Last week The Sun revealed that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had offered �7million for the Montenegro striker, who is 17 years old.

Ferguson was apparently hoping to secure a deal with Partizan immediately because he anticipated competition from other leaing European clubs, including Real.

Montenegro FA president Dejan Savicevic said: “I am not surprised by the interest of Manchester United.

“Stevan could play in any of the biggest clubs in Europe. And I think United would get him on the cheap even for �7million.”

Jovetic, who made his full senior debut for Montenegro in a friendly against Hungary, has scored 18 times in 54 games for Partizan.

Now it seems United will have to wait until the end of the season because Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, Heerenven and Sampdoria have also reportedly entered the race.

Partizan director, Gordan Petric, said: “We must decide the pros and cons of selling Jovetic. We will decide that at the end of the season. A lot of clubs are interested in him.”

Eto'o: No longer classed as non-EUEto'o handed duel citizenship

Barcelona's Cameroon international striker Samuel Eto'o has become the latest player to be granted dual Spanish citizenship.

The move comes just two weeks after the Spanish Football Federation passed a ruling whereby African players would no longer be classed as non-European Union workers in the Primera Liga, in accordance with the Cotonou Agreement.

A statement posted on Barcelona's official website on Wednesday read: "The Azulgrana striker Samuel Eto'o can already be considered to be a Spanish player after today swearing the Spanish constitution.

"In the next few hours Barcelona will notify the Spanish football federation (RFEF) and the LFP (football league) of Eto'o's nationalisation."

Eto'o's Barca team-mates Ronaldinho (Brazil) and Giovani Dos Santos (Mexico) also gained dual Spanish nationality recently, meaning Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure is the only remaining non-European Union player at the Nou Camp.

source: teamtalk

Ramos would love Real to land Cesc

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos admits he will be delighted if his side ever succeed in their bid to land Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas

Real have long been admirers of Fabregas and were eager to bring him to the Bernabeu both this summer and last, when president Ramon Calderon pledged to sign the 20-year-old as part of his election campaign.

Fabregas, who signed an eight-year contract with Arsenal last year, has so far remained dedicated to the Gunners, but Ramos admits he would like to see Real fulfil their aim and bring the former Barcelona youngster to the Spanish champions.

"Anything that would improve my team I think would be good, and for his quality and his characteristics Cesc would be very well received at Real Madrid," Ramos said in AS.

"He is a great player, a leader and a key player at Arsenal. He is one of the most successful Spanish players who has played abroad, and in a league as competitive as the English one."

source: teamtalk

Earlier this week, Marca reported that Real Madrid were set to make a move for Valencia star David Villa.

The striker caught the eye of Bernabeu president Ramon Calderon, who is allegedly eager to add more Spaniards to his squad.

With Raul perhaps said to be getting on in years, a front line of Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Villa would certainly put fear into the heart of opposing defences, but there remains a snag.

The 25 year old Spain international's contract contains a massive release clause to the tune of well over a hundred million euros.

Still, Villa proclaimed himself flattered by Madrid's interest on Wednesday, fuelling the fires of speculation further.

As such, Marca believes that both sides will be brought to the negotiating table with a 60 million euro opening gambit.

Valencia, of course, are free to reject such a figure, and indeed keep on rejecting offers until the release clause is met.

The Mestalla side, though, are thought to be willing to accept a lower bid, perhaps in the region of 75 million euros.

For now, Villa, who signed for Valencia from Zaragoza for just 12 million euros, remains at the Mestalla.

Didier Drogba will not be joining Spanish Gaints and current La Liga leaders Real Madrid in either of the two upcoming transfer windows, according to Marca.

Despite retracting his want-away interview in France Football, Drogba is still heavily linked with a Stamford Bridge exit, with Madrid being a potential suitor.

However, the Bernabeu men concluded their interest - for now - after Drogba's two agents, Pierre Floriant and Marc Iovnio met with Madrid representatives to thrash out the state of play.

Drogba's men left empty-handed after hearing that Madrid would not currently be following up their interest with a bid, for the reason that Drogba is fast approaching 30 years of age.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy and Raul both of later years, Real Madrid are thought to be interested only in acquiring a young striker - David Villa, for example - with Drogba currently not fitting the profile.

Nonetheless, should no younger option present itself, then Marca understands that the door is open for a late summer bid from Ramon Calderon and his men.

In any case, it is thought unlikely that Drogba will remain at Stamford Bridge for much longer, with other European clubs such as Barcelona, AC Milan and Internazionale all showing an interest.

