Stuttgart have revealed that midfielder Sami Khedira is poised to join Real Madrid (4/1 to win 2010-11 Champions League), after the two clubs agreed a deal.
The 23-year-old impressed during the recent World Cup in South Africa, when he played a big role in helping Germany reach the semi-finals.
After hearing of Real’s interest, Khedira had expressed an interest to move to the Bernabeu and Stuttgart ‘reluctantly’ allowed him to leave.
The German club’s managing director Fredi Bobic accepted: “We can understand Sami’s wish to further his career at Real. We wish him great success with his new challenge in Madrid.”
Khedira, who came through the ranks at his home town club Stuttgart (20/1 to win 2010-11 Bundesliga), is set to become Real’s second major capture of the summer, since the arrival of Jose Morinho
The new coach has already made his stamp on the squad, with the capture of Angel di Maria from Benfica and the departures of veteran duo Raul and Guti.
More new signings are expected to follow soon, with the likes of Inter Milan full-back Maicon and Juventus striker Amauri.
Meanwhile, the Spanish giants have arrived in the US for their North American pre-season tour and Cristiano Ronaldo says the squad is feeling upbeat.
The Portuguese ace said: “We are very excited and working very hard. We have to keep this level of excitement up in order to win titles.”
Ronaldo has been handed the number seven shirt this season, after it was vacated by Raul’s departure.
The former Manchester United man has been full of praise for the Spain striker, who he describes as “a great professional”.
Ronaldo added: “I would like to have the number 7 shirt and I’m sure Raul would be happy if I had it because he knows how I am and how I think.”
Real (Evs to win 2010-11 La Liga) will play their next pre-season friendly on Wednesday, when they come up against Mexican outfit Club America.
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Bristol City (18/1 to win the Championship) have secured a shock summer deal by signing England goalkeeper David James.
World Cup winner Carles Puyol has become the latest Barcelona star to put pressure on Arsenal to allow Cesc Fabregas to return to the Catalan giants (Barcelona 4/5f 2010/11 La Liga Outright).
Tottenham (3/1 to finish in the top four) manager Harry Redknapp wants Jonathan Woodgate to prove his fitness in the next three weeks in order to earn a place in the first-team squad.
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed Argentina international Javier Mascherano is keen to leave Anfield, but insists striker Fernando Torres is happy to stay (Liverpool 7/4 Premier League top four finish).
Roy Hodgson is set to rely on his youngsters as Liverpool get their Europa League campaign underway on Thursday with a third qualifying round first-leg clash against Macedonian outfit FK Rabotnicki (Liverpool 2/9, Rabotnicki 9/1, draw 4/1 – 90 Minutes) in Skopje.
Mark Hughes will be drawing up a list of potential targets he believes will improve the Fulham squad (20/1 to finish in the top six), as he waits to be named as the club’s new manager ahead of the new Premier League season.
Manchester City (9/2 to win the Premier League) boss Roberto Mancini believes the club are closing in on their big transfer targets ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Aston Villa (7/1 to finish in the top four) boss Martin O’Neill has revealed that the club have not been able to agree a valuation with Manchester City over midfielder James Milner.
Harry escalates Parker row
The White Hart Lane chief is trying to strengthen his squad ahead of the Champions League qualifier and former Chelsea and Newcastle midfielder Parker is one of his targets (Tottenham 3/1 – Top 4 Finish).
However, Hammers co-owner David Sullivan is unhappy with Spurs’ pursuit and insisted the the combative ace would not be sold by the east London outfit this summer.
West Ham also released a club statement which read: “The club informed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy prior to him making the offer that we would not welcome any approach to unsettle the player.”
However, Redknapp insists Spurs have acted in the proper manner and hinted there could be more to it than has been revealed.
He asked rhetorically: “Who made it public that we made an offer?
“You can make an offer for a player if you want to. You can make an offer for anybody.
“I’m sure the chairman must have got some encouragement or he wouldn’t have made an offer. So I’m not sure the full story has been told about that one.
“The chairman wouldn’t have made an offer unless he thought there was a chance that they wanted to do something.”
Sullivan is stuck between a rock and a hard place over Parker who just missed out on making England’s World Cup squad.
At the end of last season Sullivan insisted he would not allow the 29-year-old to leave, despite putting the entire squad – including the England trio of Rob Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole – up for sale.
At the time Sullivan said: “If we get the right bid we will sell any player, apart from Parker.”
He added: “Parker is not for sale. He has several years left on his contract and has intimated on several occasions he wants to stay.”
Meanwhile, former England captain David Beckham has told the Hammers they have no chance of landing him on loan in the middle of the 2010/11 Premier League season (West Ham 7/2 – Top-half Finish).
The LA Galaxy midfielder is closing in on a return following Achilles trouble but with no major tournament next summer, the 35-year-old is likely to have a break following loan spells with AC Milan during the last two Serie A campaigns.
A spokesman for Beckham told PA Sport: “Whilst it’s flattering to hear of interest there has been no contact with, or offer from, West Ham.
“David is happy at the Los Angeles Galaxy and has no interest in leaving, and is looking forward to returning to the team on August 9.”
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