NEYMAR DENIED DEAL TO BARCELONA.

Neymar has denied reports that he has signed a deal to join Spanish giants Barcelona.

The Brazilian forward is one on the hottest properties in world football and has been linked with a move to one of Europe's top clubs.
Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City are rumoured to be interested, but it has been reported that Barcelona have beaten them all to the 20-year-old's signature.
However, Neymar insisted that is not the case and he continues to be happy at Santos.
He told Uruguayan newspaper El Pais: "I do not have an agreement with Barcelona - or anyone else.
"The only thing that I have signed is with Santos and I am happy. This is a great club that I have a contract with until 2014.
"What is most important is to be happy and I am happy with my family, my friends and my club.
"My role now is to help Santos and the Brazil team, and to be the best will come through hard work."
Neymar has been tipped to make as big an impact on European football as fellow South American Lionel Messi, but the Brazilian was quick to play the comparisons down.
He added: "Nobody can equal Lionel Messi at the moment. He deserves the prize for everything that he did last year."

 

SUNDERLAND WIN 3-0 WESTHAM UNITED

SHEREHE ZA MAPINDUZI YA ZANZIBAR.

CHALSEA WIN 4-0, SPURS DRAWN WITH QPR

Swansea may have to wait until the summer to land Jose Canas from Real Betis

Swansea have been informed that they will have to up their offer if they want to land Real Betis' Jose Canas in January.

It is understood that the Swans have a pre-contract agreement in place with the midfielder, meaning he will be free to make a move to the Liberty Stadium at the end of the season.
Michael Laudrup is, however, exploring the possibility of paying a fee and bringing Canas on board during the winter window.
Betis will not allow Canas to leave on the cheap, though, and have informed Swansea that they will either have to pay the going rate or wait until the summer to get their man.
"It has been decided, unless Swansea say something different, that Canas stays here until 30 June," said Betis boss Pepe Mel.
Canas was left out of Betis' squad for a cup clash with Las Palmas on Thursday, but Mel insists that decision was based on a slight knee problem rather than any outstanding issues regarding his future.
He added: "He is a committed played. He gives everything and stood out as he always does.
"We left him out for the cup game as a precaution but he will train as normal after that

Waasi wa M23 watishia kususia mazungumzo

Mazungumzo ya kuleta amani kati ya kundi la M23 na serikali mashariki mwa Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo yanarejelewa tena hii leo mjini Kampala Uganda.

Mazungumzo hayo yalisitishwa mwaka jana kwa ajili ya sherehe za Krismasi na mwaka mpya.
Hata hivyo vigogo husika kwenye mzozo huo,Rais Joseph Kabila na Jean Marie Runiga kiongozi wa kundi hilo la waasi wa M23 hawatahudhuria mazungumzo hayo.
Kundi hilo la M23 limetishia kujiondoa kwenye mazungumzo hayo hadi pale rais Joseph Kabila atakaposaini mkataba wa kusitisha mapigano.
Msemaji wa serikali ya Congo ameliambia shirika la Habari la Reuters kuwa limepuuza masharti hayo ya waasi kwa kuwa hayana msingi wowote.
Mazungumzo ya kujaribu kutatua mzozo huo uliodumu kwa zaidi ya miezi tisa yaliyofanyika mwaka uliopita yalisambaratika, baada ya wawakilishi wa pande hizo mbili kushindwa kuafikiana.
Inakisiwa kuwa zaidi ya watu laki nane wamekimbia makwao tangu waasi hao kaunzisha vita dhidi ya serikali ya nchi hiyo mwezi Mei Mwaka uliopita, kwa tuhuma za kupuuza mkataba uliokuwa sainiwa awali wa kuwashirikisha katika jeshi la serikali.

Jean-Marie

Sunderland make move for Senegal ace Kader Mangane

Sky Sports understands Sunderland are interested in Senegalese international Kader Mangane.

Mangane currently plays in Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal, but Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is keen to bring him in.
It is understood Sunderland want to sign Mangane, who can play in midfield or defence, on loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Al Hilal president Prince Abdulrahman has claimed that they are considering a bid from Sunerland: "We received the official bid from Sunderland for Mangane, we will look into the offer and consider our position and we may see the player leave Al-Hilal this month."

