Sir Alex Ferguson warning for Rio Ferdinand

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Rio Ferdinand that he needs to prove his fitness this season.

Ferdinand started only 19 Premier League matches in their title-winning campaign last term.

And Ferguson has bolstered his central defensive options by signing Phil Jones, to go along with Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans - who were already pushing for places.

Now Ferguson says he has the 'best three young centre backs' in England ready to come in for Ferdinand.

"Rio will have to stay fit, that is the key for him," Ferguson is quoted by the Sunday Mirror.

"As he gets older, he won't play all the games because we have Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones who are the best young centre backs in the country.

"Any one of them can come in."

Sky Sports

Arsenal to take Nasri risk

Arsenal are prepared to risk losing Samir Nasri on a free transfer by blocking a move this summer.

The France international will see his current contract with the Gunners expire at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.

Arsenal have expressed a desire to tie him down long term, but the 24-year-old midfielder is reluctant to pen fresh terms.

A lack of silverware at the Emirates has forced Nasri to consider his options, and he believes a switch elsewhere may be beneficial to his career.

Manchester giants United and City are reported to be keen, with the latter prepared to push through a big-money move during the summer transfer window.

Backing

Arsenal, though, are refusing to give up hope in their efforts to thrash out a new contract with Nasri and admit they are willing to let the former Marseille man run down his deal.

Chairman Peter Hill- Wood said: "It is possible we could lose the player on a free transfer but we are prepared to take that risk."

The Arsenal board have also vowed to back Arsene Wenger in his bid to keep other key men in north London.

Reports continue to suggest that club captain Cesc Fabregas could soon be returning to his Catalan roots with Barcelona.

Sky Sports

Shaun Wright-Phillips eyes new deal

The England international slipped down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium last season, culminating in him being left out of City's squad for the FA Cup final.

It appeared as though his fate had been sealed, with a summer switch widely touted.

Bolton Wanderers were understood to be leading the chase for his signature, while Wigan Athletic were also keen to keep him in the north-west.

head down

Wright-Phillips has enjoyed a productive pre-season programme with City, though, and has now set his sights on earning an extended stay with the Blues.

He said: "It was hard for me last year when I was left out of the FA Cup final team.

"I thought it might be the end, but I'm not one to give up.

"I would love to earn a new contract. I want to stay here beyond the end of this coming season.

"Since reporting back for training I have really got my head down and given 100 per cent.

"I haven't spoken to the manager, but it has gone well for me and I will never give up on City."

Premier League

Downing set for Reds debut

Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Alexander Doni could make their Liverpool debuts this weekend.

The trio have all arrived at Anfield this summer and manager Kenny Dalglish has revealed they are in contention for Saturday's pre-season friendly against Hull City.

Doni and Downing did not sign for Liverpool in time to join the club's recent tour of the Far East, while Henderson did not travel after participating in England's Under 21 European Championship campaign.

Dalglish could offer the trio a chance against Hull, but, with a first game of the Premier League season against Sunderland moving ever closer, he does not want to push any players.

No rush

"We will have a look at them and decide what's best," the Liverpool boss told the club's official website. "There is certainly no rush for us to play anyone in these pre-season games.

"Stewart has been training for a fortnight and Jordan only started training on Monday.

"Everyone has trained well this week and the players are looking in good shape. Nowadays they come back looking as fit as they were before the break.

"But some have started back later than others and we have to take that into consideration.

"It's a pre-season game and we will treat it as such. We need to use these games to give as much benefit to as many players as we can."

Sky Sports

Villas-Boas doubts striker move

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas does not think he needs to sign a new striker, despite reports he has bid for Romelu Lukaku.

Sky sources understand last season's Premier League runners-up have made an offer for the £20million-rated Anderlecht 18-year-old, who scored 16 league goals last season.

Lukaku has been described as the new Didier Drogba, and Villas-Boas has admitted his admiration of the teenage sensation.

But the Chelsea boss also has the options of Drogba, Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge to mean he may not necessarily make a move.

Availability

"Lukaku had a magnificent season in Belgium," said Villas-Boas.

"We are pondering every decision because we don't want to go into the market and make mistakes.

"We have plenty of availability in terms of forwards who can play in different positions - with Anelka, with Kalou, Didier, Torres and Sturridge.

"This is the reality at the moment of our squad. We need to find the correct balance and this is why pre-season is important.

"On that decision, to bring in another forward, at the moment I don't think we will."

Sky Sports

Scholes hopes for Nasri deal

Paul Scholes is hoping Samir Nasri will join Manchester United after claiming the midfielder's current club Arsenal 'flatter to deceive'.

