Latest Transfer Update at 05-01-2012

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Carlos Tevez: AC Milan still in pole position

TEVEZ CAMP WORK ON MILAN DEAL

Kia Joorabchian says he has had no contact with Inter Milan since the summer as he tries to finalise a deal for Carlos Tevez to join AC Milan.
Manchester City are keen to part with Tevez this month and Milan have made it clear for some time they would like to take him to Italy.
However, the prospect of a January move has been complicated by the fact AC Milan want to take him on loan, while City are only interested in selling.
It was claimed earlier this week that Inter had joined the battle to sign the 27-year-old and could be willing to make a permanent offer, but his advisor Joorabchian has indicated that a switch to AC Milan still looks more likely.
While Inter's technical director, Marco Branca, is understood to have travelled to England to meet Manchester City officials on Thursday, Joorabchian has been holding talks with AC vice-president Adriano Galliani in Rio de Janeiro.
And Joorabchian has told the Italian media that he is hoping to come to an agreement with the Rossoneri rather than Inter.
"We're here (in Rio) to finalise with Milan. We haven't heard from Inter since August," he said.

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Cech: Targets new deal

CECH HOPEFUL OVER CHELSEA DEAL

Petr Cech expects to sign a new extended contract with Chelsea soon - but refuses to rule out the prospect of leaving the club one day.
The 29-year-old has been a mainstay for the west Londoners since joining from French club Rennes for £7million in 2004.
Reports suggested Andre Villas-Boas could sell Cech in favour of summer signing Thibaut Courtois - currently on loan at Atletico Madrid - but the Czech international is keen to sign a new contract.
"Yes, I think [I will sign a new deal] and we will not have a problem," he told the London Evening Standard.
"There are a lot of matches at this time of year so we agreed [before Christmas] that both sides would prepare for the negotiations and meet to resolve it when there is time for that.
"The last few weeks have been hectic and we [agreed] to meet after New Year's Day.
"I have been here for seven years and I have been more or less a regular starter, so I'm more than happy to stay.
"Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be at a club who are among the best in the world.
"Chelsea are in the world's top competition, so I have no reason to leave.
"I would like to see myself staying here."
While Cech is keen to commit his immediate future to the Stamford Bridge club, he refused to rule out one day plying his trade elsewhere.
"It is difficult to leave the best league in the world and if you take a look around, you will not see many teams of Chelsea's category that would be looking to sign a new goalkeeper," Cech added.
"If I would like to try something new, then it would have to be a club of a similar level to Chelsea.
"You never know, everything happens fast in the football life. You can sign a 10-year contract with a club and then end up leaving after three years.
"I'm 29-years-old and I believe that there is still time for a possible change."

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Steve McClaren: Twente return

STEVE McCLAREN MAKES TWENTE RETURN

Steve McClaren has been appointed FC Twente coach for a second time.
McClaren quickly emerged as the favourite to succeed Co Adriaanse, who was sacked on Tuesday by the Enschede club, and the appointment was confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
The former England boss led Twente to their first ever Eredivisie title in his second season before leaving to take charge of Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in May 2010.
The 50-year-old was sacked less than a year later and his most recent post was at Nottingham Forest, who appointed him last June on a three-year deal.
However, McClaren resigned in October with Forest just one point and one place above the npower Championship relegation zone.
A statement on the club's official website, www.fctwente.nl read: "McClaren will return to FC Twente in the position of coach/manager of technical affairs.
"The Enschede club and McClaren have agreed on a contract for two and a half seasons. "McClaren succeeds Co Adriaanse."

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Bent: Linked with Liverpool

DARREN BENT GOING NOWHERE - McLEISH

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish insists record signing Darren Bent is not for sale as speculation continues to link him with a move to Liverpool.
Bent, Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner and McLeish had all previously said the striker was going nowhere.
McLeish said: "We've not heard a thing from Liverpool. I'm aware of the speculation.
"But there has been no contact with this club and I think you've had three parties telling you that. But, even if there was contact, we would not entertain that (selling Bent).
"We wouldn't want to entertain selling our top scorer of last season. He is a prolific marksman."