West Ham United could miss out on the signing of Nice striker Loic Remy because of the way they want to stagger their payments for the 23-year-old.
The Hammers had been in pole position to land the forward although Liverpool and Tottenham have now reportedly entered the chase to sign the player.
Nice president Gilbert Stellardo told L'Equipe:"For the moment it's the same status quo, but if Liverpool make an offer things will be done swiftly.
"The amount (offered by West Ham) suits me but not the payment method.
"West Ham want to buy Loic because they think he could rapidly be worth 10million euros more if he plays in England. They don't want us to pay the full sum all at once."
Remy scored 15 goals in 33 appearances last season to bring his tally for Nice to 25 goals in 66 matches.
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Stellardo has also confirmed that he is interested in signing Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard on loan again.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini claims the door remains open for Craig Bellamy to return to the club.
The Wales striker joined Championship side Cardiff City on a season-long loan on Tuesday after being left off City's 25-man squad list eligible to compete in the Premier League this term.
Bellamy fell victim to a summer of hectic transfer activity at Eastlands which has seen the arrival of over £100million of fresh talent.
However, his days as a City player may not necessarily be over, according to Mancini.
"I'm happy for Craig. I hope he will have a fantastic season. It's his choice," said the Italian.
"In Cardiff, there is his home and his family.
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"I don't know what his options were. You would have to ask Craig.
"I don't know if he will play for me again. In football anything can happen."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
As Joe Hart single handedly shut out Tottenham at White Hart Lane, his predecessor could only look on from the bench and admire. But Hart’s justification will offer little consolation to Republic of Ireland keeper Given who admitted he would consider quitting Manchester City if he was dislodged from the number one spot.
A player of Given’s quality dictates that leaving him out will naturally initiate transfer talk with Arsenal and Fulham at the forefront of mooted destinations.
However, would it not be worth City’s neighbours Manchester United stepping in to provide the first team opportunity this great keeper craves?
His undisputable pedigree would perhaps be the perfect replacement for Edwin Van Der Sar whose contract expires at the end of 2010/2011season with retirement on the horizon.
Given was a model of consistency during 354 appearances for Newcastle and has arguably been one of Manchester City’s best signings amidst the millions they have spent, typified by his excellent 2009-2010 campaign.
And whilst Joe Hart’s rise to prominence will please Capello, Given is particularly disappointed when he reflects upon just how good he has been at Eastlands.
Given said: “I haven’t joined City to sit on the bench, I’ve gone there to play. If that’s not the case, I’ll sit down on Monday with the club and see where I can go after that.” He added: “Joe did well last year and deserves great credit for that but I’d like to think I did OK at Manchester City.”
If Sir Alex Ferguson decided that Given was the man to replace Van Der Sar, he would be buying an excellent goalkeeper who has made 402 Premier League appearances to date and despite being the wrong side of thirty his ability shows no sign of diminishing.
Roberto Mancini wants to keep hold of the Irishmen but what he must understand is that having a plethora of world-class players means that at some point in time, they will become unhappy warming the bench at the City of Manchester Stadium, especially when they harbour international ambitions.
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If United do make a move to secure Given as the man to supplant Van Der Sar, it will gift the want away goalkeeper the first team opportunity he deserves after 13 years of excellent top flight goalkeeping.
One thing is for sure, there are not many better goalkeepers around than Shay Given.
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has been ruled out for three weeks with an Achilles injury.
Carrick has been used sparingly by the Red Devils in the opening weeks of the new season while carrying the long-running problem.
The 29-year-old has not started a game since the Community Shield victory over Chelsea in early August.
However, after Carrick reported back to Old Trafford following international duty with England complaining of discomfort, he was sent to a specialist who has advised a period of rest.
"He has had a problem with his Achilles," explained manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
"It has been bothering him for a few weeks now, so we sent him to a specialist in London yesterday and he had an injection. We are hoping that settles it down.
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"We have been considering what we should do about it. The best thing is to get it treated and out of the road now because everyone in the squad is fit."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is waiting to see whether he will face any action from the FA over his post-match rant about referee Mike Dean's performance in his side's 2-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers.
The Seasiders' chief was fuming at a late winner in the weekend game and exchanged views with Dean in the tunnel at the final whistle.
Holloway commented:"I thought the referee had a poor game and he is going to report me for what I said to him in the tunnel. I can't believe what he saw.
"I thought there were some unbelievably strange decisions out there.
"I waited for him in the tunnel. Never mind, I have got to learn and I should know better, but it is ridiculous.
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"In life sometimes you don't get what you deserve, but all I can do is keep monitoring the level of our performance and I was absolutely delighted with that."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
West Ham United boss Avram Grant is hoping a Carling Cup run can get frustrated fans back onside.
The Hammers were booed off following last weekend's 2-1 Premier League defeat at home to Newcastle.
Grant was appointed in the summer as Gianfranco Zola's replacement but has come in for criticism with the club rooted to the foot of the table.
They take on Stoke City in the last 16 of the Carling Cup on Wednesday evening and the Israeli coach is hoping for some cup cheer.
"The fans are great here. They support the team and I feel them everywhere," he told the club's official website.
"They are having to be patient but they knew like everyone that this season would be a difficult one.
"It is nice to have a cup run. In the league, you can lose a game but you can recover in the next match. In the cup, if you make a mistake, you are out.
