Chelsea Planning To Smash Transfer Record For Barca Star?

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Chelsea are understood to be considering making a world record bid for Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, with Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari keen to lure the Spanish International away from the Nou Camp, according to Catalan newspaper Sport.

24-year-old Iniesta has been identified by the Premier League club as the player to turn around, what has been a disappointing first season in charge at Stamford Bridge for former Portugal and Brazil coach Scolari. Chelsea are 2nd in the Premiership, but have performed poorly against other teams of the ‘big four’, which was highlighted in their 3-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Chelsea reportedly made an offer of £42million two-years ago to bring Iniesta to England and are now set to reignite their interest in the EURO 2008 winner in a bid to get their faltering season back on track.

Barca allowed Deco to leave the Blaugrana last summer for Chelsea, with Iniesta, who has been at Barca since 1996, proving a more than adequate replacement for the Portuguese International. Deco has struggled to regain his early season form at Stamford Bridge, which has led Scolari to Iniesta, with it remaining to be seen if Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic will bankroll the purchase of Spaniard after refusing to go above a certain point with both Robinho and Dani Alves last summer.

Sport claims that Chelsea are preparing an offer for Iniesta, with it also understood that should Barcelona allow the midfielder to leave. They would expect a fee in excess of the £46million that Real Madrid paid for Zinedine Zidane from Juventus in 2001.

Spurs To Swoop For £3million Brazilian Striker?

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Despite just clinching the signing of Jermain Defoe from Premier League rivals Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur are considering a swoop for Brazilian International Fred from French Champions Olympique Lyonnais, according to the Daily Mirror.

Defoe rejoined Spurs to be reunited with Harry Redknapp after a 12-month spell at Pompey and was thought to be back at White Hart Lane to form a partnership with summer signing Roman Pavlyuchenko at the North London club.

However, Tottenham still have a shortage of options upfront at the Premiership club, with Darren Bent on the sidelines with a groin injury and Fraizer Campbell widely tipped to rejoin parent club Manchester United, when the England Under-21 International’s loan spell ends.



This has led Redknapp to 25-year-old Fred, who could be available for as little as £3million due to the Brazilian being out of contract at Stade Gerland in the summer. The Ligue 1 side want to offload the striker in January rather than let Fred leave for nothing at the end of the season.

Spurs along with a host of other clubs had been linked with Fred in the summer, with a fee of £10million being bandied around for the striker, who holds the record for the fastest goal in Brazilian football at 3.17 seconds, while playing for America.

The situation at Lyon has changed now for Fred, who has fallen down the pecking order behind French International Karim Benzema at the French club and is believed to have asked Lyon for his contract at Les Gones to be terminated.

Fred has since claimed that he will stay with OL until the end of the season, but Lyon are understood to be ready to cash in on the Brazilian in the light of the interest from Tottenham, with the former Cruzeiro forward open to a move to England.

“England is a big league and it is natural for any player to want to go there,” Fred is quoted as saying recently.

Tevez Casts Major Doubt On United Future

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Carlos Tevez has shrouded more doubt on his future at Manchester United, with the striker claiming that despite wanting to stay at Old Trafford he will quit the club if he has to.

24-year-old Tevez has been at the Premier League Champions since joining from West Ham in 2007, with United now having to pay the agreed £32million for the Argentine International’s registration.

Tevez has come out and refuted Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments that the striker had rejected an offer from United, with Tevez dismayed that the saga has already dragged on for a year-and-a-half.

“I didn't like him (Ferguson) saying I didn't like the offer I was made because neither my agent nor me were given one,” Tevez told Radio del Plata.

“I don't know anything on my future. United know what they must pay (£32m) if they want me to stay.

“I want to stay but the club have not made any offer. I've been waiting for them for a year and a half.

"If I have to quit the club, I want to quit on good terms."

Amidst the speculation La Liga giants Real Madrid along with Arsenal and Manchester City have shown an interest in Tevez, with the Argentine claiming that he would sign for another club if they offered him a five-year contract.

“Now all clubs are on an equal footing. If a club comes to me and offers me a five-year deal, I will accept it for peace of mind,” he added.

“I will sign my last contract, and then I figure that I'll go back to Boca (Juniors.) That could be in four or five years.”

“I want everybody to know no offer has been made. I don't like that they are playing with our fans, who show their love to me in each match.”

