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Arsenal midfielder Matthieu Flamini, who is likely to leave the north London side in the summer, has revealed he has been in consultation with former team-mate Patrick Vieira and they have discussed Juventus and Inter Milan.

Flamini has told the News of the World: "I talk with Patrick about Juventus and Inter Milan. I like Italian football and they have been his last two clubs.

23-year-old French international has been unable to establish himself in Arsene Wengers first team and is said to be on the list of the Gunners fringe players to be offloaded in the summer.

Wenger had earlier admitted he had to look at Flaminis situation sympathetically as the youngster wants to play regular football, thereby dropping a hint that he could let him go.

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Sydney FC have discussed about making Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler their prime target, disclosed Sydney chief executive George Perry.

32-year-old Fowler is yet to be offered a new deal by the Reds and with the former England internationals existing contract expiring at the end of the season, a move out of Anfield seems to be on the cards.

The Australian A-League side had earlier shown interest in West Ham Uniteds 41-year-old striker Teddy Sheringham.

"He's been discussed at board room level and it shows just how determined we are to set the benchmarks in Australian football that we are serious about targeting a player of his calibre," Perry told Fox Sports.

"He's out of the top drawer and although an official approach has not yet been made, it goes without saying that if he did come to Australia it would be a huge signing for us."

Fowler has not played regularly this season, which has seen him make just seven starts for the Reds, to add to a further 12 appearances off the bench, and has scored seven goals.

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Lens have refuted the speculation that Premiership champions Chelsea were closing in on a summer swoop for 15-year-old French attacking midfielder Gael Kakuta.

"It is all rumours," Lens administrative director Francis Collado told the club's official website. "Gael Kakuta is under contract with us for two more years.

"If a club is attracted they have to contact us. These rumours are entirely unfounded."

Collado also warned the Blues not to get on the wrong side of FIFA rules.

He added: "If he is contacted when he is under contract and signs for another club, the risk is a six-month suspension for the player and a year ban for signing players by the club.

"These are the rules of Fifa and there is no reason for them not to apply to Chelsea.

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Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel has extended his contract until June 2009 by pledging an additional year to Mark Hughes set-up and even hinted that he might yet agree another contract in the future.

The 35-year-old former USA international was also happy to continue his stay at the Ewood Park.

"I am delighted and it was an easy situation, said Friedel, who joined the Rovers from Liverpool seven years ago.

"I love being here and the fact that the club want me to stay on a little longer is great.

"Rovers showed great faith in me when I wasn't playing first team football at Liverpool and I remember things like that. This has proved a tremendous move for me and I want to repay the club by giving my services for as long as I can.

"I feel in good shape and I hope that some time in the future I will be sitting down to agree another contract - who knows?"

Friedel has performed admirably well at the Rovers and was one of the best keepers on show for the USA at the 2002 World Cup.

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Manchester United-target and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves is closing on a meeting with Bayern Munich officials where the future of the 26-year-old is expected to come up for a discussion.

Bayern went out in the Champions League quarter-finals and their conquerors AC Milan will now take on the Red Devils in the semi-finals later this month.

Hargreaves told BBC Sport: "I wish we had of progressed and played Manchester United in the semis, but it wasn't to be.

"Manchester United and Bayern Munich are similar clubs in that they're the biggest in their countries, respectively.

"They've had a lot of success nationally and internationally over the past 10 or 20 years and have great traditions."

He added: "I'm sure I'll sit down (with Bayern officials) in the next couple of weeks and we'll have a discussion."

United are believed to be ready to pay in excess of £20million for Hargreaves if the Bavarians decide to part with the Canada-born holding midfielder.

After consistently dismissing talks on Hargreaves future, Bayern had shown a change of stance with club president Franz Beckenbauer putting a 30 million euros tag on the player in January.

Hargreaves, who has been with Bayern since 1997, said: "My job is as a footballer - the other stuff I don't control. I'll sit down with the club and these things will be discussed then, not out in the open.

"Franz Beckenbauer is the president of the club and obviously takes a keen interest in the situation.

"It's not very often an offer of that magnitude (United's previous bid) comes about and that's why there's so much interest.
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has said he expects Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to accept a one-year extension to his contract, which otherwise ends in the summer.

37-year-old Lehmann, who has been linked with a move to Spain, wants a more secure two-year deal but the Gunners have stuck to their policy of handing a 12-month deal to their ageing players.

"I expect him to stay," Wenger told the club's official website.

"It's a bit optimistic to think he'd tell us that he wants to stay (with discussions ongoing) but I expect a decision before the end of April."

The volatile Lehmann has often displayed outstanding reflexes with a tinge of a blob here and there, but after joining the North-Londoners in 2003 from Borussia Dortmund, he has been the first choice as Arsenal remained unbeaten to claim the Premiership title.