Villas-Boas wants a deal for the Birmingham keeper done quickly

Villas-Boas wants a deal for the Birmingham keeper done quickly - in case good performances for Team GB at the Olympics push his price up

Teenage kicks: Butland is one for the future at just 19

Scott Heavey

Andre Villas-Boas will make landing teenage goalkeeping sensation Jack Butland one of his top priorities.

Villas-Boas, confirmed as Tottenham's new head coach on Tuesday, had Butland on his radar during his ill-fated spell as Chelsea manager last season and now wants to set down a marker at White Hart Lane by beating a host of Premier League rivals to the Birmingham City youngster.

Butland, 19, will be given the chance to showcase his talents in Stuart Pearce's Team GB Olympic squad later this month after being a non-playing member of England's Euro 2012 party.

Second time lucky?: AVB was already eyeing Butland when he was at Chelsea

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AVB wants to secure a deal for the keeper, who has never played a top flight game for Birmingham, before the Games commence on July 26.

Birmingham chief executive Peter Pannu has already rejected a £6million offer for Butland from Premier League new boys Southampton and has warned it will take an "eye-popping" offer to persuade Blues to sell.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Norwich and Everton have all made enquiries and Birmingham hope a medal-winning Great Britain performance, inspired by Butland, will push his value beyond £10m.

Villas-Boas has three hugely experienced keepers on his hands in Heurelho Gomes, Carlo Cudicini and Brad Friedel, but sees Butland as the long-term future of the club.

He has received glowing reports from his Euro 2012 spies on a keeper the England hierarchy believe will be in a position to challenge Joe Hart for the number one spot by the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

Good old boy: American Friedel is Spurs' current No.1 but can't go on for ever

Gomes, 31, is looking for a move away from the club after slipping down the pecking order, while Friedel is 41 and Cudicini will be 39 in September.

10 Big-Name Possible Signings This Summer

Shinji Kagawa will not be the last big signing for Manchester United this summer.

At any one time, Sir Alex Ferguson and his team of scouts will have hundreds of players under surveillance. So it is no surprise how many have been rumoured to join the Red Devils this time around.

It is well known that Sir Alex is still in the process of rebuilding, making it all the more creditable that United lost the EPL on the highest points score ever for second place. But being second is never enough for a still hungry 70-year-old.

Most people seem to think that Kagawa is the long-term replacement for Paul Scholes, despite him being a very different player. He is not.

Every player coming to Old Trafford and those emerging from the Academy have to accept that they need to be versatile and that no player has a God given right to be in the first team. Sir Alex believes competition for places is healthy, but it also results in a squad that is the fittest in the second half of the season.

So Kagawa may play in the hole, or he may play in a central midfield duo; he may also crop up on either wing as needed. He will have understood all that before signing. He is willing to back himself to succeed; Eden Hazard was not, citing the competition in the United dressing room as a reason to go to Chelsea.

What Kagawa does bring is the ability to make and score goals at the highest level, for the best team in Germany, in intense competition. He also brings pace, intelligence, humility and exactly the right attitude to fit in with the long traditions at Old Trafford.

So which other "Big Names" could join him? After all, before United showed interest he would not have been considered a "Big Name" alongside the likes of Wesley Sneijder.

and the pre-season fixtures to watch out for

Barcelona v Manchester United, Arsenal v Manchester City and the pre-season fixtures to watch out for

Euro 2012 may be over, but football fans do not need to wait until the new domestic season to get a look at how their team is shaping up

Getty Images

By Chris Myson

As Euro 2012 drew to a thrilling conclusion with Spain securing glory in their third successive major international tournament, many fans mourned the loss of football until the Premier League resumes.

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The new campaign does not get under way until the middle of August and all of a sudden competitive action feels a long way away.

However, players may now be on a well-earned holiday after the Euros, but their clubs have well and truly started their preparations for the new term.

The transfer window has already opened and pre-season fixtures have been announced – with some getting under way in less than two weeks' time.

Here, Goal.com looks at five of the best clashes to watch out for over the remainder of the summer before the leagues across Europe roll back into action.