Liverpool & Spurs In Race For Spanish Winger

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Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are both chasing the signature of Spanish winger Angel Lafita at Deportivo La Coruna, according to The People.

24-year-old Lafita has become the subject of interest of a number of sides, with West Ham and Manchester United also linked with the Spaniard, who has scored 5 goals in 8 La Liga appearances for Depor after coming back from some injury problems at the start of the season.



However, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has declared that the Premiership Champions transfer business for January was finished after the double signing of Serbian pair Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljalic from Partizan Belgrade. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has to sell before he can bring fresh faces into Upton Park, which leaves Spurs and the Reds to fight it out for Lafita.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez had hinted on Friday that it would be difficult and expensive to find players at the right price to improve the squad at Anfield, with Lafita an attractive proposition for the Merseyside club as he is valued at around £3million by Depor.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp sees the Spanish winger as an alternative to main target Stewart Downing at Middlesbrough, with Lafita’s modest price tag also something to consider for the Spurs manager in his pursuit of a left-sided player to bring to White Hart Lane.

Lafita, is under contract at the Riazor until 2012, but has made no secret of his desire to play for a bigger club, with it understood that El Turco will allow the midfielder to leave Spain if their valuation is met by either Premier League club.

Ferguson: Ronaldo Must Accept Treatment

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded that Portuguese International Cristiano Ronaldo must learn to live and deal with the treatment that the winger is receiving on the pitch this season.

Since his comeback from injury in the Premier League this season, Balon d’Or winner has found the form of his last campaign hard to come by, with the former Sporting Lisbon player showing his frustration in a series of ill-disciplined incidents in recent weeks.

The latest incident saw the Red Devils talisman square up to Emanuel Pogatetz at Old Trafford in their Premiership encounter against Middlesbrough last Monday. This follows Ronaldo kicking out petulantly at Celtic player Scott Brown in the Champions League along with Tottenham Hotspur’s Michael Dawson and Andy Wilkinson of Stoke City.

This sentiment has been echoed by Ferguson, but the United boss has also claimed that this sort of treatment comes with the territory and that Ronaldo must learn to accept and deal with the close attention he receives.

“Of course I can understand Cristiano's frustration," said Ferguson.

“Enough has been said about it already but I can understand it.

“He has produced little moments of displeasure at the treatment he is getting.

“They are trivial things, but as he has said himself, because it is Ronaldo it is magnified.

“That is the penalty for being a great player. He has to understand that.”

Redknapp: Ramos Outcast Is A Genius

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp is set to give midfielder Adel Taarabt his chance to shine in a Spurs shirt, with the former Portsmouth boss claiming that the former Lens player is a “genius”.

19-year-old Taarabt was one of five players along with Hossam Ghaly, Paul Stalteri, Ricardo Rocha and Kevin-Prince Boateng that had been frozen out at White Hart Lane under previous manager Juande Ramos. Ramos even went as far as to not allocate any of the five a squad number at the start of the season and banned the players from using the first-team training facilities.

However, when Redknapp took charge at the Premier League club one of his first actions was to reinstate all five. Now Redknapp has revealed that Taarabt is set to get his chance at the North London club, with Tottenham playing Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Friday and then the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Burnley next week. As Redknapp looks to utilise his full squad and rest key players for the more crucial tie with the Clarets, where victory over the two legs would guarantee Spurs UEFA Cup football again next year, should they meet Manchester United in the final at Wembley.

“If we can get him playing he is a genius,” Redknapp said.

“He's an amazing talent, I've not seen too many with that type of skill in my life. It's frightening.

“It's a case of trying to find a position for him and getting him fit enough to play. Getting him to do a bit when he hasn't got the ball - but he's only a kid.

“This is a real talent. A match-winner. So I'm sure we're going to see a bit of him in the next couple of weeks.”

This support from Redknapp will come as a boost to Taarabt, who despite being at Tottenham since 2007 has only featured in 8 Premiership games for Spurs and had been widely expected to be amongst the players leaving White Hart Lane this month.

Spurs To Fight It Out With Bolton For £8million Richardson?

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Sunderland winger Kieran Richardson is a January transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, with Bolton Wanderers also keen on the England International, according to The Mirror.

