PSG agree terms for Brazilian Lucas

Paris Saint-Germain continued their spending spree on Wednesday by agreeing terms to buy midfielder Lucas, one of Brazil's most exciting young players, from Sao Paulo, the Ligue 1 club said.

PSG said the 19-year-old, who had also been chased by Inter Milan, would join them in January on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

He is in Brazil's squad at the Olympic Games in London and has also played for his country's senior side.

"By signing a young talent of the quality of Lucas Rodrigues Moura Da Silva, Paris Saint-Germain is already preparing [for] the future," the French club said.

PSG did not disclose the transfer fee which has been widely reported by local media to be about 45 million euros.

Qatari-backed PSG had already spent more than 100 million euros on players in the close season in an attempt to dominate Ligue 1 and challenge for European honours.

New signings have included forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic and defender Thiago Silva from AC Milan and Argentine forward Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli.

Their splurge is bound to raise questions about whether they can fit in with UEFA's Financial Fair Play policy designed to stop clubs spending more than they can afford.

Lucas, an attacking midfielder, helped Brazil win the South American under-20 championship in Peru last year, scoring a hat-trick as they demolished Uruguay 6-0 in the final.

He made his Sao Paulo debut in 2010, having joined the club five years earlier.

Fergie admits bid for Van Persie

Manchester United are trying to sign Dutch international striker Robin van Persie from Premier League rivals Arsenal, said manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"We have made a bid," Ferguson told his club's website. "We're trying our best but there's no progress at this moment in time.

"We're not getting any breakthrough with Arsenal. I don't know what their thoughts are because they're not giving anything away."

Van Persie announced in July that he would not be extending his contract with the Londoners because he was unhappy with the direction they were taking.

The 29-year-old, who has one year remaining on his contract, has been with Arsenal since 2004.

Van Persie was the league's top scorer last season with 30 goals, three more than United spearhead Wayne Rooney who finished in second place.

The new season kicks off on August 18

Suarez renews Liverpool deal

Luis Suarez has paid tribute to Liverpool's "unbelievable" fans after agreeing to sign a new contract with the Barclays Premier League club.

Suarez, who joined the Carling Cup holders from Ajax in January last year, had four years left of his five-and-a-half year deal but agreed to commit his future to the club by penning a new, improved long-term deal.

"To sign a new contract with Liverpool is unbelievable for me because I am so happy here at the club and also in the city," Suarez told the club's official website. "That is important for me and I am very happy with my new contract.

"I am happy off the pitch because the people of Liverpool are good with me and my family"
- Luis Suarez

"When you are a kid, everybody wants to play for Liverpool. I am here now and it is a dream for me, and now I am a Liverpool fan.

"I am happy off the pitch because the people of Liverpool are good with me and my family. I try my best on the pitch and when you are happy off the pitch, you are happy on the pitch.

"I want to say thank you to the fans because they are our 12th player. The supporters of Liverpool are unbelievable.

"Five or six years ago I watched on TV the stadium and the club, and now I play here and the supporters have helped me. That's very important for me."

Olympic duty

Suarez, who has scored 15 goals in 44 Barclays Premier League matches and struck 28 goals in 54 international appearances for Uruguay, only returned to the club's Melwood training ground on Monday after appearing for his country at the Summer Olympics.

But the news of his signing on Tuesday afternoon will come as a boost to new manager Brendan Rodgers, who will have been aware of the interest from clubs interested in acquiring the services of the Uruguay international.

Rodgers, who has been in constant contact with Suarez since arriving at the start of the summer, was pleased at the striker's decision to sign a second deal.

"There were a few clubs interested in him but he's committed for the long term now"
- Brendan Rodgers

"There were certainly a few clubs interested in him but he's committed himself for the long term here now," said Rodgers.

"I'm delighted. When you have the opportunity to work with world-class players it's fantastic."

Suarez added: "[Brendan Rodgers] is a good person. I spoke with him last week and he spoke fantastic to me.

Rodgers praise

"We know what he wants. He wants us to play with the ball all of the time and it's very important.

"I think he is a good manager. I was impressed with the work he did with Swansea last season.

"We played them twice, and they tried to take the ball from us in good positions with lots of pressure.

"I think Brendan will try the same with Liverpool and we will all try to do our best."

Liverpool open their Barclays Premier League title bid at West Bromwich Albion on August 18th.

On Thursday, the Reds host FC Gomel in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round, holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Belarus.