LIVERPOOL V ROMA

WHEN , WHERE: July 25, Fenway Park, Boston.

WHY IT’S WORTH A WATCH: Two giants of the European game clash in Boston – but these are both sides who are very much in transition having sacked managers after underwhelming campaigns.

Brendan Rodgers and Zdenek Zeman have been brought in this summer, replacing Kenny Dalglish and Luis Enrique respectively. This clash will present an intriguing look at how each team is shaping up ahead of their kick-offs in the Premier League and Serie A.

PLAYER TO LOOK OUT FOR: Steven Gerrard has had huge injury problems over the last 18 months, which has undoubtedly played a part in Liverpool’s decline in fortunes.

The talismanic skipper had a strong Euro 2012 campaign for England though, and will now be desperate to have a successful summer so he is in perfect shape for the new season.

ARSENAL V MANCHESTER CITY

WHEN , WHERE: July 27, Bird's Nest Stadium, Beijing

WHY IT’S WORTH A WATCH: Two Premier League rivals clash in what will be an interesting early test of Arsenal’s title credentials against the defending champions in the Olympic Stadium.

Are the Gunners building a squad to challenge Roberto Mancini’s men or are they destined for another season off the pace?

PLAYER TO LOOK OUT FOR: Olivier Giroud is Arsene Wenger’s marquee signing and the friendlies will be a vital part of his bedding in process at the club.

Will he play alongside Robin van Persie, if the Dutchman is still at the club, and how will he adapt to playing alongside his new team-mates against tough opposition in Kompany & Co.

CHELSEA V AC MILAN

WHEN , WHERE: July 28, Sun Life Stadium, Miami

WHY IT’S WORTH A WATCH: The Champions League winners meet the seven-time European champions in a mouth-watering pre-season clash.

American fans will hope the match can live up to its billing, with a number of stars such as Fernando Torres and Zlatan Ibrahimovic likely to be on show.

PLAYER TO LOOK OUT FOR: Chelsea trumped the continent’s biggest clubs to sign Eden Hazard this summer and all eyes will be on their new Belgian playmaker as he settles into life at his new club.

The confident ex-Lille man will be desperate to make a fast start to prove he is worth all the attention he received during a drawn-out transfer saga in which he also flirted with City & United.

BARCELONA V MANCHESTER UNITED

WHEN , WHERE: August 8, Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg

WHY IT’S WORTH A WATCH: Barcelona and Manchester United – two of the world’s biggest clubs - previously clashed in the Champions League final in 2009 and 2011, with the stylish Catalans coming out on top on both occasions.

They also met in pre-season last year, where United gained a small element of revenge for those final defeats by winning 2-1 in the US, and they are set for a pre-season rematch in Gothenburg this summer.

PLAYER TO LOOK OUT FOR: United have had creative problems in midfield over recent seasons, with many fans pointing to their lack of class in the middle of the pitch as being crucial to their failure to beat City to last season’s title.

Shinji Kagawa has been signed from Borussia Dortmund for £17 million and fans of the Red Devils will be desperate to get their first glimpse of him in pre-season. How will he get on against the class of Barca?

VALENCIA V TOTTENHAM

WHEN , WHERE: August 9, Mestalla Stadium, Valencia

WHY IT’S WORTH A WATCH: It's all change at both clubs this summer. Andre Villas-Boas has replaced Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane whilst Mauricio Pellegrino is the new head coach at Valencia, replacing Unai Emery.

This away trip will serve as a tough test for Villas-Boas' new charges, while the Spaniards will be keen to fare better than they did against Chelsea - when they were managed by the Portuguese boss - in last season's Champions League group stages.

PLAYER TO LOOK OUT FOR: Roberto Soldado may have been snubbed by champions Spain for their Euro 2012 squad but he remains a consistent goalscorer and attacking threat in La Liga.

The 27-year-old is now reaching his peak years and will be eager to make a good impression against English opposition and ensure he can hit the ground running next season.

