Exclusive: Photos of Suarez leaving Melwood

We bring you photos of Liverpool's new signing, Luiz Suarez, leaving Melwood today...

Inter sign Pazzini

Inter Milan have snapped up Sampdoria forward Pazzini in a deal thought to have cost them 12 million euros and forward Jonathan Biabiany.

"It's a great surprise. I've arrived yet I don't really understand what's happened," the 26-year-old told Inter Channel.

"It's happened so quick and I absolutely did not expect it but I am really happy."

Liverpool reject Torres transfer request

Liverpool have rejected a transfer request from Fernando Torres and told the Spain striker they expect him to honour his long-term contract.

"Fernando Torres tonight submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected by Liverpool,'' said a club statement late on Friday.

"Fernando is under long-term contract and the club expect him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool FC and its supporters when he signed the agreement.''

Reds agree Suarez deal

Liverpool Football Club announced this afternoon that they had agreed a fee of up to 26.5million Euros with Ajax for the transfer of Luis Suarez, subject to the completion of a medical.
The Club have now been given permission by Ajax to discuss personal terms with the player and his representatives.

Al Jazeera want to sign Keys and Gray

Super-rich Arab TV station Al Jazeera have stepped up their pursuit of of Richard Keys and Andy Gray after the pair were axed by Sky.

Keys is due in Qatar today for talks about a lucrative contract and if he takes up their top post he would bring long-term friend and sidekick Gray with him.

Both Keys and Gray are ‘faces’ in the TV world and the Arabs are not concerned about the fall-out from the sexist comments that cost them their Sky posts.

It would be a massive coup for the station to land two of football’s leading presenters in a double act - they currently use several English frontmen, including Gary Lineker, for their shows.

Jose Mourinho coming back to England

When asked to clarify reports of him and Madrid President Jorge Valdano's relationship becoming strained and whether he will be remaining in Spain for another season, he said:

"I've decided to return to England. I have nothing prepared about my future - I just want to be happy in my work. I have no preferences about Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea. I just want to rediscover the joy. I'm not saying the Premier League is the most spectacular in the world but it is the best organised... the fair play and the enormous respect for your opponent."

Adebayor joins Real Madrid

"Real Madrid C. F. and Manchester City FC have reached a deal that will see Emmanuel Adebayor play on loan for the former club," read a statement on the Real website.

"The player will remain at Real Madrid until the end of the current season, at which point the Club hold a unilateral option to purchase the player."

Manchester's Anderson in love with his own hair!

Anderson has revealed that he is so attached to his own hair and would never even consider cutting it, and in case it happens he would be reduced to tears.

"There is no chance I would ever consider having all my hair cut off," said Anderson. "My hair is my life.

"It's so important to me. If you cut off my hair, it is like cutting out my heart or cutting off my legs. I would cry for days and days."

Ancelotti Is Told To Get Out Of A Women's Seat

Carlo Ancelotti may well be Chelsea manager, but that does not give him the divine right to sit where he likes at Stamford Bridge!


Redknapp mugged in Spain

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has been mugged while on a scouting trip to Spain.

"They took everything. All my money, credit cards, everything really," said the 63-year-old, who had travelled to Spain to watch Real Madrid play Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey clash on Thursday.

"I'm walking round the outside of the stadium, it's a fantastic atmosphere.

"The next thing there's two guys on their knees in front of me and they've got my trousers and they keep doing this (tugging) with them, pulling them.

Ferguson jokes: I’ll play Rafael and pretend he’s Fabio

Sir Alex Ferguson has jokingly suggested he could get round Rafael’s absence in games where he is suspended by pretending the 20-year-old was twin brother Fabio instead.

“I could play Rafa and say he was Fabio quite easily. There is no way they could know,” he laughed.

“Probably they have the same DNA. Maybe it wasn’t Rafael who was sent off last week? It is definitely a thought.

“The referee booked the wrong one at Barnsley, so one day you could play one in the first-half and the other in the second.”

Redknapp: Niko Kranjcar can leave the club

He said: "Niko really is looking to move.

