THE BEST SOCCER PLAYERS

Sulley Ali Muntari has confirmed he is close to joining Inter Milan after revealing the offer was too good to turn down. Inter have agreed a deal with Portsmouth to sign Muntari after being frustrated in their attempts to lure Frank Lampard away from Chelsea. Muntari is highly-rated in Italy after a successful spell at Udinese before joining Portsmouth for £7million last summer. The Ghana international established himself as a key member of Pompey manager Harry Redknapp's side helping the club win the FA Cup. Inter chief Jose Mourinho is thought to be a big fan of Muntari and Inter are believed to have offered the 23-year-old a four-year deal to return to Serie A, with reports suggesting he will undergo a medical on Friday morning. Inter Milan has shown interest to buy Muntari last year. Italian Press reported that time, Inter were preparing offer for the highly rated midfielder. Injuries to Esteban Cambiasso and Patrick Vieira underlined just how short of ball-winning midfielders

Arsenal's summer woes have been compounded by the news that Kolo Habib Toure has been diagnosed with malaria. It's thought that the defender contracted the disease while on holiday in his native Ivory Coast. After flying out for Arsenal's pre-season tour of Austria and Hungary, the 27-year-old was sent to hospital in Vienna where malaria was diagnosed. Although an Arsenal spokesperson described Toure as "being in good spirits", it seems unlikely he will be fit for the start of the new season. That leaves Arsene Wenger with only Johan Djourou or Philippe Senderos as potential partners for William Gallas after he decided against recruiting any new defenders this summer. Kolo Toure was born at March 19, 1981 in Bouake, Ivory Coast. Touré is renowned for his pace, strength, athleticism. He is the older brother of FC Barcelona midfielder Yaya Touré and Ibrahim Touré of Metalurg Donetsk. He is deployed by Arsène Wenger at centre-back, as well as anywhere In Defence. He

Cristiano Ronaldo is continuing to remain coy over his future despite Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's optimism the forward will remain at Old Trafford. Ferguson met Real Madrid target Ronaldo for clear-the-air talks on Monday and insisted he was confident the player would still be at Old Trafford next season. But Ronaldo -who is on holiday in America as he recovers from ankle surgery- has still to make a firm decision on his future. 'I've had hundreds of questions about Manchester United and Real Madrid,' he told ESPN. 'What do you want me to say? That I'm going or I'm staying? 'I don't know about the future, only God knows it. I can't say any more. 'Great players are always hounded by great clubs. It's a normal situation. There are other great players who are in the market who are good and who other clubs want. 'I have always been hounded, not only this year. It's not strange for me, to see what happens.' Madrid

Barcelona could be set to table a shock bid for Real Madrid star Robinho, according to the player's agent Wagner Ribeiro. Speculation has been rife that the forward is on his way to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Chelsea favourites for his signature. Ribeiro claimed on Tuesday that the Blues were winning the race, with Robinho attracted by the idea of linking up with their new boss, fellow Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari. Reports in Spain suggest that Madrid's bitter rivals Barca could be preparing a bid, with both club president Joan Laporta and coach Pep Guardiola in favour of the idea. And Ribeiro insists the notion is not a surprise to him. "It's only logical that a club like Barcelona want Robinho," he told Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo. "He is also wanted by Chelsea and Manchester United. "Chelsea have presented a big offer for Robinho to Real Madrid, but it seems as if the club don't want to sell him." Chelsea have

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping to return to action as soon as possible after undergoing ankle surgery last week. The Portugal international is facing three months on the sidelines after having had the operation in Amsterdam. Ronaldo, who has been strongly linked with Real Madrid this summer, has endured a frustrating summer after Portugal lost 3-2 to Germany in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008. However, Ronaldo, speaking ahead of attending the 2008 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, is looking forward to a return to action despite only recently undergoing surgery. "I'm injured now, but I hope to come back soon," he said on Sky Sports News. "I love to play and I love football. I miss the ball now." Ronaldo has admitted he would like to play in the MLS one day, a league he believes is on the up, although he is keen to remain in Europe for the moment. "I prefer to play in Europe at the minute, but in the future, who knows?" he continued. &qu

