Xavi would welcome Cesc move

Xavi insists he would welcome the competition Cesc Fabregas would bring if he makes a move to Camp Nou this summer. Barca failed with two bids for the Arsenal captain last year and have reportedly had an initial offer turned down this summer too. The Catalan giants are likely to return with a new bid for their former youth team midfielder, 24, despite already having the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. Xavi believes adding a player such as Fabregas to their midfield ranks can only be a positive thing, though. "Competition is always good and Cesc is an extraordinary footballer," he said. "If he comes, it will be to help out." However, Xavi hopes Fabregas does not face the same comparisons he faced himself when he broke through in the late 1990s. Long-term successor? "They put that label on me of being a replacement for Pep Guardiola and it wasn't fun at all," said the 31-year-old. Barca have also kept faith in their home-grown players, though, with 20 year-old midfielder Thiago Alcantara signing a new contract until 2015. "Thiago has renewed and that's great news," said Xavi. "He is a fantastic player with a lot of talent - the competitiveness of the group is great." And although Xavi began last season with a niggling injury after helping Spain win the World Cup, he insists he is feeling fresh ahead of the new campaign. "I feel good physically, I'm very motivated and content," he said. "Last year I suffered some tendonitis in the Achilles tendon but I'm over that. "I'll try to start off as best I can and at the highest level."

Real kid joins Getafe

Real Madrid have confirmed that Pablo Sarabia has crossed town to join Getafe. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has signed a five-year contract with Getafe for a reported fee of 3million euros. However, Real have confirmed the deal includes a buy-back option for the Spanish Under-19 international. Sarabia made his first-team debut against Auxerre in the UEFA Champions League in December but has found his progress blocked at the Bernabeu. But Sarabia has gone on to impress in Real's reserves and in March Arsenal were reported to be interested in securing his services. Getafe will be eager to improve on coming 16th in last season's La Liga, when the Madrid-based outfit finished just a point above the drop zone.

Higuain hoping to stay

Gonzalo Higuain has shrugged off speculation regarding his future by committing himself to Real Madrid. The Argentine striker has been a success story in Spain since moving to Santiago Bernabeu from River Plate in January 2007. He has made over 150 appearances for Real, scoring 77 goals, but that record has not been enough to stop rumours spreading that he could soon be on his way to pastures new. Real are understood to be chasing a number of attacking targets this summer, casting doubt over the future of those already at the club. Higuain is confident he remains part of Jose Mourinho's plans, though, and hopes he can play a leading role in their pursuit of major honours. Competition "My wish is to stay with Real Madrid," he told AS. "I feel very loved by the fans and I want to win many more trophies with this club. There's nothing better than playing at one of the world's biggest clubs. "I am very happy at Real Madrid. "It is clear that you have to work very hard to become and remain a first-team regular at a big club like this. There's always a lot of competition for places. "I am pleased to have the chance to play with the big stars here and want to continue winning things."

Udinese - No Sanchez deal

Udinese say that no club has yet agreed a deal with them to sign Chilean ace Alexis Sanchez. European champions Barcelona have been heavily linked, although their bid falls short of the Serie A club's €50million (£45.3m) valuation. Sanchez has ruled out a move to big-spending Manchester City, saying he would rather stay at Udinese than make the switch to Eastlands. Serie A rivals Inter Milan are also interested in the talented 22-year-old, although no one has come up with a deal to tempt Udinese. The club have no qualms with settling on a transfer fee for Sanchez, stating they would love to have the youngster among their ranks next season. "There are no definite agreements regarding Sanchez," sporting director Fabrizio Larini told Gazzetta dello Sport. "We have no need to sell the forward, who is improving and can still do better. "If no agreement is reached, we would be happy (to keep him)." Enquiry Larini revealed Inter had enquired about the player earlier this year, but questioned whether they would now be able to afford him. "Inter asked us about the player back in January," added Larini. "But we did not even begin any type of negotiation because we wanted to keep him at least until June. "At that time his value was different to what it is now and it has now become difficult for the Nerazzurri to compete. "They have proposed an exchange of players to be part of the deal, but there are other clubs that are ahead of them right now."