"I had a chat with him yesterday and he wants to play. He doesn't like playing on the right. He is not happy there. It doesn't suit him.

"He wants to play off the left but Gareth has been playing there and been playing fantastic. He understands that.

"He'd like to play and I've said, 'I understand that Niko, and if someone comes in for you then you can go'. Unless he can find a good club here then I think he'll go abroad.

"I think he'd look to go permanently. He's well regarded around the world, he's an international player, he got goals the other week for Croatia in the two games and he plays on the world stage.

"People know what a good player he is. He could play at a top team anywhere really."

Dani Alves to Manchester City this summer

The 27-year-old Brazilian has a contract with Barcelona that runs until 2012, but has been unable to agree an extension to that deal with the Catalan club and now Spanish sources are suggesting that this talks are very close to dying.

Manchester City have been linked with the player in the past, but with the current situation not being resolved it is believed that the English club is ready to offer the player an €8-million-a-year contract until 2016.

There has also been speculation that Chelsea would challenge Manchester City for Alves' signature, should he become available but it seems that they wouldn't be ready to match Manchester City's offer if it turns out to be true.

Ferguson ready to sell Carrick in summer

It has been reported that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to sell Michael Carrick at the end of the season.

The Sun says the ex-Spurs star has just 18 months left on his contract and there are no plans to offer him a new one.

Ferguson currently sees no problem with the former Tottenham midfielder leaving the club as he considers Darren Fletcher, 26, and Anderson, 24, as his central midfield partnership of the future.

Ibrahimovic to Balotelli: We do not need you

Balotelli has been touting himself to the Rossoneri all season but Ibrahimovic has stated that there is no room currently in their squad for the Italian forward.

“There is no place for Balotelli,” Ibrahimovic said.

“At Milan we have Ibrahimovic, Cassano, Robinho, Pato and Inzaghi who is injured.

“How many strikers do you want? Should we play with four or six?

“We don't need other strikers, but these things are up to Adriano Galliani and the Coach.”

Balotelli: Rooney not the best

"He [Rooney] is a very good player but not the best in Manchester," Balotelli said on Tuesday. "Our attack of Balotelli-Tevez-Dzeko is the best in the world - better even than Barcelona and Real Madrid. We are the strongest and we can win things now - we just lack conviction."

Balotelli had also some harsh words regarding his former manager, Jose Mourinho when he said:
"Mourinho is the best coach in the world but as a man he has a lot to learn about politeness and respect.

But he had nothing but praise for his current manager, "He is the most important coach I've had. Soon he'll be the best in the world. As a man he's 10km ahead of Mourinho." he revealed.

Darren Bent joins Aston Villa

Aston Villa have confirmed on their official website that Sunderland striker Darren Bent has joined the club and agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract extending to June 2015.

"Aston Villa are delighted to confirm that Darren Bent will be unveiled today [Tuesday] as the club's record signing, having agreed a four-and-a-half year deal to June 2015," read a club statement on their official website.

"The 26-year-old England striker completed a medical before the formalities of the signing today [Tuesday] and will be available for the Barclays Premier League game against Manchester City on Saturday, January 22 at Villa Park.

Liverpool accept Babel bid

Liverpool have accepted a bid from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim for their Dutch forward Ryan Babel and the 24-year-old has travelled to Germany to discuss personal terms, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

"We were in a difficult situation with (Demba) Ba out of the picture and Chinedu Obasi injured," Hoffenheim's main investor Dietmar Hopp told Bild newspaper. "Babel was one of the players on our wish list."

Pienaar announces Spurs move on Twitter


Everton's Steven Pienaar arrived at Tottenham to put the finishing touches to his move.

Confirming his destination on his Twitter account, Pienaar said: “To end speculation I am going to Spurs. I’ve had brilliant years at Everton and it will always be a special place in my heart.”

He later added: “I can also confirm I’ll be jersey number 40.”

