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Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas says he has been assured by chairman Daniel Levy that Gareth Bale will not be sold this summer. The Welsh superstar is Real Madrid’s top target. But Villas-Boas is adamant Madrid are wasting their time in pursuit of his prize asset. The Portuguese is quoted by Madrid-based paper Marca as saying: ‘We have the pledge of the chairman that Bale is not going to leave the club.’

Barcelona  star  Lionel Messi  and his father Jorge have been summoned to appear in court on September 17 in order to provide evidence against recent tax fraud allegations. A complaint, signed by prosecutor Raquel Amado, was filed with the courthouse in the Gava district of Barcelona last week and it has now been decided that there is enough evidence to summon the Argentine. The Spanish tax authorities claim that the prolific attacker and his father have avoided paying the charges due from sales of the 25-year-old's image rights by operating through companies based outside of the country, totalling over €4 million between 2006 and 2009.

David de Gea  would love  Barcelona  midfielder  Thiago  to join him at  Manchester United  next season, but realises the Spanish champions will not let go of the 22-year-old without putting up a fight. The Premier League giants are keen to add some fresh blood to their midfield this summer and have made Thiago one of their primary targets on the transfer market. "Hopefully I will have a Spanish team-mate at United next season. I, and every other Manchester United player, would like him to join the club," De Gea was quoted as saying by  El Mundo Deportivo .

John Mikel Obi is set to move to Galatasaray and says he is confident that the Turkish side will agree a deal with Chelsea over a transfer fee. The Nigerian midfielder asked former Blues striker Didier Drogba for advice about moving to the club. Mikel says he has spent a long time at Chelsea and is looking forward to life in Istanbul. 'I'm very pleased with Galatasaray's offer,' Mikel told  Sabah , a daily Turkish newspaper. 'I asked Drogba for advice and he told me that Istanbul is a fantastic city, that Galatasaray is a huge club and that I have to make the move. 'I have played at Chelsea for a long time and it's now time for me to leave.

Manchester United  defender  Rio Ferdinand  has backed new manager  David Moyes  to carry on the legacy of retiring Old Trafford legend  Sir Alex Ferguson . The 71-year-old announced his retirement in May after guiding United to the 13th league title of his 26-year reign, with Moyes quickly sworn in to succeed him. Ferdinand believes the ex-Everton manager shares numerous similarities with Sir Alex, and is adamant the club will be as strong as ever under the 50-year-old.

Barcelona have made Chelsea's player of the year Juan Mata their No 1 transfer target. Despite Mata's hero status among Blues fans Jose Mourinho is struggling to fit the Spanish playmaker into his plans for next season. The returning 'Special One' is looking to play Belgian star Eden Hazard in the 'hole' and that may squeeze Mata out.

MANCHESTER UNITED have emerged as favourites to sign Barcelona’s Spanish wonderkid Thiago Alcantara. New Red Devils boss David Moyes has been a long-term admirer of the midfielder, 22, yet knew he was out of reach of former club Everton. But the Premier League champions have also tracked Thiago for the past three years. And they could now prove an irresistible draw for a player who has been frustrated by a lack of first-team action at Barca. United are willing to offer Barca £15million in a bid to see off rivals Manchester City.