Football Corner

According to the Setanta Sports website, Barcelona midfielder Deco is keen on a move to Premier League champions Manchester United.

The Portuguese midfielder is set to leave the Spanish side in the summer and he has hinted that he would love to join the Old Trafford club.

Deco has been out of favour at the Camp Nou and it doesn't look like that is going to change with Frank Rijkaard at the helm.

“If we don’t win anything this year I will be off,” he said in The News of the World.

“Playing for Barcelona is a dream that I have realised.

“This is my fourth season and has been a fantastic period in my career but if things don’t go well I will be leaving.

“The English league is somewhere I’d like to play, and you can compare Manchester United to Barcelona.”

I would really like to see Deco in the Premier League even though he hasn't been in great form in recent months. He's a quality player and I have no doubt Alex Ferguson would take him if the opportunity arouse.

Watford striker Marlon King is apparently a target for London club Fulham according to today's Sunday People.

New Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has been handed £15 million to spend in the January transfer window and he is apparently very keen on bringing King to Craven Cottage.

Fulham have been without top striker Brian McBride for some time now and Hodgson is keen to add more fire power to his strike force in January.

It is believed Fulham will have to cough up at least £3.5 million in the January transfer window and I feel if the Cottagers were to sign King they would rapidly steer clear of the drop zone.

Sheffield united are amongst the clubs targeting Aston Villa defender, Gary Cahill in the January transfer window according to reports in the Daily Mirror today. Sunderland and Wigan are also in contention to sign the 22 year old.

I would just like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Over the next two days or so their will be a significant drop in the number of post at Football Corner but make sure to come back on Boxing Day and we will be back in the swing of things!

West Ham are supposedly set to sign Derby prodigy, Giles Barnes in the January transfer window according to reports in The Sun today.

Holland and Hamburg midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart is considering a move to Serie A side Juventus. According to Sky Sports the free kick specialist is "interested" in the move.

It has been widely speculated today that Barcelona are to bid for Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb.

It is speculated that Barca are to bid as much as £15 million for the 26-year old who has been a vital force in Arsenal's fantastic start to the Premier League which sees Arsenal ly 1st.

Hleb is apparently been lined up as a replacement to Barca's Portuguese international Deco. I would be very surprised to see Arsene Wenger let Hleb go because he is a quality player.

Hleb signed for the Gunners back in 2005 and has made over 70 appearances for the North London club scoring 7 goals in the process. I think if Arsenal were to let Hleb go they would be making a big mistake.

Inter have asked City to name whatever price they want for Brazilian midfielder, Elano according to reports in the News of the World today.

Manchester United have today kept the pressure on Arsenal after a 2-1 victory at home to Everton. United went into the game knowing they wouldn't be at the top of the Premier League for this Christmas and they were keen to move to within a point of the Gunners.

The game kicked-off with both sides sloppily giving away possession and neither side created many good chances in the opening exchanges. The game really needed a goal, a piece of magic and that came in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo.

His cross-field pass to Carlos Tevez was given straight back to him by the Argentine and Ronaldo shifted it to the left and strook an unstoppable shot that caught a slight deflection off Lee Carsley.

The goal brought the game to life and Everton equalised soon after when Steve Pienaar struck a beautiful left-footed cross onto the head of Tim Cahill and he duly finished to leave the sides level going into the break.

The second-half saw United pushing for a second goal but Everton held out extremely well until Pienaar stupidly brought down Giggs in the box. Referee Howard Webb had no other option but to point to the spot and Ronaldo stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to send the United fans home happy.

I was impressed with Everton today and it was a real shame that one player had to ruin it for them. Pienaar has been terrific since arriving at Goodison in the summer but unfortunately today he just made a poor decision. Good result for United and that definitely sets us up for a tasty Christmas.

Graeme Souness is keen on replacing Lawrie Sanchez as Fulham boss according to the Sunday Express. No this time were not joking !!!!

Liverpool could be set to make an approach for Real Madrid star Gabriel Heinze in the January transfer window according to reports in The People today.

