Albin quiet on Magpies

Juan Albin insists he will not decide on his future until the end of the season, amid speculation he has agreed a deal with Newcastle.

The 23-year-old Uruguayan forward has been with Getafe since 2006, after moving from Nacional.

Newcastle are understood to have been keeping tabs on Albin for a number of months, as they look to plan for life back in the Premier League.

Now Spanish sources claim that Newcastle have offered Albin a three-year deal to move to St James' Park on a Bosman transfer in the summer.

Getafe have offered Albin fresh terms in a bid to stop him leaving for free, but it now seems he is set to leave the Madrid-based outfit.

Interest

Speaking about Newcastle's potential interest, Albin insisted he was focused on trying to win a place in Uruguay's World Cup squad.

"This year is very important to me," he said.

"I attend to announce what my future is at the end of the season.

"Like any professional, I don't reject any offer - and Newcastle are an historical club that will return to the Premier League.

"But I will keep calm and study them."

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Fabregas focused on present

Benzema happy at Real

Karim Benzema's agent has quashed suggestions the France international striker is unhappy at Real Madrid and looking to leave this summer.

Italian giants AC Milan have been linked with the 22-year-old ex-Lyon man, but it seems any efforts they make to land the talented forward would end in defeat.

Benzema is happy in Spain and has no intentions of leaving his six-year deal after only one season in the top flight of Spanish football.

"Benzema will stay at Real Madrid because he is very happy in Spain," agent Karim Djaziri told tuttomercatoweb .

"AC Milan? I have not heard anyone and Karim still is very happy in Madrid, where he intends to stay."

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Fabregas focused on present

Zlatan out of Gunners return

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been ruled out of Barcelona's return date with Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League.

Fears were raised regarding his fitness after he was forced to pull out of Barca's Primera Liga fixture with Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Ibrahimovic felt discomfort in his right calf ahead of the Camp Nou contest and was replaced in the starting XI by Bojan Krkic, who went on to score two goals in a 4-1 win.

Barca initially revealed that the 28-year-old would be examined on Sunday, allowing them to determine the full extent of the problem, but have since confirmed that the Swede will play no part in Tuesday's crunch clash with the Gunners.

Pep Guardiola was desperate to have the powerful frontman available in midweek, with his side looking to take the next step in the defence of their European crown.

However, Ibrahimovic, who scored both of Barcelona's goals in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the first leg of their continental contest, will be among those forced to watch on when Arsene Wenger's side arrive in Catalunya.

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Iniesta blow for Barca

Pinto set for new Barca deal

Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Pinto is set to sign a new one-year contract with the Spanish giants.

The 34-year-old reserve keeper is currently under contract until the end of the season but the new deal would keep him at Camp Nou until June 2011.

Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain confirmed the Spaniard is close to pledging his future to the club.

"We are already in contact with his representatives and I expect that soon we will sign," Begiristain told Spanish newspaper Marca .

Pinto initially joined the European champions on loan from Celta Vigo in 2008 as cover for first-choice shot-stopper Victor Valdes.

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Primera Liga round-up

Barcelona continued their charge for the Primera Liga title with a hard-fought 1-0 win at UEFA Champions League hopefuls Mallorca.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's second-half goal proved to be the difference as Barca moved back to the top of the table ahead of Real Madrid's derby with Atletico on Sunday.

Mallorca were unfortunate to lose and came close to scoring after just two minutes when Aritz Aduriz's thunderbolt smacked against the inside of the far post.

Barca keeper Victor Valdes, who had been beaten by that effort, then did well to scramble across his line to parry away Gonzalo Castro's follow-up shot.

The reigning champions had a goal disallowed in the 12th minute for a marginal offside against Pedro Rodriguez, while Gabriel Milito was denied by a superb flying save by Dudu Aouate eight minutes later.

Barca survived a second huge scare four minutes before the break when Mallorca hit the woodwork again. Borja Valero was the unlucky man on this occasion, hitting the post from a 25-yard free-kick.

The winner came on 63 minutes when Xavi's corner was stabbed goalwards by Carles Puyol and, after Aouate could only parry the ball, Ibrahimovic was on hand to slot home from close range.

Real Zaragoza boosted their survival hopes with a convincing 3-0 home win over 10-man Valencia.