24-year-old Richardson was persuaded to join the Black Cats by former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane, when the Irishman took Sunderland into the Premier League in 2007. However, with Keane walking out of the Stadium of Light earlier in December, Richardson has reportedly become unsettled at the Premiership club and is looking for a move away from the North East.

Redknapp, who is also understood to be close to a deal for Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing is believed to be ready to offer Sunderland £8million for Richardson in January, but will face competition from Trotters manager Gary Megson, who also wants Richardson at the Reebok Stadium.

Spurs have identified the left side of midfield as an area that needs strengthening next month, with Aaron Lennon filling the void for Redknapp in recent weeks. While it is believed that Downing is the main target for Tottenham, Redknapp is considering Richardson as an alternative, with Boro manager Gareth Southgate wanting Gareth Bale as part of any deal to allow £15million rated Downing to leave the Riverside Stadium.

Tottenham are reluctant to let Welsh International Bale leave White Hart Lane, which has led them to Richardson, but with Bolton also interested it remains to be seen whether the winger opts for Spurs or Wanderers or decides to stay put at Sunderland in January.

Are Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea & Blackburn Guilty Of Not Giving Home Grown Talent A Chance?

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While on Manchester United’s foray in Japan for the World Club Championships, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has once again reiterated that he would like to see a limit on foreign players in the starting XI’s in the Premier League, with the United boss all in favour of having to field 6 British players in the starting XI.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's match against Gamba Osaka Ferguson said: “I think it should be a concern when local and national players are not given opportunities, so therefore eventually there have to be limitations on foreign players. That way clubs' youth systems are protected. Progress is progress and the future has to protect the national game.”

Even though we all know this contravenes EU law and is highly unlikely to be introduced. What would happen in the Premiership if it, was introduced today?

The first club that springs to mind would be Arsenal, having fielded an entire team of foreign imports on more than one occasion. However, they do have 11 players from the British Isles in the first team squad, though not one of these players is out of their teens yet. So while they have youngsters coming through they would struggle to have six British players start for them in the Premier League and be competitive. Leaving them to field their Carling Cup kids to meet the quota.

Chelsea, don’t even have the option of fielding British youngsters, because they simply don’t have any. While they do have 5 England Internationals at Stamford Bridge if you look further than that they only have 2 other English players in the first team squad. Yes they also have Michael Mancienne on loan at Wolves, but with Luiz Felipe Scolari willing to send a player out on loan that has pushed himself into the thoughts of England boss Fabio Capello, with his performances for the Under-21’s. What message does that send to the British schoolboys at the club?

You then look at Liverpool and it would appear that Rafa Benitez’s side would struggle immediately if this quota was introduced. Only 8 English players and Irishman Robbie Keane in the squad, with only Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher along with Keane likely to be in Rafa’s starting line-up on any given match day. In fact no British talent has emerged from the Red half of Merseyside and been used by Liverpool consistently since Gerrard and Carragher along with Michael Owen burst on to the football scene many years ago now. They have 7 British players out on loan, but we all know these players are highly unlikely to feature for the Reds in the future.

So now to Blackburn, who you might have thought, would have a British heart and soul? Not at all, only 6 English players, 3 Irish and a Welshman and of these they could just about scrape together the required 6. For 3 of these 10 players are goalkeepers and Danny Simpson is on loan. So Blackburn would struggle to as they are now anyway if this quota were to be introduced.

So is it any surprise that Ferguson would like to see this quota introduced, with the knowledge that as it stands now it would severely impair his three closest rivals, while having little effect on his own side

If you go through the rest of the squads in the Premier League most clubs would be ok, with all the other clubs having enough British players on their books that either play for the first team or have a realistic chance of playing in it. Tottenham might have the best of it, with Spurs able to field 7 England Internationals, 3 England Under-21’s, 2 Welsh Internationals and a Scottish International if all fit. Although one of the Under-21’s is on loan, but could still field a very strong side as they have the players there to choose from. Aston Villa would find it very easy to, with their current crop at Villa Park.

So regardless of whether a quota is ever introduced shouldn’t clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, Blackburn and to a lesser extent Arsenal as the Gunners have a crop of English youngsters coming through, be looking to produce some real home grown talent and not be looking abroad every time, when trying to find new recruits for their clubs? Not just for their progression, but for the progression of the game in England.

The New Voice Of Football column at FootballFancast.com

Who Can Continue The Legend Of The United No7?

