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AC Milan look poised to spend some of the world-record fee they received for Kaka by buying Wolfsburg hot-shot Edin Dzeko.

Brazil superstar Kaka left for Real Madrid on Monday evening for £59million, but already the Italian giants have identified Dzeko as the man to add some sparkle back to the Rossoneri.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has confirmed the Italian side’s interest in Dzeko, who was a major player in the German club’s first ever Bundesliga title triumph.

The Wolfsburg striker has previously been linked with both Arsenal and Manchester City. But Milan are in pole position to sign the Bosnian after Galliani confirmed he had met with Dzeko’s father on Saturday.

He told Sky Italia: “I was in Sarajevo for Dzeko.

“We like him a lot. Now we wait for Wolfsburg.”

The 23-year-old grabbed an amazing 32 goals in 34 games for Wolfsburg last season and has scored 12 times in just 17 games for Bosnia.

Wolfsburg boss Felix Magath is desperate to keep the former Fk Teplice star, but the player is understood to have set his heart on a move to Serie A.

Dzeko has been quoted as saying: “They [Milan] have always been my favourite club, right back to my days as a small boy, growing up in Sarajevo.”

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Reports in the Spanish media have suggested that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is on the verge of signing for Barcelona.

El Mundo Deportivo has revealed that a deal is close to be being brokered that would see Inter receive 10million euros plus Samuel Eto’o for the Swedish striker.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic feature size
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC

However, it is thought Eto’o’s wages could be the sticking point which unravels the deal, with negotiations over money reported to have stalled.

Ibrahimovic is looking to leave Inter after growing frustrated with their struggles in the Champions League.

Manchester United and Chelsea were reported to be interested last month, but it seems Barca will be his destination.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba insists he plans to stay at Stamford Bridge and is fed up with constant speculation over his future.

Drogba has been continually linked with a move away from Chelsea with the likes of Inter Milan, AC Milan and Marseille all credited with an interest in the Ivorian.

The 31-year-old has revealed he keeps in contact with Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo, but has ruled out a return to Stade Velodrome.

“I am a bit tired of speaking about my future,” Drogba told Le Parisien. “I already did on many occasions. I am good at Chelsea.

“We call each other, Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo sometimes, to be in touch. If Marseille want me, their directors must meet Chelsea’s. But today it’s not on the cards.”

Drogba is looking forward to working under new Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti and praised Guus Hiddink for raising spirits following the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari

“I am going to miss [Guus] Hiddink but having him as our coach was nice,” added Drogba.

“It has been a lovely experience. He helped us bounce back.

“I hope that Ancelotti will help us win titles, this is the reason why he has been appointed. Everybody knows his trophy room is full, as a player and as a manager.”

Andrea Pirlo has refused to rule out the possibility of joining Chelsea this summer.

With former AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti having recently taken the reins at Stamford Bridge, a host of the Rossoneri’s top stars have been linked with a switch to west London.

Brazilian superstar Kaka was touted as a potential target, but has completed a big-money move to Real Madrid, while his compatriot Alexandre Pato is also believed to be a possible target for the Blues.

World Cup-winner Pirlo is the latest to find himself at the centre of much transfer talk, and has done little to stem the tide of speculation.

“Me at Chelsea? Let’s see,” the midfielder said from Italy’s training camp in South Africa ahead of the Confederations Cup.

“Maybe not now, but we will see.”

Pirlo has admitted that the sale of Kaka has disrupted the Milan camp and he believes the club could pay the price for putting financial reward ahead of the best interests of the team.

“We took it badly,” he added.

“Kaka is a really great player and a really great man. To cover his absence will take time.

“They (the Milan board) wanted to bring in the money. Ricardo (Kaka) was right to say this hasn’t been his decision.”

outh Africa is conquering doubters as preparations for the 2010 football World Cup fall into place, the head of local organising committee said on Wednesday, one year before the games begin.

South Africa was named the host after narrowly losing its bid to Germany for the 2006 tournament, and ever since has struggled to overcome doubts about its readiness for one of the world’s biggest sports spectacles.

“I suggest that we work together to accept the reality that the World Cup is here, it is happening. Tickets are being sold and there is no Plan B,” said Danny Jordaan.

Jordaan led the efforts to bring the games to South Africa and is the most visible promoter for the local organising committee. He said it was gratifying to see preparations fall into place as the Confederations Cup kicks off Sunday, seen as a curtainraiser for next year’s competition.

“It’s been an incredible journey — a journey of hope, despair and then triumph,” Jordaan told journalists.

“When we lost to Germany, I felt empty. But when we came back home, the unwavering spirit of the people who came to welcome us at the airport gave us hope and encouraged us to try again.”

Jordaan acknowledged the support of numerous African football legends like Cameroon’ Roger Milla, Liberian George Weah, and Abedi Pele of Ghana, who backed the country’s bid.

“The people of South Africa fought apartheid and won, so they would not just accept defeat and forget about trying again,” added Jordaan.

Six stadiums are rising up all over the country while the transport system is being revamped to welcome Africa’s first-ever football World Cup. The first new stadium was completed this week in Port Elizabeth, while four others have been renovated for the Confed Cup.

“All stadiums will be complete by October, except for the Green Point stadium in Cape Town which is due to be finished in December,” said Jordaan.