Turks celebrated late into the night after Fenerbahce beat Sevilla to reach the Champions League quarter-finals and newspapers heralded the victory as putting the club among the giants of European football.

"Fenerbahce, the new star of Europe," proclaimed Sabah newspaper above a photo of the club's players running to congratulate keeper Volkan Demirel after he saved the last of three spot kicks in a shoot-out.

Fenerbahce became the second Turkish team to reach the quarter-finals of the competition after former UEFA Cup champions Galatasaray.

"We said we would become a global giant and we are slowly progressing towards this," Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yildirim said.

Amauri says Chelsea want him

Palermo's £19m-rated striker Amauri has revealed that Premier League side Chelsea approached his agent in the January transfer window.

The 27-year-old, who has scored nine goals in Serie A this season, is set to leave next summer, according to club president Maurizio Zamparini.

"Chelsea spoke to my agent," said the Brazilian-born player, who is planning to become an Italian citizen.

Chelsea's interest in the forward may have been tempered by the signing of Nicolas Anelka from Bolton but, with uncertainty surrounding Didier Drogba's future, the Premier League side may choose to compete in the transfer market for the signature of one of Serie A's best strikers.

Gunners can do it says Wenger

Arsenal can win the Champions League after defeating holders Milan in the last 16, coach Arsene Wenger said.

Late goals from Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor sent the Premier League leaders through 2-0 on aggregate thanks to a famous 2-0 second leg win at the San Siro, the same ground they beat Inter 5-1 five years ago.

"We are in the quarter-finals so why shouldn't we believe we can do it? The competition is very hard but it is a cup competition so you have to take it like that," Wenger said.

Juve eyeing Lampard

Juventus look set to make an approach for Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard after admitting they will be able to buy players 'of his class' this summer. Lampard has 14 months remaining on his contract but has long been linked with a move abroad.

Juve boss Claudio Ranieri signed Lampard from West Ham during his time in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Ranieri is now looking to assemble a squad at Juventus capable of challenging for domestic and European success.

Barton barred from Merseyside

Newcastle have had their appeal to allow Joey Barton to play against Liverpool this weekend turned down by the courts.

Barton is not allowed on Merseyside as part of the bail conditions ahead of his trial for assault and affray after an incident in Liverpool city centre in December.

The club have appealed for Barton to be able to face Liverpool on Saturday and then Everton on the final day of the season but they have been denied.

Second player contracts malaria

Cameroon striker Bertin Tomou is the second player to contract malaria following the African Nations Cup finals in Ghana.

The 29-year-old Excelsior Mouscron forward felt poorly before his team's match against Lokeren last Saturday but played the game, only to be admitted to hospital on Sunday after tests revealed he had malaria.

Tomou is expected to be sidelined for at least the next two weeks.

It follows confirmation from Reading that their Ivory Coast midfielder Emerse Fae also contracted the disease while in Ghana.

Training injury downs Barnes

Derby County's teenage midfielder Giles Barnes is set to sit out the rest of the season after picking up a knee injury in training.

"Obviously this season has been a disaster for us as far as staying up is concerned so it wouldn't make sense to rush anyone back with next season in mind," Derby manager Paul Jewell told the club's website.

Derby are are nine points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League.

Arrest in ticket touting probe

A man has been arrested in an investigation into ticket touting at Premier League football clubs. The 32-year-old man from Blackburn was seized at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground during their Champions League game against Lyon.

He was held on suspicion of fraud, ticket touting and money laundering. Two houses in Blackburn were searched. The inquiry centres on tickets from top clubs being sold at inflated prices through a website.

Bentley to get extended deal

Blackburn chairman John Williams wants David Bentley to sign a new contract, despite the winger penning a four-year deal last year.

Bentley, 23, is tied to the club until the summer of 2011 but Rovers are eager to offer him an extended deal on vastly improved terms in an attempt to stave off interest from rival clubs.

Williams is confident the player will sign soon. He said: "David signed a new contract a year ago but needs a new one now. I would hope we could keep a player like David Bentley happy at Blackburn."

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