LA Galaxy prepares for the New Year

According to portuguese press, Inter Milan midfielder Luis Figo has signed a contract for AEG, a group that owns three MLS clubs, Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo and L.A. Galaxy. The 33 year old player will play for one of this clubs, earning 7 million US for two seasons.

According to News of the world, L.A. Galaxy are ready to join the auction for Celtic striker Maciej Zurawski. He is holding out for a move to LA despite interest from clubs in Europe.

Gazzetta dello Sport says Flamengo claims they have secured an agreement with Ronaldo while he takes his winter break in Rio de Janeiro.

After offering 20 million Euros to Inter Milan for fullback Maicon, Roman Abramovich is ready to bid up to 30 millions to bring to Chelsea the brazilian player, considered by the italian club the best in the world in his position and, consequently, not for sale.

It was considered very closed to Porto FC, but finally argentine midfielder Fernando Belluschi will play for Olympiakos. The greek club will pay 6 million dollars that will be divided between his actual club, River Plate, Rosario and the player's agent Pinhas Zahavi. Belluschi will arrive in Athens on January 3rd.

According to french and catalan medias, Jose Mourinho has already signed a pre-contract with AC Milan. The portuguese trainer would arrive together with one of his most faithful players, Didier Drogba.

Marv Levy to step down

According to NBC Sports' Peter King, Buffalo Bills GM Marv Levy will step down at the end of next week. More on thus story...

Gallardo to MLS???

According to Eurosport.fr, Marcelo Gallardo has been contacted by DC United regarding a potential transfer down to MLS. But the player who is out-of-favor at PSG with coach Paul Le Guen has declared that he wants to stay in Europe. More on this story later next week.

Anelka is a Blue

According to SKY Sports, Nicolas Anelka have agreed to terms on a contract to play for the London Blues known as Chelsea this upcoming January. Bolton and Chelsea have agreed to a 10m € deal. The deal will be official once the January tranfer market opens on Tuesday.

Ronaldo Most Wanted???

According to several media outlets in Brazil, AC Milan's Ronaldo is in talks with Brazilian outfit Flamengo. He is currently in Rio de Janeiro for an injury treatment but he was spotted having talks with the Rio team. Two other teams are interested in his services. The Los Angeles Gaalxy and Al-Ittihad are lining up contract offers for him.

Real Madrid are planning a bid for Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta.
El Mundo Deportivo says Real have already made contact with Arteta's representatives making him aware that they will make an offer for him at the end of this season.

Valencia striker David Villa is ready to quit the Mestalla and complete a dream move to the Premiership. The Mirror says Villa is targeting a £20m move to Chelsea or Tottenham after deciding to quit Spain. Spanish international Villa is unhappy at Valencia after a dressing room revolt against boss Ronald Koeman.
Villa said: "It is impossible for me to carry on."
Chelsea looked at Villa when Jose Mourinho was in charge.

Liverpool in Financial danger???

According to UK papers, American co-owners George Gillett junior and Tom Hicks are reportedly struggling to refinance the £220 million they borrowed from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
The club will not be allowed to go bust by the bank, but it could hasten the departure of Hicks and Gillett, with Dubai International Capital, the state-backed investment firm expected to buy out their shares.
Despite news last week that talks with RBS and American bank Wachovia over a new £350m loan had crashed, Kekst, the American owners' New York-based PR firm, continued with the belief that a deal would be done before Christmas.

Hicks and Gillett have until February to repay the £220 million, plus the interest accrued on £60 million worth of summer signings, including sizeable fees for Torres and Babel.

If a deal is not done before the deadline and an extension to the loan is not agreed with the RBS, then the bank will become de facto owners of the club.

Liverpool in a North American Tour???

According to french canadian television Radio-Canada Sports, Liverpool FC are having discussions about playing an exhibition game against the LA Galaxy at Toronto's Rogers Centre. In Toronto, they would also play in the MLS All Star Game. They would also play several games across North America notably in Montreal against Juventus at the Olympic Stadium.
Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are also looking at playing some games in USA and they would face each other on the American soil. Several cities and stadiums are looking at presenting the game. RFK Stadium, Qwest Field, Giants Stadium and Gillette Stadium are in the running.
And also a promoter is looking at the possibility of presenting the UEFA SuperCup in Canada, possibly in Montreal and Toronto.

More Star power to MLS???

According to several media outlets in Spain, frozen-out Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares is eyeing a move to the USA's MLS.
Canizares has been told by new coach Ronald Koeman he has no future at Valencia and the veteran keeper is already weighing up a move to the 'States for the start of the new MLS season.

