Football news

League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan revealed that Kevin Keegan is prepared to return to Newcastle under the right structure.

Keegan left his position as Newcastle boss last month after being unable to work under the management set-up created by Mike Ashley. The Tyneside club owner has subsequently put the club up for sale.

"Numerous people, including a group of Newcastle supporters, have contacted Kevin and myself saying, 'Would he be interested in coming back'?" said Bevan.

"Kevin didn't want to leave. He has a great passion for the club.

"But the structure has to be right. He doesn't want to go through that again."

Hleb wants Fabregas at Barca

Alexander Hleb wants to convince his former team-mate Cesc Fabregas to join him at Barcelona.

Earlier this month, Fabregas had revealed his ambition to play for Barcelona and Hleb cannot wait to see the Spanish midfielder at the Nou Camp.

"We get on very well on and off the pitch. For me he is like a brother. We call each other a lot to talk about things," Hleb said.

"He tells me he misses me at Arsenal and, without wanting to detract from anyone, I would love it if he came to Barca to be a part of all this.

"I will keep boring him until he changes his mind."

Charlton takeover

English Championship club Charlton Athletic have received an indicative cash offer from Zabeel Investments, a Dubai-based diversified investment company.

"The passion of the fans at Charlton, the heritage of the club and the unique status it enjoys in the community make it an exciting proposition for us," Mohammed Al Hashimi, executive chairman of Zabeel Investments, said.

The board at The Valley have already made it clear they recommend the offer should be accepted, which could then see a huge cash injection for the south London club.

Milan target Swedish starlet Soder

Milan are being linked with a move for Swedish youngster Robin Soder after leaving a good impression in a friendly for his club IFK Gotenburgh against Atalanta on Friday.

The Rossoneri are currently scouring the market in search of young talents to join the likes of Alexandre Pato and Alberto Paloschi in building a bright future for the club. And one name that is reportedly on the radar is that of 17-year-old Swede Soder.

"I know that Milan are amongst the clubs interested in him," ex-Atalanta striker Glenn Stromberg revealed.

"They have been watching him for ages and I know they had someone at the stadium just to watch him."

Soder has scored five goals in 10 games for Goteborg this season as well as finding the net against Basel in a Champions League preliminary round match.

Crespo chides Mourinho over snub

Inter striker Hernan Crespo has hit out at coach Jose Mourinho for barely playing him this season and for leaving him out of the Champions League squad.

"I'm not angry but the situation could have been handled better. They have not explained the reasons for my exclusion (from the Champions League)," the Argentine told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Mourinho is not my ideal coach but he is good. My ideal coach is (Milan's) Carlo Ancelotti. I like the way he faces each situation and how he treats the squad after every win or a defeat.

In January I'll decide what to do."

Tristan interest

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is confident of signing out-of-favour Spanish striker Diego Tristan.

Tristan, 32, failed to leave his mark at Livorno after joining from Real Mallorca last summer.

Zola has reportedly been told he can only bring in new players if he sells other squad members first after Hammers owner Bjogolfor Gudmundsson lost £230 million following the collapse of Icelandic bank Landisbank.

"Diego's working very hard and we're pleased with him," Zola said.

"He could be a good alternative. He's got a lot of experience and skills.

"He can do well as long as he gets fit."

Keane in contract talks

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn wants Roy Keane to take the club and his own career to the next level.

The former Manchester United midfielder is in the final year of his contract at the Stadium of Light and talks are ongoing over a new deal.

Quinn now hopes his former Republic of Ireland international team-mate can establish the North East side in the upper reaches of the Premier League table.

"In some ways, if Roy signs this deal, it is the end of his apprenticeship and the start of him being a fully-fledged manager," Quinn said.

"The first part in our aim was to get out of the Championship; the second part was not to go straight back down - which we achieved. Now the third part is to get up the league."