Mourinho interested in Van Nistelrooy

"There are lots of names being mentioned," Mourinho told a news conference at the club's Valdebebas training ground when asked about former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy, 34.

"If in the end it's Ruud I'll be very happy," added the ex-Chelsea coach. "We coincided in England and I know him well as a player and person.

"It would be very good for us to have another attacker because we don't have many and we have a lot of matches to play."

Mancini admits that Bale will be his summer transfer target

'Last year Bale had already proved his value and now he has improved, so you'd need a lot of money to sign him,' Mancini has told the Italian press.

'He will be our strongest target - if Tottenham decide to put him on the market in the summer.

'He will be possibly the only player who is not a striker that can make a difference [to our squad].'

Real to sign Adebayor

Real Madrid's interest in Adebayor seems to have increased after the Spanish giants lost their top centre-forward Gonzalo Higuain for the rest of the season with a serious back injury.

"In two months, Higuain will be training, in two more, playing. But he won't reach 100 per cent before next season," Mourinho said. "It's what I expected. I wasn't counting on him for this season, so I can't be disappointed."

And the Mirror reveals that Real are ready to do a loan deal until the end of the season with a view to a permanent transfer, and not only will they pick up the tab for his wages, they will also pay a loan fee of around £1million.

That should probably suit City who are desperate to get the out-of-favour forward out of the club to decrease the excessive number of forwards they already have and also reduce the wage bill.

Bellamy gets a beating in a 5-man brawl whilst out in Cardiff

It has been reported that Cardiff striker Craig Bellamy took a bashing whilst out on the town in Cardiff over the weekend.

Outside the Eden Lounge in Cardiff at 3am early on Sunday morning, five men approached the footballer and challenged him to a sprint race, which then turned in to punch-up.

Bellamy is supposed to be bruised, but managed to escape in a taxi, the Police are now investigating the attack, after the player's friends continued the fight, leaving two males with facial injuries.

Juventus link for Torres

Juventus are reportedly ready to offer Liverpool a player-plus-cash offer for Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

Italian site Calciomercato claims that the Serie 'A' outfit are keen to provide Luca Toni with a new striker partner at the Stadio Olimpico, but are unwilling to meet the valuation placed on the player by the Merseysiders.

It is then claimed that Amauri will be offered in a part-exchange deal that will also see Liverpool receive a fee of around €30 million.

Tottenham interested in Phil Neville

Harry Redknapp is desperate to add experience to his squad in the January market and sees the Everton's captain the ideal person to help his title charge and Champions League quest.

"Phil Neville is a fanastic professional. He is a great player, a great leader but I’m sure David Moyes knows all that," Redknapp said.

"We played them twice recently and he is a real leader for them but I’m sure David Moyes wouldn’t want to lose him, so it will be a difficult one."

Bridge set to sign for West Ham


Sky Sports is reporting that Manchester City left-back, Wayne Bridge is currently having a medical at West Ham United.

The 30-year-old Southampton born former England international is expected to move to Upton Park on loan until the end of the season after the Hammers agreed to pay his £90,000 a week wage.

FIFA World XI announced - No English-based players

For the first time ever, Fifa's team of the year did not include one English-based player. The team was made up of six Barcelona players, three Inter Milan stars and two Real Madrid players.

FIFA/FIFPRO WORLD XI:
Casillas (Real Madrid)
Maicon (Inter)
Puyol (Barcelona)
Lucio (Inter)
Pique (Barcelona)
Sneijder (Inter)
Xavi (Barcelona)
Iniesta (Barcelona)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Messi (Barcelona)
Villa (Barcelona)

Ronaldinho completes Flamengo move

Flamengo president Patricia Amorim told the club's official website: "We are pleased to announce the hiring of Ronaldinho for the next four years.

"I thank the board for the discretion and wisdom throughout the negotiations. This project started from the first day I got the presidency.

"I thank the legal department to head coach Wanderley Luxemburgo and especially the fans of Flamengo."

Five offers for Man City's Jo

Jo has already spent time on loan at Everton and Turkish club Galatasaray and it is being reported that he could be heading for another spell away from City, but this time to Greek giants Olympiakos.