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The New Voice Of Football column at FootballFancast.com

With Tottenham Hotspur legend Ossie Ardiles revealing to FootballFancast that he thought Eric Cantona was the reason Manchester United are what they are today. I believe that not only did the Frenchman bring something to United and the Premier League, but he also bought back a swagger to go with the No7 shirt that had not been seen at Old Trafford since the days of George Best and his celebrity lifestyle and genius on the pitch.

Though different off the pitch, both had a swagger that endeared them to both United fans and the footballing world in general. Just like Best, Cantona knew how good he was and he didn’t mind showing it. During five-years at United Cantona entertained, excited and produced the unexpected before retiring and handing over the shirt to a young David Beckham, who had come through the youth system to claim the number.

Beckham carried on the tradition of the United No7 for the next six years, with a different type of swagger, but a swagger of sorts.

With the glamour lifestyle and all the trappings of celebrity the United No7 had started to become something that you have to be a little more than just a very good footballer to carry off.

Now the occupant of the shirt is Cristiano Ronaldo and whatever you think of him he can play and definitely has the swagger, with his tricky skills, posturing and again like Best and Cantona, knows how good he is. However, after two outstanding seasons for United, Ronaldo’s return from injury to the Premiership this season has been largely subdued, with the Ballon d’Or winner seeming to slip back to his petulant ways after a summer of ‘will he, wont he’ leave United. Now speculation is rife again, that a departure from Old Trafford is on the cards next summer, with Real Madrid still sniffing around like a dog at a lamppost.

So should the Portuguese winker leave for the Bernabeu eventually, who, can Sir Alex replace him with?

For the last sixteen-years Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo have worn the No7, with the Red Devils having the most successful period in their history during this time. The most successful period before that being when Best had the No7. So the next incumbent of the shirt must have something about them just to be able to take the sheer weight of it when it is passed on from Ronaldo. Any takers?

United have been linked with South American pair Wilson Palacios and Antonio Valencia at Wigan in the past, but while they might be good players are either the new No7? Serbian Zoran Tosic might be a candidate, with the 21-year-old winger on the verge of a move from Partizan Belgrade, but holding out for better personal terms. While his Partizan team-mate 17-year-old Adem Ljajic dubbed the ‘Little Kaka’ in Serbia, who has also been linked with United could possibly wear it in the future. Or maybe an established big name from another big club that believes he is the one ready to dazzle and posture his way into Old Trafford folklore?

One thing is for certain though, whoever ends up wearing the No7 for United, will not only have to be an excellent player, but also big enough and flash enough in some ways to carry the burden of the shirt. For the person that does eventually get it. It remains to be seen if the swagger continues or skips a few generations like it did after Best. For after the departure of the Irishman, United did not win the league again until the next man with a true Gaelic swagger came along.

Just for the record the most successful United No7 in terms of major medals is Beckham, with nine, then Cantona with six, Ronaldo has four and counting, while Best had three, but who has the biggest swagger?

Redknapp: "Arsenal Aren't Going To Win It This Year"

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has written off North London rivals Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League this season, with the former Portsmouth boss feeling that it will be a two-horse race between holders Manchester United and Chelsea for the Premiership this year.

This is despite the fact that Liverpool top the table at the moment, but only managed to draw with Hull City at Anfield on Saturday, while the Gunners were held 1-1, by Middlesbrough and Chelsea also were held by his former club West Ham United on Sunday.

“One of those two will win,” Redknapp said.

“That's not being too clever, though, because there's only Liverpool up there as well with them."

Redknapp, who saw his Spurs side earn a spirited point against the Red Devils at White Hart Lane at the weekend believes that Arsene Wenger’s side are already too far adrift and that Liverpool rely too heavily on captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres and has claimed that if something should happen to Gerrard then their title claims will be over.

“Arsenal aren't going to win it this year. I can't see them coming back into it and winning the championship,” he added.

“And I think Liverpool rely so heavily on [Steven] Gerrard and [Fernando] Torres.

“If something happened to Gerrard, I don't know what they'd do. So I still see them being short of Chelsea and Manchester United."

Owen To Get Take It Or Leave It Deal At Newcastle

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Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnaer is set to offer England International striker Michael Owen a take it or leave it deal after the Magpies Premier League clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday.

