soon, while Tevez is still dreaming of making the return back home after Corinthians pulled over. Edin Dzeko is now to be joined by Aguero in front, while Tevez and Adebayor’s future remains uncertain at least until the end of the month. City finished the season third, with the same number of points of Chelsea, but nine behind champions United, which was a unique performance in the last decade.

Unfortunately, the Eastlands side failed to make the superior phases within the Europa League being ousted by Dynamo Kiev. But Mancini is now looking forward to strengthening his side for next term’s UCL as he has only made three moves. City just returned from the North American pre-season which brought them two wins against Club America and Vancouver Whitecaps and a draw against Los Angeles Galaxy. Next up for them are Airtricity League XI whom they meet at the end of the month, and Inter Milan who visit them on July 31. City will make their Premier League debut against Swansea City, a newly promoted side which Mancini’s side meet on August 15 at home.

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Said Lucci: “I met Manchester United. We spoke about Vucinic, but we didn’t reach an agreement. United like Vucinic but there’s still a lot of work to do to see Mirko at Old Trafford.” The Montenegrin will thus have to wait a couple of more weeks for a clear answer from the English side, though his chances to do so are pretty small. Vucinic has joined AS Roma back in 2006, having scored 46 goals and gathered 147 selections for the former Italian champions with whom he won two Italian Cups and a Super Cup. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to play within the UEFA Champions League competition unless he joins United as AS Roma finished the season sixth, on a Europa League position.

Anyway, the club are getting through lots of changes at the moment as the Italians signed coach Luis Enrique of Barcelona B on a two-year deal. The Spaniard, who has already strengthened his side with three big names, is ready to hunt the title and the UCL group stage. Enrique first brought his former player Bojan Krkic who was also given a two-year deal with the Italians. The Spanish youngster, who scored 26 goals for Pep Guardiola’s side, was no longer part of Camp Nou coach’s plans, something which led to his move abroad. Unfortunately, the European champion will spend the next season in Europa League after a couple of high-level adventure.

Sporting Gijon’s Jose Angels was also given a contract earlier this month, being expected to make his Europa Laegue debut with AS Roma. “The player has already said goodbye to his team-mates and is on his way to the airport to join his new club in pre-season training,” Gijon said. Also, former Olympique Marseille defender and captain Gabriel Heinze is the last to have signed the Olimpico side. Said the 33-year-old: “It’s a great honour to wear this shirt. It’s easy to say yes to a club like Roma.”

Apart from Vucinic’s shy interest, United have already made three big-name moves this summer, singing Ashley Young from Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers’ Phil Jones and former Atletico Madrid keeper and European champion David De Gea who received a five-year deal on Old Trafford where he is expected to replace Edwion Van der Sar. United are looking forward to strengthening their side for the next term’s UEFA Champions League. Ferguson’s side reached the final but failed to win it in front of a too good FC Barcelona.

Currently, the Red Devils are in a North American pre-season which they are about to finish. United have won three games in America, picking a 7-0 victory against Seattle Sounders, a 3-1 one over Chicago Fire and a 4-0 one over the MLS All-Stars. They will next meet FC Barcelona in a friendly game and a UCL final reiteration, game which is scheduled to take place on July 31. The champions will start the new Premiership term away against West Bromwich Albion on August 14.

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Said Heinze of his new move: “It’s a great honour to wear this shirt. It’s easy to say yes to a club like Roma.” Heinze scored seven goals for Marseille in 58 points, side with which he won the 2010 title and two Coupe de la Ligue, including this term’s. Unfortunately he failed to defend the title with Didier Deschamps’s side as Marseille finished the season second, eight points behind Lille. Heinze is at his eighth team, having also gathered plenty of selections with PSG, Manchester United and Real Madrid. Previous to his move, AS Roma had brought Jose Angel of Sporting Gijon. The 21-year-old is now to set new heights with Enrique’s side whom he joined this time last week.

“The player has already said goodbye to his team-mates and is on his way to the airport to join his new club in pre-season training,” a statement from Gijon read. The Spaniard had gathered 51 selections and scored on goal for his former side for which he played two seasons. The left back is thus likely to join Heinze in Roma defence. The two players follow yet another big move made by Enrique who had previously convinced FC Barcelona’s striker Bojan Krkic to join him in Italy. The youngster, who had scored 26 goals for the Catalans, is now to spend two years with the Italians period at the end of which he will be likely to make the return on Camp Nou.

As for the departing-list, Roma have plenty of chances to lose striker Vucinic whose agent revealed that Manchester Untied want him on Old Trafford. “I met Manchester United and we spoke about Vucinic, but we didn’t reach an agreement,” said Alessandro Lucci. United’s representative David Gill declared earlier this week that the Red Devils would bring one more player in Manchester, Vucinic being considered a main target.