Rafael Da Silva Signs Long-Term Deal with Red Devils

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Manchester United has locked up Rafael da Silva. The 21-year-old right back signed a four-year extension with the Red Devils that will keep him with the team through 2015-16 season, according to the team's official site.

Longtime manager Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased United could lock up the rising star, who has impressed his boss in limited playing time since joining the team.

"Rafael is one of the club’s brightest young prospects; he has no fear of playing and has great belief in himself.

"The boy has developed immensely since joining United, his energy and enthusiasm are a joy to watch. Rafael has all the attributes to become one of the best full-backs in the world and I am delighted he has signed a new contract."

Rafael has played 90 games since joining Manchester United four years ago. He features terrific pace, which allows him to get forward to help the attack, and has started to develop into a much more sound defender as well.

His new deal fits the mold of Ferguson's plan over the past few seasons. The team has gotten away from relying on high-priced transfers and have instead started to target younger talent or re-signed their own youthful players to continue their development.

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Not only does it allow the squad's young players to grow together, which should improve chemistry when they are asked to take on a more important role, but also limits the financial risks the Red Devils are forced to take.

Although Rafael has a boatload of talent and could have probably received more guaranteed playing time elsewhere, he has always seemed comfortable at Old Trafford. By the time his new contract ends, he should be a big part of the United back line.

Getting him locked up gives the Red Devils more flexibility at the back as they look to return to the top of the Premier League after finishing second last season. After making an impact near the end of last season, a breakout campaign is a distinct possibility.

Re-signing players is often just as important, if not more so, than the transfers a team brings in. That's certainly the case here as United secures a very promising young player.

All the transfer news, rumours and gossip from Wednesday's papers

Plus: Chelsea close in on Maicon, Everton plot move for ex-Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega and Nani fears United exit

Most wanted: Belgian international Axel Witsel is on Manchester United and Chelsea's shopping list

Paul Gilham - The FA

Summer's not all about the tennis, you know - football managers up and down the country are already plotting for next season - we've got all the gossip from all the papers right here.

Transfer stories from today's Daily Mirror

Andre Villas-Boas will change the face of Spurs with a £50million revolution to help him restore his battered reputation. See who is on his shopping list here.

Andy Carroll is a target for AC Milan, according to reports.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is determined to fend off Juventus' interest in Luis Suarez and targets four new signings.

Manchester United have confirmed Paul Pogba has joined Italian champions Juventus - and Fergie's NOT happy.

Wolves boss Stale Solbakken has warned Sunderland they will have to cough up £10million for Scotland striker Steven Fletcher.

Dimitar Berbatov is prepared to see out the last year of his Manchester United contract.

Edinson Cavani has ruled out a move to Manchester City, claiming his future is with Napoli.

Blackburn are giving Portuguese veteran Nuno Gomes a £2million contract to join them.

Arsene Wenger says he wants to keep hold of Arsenal captain Robin van Persie "at all costs".

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Manchester United are working on bringing more players to Old Trafford and has told fans to be patient.

Inter Milan stalwart Dejan Stankovic is on the shopping list of West Ham, as Sam Allardyce looks to ready his squad for the top flight.

Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen has vowed to give his all for the Amsterdammers despite continued speculation linking him with a move to Tottenham.

Transfer stories from other papers and websites

Manchester United and Chelsea are set to be in a tug of war for Belgium star Axel Witsel this summer, after Benfica revealed that they are ready to cash-in on his talents. (Daily Express)

Malaga want Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner as the Denmark international closes in on a move away from the Emirates Stadium. Galatasaray fancy the 24-year-old too. (Daily Mail)

Paul Lambert is planning to bring £2.5million-rated Rennes schemer Yacine Brahimi to Aston Villa. (The Sun)

Asamoah Gyan will finally quit Sunderland for the United Arab Emirates in a £7million switch. (The Sun)

Maicon's transfer hopes of moving to Real Madrid appear to be all but over with Chelsea in pole position to sign the Inter Milan right-back. (Daily Express)

Bolton boss Owen Coyle is set to sign Leicester City defender Matt Mills in a £2m deal. (The Sun)