Liverpool are supposedly close to signing Fiorentina defender Tomas Ujfalusi according to reports in the News of the World today. However the Merseysiders cannot complete the signing of the Czech international until the opening of the January transfer window.

According to today's News of the World, Valencia striker David Silva is a January transfer target for both Chelsea and Liverpool.

The attacking midfielder is apparently unsettled at the club and he is apparently keen to leave the Mestalla as soon as possible.

The 21-year old only signed a new seven-year deal at the club in June yet since the arrival of Ronald Koeman at the club things seemed to of changed.

Valencia currently ly 7th in the league, a massive twelve points behind leaders Real Madrid already. Silva was strongly linked with a move to Anfield in the summer but nothing ever materialised.

It now appears as though Chelsea would like to get their hands of one of Spain's hottest properties. It is believed he will cost around £15 million for whoever wants to buy him.

Atletico Madrid and Valencia could be set to make an approach for Blackburn winger, David Bentley in the January transfer window according to reports in the Sunday Mirror today.

According to the Daily Mail website, Tottenham have seen off interest from several other Premier League clubs to sign Rangers defender Alan Hutton.

The Scottish full-back has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time and it now appears as though he will join Spurs for a fee believed to be around £7 million come January.

Hutton put in a number of terrific displays during Scotland's failed Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and that caught the eye of many Premier League managers including Rafa Benitez, Sven Goran Eriksson, Alex Ferguson, Sam Allardyce and Arsene Wenger.

It will be very interesting to see how the 23-year old adapts to life in the Premier League because many other SPL players have joined England's top league and failed. I think he will be a real success in the league although I feel £7 million is slightly high.

Barcelona midfielder, Deco has said that former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is the perfect man for the Barca manager's job and that he is the man to bring silverware to the club, according to reports on Sky Sports today.

Pat Fenlon has today been named the new Bohemians manager after the sacking of Sean Connor earlier in the week.

Fenlon was strongly linked with the post last winter before Connor's appointment but he decided to join Derry where he spent only five months at the club due to a run of poor form.

I have to say on a personally note I'm over the moon with the appointment. Connor lacked passion and made some.... unusual descions during his rein at Dalymount Park.

I feel "Nutsy" will be the man to lead Bohs into an exciting new era at the North Dublin club and I feel with some money at his disposal he could easily lead Bohs to a first Eircom League title in five years.

The former Shelbourne manager has been in charge of the Ireland under-23's for the past few months but it is unclear wheter or not he will continue this role now that he is Bohs manager.

Spurs will complete the signing of Wales and Cardiff defender, Chris Gunter at the beginning of the January transfer window after the 18 year old passed a medical at the club.It is thought that the two clubs have agreed a fee somewhere between £3 million and £3.5 million.

Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing wants the club to terminate his contract at the club, after the England international became upset when the Boro fans booed the team, according to reports in the Daily Mirror today.

Portsmouth could be set to make an approach for Bolton midfielder, El Hadji Diouf in the January transfer window according to reports in today's Daily Mirror.

Tottenham are set to sign Cardiff City defender Chris Gunter after the two clubs agreed a fee today, according to reports on Sky Sports this evening.

David Beckham is set to join Arsenal in January... to train with them during the close season in the MLS.

Beckham's team, LA Galaxy, have given him permission to join an English side during the close season and it looks increasingly likely that it will be Arsenal.

"We will help him to get fit and prepare for the season," Wenger told BBC Radio 5 Live."There's a good chance that he will come in January, but it's not decided."

Beckham has a house nearby so Arsenal is the easiest option for the England international. Beckham is looking to impress new England manager Fabio Capello in order to reach 100 caps and he hopes he can do so whilst training with the Gunners.

"He has 99 caps and I hope he will get 100, if not 100 then 120," said Wenger. "At his age he needs to keep fit."However, the Frenchman dismissed suggestions that Beckham could feature for Arsenal in the new year. "He comes (only) to keep fit and work hard," added Wenger.

Lawrie Sanchez has today been sacked as Fulham manager after a disappointing start to the season. It ends eight months in the job for Sanchez since taking over from Chris Coleman at the back end of last season.

