Football news

Besiktas have announced the signing of Hugo Almeida from Werder Bremen for a fee of two million euros.

The Portuguese striker, Bremen’s top scorer in the Bundesliga this season with nine goals, has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Turkish outfit, according to a statement on Besiktas’ official website, www.bjk.com.tr.

The 26-year-old Almeida becomes the latest big-name arrival at Besiktas under coach Bernd Schuster, who last week also completed a deal for Portuguese winger Simao Sabrosa from Atletico Madrid.

Bruce reveals Beckham approach

Steve Bruce has revealed he attempted to persuade David Beckham to join Sunderland on loan last season.

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Beckham joined Milan for two loan spells in total before an injury suffered while at the San Siro ruled the former England captain out of the World Cup.

Bruce, a former team-mate of Beckham’s at Manchester United, said: “Certainly I tried to (sign Beckham) 18 months ago.

“I did try when he went to Milan. Milan or Sunderland or Birmingham or Wigan? He just said ‘thanks Brucie, I’m going to Milan’.

“I understand that. Milan and Prada or Sunderland and Primark?”

Juve’s Krasic targets scudetto

Milos Krasic believes Juventus are strong enough to win the Serie A title this season.

Juve are fourth in the table, five points behind leaders Milan. Signed from CSKA Moscow in the summer, Krasic is optimistic that Juve can pip Milan and the other rivals to the coveted crown.

“We are a great side,” Krasic told Tuttosport. “We have shown that we have the quality to step towards the title.

“We’ll just have to see where we end up, but we certainly believe that we can do it and we are thinking about it.

“Milan are strong, Inter will get back in the race, but nothing is decided yet.”

Owen still in Ferguson’s plans

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed reports linking Michael Owen with a loan move to another club during the January transfer window.

“He is looking really good,” Ferguson told the Mail on Sunday. “He has trained really well this week. People may have forgotten just what a good player Michael is.

“He’s had a nightmare time with a bad hamstring injury but now he deserves a change of luck.

“If he can stay fit, I believe he has an important part to play for the club between now and the end of the season; there’s no doubt about that. He still has a great engine.

“There has never been a problem with him since he came to United.”

Chamakh feeling the strain – Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits Marouane Chamakh’s form has suffered due to a heavy workload.

Chamakh made a strong start to his debut season in the Premier League, but his influence has waned in recent weeks.

The 27-year-old free transfer from Bordeaux has failed to hit the target in his last three matches and Wenger must decide whether to rest him against Chelsea tonight.

“Marouane has given a lot. He has played a lot on his own up front. He is a bit tired at the moment,” Wenger said. “He’s used to having a winter break in France at this stage of the season.

“He has played nearly every game since the start of the season. He feels that he had a little dip physically, but he’s working very hard in training to come back.”

Parker going nowhere says Grant

West Ham manager Avram Grant is adamant that Scott Parker will stay at Upton Park despite strong interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

Asked if Parker could be leaving Grant said: “No chance. Scott Parker is more than a good player for this football club.

“He is one of the foundations of this club. The owners have made it very clear that they want Scott Parker here and want good players here.

“We don’t have many like Scott Parker and it would not be good for us if he left the club and I don’t think it would be good for him.”

Grant also revealed that West Ham are close to signing midfielder Steve Sidwell from Aston Villa.

Liverpool join Dzeko race

Liverpool have joined the chase to sign coveted Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, according to reports in England.

The Telegraph reported yesterday that the Bundesliga club would consider a possible player-exchange deal and could sanction Dzeko’s move to Liverpool in return for Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger.

The Bosnian forward is said to have a €40 million release clause in his contract and it is unlikely that the new Liverpool owners would provide funds to buy Dzeko outright, leading them to offer other players instead.

Juventus, Manchester City and Milan are also believed to be interested in signing the 24-year-old who recently declared that he wants to leave the Bundesliga in the summer and also expressed his desire to play in Italy’s Serie A.