Alexander Hleb has been officially presented as a Barcelona player following his move from Arsenal. The Belarusian has been linked with Barcelona for much of the summer and he travelled to the city on Wednesday to undergo a medical. A deal with the Gunners had already been agreed, which was reported to be in the region of 15million euros (£11.9 million). The transfer has now been finalised and Hleb has put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal at Camp Nou. He becomes Josep Guardiola's fifth signing as Barca boss following the arrivals of Martin Caceres, Gerard Pique, Daniel Alves and Seydou Keita. Winning silverware The 27-year-old, who scored seven goals in 89 appearances for Arsenal, has set his sights on winning silverware with Barcelona. He earned rave reviews for his stylish displays in London after joining from Stuttgart in 2005,and played a key role again last season as Arsene Wenger's side fell just short in their pursuit of the Premier League title. Fellow midfielder Math

Chelsea will inform Inter Milan for a second time that Frank Lampard is not for sale at any price. Inter made a £7.95million bid for Lampard on Tuesday but Chelsea will reject their offer and continue to insist that the England midfielder will remain at Stamford Bridge. The club's new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is adamant that Lampard wants to stay at Chelsea for years to come despite a claim from the player's agent that his client's contract situation at Stamford Bridge remains "completely unresolved". Former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, now in charge at Inter, seemingly wanted to steal the limelight from Scolari by prompting his bosses to make an official bid for the player just hours after the Brazilian had given his first press conference to the English media. But Chelsea are adamant that they will not budge on the sale of Lampard even though he has just one year remaining on his current contract. The London club will inform Inter again that they 'will not

Ronaldinho is '80-90%' likely to secure a move to AC Milan, according to the Barcelona playmaker's agent Roberto De Assis. Milan have long been linked with a move for Ronaldinho after the Brazilian was told he was not part of Barca's plans for the future. Vice-president Adriano Galliani insisted on Thursday that a deal would only be completed if the price is right, but De Assis is confident his client will make the switch to the San Siro. 'Yes, it's true, it's true that he'll probably go to Milan,' De Assis - who is also Ronaldinho's brother - told Lombardy television stations. 'Everything's ready for the transfer. He is there 80-90% and we are working towards that. 'He is working hard to get back to his best and the important thing is that now he is fine and that he is working for his future.' Milan might be leading the pack but there is no shortage of other possible destinations for Ronaldinho, with Chelsea and Manchester City j

The UEFA Technical Team has named its UEFA EURO 2008™ Team of the Tournament, with no fewer than nine Spanish players being picked in the final 23. Team breakdown The nine-strong group of experienced football technicians who have followed every game at the tournament decided the selection – and the success of Luis Aragonés's side was underlined by the fact nine Spain players made the cut, with the remainder of the squad comprising three players from runners-up Germany, four from Russia, two each from the Netherlands and Portugal and a single player representing Turkey, Croatia and Italy. 'Not about reputations' UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh said: "The Team of the Tournament is something we put into our technical report for our coaching colleagues. We give them pointers on the players that our technical experts have appreciated during this event. This team is very much self-contained in terms of the tournament – this is not about reputations. In fact there are o

Spain midfielder Xavi Hernández Creus has been named the best player at Euro 2008 after his stirring displays helped his country to the title. The 28-year-old Barcelona player, the heartbeat of Spain's midfield during the tournament, was voted the Castrol player of the tournament by a nine-strong panel of UEFA's technical experts. He appeared in five matches at the finals, scoring once in the semi-final against Russia, as Spain earned their first major international success since beating the Soviet Union to win the 1964 UEFA European Championship. His ability to dictate the pace of the game from midfield brought him to the attention of the UEFA Technical Team who decide upon the Castrol Player of the Tournament, taking into account votes from the public. UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh said: "We chose him because we think he epitomises the Spanish style of play. He was extremely influential in the whole possession, passing, penetrating kind of game that Spain played.

