Real Madrid are willing to sign David Villa but have not reached an agreement to buy the Valencia striker, the Real president Florentino Perez has said. "I have spoken to Valencia president Manuel Llorente and we need time to see what they are going to do," Perez said. "If they want to keep him that would be a fitting decision and one I would respect."
Meanwhile Gianluca Atzori has become the latest novice coach to land a Serie A top job after he was appointed to take over at Catania. Atzori, 38, would step up from his role as an assistant coach to replace Walter Zenga, who left for Sicilian rivals Palermo. AC Milan and Juventus recently appointed rookie coaches in Leonardo and Ciro Ferrara. sports@thenational.ae