Mancini rules out Ibra bid

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has ruled out a move for AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer.

The Italian led his side to a maiden Premier League title this term with a last-gasp victory over QPR on the final day of the season.

And City have since been strongly linked with a move for the Sweden international as they look to retain their crown next term.

However, the 47-year-old boss insists a forward line of Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli is strong enough.

“Ibrahimovic is a champion,” Mancini told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“But I already have four very strong strikers. I just need them to compete in the Champions League. We are okay up front.”

The 30-year-old striker scored 35 goals in 44 appearances for the Milan outfit last term, as they finished second in Serie A and reached the last eight of the Champions League.

He is set to captain Sweden at Euro 2012 this summer, who have been drawn in Group D alongside France, Ukraine and England.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/mancini-rules-out-ibra-bid/95531/

Stramaccioni handed Inter deal World Soccer Shop

Inter Milan have handed a three-year contract to Andrea Stramaccioni after seeing him impress during a stint as interim coach.

Stramaccioni: Rewarded for his efforts

The 36-year-old was promoted to the senior dug-out from the youth team ranks in March following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri.

He oversaw a late-season revival in fortunes, but was unable to guide Inter into the Champions League.

He will, however, be given the opportunity to push for a top-three finish in 2012/13 after being handed the reins on a permanent basis.

"Yes, his contract was renewed earlier for three years," Inter president Massimo Moratti told reporters on Tuesday.

Stramaccioni has no previous top-flight coaching experience and had only been with Inter's youth team for less than year before being promoted into the top job.

He is, however, considered to be the man to guide Inter towards an exciting future.

Moratti expects his new boss to blood a number of Inter's successful youngsters into the senior set-up next term, after seeing them win the U21 Next Gen European Championship, but he will also be given money to spend.

Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi is understood to be a top target, but no discussions have been held as yet regarding a summer swoop.

"We said that we'd be in touch, but neither of us has been able to as we've both been busy," Moratti said when asked if he had spoken with Napoli counterpart Aurelio De Laurentiis about the Argentine playmaker.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17406/stramaccioni_handed_inter_deal

Genoa dismiss Palacio reports World Soccer Shop

Genoa sporting director Stefano Capozucca has brushed aside rumours that a deal with Inter Milan has been agreed for Rodrigo Palacio.

Palacio: Linked with Inter Milan

Reports in Italy claim Inter have agreed an 11million euro deal, while Roma are also believed to the running to acquire the Argentinian forward.

But Capozucca told calciomercato.it. "He is a player that is not only monitored by Inter and Roma. Palacio asked to be transferred. In order for a transfer to be completed, you need three parties to work in the same direction: the buyer, the seller and the player. We are not ruling anything out.

"There are young interesting players at Roma that could interest us but they could also interest other clubs. We will wait a little bit.

"It's the [Genoa] president Enrico Preziosi that will make the decision and he will announce his choice in the coming days."

Palacio, 30, came close to joining Inter last summer but Genoa turned down all bids for the former Boca Juniors player. The South American, who scored 19 goals in 32 league games last season, is under contract with the Grifoni for a further two years.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16909/genoa_dismiss_palacio_reports

Zambrotta: MLS or Dubai my next destination

Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta has disclosed his two preferred destinations when his contract with the Rossoneri expires at the end of the season.

The veteran defender was one of a number of players who have not been offered a contract extension at San Siro, but he is, nonetheless, determined to continue his playing career.

Just like his teammates Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso and Filippo Inzaghi, Zambrotta looks set to leave European football.

The former Italian international reveals MLS and Dubai are the most likely destinations when it comes to choosing a new club.

“I still feel like a footballer and I want to try an experience abroad,” the 35-year-old told Il Corriere dello Sport. “Where? Dubai or the United States.”

The player, who started his professional career at Como, where he spent three years before moving to Bari, has made a name for himself at Juventus, but also enjoyed spells at Barcelona and Milan.

Zambrotta has 98 Italy caps and 2 international goals to his name, and he was part of the 2006 World Cup winning squad.

The versatile defender has spent last four years at Milan, but has been nothing more than a bit-part player over the last couple of years.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/zambrotta-mls-or-dubai-my-next-destination/95082/