Nasri's future at Emirates Stadium is uncertain as he has just one year remaining on his contract and is wanted by United and local rivals City.

Reports have suggested that the France international is keen to move to Old Trafford amid claims the Premier League champions will offer £20million.

And, when asked if Nasri was coming to United, Scholes said: "I hope so."

Scholes retired from playing at the end of last season and enjoyed plenty of battles with Arsenal during his glittering career.

Flatter to deceive

However, the former midfielder says Sir Alex Ferguson would "not allow" United to go six years without a trophy, as has happened at Arsenal.

"They just flatter to deceive," he said.

"They may play the prettiest football, but it doesn't always produce the results they need. It doesn't irritate me that people say they're the best footballing team because while they are doing that, we (United) are winning games.

"They do play the best football to watch at times, but what is the point of that if you are not winning anything? Not only that, they are potentially going to lose their best players in (Cesc) Fabregas, (Samir) Nasri and (Gael) Clichy.

"I don't think our manager would allow this club to go six years without a trophy."

Sky Sports

Tevez seeks City departure

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has declared that he wants to leave the club this summer but has asked for the fans' understanding.

The Argentina international submitted a transfer request in December, before quickly performing a dramatic U-turn and pledging his commitment to the club following clear-the-air talks.

His long-term future remained the subject of intense speculation but manager Roberto Mancini always expressed confidence that he would stay.

Mancini stated over the weekend that he planned to keep Tevez after a proposed swap deal with Inter Milan for Samuel Eto'o fell through.

City's FA Cup success and UEFA Champions League qualification also appeared to boost their chances of holding on to the 27-year-old, but the reasons for his decision are more personal.

Tevez has never made a secret of the fact that he misses his children, who have been living with their mother back in Argentina, and he wants to put their interests first.

The news that he is again seeking a departure will come as a major blow to City, considering the impact he has made since controversially joining from local rivals Manchester United in 2009.

Tevez's announcement comes on the same day that City made their first signing of the summer, bringing in Gael Clichy from Arsenal.

But Tevez, who has scored 53 goals in 86 appearances for City, has seemingly left no room for manoeuvre by expanding on his thoughts.

He wishes the club well and has enjoyed being part of their success, but does not feel he can carry on with his family circumstances the way they are.

"It is with great regret that I have to inform Manchester City of my wish to leave the club," he said in a statement.

"I would like to state that I have great respect for the club, its supporters and the owner, Sheikh Mansour, who has been nothing other than respectful to me.

Challenging

"I hope that the people understand the difficult circumstances I have been living under the past 12 months, in regards to my family.

"Living without my children in Manchester has been incredibly challenging for me.

"Everything I do, I do for my daughters, Katie and Florencia. I need to be closer to them and to spend more time with them.

"I need them to be happy because my life is about them now. I need to be in a place where they can adapt.

"Being captain of Manchester City, qualifying for the Champions League, winning the FA Cup and finishing as top-scorer last season has made me very proud.

"I hope that most of the City fans will understand that I have given them my all on the pitch and that my dedication to the City cause has been 100% on the pitch.

"I hope I have done my bit to help City continue their progress towards their ambition to be champions of England and to advance in the Champions League.

"I have no doubt that the players and management of City will achieve great success in the future."

Manchester City have yet to respond to the statement and attempts to speak with Tevez will be complicated due to his present commitment to Argentina at the Copa America.

Sky Sports

Gael Clichy ready to sign for City

Gael Clichy is expected to complete his move to Manchester City in the next few hours after arriving at Eastlands.

The Arsenal defender spent Monday morning undergoing his medical at a private hospital in the North West as part of what is believed to be a £7million transfer.

Clichy was linked with Liverpool earlier in the summer, but Roberto Mancini's determination to solve his perceived problem position at left-back has seen City press ahead.

The France international is now likely to discuss with City officials the final details of his personal terms before signing.

Clichy is in the final year of his contract at Arsenal and it is understood he has made it clear to the club that he will not agree an extension.
Evidence

As a result, Arsene Wenger has decided to accept a fee for the 25-year-old, who first joined the Gunners eight years ago, rather than risk losing him for free in 12 months.

Clichy's arrival would seemingly push Wayne Bridge further towards a permanent City exit after his loan move to West Ham last season.

The transfer is also further evidence that Mancini has been underwhelmed by the return from the £19m spent on Aleksandar Kolarov.

At the same time, City are thought to be rivalling derby rivals Manchester United for Arsenal's £20million-rated French playmaker Samir Nasri.

