In-form Barnetta to decide Bayern future

Bayer Leverkusen winger Tranquillo Barnetta will make a decision on his future this week, according to sporting director Rudi Voller.

The Switzerland international is in demand after a scintillating display in which he laid on a trio of assists for club team-mate Eren Derdiyok in the Swiss’ 5-3 friendly humiliation of Euro 2012 contenders Germany on Saturday.

And the attacker could leave on a free transfer in July when his contract expires, forcing Voller to come out and clarify the situation.

“To me, Barnetta was the man of the match (of Switerland’s victory over Germany) hands down. He’s one of our most valuable assets,” he told Sports Bild when quizzed on the topic.

“The door is open for him to stay. You can expect a decision this week.”

Barnetta has already turned down two contract offers from the club, and while he has declared his desire to stay, time is running out for the two parties to come to an agreement, given reported interest from the English Premier League.

The 27-year-old has spent eight years with the Bundesliga side, chalking up nearly 200 league appearances and earning over 50 caps for his national team.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/in-form-barnetta-to-decide-bayern-future/95548/

Torres to stay at Stamford Bridge

Fernando Torres will stay at Chelsea following talks with owner Roman Abramovich, whom he says has total confidence in him.

The Spaniard’s future was in doubt ahead of the meeting, with the striker unhappy at his treatment at the London club, but he is now likely to lead the Blues’ attack next season.

“I had a conversation with (Abramovich) and he trusts me,” Torres told BBC Sport.

“His confidence is total and that is what I needed to keep fighting.

“I would have liked to have played more for my club but the important thing is that everything works out in the end.”

Torres formed an important part of Chelsea’s Champions League-winning team, impressing at Camp Nou against Barcelona by scoring in injury time to seal a 3-2 aggregate semi-final win.

He has struggled to play a regular part in the side, however, due to the form of Didier Drogba, who recently announced that he would be leaving the club this summer.

After admitting that he had been through ‘some of the worst moments’ of his career last season, Torres will be now focused on the upcoming Euro 2012, having been included in the Spanish squad.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/torres-to-stay-at-stamford-bridge/95415/

Blues may wait over RDM deal World Soccer Shop

Roberto Di Matteo could be made to sweat over his Chelsea future until his contract expires, chief executive Ron Gourlay has admitted.

Di Matteo: Has done wonders at Chelsea

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is refusing to be rushed into making a decision about the club's next permanent manager, despite the clamour for caretaker boss Di Matteo to be rewarded for masterminding the greatest climax to a season in their history.

Reports suggest Abramovich would only be prepared to offer the Champions League-winning Di Matteo a one-year trial, something that would allow him to approach Pep Guardiola once the Barcelona boss completes his one-year sabbatical.

Gourlay told Chelsea TV: "We now need to sit down over the next week or two, or however long it takes, because we have to do what's right for the club.

"I know the fans will be pushing for Robbie.

"We're going to look at the season, look at what worked for us, look at the mistakes we made and put them right and take it forward."

Di Matteo's contract expires at the end of June and he is already being heavily

linked with several other vacancies after ending Chelsea's agonising wait for

Champions League glory - on top of their FA Cup triumph.

The likes of Aston Villa - his family home is in the midlands - as well as

former club Lazio, and even Liverpool, have been mentioned as possible suitors.

The Italian had been scheduled to play in the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am golf tournament at Wentworth on Wednesday before flying to Barbados at the end of the week for the British Airways Football Legends Invitational on Saturday and Sunday.

He was then expected to take the family holiday he has craved ever since being handed the reins at Chelsea three months ago.

Di Matteo may want to know his fate before then, while the Blues are looking to have their next manager in place before they fly to the United States for a

pre-season tour on July 15.

Whether Di Matteo would accept a one-year deal - or even a longer one with the spectre of Guardiola looming over him were he to be offered a longer contract - remains to be seen.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16890/blues_may_wait_over_rdm_deal