WOJCIECH SZCZESNY NEVER LEAVE ARSENAL THIS TIME.

Wojciech Szczesny claims to now be an Arsenal supporter and insists he has no intention of leaving the club.

The commanding Polish goalkeeper has been with the Gunners since he was a teenager, with Arsenal's coaches having helped to mould him into the player he is today.
Szczesny appreciates that he owes the club a lot, with it unlikely that he would be playing Premier League football were it not for Arsene Wenger and his scouting network.
In fact, the 22-year-old says he has bought into the Arsenal way of life so much that he cannot see a day where he would consider turning out for another club.
"Ever since I signed for this club, I've become an Arsenal fan," Szczesny told Arsenal Player.
"It feels like it's more than just me playing and doing my best on a Saturday afternoon. I feel like I have a much bigger part to play at this club. It means that little bit more to me.
"I don't think about playing for any other club. I see my future at Arsenal Football Club.
"I committed to coming here at the age of 16, not to then leave at the age of 24. That's not how it works for me.
"I think coming over to England at the age of 16 was the most important decision of my life and probably the best one, to date."

Arsene Wenger remains hopeful Theo Walcott will sign a new contract

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger remains hopeful Theo Walcott will commit his long-term future to the club.

Walcott's situation has been the subject of continued speculation in recent months, with negotiations between the club and player ongoing.
It is understood Arsenal are ready to make the 23-year-old one of the highest-paid players at the club with a £90,000 per week five-year contract.
Wenger said: "We are on a good road. In this situation as long as nothing is signed, you are cautious. However, I am optimistic we will get to a happy conclusion.
"Discussions are progressing slowly, but smoothly. We still work on the transfer market, but do not want to bring in average players."

VAN PERSIE VS LIVERPOOL.

Manchester United's Paul Scholes says Liverpool still 'right up there' as rival

Manchester United veteran Paul Scholes is in no doubt that Liverpool are still a major rival for his club.

With the clubs being the two most successful in the history of English football, clashes between them have traditionally been major fixtures in the season calendar.
Liverpool have not featured in the Premier League title race for the last few years, though, and ahead of Sunday's meeting at Old Trafford, the gap between them in eighth place and Sir Alex Ferguson's table-toppers is 21 points.
 However, as far as veteran United midfielder Scholes is concerned, the rivalry between the North West foes remains fierce.
Asked where Liverpool currently feature among the Red Devils' biggest rivalries, Scholes told Inside United: "I think it was the top one for quite some while.
"Liverpool probably haven't done as well as they'd have liked over the last few years - and they'd probably admit that.
"But it's definitely still right up there, it'll always be right up there."
While it has been Manchester City - the reigning champions - and Chelsea battling United for the league title in recent campaigns, Scholes has no doubt Liverpool "historically are our biggest rivals".
He said: "Whether Manchester City have overtaken Liverpool now (as United's biggest rivals), I don't know...it'll probably take years for City to create what Liverpool have done.
"But Liverpool historically are our biggest rivals, they're always the biggest games and the best atmospheres. But I'm sure City will run them close."
Meanwhile, Scholes has spoken of how glad he is that he decided to come out of retirement, with a year having now passed since his comeback appearance against City.
"I just wanted to come back playing, and I'm glad I did," the 38-year-old said. "At the time there were a lot of injuries and I thought maybe I could help, so I tried to.
"The second half of last season I played quite often. Unfortunately we just fell short of winning the league; that was disappointing, but I'm glad I came back."
Manchester Utd v Liverpool is live on Sky Sports 1 this Sunday. For more details click

Roberto Mancini reckons Robin van Persie could deny Manchester City the title

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is the difference between the two teams at the moment.

Van Persie chose United over title rivals City when he left Arsenal in a reported £22m deal last summer.
Mancini has previously admitted he was interested in signing the 29-year-old but has only now indicated how strongly City pursued him.
The Italian said: "We wanted Van Persie because we knew he could be an important player.
"He is totally different from our other strikers. We wanted him for the Champions League and for the Premier League.

