January Transfer Window 2013 (General)

[Chazza]

David Villa will not leave says Barcelona chief Sandro Rosell
Barcelona's president has ruled out the Spanish club allowing striker David Villa to leave them in the January transfer window.

Villa, 31, has been linked with several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool.

But, speaking to Catalan radio station RAC1, Sandro Rosell said: "I completely rule out the transfer of Villa during the winter market.

"He is ours and we need him, there is a lot of the season left."

Spain forward Villa, who joined the Nou Camp outfit for £34m from Valencia in May 2010, suffered a broken leg at the Club World Cup in December 2011 and missed the rest of the season and Euro 2012.

He has struggled for first-team action this season and has started in only 10 of the 21 appearances he has made for Barcelona so far in the current campaign.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20946674

[Chazza]

Reading have made an approach to sign Manchester United's 22-year-old England forward Danny Welbeck.

Full story: the Times (subscription required)

[Chazza]

Manchester United in prime position to land £12m-rated Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha

Manchester United’s path to signing Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha looks to be clear after Tottenham insisted they would not pursue the youngster.

By Chris Bascombe
10:00PM GMT 08 Jan 2013

It is believed United are now in prime position to seal a deal, with rival clubs dropping out of the race because, privately, they believe Sir Alex Ferguson has already secured the player.

Zaha has become one of the most sought after players outside the Premier League, his elevation to the higher level inevitable.

The main issue is when, not if, it will happen with Crystal Palace hoping to keep the £12 million-rated 20-year-old until the summer at least.

Spurs on Tuesday night moved to distance themselves from Zaha, but it is understood numerous Premier League clubs who were following his progress have taken a step back recently because they are sure he is United-bound.

Palace hoped if a deal was agreed this month, United would agree to loan them Zaha for the rest of the season.

United return to Premier League action on Sunday with a home clash with Liverpool and they go into the match holding a massive 21-point lead on Brendan Rodgers’s side. However, Paul Scholes says that Liverpool’s recent struggles, the clash between the North-West giants is still one of the most intense.

“I think it was the top one for quite some while,” he said. “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 will always be right up there.

“Whether Manchester City have overtaken Liverpool now as our biggest rivals, I don’t know – it will 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.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9789050/Manchester-United-in-prime-position-to-land-12m-rated-Crystal-Palace-striker-Wilfried-Zaha.html

[RedReet]

Reading have made an approach to sign Manchester United's 22-year-old England forward Danny Welbeck.

Full story: the Times (subscription required)

Probably get £20m for him.

Although, don't think United will sell.

[Chazza]

Sunderland are confident they will beat QPR to the £4m signing of Swansea striker Danny Graham, reports the Daily Mail. The Black Cats claim they would have signed him by now but for a snag over Stoke forward's Kenwyne Jones' proposed move to Swansea.

[Chazza]

Sunderland have completed the signing of Bursaspor midfielder Alfred N'Diaye, 22, on a three-and-a-half-year contract, for an undisclosed fee.

N'Diaye, who can also play in defence, spent three years with French club Nancy before moving to Turkey in 2011.

The France Under-21 international could feature against West Ham on Saturday, subject to international clearance.

"He is a powerful young player and can offer us more strength in depth," said Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill.

"He will give us options and I'm delighted we have been able to bring him to the club."

Sunderland are 14th in the Premier League, four points above the relegation zone, and have conceded five goals in their last two league games.

[Daffy Duck]

Alfred N'Diaye krazy name

[Gibbo]

Sky Sports Football @SkyFootball

Aston Villa have made an enquiry for Inter Milan winger Philippe Coutinho, according to the player's agent. http://bit.ly/ZuX2R1

[Fivex]

[Tee]

[Camble]

There's more chance that David Villa has made an enquiry for Coutinho to be his chauffeur.

[Chazza]

AVB confident they will sign Damiao.

Gary Jacob
@garyjacob Thfc AVB on damiao "extremely likely that we going to sign him"

[RedReet]

Booooooooo. I wanted Damiao.

[Chazza]

Turns out he said 'unlikely' and it was a typo from Gary Jacobs

[Tee]

Typical Spurs.