Football news

Michael Mifsud is being linked with a move away from Coventry City. Reports in the English media this week said the Malta striker could be sold to fellow Championship side Reading next month.

A report on the Mirror said Reading are set to add extra bite to their attack with the acquisition of Mifsud for a fee of £300,000.

Mifsud's contract at Coventry expires at the end of the season and the Sky Blues are reportedly ready to receive a reduced fee rather than losing him for nothing in summer.

Mifsud, formerly of Kaiserslautern and Lillestrom, was on the verge of sealing a transfer to Bristol City in August but the deal was called off when both parties failed to agree personal terms.

Totti hopeful of facing Arsenal

Francesco Totti is confident of recovering from a thigh injury in time for the first leg of Roma's Champions League last-16 tie against Arsenal in February.

The Roma midfielder limped off after just over half an hour of the Giallorossi's 3-2 defeat against Catania last weekend.

Early diagnosis revealed that Totti had suffered a second-grade strain in his right thigh and will require almost two months of recovery. The former Italy international is determined to return for the quarter-final tie against Arsenal.

"I don't want to rush the recovery to avoid making it longer," the striker told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The match I really want to play is the one against Arsenal and I'm sure I'll make it."

Dunga to call up Amauri

Brazil coach Dunga intends to call up Amauri and avoid the risk of losing the Juventus striker to Italy.

Amauri is applying for an Italian passport and, as things stand, he would be eligible to play for the world champions when it comes through because he has never represented his homeland. The 28-year-old has said he would like to play for Italy if he continues to be overlooked by Brazil.

"I'm ready to call up Amauri as long as he does not demand a (regular) starting place," Dunga said.

"It would be better for him if he enters on tip-toes. Everyone wants Amauri in Brazil but if the lad gets his first match wrong, he'd be destroyed the day after."

Ronaldinho's home burgled

The Italian home of Milan forward Ronaldinho was burgled earlier this week, police said.

The Brazil international has returned to his homeland for the Christmas holidays and the house was empty when the raid took place.

Watches and items of jewellery worth thousands of euros were stolen but the criminals seemingly forgot to take with them the Golden Ball which the Brazilian won in 2005.

Reports said that the same property had been targeted by robbers in the past under previous owners.

Spurs bid for Bellamy rejected

Tottenham had a £6 million offer for striker Craig Bellamy turned down by West Ham and are pondering whether they make an improved bid.

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp revealed the club had been unsuccessful in their approach to the Hammers, who have repeatedly denied they are planning to sell any star players due to financial troubles.

"I like Bellamy," Redknapp told Sky Sports. "It apparently came out an offer was turned down so I don't know where we go from here.

"We're looking round a few players and he's certainly one of them."

Senna keen on Man. City move

Spain's international midfielder Marcos Senna revealed that he would be interested in joining Manchester City during the January transfer window.

The Villarreal player, who is under contract until 2010, is believed to be one of the players on City manager Mark Hughes's wish-list as City owners Abu Dhabi United Group prepare to bankroll a spending spree next month.

"I have heard about the big project at City and I'm flattered by their interest," Senna Said.

"The Premier League is a big league and I am interested in the challenge.

"It would take an enormous proposition by City for me to leave but it is not impossible."

Portsmouth eye Brown swoop

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams is lining up a bid for Celtic midfielder Scott Brown during next month's transfer window.

The English club are in the market as they seek a good replacement for midfielder Lassana Diarra who joined Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old Scottish international has established himself as key member of Gordon Strachan's side since his arrival from Hibernian in the summer of 2007.

Adams is a big admirer of Brown and believes the midfielder would be perfectly suited for a move to the English Premier League.