Chelsea

Sina Sports have claimed the enigmatic Shanghai owner will hold a meeting in Singapore with Drogba’s two French agents and his Chinese deputy.

The 34-year-old Ivory Coast forward has long been linked with a big-money move to China when his current contract expires at the end of this season, following former Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka’s switch to the Shanghai outfit.

It has been reported that Drogba, who scored in Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup triumph over Liverpool, would be offered almost €250,000 per season by Shenhua on a two-year contract.

Drogba’s agent Thierno Seidy had told L’Equipe in late April that Drogba had “a lot of offers from everywhere”.

However, just last week Anelka revealed Drogba had made up his mind on his future, but hadn’t made it public because it was inconvenient as he bids for an improved new deal with Chelsea.

“Even if Drogba finally chooses to stay with Chelsea, that can only prove Drogba himself wanted to stay and Chelsea also wanted to keep him,” Anelka told Chinese media according to the Daily Mail.

“If Drogba cannot come to Shanghai, then there are no regrets because the world still has many other fine players.”

Hamburg

Kuyt, who will be 32 in the summer, recently said that he was finding it frustrating that he is no longer guaranteed a first-team place at Liverpool and may be forced to consider his future.

He has a year remaining on his contract and, with several clubs expected to battle for his signature, Arnesen has suggested Hamburg may be in the race.

It is believed a clause in the player’s contract would allow him to leave Anfield for £1 million this summer.

“A player like Kuyt, who is still in good shape, can add something to any team,” he told Bild. “He is a real team-player with an excellent attitude.”

There had been reports claiming initial negotiations had taken place, but Kuyt’s agent said that was not the case.

“There have not been any talks with Arnesen or with someone else from HSV,” agent Rob Jansen said. “Would Kuyt be interested in a move to the Bundesliga? I can’t say anything about that. A lot of clubs have made enquiries, but there’s nothing concrete for now.”

The Japan international met with club directors earlier this week and is thought to be shopping himself to Serie A clubs in preparation for his contract’s expiry in June.

“It’s a wonderful feeling [to have my name attached to Milan],” Kawashima told Calcio Mercato. “Milan is a big club known throughout the world. It’s a very strong team and it’d be fun to play there one day.”

Kawashima would be a hypothetical third in the team’s current depth charts, but the potential departure of Marco Amelia and the increasing age of long-time goalkeeper Christian Abbiati could lead the way to a backup or even starting role.

“I’m aware that Abbiati is the holder, and he’s a very strong goalkeeper, but nothing scares me,” Kawashima said of the potential struggle. “There’s competition in every team, and I think Milan is the same.

“I have the utmost respect for the Rossoneri‘s goalkeepers; if there’s a chance to wear AC Milan’s shirt I will try to do my best.”

The former Kawasaki Frontale man, who trained with Parma early in his career and can speak Italian in addition to several other languages, also revealed the influence of national team manager Alberto Zaccheroni.

“I haven’t spoken to Zaccheroni about joining Milan,” he continued, “but he agrees with me that leaving Belgium is the right choice to continue my growth as a player.”

Kawashima also gave his metaphorical seal of approval to countrymen Shinji Kagawa and Gotoku Sakai, who are also reportedly on Milan’s radar.

“They know European football, which has allowed them to make the leap [from Japan],” he explained. “They’re happy in Germany right now, but I wouldn’t rule out a future for them [in Italy].”

Gutierrez has developed into a key player at the Argentine side since joining them from Trabzonspor in February 2011, and his good performances have now earned him the interest of the Serie A pair.

“There are two teams in Serie A that have shown an interest in signing Teo. Fiorentina and Napoli have asked about him and could soon make an offer,” the player’s representative stated to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The striker previously played in Europe at Trabzonspor, but was unable to settle in Turkey and returned to South America after only one season.

Sevilla

The Turkey international has been in sensational goalscoring form this season and has already admitted that he wants to move on at the end of the current campaign amidst rumours linking him with Premier League outfit Arsenal. However, according to Turkiye Gazetesi, Sevilla have now entered the race for Burak.

The forward has also previously been spoken of as a potential target for Sevilla’s La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid, with Rojiblancos midfielder Arda Turan having gone public with his desire to have his international colleague join him at the Vicente Calderon.

