City make move for Hammers midfielder

Manchester City have bid £15 million for West Ham United midfielder Valon Behrami. The offer for the Swiss international will test the resolve of West Ham’s new owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, to hold on to one of their star players. However the co-chairmen may decide that, by cashing in on the 24 year-old, they may be able to provide extra funds to bolster Gianfranco Zola’s relegation-threatened squad. West Ham have so far made it clear that Behrami, who was signed from Lazio for £5 million, on a five-year deal in July 2008, is not for sale. They are willing to countenance offers for Matthew Upson who is 30 and who, with less than 18 months left on his deal, has made it apparent that he does not want to sign a new contract.

Source: Daily Telegraph

Hodgson denies Arsenal move for Smalling

Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, yesterday said Arsène Wenger was too honourable to resort to underhand tactics in any pursuit of the young centre-half Chris Smalling. Hodgson stated that Fulham have received no offers for the highly rated England Under-21 international, despite speculation that Arsenal are ready to pay £7m for the 20-year-old, who was signed from non-league Maidstone in 2008. Hodgson said: "If Arsenal are interested, then I guess they had better get in touch with us. I have not spoken to Arsène at all. It has never been mentioned, and our chief executive has not spoken to their chief executive, so presumably that means they have got no interest, or the interest is being generated by someone else in the club or outside the club."

Source: The Independent

West Ham offer Ruud big wage deal

West Ham last night made a sensational swoop for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. New Hammers owners David Gold and David Sullivan have offered the ex-Manchester United star £100,000-a-week to fire them out of their Premier League relegation dogfight. Dutchman Van Nistelrooy, 33, has been told by Real president Florentino Perez he will not play for them again this season. Sullivan said: "We've offered £100,000-a-week to a player and we are still not sure we are going to get him. "It's a very special player. He's got the choice of almost every club in Europe. He has played at the highest level.

Source: The Sun

United linked with Italian defener Chiellini

Manchester United and neighbours City are both courting Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini. The Italy international's agent was at the thrilling Carling Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday night, revealing that both clubs had invited him to the match. The agent, Davide Lippi, stayed in England after the match for talks with Tottenham Hotspur, though he did not say whether Chiellini was the subject of talks with the north London club. Lippi insisted a deal was not imminent for the 25-year-old but respected Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport suggest United are making strong moves as they seek a long-term replacement for Nemanja Vidic.

Source: Daily Mail

Villa play down Boyd rumours

Aston Villa have distanced themselves from reports that they are close to signing Rangers striker Kris Boyd. It has been claimed Boyd, 26, has spoken to Villa about signing a pre-contract with Martin O'Neill's side but Villa sources today told Press Association Sport that no deal was imminent. Rangers' top scorer, who is currently injured, has been offered a new contract with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders, with his existing one due to expire in the summer.

Source: The Independent

City look at Boro star Johnson

Manchester City are weighing up a swoop for Middlesbrough star Adam Johnson. City have asked the winger's agents about his situation, with Chelsea, Sunderland and Wolves also showing strong interest. Johnson is out of contract in the summer and Sunderland had stolen a march on their rivals by getting an agreement in place with previous Boro boss Gareth Southgate. New manager Gordon Strachan blocked the departure but there has since been a rethink at the Riverside.

Source: The Sun

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