However Jo's representative has ruled out such a switch, but admits there are a number of clubs away from England keen to strike a deal.

"There is no option for Jo to go to Greece," Guliano Bertolucci told Greek website Sday.

"He has played in most of the last few games at City and doesn't want to leave on loan.

"Jo has five offers right now from clubs outside of England but he doesn't want to leave.

"There is no offer from Olympiakos. We have offers from Spain, France and Russia."

Chelsea to sell Borini


Chelsea have agreed a deal to sell striker Fabio Borini to Parma, according to reports in Italy.

Borini, 19, has spent three years working his way through the ranks at Stamford Bridge but has failed to make an impression on the first team.

It has been reported in Italy that the deal is all but done and Borini will arrive in Italy in the next few days to being training with his new team-mates.

Chelsea said to have inquired about Pienaar


In Abu Dhabi's The National, Duncan Castles claims that Chelsea have inquired about the availability of Steven Pienaar, claiming also that the player is unlikely to join Spurs during the transfer window because they are baulking at the additional £3M outlay involved.

Henry training with Arsenal


Thierry Henry has been training with Arsenal, sparking suggestions he could rejoin the club on a short-term loan.

The French striker, 33, plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, which is currently in the close season.

Paul Dalglish's Twitter attack on Webb

After new Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish called Webb's penalty decision a "joke" and also disputed Gerrard's dismissal, his son Paul, the former Newcastle striker, went even further by posting the following via his own Twitter account:

"Fergie has his puppet Howard Webb on a piece of string."

He also made fun of Webb being given an MBE at the start of the year, adding: "Howard Webb MBE. Manc of the Busby Empire."

Johnson blasts 'alcoholic' Merson on TWITTER

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson launched an attack on TV pundit Paul Merson after he criticised his performances for the Reds, On Saturday.

"Comments from alcoholic drug abusers are not really gonna upset me and who is Paul Merson to judge players, he was average at the best of times," Johnson wrote. "The only reason he's on that show is coz he gambled all his money away. The clown!"

However the comments were soon deleted after a number of people complained that Johnson had brought up Merson's former drug problems.

Twitter trouble for Ryan Babel

The Holland international used his Twitter account to post a mocked-up picture of Webb wearing a United shirt, after the World Cup official awarded the home side a first-minute penalty and sent off Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

The Football Association confirmed to Press Association Sport that they would be looking into the matter, as Babel also wrote: "And they call him one of the best referees? That's a joke. SMH*."

However, Babel has apologised for comments he made about referee Howard Webb in the aftermath of Liverpool's FA Cup exit to Manchester United with another post which read:

""My apology if they take my posted pic seriously. This is just an emotional reaction after losing an important game. Sorry Howard Webb."

*SMH = Shaking My Head (Internet slang)

Beckham loan deal falls through

"I don't think (a loan deal) will happen - there's a big problem with the insurance," Redknapp told Sky Sports television.

"David is welcome to come and train with us for a month, which I think he would like to do. But as for him playing - it's looking like a no-goer."

Beckham told the Spurs website: "It's important that I maintain a high level of fitness during the MLS off-season.

"I'm thankful to Tottenham and Harry Redknapp for giving me the opportunity to train with the team over the next month. I'm grateful to the LA Galaxy for allowing to me to train with Spurs. I look forward to getting to work as soon as possible."

Paul Ince Pulled GUN on Alex Ferguson

Speaking to the Daily Express, Steve Bruce has revealed his former Manchester United team-mate Paul Ince once pulled a gun on Sir Alex Ferguson.

“Paul was nuts when he was a kid,” said Bruce. “I don’t think Fergie was ever attacked by a rifle before.

“I remember when he brought in his gun. He poked it around the door and it was a big air rifle. Fergie must have shouted at him or something like that to provoke it.

“Incey was larger than life and a good character to have around. He must have had something about him to threaten Fergie with a gun. We saw him do it. He poked the gun through the door and he was only 22 at the time.

