The Sick Puppies™: December 2010

Hodgson targets Elia to help turn Liverpool's season around

Reports suggest that Liverpool are ready to make a move for Hamburg hotshot Eljero Elia as they bid to turn their woeful season around.

Elia, 23, is regarded as one of the best forwards in the Bundesliga and has been attracting interest from a number of top clubs across Europe.

Liverpool's under-fire boss Roy Hodgson is keen to strengthen his squad in January and knows he needs more firepower following their shock home defeat against Wolves.

The deal could hinge on Ryan Babel being sold in the January transfer window as Elia would be a natural replacement for his compatriot.

Behrami on verge of West Ham exit

West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami has moved a step closer to making a move to Roma after the Italian club gave the green light for Julio Baptista to join Malaga.

Behrami has been strongly linked with a £4.5m move back to Serie A, but the deal was strongly dependent on Roma allowing Baptista to leave the club.

Italian bank Unicredit are Roma's majority shareholders and they have now given the go-ahead for Malaga to complete the £2m purchase of Baptista.

The Swiss international is keen to finalise his move back to Italy in the next few days and West Ham will be eager to bring in their own funds as they look to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window.

Ferguson recalls two United players from Preston

Sir Alex Ferguson has reacted to the sacking of his son Darren by Preston North End by recalling two of the Manchester United players who had been on loan at the club and starting a potential legal battle to make sure a third cannot play for them again.

Ferguson has recalled the defender Ritchie de Laet and the striker Joshua King and has also made it clear he wants the England Under-20 midfielder Matty James to return to Old Trafford.

"This has come as a shock to us and a bit of a blow," Preston chariman, Maurice Lindsay, said today.

"Ritchie de Laet and Joshua King won't be available for Saturday's game [against Derby] because we got a message from Manchester United this morning to inform us that they had been summoned back immediately and, under the terms of the agreement, they can do that.

"It's a big blow for us. These are two players, young and enthusiastic, who seemed to be enjoying it at Preston, so to be told by their parent club that they can't play for us again really is sad indeed."

De Gea not interested in United move

United sent the club's goalkeeping coach Eric Steele to watch the 20-year-old a number of times this season in La Liga, as Sir Alex Ferguson searches for a replacement for Edwin Van Der Sar, but the Spanish goalkeeper has insisted he is happy at Atletico Madrid and a move away doesn’t interest him at all.

"I have had a very good year," the youngster told AS. "I have said that I am very comfortable at Athletic because it is my old club. I would like to be here for a long time, winning titles.

"I am very happy here with my family and my people because when things are going well it is not necessary to change anything."

Liverpool’s first January signing

Liverpool’s first signing under the new director of football strategy Damien Comolli is predictably set to be a Frenchman.

Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux was sat in the directors box at Anfield during last night’s defeat to Wolves, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The former French under 21 international has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea in the past and can play in a variety of positions across midfield. The Echo believes that although no deal has yet to be agreed, the 24 year old is out of contract in the summer and would command a very modest fee of £1.5million.

Given that Roy Hogdson has in the past suggested we “don’t play with wingers”, and Marveaux is a French winger, it suggests this one might not exactly be his signing.

Man City 'close' to Diarra deal

Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud has admitted Alou Diarra could be close to joining Manchester City despite no approach being made as yet.

"We have not had any approach from them to now," said Triaud in an interview in France.

"But this does not mean they are not close to the player.

"But I would just like to reiterate the market begins in a week and by then, the rumours will multiply. As usual."

City in 'advanced talks' to bring in Dzeko

Sky Sports News sources understand City are in 'advanced talks' to bring in Dzeko when the January transfer window opens for business.

However, Wolfsburg's managing director Dieter Hoeness is refused to confirm the rumours.

"There is a transfer window approaching, players will be able to change clubs during the course of January," Hoeness told Bild.

"As usual, there will be a lot of rumours and speculation every single day.

"VfL Wolfsburg is not prepared to add anything to this, nor will we be out to value any rumour.

