Football news

Roma are leading the race to sign French goalkeeper Yohann Pele from Ligue 1 minnows Le Mans.

Roma are looking for a stand-in keeper to Alexander Doni and Pele has been in their target ever since winning widespread acclaim for his performances at Le Mans who denied their goalkeeper will be leaving in January.

"Roma are interested and there are also Spanish, English and German teams tracking him," the player's agent Duro Ivanisevic said.

"I think Yohann is ready for Italian football and Roma are our first choice. They have been monitoring his progress for a few months now.

"There certainly won't be a renewal with Le Mans and so in January he will move on."

Speed needs back surgery

Former Wales captain Gary Speed is facing a long lay-off after Sheffield United revealed he needs a back operation that could keep him out for months.

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell suggested Speed, 39, could also decide to hang up his boots and take up a coaching role.

Speed, who has won 86 caps for his country, started his career with Leeds in 1988 and moved to Everton for £3.5m in 1996.

He won the top-flight league with Leeds in 1992. Two years later he joined Newcastle for £5.5m and then signed for Bolton in 2004.

Four years followed at the Reebok before he joined Sheffield United last January.

Redknapp to part with Gilberto

Harry Redknapp is likely to let full-back Gilberto go in the January transfer window after the Brazilian's blunder left his side requiring a second-half comeback to earn a place in the UEFA Cup knockout stage.

Gilberto was at fault for Spartak Moscow's opener on Thursday and when the Russians added a second, there was a real chance of Spurs crashing out of Europe.

Redknapp took Gilberto off at the break. Tottenham eventually drew 2-2.

"I think he was quite happy to come off at half-time," Redknapp said. "I don't think there is a way back for him here."

Everton make Love approach

Everton are set to make an offer to lure Vagner Love away from CSKA Moscow next month. Everton tried to sign the Brazil international forward last summer but the move failed to materialise.

David Moyes, the Everton manager, is believed to have rekindled his interest in Love after losing Yakubu Aiyegbeni and James Vaughan to long-term injuries.

Love, 24, said Everton are the only club to have contacted him despite being linked with other clubs, including Real Madrid.

"Just one club has contacted me and that club are Everton," Love said.

"I will do everything I can and more to negotiate my release with the CSKA president."

Hamsik robbed... players could quit Napoli - Reja

Napoli coach Edy Reja said players could quit the third-placed Serie A club after midfielder Marek Hamsik was robbed at gunpoint in Naples on Thursday.

The Slovakia international, who is being tracked by top European clubs, had money and a watch stolen while he was sat in his car.

"I'm really sorry for Marek, he is a good, educated lad who doesn't know violence," Reja told reporters.

"The city is in our hearts but someone could decide to abandon it."

Wigan Athletic win court battle

The Court of Appeal in London yesterday ruled in favour of Premier League club Wigan Athletic who had contended that they were overcharged by the Greater Manchester Police to cover home matches.

Appeal judges ruled that the club had been charged for special police services which it had not requested. Wigan had originally claimed nearly £300,000 but now they are likely to get about £37,000 in return.

The court heard that Wigan used to be charged for special policing services it requested inside the JJB Stadium. But then the police also demanded payment for the area surrounding the stadium.

The club was charged £226,184 in 2003-04 and £283,082 for 2004-05, compared with £61,058 in 2002-03.

Behrami linked with Juve move

West Ham's Valon Behrami could end up playing in the Serie A next month if reports that Juve are to launch a bid for the Swiss midfielder are true.

Juve are currently second in the standings and in the Last 16 of the Champions League but the club still intend to strengthen the squad in the winter transfer window.

Gianluca Nani, the West Ham sporting director, said Behrami, 23, is going nowhere, but Tuttosport claimed that Juve are ready to make a bid worth £1.8m per season.

Behrami, reportedly unsettled in England, played for Genoa, Verona and Lazio between 2003 and 2008 making over 100 appearances in Italy.