Carroll injured in six-hour, 30 Jagerbomb bender

As reported by The Mirror…

‘England soccer star Andy Carroll was left in agony after a drunken fall from a casino bar stool at 5am, it was claimed yesterday.

Carroll, 22, had just ordered 30 “Jagerbombs” – a potent mix of spirit Jagermeister and Red Bull energy drink – for himself and 15 pals.

Next day the £20million striker’s club, Newcastle United, announced that a thigh injury would rule him out of at least three games.
The Geordie – who picked up an injury in United’s match against Spurs on December 28 – was on a six-hour bender until 6.30am on December 30 at Aspers Casino in Newcastle.
As well as FOUR Jagerbombs, 6ft 4in Carroll downed TWO pints of Fosters and around SIX bottles of Peroni.

Babel eyed by Hoffenheim

Out-of-favor Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has had transfer speculation about him in previous transfer windows and it appears that this January will be no different with The Daily Mail reporting a link between Babel and Hoffeinheim. The paper has revealed the fact that ‘Babel's agent is in talks with the Bundesliga outfit about a move with the Dutchman keen for a fresh start.’

However, Hoffenheim may not be the calibre of club Babel wants to join. He has rejected high profile moves in the past and Babel may decide to see in which direction the club will be going after Roy Hodgson's sacking.

Arsenal Boss Keen On Landing £12m Rated Real Madrid Star

There have been rumours that Arsene Wenger is readying a bid for 25 year-old Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol. The Arsenal boss has stated his desire to bring in more defensive options and is keen on bringing the Spanish international to the Emirates in January.

Albiol joined Real Madrid June of 2009 and was a regular under previous boss Manuel Pellegrini, making 42 appearances in all competitions but he has since lost his starting eleven spot to Portuguese international Pepe which has seen him only start five times this season.

The strong tackling centre back may well then be open to offers that give him regular first team football which will in turn increase the chances of Albiol getting a starting spot in the Spanish national team. However, Jose Mourinho would surely prefer to keep Albiol as cover for Pepe and Carvalho but a deal remains possible if the Spanish international decides to push for a transfer away from the club.

Bolton set to win Wheater race

Owen Coyle is set to win the £2.25m race for David Wheater, futher fueling speculation that Gary Cahill might be on his way out to join current champions Chelsea.

The Bolton boss has outbid rivals Wolves for the Middlesbrough centre-back, who is poised for talks and likely to be taken out of Tony Mowbray’s FA Cup squad today.

Wheater would have to fight for his place in a Wanderers side where Coyle wants competition at the back after releasing Andy O’Brien to join Leeds.

Home-grown hero Wheater is being sold by Boro as they do not want to lose him for a small sum when his deal runs out at the end of the season.

Blues land Bentley on loan

Birmingham City have confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur winger David Bentley is to join them on loan.

Bentley had made it clear that he wanted to leave the London side in January to try and get his career back on track, and it seems that Birmingham have made the most of that situation by snapping him up on a short-term agreement.

Birmingham manager, Alex McLeish has addressed the problems of both creativity and finishing and has been focusing on strengthening them, and with the signature of Bentley he should see himself add much needed support and creativity on the flanks.
Also on his radar is Rangers’ striker Kenny Miller, with reports suggesting that a bid has been accepted for the player and a deal seems to bring him back to the Premier League seems pretty close now.
Birmingham are expected to hand medicals to both Bentley and Miller this weekend, so we expect to see some unveiling action early this week.

Mikel out until February

"I am very disappointed by this injury, it will at least take me out for the whole month," he toldskysports.com.

"It is a big blow for myself and for the team, we are struggling at the moment and we need everyone all together to help the team.

"I think we lack belief at the moment, that happens with all teams, hopefully we will have a strong feeling and we will fight hard to be amongst the top teams.

"We are the champions so we need to go for the best trophies."

Hughes confirms interest in Keane

"A lot of players are being mentioned, and a lot of them are good players, players I admire," said the Cottagers coach.
"But sometimes the deal to bring certain players in can be a little prohibitive, certainly for a club like ours.