Diogo's thunderous finish gave Zaragoza the lead four minutes before half-time before Nikola Zigic was dismissed for a second bookable offence just before the interval.

The hosts made the most of their numerical advantage as Javier Arismendi scored with a crisp volley on 63 minutes and Jiri Jarosik then stuck out a leg to divert a corner past Cesar on 71 minutes.

Tenerife picked up a point in their battle to avoid a swift return to the second tier after coming from behind to draw 1-1 at Malaga.

Pablo Sicilia crashed a powerful header against the crossbar for Tenerife, while Felipe Caicedo hit the post for Malaga.

The breakthrough came when Apono headed home Manolo Gaspars' cross from close range to give Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz's side the lead after 66 minutes.

Tenerife refused to give in and won a penalty five minutes from time, when Patrick Mtiliga brought down Nino, who had looked certain to score.

The Danish defender received his marching orders and Alejandro Alfaro made no mistake from the spot to give the visitors a share of the spoils.

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La Liga round-up

Real Madrid kept the heat on at the top of the table with a 3-2 win over local rivals Atletico at the Bernabeu, while Getafe, Osasuna, Villarreal and Xerez also picked up victories.

Real go back above Barcelona on goal difference after the Catalans had temporarily taken pole position in La Liga.

Atletico had taken the lead when Jose Antonio Reyes curled a nice finish past Iker Casillas, but Real replied with three goals after the break.

Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Gonzalo Higuain turned the tie around much to the delight of the home fans, although Diego Forlan set up a nervy end when he scored from the penalty spot on 68 minutes.

Deportivo were dealt a blow in their chase for European football as top-half rivals Getafe won 3-1 at the Riazor.

Depor drop to seventh in the Primera Division and Athletic Bilbao can move three points clear with victory over Racing Santander on Monday.

Two goals from Miku on 21 and 57 minutes helped Getafe, now two points off the top six, get over their derby defeat to Real Madrid in midweek.

Depor did not help themselves as Ze Castro scored an own goal in the opening period and Riki's strike on 71 minutes proved to be just a consolation.

Miguel Angel Lotina's side have only collected one point from the last 12 and need to improve their form quickly with Getafe now trailing them by only two points.

Sevilla slipped up in their hunt for Champions League football as they went down 3-0 at Villarreal.

The Yellow Submarine moved up with the comprehensive victory thanks to goals from Giuseppe Rossi, Joseba Llorente and Robert Pires.

It was Antonio Alvarez's first game in charge of Sevilla, but they stay fifth after the defeat - two points behind Real Mallorca.

Great escape

Xerez have not given up hope of avoiding relegation this season after defeating Valladolid 3-0 at home to make it 10 points from the last 15.

Victor Sanchez, on loan from Barcelona, scored in the opening minute to put Xerez ahead and further goals from Michel Gonzalez and Mario Bermejo sealed a fine win which keeps their hopes a great escape alive.

Xerez stay bottom of the table but their recent revival has seen them move seven points away from safety, while Valladolid are second from bottom.

Osasuna moved to within two points of Almeria after they beat them 1-0 at Reyno de Navarra.

Walter Pandiani's 20th-minute header ensured the win to end Osasuna's seven-match winless streak as Juan Manuel Ortiz was sent off for two yellow cards after the break.

Both sides remain in the bottom half of the table although they are comfortably clear of the drop zone.

Meanwhile, Espanyol and Sporting Gijon played out a goalless stalemate at Estadi Cornella-El Prat.

Neither side could break the deadlock and they both remain in the bottom-half of the table.

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Pires yet to decide

Villarreal midfielder Robert Pires insists he is yet to decide on his future.

The 36-year-old former Arsenal star's current contract at Villarreal is due to expire in the summer.

He is yet to talk over a new deal but concedes he would not rule out staying at El Madrigal.

"I still have not decided my future," Pires said in AS .

"My future expires in June

"I am prepared for everything, I am waiting to see what Villarrreal wants with me.

"Age should not be an obstacle, personally I feel good.

"I am not playing much, but that is life - I am healthy, what else do I want?

"I still do not know what I will do, if I will continue or retire, or go back to France.

"The only thing that is clear is that I am going to enjoy every last moment."

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