"Edin Dzeko is a VfL Wolfsburg player, Edin Dzeko has a contract with our club."

David Seaman: Arsenal left Ashley Cole out to dry

Arsenal goalkeeping legend David Seaman believes Ashley Cole was “hung out to dry” by the Gunners when he quit for Chelsea.

Cole expects plenty of terrace taunts from Gooners when the teams meet tomorrow at The Emirates.

The England defender left Arsenal in 2006 in acrimonious circumstances after being found guilty of secretly meeting Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

And now Seaman has talked about the episode, telling the Daily Star Sunday: “Ashley Cole got dealt with badly at Arsenal and he was hung out to dry a little bit – and that is all I can really say.”

Chelsea, Mourinho and Cole were handed record penalties in the Premier League’s tapping-up inquiry into their meeting at a restaurant in January 2005.

“My mum said I had to go to school first,” said Essien, recalling his youth in his quiet, unassuming way.

“People used to say that it was only street boys who played football. It meant you were no good at school - and that was important to me.”

But as Essien’s Chelsea prepare to face Arsenal on Monday, the “street boy” is hoping to show why he is such a vital member of a Chelsea team fighting to regain their form after a troubled few weeks.

“I am really looking forward to it,” he said of the forthcoming duel against Arsène Wenger’s men. “It should be a great game. They are a great team, and difficult to play against. It’s always difficult to go there. But we will do our best and take the fight to them.”

Certainly, manager Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping that Essien’s fighting spirit will reinvigorate his ailing side.

Chelsea consider Beckham move

According to tribalfootball, Chelsea are chasing LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham.

The Sunday Mirror says Chelsea and Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid are moving for the England ace.

A nostalgic return to Real Madrid - where he spent four years following a move from Manchester United in 2003 – will almost appeal to Beckham.

Beckham has always maintained that he is unlikely to play for another English club other than Manchester United.

However with Chelsea out of form and struggling with injuries to key players, Ancelotti will set out some persuasive arguments to convince Beckham to come to Stamford Bridge next month.

Inter appoint Leonardo

"Welcome, Leonardo is the coach of Inter," a statement said on Inter's website just hours after president Massimo Moratti had said there would be no announcement until December 27 at the earliest.

"A few minutes ago an agreement was signed which will tie him to the club until June 30, 2012." the statement continued.

The 41-year-old also played for Milan before becoming technical director there and has no prior links to Inter, making the decision to appoint him all the more strange to the hordes of baffled Tweeters and newspaper columnists.

"Unbelievable", "traitor" and "downright weird" were just some of the terms used on Twitter to describe the move

Liverpool offer £8.5m for FC Utrecht striker

Liverpool have offered FC Utrecht £8.5million for their prolific striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel and are now waiting for a response.

Reports in Holland are saying that the Eredivisie side will decide whether to accept the offer over the weekend and give Liverpool an answer next week.

Van Wolfswinkel is one of Europe's top strikers and has hit 11 goals in just 17 starts for 10th-place Utrecht this season.

Liverpool played Utrecht in this season's Europa League group stage and were said to have been impressed by his performances, even though he didn't score as the pair drew 0-0 both times they played.

Liverpool are the only side to have made a bid for the 21-year-old so far, according to said reports.

'New Didier Drogba' stuns Chelsea by revealing he dreams of playing for Real Madrid

Belgium teen sensation Romelu Lukaku has launched an astonishing come and get me plea to Real Madrid in an interview that will stun his English suitors.

The 17-year-old Anderlecht striker is a Chelsea fan and has long been seen at Stamford Bridge as having the potential to be the next Didier Drogba. It has been claimed they tried to sign him as a 13-year-old.

Lukaku has refused to move while he matures and finishes his school studies in Belgium, though a move at the end of the season seems inevitable.

'We’ll see in June, but for now I don’t want to hear about it,' he said. 'I feel happy at Anderlecht.

'But I am ready for the big jump when the time comes. I am very ambitious. I will then do everything to convince people that I was worth so much money.'