Hercules 'adventure' for Trezeguet

David Trezeguet admits he could not resist the 'adventure' of playing in the Primera Liga before hanging up his boots.

The Frenchman joined newly promoted Hercules on Saturday and will link up with his new team-mates for the first time on Tuesday before being presented by the club.

Trezeguet spent ten successful years with Italian giants Juventus, for whom he scored 171 goals, becoming the highest scoring import in the club's history.

At 32, the former France striker waved an emotional farewell to the Old Lady and immediately agreed terms with Hercules, and Trezeguet is looking forward to the challenge.

"I wanted to know the Spanish League, for me it was an important objective in my career," Trezeguet told local radio station Cope Alicante .

"I've seen a team with ambition who want to do things well. I'm very happy to be in Alicante and I'm going to complete a dream.

"After spending 10 years in a league like the Italian, having played at a club as important as Juventus, having won so many titles and being leading foreign goalscorer of the team, this for me is a new adventure."

Hercules got off to a losing start in their first top flight game in 13 years on Saturday as they were defeated 1-0 at home to Athletic Bilbao.

The upcoming international break will allow Trezeguet time to gain fitness ahead of the club's next fixture - a daunting trip to defending champions Barcelona.

Trezeguet is unsure if he will feature at the Camp Nou, but has firmly set his sights on being fit for the club's home derby with rivals Valencia the following week.

He said: "We will see if I play or not against Barcelona, but I'm sure I will against Valencia, which is a game that Alicante has been waiting for for a long time."

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Ihemelu back to old Rocky Mountain waysTrezeguet joins Hercules

Masch clinches Barca move

Midfielder Javier Mascherano has wrapped up his switch to Barcelona from Liverpool after passing a medical.

The Reds reluctantly accepted an Ј18million bid from the Catalan giants for Mascherano last week following months of speculation over his future.

The 26-year-old's desire to depart Anfield became increasingly apparent over the summer, and his wish was granted when his potential switch to the Spanish club was confirmed.

Mascherano, who arrived on Merseyside from West Ham three years ago, underwent separate tests at the Hospital de Barcelona and at Camp Nou earlier on Monday, earning the thumbs up from the club's medical team on the eve of the transfer deadline.

"It was an exhaustive medical that lasted around five hours. He is in excellent condition and is physically great," club doctor Ricard Pruna told Barca TV .

"His cardiovascular level is perfect and he is a player who has had very few injuries. In the last five years he has suffered one injury that has left him with problems."

The holding midfield ace is now set to be officially unveiled later this week after putting pen to paper on a four-year deal.

He will replace Yaya Toure in the Primera Liga champions' line-up after the Ivorian departed Barca for Manchester City this summer.

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Masch desires Barca switchJeremiah White on trial at Chicago Fire

Hercules secure Drenthe deal

Real Madrid have let Royston Drenthe join Hercules Alicante on a season-long loan deal.

The left-sided Dutch player was free to leave Real after being told he did not feature in Jose Mourinho's first-team plans.

The 23-year-old is thought to have rejected a move to Monaco while Fulham were also linked with the former Feyenoord man, who joined Real after being named player of the Under-21 European Championship in 2007.

But newly-promoted Primera Liga side Hercules have secured Drenthe's services until the end of the season.

Drenthe has been a bit-part player since his arrival at the Bernabeu in 2007 and made only 10 appearances last season, including just three league starts.

The Drenthe deal comes hot on the heels of the permanent signings of French star David Trezeguet and Paraguay striker Nelson Valdez this summer.

The ambitious Alicante outfit are eager to secure their Primera Liga status as they prepare for just their second top-flight campaign in 24 years and their first since being relegated in 1996/97.

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Dallas' Shea earns MLS Player of the WeekHercules lead Trezeguet hunt