Football news

Ajax defender Zdenek Grygera wants to anticipate his move to Juventus and join the Serie B club this month rather than at the end of the season.

"I know that Juventus would like me in Turin as soon as possible and I am ready to leave at any moment, but this is an issue that depends on Ajax," said Grygera whose deal with the Dutch side expires in June.

"All I can do is sit and wait for news to emerge. I am happy that my dream will come true, to play in Italy with a big club like Juventus."

Even the fact that he would be making his Italy debut in Serie B does not worry the Czech international.

"I think this team will quickly get back into Serie A. I often speak to my friend Pavel Nedved and he is confident in their promotion. I was also very pleased to hear that he recommended me to the club and paved the way for my arrival in Turin."

Bolton eye move for De La Pena

Bolton are ready to make a move for Espanyol midfielder Ivan De La Pena.

The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and an agreement on a new deal has yet to be reached.

Sam Allardyce is interested in taking the former Spanish international to The Reebok Stadium and De La Pena has previously stated a desire to move to the Premiership.

Racing Santander and Athletic Bilbao are also keen to sign the midfielder, although Espanyol remain favourites to secure his long-term future.

Moratti upset at Ronaldo

Massimo Moratti is upset at Ronaldo's decision to join Milan, but insists Inter "have better players."

"We had a past together, but it seems that our present and future are very separate," said the Inter president.

Moratti stood by Ronaldo for over two years during which the Brazilian forward recovered from injury and was bitterly disappointed when he demanded a switch to Real Madrid in 2002.

"I haven't spoken to him in a while, above all because in this time we have bought better at Inter," he said.

"He is free to choose whatever he wants and I wish him well as a man. Obviously, I can't say I hope he does well in his sport right now!"

Neill joins West Ham - reports

Australia defender Lucas Neill has agreed to leave Blackburn Rovers for Premier League rivals West Ham United, according to media reports.

Neill, 28, signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Londoners after the clubs agreed a fee of around £1.5 million ($2.96 million).

Neill, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool for much of the season, said he chose to join West Ham because they showed more determination to sign him than the Anfield club.

"It was about being wanted," Neill was quoted as saying on Sydney's Sunday Telegraph website.

"West Ham were knocking down the door to get me whereas Liverpool made a take it or leave it offer and didn't even come in for me until 15 days after the transfer window opened," he said.

Neill's Blackburn contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

Ballack helps his former club

Germany captain Michael Ballack has stepped in with a cash gift to help his former club Chemnitzer FC.

Ballack earns a fortune at Premier League champions Chelsea and the 30-year-old will spend a fraction of it to help Chemnitzer take their physiotherapist back on staff after financial problems meant they had to lay him off.

"As my hometown club I owe Chemnitzer a lot," Ballack said in a statement. "They had a lot to do with my personal development and I want to give something back."

Ballack, who moved to Chelsea from Bayern Munich last year, joined Chemnitzer in 1986 and made his professional debut for the club in 1995 when they were in the second division. They now play in the multi-region fourth division.

Curbishley backs Mascherano

Alan Curbishley says that there will still be a place for Javier Mascherano in the West Ham squad if his move to Liverpool falls through.

Liverpool want to sign the unsettled Argentine midfielder on loan, but need a special FIFA dispensation to complete the move, due to the ruling which states that no player can play for more than two clubs between July 1 and June 30.

"I have looked at my team selections and he hasn't featured in them. I felt that if there was an opportunity for him in this window we would let him go," admitted Curbishley. "If it doesn't happen he is still a West Ham player."

Stuttgart's Babbel set to retire

Stuttgart defender Markus Babbel is likely to retire at the end of the season. The 34-year-old former Bayern Munich and Liverpool player told Bild newspaper that he was set to hang up his boots in the summer after failing to gain regular first-team football with Stuttgart this season.

Babbel, who won 51 caps for Germany and was part of his country's triumphant Euro 96 squad, has only made two appearances in coach Armin Veh's team this term.