Anderlecht are expected to demand at least £15million for their No 14. Mourinho is looking for a physical centre forward, though his first choice is Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente - and a move for Lukaku may hinge on either missing out on the Spaniard or Karim Benzema's exit from the Bernabeu.

Internazionale have parted company with coach Rafael Benitez.

"FC Internazionale and Rafael Benitez have reached a satisfactory consensus and agreed to the early termination of their relationship," a statement on Inter's official website read.

"Inter thanked Rafael Benitez for his work in leading the team which experienced success in the Italian Supercup and FIFA Club World Cup.

"Rafael Benitez thanked Inter for the important professional experience (of being in charge) and for their victories together."

Striker leaves Liverpool

Hungarian striker Andras Simon has left Liverpool after terminating his contract by mutual consent.

The 20-year-old's agent, Viktor Kovesdi, claims Roy Hodgson's desire to promote homegrown talent at Anfield ahead of foreign players was the main reason for his departure.

"The player had a three plus two year-long contract which was extended automatically last summer, but his future became unclear after the change in manager at Liverpool," Kovesdi told origo.hu.

"The successor of Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson puts the English players to the forefront instead of the footballers from abroad.

"This approach can be seen at the reserves because some of Simon's team-mates from abroad have departed from the club lately" - the agent told www.origo.hu.

Roman Abramovich sues Daily Mirror

Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich is suing Mirror Group Newspapers over a Daily Mirror article that claimed towards the end of last season that manager Carlo Ancelotti had three weeks to save his job.

The Daily Mirror article, published on 23 March this year, was "highly sensational", "inflammatory" and defamatory according to a writ from the club and its owner lodged at the high court in London.

"The defendant chose to publish this false and obviously damaging (and destabilising) 'story' that Mr Ancelotti had been issued with an ultimatum without bothering to check it with the claimants prior to publication, despite the obvious ease with which this could have been done and in breach of the most basic tenets of responsible journalism," the writ states.

It said that the piece suggested that Chelsea had put their manager under "intolerable pressure, peremptorily issuing him with a strict ultimatum that he had just three weeks to save his job".

Italy international Balotelli finished ahead of Arsenal and England midfielder Wilshere for the Turin sports newspaper's award, and reckons he was a deserving winner.

"I am delighted to receive this award," said Balotelli to Tuttosport.

"Who should have won this award but me? Two years ago I finished sixth and a year ago fourth. It was finally my turn.

"I don't know who Wilshere is but the next time I play against Arsenal I will keep a close eye on him.

"Perhaps I can show him (Wilshere) the Golden Boy trophy and remind him that I won it!"

Italian Media: Benitez to get sacked.

Rafael Benítez will be sacked by Inter Milan despite winning the Club World Cup on Saturday, a leading Italian newspaper has claimed this morning.

"Benítez e' Fuori!" [Benítez is out] read the front page of this morning's Gazzetta dello Sport. The paper names Zenit St Petersburg manager Luciano Spalletti as favourite to replace Benítez, with former AC Milan manager Leonardo as an alternative.

Inter owner Massimo Moratti has refused to comment on the speculation, saying "I prefer not to talk today to avoid the risk of creating controversies."

Benítez called for the backing of the Inter board after Saturday's victory over Congolese side TP Mazembe in Abu Dhabi which clinched the Club World Cup trophy for Inter. But according to reports in Italy, Moratti has decided to replace the Spaniard after just six months in charge.

It has been confirmed today that promising young Japanese forward Ryo Miyaichi will join Arsenal in January after impressing on trial.

"He trialled with us in the summer and has raw ability which has attracted many clubs around the world," Wenger said on the club's official website.

"I look forward to helping him fulfil his potential here at Arsenal."

The Chukyodai Chuyko High School student has been capped at youth level by Japan.

Boniperti holds back the tears

Juventus legend Giampiero Boniperti admits he had to fight back the tears on hearing that his grandson Filippo played against Manchester City on Thursday night.

