North America

+ Toronto FC defeated Motagua 1-0 in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions League tie at BMO Field last night.

+ Paul James: Impressive TFC surprise Motagua.

+ The View from the South Stands: Post-game vlog.

+ Jeremy Loome: The time is right for Toronto to sign academy players Nicholas Lindsay and Doneil Henry.

+ The Los Angeles Galaxy lost 4-1 at home to the Puerto Rico Islanders in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions League tie.

+ Rafa Marquez’ move to the Red Bulls is complete and he will be presented to the media on Friday, according to ESPN Deportes.

+ The Chicago Fire will officially unveil the signing of Nery Castillo at a press conference on Thursday.

+ A report in Expressen claims five teams in Europe are interested in the services of Freddie Ljungberg.

+ Down the Byline: Kansas City Wizards looking to rebrand with new stadium?

+ Some Canadian Guys: Euro updates — Haber, de Guzman and McCallum.

England

+ Arsenal are preparing to make a £5.5 million offer to land Italy’s World Cup goalkeeper Federico Marchetti from Cagliari.

+ Arsene Wenger has once again reinforced Arsenal’s position that Cesc Fabregas is not for sale at any price, having turned down an approach from Barcelona.

+ Arsene Wenger has confirmed striker Nicklas Bendtner will miss the start of the Premier League season due to a persistent groin injury.

+ Roy Hodgson says that Fernando Torres will resume training next week after pledging loyalty to Liverpool.

+ Aston Villa defender Luke Young has emerged as a target for Liverpool – and is weighing up whether to make a cut price £2.5 million move to Anfield.

+ The agent of Royston Drenthe has revealed that the Facebook account claiming the player’s imminent move to Liverpool is fake.

+ Manchester City are on the verge of conceding defeat in the race to sign Edin Dzeko because of the refusal of Wolfsburg to reduce their £35 million asking price.

+ Martin O’Neill on Tuesday night admitted that Manchester City have refused to improve their bid for James Milner, but he would not reassure Aston Villa supporters that the midfielder would be in the Midlands next season.

+ Chelsea have been told they must stump up £33million to sign top defensive target David Luiz from Benfica, or risk losing out in the battle for his signature.

+ West Ham have confirmed they have rejected an offer from Tottenham for Scott Parker, with chairman David Sullivan insisting the midfielder is not for sale at any price.

+ Stoke City are considering an ambitious move for the Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz.

+ Sol Campbell will remain in the Barclays Premier League next season after signing a one-year deal with newly-promoted Newcastle.

+ West Brom have abandoned their interest in signing former Manchester United and Aston Villa midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba on medical grounds.

Spain

+ Mallorca have confirmed the signing of Jonathan de Guzman from Feyenoord.

+ Marcos Senna says that he is honoured to be linked to Barcelona, as the Spanish champions look to replace midfielder Yaya Toure.

+ Barcelona lost more than €77m last season, the club’s vice-president for economic affairs Javier Faus has revealed.

+ Real Zaragoza striker Ikechukwu Uche has suffered another injury setback, with his club confirming he has torn cartilage in his left knee.

+ Espanyol have completed the signing of Mallorca defender Felipe Mattioni on a five-year deal.

+ The president of La Liga has attributed Spain’s phenomenal football success to a deliberate policy among the clubs of promoting young, home-grown players.

Italy

+ Lazio have flown to Brazil with a view to signing Sao Paulo’s highly-rated midfield general Hernanes.

+ There are reports in Russia that CSKA Moscow winger Milos Krasic will join Juventus by the end of the week.

+ Juventus will launch a final bid for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko this week before definitively ending their interest in his services.

+ Juventus’ ultras have made no secret of the fact they want players like Mauro Camoranesi sold this summer.

+ Fiorentina have suggested the deal to sign Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua could be in jeopardy due to the player’s wage demands.

+ Bologna have confirmed they have signed Rene Krhin in a co-ownership deal with Inter Milan, with youngster Lorenzo Paramatti going the other way.

Germany

+ Raúl has signed a two-year deal with Schalke, the club have confirmed.

+ Werder Bremen are hoping to hear positive news on the results of a knee examination for injured centre back Naldo.

France

+ Sochaux have agreed a deal to sign Malian international attacker Modibo Maïga from Ligue 2 club Le Mans.

Argentina

+ Diego Maradona has left his post as Argentina boss after a unanimous vote from the Argentine Football Association.