Stefano Okaka’s agent believes the Roma striker could be on his way to Fulham by the end of the week.

Roy Hodgson today revealed that Fulham are exploring the possibility of signing Roma striker Stefano Okaka on loan.

Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni has set his sights on a return to Serie A with Roma this winter, although a deal has yet to be concluded.

Bayern Munich director of sport Christian Nerlinger has rubbished rumours linking his club with a bid for Liverpool forward Ryan Babel.

Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni has been fined €25,000 for his criticism of coach Louis van Gaal.

Bayern Munich’s season appears in danger of imploding after coach Louis van Gaal was given a Christmas deadline to turn their fortunes around, while influential defender Philipp Lahm was forced to apologise after being fined for criticising the club in a newspaper interview.

WHO’S the best player in the word? Barcelona star Lionel Messi? Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo? Liverpool striker Fernando Torres?

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has reiterated Franck Ribery is not going to be sold this summer after discussing the issue with new coach Louis van Gaal.

Wolfsburg moved a big step closer to the Bundesliga title this afternoon with a thumping win at Hannover while Bayern Munich were held to a 2-2 draw at Hoffenheim.

THE head of Norway’s refereeing union, Rune Pedersen, is confident Tom Henning Ovrebo, the referee blamed for Chelsea’s Champions League exit, will ride out the storm of criticism and not cave in to demands that he quit his job.

Bayern Munich 1 Barcelona 1

Barcelona 4 Bayern Munich 0

Luca Toni, Alberto Gilardino and Antonio di Natale are all missing for Italy but Azzurri coach Marcello Lippi still plans to still field an attacking line-up against the Republic of Ireland in Bari.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has defended his decision to leave Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano out of his squad for the upcoming two World Cup qualifiers.

REPUBLIC of Ireland internationals Shay Given and Aiden McGeady are nursing injuries ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria but assistant manager Marco Tardelli has expressed confidence that both will be fit for the game.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has called up in-form Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini for the World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Republic of Ireland.

BAYERN MUNICH coach Jurgen Klinsmann has promised to take tonight’s Champions League tie with Sporting Lisbon seriously, even though he intends to rest several key players after establishing a comfortable lead in the first leg.

BAYERN MUNICH put one foot in the last eight, putting five goals past Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese capital.

Brazil 2 Italy 0

BARCELONA sent out a strong signal to potential Champions League opponents ahead of Friday’s second round draw as late goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi gave them a win over bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Nou Camp on Saturday night.

REAL MADRID secured their progression and kept alive their outside hopes of winning Group H after Raul’s early strike earned them a 1-0 victory over BATE Borisov.

ARSENAL captain William Gallas has risked the wrath of his teammates by claiming they are “not brave enough in battle”.

WORLD champions Italy shared the honours with Greece after a low-key encounter in Athens ended in a draw between the two European rivals.

Diego Maradona's reign as Argentina manager began with a 1-0 victory over Scotland in a friendly in Glasgow tonight.

ITALY coach Marcello Lippi will give former Manchester United starlet Giuseppe Rossi his first senior start in tonight’s international friendly against Greece in Athens.

TWO goals apiece from French starlet Karim Benzema and Fred gave Lyon a 5-3 Champions League victory against Steaua Bucharest last night as the visitors moved into second place in Group F.

ITALY have been given some welcome news ahead of today’s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro with Gennaro Gattuso, Daniele De Rossi and Giuseppe Rossi all passed fit to play.

IN these troubled times it’s gratifying to know that Italy’s coach reads the Irish Examiner.

Bulgaria 0 Italy 0

IN A press conference room just off the hallowed marble halls of the Vassil Levski Stadium, the thin-faced Plamen Markov yesterday pondered the past and future roles of Italian football in his career as Bulgarian coach.

VILLARREAL will be in high spirits ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United after a 1-0 home victory over Deportivo La Coruna yesterday.

Italy 2 Georgia 0

TRAP or Capello? As far as the Italians are concerned it’s no contest after Saturday’s opening World Cup qualifiers – the only question is the amount of egg there will be on Fabio’s face in Zagreb.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi admitted his side were lucky after an injury-time winner secured them a 2-1 victory in Cyprus in their opening World Cup qualifier on Saturday night.

Italy 2 Cyprus 1

Spain 0 Italy 0 (Spain win 4-2 on penalties)

Germany striker Lukas Podolski has again hinted he could be on his way out of Bayern Munich.

France 0 Italy 2

Italy 1 Romania 1

Alessandro Del Piero is ready to take centre stage when Italy face Romania in tonight’s Euro 2008 showdown in Zurich.

Holland 3 Italy 0

BAYERN MUNICH defender Lucio headed into his own net to give Zenit St Petersburg a crucial away goal ahead of next week’s return match in Russia after last night’s UEFA Cup semi-final, first leg ended in 1-1 draw.

Luca Toni’s last-minute header gave Bayern Munich a dramatic away-goals victory over brave 10-man Getafe in their UEFA Cup quarter-final second-leg encounter.

RANGERS dreams of European glory took a knock when they drew a blank against Sporting Lisbon in their UEFA Cup quarter-final first-leg clash at Ibrox.