"Although at times [recently] and in the past there has been a will to bring players here, on occasion we haven't been able to do it due to the finances involved.

"Would Robbie being keen to stay in London help Fulham?  Well that gives us a competitive advantage, I would suggest.

"Fulham is in a nice part of the world. That helps in acquisitions. There are clubs where it is more difficult to attract players to the area, but we don't have that problem when we are based in London."

Man City sign Dzeko in £27m deal

English club Manchester City have completed the signing of Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko from German club Wolfsburg in a £27million deal.

"It has been a long time that I have been linked with the club going back to last summer, but Wolfsburg did not want to sell me until today,” he told the club's official website after passing a medical.
"There was too much speculation in the papers but my head is always clear. It is important that is the case because if you think too much about what might be it is a distraction and it can affect your game. I was always attracted most to joining City.

"They have been playing well this season. I have watched them a lot on television. Now the speculation is over and I just want to do my best."

Blatter 'expects' winter World Cup in Qatar

Speaking to a media roundtable in the Qatari capital before the opening match of the Asian Cup, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said, for the first time in public, that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is likely to be held in January, "I expect it will be held in the winter.

"We have time to look at this questions, it is still 11 years away but we must decide the most adequate period for a succesful World Cup which means January or the end of the year." 

"Do not forget there is still 11 years to go and although we have the basic conditions of their bid for a June and July World Cup, the FIFA executive committee is entitled to change anything that was in the bid.

"When you play football you have to protect the main people, the players."

Micah Richards wants out

Manchester City's frustrated right-back Micah Richards has confirmed he wants to leave the club unless he can secure regular football at Eastlands.

"I know people will be reading this wondering why I don't just shut up," he told The Sun.

"City are second and they will say what the manager is doing is working and keeping us fresh but I know my ability and I want to show it.

"I'm not the sort of player who can just sit around and bank his wages. I've got no problem with the club or Roberto Mancini as a manager but he knows how I feel. I went to see the boss and told him how frustrated I was.

Ronaldinho reaches agreement

Ronaldinho has broken the hearts of Blackburn fans by confirming that he has reached an agreement to end his contract with AC Milan to make way for a return to Brazil.
His existing contract was due to expire in June, but it will now be cut short in order for him to quit the San Siro and return to Brazil to play for a club which is yet to be named but thought to be his boyhood club of Gremio.
Ronaldinho announced in a media conference in Rio de Janeiro:  "We have signed an agreement with Milan, and today I am free to continue my life here in Brazil,"

Gunners 'will buy' £5m out-of-favour African defender

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a bid to sign Blackburn defender Chris Samba.
The Congolese international has sparked interest from a number of Premier League clubs after publicly declaring a desire to leave Ewood Park, and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is one of the parties interested in the player.
National paper The Metro goes on to claim that the Gunners will buy the player this month, if Thomas Vermaelen fails to recover from a long-standing injury that has kept him out-of-action for the majority of the season thus far at the Emirates.

Arsenal Set to Complete £15m Signing of One of Europe’s Hottest Prospects

Arsenal have reportedly moved ahead in the race for Liverpool target Eden Hazard.
Liverpool are thought to have been closely monitoring the Belgian, as have Chelsea and Real Madrid but – according to Sport.co.uk – Arsenal are frontrunners for his signature.
“There is a lot of interest in Eden currently as you would expect,” a source close to the £15 million-rated starlet had told Sport.co.uk.
“Which top club in football wouldn’t want to be interested in such a fantastic talent?
“But obviously one must look at the situation from the perspective of Lille. It is impossible to talk about a move in January even if the player wanted to leave.
“Lille are leading Ligue 1 and they want to finish the season competing at the top. However a move in the summer is possible, but we will have to look at what offers are on the table. “
“As I said many top managers and clubs are interested in Eden. Arsenal have a lot of French players, and Eden is from Belgium, so language would not be a problem. He is a talented young player like many Arsenal players, but we will have to wait and see.”