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Rangers’ broke back immediately through striker Jelavic who was taken down inside the box, without impressing the referee too much who didn’t show the white spot and let the game move on. Malmo got their second big opportunity in the ninth minute when Hamad’s 15-yard tricky and dangerous shot was deflected by a vigilant McGregor. Since then the first goal for Malmo was just a matter of time. The Swedish got into the lead in the 18^th minute when Figueiredo fed the Larsson in good position only to strike it past the keeper for a big celebration. Coach Ally McCoist’s reaction came right afterwards as the Rangers boss introduced Ortiz for defender Weir eight minutes later.

Malmo were the first to concede a yellow card, though they were less stressed than their opponents who were chasing the leveler desperately. Figueiredo was punished for a handball in the 28^th minute, but that would remain the only caution for Malmo. Davis struck a ranger shot in the 32^nd minute which went inches wide off the target to his own dismay. The first half went 1-0 to the Swedish side who chose not to focus on attack in the second one and defend the result no matter what.

Three minutes into the second part, Malmo got a big chance through Larsson whose shot went wide in what could have been a second one. Left defender Papac was the first Ranger to concede a yellow for a trip on dangerous Larsson who put very much pressure inside the hosts’ box. The 53^rd minute saw Figueiredo try his luck with a tremendous shot McGregor tipped away just over the crossbar. Just five minutes later he repeated the same action but yet again his shot was saved by a much vigilant McGregor who wouldn’t concede any goals until the final whistle.

Naismith mocked a great opportunity in the 65^th minute when Glasgow neared the leveler. Jelavic beat his mark to pick the other striker whose poor finish from close range went wide. Three minutes later he missed a second one following a similar action directed by the same Jelavic who fed his team-mate in good position for another huge miss. The last half an hour belonged to the hosts who besieged Melicharek’s net, but who were not able to beat him. Davis had the last word for Rangers, but his 20-yard shot went well wide in the 78^th minute.

The last ten minutes went scoreless for both sides as Malmo have grabbed half of their progress in Scotland. Said keeper McGregor after the game: “We didn’t start well and it wasn’t really until the second half that we started to play. I don’t know why that’s the case but we know we have to do better, not just me but all the players. In saying that we missed a few good chances and on another day we would have put them away.”

Glasgow Rangers – McGregor; Papac, Weir, Bougherra; Edu, Davis, Whittaker, McCulloch, Wallace; Jelavic, Naismith. Reserves: G. Wylde, J. Ortiz, K. Hemmings, D. Healy, K. Broadfoot, J. Fleck, N. Alexander.

Malmo FF – Melicharek; Halsti, Jansson, Andersson, Hamad; Mutavzic, Pekalski, Mehmeti, Figueiredo, Dumaz; Larsson. Reserves: O. Nazari, A. Nazari, T. Malm, D. Rexhepi, Y. Fernandez, D. Garaca, J. Aubynn.

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The news was revelaed by both the player himself and his former coach Gregorio Manzano. “It does look like this long-running issue will be resolved in the coming hours. It is at an end. I had hoped that he could have chosen a better, more professional way to leave and shown more love to the club,” said the Altetico boss. Aguero announced his arrival on Twitter instead: “I have just arrived in Manchester to tie up the details of the signing for City. Everything is going well. I’ll tell you more in a little while.” Mancini is now pleased to have made a third big name transfer after Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic, who were both given four-year deals last month.

Even more than tat, the Italian manager, who helped the Eastlands side to win the FA Cup and secure a UEFA Champions League group stage place, is likely to keep both Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor if the two fail to find new teams. The Argentine has already expressed his desire to part with the English after two successful years, to join his family back home in South America. Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, Tevez’s move to his former club Corinthians, who had looked interested in his services, failed because of the City claims. As for the Togolese, the 27-year-old is also keen to stay away from City, the striker expecting a favorable answer from both Real Madrid and his current side. Jose Mourinho is keen to keep him on Santiago Bernabeu where he scored eight goals during his six—month loan with the Spaniards whom he helped to win the Copa del Rey and reach the UCL semi finals.

Tottenham are vying Real for Adebayor who had looked desperate at one point to be part of Mourinho’s future plans. Anyway, Aguero is expected to shine brighter at City. The striker finished the season with 20 goals, his four-year adventure with Altetico having included 68 goals, something which attracted big teams’ interest. Apart from this, City are also vying Real, FC Barcelona and Chelsea for Neymar move. The 19-year-old player has never failed to impress as the Brazilian has become a main target for all the big sides across Europe. His recent performance includes the Brazilian domestic double as well as this term’s Copa Libertadores.

Neymar pointed clearly though that Real Madrid are by far the main favorites for him, but the Spaniards will have to wait at least six more months until he splits up with Santos. The player looked willing to commit to the current side with which he wants to celebrate the centenary next year. It has been confirmed though that five Europe giants are willing to pay more than $60 million on his services, but only Real looked willing to pay the amount immediately if asked. His agent Wagner Ribeiro said instead that he struggles to keep the player for at least one more year at Santos, something which might ruin Mourinho’s plans.

