Football Premiere League

Reports from England claim that Manchester City are planning a swoop for Villarreal’s star midfielder, Marcos Senna, during the January transfer window.

The Brazilian-born player has shot to fame since leaving his homeland in 2002, establishing himself as one of the Primera Division’s most reliable middle-men.

The 32-year-old’s stock has risen even since Manchester United tried to sign him two years ago, as he was arguably Spain’s most impressive performer during their European Championship triumph this year.

Juventus have been tentatively linked with Senna since the summer, but now it seems the Red Devils’ cross-town rivals are leading the race for his signature.

City boss Mark Hughes had hoped to draft in Lassana Diarra from Portsmouth to play the holding role at Eastlands, but the Frenchman instead joined Real Madrid.

But Sparky has wasted no time searching for alternative targets, as his scouts were spotted in the crowd during Villarreal’s La Liga clash with Barcelona at the weekend.

However, it remains to be seen whether Senna will fancy a Premier League switch at this point in his career, especially as the El Submarino are through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

Tags: manchester city, TRANSFER RUMOURS

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be happy to see out the season with the current crop of players at his disposal.

Instead his focus remains on ensuring United are on the shoulders of the Premier League leaders going into 2009.

United travel to Stoke on Boxing Day after becoming Club World Champions on defeating LDU Quito in Japan on Sunday. They have two games in hand on their rivals. Liverpool are seven points clear and Chelsea six as the second half of the season is entered.

Ferguson feels United have the personnel to cope with the remainder of the campaign with . He said: “I do not think there will be any January transfers. I am happy with what I have got.

“We are probably going to bring back a couple of young players who have been on loan. That may just give us extra protection.

“We took 23 players to Japan and they are very substantial players. I would be happy to play any one of them.

“Winning the competition was a great boost to the club and the players. It was a great achievement and the important thing was they played well.

“They showed good enthusiasm through the matches and good concentration. We have come through it well.”

Ferguson is now intent on regaining ground on the domestic front.

He said: “If we get within a point or two of the leaders by New Year’s Day then we are in with a chance.

“The second half of the season is the most important because if you lose a game it means something, particularly when you get to March and April.

“Recent results have been predictable. Arsenal and Liverpool, given the position of the clubs and the history of the clubs, you expect a tight match.

“Because of Everton’s poor record against Chelsea you were worried about that. But having watched the game, they will consider themselves unlucky not to win the match. Equally, so I thought Chelsea defended well.”

Tags: manchester united, Sir Alex Ferguson, TRANSFER RUMOURS

Highly-rated Russian forward Andrei Arshavin could finally be on his way to Europe after his agent said the Zenit St Petersburg player was almost certain to be sold in the transfer window.

Arshavin has been linked to Arsenal, Tottenham and Real Madrid and, according to a BBC website report Tuesday his agent, Dennis Lachter, said Arshavin and Zenit had agreed that he should find a new club in January.

“He will definitely move in January or the player and club will lose money,” Lachter said.

“Zenit and Andrei understand that it is time for them to part from each other.”

Arshavin, 27, was linked with Tottenham last summer following his impressive performances at Euro 2008, and this week Zenit general director Maxim Mitrofanov was quoted as saying his price tag was 20 million pounds and they hoped Arsenal would make an offer.

But Lachter denied reports that the player had visited both teams’ training grounds on a recent trip to London.

“That is not true,” he said.

“I was in London and he was there too, but the only reason he was there was to shoot an advert for a company he has a contract with.

“I was at the Tottenham training ground, but it looks like someone saw me there and made the connection - he’s never been there, either to Arsenal or Tottenham.”

Lachter also denied reports that the player had said he was only interested in playing for Barcelona and was uninterested in England.

“Arshavin never said he wanted only to play in Spain. Once again I believe a lot of things in the media just came from nowhere,” he said.

“If I were following a dream life, I could be out of this job two or three months ago as due to the explanation of the newspapers, he should already be the player of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Inter Milan - whatever.”

further he said he can give his kids a better future in uk than spain so he loves to move to england…..

Tags: arsenal, chelsea, manchester united, real madrid, Tottenham, TRANSFER RUMOURS

West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola is adamant that his star players wil not be sold in the January transfer window.

The Hammers’ financial problems are acute and rumours suggest players like Craig Bellamy, Matthew Upson, Valon Behrami, Robert Green, Dean Ashton and Scott Parker could be heading out of Upton Park next month.

GIANFRANCO ZOLA

However, Zola said: “They are very good players and I’m not surprised that big teams want them.

“But as far as I am concerned they are not for sale and I don’t want to sell my best players.

“I want to try to improve the team if I can and that’s the target for the January transfer window.

“As far as I’m concerned no, they won’t be going. The club have told me I won’t be selling those players.

“I would be very annoyed if we did. They have to give me a very good reason if they do that.

“The club have been very good to me and I don’t think they want to make this team weaker.”

Tags: BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE, TRANSFER RUMOURS, west ham, zola

Barcelona might have already won La Liga according to some commentators, but the Catalan side still seem intent on strengthening their team.

According to Marca the club are chasing Valencia striker David Villa and had a €35 million offer rejected for him today.

The paper reports that Barcelona have been in contact with president Vicente Soriano, but have seen the initial offer rejected, with further news that they will not even negotiate for anything below €40 million.

‘El Guaje’ has become one of the most highly-rated forwards in Spain at Valencia and it is no surprise that Barcelona want to add his talents to their front-line.

However, Valencia are known to be reluctant to sell their star player and any offer that sees him leave would have to be substantial.

Besides his talent and skill, another reason that Barcelona apparently want to sign him is to put some pressure on Samuel Eto’o to sign a new contract.

The Cameroonian seems adamant that he will not sign until next summer, when he will have just a year left on his deal, but should Villa join that could well change.

Along with that factor they would also have the knowledge that they have taken a target away from Real Madrid, who tried to sign him in the summer but were rejected.

Los Blancos reportedly offered slightly over the €40 million mark, so if Barcelona are serious about adding Villa to their armoury, they may well make him their only signing this winter.

Tags: barcelona, David villa, TRANSFER RUMOURS, valencia

Tags: Lassana Diarra, manchester city, real madrid, TRANSFER RUMOURS