Zenit snatch Porto defender, Lazio closing in on Boateng

Lazio closing in on Boateng

Lazio have reportedly agreed to pay Portsmouth 7.2 million euros for Kevin-Prince Boateng and all that’s left is for the Biancocelesti to convince the player his future lies at Olimpico.

Having sold Aleksandar Kolarov to Manchester City, Claudio Lotito didn’t waste a lot of time before looking for reinforcements. The club have met Portsmouth’s valuation of the player but they still have to agree personal terms with the Ghanian.

Boateng has already rejected Lazio this summer as the Italians were stunned by his wage demands. He currently earns around 2 million euros at Portsmouth and we are yet to see if Lazio can make him an offer he can’t refuse.

Lazio coach Edy Reja is thought to be eager to pair Boateng and Hernanes in midfield as both players look to be just a step away from agreeing to join the Biancocelesti.

Together with Hernanes, Boateng would add some much needed creativity to Lazio midfield and the pair would probably be able to shake up the team from the lethargy they have fallen in over the last few years.

[Source: Il Corriere dello Sport]

Zenit snatch Porto defender

Russian Premier League side Zenit have pulled off quite a coup by signing Porto defender Bruno Alves for 22 million euros.

Subject to passing a medical, the 28-year-old will embark on a new adventure after playing for Porto ever since becoming a professional.

Impressive performances for Porto and Portugal national team saw Alves establish himself as one of the best European defenders and no wonder he was courted by such clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea.

The move to Zenit will come as a surprise for many but seeing how much the club from Sankt Petersburg have progressed over the last few years, maybe the transfer will prove to be a good move for both sides.

The Russian side have been in remarkable form this season and they are already hot favourites for the league title but they are yet to secure passage to the Champions League group stages and that is precisely why Alves was brought to the club.

Having signed Aleksandar Lukovic from Udinese just few days back, boss Luciano Spalletti will now have the pleasure of pairing two world-class centre-backs at Zenit and these latest moves certainly prove the club have big ambitions in Europe this season.

[Source: El Mundo Deportivo]

Niang wants to leave Marseille

Marseille captain, Mamadou Niang has revealed he wants to leave the club and join Fenerbahce.

Niang, who scored 18 goals in Marseille’s push for the league title, admits to have been seduced by the challenge of playing for Fenerbahce.

“Fenerbahce is a big club with a great following in Turkey. Issiar Dia (who has just joined Fenerbahce from Nancy) told me that the set-up there is great, and that they have quality players…I want to go to Fenerbahce to play in the Champions League for them as well as the domestic league. The Turkish league is a good league.”

However, the club officials are far from happy with Niang’s recent outburst.

“Mamadou has stated his desire to leave. He spoke to Didier (Deschamps) and Jose (Anigo), who spend a lot of time with him. However, he is under contract until 2014 and has quite a decent wage… And when you sign a contract, it has to be respected,” said president Jean-Claude Dassier.

“I can understand he had a temptation to leave, given the financial offer from Fenerbahce. But, four days before the championship starts, as far as we are concerned, that is totally out of the question, it’s not serious.”

[Source: L’Equipe]