Cesc Fabregas is desperate to avoid a repeat of the 'hurt' of losing a major final when Spain do battle with Germany on Sunday. Arsenal midfielder Fabregas suffered heartache when the Gunners were defeated in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona. But two years on the 21-year-old is ready to do 'whatever it takes' to claim glory when the Spanish take on Germany in the Euro 2008 final at the Ernst-Happel Stadion. "I know what it's like losing a big final," Fabregas said. "I know just how much it hurts - and I don't want to do it again. "Of course we haven't achieved our objective yet. We can't draw the line with getting to the final. We want to go home with the cup. "We have 90 or 120 minutes left or even 125 minutes with the penalties, whatever it takes to go home with the trophy." Ballack threat Fabregas went on to highlight the threat of Germany captain Michael Ballack, who has impressed during this summer

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has admitted he does not know where his future lies following interest from 'one of the biggest clubs in the world'. Adebayor gave conflicting messages over his Emirates Stadium future on Friday after he initially stated he will remain in North London before conceding that he has yet to make a definitive decision. Serie A giants Milan, who will play in the Uefa Cup next season, have made no secret of their interest in the Togo international and will be eagerly anticipating the expected announcement on his future next week. The Gunners will be desperate to hold onto Adebayor after he struck an impressive 30 goals last season, but the former Monaco forward feels an exit would not necessarily be detrimental to the club, who paid £7million for his services in 2006. Dream "I had a dream of playing for Arsenal, and Arsenal are one of the loveliest clubs in the world," he said. "When I go back to Africa it is obvious that a lot of peopl

It has been a heady rise for Spain striker Daniel González Güiza. The previously unsung 27-year-old RCD Mallorca forward forced himself into the reckoning for UEFA EURO 2008 after finishing the season as the Primera División's leading scorer, and has seized his chance here with two goals in three appearances. It is an impressive return for a player who only made his international debut in Spain's final qualifier against Northern Ireland in November. Güiza scored the winner against Greece in Spain's final Group D game then hit another in the 3-0 semi-final victory against Russia, flicking the ball over Igor Akinfeev after being played through by Cesc Fàbregas. With David Villa injured, coach Luis Aragonés is likely to give either Güiza or Fàbregas a starting role in the final against Germany and the Mallorca man is desperate for the chance. "Of course you dream, and my dream has always been to play in the final with the Spanish national team," he said. "Now we

Spain coach Luis Aragones says David Villa will miss Sunday's Euro 2008 against Germany. The Valencia striker was forced out of Thursday's 3-0 victory over Russia on 34 minutes after pulling a leg muscle. Villa, who helped himself to a hat-trick in Spain's 4-1 group success over Russia, will now sit out the final in Vienna. "Villa won't be playing in the final. He suffered a muscle strain," confirmed Aragones after their semi-final success. David Villa is still a top scorer in Euro 2008 with four goals. The absent of the Spain hit-man open a chance for German striker Lukas Podolski to get a golden ball, an award for top scorer in this cup. Villa's place in the side could well be taken by Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas, who impressed off the bench in their semi-final triumph over Russia. Villa came off after 35 minutes to be replaced by Cesc Fabregas after appearing to injure himself taking a free kick. Sunday's final will be played at the Ernst Happel sta

By Luke Harding in Moscow It has been one of the great enigmas of Euro 2008. Why has a forward of the quality of Andrei Arshavin, Russia's exquisitely gifted playmaker, not previously attracted international recognition? Victory for Russia on Thursday night against Spain would be likely to confirm 27-year-old Arshavin as the player of the tournament. This would follow his pivotal role in Russia's 3-1 demolition of Holland during the quarter-finals and their 2-0 mobbing of Sweden. In fact, Russian sports journalists identified Arshavin as a world-class player a long time ago - in 2004. But several factors conspired to prevent Arshavin from reaching his current inspirational greatness, they suggest. These include Russia's failure to progress at major tournaments. A more profound obstacle has been Arshavin's immaturity or - as one observer put it - his propensity to behave "like a spoiled kid". "We started to talk about Arshavin when he was 23. He was playin