According to Italian sports daily Tuttosport, Milan are set to offer Chelsea 30 million Euros for the services of Didier Drogba.

Adriano Set For Sao Paulo Move

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, news coming from Brazil confirms that Adriano is set to play for Sao Paulo until the end of the season, before returning to Italy, where Inter will be hoping see him in his old form.

Manchester City will reportedly be asked to pay £3.5million just to sign Mexican star Nery Castillo on a year's loan from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Liverpool are reported to be weighing up a January move for Portsmouth's Sulley Muntari if they are priced out of a move for Javier Mascherano.

England boss Fabio Capello hopes to convince Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher to reconsider their international retirement.

Breaking News in NCAA football

The Michigan Wolverines in NCAA Football have hired current head coach of West Virginia University Rich Rodriguez as their new head coach. This is according to FOXsports.com.

European Hockey League???

Last night, several media outlets were reporting that a Russian tycoon and a former NHLPA executive were preparing to launch a new European Hockey League that would start it's activities in September 2008. Several cities across Europe have expressed there interest in the adventure. Cities such as London (staged an NHL opening doubleheader), of course Moscow, Helsinki, Davos, Zurich and Paris would be in the league. It is unknown how much teams would be in that new league.

08 MLS AllStars could face an EPL side

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool might face the MLS Stars in the All Star Game in Toronto. The match would also please club sponsor Carlsberg, which backs Toronto FC, the side who enjoyed a commercially successful first season in the MLS this year, selling out every home game at their 20,000-seat BMO Field.
But the most interesting developments may come in Montreal, where Liverpool co-owner George Gillett Jr. already owns the Canadiens ice hockey team.
In his recent 'state of the soccer union' address, MLS commissioner Don Garber said Montreal was a leading candidate to be the one of the league's next expansion franchises.
The word is that Liverpool are also being lined up for a prestige friendly in the city's Olympic Stadium, possibly against Juventus, an event which would test the locals' appetite.

Avram Grant will make £15 million-rated Nicolas Anelka his top target when the transfer window opens in January.

Veron says Thanks but No Thanks

Juan Sebastian Veron will finally stay at Estudiantes LP after rejecting the D.C. United offer of more than 4m$ over 3 years.

Inter Milan's signing of CSKA Moscow attacking midfielder Daniel Carvalho has stalled.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is a target for Bayern Munich.
Bild magazine says Bayern chiefs have Rijkaard and Marco van Basten on their shortlist to succeed Ottmar Hitzfeld next season.
Bayern are turning to the two Dutchman as the board cannot identify any suitable German candidates.

LA Galaxy is closing in at a contract for Maceij Zurawski.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is set to be frustrated in his chase for Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho.
DiarioSport says Ronaldinho has already rejected an offer from Abramovich to move to Stamford Bridge as he favours joining the Brazilian contingent at AC Milan if he is to leave the Nou Camp.
Ronaldinho is a big-money target for both Chelsea and Milan.

Capello *The New manager of England*

From last night's breaking story on this blog it will confirmed on the weekend that Fabio Capello will be appointed manager of England. The appointment still requires the approval of the FA board today, but as officials, consulted managers and players all seem happy with the choice this should be little more than a formality. But both sides must still finalize the terms of the contract, which reportedly involves the appointment of four fellow Italians as part of Capello's staff.

Capello the new manager of England

I'm just watching SKY Sports News and they announced that Fabio Capello is expected back to England next week because he will be appointed manager in the next 48 hours....... Stay Tuned for this one.

3 way deal nixed

The major deal that DC United, FC Dallas and LA Galaxy was going to make happen, was nixed at the last minute because LA Galaxy would have 2 GF players and 1 DP player.

So Bobby Boswell, who was rumored to be going to Dallas was sent to Dynamo Houston for Zach Wells.

The agent for D.C. United keeper Troy Perkins has admitted to holding talks with five-time Norwegian champs Valarenga over a move for his client.

The signing of Juan Sebastian Veron will be completed as soon as next Wednesday as D.C. United will officially present Veron to the Washington press and fans. He is coming in as a free agent acquisition. So the January tranfer window is not required.

The signing of Ronaldo and Maceij Zurawski will completed in time at the January window market. Ronaldo is in talks with NY Red Bulls and New England Revolution.

AC Milan are ready to table a two-year contract offer to want-away Bayern Munich fullback Willy Sagnol.
The 30 year-old France international would arrive next month as a long-term replacement for Cafu, with Milan prepared to sign the right-back to a2yr deal worth £3.5 million, says Corriere dello Sport.

