Villas-Boas to leave Zenit

Andre-Villas Boas has announced he will leave Zenit at the end of the season after falling foul of officialdom in Russia.

Andre Villas-Boas has revealed he will quit as Zenit coach at the end of the Russian season.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss is thought to have grown increasingly frustrated in recent months after a government-led change in squad regulations forced the sale of star striker Salomon Rondon to West Bromwich Albion.

To compound matters, Villas-Boas was hit with a six-game touchline ban from Russian Premier League games last week for confronting an official.

Zenit are already six points behind early runaway Premier League leaders, and reigning champions, CSKA Moscow ahead of the sides' meeting on Saturday, but the Portuguese coach remains committed to bringing success to St Petersburg.

Villas-Boas said: "Talking about a contract extension, when we last met with you I said that the club had made me an offer at the end of last season, I have refused and at the end of the season I will leave the club.

"But in any case we will continue to work hard, we need to score points, to catch up with those ahead of us, to try to perform successfully in the Champions League."

He added of his touchline ban: "If we talk about the disqualification and my absence on the bench, then I am of the view that it is much more important what happens in training.

"Of course it is important to transfer some instructions during a game, but it is not critical.

"Much more important is what is happening here at the base in preparation for the match. As for the appeal, as far as I know from the club lawyers, this situation does not allow such a possibility."

Lucas committed to Liverpool

The 28-year-old appeared to be on the verge of a loan move to Besiktas in August, but injury to captain Jordan Henderson gave the Brazil international an opening and he has started the last two matches against Arsenal and West Ham.

With Henderson's participation at Old Trafford on Saturday still in doubt as he recovers from a heel injury there is every chance Lucas could start against Manchester United.

Despite the almost constant speculation about his future, the midfielder insists he is fully committed to the club he joined from Gremio in 2007, making him their longest-serving current player.

"I think the last couple of years, every transfer window my name is [linked with a move]. It's been very intense," he told liverpoolfc.com.

"Of course there are times when you think you might have to move on and I was very close to moving, but one thing I will always have is commitment to this club.

"I've been here so long and I always said if I had the choice to be here and be happy, I would always choose Liverpool.

"When your future is in doubt, you might have to think of another solution, but I'm happy that it didn't happen and I'm here to fight for the club as I have been doing for eight years.

"I'm just looking forward to a good season and putting Liverpool back where it belongs. I have this chance to say I'm fully committed.

" I just need to now focus on my performance and help in the way the manager and the staff asked me to help.

"Hopefully, I'll be an important player for the club this season."

Balotelli loses driving licence in Italy for speeding

Not for the first time, Mario Balotelli was caught speeding - and the AC Milan striker lost his driving licence until further notice.

Balotelli, who recently returned to Italy on a one-year loan from Liverpool, was going 109 km/h in a 50 km/h zone in his hometown of Brescia, according to Italian news agency ANSA.

The 25-year-old Italian did not protest the charge, reportedly telling the officer that he didn't notice the speed limit.

He asked police to hold off releasing the news until he had informed Milan, ANSA reports.

Milan reportedly inserted clauses into Balotelli's contract that prohibit him from damaging the image of the club, among other rules, but it is unclear if he violated any terms after this latest incident.

It's not his first case of speeding. In 2011, while playing for Manchester City, Balotelli had his Maserati confiscated. After separate offences, he was ordered to pay €10,000 in parking fines incurred between 2012 and 2013. He was stopped in Liverpool for driving at similar speeds in his Ferrari as recently as May, but he was also co-operative with police.

Balotelli could make his official second debut for Milan in the derby vs. Inter on Sunday.

Bertolacci ruled out of Milan derby

Milan have been dealt an injury blow ahead of the derby after Andrea Bertolacci suffered a thigh problem on international duty.

Milan defender Andrea Bertolacci will miss the derby with Inter on Sunday after sustaining a thigh tear while playing for Italy.

The 24-year-old only arrived at San Siro from Roma during the close-season and has featured in both of Milan's Serie A outings this term.

However, Bertolacci left Italy's training camp on Friday after being forced off 55 minutes into the 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Malta a day earlier.

Medical tests on Monday showed the defender will not be fit in time for the first Milan derby of the campaign this weekend, with further tests scheduled for next week.

Fabregas key in Chelsea move, says Pedro

                                                   

Chelsea attacker Pedro has revealed that compatriot Cesc Fabregas played a key role in his transfer from Barcelona to Stamford Bridge.

Pedro has made it clear that fellow Spain international Cesc Fabregas played a major role in his transfer from Barcelona to Chelsea as he was the first to make contact on behalf of the Premier League champions.

The versatile attacker initially appeared to be on his way to Manchester United, but eventually joined Chelsea instead in a deal worth a reported €30 million.

"My transfer to Chelsea was done within a couple of days. It all started with a call from Cesc," Pedro told El Pais.

"Mourinho then gave me a call and that helped me make a decision. Mourinho made me feel important and gave me confidence."

Pedro won numerous trophies with Barcelona alongside Lionel Messi and he was quick to admit that he will miss the Argentina international at his new club.

"Messi is an amazing team-mate. He really is a great guy," he added.

"We have achieved a lot together, played many important games and scored many goals. I will definitely miss Leo.

"I will continue to see Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta with the national team, but I will clearly miss Messi."

