Malaga striker Roque Santa Cruz has moved to confirm he is set to complete a move to Mexican side Cruz Azul. The two clubs have all but reached an agreement over a January transfer, with the Paraguayan flying to Mexico.

Santa Cruz has spoken to the media upon landing in Mexico to confirm the deal is set to be completed.

“There are well advanced negotiations with the club in place and my presence here suggests that I have a lot of willingness to finalize (the agreement),” Santa Cruz told reporters.

“I’m coming to Mexico because it has a very competitive League and there is a different feeling playing here, where I know there will be a lot of pressure for me to achieve success and do well.”

Roque Santa Cruz made a name for himself at Bayern Munic…

Arsenal F.C. striker Olivier Giroud has confirmed he has entered contract negotiations with the club.

The France international, 27, joined the Gunners from French Ligue 1 side Montpellier for around £10 million in the summer of 2012 having gone on to establish himself as Arsene Wenger s first-choice centre-forward.

Giroud, whose current deal at the Emirates Stadium is due to expire on 30 June 2016, is keen to extend the player s stay in North London amid reports linking Arsenal with a number of Europe s top strikers.

I have two years left on my contract but we are in negotiations to extend, .

For now, I am here. There are many great things to do.

I feel comfortable in the Premier League. My first was not too bad. I had a pretty go…

Arsenal ruined Steve McClaren s FC Twente debut as goals from William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor secured an unconvincing 2-0 win in the Champions League third qualifying round, first leg on Wednesday.

McClaren rarely enjoyed much good fortune during his unhappy reign as England coach and the new Twente manager s luck clearly hasn t changed for the better yet.

His side out-played Arsenal for long periods at the Gelredome in Arnhem before succumbing to a sucker punch when Arsenal captain Gallas struck from close-range midway through the second half.

If that was tough on McClaren there was worse to come when Adebayor added a second in the closing minutes to leave Twente down and out and Arsenal within touching distance of the lucrative group stages.

A…

Spanish giants Real Madrid are interested in signing Villarreal winger Santi Cazorla, according to Spanish sports daily Marca.

It is believed Real are ready to table a 16 million euros bid for the winger.

Santi Cazorla has also been linked with a move to Italian side Roma in recent weeks. Roma want Cazorla as a replacement for winger Amantino Mancini, according to reports in the Italian media.

The 23 year old, who made his debut for Villarreal in 2003, impressed many in the Euro 2008.

Spanish sports daily Marca also claims Real Madrid will make another bid for Valencia ace David Villa on Tuesday. Real will make a 52 million euros bid for Villa, after having their 47 million euros bid rejected on Monday this week.

[Source: Marca]

…

Paris Saint-Germain have completed the signing of France international Hatem Ben Arfa on a two-year deal, the Ligue 1 champions have confirmed.

The forward was a free agent after his contract at Nice came to an end and he becomes Unai Emery s first signing since replacing Laurent Blanc as head coach.

Ben Arfa has rebuilt his reputation since returning to France after ill-fated spells with Newcastle United and Hull City, and had been attracting reported attention from Barcelona and Sevilla.

However, he has opted for a switch to the French capital and told PSG s official website: Signing for Paris Saint-Germain is a moment of pride, of happiness.

PSG have always held a special place in my heart and it is a dream come to be wearing this jersey. 

I…

The Telegraph understands that Liverpool may end their pursuit of a new goalkeeper and keep faith with Loris Karius.

The Reds have been linked with a world record mover for Roma shot-stopper Alisson, though they could now be about to abandon those plans and stick with their current first choice.

Karius is keeping Belgium international Simon Mignolet out of this side and has kept three clean sheets in his last four outings.

He moved to Anfield in the summer of 2016 from Mainz and has since racked up thirty-two appearances in all competitions.

Internationally, he has represented Germany at every level from U16 to U21 while he spent part of his youth development with Manchester City before returning to his home country.

Liverpool thumped Porto…

Former England manager Steve McClaren has called for Wayne Rooney to make up for his sending off against Montenegro.

The Manchester United striker is set to return to the Podgorica City Stadium for the first time since he was red carded for a petulant kick on Miodrag Dzuzdovic in the 2011 meeting between the two sides.

And McClaren says the 27-year-old and his team-mates must show emotional control to overcome a similarly hostile atmosphere in Tuesday s World Cup qualifier.

Of course they can win the game, without a shadow of doubt and they’re capable of doing that, McClaren told Yahoo!

It s a great test of their mentality, combating the outside elements like the atmosphere, fans and the on-field intimidation from playing these big European teams.

…

Corinthians midfielder Paulinho has confirmed reports linking him with a summer move to Giuseppe Meazza.

Recent reports suggested that Inter were keen on the highly rated midfielder and the speculation has now been confirmed by the player himself.

The 23-year-old says that Inter have already contacted his agent and that they are expecting an official bid from the Neroazzurri.

“Inter Milan have already had talks with my agent and they will probably make an official offer next week,” Paulinho said to Radio Bandeirantes.

“We are talking about Inter Milan, so it obviously affects me, but Corinthians are my preference.”

Paulinho joined Corinthians from minnows Bragantino in 2010 and quickly developed into a key player for Timao.

The mi…

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has been linked with the vacant post with the Brazil national team.

Goalkeeper Ederson Moraes, whose Manchester City side are seen as Real s fiercest competition in the Champions League this season, joked on the subject in a press conference ahead of Brazil s friendly clash with Morocco on Saturday, saying he would do his best to knock Real out in order to get Ancelotti to make the switch as soon as possible.

I was talking with Casemiro, with Vini, and with Militao about the big possibility of Carlo Ancelotti coming.

Ederson hopes the potential outcome of Manchester City beating Real Madrid in the Champions League would lead to Ancelotti becoming Brazil head coach

— Football Daily (@footballdaily)

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West Brom sit at the top of the Championship after Charlie Austin s double helped them to a 3-2 win over Birmingham City in Saturday’s early game.

Leeds United looked set to reclaim first place later in the day but threw away a three-goal lead at home to Cardiff City to draw 3-3.

Preston North End are now 10 points behind Marcelo Bielsa s side after a 2-1 win over Luton Town, while Brentford leapfrogged Fulham into fourth with a slender 1-0 win.

At the other end of the table, rock-bottom Barnsley registered a remarkable 5-3 win over QPR but Middlesbrough slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Swansea City.

AUSTIN INSPIRES BAGGIES COMEBACK

Charlie Austin took his tally for the season to eight with a brace to help West Brom record a vital win at B…