North America

+ Multiple reports in Spain and France claim Rafa Marquez will be granted a release for a free transfer out of Barcelona — but only if he signs with the Red Bulls.

+ Spanish paper La Vanguardia claims that Espanyol striker Raul Tamudo is pondering an MLS offer.

+ The Chicago Fire have traded midfielder Justin Mapp to Philadelphia Union for allocation money.

+ The Kansas City Wizards say they sold 700 season tickets after their exhibition win over Manchester United.

+ Duane Rollins: Clichés about half-full glasses.

England

+ Mario Balotelli is on the brink of joining Manchester City from Inter for an initial £24million. The 19-year-old is believed to have agreed terms on a £65,000 a week five-year contract.

+ Javier Mascherano has told Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson that he wants to leave the club for Inter Milan.

+ Caught Offiside: Ryan Babel — an Anfield man who is very misunderstood. (Hat-tip Kevin Smith)

+ Chelsea hope to secure the capture of Benfica’s Brazil midfielder Ramires this week, when he returns to Lisbon from his post-World Cup break.

+ Harry Redknapp has raised fears for Jonathan Woodgate’s career after revealing that the central defender remained "nowhere near" a return to fitness despite spending significant periods of the past eight months consulting with the world’s leading specialists on his groin problem.

+ Owen Hargreaves faces the prospect of being ruled out of Premier League action until January under new rules.

+ Sol Campbell is due to have a medical with Newcastle this afternoon with a view to signing for the newly-promoted Barclays Premier League club.

+ Nice chairman Gilbert Stellardo has revealed that West Ham United are the only English club to be in contact over striker Loic Remy.

+ Marcos Alonso says he turned down the chance to sign for Benfica in order to play with Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium this season.

+ Paul Scholes has revealed he regrets rejecting an England comeback at the World Cup and may have gone to South Africa had Fabio Capello made the offer instead of his No2, Franco Baldini.

Spain

+ Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart insists that he won’t be leaving the club this summer and claims that reports which suggested otherwise saw him ”misquoted”.

+ Barcelona board spokesman Toni Freixa has revealed Arsenal are simply unwilling to negotiate the sale of Cesc Fabregas.

+ Barcelona have agreed to loan Brazilian defender Henrique to Racing Santander for another season.

Italy

+ Roma captain Francesco Totti insists he was joking when he said that referees helped Inter steal a couple of Scudetti from his side.

Germany

+ Raúl says he is considering a move to England following his departure from the Bernabéu, denying a deal with Schalke has already been done.

+ American defender Steve Cherundolo has been named as the new captain of Hannover.

+ Fredi Bobic has been named Stuttgart’s new director of sport following Horst Heldt’s acrimonious departure for Schalke.

Russia

+ FC Porto captain Bruno Alves looks set to finalise his transfer to Zenit St-Petersburg, according to reports in Portugal.

+ Jonathan Wilson: Zenit St Petersburg reach pivotal stage in their relentless title march.

Netherlands

+ Martin Jol is to make a double move to strengthen his Ajax attack, agreeing deals to bring in Mounir El Hamdaoui and Mido.

Brazil

+ New Brazil coach Mano Menezes has stamped his mark firmly on the Selecao by only including four players from their World Cup campaign in his first squad.

Iraq

+ Iraq’s international future could be in jeopardy after elections to select a new Iraq Football Association board were postponed.