Hamburg 1-1 Inter - REPORT

Honours even at the Imtech Arena

Mauro Icardi's early strike had Walter Mazzarri's side ahead early on, but Artjoms Rudnevs rescued a draw for the hosts.

Inter failed to maintain their 100 per cent pre-season record on Saturday as they drew 1-1 with Hamburg.

Mauro Icardi looked to have put the visitors on course for another win when he netted with two minutes gone, but saw his goal cancelled out by Artjoms Rudnevs' strike just after the break.

And that is where the scoring ended, with both teams failing to carve out a chance worthy of winning the match before time ran out.Inter had won all three of their pre-season fixtures coming into the game, and got off to the best possible start at the Imtech Arena as Icardi grabbed his first goal for the club since joining from Sampdoria.

The 20-year-old Argentine prodded the ball past Jaroslav Drobny in the Hamburg goal after meeting a teasing cross from Fredy Guarin to put his side in control.

Hamburg slowly grew into the match as the first half progressed without finding a breakthrough, but found themselves back on terms with just two minutes of the second period having elapsed.

Rudnevs was the man to level matters, as he got his head to a Tolgay Arslan cross and powered the ball past Samir Handanovic. 

From there, both sides made a number of substitutions, with Jonathan Tah and Hakan Calhanoglu both making their home debuts for the hosts. 

Neither side were able to create many clear cut chances, however, meaning Inter could at least keep their unbeaten record alive.

Villas-Boas silent over Bale exit reports

The Spurs boss insists he cannot respond to speculation linking the winger with a move to Real Madrid but says the Wales international should be fit to start training after injury

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has refused to comment on reports suggesting that Real Madrid have launched a bid for Gareth Bale.

Madrid-based newspaper Marca claimed on Friday that Bale had also told Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy that he wanted a move to the Spanish capital this summer.

When asked about the reports at a press conference, Villas-Boas replied: "I don’t want to comment on anything like that. I cannot speak about anything."

Tottenham are angry at Madrid over their pursuit of Bale this summer and at reports suggesting that the 24-year-old has handed in a transfer request.

Villas-Boas is confident Bale will be ready for Tottenham's friendly in Monaco next Saturday after the winger suffered a muscle strain in his right buttock.

"He is going to be fit to join the team for training on Wednesday," said Villas-Boas. 

"He hasn't done any training with the team yet but he was involved in some pre-season friendlies before that. He's been almost at maximum training and we're pretty confident that he'll join us for the sessions and be involved."

Modric: Bale is a great player

The midfielder refused to go into detail regarding his thoughts on the Welshman and a possible move to the Santiago Bernabeu, but still found time to praise his former team-mate

Luka Modric has hailed Gareth Bale as a "great player" as Real Madrid continue to be linked with a move for the Tottenham winger.

The Croatia midfielder played alongside Bale during his time at Spurs and witnessed up close his development into one of the world's most sought after quantities.

The Welshman's impressive 2012/13 campaign has seen him linked with Carlo Ancelotti's side for much of the summer, with some reports even suggesting they could smash the €80 million barrier to win his signature.

But, though Modric was quick to praise his former team-mate, he refused to be drawn into a more in-depth response to questions regarding the possibility of Bale joining him at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He told the club's official website: "My relationship is very good with Bale, but do not talk about players who are not in the squad. Just say he's a great player."

Modric, 27, joined Madrid last summer but endured a frustrating debut campaign at the club, scoring just four goals in 46 appearances in all competitions. 

And with his first year in Spain under his belt, the former Dinamo Zagreb man has targeted success in Europe as his primary goal this term.

He added: "My challenge is to win titles with Real Madrid. I've been here a year and I have more experience. Real Madrid is the team in which the pressure is bigger but I hope we have a better season than last, because our challenge is to win titles. 

"If I can choose, I want to win the Champions League, but the league is also important for us and I would like to win both titles. It's a long season and we have to prepare well. We want to start well in both competitions."

Madrid take on Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden on Sunday before taking part in the Guiness International Champions Cup in America.

Napoli complete Higuain deal

The prolific attacker has made the decision to continue his career in Serie A and joins former Real Madrid team-mates Jose Callejon and Raul Albiol

Napoli have confirmed the signing of Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid in a deal believed to be worth up to €40 million.

The Partenopei were in the market for a new striker following the €63 million sale of Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain and quickly earmarked Higuain as the ideal replacement, with the club's president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealing the deal on his official Twitter page.

He tweeted: "This morning we have signed the contract with Higuain."

The 25-year-old had previously been linked with Juventus and Arsenal but has now signed a five-year deal with Napoli instead, becoming the eighth most expensive incoming Serie A transfer of all time.