Napoli are eyeing Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, 27, after banking £24million from Ezequiel Lavezzi's move to PSG. Chelsea's Raul Meireles, 29, is another target. (Daily Mail)

Everton boss David Moyes is considering making a move for out-of-contract former Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega. (Daily Mail)

New Swansea boss Michael Laudrup is tracking Danish Euro 2012 star Michael Krohn-Dehli from Brondby. (Daily Star)

Stoke are preparing a £4m bid for Martin Olsson at Blackburn. (Daily Star)

Everton have been given the green light to bid for Oscar Cardozo after Benfica slapped a £16m price tag on the Paraguay international. (talkSPORT)

Portugal winger Nani fears Manchester United are ready to sell him after a breakdown in contract talks. (The Sun)

Valencia left humbled, Owen has nothing to watch and Barton has something to prove

Elsewhere, Rio Ferdinand complains about the weather and Lucas returns to Merseyside for pre-season but for James McClean and Clint Dempsey, the holidays are just getting started

Getty Images

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia was in seventh heaven yesterday as the club announced next season's squad numbers.

The Ecuadoran has been handed the famous No.7 shirt for the coming campaign, following in the illustrious footsteps of George Best, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, and the 25-year-old took to Twitter to express his delight at the honour.

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Meanwhile, with Euro 2012 having drawn firmly to a close, many of the Premier League’s best and brightest have begun preparations for the season ahead.

There was a return to training for Phil Neville and Joey Barton, although both James McClean and Clint Dempsey seem determined to prolong their holidays.

Word on the Tweet rounds-up of the tastiest titbits that today’s Twitter has to offer…


"I humbly accept the historic #7. Will do my best. Thanks to God, my family, ManUtd and all the fans for believing in me! #weareall7"
Antonio Valencia pays tribute to club and fans alike after he was handed the famous No.7 shirt for next season.

"I'm sure this english weather is having banter with me....its july and I'm having to take my waterproofs out with me??! WTF"
Rio Ferdinand (pictured right) is damning in his verdict of the traditional summer climate we’re all enjoying.

"Cannot wait for pre-season training to start! 'When you've got something to prove, there's nothing greater than a challenge.' Terry Bradshaw"
QPR's Joey Barton determines to prove his doubters wrong (again) as he looks ahead to pre-season training despite the fact that he can't play for 12 matches.

"Struggling with the TV since the Euros finished. Nothing to watch. Tennis doesn't take my fancy, just hope the Olympics grips me."
Meanwhile, Michael Owen feels a little lost in the post-Euros-pre-Olympics void, and seems determined to ignore the lure of Wimbledon.

"Already in Liverpool. Good to be back :)"
Good news for Reds fans as Lucas returns to Merseyside looking to bounce back from a lengthy injury lay-off.

"Morning all 1st day of pre season today got that 1st day back at school feeling-lots of testing today can't wait to c the lads!"
On the blue side of the city, meanwhile, Everton skipper Phil Neville returns to training with the rest of David Moyes' squad.

"AVB it is then. Very important at this stage to be positive about that decision, so I'll shut up."
Gary Lineker jumps firmly on the fence as Andre Villas-Boas is confirmed as Tottenham's new boss.

"Swansea needs a new night in town for all the hip hop heads! They don't cater for us!"
Swans defender Ashley Williams demands big changes for the South Wales nightlife.

"looking forward to gettin away on holidays now on fri with the misses, loving the break"
Whilst some head back to the training ground, Sunderland winger James McClean (pictured left) looks ahead to some time off following Euro 2012 duty…

"Had a great time fishing with the legend Harold Allen on Toledo Bend Lake."
…as does Fulham star Clint Dempsey, who’s angling for nothing more than a quiet time in Toledo.

“So they think they have discovered the Higgs Boson particle. I don't think he's going to give up his hiding speck that easily! #jurystillout”
Finally, Barton gets 'physical' as he weighs in with his view on the potentially historic news from the Cern laboratories.