28-year-old Newcastle captain Owen’s current deal with the Toon runs out at the end of the season and talks about extending the former Liverpool and Real Madrid players stay at St James’ Park have been put on hold until now.

Owen is one of four Newcastle players out of contract at the North East club next year, with Shola Ameobi, Steve Harper and Nicky Butt also coming to the end of their present deals at the Premiership club.

Manchester United along with Chelsea and Liverpool have been linked with a move for Owen next month in recent weeks, but Kinnear has revealed that he wants all four to stay at Newcastle, with captain Owen his biggest concern following the speculation surrounding his future at the Magpies.

Kinnear said: “I would like to get all players out of contract at the moment signed up this week.

“I have spent the last three or four days discussing offers on the table with the four players I want to stay and once I get those out of way I will look at the transfer market and I am then pretty confident I will have two new faces.

“The squad would be stronger with players back from injury but I need reinforcements that is for sure.

“I will put the ball in the players' court and offers will be made and then it is up to them to let me know if they will accept them.”

However, while Kinnear has declared that it will be up to Owen and the others if they accept new deals, Kinnear also insisted that Newcastle, will not be selling any of their best players, with Newcastle battling relegation from the Premier League.

“We won't be selling anybody here until we are out of the position we are in. We are fighting relegation with 10 others and I don't see the point in getting rid of our best players,” he added.

Blanc Resigned To Losing Bordeaux Striker To Spurs?

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Former Manchester United player Laurent Blanc, who is now coach at Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, has vowed to fight any move by Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur for Argentine International striker Fernando Cavenaghi.

25-year-old Cavenaghi has been heavily linked with a move to White Hart Lane in January and has revealed recently that he would be open to a move to the North London club, should Spurs manager Harry Redknapp make an offer for the forward next month.



Tottenham are considering an offer in the region of £14million for Cavenaghi in January, according to reports in France. Despite, Redknapp revealing earlier this week that there will not be any major signings for the Premiership club, when the transfer window reopens in January.

However, Blanc has declared that he wants to keep the Argentine, but has conceded that the matter could be out of his hands if Tottenham make a big-money move for Cavenaghi next month.

“I want to keep my best players. I'd rather keep a player who scores goals than let him go,” Blanc told France Football.

“But then there's the reality that the coach does not control everything, whether he's at Bordeaux or elsewhere.”

Should Cavenaghi leave Bordeaux in January for Spurs then he would be reunited with Roman Pavlyuchenko, who he played with upfront at Spartak Moscow for two years between 2004-2006.

How Much Will Spurs Spend In January? ‘Arry Talk’ Reading Between The Lines

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The New Voice Of Football column at FootballFancast.com

With Spurs boss Harry Redknapp revealing earlier this week that after meeting with chairman Daniel Levy that there will be no big bags of cash to be thrown around in January and that he would be “happy” to get a couple of loan signings in at Tottenham next month. What exactly does he mean?

Well considering Tottenham have spent £50million or thereabouts in the last two summers on players. Does that mean if he is given £20million it’s not lots of cash, or does it mean £5million, £10million?

If you look at the Spurs squad in general there are a few positions that need strengthening immediately. Firstly Tottenham have been crying out for a quality holding midfielder and have been since Michael Carrick left for Manchester United. Second is another striker. The possibility of Fraizer Campbell returning to United, would leave Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent as the only two strikers at White Hart Lane. Even if Campbell sees out his loan, Spurs still need another one. Thirdly is a goalkeeper, whether it is to replace Heurelho Gomes or to provide serious competition. Because if, Arry rated Spurs No2, Cesar Sanchez he would have given him an opportunity by now, with Cesar looking like he is heading back to Spain with Valencia anyway.

My maths is not the best, but I know three won’t go into two ‘loan signings’. Saying that I think he will get a couple in on loan on a try before you buy basis, it’s Redknapp’s ‘wheeler dealer’ way.

However, you can’t always get the type of quality your looking for that way, so some money is going to have to be spent. So will Tottenham sell to buy? If you look outside the regular first-team squad at Tottenham it’s hard to see where substantial funds will be raised from, with the likes of Ricardo Rocha, Paul Stalteri, Gilberto, Adel Taarabt, Hossam Ghaly, Cesar and possibly Chris Gunter likely to be the players Redknapp is keen to sell.