Speculation is already beginning as to who will replace Sanchez with former Hibernian manager John Collins amongst the favourites.

Man United are set to make an approach for Porto defender Jose Bosingwa in the January transfer window according to reports in the Daily Telegraph today.

It has been reported in today's The Sun that West Ham are still after Tottenham striker Darren Bent, the player who turned down a move to the Hammers in the summer.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has apparently forgiven Bent for the summer snub and willing to bid for the £16 million striker in January.

Bent hasn't had the best of times since joining Spurs and has only scored twice in his five months since joining the club.

He is now either 3rd or 4th in the pecking order of strikers at the club and it has been widely speculated that he is interested in a January move away from Whit Hart Lane.

West Ham, I feel really need a striker in January and who knows Bent could be the man. If he is able to rekindle the form that he showed at Charlton whilst playing under Curbishley then he will be a big success.

Everton and Sunderland are set to battle it out for the signature of Reading star Stephen Hunt in the January transfer window according to reports in The Guardian and the Daily Mirror this week.

The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League was made this morning here's how it went and who got who;

Best goal celebrations
Video sent by Nvboy

Some hilarious goal celbrations, my favourtie has to be Reading's Shane Long when he gores into the mascot! Brilliant, whats your favourite?

It was been reported in yesterday's Daily Telegraph that Bolton boss Gary Megson is interested in signing Celtic midfielder Evander Sno in January.

The Dutch defensive midfielder has only made 21 appearances for the Scottish Champions since joining from Feyenoord in 2006.

The 20-year old is reportedly very high on Wanderers boss Gary Megson's wish list for January and I feel Sno will be attracted by a move to the Premier League.

It was also reported yesterday in the Daily Express that Celtic will try to hold onto the player but one suspects they may take the money if Bolton bid for him.

It has widely speculated today that Manchester United are keen on signing Henrik Larsson on a short-term loan deal.

Larsson, who of course used to play for United, has been playing in Sweden with Helsinborgs in recent months and it looks as though a move back to the Champions could be on the cards.

The 36-year old made nearly a dozen appearances with the Red Devils last season scoring twice. The former Celtic legend is reportedly open to the move and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be desperate to bring him back to Old Trafford.

I feel if United were to sign Larsson it would be a terrific move for both player and club because at the present moment in time United only really have two strikers in Rooney and Tevez (Saha's crap so he doesn't count) and instead of spending a large amount of money on a top striker Ferguson would be better off just getting Larsson for free.

Chelsea could be set to make an approach for Hamburg midfielder, Rafael Van Der Vaart in the January transfer window according to reports in the Daily Telegraph today.

Van Der Vaart, 24, joined Hamburg in 2005 from Ajax for a fee of €5.5 million and he has rediscovered his form at the Bundesliga side, which he lacked at the end of his Ajax career.

The Hamburg playmaker has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and this January it may just happen for him.

However, Juventus will attempt to snatch the Dutchman from under Chelsea this January. It has been rumoured that Hamburg will not let the free kick specialist go for anything less than £20 million.

To see the talent which this young man possess check out this video.

Everton are set to make an approach for Valencia captain, David Albelda in the January transfer window according to reports in several of today's newspapers.

Liverpool midfielder, Momo Sissoko could be set for a January exit to either Inter Milan or Juventus according to reports in the Daily Mirror today.

Liverpool are set to make an approach for both AC Milan defender, Kakha Kaladze and Seville full back, Manuel Casado in the January transfer window according to reports in The Sun today.

Aston Villa are set to make an approach for Barcelona striker, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Arsenal full back Justin Hoyte according to reports in the Daily Star today.

Gudjohnsen joined the La Liga side in 2006 from Chelsea but has struggled slightly to get his place in the starting eleven ever since. With the presence of Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Messi and now three Barca new boys in Giovani, Bojan and Henry, the Icelandic striker has been forced to play a midfield role at the club, but only when Xavi and Iniesta are out.