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"We have to make the match all about us.
"We have bounced back before this season and we will be working hard to do that once again."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Romelu Lukaku has experienced a meteoric rise to fame. Just two years after making his debut for Anderlect, 17 year old Lukaku’s ability has already been compared to that of Didier Drogba (also note the physical resemblance). He has started attracting the interest of clubs from around the world, including Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United and has even earned plaudits from Cristiano Ronaldo, who has called him “a fantastic young player”. You’d be excused if Lukaku has slipped under your radar, so here are five things that you need to know about the young Belgian striker.
1. Romelu Renama Lukaku was born on the 13th May 1993 which, as stated before makes him only 17. He signed his first professional contract with Belgian giants Anderlecht at the age of 16 and made his debut only 11 days later. Prior to his big break in the first team, he had been scoring goals for Anderlect since he was 12, an amazing 121 goals in 87 games for the youth side. He comes from a good footballing family, his father is former professional Roger Lukaku and his brother Jordan is also a professional player at Anderlecht.
2. The 09/10 Belgian Juliper Pro League season was his true breakthrough. At the age of 16 he finished as the league’s top scorer with 15 goals in 24 games and helped Anderlecht to the league title. It was on the back of this season that calls for an international call-up were finally heeded and he made his debut against Croatia in February 2010.
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3. His physical attributes indicate that he would be well suited to a physical Premier League tussle. He stands at an immense 6ft 4in and over 14 stone – not bad for a lad mid-way through his teens, but it is also the nature of his game that appears to be well beyond his years. As well as outmuscling opponents, he can also out think them and out run them. He has the positional sense of a seasoned professional and can score goals on the ground and in the air.
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4. Despite being Europe’s new hot property Lukaku is very ambitious, yet has his feet firmly on the ground. When asked what he thought of being branded ‘The new Drogba’, he replied: “It’s an honour. Didier, along with Adebayor, is my idol. But he is a world-class attacker and has scored more than 100 goals for Chelsea whereas I’m just starting out. It would be better to see how I compare when I’m his age.”
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5. So is he interested in a move? The answer is yes, but not quite yet. He would like to finish school before seeking a move, and even then he is keen to repay Anderlect for their faith in him: “Anderlecht have been very good to me, I like it here and I may even stay until I’m 20”, Lukaku has said. This sentiment is also supported by his father Roger, who is the young player’s career counsellor and ensures he avoids the pitfalls that modern day players are subject to.
Bolton Wanderers boss Owen Coyle has backed Spurs counterpart Harry Redknapp to succeed Fabio Capello as the next manager of the England national team.
Capello seems likely to leave his post after the 2012 European Championships, with Coyle believing that Redknapp would be the right man to take charge of the Three Lions at that point.
He said:"If and when Mr Capello decides after his contract expires he doesn't want to do the job any more, Harry Redknapp would be the perfect candidate to be the next England manager.
"I think the whole country would be pleased about that. He is an outstanding manager and a terrific man, who has been very helpful to me. He has always given his time very generously.
"Harry is picking up Champions League experience as well and has had success wherever he has been.
"Harry Redknapp and England sounds right to me. For me he is an elite manager. The great thing about him is he has worked his socks off to earn that right.
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"He has been working at the coal face, not only that, his eye for a player is terrific."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsene Wenger has stressed to his players that they should not fear meeting Barcelona in the Champions League.
The Gunners booked their spot in the last 16 with a 3-1 victory over Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday night, with Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri on target to ensure Arsenal's progression.
However, Arsenal qualified for the next round in second place as Shakhtar Donetsk secured a 2-0 victory over Braga on Wednesday and the Gunners now face the possibility of a tricky last 16 showdown.
Spanish giants Barcelona are the current favourites to take the Champions League title and Arsenal could be handed the task of facing Pep Guardiola's men in the next round, with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Schalke the other possible opponents for the Gunners.
Despite the fact either Barcelona or Real Madrid could lie in wait for Arsenal Wenger remains optimistic about his side's chances in the competition.
"Let's be realistic, Barcelona are the super favourite at the moment," Wenger said,"but we take what we get and if it is Barcelona, it is Barcelona.
"It depends whether you have your best players available, whether we have a good level of confidence then.
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"It is very difficult to predict how far you can go.
"In the last 16 it becomes a different competition, a cup competition and that means for 180 minutes you have to be at your top."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
With Edwin van der Sar announcing that he is set to retire at the end of the season, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is set to step up his search for a goalkeeper in January and Fergie might even make a shock swoop for Liverpool’s Pepe Reina according to this morning’s papers!
Elsewhere Newcastle’s Andy Carroll continues to be the object of affection for Premier League managers, Chelsea are looking to Frank Lampard to make the difference ahead of tonight’s top of the table clash at the Emirates and Arsenal and Tottenham’s Welsh sensations may come together to help Britain’s cause.
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Fergie in shock swoop for Reina – Daily Mail
Carlo Ancelotti turns his attention to Cahill – Daily Mirror
Mancini has one eye on Carroll – Guardian
Spurs eyeing up Villa swap deal – The Sun
Beckham could be Ewood bound – talkSPORT
Chelsea look to Lampard to turn the tide – Telegraph
Bale and Ramsey to feature in Olympics – Daily Mail
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Taylor commits future to Newcastle – Telegraph
Plenty of sleepless nights for Sullivan – Daily Mirror