Higuain came through the ranks of the River Plate youth academy and joined Madrid in January 2007 for a reported fee of €12m and has since netted over 100 Liga goals for the Spanish giants. 

"Real Madrid announce that the player Gonzalo Higuain has been transferred to Napoli," read a statement on the club's official website. "The club want to show their appreciation for all his years of dedication and professionalism and wish him luck in this new stage."

The prolific attacker becomes the third Blancos player to make the move to the Stadio San Paolo side this summer after the arrivals of Jose Callejon and Raul Albiol. 

Napoli have also secured the services of goalkeeper Rafael from Santos and Dries Mertens from PSV, with Pepe Reina expected to join on a season-long loan from Liverpool soon after successfully completing a medical earlier this week.

Scholes urges Rooney to spurn Chelsea and remain at Manchester United

The ex-Red Devils midfielder, who retired for a second time in May, believes the wantaway striker should shun a move to the capital and stay at Old Trafford

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has urged Wayne Rooney to reject the advances ofChelsea and Arsenal and remain at Old Trafford.

The London clubs have shown an interest in signing the 27-year-old striker this summer, who asked to leave the club at the end of last season - according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

But Scholes, who retired from football for a second time in May, is convinced that Rooney would be best served by staying with the Premier League champions.

“I don't think there's anywhere better than Manchester United to play your football,” the 38-year-old told Sky Sports News.

“It's up to Wayne - but he's a top, top player and every player and fan wants him to stay.”

New United boss David Moyes has yet to make any significant moves in the transfer market, with Barcelona adamant that target Cesc Fabregas is not for sale, but Scholes does not believe the Scot is under pressure to recruit.

“I don't think there's that much pressure,” the former midfielder continued. “He's got a quality squad there, with already 18-20 quality players

“Even if Sir Alex Ferguson was there he would want to sign two or three players. That's the norm every season - to improve the year after, even if you've won the league.

“I'm sure David Moyes is trying to get players - and hopefully he'll get the ones he wants.”

Mourinho eager to keep Traore at Chelsea

The Blues boss wants the Burkina Faso midfielder to stay at Stamford Bridge this season but is aware that the youngster may have to be loaned out if he is not granted a work permit

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho admits he would love to keep Bertrand Traore at the club this season – but is aware that the youngster will probably have to go out on loan.

The Burkina Faso midfielder has impressed during the Blues’ pre-season tour of the Far East, with Chelsea claiming that he is at the club on a student visa.

However, the 17-year-old has little chance of being granted a work permit, which could see him leave Stamford Bridge on loan this term.

“We want to keep him,” Mourinho told reporters. “Sooner or later the committee has to give him a work permit to play in England.

"If he goes on loan somewhere, he has to go, but if he’s playing for his country at the same time – one of the most important countries in African football – he’ll get his deserved permit.’’

Mourinho is not the only one to be impressed by the teenager, with England defender Gary Cahill praising Traore’s confidence and composure on the ball.

“He’s been working well with the manager for two weeks and scored a fantastic goal in Indonesia,” Cahill said.

“He’s composed on the ball and has great confidence for such a young lad.

“It’s too early to say he’s ready to do this and that, and we don’t want to get carried away, but he’s certainly not looked out of place in training alongside some top international players.” 

It would be a 'dream' to sign Fabregas, says Manchester United legend Scholes

The 38-year-old believes the Spain midfielder would be a brilliant addition due to his Premier League experience, but admitted that David Moyes needs time to adapt at Old Trafford

Paul Scholes admits it would be a “dream” if Manchester United signed Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

United have pursued the 26-year-old since losing out on the signature of Thiago Alcantara, and are preparing a final €41 million bid for the Barca man. 

And Scholes, who spent 19 years at Old Trafford as a player, thinks the Spain international would be a great signing due to his Premier League experience and understanding with striker Robin van Persie.

“Cesc Fabregas is a top, top player, he has been with Arsenal, he knows the Premier League and it would be a dream really to sign somebody like that,” the 38-year-old told the Daily Mail.

“He is a player who can score goals and has set them up for Robin van Persie. That would be nice and hopefully we can do it.”

Scholes is less decided on the impact new Red Devils boss David Moyes can make, however, and believes the Scot needs time if he is to build a legacy like that of predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson.

“We don’t know really. We will have to see in a year or two years' time,” Scholes added. “What we do know is that David Moyes is a top manager who did an unbelievable job at Everton and he knows the game and he has won the Manager of the Year award three times.

“I think he will do well, I hope he will do well. He has a great team to work with and I just hope that he is very successful.”