World Football Gossip Roundup: City's Century, Lewandowski, Debuchy, Buffon

So, Manchester City won the title, and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be gracious about it, right?

Not a chance.

Ferguson's swipe at City's title-winning squad leads the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup on this Monday morning, but there's plenty more on tap.

Raul finally signed with a new club, but Gianluigi Buffon wants to stay where he is. Multiple veterans could be on the move this summer, and up-and-comers are reportedly in the market for moves.

All that is inside, so read on.

Century City

Good ol' Sir Alex Ferguson. Even while congratulating Manchester City on their dramatic English Premier League title win, Ferguson couldn't resist taking a dig.

Here's what the Manchester United manager said, via The Daily Telegraph:

"

"They can go on as much as they like—that's what you would expect—but the history of our club stands us aside," Ferguson said.

"

"

"We don't need to worry about that. I think we have a rich history, better than anyone and it'll take them a century to get to our level of history."

"

Oh, that Fergie. Next he'll be screaming that he won't invite little Bobby Mancini to his next birthday party.

United Want Lewandowski?

While we're on the subject of Manchester United, here's a story that could heal a few broken Mancunian hearts.

Borussia Dortmund forward Robert Lewandowski is unhappy with the offer he has received from the club for a contract extension. Coincidentally, United are interested in the Polish forward's services.

That's according to Lewandowski's agent, who is quoted by Goal.com:

"

"The offer from Dortmund is not enough. I can confirm interest from Manchester United in Robert," agent Maik Barthel told Bild.

Sir Alex Ferguson was in attendance during Saturday's DFB-Pokal final between Dortmund and Bayern, lending credence to reports of Manchester United's interest in Shinji Kagawa, who scored and made an assist in Dortmund's 5-2 win. But Ferguson is apparently also interested in Lewandowski, who netted a hat-trick in that match.

"

Lewandowski scored 30 goals in 47 appearances this season.

Debuchy Too?

One more Manchester United rumor, and then we're moving on.

This last bit of gossip involves Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy, who reportedly will be allowed to leave the club this summer.

Manchester United and Newcastle are both interested, according to Metro:

"

[Debuchy] is keen to move on in the summer and reports in France suggest his club will sell if a £6.5million bid is received.

Scouts from a number of major teams have watched Debuchy this season, and both Bayern Munich and Valencia are known to be interested.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson travelled to France to see him in action when Lille faced Lyon in March and is now believed to be giving serious thought to making an offer.

"

Debuchy, 26, has played for France's senior squad three times. He can play as either a full-back or midfielder.

Buffon Staying at Juventus?

Veteran Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon has pledged his future to Juventus.

Buffon, 34, has a contract through the end of next season and expects to sign a new deal with the Bianconeri.

From Goal.com:

"

"My future? There won't be any problems with my contract renewal. Everybody knows that I want to stay here. Black and white are my colours," Buffon was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"

Buffon joined Juventus from Parma in 2001. He kept 21 clean sheets in 35 Serie A matches this season.

Raul Signs with Al Sadd

Forget seeing Raul in Major League Soccer. The Spanish legend has signed instead with Qatari club Al Sadd.

From the Associated Press, via Sports Illustrated:

"

The Qatar Football Association said Sunday that the Doha club had signed the 34-year-old former Real Madrid and Spain captain to a one-year deal. No further details were released.

Raul was in the stands Saturday to watch Al Gharrafa beat Al Sadd 5-4 on penalties in the Emir Cup.

Raul was a fan favorite at Schalke, where he scored 27 goals in 63 Bundesliga appearances. He won the German Cup and reached the semifinals of the Champions League in his first season with the club.

Raul's signing continues a trend of aging stars ending their careers in the cash-rich Gulf.

"

Carvalho the Starter?

Jose Mourinho is so much fun sometimes.

Today comes a report that Mourinho is saying Ricardo Carvalho is too good to be a bench player. Carvalho, of course, was a bench player all season for Mourinho's Real Madrid.

Anyway, Goal.com has the details:

"

The 33-year-old lost his starting berth at Los Blancos this term and Mourinho has made it clear that they will soon make a decision over Carvalho's future.

"My opinion regarding Carvalho is that he is too good not to be a starter," Mourinho stated at a press conference.

"He's won the league title in Portugal, England and Spain with me and we'll decide what's best for him in the near future."

Carvalho joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in the summer of 2010, and has since made over 60 official appearances for the Primera Division champions.

The defender's current contract runs until June 2013.

"

Sorry, Jose. Just because you say a player is better, that doesn't mean his transfer value will shoot up by 15 percent.

Good try, though.

Competition for Howard

Tim Howard could have some competition for Everton's No. 1 jersey next season.

The Toffees are reportedly interested in 22-year-old Hungarian goalkeeper Balazs Megyeri, currently of Olympiakos.

From the Daily Mirror:

"

Megyeri plays for Greek side Olympiacos and is an under-21 cap for his country, but he wants to come to the Premier League and would cost around £800,000.

Moyes's spies have been tracking Megyeri recently after being tipped off about his availability and they could pounce if there is a summer vacancy.

Megyeri, 22, is entering the last year of his contract but is keen to move this summer. He has made the Greek side's first team but fears they will sign a top keeper in the next window.

"

Howard, 33, joined Everton in 2006, initially on loan from Manchester United.

Zambrotta Out

Gianluca Zambrotta has played his final match for AC Milan.

So says 35-year-old Gianluca Zambrotta.

From Goal.com:

"

The veteran defender will not extend his stay at the Rossoneri beyond this season, and played his last game for Milan on Sunday in the 2-1 win over Novara.

"This was my last match at San Siro. It's very hard to speak during a moment like this. Emotions are taking over everything," Zambrotta stated to Sky Italia.

"It's really strange to see all the others wave goodbye to Milan here. My last game at San Siro is a very special moment, but it will not be the last match of my career.

"I have not decided yet where my future lies, though. We'll see."

Zambrotta joins Alessandro Nesta, Filippo Inzaghi, Gennaro Gattuso, Mark van Bommel and Clarence Seedorf on their way out of Milan this summer.

"

It should be an interesting summer at the San Siro.