"I think Van Persie, for United, is an important player. It is clear he changed this situation. In this moment, the difference is this."
Roberto ManciniQuotes of the week

"We were very close. We were sure he was for us but this did not happen and now we can do nothing. We were very close three or four months before he joined United.
"I think Van Persie, for United, is an important player. It is clear he changed this situation. In this moment, the difference is this."
Mancini has often bemoaned the output of his own strikers in recent weeks.
Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli have all struggled for goals of late - a problem highlighted in the shock Boxing Day loss at Sunderland.
Dzeko responded by scoring twice at Norwich on Saturday and Aguero was also on target in a 4-3 win.
Mancini insists he retains faith in his attacking options even though he did not get the player he wanted last summer.
He said: "I am happy, very happy. Last year we were the team that scored the most goals in the Premier League.
"But when you can improve your team with another top player, this is important.
"With Van Persie we would play with three strikers sometimes."

 

Aston Villa rubbish reports claiming they are keen on Inter Milan's Philippe Coutinho

Sky Sports understands that Aston Villa have been left bemused by links to Inter Milan's Philippe Coutinho.

Quotes attributed to Coutinho's agent, Cacau Barbosa, on Thursday suggested that the winger was a top target for Villa during the January transfer window.
While pointing out that no deal had been agreed, Barbosa claimed that the Premier League club had enquired as to the winger's availability.
Villa have informed Sky Sports that this is not the case, with no approach having been made.
Paul Lambert is in the market for new recruits, but Coutinho is not considered to be a name towards the top of his wish list.
It is possible that Countinho will be on the move during the current window, as the Brazilian is out of favour at Inter, but any imminent switch to Villa Park would appear to be unlikely.

THIS JANUARY TRANSFER TOTTENHAM STRATEGY.

Andre Villas-Boas has played down reports linking him with a bid for Leandro Damiao, saying it is "unlikely" the Brazil striker will move to Tottenham this month.

Emmanuel Adebayor's decision to go to the Africa Cup of Nations with Togo prompted speculation that Spurs would step up their bid for the 23-year-old Internacional player.
But though Adebayor's absence leaves Villas-Boas with just one recognised striker in Jermain Defoe, the Tottenham manager cooled expectation of an imminent arrival.
"Leandro is a player we've always appreciated, that this club appreciated before I arrived, but it's extremely difficult that he's going to join Tottenham," Villas-Boas said.
"He's a player that is highly rated in the market, and it's unlikely that he will play for Tottenham."
Damiao, rated at £20m, has impressed since joining Internacional in 2009 and was Brazil's top scorer at the London Olympics.

MANCHESTER UNITED FACE LIVERPOOL THIS WEEKEND

Sir Alex Ferguson hopes Manchester United's home date with Liverpool on Sunday will make headlines for all the right reasons.

The last time the two old adversaries met at Old Trafford in the Premier League, the game was overshadowed by Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra.
Those differences were put aside during a meeting at Anfield in September, and it is hoped the issue can now be laid to rest.
Ferguson is looking for that to be the case, with the United boss eager for focus to be returned to footballing matters ahead of an eagerly-anticipated north west derby.
"There will always be a certain build-up to a Manchester United-Liverpool game, simply because of the history between the two clubs, the two most successful in the country," Ferguson told Inside United.
"It brings its own agenda in terms of profile and pre-match discussion.
"Last year it was unfortunate with the Suarez behaviour.
"I think hopefully it is behind both clubs now and we can just look forward to the game."
Meanwhile, Ferguson has also been looking ahead to United's forthcoming UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid - which will see the Red Devils line up against a familiar face.
Cristiano Ronaldo built his reputation at Old Trafford, but has gone on to scale even greater heights since leaving for Spain in 2009 - according to Ferguson.
"Maturity brings many things," said the Scot.
"When I went to see them play against (Manchester) City, some of his decision making in terms of passing was brilliant. One-touch passing, good crosses.
"In the six years we had him, you just saw his game grow all the time, and he was a fantastic player.
"Now you see the complete player.
"His decision-making, his maturity, his experience, plus all the great skills he has got, they all make him the complete player."
Manchester Utd v Liverpool is live on Sky Sports 1 this Sunday. For more details click here

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