Kewell yet to confirm Victory stay

Melbourne Victory face a new round of negotiations with Socceroo Harry Kewell as other A-League clubs circle for his signature.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Kewell has decided to take an opt-out clause in the incentive-based three-year contract he signed with Victory after the club’s dismal campaign last season meant his earnings did not match expectations.

Kewell’s manager James Erskine said the 33-year-old hoped to stay with Victory especially as the team is now managed by dual A-League championship-winning coach Ange Postecoglou, but the marquee player was hoping for a more standard contract.

“There’s no agreement as such at the moment, the last one was terminated so now it’s as if we’re starting again,” Erskine told the Daily Telegraph.

“We haven’t seriously gone out to speak to any other clubs for now, and Harry’s preference is to stay in Melbourne, but that all depends on what we can agree with Victory.”

Kewell is not the only big-name Socceroo without a contract ahead of Australia’s World Cup qualifiers with Oman and Japan as Aussie captain Lucas Neill will also find himself a free agent at the end of June when his contract with UAE Pro-League outfit Al-Jazira expires.

It has been reported that 34-year-old Neill is on the radar of the A-League’s new Western Sydney club, but the former Blackburn and West Ham defender intends to stay in Asia.

Neill’s management refused to comment on the speculation.

“My sole focus is on the Socceroos and getting off to a good start on the road to Brazil,” Neill said in a media statement also published in the Daily Telegraph.

“I will address my club situation at the end of June if and when my club contract expires.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/kewell-yet-to-confirm-victory-stay/95883/

Kuyt attracting Euro interest World Soccer Shop

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt claims there are clubs in England, Germany, Spain and Italy interested in signing him this summer.

Kuyt: Set to leave Liverpool

Kuyt, 31, has a year to run on his Anfield contract, but seems destined to leave after a season in which he found first-team starts limited.

"There are many clubs who are interested," he told NUsport in Holland.

"Not only from England, also from Germany, Spain and Italy."

One club he has ruled out, however, are former side Feyenoord who would not be able to afford his wages.

"I have had several conversations with Feyenoord but we were unable to agree," he added.

"I did not want on my conscience that Feyenoord would have financial problems because of my salary.

"There were too many doubts on both sides. I've thought about it, but it is not the time to return. "

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17449/kuyt_attracting_euro_interest

Lavezzi wanted by six clubs World Soccer Shop

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed there are six clubs in the race to sign striker Ezequiel Lavezzi from all over Europe.

Lavezzi: Likely to leave Naples

Lavezzi is expected to leave Napoli this summer, with Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan among those reportedly chasing the Argentina international.

"Six clubs continuously ask me about 'Il Pocho' (Lavezzi)," De Laurentiis said to Gazzetta dello Sport.

"There is an international bidding war going on for him.

"With calmness and alongside Lavezzi we will evaluate where he wants to go and what is the best solution for him and for the club."

Lavezzi is under contract with Napoli until June 2015 and has a release clause of £26.8million.

The 27-year-old, who joined the Serie A outfit from San Lorenzo in 2008, scored nine goals in 30 league appearances for Napoli in the 2011/12 season.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17434/lavezzi_wanted_by_six_clubs

Puyol pledges loyalty to Barca

Carles Puyol is not interested in leaving Barcelona despite receiving lucrative offers from The United Arab Emirates and Russia.

Anzhi Makhachkala were one of the clubs believed to have offered Puyol a contract, having already managed to land Samuel Eto’o last summer.

The Barcelona captain has only ever played for the Catalan giants and wants to see out the rest of his career at the club.

The centre-back recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will require six weeks to recover.

Puyol will miss Euro 2012 due to his physical problems, but he has stressed more than once that he is keen to continue his playing career until he turns 40. He has a contract with Barcelona until June 2013.

The 34-year-old also said he had no intentions of retiring from international football insisting he aims to add to his 99 caps for Spain.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/puyol-pledges-loyalty-to-barca/95405/