The former Marseille star seems to have decided he will follow Clichy in not signing a contract extension and he could follow his compatriot to City in a repeat of the 2009 summer which saw two Arsenal players, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, move north.

Whether or not Nasri leaves Arsenal remains to be seen, but Clichy's imminent departure could spark an exodus which may also include Cesc Fabregas and Nicklas Bendtner.

Sky sports

Magpies taking patient approach

Newcastle United will remain patient as they attempt to land Alan Pardew's remaining transfer targets.

The Magpies have already signed French pair Yohan Cabaye and Sylvain Marveaux as well as Senegal international striker Demba Ba, while teenage midfielder Mehdi Abeid has also been recruited as one for the future.

But Pardew still hopes to make two more signings, at least one of them a striker.

more offensive

He said: "We have got to be diligent and patient.

"We are starting the season with five new players - Kevin [Nolan] obviously has gone - but we are in such a better position already.

"But we are poised and I still think we can bring in maybe two more offensive players. We will have to see."

The Magpies are monitoring Swansea City full-back Neil Taylor's situation from afar after the Welsh club rejected their £1m offer, a bid the Tyneside club believed triggered a release clause in the defender's contract.

Premier League

Orlandi pens new Swans deal

Andrea Orlandi signed a one-year contract extension with the Barclays Premier League new boys Swansea City.

The former Barcelona playmaker still had a year left to run on his current deal but is now tied to the south Wales club until the end of the 2012-13 season.

The Spaniard, 26, follows in the footsteps of compatriot Angel Rangel, who penned a new three-year deal at the Liberty Stadium last week.

Technical Ability

Midfielder Orlandi made 20 appearances last term as the Swans secured promotion via the play-offs, and chairman Huw Jenkins told the club website: "(Manager) Brendan (Rodgers) was keen to ensure Andrea was retained as an important member of the squad.

"He has grown into the squad over the past few years and his technical ability is well suited to the Premier League.

"We are delighted that Andrea has decided to extend his contract, and we look forward to seeing him play his part as the club looks to make an impact in the Premier League."

Premier League

Cole committed to Blues

Chelsea and England star Ashley Cole has told Sky Sports News he has not thought about leaving the club this summer.

His former manager Jose Mourinho, now in charge at Real Madrid, has been strongly linked with a move for the left-back.

Cole says he is not thinking about leaving Stamford Bridge, although he admits in the past it was something he considered.

"Never even thought about it," he told Sky Sports News when asked about a potential move to the Spanish capital.

"I had issues before where I thought about it, but this season I have been fine, I have been on holiday so I have not read anything."

Backing

Cole also underlined that Chelsea's players will be fully behind new manager Andre Villas-Boas and that his age - just 33 - is in no way an issue.

"Age is just a number, he has experience of being at Porto, a big club," he said.

"And hopefully he can bring that glory to Chelsea but I don't think the age thing is anything to worry about, I don't think the players think about that. He is our manager now and we have to go out and fight for him.

"Whatever manager comes in we respect him, we are not kids, everyone thinks there are egos at Chelsea, but there aren't and we have to make Chelsea the squad of a few years ago and win trophies."

Cole admits that winning the Champions League is an ambition he is still longing to fulfil.

He added: "A lot of players' dreams are to win the Champions League final, I have played in two finals, but of course we want to win - but we want to win any trophy."

Skysports

Malouda planning Chelsea stay

Florent Malouda expects to stay at Chelsea under new manager Andre Villas-Boas and has reiterated his eagerness to extend his contract.

The France international has made over 180 appearances for Chelsea since joining from Lyon in 2007 and is under contract for a further two seasons.

He enjoyed an impressive first half to last term at Stamford Bridge, but has been linked with a summer exit, with the likes of AC Milan and Roma rumoured to be interested.

However, the 31-year-old has again confirmed he is keen to extend his contract by a further year following the appointment of Villas-Boas as Carlo Ancelotti's successor.

Malouda says Villas-Boas had a hand in his arrival at Chelsea during Jose Mourinho's reign as manager and is confident he is at the right club.

Ambition

"I have a contract that runs until 2013 in Chelsea," Malouda told France-Guyane newspaper.

"My career plan is to play at a high level until at least 2014. My ambition is to continue until 2014 in Chelsea.

"Since my arrival at Chelsea, I have had six coaches. At every transfer window we talk about my name.

"The coach was part of Jose Mourinho's staff and worked with him in my recruitment.

"This season I finished top scorer (for Chelsea) in the league, that means I'm getting better, it means perhaps also that I am in the right place."

SKySports