The 19-year-old earned a rave review for his second half cameo from Juventus boss Gigi Del Neri, who told the club's official TV channel: “He carries a name, perhaps the most important in the history of Juventus. He has all the qualities to honour it.”

As for Boniperti, the occasion clearly made him very emotional.

“You don't cry out of happiness,” he said. “But this time you almost could.

“I didn't see the game. I closed myself in a room alone and listened to the commentary on the radio. Hearing 'Del Piero passes to Boniperti' gave me chills. Filippo was very emotional. In the last few days he told me about his anxiety. I am very happy for him. Making your debut with the Juventus shirt is a wonderful thing, a day that you can't forget.

“My son Giampaolo just called me from the stadium. You know, fathers are always stronger than grandfathers.

“I spent the moment alone. I don't even know what my wife did. But she was also agitated. As a boy I dreamed of playing at least one game with the Juventus shirt, not only did I play 462 I also saw my grandson wear the same shirt. It was very beautiful.”

Blackburn sack Sam Allardyce

Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce became the second mid-table Premier League manager to be sacked in eight days after the club’s new Indian owners announced his departure with immediate effect on Monday.

“We have taken this decision as part of our wider plans and ambitions for the club. We would like to put on record our thanks to Mr. Allardyce for his contribution,” said a statement on the club’s website (http://www.rovers.co.uk/).

“I am very shocked and disappointed to be leaving Blackburn Rovers,” Allardyce said in a statement on the website of the League Managers’ Association (http://www.leaguemanagers.com/).

“I am extremely proud to have managed this club and I enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the players, my staff and the supporters during my time in charge. I now wish them and the football club every success for the future.”

Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA said; “When new owners take over a club, sadly, the manager’s position often hangs by a thread. To Sam’s great misfortune this has now happened twice and, on both occasions, it has been extremely difficult to understand the thinking behind the dismissal.”

City reject Tevez transfer request

Manchester City have released an official statement confirming reports that Carlos Tevez has handed in a transfer request, and the club revealed they have rejected the striker's demand.

A statement on City's official website read: "It is with disappointment that we confirm to our supporters that Carlos Tevez has submitted a written transfer request. The club can also confirm that the request has been rejected.

"The club remains disappointed by this situation and particularly with the actions of Carlos' representative. Roberto Mancini and all at the club have shown, and will continue to show, sensitivity to Carlos' personal circumstances including the issue of his family being based overseas. Indeed following his suspension as a result of the game against Bolton, Carlos requested, and was given, special dispensation by the manager to take leave overseas."

Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez has shocked the club by handing in a transfer request, according to newspaper reports.

The Argentine, who joined City after a spell at Manchester United, is reported to have handed in the request this week. Manchester City have declined to comment.

Tevez has scored 39 goals in 60 appearances, but his relationship with boss Roberto Mancini is believed to be damaged beyond repair.

And the pair were involved in a touchline bust-up after Tevez was substituted in the recent win over Bolton.
The pair exchanged angry words on the touchline, with Tevez clearly annoyed at Mancini's decision to replace him with James Milner despite the fact he had scored the only goal.

Subsequently, Tevez did not attend the players' Christmas party.

Alan Pardew has become Newcastle United's 12th manager in 13 years, charged with restoring the club to former glories in an atmosphere of discontent around the city.

"It's a massive club and I am privileged to be here," Pardew told a news conference.

"It is fairly obvious that the players and the fans had great respect for Chris Hughton and the fact that he has gone has caused quite a stir and some people are upset about it," the 49-year-old said.

"I know the fans are frustrated. They probably thought they had some stability with Chris and that has gone.

"With the record of managers they have had here, it does not bode well, but I have tried to get in that contract a situation that they have to show faith in me."

"I have had a lot of texts from managers saying 'you must be mad going there', but I would never be able to live with myself if I did not take that challenge on." he added.

"The problem I am going to have initially is the players and making sure I get my message across quickly and with clarity." he concluded.

Iran want Eriksson as manager

The Iranian FA has expressed an interest in hiring Sven-Goran Eriksson as national team boss but played down reports linking Diego Maradona with the role.

