Barcelona prepare €29m bid for Chelsea's David Luiz

Barcelona have stepped up their
defender search by preparing a €29 million move for Chelsea's David Luiz, Goal understands. The Catalan giants are readying a bid for the Brazilian after making him their primary centre-back target. It is believed that Barca have enquired about Luiz’s availability and have been given encouragement that Chelsea could be willing to sell the 26-year-old. The Spanish champions, who have been rebuffed in their attempts to sign the Brazil international in the past, are putting together a lucrative package to entice the Brazilian to Camp Nou and informal discussions have already started with his representatives. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is unconvinced about Luiz’s defensive abilities and is ready to cash in on the defender and sign a new centre-half, with Doria, an 18 year-old Brazilian who plays for Botafogo, among those on his target list. Barca want to reinforce their back four by signing a left-sided centre-back to provide competition to Carles Puyol, 35, after releasing Eric Abidal.

'Ronaldo is one of the best - not the best' - Ibrahimovic

The Swede wanted to refrain from saying the Real Madrid attacker is the greatest in the game and believes it is normal for PSG to be linked to him Zlatan Ibrahimovic has branded Cristiano Ronaldo one of the best players in the world, but stopped short of suggesting he is the game's finest footballer. Paris Saint-Germain have repeatedly been linked with a move for the Real Madrid forward, whose contract at the Santiago Bernabeu runs out in just under two years' time. And ahead of a friendly between the European giants on Saturday, the 31- year-old claimed it makes sense for a top club like les Parisiens to be associated with the former Manchester United man, who he categorises as among the greatest in the game. v"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world," he told reporters on Friday at a PSG press conference. "The fact that he is often linked to PSG, this is normal, because the project of the club is to become the best in Europe and therefore attract the best players." When the translator for the press mistakenly said Ibrahimovic had called Ronaldo "the best in the world" the former AC Milan and Barcelona forward added in English: "No, he's one of the best - not the best." The clash between the Blancos and PSG kicks off at 20:00CET on Saturday.

DMX -- Yes, It Happened Again ... Arrested for DUI

TMZ has obtained DMX's new mug shot, taken in South Carolina following his DUI arrest. DMX must have a standing reservation at jail -- the rapper was busted this morning for DUI in South Carolina.Highway patrol picked up DMX -- real name Earl Simmons -- Friday around 3 AM ET for allegedly driving under the influence.X was in and out of the Greenville County Detention Center pretty quickly ... around 4 AM ET. He's experienced.DMX has more than a dozen arrests under his belt now -- and was last busted in February for driving without a license, also in South Carolina where he lives now.FUN FACT: DMX was NOT arrested ... at all ... in 2012.

Miley Cyrus POSES NUDE ... Covers Junk

It was only a matter of time -- Miley Cyrus went FULL NAKED for an artsy photo shoot ... but sorry pervs, it ain't exactly a Penthouse spread. 20-year- old Miley stripped down to her birthday suit for a Marc Jacobs t-shirt -- which is part of the designer's "Protect the Skin You're In" campaign to raise awareness for melanoma research. Of course, the slogan is carefully placed over Miley's chest to cover her nipples ... and she uses her hand to hide her hooha. You can breathe easy, Billy Ray ... Miley posted the image on her Twitter page -- along with the caption, "Ts are available at 9 Marc Jacobs boutiques including SanFran, LA, Chicago, New York, Boston, & Savannah GA!"The shirts cost money ... but your imagination is free.

Sevilla slam PSG over Gameiro deal

The Primera Division side's president Jose Maria del Nido was left fuming at the French outfit over their behaviour during the switch, but PSG say they did not break any rules Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido has hit out at Paris Saint-Germain , claiming his club were "mistreated" in the transfer of Kevin Gameiro. The former Lorient star signed a five-year deal with Sevilla on Thursday after protracted talks between both sides, and Del Nido was not amused with the Ligue 1 champions' attitude during negotiations. "We were mistreated by PSG and that's an understatement," Del Nido said at a press conference.
"We had agreed that we would pay €3 million right now, then €2.5m next year and €2m in 2015. But then in the end they all of a sudden demanded we paid the entire sum right away. "And this is just one example of many more events. Each problem was followed by the next problem. This must be the worst transfer talks I have ever been involved in. Fortunately, the player really pushed hard." PSG, meanwhile, have stressed they did not do anything out of the ordinary during talks over Gameiro's transfer. "Paris Saint-Germain are committed to respecting the rules of courtesy and professionalism during transfer talks. When it comes to the transfer of a player, it's legitimate to ask for a bank guarantee from the buying club," a statement on the club's official website reads. "If difficulties arise, we will look for an alternative payment method. This is what happened in the case of Kevin Gameiro's transfer. PSG have done everything to facilitate this transfer and allow Sevilla to complete the deal quickly."

Villas-Boas reveals talks 'ongoing' with Bale over new Tottenham contract

The Spurs boss confirms that his side are looking to extend the winger's deal for the fourth consecutive year as they aim to definitively end Real Madrid's pursuit this summer Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that the club are in "ongoing talks" with Gareth Bale over a new contract. Spurs, who are furious at Real Madrid over the Spanish side's "dirty tricks" aimed at snatching the winger this summer , have been given the green light by owner Joe Lewis to offer their talisman a €174,000-per-week deal. Speaking in Hong Kong ahead of the Asia Trophy third place play-off, he told reporters: "There was contact between the.club and his agent last year and there is ongoing contact between the club and his agent.
"We renewed his contract at the beginning of last season, if you remember, and it's something that is being dealt with by the chairman and the agent. "Talks are ongoing but that doesn't mean there is an agreement. At the moment we're confident that the player is under contract at Tottenham, as was done last year." Bale was named double Player of the Year by the PFA for his 21-goal exploits in 2013-14, with club legend David Ginola telling Goal that the former Southampton star should enjoy being the main man at White Hart Lane for a while longer.

Chadli completes Tottenham switch

The Belgium international finalises his move to north London after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical to become the second summer signing at White Hart Lane Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Nacer Chadli after the winger agreed personal terms and successfully completed a medical. The north London club agreed a fee with Twente on Sunday and the deal for the versatile Belgium international is now complete. Chadli, who has 14 international caps to his name, scored 12 goals in the Eredivisie last season and will provide much-needed cover for Spurs in the final third. A statement on Tottenham's official website read: "The Belgium international is expected to be available for the first time when we travel to Monaco for our pre-season fixture on Saturday, August 3." Chadli is the second new arrival at Tottenham this summer after Brazil midfielder Paulinho joined for €20 million.

Japan military 'needs marines and drones'

Japan should bolster its marine
force and introduce surveillance
drones, a defence review paper
says, highlighting concerns over
China and North Korea. The paper also called for better defences against missile attacks and the potential to attack enemy bases. Japan's military is constitutionally limited to a self-defence role. But PM Shinzo Abe is looking to expand the scope of its activities - potentially a highly controversial move that would anger its neighbours. Japan is embroiled in a bitter row over islands with China and is deeply
concerned by North Korea's nuclear ambitions. The interim report is part of a defence review ordered by Mr Abe, with final proposals due by December. On Sunday, Mr Abe won back control of Japan's Upper House, meaning he now controls parliament and would be in a stronger position to reshape Japan's current defence strategy.