Tottenham would be laughing all the way to the bank if they got anywhere near £15million for the seven of them. Yet, Spurs have been linked with a £16million swoop for West Ham pair Matthew Upson and Robert Green and a £9million move for Elano at Man City along with Venuzuelan midfielder Juan Arango at Real Mallorca, who looks like he will cost from the videos I’ve seen of him. A further £12million for Stewart Downing at Middlesbrough and this is just the last couple of days. Add to that Argentine Fernando Cavenaghi at around £10million from Bordeaux or another decent striker at the same amount and the bill is starting to soar like a tourist’s in a Soho clip joint.

So it just doesn’t add up, Levy will have to back him unless they have agreed to get by until the summer and go LARGE then like Tottenham have in the past two.

I think how much Redknapp is given will depend on if there is European football at White Hart Lane in the New Year. So should Spurs progress in the UEFA Cup next Thursday, which they are expected to do then I can only see money forthcoming from Levy. Yes it won’t be £50million, but it will be enough when added to Redknapp’s wheeling and dealing skills to ensure Tottenham have the players they need come February 1st.

Or to look at it another way, former QPR and Plymouth manager Ian Holloway might have put it like this: ‘When you have just started dating a nice lady and she is doing the business.

‘You take her anywhere she wants to go. It’s when the sparkle disappears, that you stop talking and sit in front of the telly every night, with a bag of chips.’

United Flop Has "Unfinished Business" In The Premier League

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Former Manchester United midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba has claimed that he has “unfinished business” in the Premier League, with the combative midfielder open to a move to West Ham United, who are reportedly keen on the Cameroon International from Odense BK in Denmark.

27-year-old Djemba-Djemba spent two years at Old Trafford after arriving from French side Nantes in 2003, but failed to live up to his reputation and was sold by Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson to Aston Villa in 2005, with the midfielder only making 20 league appearances for United.



Djemba-Djemba also failed to make an impression at Villa Park and was sent out on loan to Championship side Burnley before being sold by the Villans to Qatar SC in 2007, where the midfielder only made one appearance before joining Odense in 2008.

However, Djemba-Djemba has shown the type of form in Denmark that prompted Ferguson to pay £3.5million for him and has now attracted the attention of new Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola, who is keen to bring the midfielder back to the Premier League.

Djemba-Djemba told Sky Sports: “I am having a good season.

“I lost my way a bit when I signed for Manchester United, but I am a good player. You don't play alongside Roy Keane and Paul Scholes if you are a bad player.

“West Ham, are interested, I've heard, so that means I am having a good season.

“I have unfinished business with the Premier League, so who knows? It would be good to go back there and prove myself.”

Benitez Snubs £12million Liverpool Offer

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has snubbed the Merseyside clubs initial £12million offer on a new deal at Anfield, with the former Valencia coach understood to be holding out for parity in financial terms with the other manager’s of the ‘Big Four’ clubs in the Premier League, according to The News of the World.

The initial offer was believed to be a two-year extension to Benitez’s current contract at Liverpool, which runs out in 2010, with his annual salary to rise from £3.5million to just under £4million for the remainder of his time at the Reds.

However, Benitez has turned down this offer, with the Spaniard wanting his new deal to match those of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who both reportedly earn in the region of £4.5million a year.

American co-owner’s Tom Hicks and George Gillett are arguing that Benitez has not won a trophy for Liverpool since his last contract renewal in 2006, with the wages Benitez is demanding proving to be a major stumbling block in thrashing out a deal to extend his four-year stay on the Red half of Merseyside.

Benitez has always insisted that he wishes to remain at Anfield and is understood to want a five-year deal at Liverpool, but his initial refusal at the two-year contract on offer, will alert La Liga Champions Real Madrid, who want to bring Benitez back to Spain at the Bernabeu. Where the Spaniard started his coaching career spending nine-years in charge of the Real Madrid youth and B teams.

Spurs & United Target Ibisevic "Proud" Of Premier League Interest - Watch Him In Action

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Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United target Vedad Ibisevic has welcomed the interest from the Premier League clubs, but insists that he will not leave Bundesliga side Hoffenheim at the end of the season.