Anelka argues with angry fan after Shanghai Shenhua lose again

Supporter was furious over poor performance and star's refusal to perform traditional end-of-match bow but was told: I don't care

Bow row: Anelka wouldn't perform salute to fans that is customary in China

Barcroft

Nicolas Anelka’s Chinese adventure has gone pear-shaped after he got involved in an ugly confrontation with an irate Shanghai Shenhua fan.

Anelka, who captains the super-rich Chinese side, angered their supporters by refusing to perform a traditional bow with the rest of the team after a shock 1-0 loss away to bottom-of-the-league Qingdao Jonoon.

Bowing by a whole team at the end of a match is customary in China.

It is seen as a way for the players to thank fans for their support, regardless of the result of the game.

The former Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton and Chelsea hitman was verbally attacked after the match by a fan, who stormed into the lobby of the hotel where the Shenhua squad were staying.

The fan shouted, in English, at ex-France international Anelka, “Why don’t you bow with the rest of the team?”

He was bundled away by other Shenhua players and hotel staff before tensions could boil over.

However, the fan later returned for another go at Anelka, as the players were preparing to board their bus.

On spotting the same seething supporter , Anelka walked up to him and said, “If you want to have a talk. Stand here now.”

The fan, who made a 700-mile round trip from Shanghai to attend the match, shouted back at Anelka, “I took time off work and paid for flight tickets and a hotel to come to support you all, but you did what?”

A perplexed Anelka replied, “Why me? Why don’t you find a Chinese player?”

The fan shouted back, “Because you are the captain and you should be responsible for this [bowing to the fans] - if you don’t respect us, we don’t respect you.”

Anelka replied, “I don’t care.”

The incident caught the attention of the Chinese media, who also noted that Anelka left the field as quickly as possible after the Qingdao game, without shaking hands with any of his opponents.

Fans on Chinese football forums and social networks were split on the issue, but the tide in Shanghai seems to be starting to turn against Anelka, who has scored just two goals in 12 games.

Shenhua have struggled this season and are just one point off the bottom of the table halfway through the season.

Shenhua supporter Lu Xiaoming, 24, told MirrorFootball, “I didn’t travel to the game but I heard about what happened - what can I say? I just hope he leaves.

"Anelka is a myth, I’ve given up trying to work out why he isn’t playing better.”

But fellow fan Li Gun, 27, was more forgiving of Anelka and said, “He’s done his best so far, his personality is not the type to bow to fans, so I still support him.

"The problem in Shenhua is that some local players are just not good enough to play alongside him.”

Shenhua recently appointed former Argentina boss Sergio Batista as manager, replacing Anelka, who had a brief spell in charge as player-coach earlier in the season.

Batista confirmed that new signing Didier Drogba will make his Shenhua debut on July 14 in a match against their bitter rivals Beijing Guoan.

Who is your club looking at in the summer transfer window? Get all the latest transfer news

Has the balance of power in Manchester shifted? It's certainly debatable.

Manchester United: 6 Moves United Must Make to Get Back Ahead of Man City

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Has the balance of power in Manchester shifted? It's certainly debatable.

Manchester City dethroned their more-experienced rivals last season, and with the resources that the blue half has at their disposal, the Sky Blues will only get stronger from here on out.

So, what can Manchester United do about it? Well, Sir Alex Ferguson is not a man without means, nor does he have a weak squad with which to work.

With only a few tweaks and a bit of luck, United can show the world that City's good year was just a fluke and reclaim their place at the summit of the Premier League.

What Manchester City are getting back from Euro 2012

Roberto Mancini's players had mixed fortunes in Poland and Ukraine, so where does that leave the club going into the defence of their Premier League title?

Bongarts

ANALYSIS
By Chris Myson

Like all top club managers, Roberto Mancini will have been keeping a close eye on Euro 2012 as it unfolded, not just to view potential transfer targets but also to assess the form of his own players.

Manchester City had eight internationals involved in Poland and Ukraine and the players enjoyed mixed levels of individual and team success.

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On the whole, the Premier League champions will get their players back either in good form or with a point to prove - something which should not be considered a negative – and a key plus point for Mancini will be that none of his players picked up serious injuries during the tournament.

