Courtois relishing challenge

Teenage goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is relishing the challenge after joining Atletico Madrid on loan from his new club Chelsea. The Belgian recently arrived at Stamford Bridge from Genk but will spend the impending campaign on loan at Atletico, who were in the market for a new keeper following David De Gea's departure to Manchester United. And the 19-year-old is eager to make his mark in Spain following his arrival with the Primera Liga outfit. Courtois said at his presentation: "I'm very excited. I have to work very hard to show that I'm capable of winning the trust of the coach. "On a personal level I want to grow here. I'm know it won't be easy. There is a lot of competition for the goalkeeper's position and I must give my best to prove myself." Regarding his future, the 6ft 6in teenager said: "I would like to stay here. I want to focus on having a good season and then it would be great to stay two or three years here." Shirt Courtois will wear De Gea's old number 13 shirt as he competes with Sergio Asenjo and Joel for a starting berth at the Vicente Calderon. "Joel and Asenjo are two great goalkeepers. Atletico Madrid are a big team and they have to have the goalkeepers position well covered. Having competition in goal is good because it makes everyone one of us give their best," Courtois was quoted as saying on Atletico's official website. "The club have given me this number. It carries a lot of weight because it's the number that the previous goalkeeper wore. I only hope to be at that level." He continued: "I've always had two role models in my career. One is (Iker) Casillas and the other is (Edwin) Van der Sar. I think that I have a style similar to his. Now I want to focus on my work and fight to win things with this club." Courtois is also relishing the possibility of playing in front of 55,000 fans at the Vicente Calderon, saying: "The pressure is something that doesn't affect me - it's something that I think makes me play better."

Cazorla set for Malaga switch

Big-spending Malaga have agreed a deal to sign Villarreal winger Santi Cazorla, according to reports in the Spanish media. Villarreal are thought to have accepted a €21million (£18.6m) bid for the Spain international and Marca claim he will sign a five-year contract in Malaga this week. The ambitious Los Boquerones have already signed France international midfielder Jeremy Toulan for €10m (£8.9m) from Lyon this summer having had a massive cash injection when Qatari investors took over the Primera Liga club last year. Cazorla, a member of Spain's victorious Euro 2008 team, looks set to become their latest addition as they bid to build on their 11th-placed finish last season. A move to La Rosaleda would see the 26-year-old link up with coach Manuel Pellegrini, who he previously worked under at Villarreal. Last week Cazorla moved to play down speculation linking him with a move to Malaga, insisting he was happy at El Madrigal. Villarreal have already parted ways with a key player this summer in left-back Joan Capdevila, who departed for Benfica, while they are struggling to keep hold of reported Juventus target Giuseppe Rossi.

Santos won't sell Neymar

Santos maintain that they will not sell star striker Neymar to Real Madrid this summer. Real boss Jose Mourinho wants a new forward and has been repeatedly credited with an interest in activating the 19-year-old's €45million (£39.6m) contract release clause. It has been reported that Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro has met with Real counterpart Florentino Perez in Paris to discuss the transfer. But Ribeiro is quoted as saying by Intereconomia TV : "There was no meeting in Paris. That was already denied by other members of the board of Santos. Negotiate "They (reports) also said that I was in Barcelona to negotiate for Neymar. People have a very fertile imagination." European champions Barcelona have been linked with Neymar, who is under contract until 2015, as have wealthy Premier League clubs Manchester City and Chelsea. The Brazil international's agent claims that all that remains is for his client to make a decision on when he will leave, because he is said to want to play in December's Club World Cup, where he could face Barcelona. Ribeiro added: "We have no interest in selling Neymar. Real Madrid might be willing to pay the buyout clause, but it all depends on the player. "We are sure of his will to be world champion with Santos. We hope to fulfil his contract here."

Valencia plan Mata stay

Valencia president Manuel Llorente insists in-demand star Juan Mata will not be sold this summer. A host of clubs are thought to be chasing Mata, with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City all credited with an interest in the 23-year-old. Mata has claimed he is happy to stay at Valencia, despite the constant speculation over his future at La Mestalla. Valencia coach Unai Emery admitted earlier this month they may sell if a big team comes in with an attractive offer because of the club's financial problems. However, Llorente is adamant the skilful attacker is not for sale at any price. "The decision is clear and money will not change our position," Llorente told Superdeporte. "Valencia will not sell to any club that wants to buy Mata."

