The Argentine national team have finalised their programme of friendly matches for the next three months, with various combinations of local and foreign-based players making their case to be included in the Copa America squad.

The domestic Seleccion, including River Plate goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo and prospective Copa inclusion Ivan Pillud of Racing, will have two opportunities to impress Sergio Batista. The squad will host Ecuador in coastal city Mar del Plata on April 20, before facing off against Honduras in Resistencia on May 25.

June meanwhile will see the unveiling of a new Argentina side, one made up of players based in Europe and under the age of 25. The team will take on two African sides, playing Nigeria in Lagos on June 1 before travelling to Switzerland to play Algeria three days later. Details of the squad are yet to be released, but youngsters such as Eduardo Salvio, Cristian Ansaldi and Nicolas Gaitan could get the chance to make a late bid for the squad.

The full squad meanwhile will get one more chance to play together before preparing for a home Copa America. The Albiceleste take on Guatemala in River’s Monumental on June 22, with a squad comprising the 22 that will represent them in July’s competition.

The SuperSport defence is suspect having leaked many goals this season. Gavin Hunt’s men let in four goals in the 4-2 defeat against Golden Arrows on Wednesday, while Stars easily brushed aside Maritzburg United 4-1.

The Bafana Bafana centre back told KickOff.com that he is well aware that Stars will come out with guns blazing but his side will deal with it.

“The truth is that it’s been a tough season for us. Teams which we normally beat, have got the better of us. It’s going to be tough to try and stop the free scoring Stars at home. The fact that they are playing at home means that we have a mountain to climb if we are to go through,” said Gould.

The Nedbank Cup is the only realistic chance for SuperSport to salvage what has been a poor season as they are lingering just outside a top eight spot. However, Gould believes that they could save face if they go all the way to the Final of this tournament.

“We believe that we can go all the way. If we can close the back door and score, why not? This is a Cup competition so it doesn’t have to be pretty, just has to be effective.”

The skipper’s remarks suggest that all that matters to him is a win and it doesn’t matter how it comes.

Reports from Italy suggest that Juventus are ready to step up their efforts for Santos and Brazil striker Neymar, and will make a huge €30 million bid to tempt the starlet across the Atlantic.

Corriere dello Sport report that La Vecchia Signora will make a huge offer for the 19-year-old, who impressed in Santos’ 3-2 midweek Copa Libertadores victory over Colo Colo, scoring an excellent goal before being sent-off for an over-exuberant celebration. The Turin-based outfit have long been linked with the youngster, but were believed to have dropped down the pecking order after Italian rivals Milan and Inter announced their interest.

According to the newspaper, Juve would fund the transfer by hosting a comprehensive summer clearout. Mohamed Sissoko, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Amauri could all leave the Turin giants in order to make room for Neymar.

As well as his Italian suitors Neymar has also been courted by Barcelona and Real Madrid in the past year, and last August was close to joining English club Chelsea before signing a lucrative new contract with the Peixe.

Inter are ready to pay up to €25 million to secure the summer signing of Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez after having met with the Argentine in Milan on Thursday evening, a source close to the Nerazzurri has told Goal.com.

The 27-year-old was spotted in the fashion capital yesterday and was reported to have met with members of the European champions’ board. Today it has been confirmed to Goal.com that the striker is a very real target.

“Yes, Tevez was seen in Milan and there are some strong confirmations he met with Inter directors while he was here on Thursday evening,” said a source. “The feeling is that it was an informal meeting – a request for information to see if he will be available to sign in the summer.

“I think Inter will be prepared to open dialogue for anything up to €25m, It’s not just a rumour, it’s more than that.”

Asked if there were other Italian clubs showing an interest, he added: “If he leaves City and comes to Serie A, Inter are the first in line. They are the favourites to get him in Italy.”

Carlos Tevez | Was in Milan on Thursday evening
The Nerazzurri have taken a big hit this week, with heavy defeats against Milan in Serie A and Schalke in the Champions League leaving them staring at the loss of two of the five trophies they won in 2010. The results have put the future of coach Leonardo under severe doubt, which could also condition the Beneamata’s move for Tevez.

“[The transfer] depends on the coaching situation at Inter,” the source added. “Leonardo will not be confirmed as coach: this appears almost certain. Moratti wants to give him a director’s role at the club like he had at Milan.

“Inter are already looking for a very top coach to come in. So Tevez to Inter depends on who the new man will be and what players he wants. It is a possible transfer market move, but it depends on who the new coach will be.”

The winners of the last five Serie A titles already have Diego Milito and Giampaolo Pazzini to choose from in the centre forward role alongside Samuel Eto’o, but that will seemingly not stop them chasing Tevez.

“Their presence won’t come into it. Inter are keen on getting a strong striker for next season, and they have liked Tevez for years.”

The former West Ham United and Manchester United man handed in a transfer request at Eastlands earlier this season, but withdrew it weeks later claiming to have cleared up his problems at the club. He has hit 19 goals in 27 Premier League games this season and was named today as one of seven players shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award.

Milan star Thiago Silva has claimed that Brazil team-mate Ganso favours a move to the Rossoneri, and that his side had the Santos starlet’s support for last week’s derby thrashing of Inter.

The 21-year-old has been strongly linked with both Milan giants in recent months, and with contract talks with Santos almost deadlocked a move to Europe looks increasingly likely to take place in the near future. Ganso himself has been tight-lipped on what his preference would be; but according to friend and Milan centre-back Thiago Silva, he is favouring the red and black half of the Italian city.

“I spoke with him before the derby and he told me that he would be watching the game on television. He also admitted that he was going to cheer for Milan and that he hopes to sign a contract with us,” Thiago told Corriere della Sera on Friday morning.

“Milan cannot let Ganso escape, because he is a brilliant player. The next time I’m in Brazil, maybe I’ll take him back in my luggage!”

Despite enduring a seven-month lay-off due to injury, the Peixe star has become one of the most sought after players in Brazil. For the Milan rock though, the reasons for the attention are obvious, as he showered praise on the talented number 10.

“I know him well, and I know what he is capable of doing. Even when he plays as the primary attacker he tracks back and marks. He could be the new Ronaldo, because he is certainly the new phenomenon of Brazilian football,” Thiago Silva affirmed.

Milan face an away trip to Fiorentina this weekend as they look to consolidate a three-point lead at the top of Serie A.