Abbas Torabian, head of recruitment for the Iranian FA, has told Eurosport that the search for a replacement for current incumbent Afshin Ghotbi - who will remain in charge until the conclusion of the January Asian Cup in Qatar - is underway.

"We would be very happy if we got Mr Eriksson," Torabian said. "He has a lot of experience."

"We will decide after the Asian Championships who the new coach will be," he explained. "If we choose a foreigner I will be in charge of the recruitment. We have not met Mr Eriksson yet. There are too many newspapers in Iran, and they like to make things up."

"One thing is for certain: the job will not be offered to Diego Armando Maradona despite rumours that say otherwise," added Torabian.

"We have not met Maradona either; and I want to make it clear that we would love to invite him and other great players to Iran. But we do not want him as our next national coach."

United have first disposal on Italian star

According to Sport.co.uk Manchester United have a 24-hour first refusal clause on Villarreal forward Giuseppe Rossi.

Barcelona have been linked with a January move for the 23-year-old, however, any formal offer lodged by potential suitors will be reported to Sir Alex Ferguson who will then have the chance to match or beat such a bid after insisting on the insertion of a special clause in the player's contract when he left Old Trafford.
In an exclusive interview with Sport.co.uk Rossi's chief representative, Federico Pastorello, revealed the unique idiosyncracy in his client's contract:

“Yes, before the club can accept any offer for Giuseppe they must check with Manchester United," he confirmed.I think it was a 24 hour window to answer whether they want to match the offer of a competing club, but obviously then it is up to the player to and if he wants to re-join United.

“We have to speak with him about his situation and whether he is happy to stay at Villarreal. If he moves on he will only move to a top European club, otherwise he will stay and we will look to extend his contract at the club.”

Man Utd Set to Make £10m Bid for Dutch International

Manchester United are lining up a January bid for Ajax keeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Sir Alex Ferguson has been looking to bring in a long term replacement for veteran Edwin van der Sar and the Old Trafford boss is ready to make a move for the giant Dutch international who may well seek to force a move away from the Amsterdam club following the departure of boss Martin Jol.

The 6ft 6in goalie is now in his ninth season at Ajax and had an impressive World Cup in South Africa which has led to an ever growing list of admirers who are interested in signing the Haarlem born star. Ferguson has recently brought in Danish international Anders Lindegaard but has stated his intention to bring in further alternatives as he seems set to let back up keeper Thomas Kuszczak.

Liverpool striker target Cleo has opened the door to a potential January move.

The Partizan Belgrade striker has been on the Anfield radar for some time now, with Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson thought to be keen on the player as a potential foil for Fernando Torres.

"I will only leave Belgrade if I get an offer which I couldn't say no to," SkySports reports that the player told Serbian reporters.

"Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and who wouldn't like to play football at Anfield?"
The come-and-get-me plea comes ahead of Partizan's Champions League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates tomorrow (Wednesday), and Liverpool could send scouts to watch the player in the crunch clash.

"My club will have the last answer. They will do what will be best for them," Cleo concluded to reporters.

Tottenham Plan £14m Move for Spanish International Striker

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is lining up a move for Atheltic Bilbao star Fernando Llorente as he looks to freshen up his attacking options. The current crop of White Hart Lane strikers has failed to impress the Spurs boss who has openly stated that he would look at the option of new additions in January.

Only five of the club’s 24 Premier League goals have come from recognised strikers and it’s an issue that Redknapp is keen to address and sees Llorente as a viable alternative but may baulk at Bilbao’s massive £25m valuation on the Spanish international.

Llorente has followed up last season’s best ever tally of 23 goals with nine La Liga goals already to his name and the giant striker has become the target of interest from across Europe and given that Athletic Bilbao are once again not challenging for a top six finish the 6ft 5in marksman may be ready to leave the club he has represented for seven seasons.

