Everton bid for Moutinho rejected

Sporting Lisbon claim they have turned down an £11.8m offer from Everton for midfielder Joao Moutinho.

Moutinho, 21, was part of Portugal's side at Euro 2008 and has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs.

Everton have made an official move and, according to Sporting, they would have recieved more money if Moutinho helped the Toffees reach the Champions League.

Moutinho has a £19.7m buy-out clause in his contract but this can only be exercised before 15 June each year.

If that price is met after this date then certain requirements have to be met for any deal to go through.

Sporting issued a statement on their website confirming Everton's bid and, although Moutinho says he wants to leave, also made it clear they are determined to keep the player.

"(Sporting) reveals that the personal reasons that the player pleads to be transferred are completely unrelated to Sporting and the working relationship it maintains with the player," read the statement.

"... and, as such, it cannot justify in any way an act of management that does not adequately defend the interests of the company and its shareholders."

Everton are yet to make a major signing this summer but have been linked with selling striker Andy Johnson.

Johnson's exit could give them the ability to raise the funds to up their offer for Moutinho, who is seen as one of his country's emerging talents, and test Sporting's resolve.

Premier League heavyweights hand out pre-season thrashings

With three weeks to go until the start of the new season, Manchester United continued the warm up for their title defence with an emphatic triumph in South Africa when they beat Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 in the final of the Vodacom Challenge tournament. The Chiefs won the corresponding fixture two years ago, but this time a first-half goal from Ryan Giggs, plus strikes from Wayne Rooney, Tom Cleverley and Frazier Campbell in the second half, earned victory for the Premier League champions.

The United manager Sir Alex Ferguson used the showpiece match in Pretoria to mix his side up with a game against Portsmouth to come in Nigeria tomorrow. Apart from 18-year-old Cleverley, two other promising teenagers, Craig Cathcart and Rodrigo Possebon were also given run-outs.

It was a comfortable victory for United as the opposition looked weary after defeating Orlando Pirates on Thursday. They could not cope with Rooney's intelligence and movement, and the England striker scored one and set up Cleverley's goal.

A near full-strength Chelsea brushed aside the challenge of Chinese outfit Chengdu Blades 7-0 in Macau, with goals from Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole (2), Franco Di Santo and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Lampard played only the first half, alongside Deco and Michael Essien, with Wright-Phillips given the full 90 minutes. Cole came off the bench to grab his brace in a match that raised funds for the Sichaun earthquake appeal.

Chelsea's west London neighbours Fulham completed their tour of Asia by beating the Korean side Ulsan Hyundai 2-1, thanks to goals from Simon Davies and new signing Zoltan Gera.

Fulham fell behind in the first half when Lee Jin Ho headed past another summer signing Mark Schwartzer, but Davies headed home a Jimmy Bullard cross to draw level, before Gera stabbed home a goalmouth scramble following good work from Fulham's Korean midfielder Seol Ki-Hyeon. Fulham fielded four summer signings - John Pantsil and Bobby Zamora in addition to Schwartzer and Gera.

The Premier League newcomers Hull City, meanwhile, were humbled 4-0 at Crewe Alexandra, who ran out convincing winners thanks to a first-half hat-trick by Calvin Zola and a Nicky Maynard strike. The Tigers, who were promoted to the top flight via the play-offs last season, changed all 11 players at half-time but could not find a way back into the match against the League One side.

West Bromwich Albion, also newly promoted to the Premier League, were beaten 2-1 by Ipswich Town at Upton Park. The Baggies went ahead in the first-half thanks to a 20-yard effort from Ishmael Miller, but were back on level terms within three minutes when Tommy Miller scored from the penalty spot after a Jonathan Greening handball. With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Ipswich's new signing Kevin Lisbie, on as a substitute, fired past Scott Carson in the West Brom goal to seal the victory for the Suffolk side.

Newcastle United were similarly beaten by lower-league opposition, going down 1-0 to Doncaster Rovers. The former Hull striker Stuart Elliot came off the bench to score the game's only goal in the 87th minute, profiting from Luis Enrique's hesitancy in the Magpies' defence. Geremi captained a Newcastle side that also included Sebastien Bassong, who is on trial with the club from Metz.

Rovers recruit Robinson

Paul Ince has made Paul Robinson his first signing as Blackburn boss, paying Tottenham £3.5million for the Tottenham goalkeeper.

Long-serving keeper Brad Friedel looks set to complete his £2million move to Aston Villa after Rovers gave permission for the midlands club to speak to the American and Ince has wasted no time in securing an experienced replacement after agreeing a five-year deal with Robinson.

The 28-year-old will be hoping for a fresh start at Ewood Park after a remarkable fall from grace at White Hart Lane which started when he was dropped as England's number one, and ended with his first-team spot under Juande Ramos threatened by Radek Cerny and summer signing Heurelho Gomes.

On the surface, Ince's first deal as a Premier League manager looks to be a shrewd one as Robinson is nine years Friedel's junior.

The size of the transfer fee is also a modest one for a player who was undisputed England number one under successive coaches before Scott Carson's shock selection by Steve McClaren in the fateful match against Croatia last November.

But 37-year-old Friedel enjoyed a significantly more impressive season than his would-be replacement last year, building on his reputation as one of the top-flight's most consistent performers while Robinson's reputation floundered.

A January horror show against Reading was the last straw in a series of below-par performances and led to new Spurs chief Ramos dropping Robinson in favour of his unheralded deputy, Cerny, for 10 matches.

