Football news

Porto defender Eliaquim Man-gala is being monitored by Milan, according to reports in Italy.

A number of top European sides have been impressed with Mangala’s performances since he joined Porto from Standard Liege in 2011.

Milan’s growing interest in Mangala comes as no surprise in light of their policy to sign promising young players with a good future.

Reports suggest that Porto will demand around €20 million for the French U-21 who has also been linked with Man. City.

Ephraim set for Toronto switch

QPR forward Hogan Ephraim appears set for a reunion with former team-mate Ryan Nelsen with a loan move to MLS outfit Toronto FC on the cards.

Nelsen left Loftus Road in January to take over as coach of Toronto and the club’s president, Kevin Payne, has listed Ephraim as one of several players he is looking to sign ahead of the 2013 MLS season.

“We’re in the final stages of signing him to a loan agreement with QPR,” Payne said.

“We hope that will be concluded in the next day or two.”

Vitesse hope to hang on to Bony

Vitesse are confident they will be able to hold on to top scorer Wilfried Bony until the end of the season, but are fearful a big offer from a Russian club could see him depart.

It was rumoured that Zenit SP, Anzhi Makhachkala and CSKA Moscow were interested in the Ivory Coast international, who has scored 22 goals this season, but Vitesse’s director Erwin Kasakowski remains hopeful Bony will stay.

“He leaves every day after training. Then he goes home. The next day he comes back, also as one of the first,” he said.

“No, I do not think he leaves. Up to this moment we have received no serious offer.”

Jenkins expects Laudrup to stay

Chairman Huw Jenkins is confident of agreeing a new deal with Michael Laudrup, and has no doubt the Dane will stay with Swansea next season.

Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City are all being touted as potential destinations for Laudrup, whose current deal with the League Cup winners runs until the summer of 2014.

Jenkins said: “Personally I have no issue about the thought of him (Laudrup) not being here next season, I think he will be here and he’s stated he would honour his contract.

“Michael has stated before he wants to be here next season.

“If you look at his career before he came here, he needed to find the right club and stability in himself as a manager.”

Upton Park boos upset Parker

Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker admits he was surprised and upset at being booed by West Ham fans on his return to Upton Park on Monday.

“I didn’t expect the West Ham fans to boo me and obviously it was a little bit upsetting,” said Parker, who played 113 times for West Ham.

“I don’t know why (they did it). I don’t know if it’s because I went to their local rivals... I’m not sure, but I just would have liked to think that maybe I would have got a better reception after what I did in my time here.

“I loved (Upton Park), the fans, and I loved the club. I was looking forward to coming back and I couldn’t wait to go out there and play so I was disappointed (to be booed).”

Rodwell ready to kick on at City

Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell has stressed there is “a lot more to come” from him after putting in what he rates as his finest performance yet for the club in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Chelsea.

Asked if he felt the perfor-mance against Chelsea was his best for City so far, Rodwell replied: “I’d say so, and the team performance was brilliant as well which makes it even better.

“I’ve had a lot of injuries. I’m still young, so I’m still maturing bodily.

“I feel as though the fans have seen a little bit more of me (against Chelsea) but there’s still a lot more to come.”

Agent discussing new Cassano deal

Antonio Cassano is set to extend his contract with Inter after his agent opened talks with the club over a new deal.

The former Bari player joined the club from Milan in the summer but he only signed until June 2014.

Reports in Italy said that Beppe Bozzo, Cassano’s agent, is engaged in discussions with club officials to renew the forward’s contract by another 12 months.

The 30-year-old Cassano reportedly earns €2.7m a season after tax. He’s also close to pocketing a €200,000 bonus for contributing 20 goals – either through goals he has scored himself or by providing decisive assists.