Arjen Robben suffers thigh injury

Arjen Robben has been ruled out of action for four weeks after the Bayern Munich winger picked up a thigh injury while on international duty. Arjen Robben had to be substituted off during Netherland’s 2016 UEFA Euro qualifier against Iceland on Thursday after just 30 minutes, as the winger struggled to continue play.

Tests by Bayern’s club doctor Volker Braun revealed an injury in the left adductor muscle, which will sideline Robben for at least a month. The 31-year-old has a lengthy history of injuries and missed 18 matches last season. Muscular problems have troubled Robben since his early days in professional football and Bayern Munich can only hope this groin injury won’t affect his form in any way.

Arjen Robben is set to miss Bayern Munich’s first two UEFA Champions League group stage matches against Olympiakos and Dinamo Zagreb. Netherlands, who suffered a 1-0 defeat to Iceland, will have to be without Robben during their trip to Turkey.

Pep Guardiola’s side has been severely hit with injuries as the squad has been stretched thin in the early days of the season. While the club bought Douglas Costa to bolster its forward line, it is expected Guardiola will assign Thomas Mueller on the right wing in Robben’s absence, as Franck Ribery is also missing due to an injury picked up last season.

Bayern Munich have made a winning start to the season, accumulating nine points off the first three matches, but there have been worrying signs, especially in the defence. The Bundesliga champions will face FC Augsburg on the other side of the international break.

Man United signs Anthony Martial from Monaco

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old French striker Anthony Martial from Monaco on a four-year contract with an option for a further year.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce that Anthony Martial has completed his transfer from AS Monaco," the club announced on their website.

United did not disclose the transfer fee, but British media reports said it was a £36 million record for a teenage player.

"I am so excited to be joining Manchester United," said Martial. "I have enjoyed my time at AS Monaco and I would like to thank them and the fans for everything they have done for me."

News of United's move for Martial sent shockwaves across European football, with the former Lyon youngster having played just 52 Ligue 1 games and scored 11 goals in his fledgling career.

But despite United having struggled for goals in the season to date, manager Louis van Gaal suggested that he would be given a gentle introduction to English football.

"Anthony is a naturally talented, young, multi-functional forward with great potential," Van Gaal told the club website. "We have been watching him for a while now and he has developed immensely during his time at AS Monaco.

"I am delighted he has joined Manchester United as I believe this is the right club for him to continue his development as a young player.

"He has all the attributes to become a top football player; however we need to give him time to adjust to his new environment and the rhythm of the Premier League."

Martial joined Monaco from Lyon for around five million euros in 2013 and broke into the first team only last season, scoring 12 goals in 46 appearances.

He was handed his first France call-up for the forthcoming friendlies with Portugal and Serbia and was allowed to leave their Clairefontaine training base on Monday in order to sign his contract and undergo a medical.

"I have always wanted to play in the Premier League and to join the biggest club in the world is what every young footballer dreams of," added Martial, who has represented France at every youth level from under-16 to under-21.

"I am looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and working with Louis van Gaal, who has achieved so much in his career."

Alex Song returns to West Ham on loan

Former Cameroon international Alex Song has returned to West Ham United on a season-long loan from Barcelona, the Premier League club announced.

The 27-year-old former Arsenal midfielder, who announced his international retirement this year, spent last season on loan at Upton Park, making 31 appearances in all competitions.

"It has just been confirmed. Alex Song has signed a season-long loan deal to join West Ham," West Ham co-owner David Gold wrote on Twitter. "Welcome back Alex."

Song told the West Ham website: "I am very happy. When I left, I didn't know I would come back here. It was not easy, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is I'm here now and I'm very happy.

"I feel at home, everything feels at home, for my family too, they're set up very well here. My kids are playing for West Ham academy."

Song is West Ham's eighth signing of the transfer window, following goalkeeper Darren Randolph, defenders Angelo Ogbonna and Carl Jenkinson and midfielders Pedro Obiang, Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini and George Dobson.

They went on to add Hull forward Nikica Jelavic, Nottingham Forest winger Michail Antonio and loaned Victor Moses from Chelsea.

Chelsea signs Djilobodji

Chelsea has announced the signing of Papy Djilobodji from Nantes.

The 26-year-old centre-back has signed a four-year contract.

Djilobodji said: 'I’m very happy to sign for a big club like Chelsea and I want to do my best to help the team win titles. I want to thank the club for giving me this opportunity.'

Djilobodji (full name Papiss Mison Djilobodji), a Senegal international, has become a key figure for Nantes since signing for the French club in 2009.

Having started his career playing for Senegalese side ASC Saloum, Djilobodji opted to make the move to Europe in October 2009 and signed for Senart-Moissy, who were in the French fourth division at the time.

An imposing physical presence, Djilobodji quickly caught the eye of teams higher up the leagues and moved to Ligue 2 side Nantes just two months later, at the age of 21.

Quick and powerful, he was initially deployed as a defensive midfielder for Nantes, before moving back into his more favoured position of central defender.

His impressive displays at the heart of the back four were a crucial factor in Nantes securing promotion to the French top flight in 2012/13.

Their first campaign back in Ligue 1 was an important one both for the player and club and Djilobodji produced a string of solid displays as Nantes preserved their top-flight status.

Last season he was once again a pivotal member of an ever-improving team at club level, while on the international stage he was named in the Senegal squad for the African Cup of Nations and started two of their three matches at the tournament.