But the former Leeds man, who joined Tottenham for £1.5million in 2005, responded positively to his demotion and battled back to regain his place in time to play in the Carling Cup final.

He produced some important saves in the surprise 2-1 defeat of Chelsea, helping to end the north London club's silverware drought in the process.

Joyous scenes of celebration at the end of the match even suggested his reconciliation with Ramos could be complete.

But while the Spanish coach wasted little time in bringing in Brazil stopper Gomes for from PSV, his performance in the League Cup showpiece goes to show that Ince has brought in a man still capable of turning in top-drawer performances at the highest level.

Friedel, meanwhile, could become a Villa player in the next couple of days, providing they see off late interest from Manchester City - currently managed by Friedel's former Rovers boss Mark Hughes.

Villa manager O'Neill told the club's official website, www.avfc.co.uk: "We've been given permission to talk to the player and that's something that we want to do. But there are still lots of things to happen.

"We're in the process of strengthening the squad and this is all part of our efforts to add strength in depth."

Former England captain Ince would like to add further new signings to his squad before the start of the new campaign but will be equally focused on ensuring the likes of David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz do not follow Friedel out of the club.

Inter still keen on Lampard

Internazionale have not given up hope of signing Chelsea star Frank Lampard this summer, according to the Serie A club's chief executive.

The England midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to the Nerazzurri, where he would be reunited with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

Although Chelsea are reportedly reluctant to sell the 30-year-old and Lampard is seemingly yet to decide where his future lies, Inter are happy to play the waiting game.

"We will see how things evolve in the next coming days," said Inter chief executive Ernesto Paolillo.

"But that is not to say that the negotiations are over.

"Anyway, we have made sure we have a competitive team even without Lampard."

Meanwhile Inter are on the verge of signing attacking midfielder Sulley Muntari from Portsmouth.

The 23-year-old, who played at Udinese before moving to the Premier League, is expected to complete the transfer on Saturday.

Chelsea not too old, says Ballack

Michael Ballack has hit back at Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's suggestion that Chelsea will be less of a threat next season.

Ferguson said that he did not expect to see "outstanding progress coming from a team in their 30s".

But Blues midfielder Ballack, 31, said: "Our team can still improve. If you are 30 or 31 you are not old.

"Claude Makelele was 34 and played well last season. This sort of banter occurs between people during the summer."

Makelele, now 35, switched to Paris St Germain on Monday, while Ballack has recently joined up with the Chelsea squad on tour in the Far East after helping Germany reach the final of Euro 2008.

He is looking forward to working with new Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge.

"It is different, you know someone for a few moments but now we are together every day and I am looking forward to it," he added.

"We have only talked for a few minutes since he took over but he is a nice person. He is a successful coach and that is why he is here.

"He has not spoken to me about his philosophy but we have a good squad like last year and we can play a lot of systems."

Ballack also revealed that he would like England midfielder Frank Lampard to remain at the club next season. The 30-year-old former West Ham star has been linked with a move to Inter Milan during the summer transfer window.

"It would be fantastic if he could stay at Chelsea," stated Ballack.

"He is a big player for the club and has done a lot for the club but it is up to him. He knows we are all behind him."

Meanwhile, Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa is facing three weeks on the sidelines after tearing a thigh muscle on his debut and is poised to miss the Premier League opener against Portsmouth on 17 August.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Blues in a £16.2m move from Porto in May, managed only 20 minutes against Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical on the Far East tour before suffering the problem.

He was sent for a scan in Macau and it was then decided to send him back to England for treatment.

Blues boss Scolari confirmed: "He is out for two weeks minimum for treatment and he won't be able to play for three weeks.

"At the moment, he is out of the first game against Portsmouth. I have players who can cover."

Tevez waits for United deal

Argentina striker Carlos Tevez will have to wait a while to secure a permanent deal with Manchester United, contrary to weekend press reports.

The 24-year-old scored 19 goals in his first season at Old Trafford, helping the Red Devils to a superb Premier League and Champions League double.

Tevez is currently midway through an initial two-year loan deal, with the forward's representative confirming that his client is more than happy with the way things are going at Old Trafford.

Kia Joorabchian told Sky Sports News: "Carlos has another year's contract left at Manchester United.

"He has an option which United could exercise to make him a permanent player. United are very interested in making him a permanent player.

"They are waiting for the current transfer window to finish before making that decision.

"I believe at the moment the news is that Tevez is extremely happy there, it is one of the best clubs he has played for.

"So he is definitely keen to stay. At some point we will get there, but not today."

Boro challenged by Downing

Middlesbrough's England winger Stewart Downing has admitted that he will leave the club in the future if they do not become a major Premier League force.

The 24-year-old has been linked with most of the Premier League's bigger clubs during his time at the Riverside, but Downing insists he will only move on to further his career.

Downing told The Gazette: "It is unsettling when you are younger, definitely. Obviously if there are big clubs interested in you it is flattering and sometimes you are tempted.

"But at the moment I'm focused on doing my best for Middlesbrough."

"If we become a top team, a Champions League team, then there would be no question about going.

"But if we don't eventually make that step, then one day I might have to make that decision. It's an important couple of years for me.

"It might be good one day to do that, maybe move on and try something different, I think every player likes to try something new in their career and I'm no different.

"There are hardly any players now who stay at just one club throughout their career."

Downing has scored 20 goals in 191 appearances for the Teessiders to date, as well as winning 18 caps for England.