Blues line up Barca deal

Chelsea are set to seal the signing of Barcelona youngster Oriol Romeu. The 20-year-old is set to finalise a move to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea offering €5million. Barca sources have confirmed to skysports.com that talks are on-going but a deal is imminent. Spanish sources also claim that Barca will have a clause in the deal inserted which will allow them to buy highly-rated Romeu back in the summer of 2013. Romeu is believed to be a long-term target of Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas and the Portuguese coach was trying to sign him for Porto before he moved to West London. Romeu, who was also believed to be a target for Arsenal, is now set to fly to England in the coming days to finalise the move. The 20-year-old, a Spanish youth international, made his senior debut for Barcelona in La Liga at the end of last season.

Blues confirm Romeu deal

Chelsea have confirmed that they have agreed terms with Barcelona for Oriol Romeu. Skysports.com revealed earlier this week that talks between the two clubs were ongoing over the highly-rated 19-year-old. The teenager is now due in West London to undergo a medical and finalise the move, although he is currently on Under-20 World Cup duty with Spain. Romeu has played for Barca's first-team but they have agreed to his sale after Andre Villas-Boas made his move. It is believed a deal worth around £5million has been agreed between the two clubs. "I don't want to speak too much about him because he is not our player," said Chelsea boss Villas-Boas. "It is a part of the squad in which we are struggling with numbers because of Michael Essien's injury and Oriol is a player with a bright future. He still has to evolve as a player. "The Barcelona B team had a magnificent year in the Spanish second division, they finished third. Oriol had an injury during the season but he came back late on and was in time to play for the first team. "So he is one of the most promising young players in that position and hopefully we can agree personal terms and hopefully he will pass a medical." Courtois Meanwhile, Villas-Boas insisted that a deal to send new goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois - who is arriving from Genk - on loan to Atletico Madrid was not yet complete. "It is also a question of time and of deciding where we think it is better for him to evolve as a player, in Spain or in another country,' the manager reported. "The Spanish League is an extremely competitive league and Atletico is a great club to be at but it is not decided yet on his future. "It is still a couple of days until we can confirm agreement between all three parties."

'No movement' on absent Fab

Arsene Wenger insists there has been 'no movement' on the Cesc Fabregas situation as the captain missed Arsenal's pre-season training camp in Germany. The Spaniard, who has been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona this summer, has not travelled to Germany after failing to recover from a muscular injury which also kept him out of the recent tour of Asia. A delegation from Barcelona, led by vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, is said to have been in London determined to push through a deal to bring midfielder Fabregas back to Camp Nou, although Arsenal remain steadfast in their £40million valuation. Wenger, who has previously spoken of his wish to keep his skipper at the club, denied anything has happened regarding the player. The Arsenal boss told the club's official website : "The position at the moment is a 'no comment' situation because there is no movement at all." Not recovered "The position at the moment is a 'no comment' situation because there is no movement at all." Arsene Wenger Quotes of the week In regards to Fabregas failing to make the trip to Germany, which will include Saturday's friendly against Cologne and a training camp, Wenger added: "(Fabregas) has not completely recovered from his muscular injury. "It is too early for him, he is not ready.
 "Gervinho is with us. (Lukasz) Fabianski is back. (Emmanuel) Eboue is injured and is behind and (Nicklas) Bendtner is behind.
 "(Abou) Diaby is out longer term so that is why I do not speak about him. We do not count Diaby for August. He will miss the start of the season for sure." Meanwhile, Wenger hopes to sort out Samir Nasri's future soon after the Frenchman was also linked with a move away from the Emirates. Stay He added: "[It is] not completely [sorted that Samir will stay] but I want him to stay. He knows that. Hopefully we can sort that out in the coming weeks."
 Wenger has admitted Manuel Almunia and Bendtner could be leaving the Emirates this summer and says the pair have already been contacted by other clubs. "Alumina has been contacted by a few clubs, Bendtner as well," Wenger said. "As long as the situation is not settled, we have to focus on the coming season with the players we have. "The players who are uncertain, it is difficult for them to focus on being completely committed."