Peter Crouch tonight made one of the worst tackles I have seen in ages. His lunge on John Obi Mikel was rightly shown a straight red card by ref Martin Atkins and will now miss Liverpool's next three games unless Liverpool appeal and the appeal is successful (Which won't happen).

Johan Djourou is unsure of his future as he must decide on whether to stay at Birmingham and secure a full contract at the club or to return to the Gunners.

Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has today rejected reports that have said that the Norwegian is set for a move away from the Merseyside club.

Jonny Evans has this afternoon been bailed after questioning over a rape incident in Manchester city centre.

The alleged incident happened on Monday night during the Man United player's Christmas party and Evans was arrested on Tuesday evening after going to a police station.

He has been bailed until February 23rd. Evans is a full Northern Irish international and has made eight appearances for the United first team.

On Tuesday night, a GMP spokesman said: "A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape this evening after presenting himself to police."He remains in custody for questioning."

It has been confirmed today the Tottenham are to appeal against the red card received by Didier Zokora during the side's 2-0 victory over Manchester City last night.

The player was sent off for a foul, in which he got the ball and didn't touch the player but did raise his feet. Many Spurs players, including Zokora were shocked at the decision but luckily for them the held out to qualify for the semi-finals of the Carling Cup.

"Tottenham have submitted a claim for wrongful dismissal in relation to the sending-off of Didier Zokora for serious foul play against Manchester City in last night's Carling Cup tie," read a statement from the FA.

I personally thought it was a slightly harsh decision although the rule states that when you have both feet off the ground you must go. I don't think the appeal will be successful, simply because red card decisions are never over turned.

Tottenham are after Ajax defender Urby Emanuelson if you believe the player's agent. Emanuelson is one of the latest in a long list of player's to come through the Ajax youth set-up.

The left-back has quickly made a name for himself in the Dutch league and Champions League as one of the best around and with current Spurs left-back Gareth Bale out injured for a while Spurs boss Juande Ramos may be keen on adding to that department.

"I have been rung, but I referred them to Ajax," Brian Berkleef(the player's agent) told Dutch daily De Telegraaf. "Yes, he certainly sees a move in January as a possibility."

I think it would be a super signing by Spurs because I have seen Emanuelson play a few times now and he certainly looks a hot prospect. It would be interesting to see if Spurs were to sign the player, who in the future, would get their game, Bale or Emanuelson?

Aston Villa are set to make a bid for Valencia defender, Miguel in the January transfer window according to reports in The Mirror today. It is also being rumoured that Chelsea will try snatch the full back from under Villa's nose.

United are set to make a bid for Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov in the January transfer window according to reports in numerous papers today. The bid will consist of £6 million, Louis Saha and Wes Brown for the Bulgarian international.

Newcastle, Man City and West Ham are set to battle it out for Barca striker Eidur Gudjohnsen in the January transfer window according to reports in The Sun today.

Chelsea have today agreed a deal to sign Argentine sensation Franco Di Santo from Chilean outfit Audax Italiano.

The player has been tipped for big things in the game and has been linked with many top European clubs including Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Di Santo has made 35 performances at Audax and has scored an impressive 13 goals in that period. The player has impressed whilst on duty for the Argentine youth teams although he could of played for Chile.

It is believed Chelsea have paid an initial fee of £3.4 million for the 18-year old and he will join up with the Chelsea team once the transfer window has opened on the 1st of January.

It has been reported today in the Daily Express that Everton and Tottenham are to make January bids for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.

Both Spurs and Everton are said to be in the market for a winger in the January transfer window and both are said to be keen on bringing the 23-year old to their respective clubs.

Toffees boss David Moyes stated previously that he is interested in bringing maybe one or two players to Goodison Park in January and Downing is said to be one of his main targets.

As we all know Juande Ramos has only been at Spurs a dozen weeks or so and he is set to spend a bit of money in January to try and stamp his own mark on the team after the departure of Martin Jol earlier in the season.

It is rumoured that whoever buys him will have to at least cough up £8 million and that could prove to be a bargain in a few years because although he is performing to his best at the moment he certainly has a lot of potential.