Latest Transfer Update at 13-12-11

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Latest Transfer Update at 13-12-11

Yoann Gourcuff: Has a fan in Wenger


WENGER: NO JANUARY GOURCUFF MOVE

Arsene Wenger has ruled out a bid to take Lyon playmaker Yoann Gourcuff to Arsenal during the January transfer window.
Gourcuff has repeatedly been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium and Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas claimed the Gunners made a late bid to sign the 25-year-old in the summer.
With the window due to reopen next month, reports had suggested Wenger was preparing another attempt to add the France international to his squad.
Aulas recently insisted Lyon are under no pressure to sell the midfielder and Wenger confirmed he has no plans to test the Ligue 1 club's resolve.
"He is a player I like a lot and I believe people have been very critical towards him in France," Wenger told Canal+.
"However, we won't be in the winter market for any midfield positions considering that our players are back from injuries."
Gourcuff is not looking to leave Lyon next month and is keen to enjoy a positive second half to the season to boost his prospects of inclusion in France's squad for Euro 2012.
"I am a Lyon player," Gourcuff told Canal Football Club.
"My objective is to achieve a very good second part of the season with Lyon which could allow me to play at Euro 2012."

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Carlos Tevez: Wanted by AC Milan but


SEEDORF: TEVEZ INFLUENCED BY MONEY

AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has suggested that Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez will join whichever club can 'promise him the most money'.
Tevez is expected to leave the Premier League leaders in the January transfer window and City boss Roberto Mancini wants to sell the Argentine.
City have already rejected a loan offer, with the option of a permanent deal, from Milan, while ambitious French club Paris St Germain have also shown an interest.
Backed by their Qatari owners, PSG are reportedly prepared to offer Tevez a better salary than the deal which will be on offer at the San Siro.
Veteran Dutch midfielder Seedorf is waiting to see who Tevez will join, but cast doubt on the prospect of the forward ending up in Serie A.
"Looking back at his career, his agents and every move he has ever made, I think Tevez will go where they can promise him the most money," Seedorf told Sky Sport Italia.
"Milan would be the first time in his life that he has chosen a club for his career rather than the money. We'll see what happens."

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Pavlyuchenko: Agent claims the striker has been offered to QPR


PAVLYUCHENKO IN QPR CLAIM

Roman Pavlyuchenko's agent claims Queens Park Rangers have been offered the chance to sign the Tottenham Hotspur striker in January.
The Russia international has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League this season and has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane in the New Year.
Lokomotiv Moscow want to take the 29-year-old back to Russia, while Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has suggested he will only let Pavlyuchenko go if he can find a replacement.
The forward's representative Oleg Artemov now says he has been offered to QPR, but Pavlyuchenko has yet to weigh up the merits of a move to Loftus Road.
"This is true that Tottenham have turned to QPR," Artemov told sovsport.ru.
"I know about it. The club has a right to do so as they have a contract with Roman.
"Before talking about it - if Roman wants to be a QPR player or not - we have to consider every detail. Roman hasn't thought about it yet."
Artemov also dismissed speculation that Spurs wanted to exchange Pavlyuchenko for Marseille striker Loic Remy and says he has not spoken to Redknapp about the situation.
"I've ready Harry's quotes," added Artemov. "It should be understood that Roman wasn't offered to QPR by the manager."

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Nicolas Anelka: Heading to China


CHELSEA CONFIRM ANELKA DEAL

Chelsea have agreed terms with Shanghai Shenhua for the sale of Nicolas Anelka in January's transfer window.
The Chinese Super League club reported on Monday morning that Anelka would sign a two-year contract next month after recently having a transfer request accepted by the Blues.
And Chelsea have confirmed they have agreed a deal for the French striker's permanent transfer when the transfer window opens.
Anelka is in the final year of his Stamford Bridge contract and it became clear earlier this season that his three-year stay with the Blues would not be extended.
He and team-mate Alex were banished from Andre Villas-Boas' first-team squad after handing in transfer requests, although both had enjoyed only very limited action under the new manager.
Anelka could link up at Shenhua with fellow Frenchman Jean Tigana, who is being earmarked to take charge of the club.
Former Arsenal, Real Madrid, Manchester City and France star Anelka has already been welcomed by his prospective new team-mates, with captain Yu Tao writing on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter: "It's impossible not to be excited by this - a warm welcome to our new team-mate!"
Goalkeeper Wang Dalei added: "Tell Anelka he made his new team-mates really proud!"
A host of rival clubs were linked with Anelka, including West Ham and Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact, but moving to China will make him arguably the biggest signing in the country's history.
He may not be for long if Shenhua or Super League rivals Dalian Aerbin succeed in their pursuit of Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba.
Drogba, who has yet to agree a new deal with the Blues to replace the one that expires at the end of the season, has been offered a three-year contract worth more than £200,000 a week by Aerbin.
General manager Li Ming told Chinese media last week: "Money is not the problem.
"Drogba is still one of the most popular soccer stars in the world, though he will be 34 years old.
"We have talked a lot with Drogba's agent and promised to provide him with a three-year contract."
Aerbin were only formed in 2009 and have just been promoted to China's top division.