The likes of Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane have been heavily linked with Tottenham exits and it seems clear that the club needs to bring in a player who can consistently find the back of the net if they wish to cement another top four finish but Redknapp is thought to be ready to sanction a bid for Llorente but only up to around £12-14m for his services.

Newcastle face loss of Carroll after 'shock' Hughton sacking

The next Newcastle United manager will be expected to accept that the club could sell highly-rated centre-forward Andy Carroll as the board faced a dressing-room revolt over their decision to sack Chris Hughton yesterday.

Whoever succeeds Hughton is likely to be told that the club will listen to offers for Carroll, who has been identified by Tottenham Hotspur, among others, as a potential transfer target. The 21-year-old, who signed a new five-year deal this season, is Newcastle's one major saleable asset with a value in excess of £15m – which would represent a big profit for the club.

Carroll had a very close relationship with Hughton and the player is understood to be as shocked at the decision to dismiss the manager who brought the club back up from the Championship last season.

Readers' Views: Wikileaks on Chelsea FC

Would be damn helpful in explaining our recent.. wait for it. Crisis. Yes it is a crisis. I said I would not use that word until we dropped to second. Well we are now in third and I am incandescently dissatisfied.

We literally went from the most powerful team in the country and possibly Europe to a team that is danger of languishing mid table if 9 points out 9 are not collected in three crucially decisive matches.

I refuse to blame injuries for the fact that Birmingham City and Everton were able to score goals that could have been avoided by elementary defending. Something much larger is at play here. Someone has hit the self-destruct button.

MID-TABLE Toon have shocked their fans by sacking manager Chris Hughton.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Newcastle United Football Club have today parted company with manager Chris Hughton. Goalkeeping coach Paul Barron also leaves the club today.

"The board would like to place on record their thanks to Chris for his considerable efforts during the club's transition from Championship to Premier League football.

"Chris has shown exceptional character and commitment since being appointed manager in October 2009. The club wishes him well for the future.

"Regrettably the board now feels that an individual with more managerial experience is needed to take the club forward.

"The task of appointing a new manager now begins. An announcement will be made shortly regarding transitional arrangements pending the appointment of a successor."

Keane nears White Hart Lane exit

Ireland forward, Robbie Keane must quit Spurs for good if he wants regular football because no loan deal will be allowed, boss Harry Redknapp has said.

The White Hart Lane manager revealed he is ready to wave goodbye to the 30-year-old Irish striker.

“I think Robbie would like to move,” said Redknapp.

"It wouldn't be a loan, it would be a permanent move."

Arsenal set to hijack Man Utd move for Dutch defender

Arsenal are ready to launch a bid for Ajax defender Gregory Van der Wiel and scupper Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man Utd plans to sign the player at the same time.

It is no wonder that Van der Wiel has attracted interest from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, he is without doubt a top talent and other clubs including Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in signing the 22 year old.

Liverpool move for £10 million new Torres partner given go ahead

Bolton boss Owen Coyle has admitted he would not stand in Johan Elamander’s way, should he wish to leave the club in January, amid the player being linked heavily with a move to Liverpool.

"Ultimately, if and when - it's hypothetical at the moment - something came out and he said, 'I'd like to try that', I wouldn't have any problem with it," Coyle revealed, according to Sport.co.uk.

"He has been fantastic for me. The relationship I have got with him is great, it is very upfront and we are quite open with each other. If in January a top club, a Champions League club, came in for Johan, it would only be natural that he would turn his head at that.

"It's never going to faze me, I'm not going to get upset about it. Ultimately, Johan has to do the right thing for him and his family."

Drogba salutes 'mad' Terry

Didier Drogba has paid tribute to John Terry's bravery on the pitch, although he believes his Chelsea team-mate will pay the price at some stage.

"John Terry is really a mad guy. He can play with his back completely blocked, and he will put his head where I will not put my feet," Drogba told L'Equipe.

"He is extreme and knows he will suffer the consequences later, but he is sacrificing himself.

"It is true, playing beside a phenomenon like Terry or Essien helped me to get to a very high level, just like working under Jose Mourinho for three years."

