Attack ... England ace Theo has been hit by racist taunts THEO Walcott’s worried brother announced yesterday he would stay away from England’s games in Ukraine because “some things aren’t worth risking”. Ashley Walcott and father Don will now support Theo from home instead amid fears Nazi thugs could target black fans. And Ashley blasted football bosses for sta...Full Story »

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the surprise name on the shortlist to succeed Alex McLeish as Aston Villa manager. Owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner are considering the former Manchester United striker for the post along with Roberto Martinez, Paul Lambert and Brendan Rodgers. Villa’s first-team coach, Kevin MacDonald, has also asked to be included on the shortlist and has c...Full Story »

Steven Fletcher is ready to turn down any prospective move to Sunderland. The striker, who scored 12 goals this season, has told his representatives he would not leave Wolves for Wearside. Sunderland snub: Wolves striker Steven Fletcher won't join Black Cats Despite their relegation, chief executive Jez Moxey has said Wolves are not under financial pressure to sell their best players. Sunde...Full Story »

IT MUST BE LAV, LAV, LAV ... clubs are lining up to sign £20million Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi CHELSEA and Manchester City will battle Inter and Paris St Germain for £20million Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi. The Argy, 27, scored twice to beat Chelsea 3-1 in their Champions League clash in Italy. Inter and PSG have made their interest known. But Lavezzi’s representatives...Full Story »

Liverpool's search for a new manager took an unlikely and spectacular twist after it emerged the Anfield club had approached at least four high-profile names, including former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola. Anfield officials cast their net as wide as possible in their search to replace Kenny Dalglish by sounding out Guardiola and former England boss Fabio Capello. They have also made formal m...Full Story »

Robin van Persie has told Arsenal he is not ready to sign a new contract. Talks between Van Persie and the club on Wednesday ended in deadlock despite Arsenal offering their captain a three-year deal worth £130,000 a week with a £5million signing-on fee. Sportsmail understands both Manchester City and Juventus have been made aware that Van Persie, 28, will not rush to sign a new d...Full Story »

Barcelona have joined the race to sign Didier Drogba on a free transfer from Chelsea. The Spanish giants are ready to offer the veteran striker a two-year contract to beat off interest from China, Milan or the USA, according to The Sun. Open to offers: Didier Drogba's contract runs out in the summer Chelsea have also offered Drogba, aged 34, a new two-year deal. But the Ivory Coast star is o...Full Story »

Chelsea and Everton target Oscar Cardozo has been told he can leave Benfica, according to reports in Portugal. The striker has scored more than 100 goals for Benfica since joining the club five years ago, but the Paraguayan has allegedly been told he is free to leave as they look to cut their wage bill. With Chelsea and Everton both credited with an interest in Cardozo, competition is likely...Full Story »

Manchester City are closing in on Atletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente - and are ready to pay the €36million buy-out clause in his contract. Reports in Spanish newspaper AS claim the new Premier League champions have already met with the forward's brother Chus, who also acts as his agent. It has been reported that meeting took place on April 27, when Eastlands officials made clear ...Full Story »

TOP TARGET ... Zlatan Ibrahimovic MANCHESTER CITY have made a bold move for AC Milan’s £25m-rated striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Boss Roberto Mancini will pay the Swedish superstar £300,000 a week. That will easily make him the highest paid player in the Premier League, dwarfing even City midfielder Yaya Toure’s £250,000-a-week deal. But, incredibly, Ibrahimovic, 30, ...Full Story »