OFFICIAL: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Set For Barcelona Medical On Sunday

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will arrive at Camp Nou this weekend.

Barcelona have announced that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will undergo a medical in the Catalan capital on Sunday before he puts pen-to-paper on his contract and completes his move from Inter.

The Swedish striker has agreed personal terms with the Catalan outfit and the deal is finalized between the Blaugrana and the Serie A giants and the next step is for him to be medically examined by the European champions' club doctors.

"Zlatan Ibrahimovic will arrive in Barcelona on Sunday to undergo a medical with the Blaugrana as every player who moves clubs has to do," Barca's official website stated.

"After Barcelona reached an agreement with Inter to sign the Swedish international he now needs to undergo a series of medical tests before putting pen-to-paper on a deal to join the club."

Barcelona have also given the green light for Samuel Eto'o and Aliaksandr Hleb to travel to Italy to have their own medicals with Inter, confirming that the pair will sign for the club despite the Belorusian's objections.

"In the other direction FC Barcelona have given permission for Samuel Eto'o and Aliaksandr Hleb, who have been included in the recent transfers, to travel to Milan and undergo medicals with Inter," the Barca site added.

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Rafael Benitez: Javier Mascherano Is Important To Liverpool

(Goal) - The midfielder has been handed the captain's armband as the Reds underline their desire to keep him.

As Javier Mascherano replaced Jamie Carragher in the second half of the friendly against Thailand, he took over the captain's armband, leading Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez to claim that this shows the club desperately wants the anchoring midfielder to stay.

Throughout the summer the Argentinian midfielder has been linked with a move to European champions Barcelona, but Benitez remains defiant.

"More or less it's the same situation. He knows our ideas, he worked hard in Thailand and he had the armband, so he knows he is important to the club," Benitez said to ESPN.

The Liverpool boss also claimed that a lot of the rumors linking his charge with a move away from Anfield were created by the media.

"You have to know that nowadays, there are too many media people who have to complete their work everyday. So sometimes you read news that is 15 days ago," he explained.

Liverpool have yet to record a victory in their three pre-season friendlies, which were against against St. Gallen, Rapid Vienna and Thailand.

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Roddick tweets he will make his ATP return at Washington

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Andy Roddick will play his first tennis tournament since a heartbreaking loss to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final at next month's ATP event in Washington, the US star indicated on Tuesday.

Roddick posted an internet message on his Twitter site saying he will take part in the hardcourt event that runs from August 2-9.

"I keep getting asked when my next tourney will be.... I will see all of u in Washington in two weeks," Roddick wrote in a posting, known as a tweet.

Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion, pulled out of the US Davis Cup quarter-final tie at Croatia the week after Wimbledon with a right hip injury and also pulled out of this week's ATP event at Indianapolis.

Roddick tumbled on the grass at the All-England Club in the fourth set in the final on July 5 but played more than 95 more minutes through the longest fifth set in Grand Slam final history before losing to the Swiss star 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 16-14.

Federer won a sixth Wimbledon title and record 15th Grand Slam title but needed four hours and 16 minutes to subdue Roddick.

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AC Milan Linked With Barcelona Captain Carles Puyol

The Euro 2008 winner is now on the radar of the Rossoneri, as they monitor his contract situation.

AC Milan are considering a bid for Barcelona defender Carles Puyol, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.

Apparently, the player is waiting to be offered a contract renewal, as his current deal expires in 2010. The Spanish international would like an extension until 2012, but the club are still considering their options.

The Rossoneri are reportedly ready to step in. Puyol has never hidden his admiration for the Italian outfit and their vice-president, Adriano Galliani, has compared Puyol to the legendary Paolo Maldini in the past.

The 31-year-old has spent his entire career with the Catalans, making over 400 appearances in all competitions and playing a part in two Champions League titles.

Meanwhile, free-spending Premier League side Manchester City have also expressed an interest in the Spain defender.

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Pepe: Real Madrid Must Help Cristiano Ronaldo Shine

The centre-back has made it clear that the Merengues must not rely on CR9 alone to deliver the goods.

Real Madrid defender, Pepe is confident that the club will return to their glory days with the resurgence of the Galacticos dynasty, and in particular the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese centre-back believes that his compatriot will be able to help Los Blancos rake in silverware, but he warned that the team must always be there to help him.

“He can bring many things to Madrid, certainly titles. But Cristiano can’t do it alone because he doesn’t play by himself and that is something everyone must realise,” he said in an interview with AS.

“He has the whole team behind him and he has to work hard, too. If we are consistent, Cristiano will be able to shine. With his quality, his class and his talent he will help us a lot in fighting for all the titles,” he added.

Pepe then backed up coach, Manuel Pellegrini’s claims that Ronaldo has shown nothing but professionalism since joining training and he does not behave like a megastar.

“It’s normal that people have a distorted image of Cristiano because the press nowadays focus more on the issues off the pitch,” he affirmed.

“But Cristiano is very professional. He is very focused on his football and he follows the timetable exactly. He is a humble man, despite of all his surroundings. He doesn’t lose sight of the fact that he’s from Madeira.”

When asked if there would be any form of envy in the dressing room, Pepe replied, “For the time being, everything is going brilliantly. Everyone jokes around with him and soon, he will integrate fully into his new environment.”

Finally, the 26-year-old spoke about his return to the game following a ten-match ban towards the end of last season when he assaulted opponents, Javier Casquero and Juan Albin.

“I’m still suspended for four more games but that episode is in the past now,” he acknowledged.

“It’s been very difficult for me but I have recovered recently. Plus, I also understand better what happened with Casquero and I am calm about it. I have already apologised to him publicly and I believe that everyone deserves a second chance.

“I am a man who always likes to win and to defend the shirt of Real Madrid till the very end.”

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