Spanish international striker David Villa, a long-time target of both Real Madrid and Barcelona, said on Tuesday he was happy to stay at Valencia.

I was told that I must leave Valencia for the good of the club, then they changed their minds, he said.

My situation depends on the decision of the club. They have decided that I am to stay and I am happy about the goals I have for the start of this season, he was quoted as saying on the club s website.

Valencia planned to sell top several players, including Villa, to help solve its financial difficulties.

The 27-year-old, the top scorer at Euro 2008, was ready to sign for Real Madrid, but Valencia asked for more money as other clubs, including Barcelona, expressed interest.

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Malcom came off the bench to claim gold for Brazil, who beat Spain 2-1 after extra time to defend their Olympic crown.

Mikel Oyarzabal s stunning effort cancelled out Matheus Cunha s opener to force extra time at the International Stadium Yokohama.

There was plenty of drama before normal time was up – Richarlison blazing a penalty over just prior to Cunha s opener before the Everton forward hit the crossbar in the second half, with Oscar Gil and Bryan Gil also hitting the woodwork at the other end.

Yet it was substitute Malcom who ultimately proved decisive, the Zenit winger getting the better of Jesus Vallejo to prod home beyond Unai Simon and seal back-to-back gold medals for Brazil.

O OURO CONTINUA NO BRASIL! Foi na raça, na dedicação e no tale…

Middlesbrough is about to reduce their salary costs seriously: Afonso Alves is about to join Qatari side Al Sadd.

The Brazilian striker was placed on the transfer list because of his extreme wages of approximately £ 45,000 per week. Besides that, Alves never convinced during his time at the Riverside stadium.

The Brazilian international is still Boro’s record signing: in January 2008 Boro paid his former club Heerenveen £ 17, 5 million.

As a Heerenveen player he proved his talent as a goal getter: 45 in only 40 matches for the Dutch side.

However, he never lived up to the expectations in England, scoring only ten goals in 42 matches.

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Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has declared they will do everything possible to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in 2009.

The Spanish giants spent most of the summer trying to sign the Portugal star and Real provoked United with their attempts to sign him.

“There is hope that next year he could be with us,” Schuster told Marca.

“We must do everything possible because it is worth having this footballer.

“Madrid knows it and this year was already willing to pay a heavy price.

“Maybe next year it will be a little less, but I think we must be prepared in case we need to make this expenditure.”

[Source: Marca]

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Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta insists there is almost zero chance of luring James Rodriguez from Real Madrid to the Serie A. 

The Italian champions have been linked with a move for James, who has found limited opportunities under Zinedine Zidane at Madrid. 

An €80million transfer from Monaco in 2014, James was one of Madrid s best performers in his first season, but an injury sent him down the pecking order last term.

However, Marotta says Juve are not trying to land the Colombia international, who was the top scorer at the 2014 World Cup.

There is almost zero chance of signing James, he told Sky Sport Italia. 

In every case between Real Madrid and Juventus there is a great relation of esteem and mutual affection.

Spe…

Arsenal have completed the signing of forward Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna.

Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed on Saturday that the 27-year-old, along with Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, had agreed terms, with the official confirmation on Tuesday.

The Premier League club have not revealed any details surrounding the fee believed to be in the region of £17million or the length of the deal.

He s not only a goalscorer, he s a guy who combines well with partners, who can give a final ball and makes good runs, Wenger told Arsenals official website.

He s got a good eye for goal and had an outstanding season last year.

Wenger had come under pressure for a perceived lack of activity in the transfer market, with Gunners fans getting restless …

Frank Lampard suggested Chelsea may be asking too much of Callum Hudson-Odoi but vowed to stick with the 19-year-old and protect him against criticism.

The England winger sparkled in his early senior appearances but has struggled to make an impact of late, failing to impress as he started a Premier League match for the first time in over two months in a 2-0 Boxing Day defeat to Southampton.

While head coach Lampard acknowledged Hudson-Odoi is yet to find the consistency required to be a Chelsea regular, he is determined to stay patient with the teenager.

Maybe [it is about consistency], and maybe we re asking too much, Lampard told reporters ahead of the New Year s Day trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.

Because at 19, there s not many in the Premier Lea…

Herve Renard is delighted to have Louis van Gaal backing his Morocco team at the World Cup and credits Ajax star Hakim Ziyech as a key factor in the North African team s growing Dutch fanbase.

Morocco kick off their Group B campaign against Iran in St Petersburg on Friday, with the build-up to kick-off in the section dominated by the shock sacking of Spain boss Julen Lopetegui.

Potential unrest for the favourites could open the door to Renard s Morocco, who have gifted playmaker Ziyech back at the heart of their plans after a dispute with the well-travelled French coach saw him axed for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Netherlands are absent in Russia, having been semi-finalists under Van Gaal four years ago and the ex-Manchester United and Barcelona boss is keen …

Manchester City and Brazil striker Robinho will not face charges following allegations of a serious sexual assault made in January, police announced here on Monday.

Robinho always denied any wrongdoing relating to an alleged incident at the Space nightclub in Leeds, northern England, and a spokesperson for West Yorkshire police said: Following a report of a serious sexual assault that occurred at a nightclub in Leeds on January 14, 2009, the matter was investigated and a man was arrested and released on police bail.

A file was submitted to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) who decided that no further action should be taken.

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