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Arsenal and Tottenham join the race to sign classy Italian defender

Manchester United, who have been tracking Italian defender Andrea Ranocchia for a while now, are set to be challenged for his signature by Arsenal and Tottenham, the Daily Express reports. Last month, the possibility of a double swoop on Inter Milan from the Manchester giants where they could also sign energetic midfielder Fredy Guarin was touted. However, with reports in Italy suggesting both Napoli and Juventus’ interest, Ranocchia to United appears anything but a done deal.

United are evidently on the lookout for a new defender, and Ranocchia’s consistency at the back for Inter has appealed to them. However, with Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones having fine seasons, and Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling reliably solid when free from injury, it is slightly surprising that new manager David Moyes sees the need for another centre-back. At 25, though, Ranocchia perhaps represents the more experienced option to fill the void that the imminent retirement of Ferdinand will leave.
Despite the interest of these clubs, Inter owner Massimo Moratti remains adamant that the defender will stay at the club. It remains to be seen, how concrete the interest of Arsenal and Tottenham is. Both teams are a man short at the back with the Gunners having sent Djourou out on loan and Spurs having released Gallas, making them perhaps more desperate than United to land Ranocchia.

Wolves defender Richard Stearman looks set for Ireland switch

Richard Stearman looks set to become an Ireland international

Wolves defender Richard Stearman could be available to Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni next season.
Press Association Sport have reported that the FAI is in the process of completing the paperwork which will make the former England Under-21 international eligible for selection.
Stearman, who qualifies through his maternal grandparents, has previously spoken of his hope of winning senior international recognition with Ireland.
The 25-year-old told the East Anglican Daily Times in February: "It's in the process at the moment. I am gaining a passport and citizenship and hopefully that will be not far around the corner.
"All my family on my mother's side are Irish and I am looking to get on the international scene."
Trapattoni has cast the net wide in recent seasons in an attempt to increase the pool of players from which he can select.
Richard Dunne, John O'Shea, Sean St Ledger and Darren O'Dea have been his central defensive mainstays in recent seasons, but he is keen to blood younger players and Everton full-back Seamus Coleman and Wigan midfielder James McCarthy established themselves as regulars last season.
Stearman's club future is currently uncertain with Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy, who took him on loan from Wolves in January keen to make the reunion permanent after a successful spell at Portman Road.
However, the Black Country club are understood to have placed a £1million price-tag on the man they signed from Leicester in June 2008 with new manager Kenny Jackett attempting to convince him to remain at Molineux, where he has a year of his existing deal to run.

The West Germany legend says the attacker was right to choose Florence as his new home, and feels Italy remains an attractive destination for top-class footballers

Franz Beckenbauer has backed the decision of striker Mario Gomez to join Fiorentina from Bayern Munich.

Following the appointment of Pep Guardiola at Sabener Strasse, the Germany international opted to join the Serie A side for a reported fee of £14 million, and Beckenbauer feels the forward has made the correct choice.

"I think Mario Gomez has made the right decision," the 67-year-old told Sky Sport.

"Bayern Munich has an overbalance up front, and Guardiola prefers player types like Mario Gotze. Therefore it's important to separate."

And the 1990 World Cup winner is adamant Italy is still an attractive destination for ambitious footballers.

"When it comes to football, Italy is still a dreamland. Fiorentina certainly isn't a bad address."

Having fallen out of favour at the Aliianz Arena last term after losing his starting berth to Mario Mandzukic, Gomez is set to revive his career at Vincenzo Montella's side.

The 27-year-old, who joined die Roten from Stuttgart in a transfer worth €30m in 2009, appeared 115 times for the Bavarian giants, scoring 75 goals.