Micah Richards has signed a 4yr/10m € deal with Manchester City.

Don Fabio as manager of England???

According to several media outlets in the U.K. the former Real Madrid manager will hold talks with the FA in the next few hours to discuss the possibility of becoming manager of the English National Team.

AC Milan's striker Ronaldo is lining up a move to MLS. LA, NY and New England are interested in his services.

Carlos Ruiz from FC Dallas has been traded to LA in a major 3 way deal that also includes DC United. I will have futur detail about that deal in the next couple hours. The deal is not official yet.

Mourinho rules out England but what NEXT???

Jose Mourinho will not be coaching the English National Football Team after he ruled himself out of the running because he has accepted (it has been confirmed by sources in Italy) that he will take over as manager of AC Milan in the summer of 08.

Carlo Ancelloti will step down as manager in the summer and might take over as Italy Football Team if Roberto Donadoni fails to impress in EURO 08.

Timo Hildebrand is a step closer to quitting Valencia in January.
The Germany international is desperate for first team action to strengthen his Euro2008 claims and knows he is on the outer of new coach Ronald Koeman's plans.

American sports broadcaster ESPN is "absolutely interested" in the UK rights to broadcast English Premier League football matches, according to ESPN president George Bodenheimer.

England offer Mourinho £27M contract

According to several media outlets, England FA chief Brian Barwick is set to offer the national team job to Jose Mourinho. The Mail on Sunday says Mourinho will be offered the job of England head coach this week on £6million a year - but the Portuguese manager was last night considering his options after a counter-bid from a major European club. Barwick was on the verge of finalising a four-and a- half-year deal worth more than £27m last night, with the former Chelsea boss in Lisbon waiting to take a private jet to London.

A Polish striker to L.A.

According to BBC sports, Zurawski is considering a move to LA Galaxy, according to his agent.
The player's Polish representative Jerzy Kopiec expects to hold talks with the Californian club next week.
"The offer from Galaxy is very serious," Kopiec told the Daily Mail. "They are really determined to sign Maciej and treat him as a big star."

Marcello Lippi has now being linked with the FA as a possible replacement to Steve McLaren.

A Blockbuster Deal in MLB

According to ESPN, The Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers have agreed in principle on a trade that will send Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit for key prospects, sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons.
The Tigers would send outfielder Cameron Maybin, pitcher Andrew Miller, catcher Mike Rabelo and three other minor league pitchers to the Marlins.
The deal is expected to be announced Tuesday night when the physicals and paperwork are completed.

Shevchenko set for U.S. move

According to several media outlets in the England are reporting that Andriy Shevchenko has set his heart on following David Beckham to the US - if he is forced to leave Chelsea.
Shevchenko, 31, is desperate to stay at Chelsea but fears he could be sold as he struggles to win a first team place at Stamford Bridge.
And the Ukrainian superstar, who is on £130,000-a-week, would fancy a move to a Major League Soccer club as his final career step.
Shevchenko is married to American model Kristen Pazik who would welcome a move to the States after moving to London from Milan for the good of their two children. The US could be the next step for the player and Shevchenko would be welcomed with open arms in the MLS, where he would be seen as another major crowd-puller for the league.
Beckham caused a huge sensation when he arrived and Shevchenko would have the potential to do the same. New York Redbulls and New England Revolution are two of the teams that are keen on him.

Mourinho prepares for England job

Manchester City may make a move for Peter Crouch after the club's chairman, Thaksin Shinawatra, confirmed that manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was an admirer of the striker.

Jose Mourinho has prepared a blueprint for the future of English football in the hope that the Football Association will contact him this week to discuss the vacant England manager's position.

Diarra unhappy at Arsenal

Chelsea is ready to sell striker Andriy Shevchenko in January. The News of the World says Blues boss Avram Grant is willing to let Roman Abramovich's favorite player quit Stamford Bridge. The club signed him in May 2006. Shevchenko looks sure to return to Italy, most likely with Inter Milan. Juventus are also monitoring the situation. Shevchenko would take a pay cut to help secure a move back to Serie A.

Spanish sports daily El Mundo Deportivo claims that Netherlands boss Marco van Basten has ruled out taking over at AC Milan or FC Barcelona next summer.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be weighing up a bid for Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni. The Italian International is struggling with life in Germany since his move from Fiorentina in the summer and according to the Daily Mail, the striker is looking for an exit from the club this January with Serie A his preferred destination. However that will not stop both Arsenal and Spurs making a move for the Bundesliga joint top scorer.