Football news

Milan are willing to sign David Beckham until at least the end of next season. The England midfielder, on a two-month loan at Milan from LA Galaxy until March 9, has said he wants to stay with the Serie A club as he tries to increase his chances of playing at a fourth World Cup in 2010.

"We hope to sign Beckham until at least June 30, 2010," a Milan source said.

The former England captain will be 35 by the start of the next World Cup in South Africa.

Milan remain confident of sealing a deal by Friday. Club director Umberto Gandini is expected to fly to Los Angeles today to try to negotiate the transfer.

Villa prefers to stay in Spain

David Villa is likely to remain in Spain, his agent has said.

The likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter and La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are believed to be keen on the Valencia striker. There has also been speculation that Manchester City were looking to as well sign him.

"David has rejected the chance to play in England," agent Jose Luis Tamargo said.

"It would be a nonsense to negotiate with Man. City. If Valencia do decide to sell him he wants to stay in Spain."

Barry urged to sign new Villa deal

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged Gareth Barry to sign a new contract. The Villa captain has 18 months left on his current deal.

Agbonlahor believes Aston Villa's significant progress this season should persuade the 28-year-old to put pen to paper on a new deal.

"I think Gareth ought to sign a new contract. It would show our expectations for the rest of the season and the next," Agbonlahor said.

"I don't really like commenting on him but it would mean a lot, especially for the young lads because he's been here so long."

Viola fans protest over Adriano

Fiorentina fans have protested against the decision not to ban Inter striker Adriano for scoring with his arm.

Viola marksman Alberto Gilardino was given a two-game suspension for a similar offence when he found the net against Palermo earlier in the season.

Having reviewed TV footage of the incident, judge Gianpaolo Tosel said that he was not convinced that Adriano's actions were intentional.

"All this shows is that there are double standards in Italian football," prominent Fiorentina fan Stefano Sartoni bemoaned.

"This is an injustice," Viola supporters club chief Filippo Pucci agreed. "There's no use in pretending to be surprised that there's bias in calcio."

No Dutch return for Advocaat

Dick Advocaat is not interested in a return to Dutch football, dashing Den Haag's hopes of luring the coach away from Zenit St Petersburg.

The 61-year-old, who made 143 appearances for Den Haag between 1966 and 1973, has been linked with a return after coach Andre Wetzel called for the club to employ a technical manager to ease the burden on his shoulders.

"I have been everywhere and Holland is no longer part of my plans," Advocaat said.

Advocaat is not willing to take on a technical role such as the one Leo Beenhakker now holds at Feyenoord.

"Leo is the man to do that," he added. "He likes to be at the front in that way. I am not the kind of person for that though."

We can beat United, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho is confident Inter have what it takes to see off Manchester United in the Champions League.

An intriguing tie sees United travel to Italy on Tuesday for the first leg of a last 16 Champions League match that pits together former sparring partners Mourinho and Alex Ferguson.

"I have come up against United on several occasions and I know their style of play perfectly," said Mourinho.

"We will have time to prepare for our match against them. We do not fear Manchester United and we know we can beat them. That is despite recognising that they are a strong side with lots of qualities."

Rossoneri approach Barca over Eto'o

Milan have approached Barcelona to discuss the future of striker Samuel Eto'o, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Cameroon international Eto'o is pushing for an improved contract with rumours suggesting that he expects the same wage as Argentine ace Lionel Messi.

Barcelona are unlikely to meet his demands, leaving Eto'o's position at the Nou Camp uncertain.

Reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the Rossoneri have made preliminary enquiries about Eto'o's availability.

Manchester City are also said to be admirers of Eto'o, but the forward has stressed the importance of Champions League football.