Mario Balotelli is never far from the spotlight, but in the Euros he was talked about for all the right reasons. A match-winning double against Germany in the semi-final typified what was an impressive month for the striker, as he led the line with strength and maturity.

On the back of a campaign where he showed flashes of brilliance but failed to shrug off his inconsistencies at club level, he will attack the new campaign with confidence and may have done enough to prove Mancini does not need to spend big on a new frontman before the new season gets under way.

Goal.com's Italian expert Carlo Garganese believes 2012-13 can be a year when Balotelli scores heavily in England as City look to defend their title.

He said: “Balotelli established himself as a true world-beater in the victory over Germany. The superlatives ran dry for the 21-year-old following this stunning display, and although Italy's campaign ended with a humiliating defeat to Spain, the tournament will go down as a big success for him.

“Although there is a long way to go until Balotelli fully matures as a person and footballer, the forward answered all his critics who questioned whether he had the ability and temperament to make an impact at the very highest level.

MAN CITY'S EURO 2012 STARS
MARIO BALOTELLI
MINUTES PLAYED AVERAGE RATING	421
GAEL CLICHY
MINUTES PLAYED AVERAGE RATING	270
NIGEL DE JONG
MINUTES PLAYED AVERAGE RATING	251
JOE HART
MINUTES PLAYED AVERAGE RATING	390
JOLEON LESCOTT
MINUTES PLAYED AVERAGE RATING	390
JAMES MILNER
MINUTES PLAYED AVERAGE RATING	281
SAMIR NASRI
MINUTES PLAYED AVERAGE RATING	282
DAVID SILVA
MINUTES PLAYED AVERAGE RATING	411

“His confidence will be sky high, and that will be bad news for the rest of England and Europe. If he stays fit and focused, then a 25 to 30 goal season is very possible. He has the potential to be a Ballon d'Or winner in the coming years.”

While things were bright for Balotelli, Samir Nasri endured a tournament to forget. It had all started so promisingly when he scored against England in France’s opening game, but from there his influence on the pitch waned.

He was involved in a bust-up with Alou Diarra, which cost him his place in the starting line-up for the quarter-final against Spain, and then his already frosty relationship with his country’s press took a turn for the worse when he swore at journalists after that tie ended in defeat.

“Nasri has never been popular with the French media but a promising build-up to the competition suggested that he was perhaps turning a corner,” explained Goal.com International's French football editor Robin Bairner.

“It was not to be, though, and there has since been talk of a two-year ban - a national team record. Whatever action is taken, Nasri will never be seen as a role model for France, and it's possible his international career may even be over.”

His problems at the Euros come after a year when he only performed well in patches, which means he goes into the new campaign under pressure and with a point to prove.

His France team-mate, Gael Clichy, had a more solid tournament, displacing Patrice Evra as the first-choice at left-back as he continues to mature as a top-level defender.

City’s England contingent leave the tournament with their reputations intact. Joe Hart and particularly Joleon Lescott played their part in what was an organised and disciplined side.

While the Three Lions were solid, they did lack flair and many observers felt James Milner’s performances on the wing contributed to that lack of flamboyancy going forward. The ex-Aston Villa man struggled for regular action at club level last season and no doubt has his work cut out with the quality competition for places.

Nigel de Jong was part of the Netherlands team which self-destructed in the group stages, although while he will not come back to the club full of confidence, he will at least be fresh. His City future remains uncertain, in any case.

That just leaves David Silva, who played a key part in the history-making Spain side that secured a third successive major tournament with victory over Italy in the final.

After having been made a scapegoat in the shock opening-fixture loss to Switzerland two years ago at World Cup 2010, two goals and three assists in Poland and Ukraine have formed part of his emphatic response. He has re-established himself as an integral part of this La Roja's triumph, and is a better player after his previous disappointment.

City will welcome back a star who has experienced unbridled success in 2012, and will be desperate to replicate his national form in next season's Champions League - the trophy the Eastlands outfit will now want most.

The Euros could have been better for some of the club’s players, but they certainly could have been an awful lot worse too, so Mancini will be quite content as he launches an assault on all fronts when the new begins.