Lyon declare interest in unsettled Drogba

Didier Drogba's Chelsea future is under the spotlight again after French champions Lyon admitted an interest in the Ivorian striker.

Drogba caused a storm at Stamford Bridge last week when he announced, in an interview with France Football magazine, that he wanted to follow former manager Jose Mourinho out of the club.

Drogba later insisted he was committed to the Blues but would sit down and discuss his future at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old is contracted to Chelsea until 2010 but a return to France could be an option for the striker after Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas admitted an admiration for his talents.

However, Aulas also made it clear that the sale of Florent Malouda to Chelsea in the summer has left Lyon short of an `asset' to chase someone of Drogba's calibre.

Aulas told Aujourd'hui en France: 'Everything is possible in football. Didier Drogba is an exceptional footballer who loves France.

'We had an asset (to make him come) here, Florent Malouda, who was playing for us.

'Unfortunately he has left for Chelsea. If we had to sign both of them, it is maybe beyond our means.'

In the meantime Drogba's controversial outburst has received support from team-mate Petr Cech.

Goalkeeper Cech, preparing to face Schalke in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge tonight, said Drogba had every right to express his feelings in the wake of Mourinho's exit.

But Cech says his attitude on the pitch has been first class as Chelsea have turned things around under new coach Avram Grant.

Cech declared: 'Didier opened his heart in his interview but the main importance for the players, the club and the fans should be the fact that on the pitch he has always been brilliant and fighting 100%.

'Every player has the right to say what he thinks. For us the most important thing is that he plays on the pitch for the team. You can see that in any game, he is 100% for us and wants to score goals and win and that is the main thing.'

Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Rosenborg in the opening Champions League match proved to be Mourinho's last game in charge. Since then Grant has installed Henk ten Cate from Ajax to help Steve Clarke with the coaching.

The changes have been dramatic but Cech believes the team have shown their true spirit with the results they have forged since Grant took charge.

Victory over Hull in the Carling Cup was followed by a 2-1 success over Valencia on matchday two in Europe and they have since enjoyed more success in the Premier League.

Their win over Valencia means Chelsea to go into tonight's Group B game as leaders and Cech insists they still have the stomach for a fight.

Cech declared: 'I think in recent games we showed our character and showed to everyone, that even though we are behind in the league, we will not give up.

'We still have plenty of games to play and that is a lot of time. A lot of things can happen. We wanted to be in a better position than we are now but we won't give up and we will chase everyone for points to win the title again.

'The expectation is always the same. We are one of the best teams in Europe and England and we always want to win. We will be chasing all the trophies again.

'It is always better to look forward. That is what we have always done. It is always difficult when you get a change of the manager because it is always a big event and you need to cope with that.'

source: soccernet

Megson quits to take Trotters job

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric has confirmed Gary Megson has left the club and will hold talks with Bolton after compensation was agreed.

Mandaric issued a message to Leicester supporters via the club's official website following the news he had granted Megson permission to speak to Bolton after an afternoon of protracted compensation negotiations.

The statement read: "Gary decided that he wanted to speak to Bolton. We have agreed compensation and we move on.

"This is something that was not planned. We have worked tirelessly to prevent this from happening but in the end there was nothing we could do. Gary's heart was not in this football club anymore.

"It is important that we all remain focussed on our common goal. We must channel all of our energy and desire into making sure that this football club continues to move forward.

"As supporters of this football club I need to ask you to keep believing at this difficult time. Our original plans and objectives still remain the same. They have not changed.

"There is an old saying - it is not the loser who goes down, it is the loser who does not get back up again. This football club and its supporters are not quitters."

Gerry Taggart and Frank Burrows have been placed in charge of first-team affairs for Saturday's home game against Barnsley.

Mandaric added: "We must collectively pull all of our efforts together to support them.

"We need your support more than ever when we take on Barnsley at the Walkers Stadium this weekend.

"We must unite and move forward - stronger than ever before. I appreciate your support and I will always thank you for that."

Leicester had already spurned two approaches from Bolton, who parted company with Sammy Lee last week, but relented after Megson, 48, hinted he was interested in a return to the top flight.

Mandaric said: "Despite by best efforts to retain his services and turning down two formal approaches from Bolton, Gary left me with no choice last night when he informed me he wanted to leave Leicester and talk to the Premier League club.

"I made it abundantly clear Bolton's interest was neither welcome or invited but it was evident to me that following a meeting requested by Gary following last night's home defeat by Sheffield United his loyalties and heart lay elsewhere."

source: teamtalk