Bosnian International Ibisevic has been at Hoffenheim since 2007, with the 24-year-old striker scoring 22 goals in 46 league appearances for the German side and is an integral part of the team at the Carl-Benz Stadion, which were promoted from the second division in Germany last year and are now leading Bayern Munich by 3 points at the top of the Bundesliga. Ibisevic’s performances in Germany have brought the forward to the attention of Spurs and the Red Devils, who are both reportedly, keen to lure the Bosnian to the Premiership.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is desperate to add another striker to his squad at White Hart Lane in January, with only Roman Pavlyuchenko, Darren Bent and youngster Fraizer Campbell recognised front-men at the North London club.

While, Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson is understood to be willing to wait until next summer to try and land Ibisevic as he already has the dilemma of Argentine International Carlos Tevez, who is a target for Real Madrid to deal with in January.

However, Ibisevic has stated that he intends to remain at the Bundesliga side and see out his contract with the German club, which runs out in 2010.

“The enquiries from other clubs make me a bit proud,” Ibisevic told the Bild newspaper.

“But I will definitively stay with Hoffenheim next season.”

Everton Target Larsson Open To Premier League Return

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Swedish International striker Henrik Larsson has revealed that he would be open to a return to the Premier League, with Everton linked to the former Manchester United and Barcelona player.

Larsson is currently a free agent after his deal with Swedish club Helsinborg ended, but despite reports suggesting the 37-year-old would retire from football, Larsson is tempted to have another crack at the Premiership.

Toffees boss David Moyes is desperate to bring a striker into Goodison Park in January, with Yakubu and James Vaughan out with long-term injuries for the Merseyside club and is understood to have made veteran Larsson a main winter transfer target.

Larsson has claimed that he is considering his options, but might favour a similar short-term deal at Everton to the one that took him to United on loan in 2007.

“I am a free agent and have not yet decided what to do next,” Larsson told the Daily Star.

The former Celtic player also revealed that he will not sign a new deal with Helsingborg unless there is a change in the way the club is run.

“I like Helsingborgs, but I want to see a change of attitude and in the way the club is run before I sign again,” he added.

“I have not completely closed my mind to the idea of going abroad again, so we will see what happens.”

Man City v Man United Premiership Preview: Robinho & Berbatov In Race To Be Fit For Their First Manchester Derby

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Manchester City play, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in the Premier League at the Eastlands Stadium on Sunday.

Mark Hughes will be pitting his wits against former boss Ferguson in his first Manchester Derby as a manager, with the City manager keen to put one over on his old mentor. The Blues go into this game on the back of an excellent 3-0 win against Arsenal last weekend and an impressive victory over Bundesliga side Schalke 04 in the UEFA Cup on Thursday. However, while City have been scoring quite freely this season they are also prone to concede goals, with Hughes aware that any defensive frailties will be exposed by the Premier League Champions on Sunday. Man City, are yet to draw a game in the Premiership at the Eastlands and are 11th in the table.

Ferguson takes the Red Devils into this derby on a run of indifferent form, with the European Champions failing to score in their last two outings against Aston Villa in the Premiership last weekend and Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday. However, with the talent at his disposal at Old Trafford, Ferguson will be confident that United can collect all three points at the Eastlands and keep touch with Premier League pacesetters, Chelsea and Liverpool, who are the only teams above United in the table.

Hughes will hope to have British record signing Robinho back for this derby clash, who missed the UEFA Cup tie with Schalke on Thursday with an ankle injury. City are unable to call on Valeri Bojinov (calf), Michael Johnson (groin) and Martin Petrov (knee). The Blues will give late fitness tests to Pablo Zabaleta (thigh) and Gelson Fernandes (hamstring) along with Robinho. Elano should feature for City after missing the European tie due to his wife giving birth on Wednesday.

United are unable to call on Paul Scholes (knee), Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Wes Brown (ankle) for the short trip across Manchester, but could welcome back summer signing from Tottenham Hotspur Dimitar Berbatov and defender Gary Neville if they can shake off injuries in time to take their place against their local rivals at the Eastlands. Edwin van der Sar should be back to replace Tomas Kuszczak in goal after missing the clash with Villarreal.

