Football news: Burnley target Mackay and McInnes

BURNLEY are seeking to appoint a Scottish successor to Brian Laws within the next week. They had been hoping to lure Paul Lambert away from Norwich City but having had their initial approach rebuffed, they have now turned their attentions to both Malky Mackay and Derek McInnes.

It is understood that Mackay, the Watford manager, is the preferred option due to his knowledge of the English leagues but whether he can be persuaded to leave Vicarage Road for a club four places below them in the race for promotion to the Premier League is another matter. If he turns down the move, the Burnley board is expected to make a formal approach for McInnes, the St Johnstone manager.

McInnes has dismissed reports that he has already held talks with Burnley officials but the club are known to be impressed by the Perth boss. McInnes succeeded Owen Coyle at McDiarmid Park and is widely considered a rising star of management.

He has experience of the English league from his playing days with West Bromwich Albion and has dipped into the transfer market down south to good effect, recruiting the likes of Jody Morris and Michael Duberry for St Johnstone.

He is also aided by the success of his predecessor, Coyle, who guided Burnley into the top flight following his arrival from the Perth side, before his acrimonious departure to Bolton last year.

Flamengo in for Ronaldinho

AC Milan and Flamengo have reached an agreement for Ronaldinho's transfer to Brazil's 2009 champions, the Italian club's vice-president Adriano Galliani said. "I believe Ronaldinho's chances of playing for Flamengo are at 99.9 per cent," Galliani said in Rio following a meeting with Flamengo president Patricia Amorim. Ronaldinho has also been linked with a return to Gremio.

City sign Dzeko for 27m

Edin Dzeko has completed his long-awaited move to Manchester City. The 24-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half year contract with City, who are said to be paying Wolfsburg 27million for the striker. He becomes Roberto Mancini's ninth signing as City boss. Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz now look set to leave this month.