Manchester finished the season third with 71 points, nine behind new champions and arch rivals United and are expected o return form the North American pre-season next week. Mancini led his side through two wins and one draw in United States where City beat Canadians Vancouver Whitecaps 1-2, Club America 2-0 and drew Los Angeles Galaxy 1-1. They will make the new season debut against newly-promoted Swansea City whom the Eastlands face on August 15. City are also to play Inter Milan in a friendly game scheduled on July 31.

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Zamparini hopes that he side will sell the player by the end of the month. “On Tuesday, we have a meeting with his agent. PSG and Chelsea are the two teams in the lead on this issue. There are one or two opportunities in Spain but, either way, he will not stay in Italy,” he said. The Palermo president had also declared at one point that there is no doubt the player would join an Italian side, being known his desire to set new heights in England or Spain. Club’s vice Guglielmo Micchiche said that the player is very likely to sign Chelsea instead who had looked willing to pay a reported 50 million euro amount for the Argentine.

PSG have already made one transfer bringing Milan Biseva from Valenciennes whom the former champions gave a three-year deal. He is likely to make his official debut in the first day of the Ligue 1 when PSG meet FC Lorient on August 6. However, Chelsea remain the only obstacle in PSG’s attempt of bringing Pastore, too. The Blues are thus one step from making their first big name move on Stamford Bridge this summer after Andre Villas Boas only brought Genk keeper Thibaut Courtois whom they already loaned to Atletico Madrid. Chelsea also offered Josh McEacrhan and Bertrand long-term extensions with the first one being likely to play on Michael Essien’s place after the Ghanaian suffered an injury which will keep him away from the pitch for a while.

PSG had plenty of chances to bring Queens Rangers’ Adel Taarabt, but the two sides failed to come to an agreement something which frustrated the player who looked keen to sign the French side. The 22-year-old is a newly-promoted in the Premier League and is to stay at least on more season with the Loftus Road club. PSG finished the season fourth with 60 points, four behind a UEFA Champions League play-off, and will compete for next term’s Europa League trophy.

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As for Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese, another former Ballon d’or winner, is second in the provisory standings with 54 goals scored in all competitions. The Real Madrid star finished the season with 40 goals in Primera Division, becoming the best ever scorer in the Spanish league. Winner of this season’s Copa del Rey, Ronaldo is the second favorite for the award, but he might provide the surprise though, given his unique performance in the Liga. Ronaldo is the only Real Madrid player on the shortlist, while FC Barcelona lead it with four players, including Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique. Xavi is third, his recent tremendous showings having made of him on of the best players in Europe. Iniesta is fourth in the list, his Xabi alike profile being crucial for Pep Guardiola’s side.

FC Porto’s striker Falcao is fifth in the rankings after the Andre Villas Boas former player was the top-scorer of last term’s Europa League. Winner of the Portuguese double and the Europa League trophy, the forwarder is also a main candidate for the big award. Falcao is followed by Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney who helped the Red Devils win the Premier League title and reach the UCL final in which he scored the only goal for Alex Ferguson’s side. The British is followed by team-mate Nemanja Vidic who goes seventh in the shortlist. The Serb has become a key piece in Ferguson’s side, being the captain of the side currently.

AC Milan provide Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the eighth position after the Swede helped Massimiliano Allegri’s side to win the Serie A title this year. FC Barcelona defender Pique, who helped his side to win the Spanish title, is ninth, while former Schalke 04 keeper Manuel Neuer who had a solid contribution in Germans’ UCL semi final unique performance is tenth.

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Mancini said at the same time that he does not know which is the status of the talks between Atletico and City, but believes that things will be clear five days from now. “The last news that I heard about Aguero was that the club was talking with Atletico Madrid. I think that maybe in four or five days, before the next game, I think that in this week maybe we can close… If we close the deal, I need to speak with him, because I want to know his opinion.” Aguero failed to reach the superior phases at the Copa America with Argentina who were ousted in the quarter finals by the eventual winners Uruguay. Apart from the striker’s move, City are likely to keep Calros Tevez who failed to make the move back at home after Corinthians retired their because of the short payment terms asked by the English side.

Emmanuel Adebayor’s future is also uncertain, although the player is keen to stay at Real Madrid for which he played six months, scored eight goals, and with which he won the Spanish Cup and reached the UEFA Champions League semi finals. Jose Mourinho is also keen to keep him on Santiago Bernabeu but the two clubs haven’t come to any agreement. Manchester finished the season third with u71 points, the same as Chelsea and have already qualified for the UCL group stage. Neymar is also in Eastlands’s radar, but the player is unlikely to join the English side from two reasons. First, the player had suggested at one point that Chelsea is among the English favorites he would like to join and secondly because of the British weather. Anyway, he recently nominated Real Madrid as the side he would like to play for next year.

City’s North American pre-season ended with two wins and a draw. Mancini’s side beat Club America 2-0, Vancouver WhiteCaps 2-1 and drew Los Angles Galaxy 1-1 last Sunday. They will start the new season at home against newly-promoted  Swansea City whom they meet on August 15.

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