Sporting Briefs...

Xavi: Barcelona midfielder Xavi claims Manchester United have spoken to his agent about a possible switch to Old Trafford. The 27-year-old Spain international is under contract at the Nou Camp until 2010 but, according to the player, he is a target for United. "It's true that the contact arrived with my agent Ivan Corretja to play for United but I have a contract with Barca and we have demanded that this (contact) was with the club," Xavi said. "After that, I do not know what has happened between the clubs."

Oliveira: Ricardo Oliveira will complete the season in the Serie A with Milan after his proposed loan move to Real Madrid collapsed. Milan were seemingly willing to hand over their summer signing from Real Betis, but the move was just too complicated to complete so close to the transfer window's closure. "It was a bit complex," noted Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani. "Real would have been his third club this season after already appearing for Milan and Sao Paulo."

Upson: Premier League strugglers West Ham signed England defender Matthew Upson from Birmingham City for an initial fee of £6 million. West Ham said the deal, concluded hours before the end of the transfer window, could rise to £7.5 million depending on appearances and that the 27-year-old had signed a four-and-a-half year contract. Upson, who has seven England caps, joined Arsenal as a youngster but a lack of first team opportunities meant he signed for Birmingham in 2003.

Jussie: Girondins Bordeaux have signed Brazilian forward Jussie from Ligue 1 rivals RC Lens on a six-month loan deal, with an option to buy at the end of the season. Jussie, 23, scored 13 goals from 68 matches with Lens since joining the club from Cruzeiro in January 2005.

Larsson: Arsenal's Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson has signed a permanent deal with Birmingham, the English second division side said. Larsson, previously on loan at Birmingham, has signed a four-year contract and cost one million pounds.