28/07/09: Transfer Rumors

Rafael Benitez has insisted that Napoli will not be distracted by the upcoming Coppa Italia final during Saturday s clash at Inter.

Napoli visit San Siro knowing that victory will be enough to guarantee a place in next season s UEFA Champions League.

The clash comes just six days before the cup final with Fiorentina, in which Napoli will attempt to regain the title they won for a fourth time in 2012.

However, Benitez is focused solely on securing participation in Europe s premier club competition by getting the better of an Inter side coached by former Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri.

It s a very important game for both teams, Benitez said. We want to continue in Europe next season and we need to ensure third place in mathematical form leaving no room for doubt.

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Hull City s owners claim manager Steve Bruce has exceeded all expectations this season as the club prepare for their first FA Cup final.

With three games left, Hull are five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone and looking forward to another campaign in England s top flight.

The Yorkshire club, who finished second in the Championship last term to gain promotion to the Premier League, will play in their maiden FA Cup final next month against Arsenal, and will aim for their first major trophy.

Owners Assem and Ehab Allam have led the tributes to Bruce, who took over in June 2012.

Steve has done a great job, Ehab, the acting chief executive, told the Hull Daily Mail.

He has proved to be a very good manager this season. We brought him here because…

Midfielder Steven McGarry has signed a one-year contract extension with Perth Glory.

After joining the Glory in January 2010, McGarry became an important part of the side that reached the recent A-League Grand Final.

He said this recent on-field success helped him decide on penning a one-year deal.

I am delighted to sign a contract extension, McGarry said.

It s great to be involved in a club that had such a great end to the season.

The possible prospect of playing in the Asian Champions League is exciting and a big step forward for the club.

Having played with the likes of Motherwell and Ross County back home, the Scot is enjoying his new lifestyle.

My preference was always to stay with Perth Glory in a city that has made …

Wenger adamant Campbell will stay

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has poured cold water on speculation linking Costa Rican forward Joel Campbell with a January exit.

Quite a few top sides have shown interest in the talented footballer as he was mostly restricted to substitute appearances this season, and the 22-year-old was widely expected to leave in search of first team football.

However, it would appear as though Arsene Wenger believes Campbell still has a future at the Emirates and he has suggested that the Costa Rican is not for sale.

“Campbell will stay at the club,” the French coach told Arsenal s official website.

Despite impressing while on loan at Olympiakos last season, Campbell has only made three substitute appearances in the Premi…

Market: Villarreal win

Odds: 21/20 @

Looking to extend on their recent bounce when they turn their attention back to Conference League duties, Villarreal will make the trip to Anderlecht on Thursday evening.

Starting with the hosts, while Anderlecht might have eventually clawed their way past Ludogorets last month following a nail-biting penalties victory on home soil, they have struggled to find any kind of stability. Last seen over the weekend failing to pick up any momentum as they were hit with a toothless 1-0 loss away at Gent, Brian Riemer s men have failed to win any of their previous five straight matchups within 90 minutes. Tipped as an outside pick to extend on their Conference League adventure this month, the Purples have continued to show some recent…

Hugo Ekitike says he would have joined Newcastle United if he had departed Ligue 1, but that he was unable to refuse the chance of a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Reims striker signed a loan deal with the French champions, which includes an obligation to buy, earlier this month.

It brought to an end an unsuccessful pursuit from the Magpies, who heavily courted the forward in an attempt to persuade him to come to St James Park as far back as the January transfer window.

Now, Ekitike has revealed he remains grateful for the efforts Newcastle made to sign him, but he could not turn down the chance to go to the premier club in his home country when it arose.

I had an appointment with Luis [Campos, PSG sporting director] which meant a lot to me,  Ekiti…

Neymar had to step out of Lionel Messi s shadow by leaving Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain, according to Dani Alves.

Brazil star Neymar made a world-record €222million move from Barca to PSG last year and the superstar forward has scored 26 goals in 24 games this season.

Alves, an international and PSG team-mate of Neymar s, said the 25-year-old made the right decision in departing the Camp Nou.

I think he s up there with Messi as the most influential player in world football. The thing is, he had to come out of his shadow a little, Alves told FIFA.com.

Playing with someone as unique as Leo is the most incredible thing that can happen to you, but there s always that doubt in your mind if it s you that really has the quality or if it s him.

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Matchday twenty-six in the Premier League gets underway at Turf Moor where Burnley face champions elect Manchester City.

Despite not winning in eight league games the Clarets are currently the highest placed side in the division aside from the ‘big six’, and they can move to within four points of Arsenal if they triumph here while Pep Guardiola’s side can open up an unprecedented eighteen point lead at the top if they secure what would be a fifth straight victory in all competitions.

Second place Manchester United will hope to bounce back from their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur midweek as they host struggling Huddersfield Town, who’s winless run stretched to eight league games with defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday.

Tight-nit

The Terriers are one…

Pep Guardiola s first league match in charge of Barcelona did not go as planned with the title hopefuls falling to an embarrassing 1-0 opening day defeat to promoted Numancia on Sunday.

Guardiola, a member of Barca s 1992 European Cup winning team, has the job of wrestling the title from Real Madrid but the omens do not look good after an insipid display.

Barca were poor travellers last season under Frank Rijkaard and the new manager and season failed to bring a change in fortune and Real can turn the screw when they face Deportivo La Coruna in Sunday s late match.

Barcelona handed a league debut to Dani Alves a 29.5 million euro signing from Sevilla in the summer with Lionel Messi starting in attack after inspiring Argentina to Olympic gold.

Guardio…

Gianfranco Zola emerged Monday as a strong favourite to become West Ham s new manager after Croatia boss Slaven Bilic was quoted as saying he does not want the job.

Bilic, a former Hammers defender, was seen as the leading candidate to take over at Upton Park following Alan Curbishley s resignation last week, but he appears committed to the task of leading his country to the 2010 World Cup finals.

I m not going anywhere, Bilic told The Sun newspaper. Any club from England is a great opportunity. Not for money, honestly, for me it s about ambition. It s about working in England, a country you know I adore.

But it s like, no. West Ham is my club, I have feelings for them but I won t go.

Bilic led Croatia to Euro 2008 last year and his reputation as a …