Emmanuel Adebayor's departure from Arsenal moved a step closer today when his agent, Vincenzo Morabito, claimed Milan now have a "70 to 80% chance" of signing the forward. The Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said last week that Adebayor was his club's sole transfer target this summer. It now appears that the Rossoneri are close to securing a deal for the striker, with Arsenal reportedly already searching for his replacement. "Milan have already stated their position, while Arsenal have started moving in the market in the hunt for an attacker to replace Adebayor," Morabito told Italian television channel Mediaset. "Until that search ends the deal won't move forward but I am quite optimistic because Arsenal are looking for a player. They're talking about [Mario] Gomez, [Roque] Santa Cruz, and [Peter] Crouch. I'd say there's a 70 to 80% chance Adebayor will go to Milan." Reports in Spain suggested that Barcelona had reached a dea

Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin has thanked Guus Hiddink for his chance at Euro 2008 - and he wants to repay him by sending the Dutchman into a first major final as an international coach. Arshavin was suspended for the first two games of the tournament after needlessly getting sent off in the last qualifier, but Hiddink kept him in his squad despite being upset at the 27-year-old. He has scored against Sweden and Holland and tonight face Spain in the semi-finals at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium. 'Even so I'm happy Guus Hiddink brought me here despite the ban and let me become a part of the tournament,' said Arshavin. 'I came here hoping I'd get a chance to play at such a big tournament. I've never been to an event like this before. 'We had some very tough training sessions and it was difficult for me to be training a lot knowing I wouldn't be playing. It was an unusual feeling.' His performances has put top clubs in Europe in alert, and Zenit S

Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez insists he and his team-mates are ready to end a 44-year wait for international silverware. Ahead of Thursday's semi-final meeting with Russia, Xavi is confident Spain can secure their first trophy since winning the 1964 European Championship. Barcelona star Xavi accepts Russia, who have earned the plaudits in Austria and Switzerland, will prove difficult opposition. However, the 28-year-old insists Luis Aragones' team, who have earned a reputation as perennial under-achievers as domestic success is rarely replicated on the international stage, are hungry to win this summer's competition. "I'm very happy because we have taken a step towards making history, but we haven't done it yet," said Xavi. Nut to crack "We've got a tough nut to crack in Russia, but the team is ready in all senses and we want to win the tournament. "We want to keep faith with our playing style. This game will be very different but the key

The Marseille midfielder Samir Nasri yesterday announced on his website that he has signed a four-year contract with Arsenal although his agent, Jean-Pierre Bernes, later said, "It is premature to announce this. Discussions are continuing between the two clubs and the player." Arsenal have yet to confirm the deal. Samir Nasri was born 26 June 1987 in Marseille, is a French attacking midfielder currently playing for Marseille. He play for Marseille since at 9 yeras old. He has been involved in the French national set up for a long time, progressing through the Under-16s, 17s, 18s, 19s and 21s. He won his promotion to the full national squad this year, to which he has been called up three times. Nasri scored his first senior international goal in his third appearance for the senior team in a 1-0 win for France against Georgia on June 6, 2007 in a EURO 2008 qualifier. He received his first cap for France on March 28, 2007 against Austria, in a home friendly match at the age of 1

Turkey captain Emre Belozoglu is still unfit and will not play in Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final against Germany, coach Fatih Terim said. The midfielder suffered a hamstring tear following the opening group defeat by Portugal and had been rated 50/50 to recover in time for the Basel match. 'With Emre, it's impossible for him to play,' the coach said on Tuesday, adding that midfielder Tumer Metin, who has a groin strain, may be able to play for the last 30 minutes. Emre Belözoğlu was born at 7 September 1980 in Istanbul, Turkey. He is currently a midfielder for English Premier League club Newcastle United. He is one of the most accomplished Turkish players of all time, being instrumental in Galatasaray's unbeaten run to a historic UEFA Cup victory in 2000, and UEFA Super Cup victory the same year. He is also a member of the Turkey national team, which he helped to a third-place finish at the 2002 World Cup. In 2004, Emre was selected to the FIFA 100 by Pelé as one