Chelsea beat Man City to secure first refusal on Rafael Pernao

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have secured first-refusal on Fluminense wonderkid Rafael Pernao, who is also being tracked by Manchester City.

The 17-year-old striker is seen as one of Brazil's most promising teenagers and was invited to Carrington last year before City made a £3million bid, which was rejected.

Chelsea have made Pernao the first of three Fluminense youngsters they can take first-refusal on as part of an agreement that allowed Deco to move to the Rio de Janeiro club on a free transfer in the summer.

The youth academy is among the best in South America and Pernao looks set to follow Manchester United defenders Rafael and Fabio da Silva in leaving the Fluminense for England.

His current strike partner Wellington Silva has already signed for Arsenal and will join up with the Gunners when he turns 18 in January.

A deal for Pernao is slightly complicated by Flu owning only 50 per cent of his economic rights, with the rest in the hands of investors.

Wenger: 'Nasri will become King"

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has hailed Samir Nasri after the French midfielder scored a superb double that sank Fulham at The Emirates.

Wenger said: “We had two exceptional goals today from a player who has touch and intelligence. He has special talents. His calmness in front of goal is unbelievable.

“It’s difficult to compare players across the league – but I always had belief in him even though many people questioned my judgment when I signed him.

“He used to get attracted to the ball but now he makes runs off the ball and uses his great pace.

“He really is an exceptional player and is one that I feel can still improve a whole lot as well.”

Ferguson intervened to stop Man Utd leaving Old Trafford for Eastlands

The Sunday Mirror says United were approached about the possibility of returning to their roots in the east of the city when Manchester was awarded the 2002 Commonwealth Games, according to a new book.

It was only the intervention of Sir Alex Ferguson that halted the plan – even though Manchester city council were prepared to build an 80,000-capacity stadium to bring the club back to the city of their birth.

Labour MP Graham Stringer, who was leader of Manchester City Council at the time, is quoted as saying: “Discussions with United were serious and went to a high level – the highest level.

Manchester United are ready to offload Owen Hargreaves.

United were prepared to offer Hargreaves a play-as-you-play deal if he could prove that he had conquered his fitness problems, but to this day he hasn't.

The Sunday Mirror says as the midfielder nears his 30th birthday next month even that option has been vetoed and clubs in England and on the continent have already been made aware that he will be available at the end of the season.

Man Utd hand Ferguson £100M to reshape squad

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has £100 million to spend in the transfer market.

The Sun says Fergie's windfall came after he told United's board he needed to spend big.

Fergie needs some big players to replace Old Trafford legends Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, who are both probably in their last season.

And he also wants another top-class striker with only Wayne Rooney and - occasionally - Dimitar Berbatov carrying the goalscoring burden.

Wenger hints that Bendtner is not needed

When asked about how he could possibly use his strikers now that they were all available, Wenger replied: “We can play Chamakh and Van Persie together,”

“We can play Chamakh up front and Van Persie behind.

“What is interesting is that we can play all kinds of formations with the two.

“I am pleased because Van Persie is getting stronger every day. He had 70 minutes the other night against Wigan and I am confident that if we can get him injury-free in the next three weeks he will be back to his best level.”

So where does that leave Bendtner? In the Carling Cup team? Or ...?

Picture Special: Balotelli and Boateng's training-ground bust-up

Manchester United are reportedly monitoring Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.

According to talkSPORT, the Red Devils have been keeping tabs on the 21-year-old who joined Bundesliga side Hoffenheim from Reading for £6 million in the summer.

However - despite the reported interest from both Manchester United and Arsenal - the Iceland international is currently content at the German club.

Wenger tells Jay Emmanuel-Thomas he can leave Arsenal

Arsenal's highly rated midfielder Jay Emmanuel-thomas will be allowed to leave the club on loan in January.

Wenger said: “Players who don't get in the team at the moment like Jay need to mature to play.

“If I can find them a club of Premiership (quality) I will let him go and let him have an experience like Jack Wilshere last year."

Pages