Latest Transfer Update at 19-01-2012

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Arshavin: Lazio don't think Arsenal would sell the midfielder

LAZIO RULE OUT ARSHAVIN MOVE

Serie A outfit Lazio claim they have no plans to make a move for Arsenal playmaker Andrey Arshavin during the January transfer window.
The Italian title hopefuls admit they would welcome the addition of such a quality player to their ranks, but feel there is little chance of them being able to do so.
As a result, they have moved to play down speculation suggesting an approach is imminent.
Arshavin is no longer considered to be a key figure at Arsenal, having struggled for consistency, but the Gunners would be reluctant to part with an experienced performer mid-season.
Lazio accept as much and insist they have made no attempt to open negotiations for the Russia international.
"Arshavin is a great player and I think everyone would like to have him in their squad," sporting director Igil Tare told calcionews24.com.
"But I don't think there is any chance of seeing him in a Lazio shirt.
"There are a number of reasons why it would be difficult. First of all, we have never spoken with Arsenal and secondly, perhaps more importantly, I don't think the Gunners would want to part with a top player."

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Dimitar Berbatov: Linked with Old Trafford exit

BAYER DISMISS BERBATOV TALK

Bayer Leverkusen insists they know nothing of speculation linking them with a move for former star Dimitar Berbatov.
The Bulgarian was widely reported to have flown to Germany earlier this week, which led to speculation linking him with Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.
Now Leverkusen, who sold Berbatov to Tottenham in July 2006, have confirmed that they have no interest in bringing the striker back to the BayArena.
"I have been reading that Dimitar (Berbatov) would have flown over to Frankfurt and that we would be in for him there to negotiate a transfer. That was interesting news to me," Bayer Leverkusen executive Wolfgang Holzhauser told Express.
"I am clearly out to never say never, but this is nothing we are looking forward to at this point in time.
"And from today's point of view I would also say we are not after him in the coming summer."
Speaking to the Russian media, his agent Emil Danchev also insisted that a move was not on the cards, after Anzhi Makhachkala and CSKA Moscow were also linked.
"Usually I don't comment on speculation from the press. They can say whatever they want," Danchev told Sovetski Sport.
"But the only thing that I can say is that at this moment the eventual transfer of Berbatov to another club is not on the agenda."

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Didier Drogba: Linked with Chelsea exit

AVB REJECTS ANCELOTTI'S ADVICE

Andre Villas-Boas has rejected Carlo Ancelotti's claims Chelsea needed to sell Didier Drogba for Fernando Torres to flourish.
Ancelotti, who Villas-Boas succeeded as Blues boss last summer, suggested £50million man Torres had failed to shine at Stamford Bridge because Drogba "devours" all of his goalscoring rivals.
New Paris St Germain manager Ancelotti insisted the only solution was to get rid of Drogba but Villas-Boas said: "For me, it's not the case.
"Fernando has been with us a year and is in a great moment of form and looking sharp."
Torres has indeed improved in recent weeks but that has coincided with Drogba's absence at the African Nations Cup.
"It's nothing to do with one being present and the other one not," Villas-Boas said.
"In a club of our dimension, we have top competition.
"The people you compete with are as good or better than you and you have to compete to reach the starting XI.
"It's the same with Barcelona and Real Madrid. You compete with the best within the group."
If Torres has been intimidated by the presence of Drogba, the £50million man will not have to wait long to be rid of his rival.
Drogba is set to leave Stamford Bridge when his contract expires this summer after rejecting the offer of a one-year extension.
The 33-year-old, who had been holding out for a two-year deal, has exercised his right to talk to rival clubs this month by opening negotiations with Shanghai Shenhua, according to the Chinese side.
Shenhua owner Zhu Jun, who last month lured Drogba's Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka to the club on a reported £200,000-a-week deal, said on the Chinese equivalent of Twitter: "It's like flirting with a girl. Perhaps she will resist you at first, but if you continue to ask her out, it always ends well. Never give up."
Board member Zhou Jun told Shanghai Daily: "It's like making a blockbuster film.
"When superstars like Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Zhou Xun have confirmed their participation, other actors and actress will be confident of the movie."
As they did with Anelka, Chelsea have the opion of cashing in this month rather than losing Drogba for free at the end of the season.
But Villas-Boas said: "It's not something that crossed my mind.
"I count on Didier, on what he represents as a player and an icon."
As well as Torres, one player hoping to benefit from Drogba's international commitments was Daniel Sturridge, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to play as a centre-forward.
Reports have claimed the 22-year-old was losing patience at being deployed out wide but Villas-Boas said: "It's not true that Daniel is under any kind of discomfort.
"If he was, we'd have to address it.
"Daniel can be used as a striker, but the players who compete for that position are Fernando, Didier and (Romelu) Lukaku."
Gary Cahill's long-awaited arrival this week will provide competition at the other end of the pitch but Villas-Boas suggested the England defender would not start Saturday's match at Norwich.
Cahill has replaced Alex in the Chelsea squad, with Villas-Boas confirming the wantaway Brazilian was in talks with QPR despite the clubs still haggling over a fee.
Villas-Boas denied any interest in Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, who could solve what has been a problem position this season.
The return of Branislav Ivanovic from injury will allow Villas-Boas to drop the error-prone Jose Bosingwa, with the fit-again Michael Essien also in contention to start on Saturday after coming off the bench at the weekend for his first appearance of the season.
With the rest of the Barclays Premier League top five going head to head this weekend, Chelsea have the perfect chance to pounce.
But Villas-Boas said: "At the moment, my focus is on Norwich and I don't care what happens in the other games."
After that, Chelsea will travel to Mallorca for a mid-season training camp.
Villas-Boas said: "Warm weather is always important. We'll find good conditions in Mallorca to train."