However, it has been reported that German champions Borussia Dortmund and Serie A titleholders AC Milan are also tracking the striker who has scored 32 goals in 31 games in the Turkish top flight this term.

Guizhou, who have started their 2012 campaign unbeaten after two games, are making moves to rival the likes of Shanghai Shenhua after the big-spending club brought in Nicolas Anelka in January.

Didier Drogba is another Premier League player understood to be on Shanghai’s radar, while Guizhou, from the south-west of China, are reportedly set to offer veterans Lampard and Ferdinand £250,000-a-week each.

“I want the best team in China and we are prepared to invest a lot of money to bring Ferdinand and Lampard to us,” club chairman Wang Guolin told The Sun newspaper. “Many people here watch the Premier League and know how good the two players are.”

It is also reported that Shanghai are willing to break the bank to bring in Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho to replace Jean Tigana next season, while former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson continues to be linked with a move to the Chinese Super League after previously being mooted as the next boss of Shandong Luneng.

Juventus

The Turin side are keen to add some more depth to their squad in the summer transfer window, and the 19-year-old Verratti will be their first signing as Juventus look to acquire young talent.

Juventus see Verratti, who has been capped at Under-21 level for Italy, as the long-term replacement for Pirlo, and are hopeful that the playmaker will make the next step in his development under the tutelage of the Italy international.

Verratti is a product of the Pescara youth academy and made his official first team debut at the tender age of 16. The midfielder has since developed into a key player at the Serie B side, and has now earned himself a transfer to the Bianconeri this summer.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands to watch the 21-year-old at the weekend as Lille went down 2-1 against Lyon, fuelling speculation the Scot could launch a bid in the coming months.

If Ferguson does, he is likely to face stiff competition from Tottenham, whose boss Harry Redknapp has confirmed he is keen on Hazard, and Arsenal, who have been linked with the Belgium international for a while.

But United are emerging as favourites to secure Hazard’s signature following comments he made to the French press.

When asked if a move to Old Trafford would interest him, Hazard told La Voix du Nord: “Of course, this a club that excites anyone.

“For now my focus is on Lille but yes, it is a pleasure to be watched by one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best.”

Hazard has scored 11 goals in 24 starts this season for Lille, who are third in Ligue 1, 11 points behind leaders PSG. (soccernet)

Suarez had became headline lately in the Premier League, besides scoring 10 goals in 32 appearances he is also hit by disciplinary problems – the worst of which was an eight-game ban for the use of racially offensive language towards Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

New French rich club, PSG made an indication that they could be chasing Suarez’s signature in the summer transfer window. But Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish had stated that he will not sell Suarez. But now the situation could change as the player himself had stated that he is opened to the move.

Diego Lugano, captain of Uruguay and a staunch supporter of Suarez during the racism row, is at PSG and Suarez said he would “love” to play alongside him at club level. That said, Lugano is something of an outcast at PSG and has started only nine Ligue 1 games this season.

Suarez said: “Yes, I could come to Paris, like lots of other clubs. There are lots of big clubs with such a reputation who want to build a strong team and Paris are one of these teams who buy to strengthen their side.

“I would love to play at the same club as him (Lugano)” – soccernet

Cologne

Podolski has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates this summer as Cologne, who are currently 14th in the Bundesliga, continue their relegation battle. The German international, though, insists an agreement has not yet been reached between the two clubs despite widespread reports he is due to team up with Arsene Wenger’s side.

“Contrary to reports from the past few days, nothing has been decided yet,” Podolski told German Sky Sports. “If there is something to report, then I’ll do it.”

The 26-year-old’s comments were supported by former Cologne sporting director Volker Finke, who hinted that talks had taken place over Podolski’s future but that a final decision had not yet been made at the RheinEnergieStadion.

“The final die is not yet cast,” said Finke. “It’s part of the business and so it is generally agreed that only when the die is cast and everything is signed – when it comes to a transfer, as it is being discussed in the newspapers – only then can the parties involved make comments. It is still not settled and therefore we have no comment.”

Finke left the club by mutual consent after Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Hertha Berlin. Podolski, meanwhile, is facing the possiblility of a three-match ban after being shown a red card in Cologne’s win. – soccernet