Manchester City: (from) Hart, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Kompany, Elano, Ireland, Hamann, Robinho, Wright-Phillips, Jo, Vassell, Onuoha, Ball, Schmeichel, Mills, Zabaleta, Fernandes, Calcedo, Evans, Castillo, Ben Haim, Benjani, Sturridge, Etuhu, Logan, Glauber

Manchester United: van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Ronaldo, Anderson, Berbatov, Rooney, Giggs, Foster, Park, Vidic, Carrick, Nani, Welbeck, Fabio, Rafael, O’Shea, Evans, Fletcher, Manucho, Kuszczak, Tevez, Possebon, Gray

Stoke v Hull Premiership Preview: Lawrence Back In Contention For Potters In The Clash Of The Premier League Debutantes

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Stoke City play, Phil Brown’s Hull City in the Premier League at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

The Potters will go into this clash of the Premiership debutantes full of confidence, with Stoke’s only defeat in November a 5-0 drubbing at Old Trafford at the hands of Premier League Champions Manchester United. Stoke have beaten Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion at the Britannia this month and have been impressive at home this season, with 5 wins from 7 matches. Although the Potters are just 3 points outside the relegation zone their recent form suggests that manager Tony Pulis has a side capable of surviving in the top-flight.

Hull are still in 6th in their debut Premier League campaign, but the Tigers have stuttered a little during November. Brown will be pleased that Hull managed to stop a mini-slump of three straight defeats by drawing their last two matches against Manchester City at the KC Stadium and then away at Fratton Park to Portsmouth last weekend, where the Tigers fought back from a two-goal deficit.

Pulis will be without defender Ryan Shawcross (back) and summer signing striker Dave Kitson (knee) for the visit of Hull to the Britannia, but could welcome back Liam Lawrence, who has been out with a sprained ankle after tripping over his dog.

The Tigers are still unable to call on summer signing from Tottenham Hotspur Anthony Gardner (thigh) and Craig Fagan (broken leg), who are both two weeks away from full fitness, but Brown could have Andy Dawson available for the trip to the Britannia if he can shake off an achilles problem in time.

Stoke City: (from) Sorensen, Griffin, Higginbotham, Olofinjana, Cort, Whelan, Lawrence, Soares, Cresswell, Fuller, Sidibe, Pugh, Pericard, Matteo, Diao, Faye, Tonge, Delap, Diagne-Faye, Phillips, Wilkinson, Simonsen, Dickinson, Sonko

Hull City: (from) Myhill, Doyle, Dawson, Ashbee, Brown, Turner, Barmby, Windass, Geovanni, Hughes, Duke, France, Garcia, Mendy, Halmosi, McShane, Folan, Boateng, Ricketts, Marney, King, Zayatte, Cousin, Warner, Featherstone, Atkinson, Stelios, Cooper

Premier League Trio Given Hope In Xavi Chase As Barca Talks Stall Again

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Premier League clubs Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have been given fresh hope of signing EURO 2008 star Xavi from La Liga giants Barcelona Xavi after talks about a new deal at the Nou Camp for the midfielder stalled again.

28-year-old Xavi is a product of the Barca youth set-up and has been at the Catalan club since 1991, but has not been able to agree a new deal at the Nou Camp, with the Spanish International’s current contract due to run out in 2010.

It is understood that there have been more than 10 meeting between Xavi and the Catalan club, but the two parties are still unable to come to an agreement, with the Spanish International seeking parity with top-earners Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry at the Nou Camp.

Director of football at Barcelona, Txiki Begiristain has admitted that the deal could take weeks or months to conclude and insisted that this type of deal is not easy to close.

Begiristain said: “Xavi is a great player and has some large expectations. In the world of the football it is not easy to close this type of contract because of the length of the deal and the need to keep a salary equilibrium of the staff.

“If it was easy the deal would already be done.”

However, Xavi’s agent Ivan Corretja revealed recently that the talks will not be allowed to go on forever and confirmed the interest in Xavi by clubs from the Premiership.

Corretja, told The Daily Star recently: “We have not been able to solve the situation at Barcelona, despite some months of negotiations. We feel he should be offered a deal which reflects his performances on the pitch.

“Everybody at Barcelona knows that there are some big European clubs interested in Xavi, particularly in England at the moment, and we will not allow this to go on forever.”

With 18 months remaining on Xavi’s current contract at Barcelona, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is monitoring the situation at the Nou Camp, with an offer in the region of £20million being mooted in the January transfer window to bring Xavi to Old Trafford. However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is also keen to pair Xavi with countryman Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates Stadium, with Liverpool also reportedly interested in bringing the central-midfielder to Anfield.