Spartak submit mega offer for Cardozo; Gignac denies exit talk

Spartak submit mega offer for Cardozo

Russian newspaper Izvestia has learned that Spartak Moscow have launched an assault on Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo.

The Paraguayan was believed to be on the verge of a switch to Fenerbahce, having been in talks with the Turkish giants, but it appears the Canaries have cooled their interest in the player.

Namely, they have turned their attention to long-term target Emmanuel Emenike, who plies his trade at Spartak Moscow.

The Russian side have in turn expressed their interest in Cardozo, with Izvestia reporting they have offered no less than €18 million for his services.

Spartak boss Valery Karpin believes the Paraguayan is a better option that Emenike and he is hoping to close the deal for the 30-year-old in the coming days.

Oscar Cardozo has become one of the highest scoring players in Benfica’s history, notching 105 goals in 160 league appearances for the Eagles.

Gignac denies exit talk

Marseille striker Andre-Pierre Gignac has rubbished claims linking him with a summer exit from Stade Velodrome.

Recent reports have suggested club chiefs are looking to cash in on the powerful forward, with the likes of Newcastle and other Premier League clubs reportedly showing interest.

However, after finally proving his worth at the club following a difficult start, the 27-year-old remains adamant he will not be leaving any time soon.

“You think I would say, having turned things around, that I’m going? You don’t know me well,” Gignac explained in L’Equipe.

“I have never wanted to leave. Newcastle and the rest, it is all bull****.”

Gignac has two years left on his deal at Stade Velodrome and is likely to start the new season as the number one striker.

After scoring just 9 league goals in his first two seasons at the club, he has shown some improvement last term to bag 13 goals in 31 Ligue 1 matches.

Nikolay Mihaylov set to quit Twente

Bulgarian goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov is getting closer to Twente exit, Dutch newspaper Voetbal International has revealed.

The 25-year-old did not feature for the Tukkers in the opening Eredivisie clash against RKC Waalwijk, which is enough to suggest he is set to leave the club.

According to Voetbal International, Getafe and Hellas Verone are keen on the talented shot-stopper, although they have yet to submit official bids for the player.

With Mihalyov’s contract due to expire at the end of the current campaign, Twente have no option but to cash in on their star player this summer.

The Tukkers are set to earn a nice profit in the process, having signed the Bulgaria international on a free transfer from Liverpool in the summer of 2008.

Mihalyov has since made 88 Eredivisie appearances for the club, winning the Eredivisie title, KNVB Beker trophy and two Dutch Super Cups.

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