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General Sports News

Wenger cool over cash

Author: Rose Young
Date: 23/05/2009

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has refused to be drawn into discussions about how much money he has to spend in the summer.

Rumours have suggested that Wenger could be armed with as little as 13million to strengthen his Gunners squad, but the Frenchman would rather keep quiet about the funds available.

Arsenal will have to invest heavily if they are to be considered as football betting favourites for next season's Premier League title ahead of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has once again refuted suggestions that Spain international Xabi Alonso is heading out of Anfield this summer.

Recent reports hinted that the midfielder would be playing his last game for the Reds in Sunday's clash with Tottenham before heading to Real Madrid, if Florentino Perez wins the Spanish club's presidential election next month.

Alonso was linked with a move to Juventus last summer when Benitez was chasing Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

Meanwhile, the agent of Napoli's Argentinian striker Ezequiel Lavezzi has confirmed that his client's current club have turned down a major bid for the player.

The 24-year-old has impressed during his two seasons in Naples, with Liverpool rumoured to be the club to made a firm offer for the versatile frontman.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that his club are in talks over new contracts with both defender Brede Hangeland and goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

The duo have been key figures in the Cottagers' fine season, with Hangeland having attracted interest from a number of bigger clubs, while Schwarzer is in the final year of his current deal.

Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has again stated that manager Mark Hughes still has the full backing of the club's mega-rich owners.

Doubts over Hughes' future at Eastlands continue to do the rounds, but Cook says that the Welshman will be staying and will be in control of the club's transfer dealings.

Scotland hooker Ross Ford has been added to the British & Irish Lions squad for the tour of South Africa after Jerry Flannery was forced to drop out because of injury.

Ford beat off competition from Rory Best to replace the Ireland front-rower, who injured his elbow in training on Wednesday.

Flannery chipped a bone in his elbow and a scan revealed he needs an operation.

Meanwhile, Wales utility back James Hook has also been called up to the Lions squad as cover for injured compatriot Leigh Halfpenny.

Halfpenny will miss the start of the tour due to a thigh injury, although he is expected to recover in time to feature later on.

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