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Stiliyan Petrov: Not being moved on in January by Alex McLeish


McLEISH WANTS TO KEEP PETROV

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has dismissed reports that he will try to offload captain Stiliyan Petrov in the January transfer window.
Petrov has made over 200 appearances for Villa since his 2006 move from Celtic and has 18 months remaining on his current contract.
However, speculation has claimed that Villa are prepared to listen to offers for the 32-year-old in the New Year as part of McLeish's rebuilding programme at the club.
McLeish says he has no plans to move the Bulgarian on next month unless Villa receive an offer that would be impossible to turn down.
"I saw that but we've never said anything," said McLeish in the Birmingham Mail regarding reports he wants to cash in on Petrov.
"I can only assume it's come from an agent. We've never said, and I've never said to Stan, we'll try and get you out in January.
"Sometimes some things happen and fall in your lap.
"Sometimes you have to make a sacrifice but we have no intentions of letting Stan go in January unless someone comes in with a bid we can't refuse.
"But I'm sure that's not going to happen. I said when I came in, the only experienced midfielder we have is Stan Petrov."

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Fletcher: Has netted 16 times in his last 23 starts for Wolves


McCARTHY WARY OF FLETCHER INTEREST

Mick McCarthy has praised Steven Fletcher's reluctance to court publicity, but acknowledges that his fine form is likely to spark interest.
The Scotland international was on target in Wolves' 4-1 defeat by Manchester United on Saturday to take his goal return to 16 in 23 starts.
He has been able to keep a relatively low profile since arriving at Molineux from Burnley in the summer of 2010, but his reputation is on the rise.
McCarthy accepts as much, with it impossible to keep goalscorers out of the spotlight when they are enjoying such a prolific run of form.
He hopes he can keep Fletcher under the radar as the January transfer window approaches, but appreciates that there is little he can do about speculation.
"It's now 16 in 23, which is pretty good going by anyone's standards," said the Wolves boss.
"Maybe his profile is something to do with this, because he doesn't court publicity.
"But ultimately, if you score as many goals as he is doing then it will find you, won't it?"
Fletcher was withdrawn at Old Trafford after picking up a calf complaint and McCarthy admits he will be taking no risks when it comes to the fitness of his most potent attacking weapon.
He added: "We need him fit because he has been terrific and prolific when he has been."

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Santos: Set for spell on the sidelines


ANDRE SANTOS OUT FOR THREE MONTHS

Arsenal look set to head into the hectic festive schedule with no recognised full-back after it was confirmed Andre Santos would be out of action for around three months with ankle ligament damage.
The club on Monday revealed the Brazil international - who had impressed in recent matches following his August transfer deadline move from Fenerbache - was set to have surgery in his home country after suffering the injury in what was effectively a meaningless final Champions League group game away in Olympiacos last week.
Given Kieran Gibbs is not yet fully fit from his hernia problem, while both right-backs Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson are also sidelined, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger fielded four centre-halves along the backline against Everton.
Young Spaniard Ignasi Miquel is another option, although the 19-year-old reserve captain's more natural position is in also in the middle, and the Gunners could now look to bring in some experienced cover, perhaps on loan, when the transfer window opens again in January.
Santos, 28, is not expected to be available until mid-March at the earliest.
A statement on the club's official website, www.arsenal.com, read: "We can confirm that, following investigations and subsequent medical opinions by club specialists, left-back Andre Santos will have surgery to repair ligament damage in his right ankle sustained in the game against Olympiacos last week.
"Andre will have surgery in Brazil this week and is expected to be out for around three months. Everyone at the club wishes him well."
Wenger will also have some juggling to do in the Arsenal frontline at the start of 2012.
Gunners captain Robin van Persie netted a brilliant volley to beat Everton at Emirates Stadium and cap off the club's 125th anniversary celebrations on Saturday with a seventh win from eight Barclays Premier League games.
The in-form Dutchman, who now has 19 for the season and 33 Premier League goals in 2011, has been well supported by both England winger Theo Walcott and Gervinho.
However, the Ivory Coast forward is set to head to the African Nations Cup in January, which could see him unavailable for selection for the best part of two months.
While Wenger admits his back-up attacking options will be stretched, as Marouane Chamakh is also set to be away with Morocco, Arsenal boss has ruled out bringing in any more forwards during the transfer window - preferring instead to give South Korea captain Park Ju-young and Russian Andrey Arshavin the opportunity to impress.
"The problem for us is we lose Chamakh in January, we lose Gervinho in January, and offensively we will be a bit short," Wenger said.
"However, we have Arshavin, and we have [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has made great progress already, who can come in. We also have Park, now his adaptation period is over, we will see much more from him in the second half of the season."
Chamakh was a hit in his first campaign with the Gunners following a free transfer from Bordeaux, and scored 11 goals.
However, given the prolific form of van Persie, the 27-year-old has now found chances limited - with just one start in the Premier League and a single strike in the 4-3 defeat at Blackburn in mid-September.
While the 6ft 2ins striker remains part of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger's long-term plans, Chamakh accepts sooner or later he has to get more game time.
"I am 27. I need to play. I cannot stay like this forever," Chamakh told French TV station TF1's 'Telefoot'.
"If I played more, of course I would have more confidence and score more goals."
Chamakh revealed he would have an "important decision" to make in the summer, and indicated if he were to return to France one day in his career, Bordeaux would be the preferred destination.
Arsenal are, meanwhile, currently exploring all options for next summer's pre-season campaign following the decision to postpone the Emirates Cup because of a clash of dates with the London Olympic Games.
A delegation from the club is understood to have arrived in Lagos, Nigeria as they examine several potential destinations ahead of a final decision in due course.

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Nikica Jelavic: Not thinking about a January move


JELAVIC NOT THINKING OF MOVE

Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic has played down reports of a January transfer after admitting it is flattering to be wanted by other clubs.
Jelavic boasts an impressive strike-rate for Gers since joining from Rapid Vienna in 2010 and has scored 12 goals in 17 SPL appearances this season.
The Croatian was the subject of a big-money bid from Leicester City in the summer and has recently been linked with Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion.
Gers boss Ally McCoist conceded at the weekend that he is expecting further interest in Jelavic in the New Year following the forward's decisive brace against Hearts.
However, while the 26-year-old is happy to be mooted as a target for other clubs, he is not considering the possibility of a move away from Ibrox.
"Every day, when I open the newspapers, I'm moving to another club," said Jelavic in the Daily Record.
"It's nice to think so many teams are interested in me from the strongest league in the world but I'm not thinking about a transfer right now."

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Zamora: Rested against Swansea


JOL DENIES ZAMORA RIFT TALK

Fulham manager Martin Jol is adamant he has no problems with striker Bobby Zamora.
Jol was reacting to media speculation he has had a bust-up with the England international after the 30-year-old did not travel with the Fulham squad for their match against Swansea on Saturday.
Jol defended his decision to leave the player behind, with the Cottagers involved in two games in the next seven days.
Jol said. "He is probably not the best substitute so I thought I'd wait for next week and the important games coming up. I don't have a problem with any players - I need them all."

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Neymar: Linked with a move to Europe


NEYMAR - BARCELONA ARE THE BEST

Santos forward Neymar has described Barcelona as "the best club in the world".
The Brazil international was speaking on Monday ahead of his side's clash with Kashiwa Reysol in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup in Toyota, Japan on Wednesday.
Neymar could feature against Barca at the weekend in the final of the competition should the Spanish and European champions defeat Al Sadd in the other semi on Thursday.
"Barcelona are the best club in the world," he said. "If I have the opportunity to play them, I will be very happy and will try to win the game."
The 19-year-old has often been compared with Barca forward Lionel Messi and he is pleased to be adjudged to have as much potential as the Argentina international.
"To be compared with Messi makes me very proud and I'm very pleased to have this comparison," enthused Neymar.
"I'm very happy to have this opportunity to play at the Club World Cup and very happy to have the chance to be a new name in the history of Santos. It's an honour for me."