An investment group controlled by the Qatari royal family held secret discussions last month with the owners of Manchester United over a possible takeover of the English club, a report said yesterday.

The Sunday Times said the talks faltered because the Glazer family, which owns United, asked too much from Qatar Holding, who were unwilling to pay more than £1.5 billion (€1.7 billion).

However, the paper said that football sources believe Qatar will return with a higher offer because it wants the club to help boost its profile ahead of the 2022 World Cup finals in the Gulf emirate.

Hoffenheim loan Ba to West Ham

Hoffenheim’s want-away Senegal striker Demba Ba is set to join West Ham on loan until the end of the season, the Bundesliga club said.

The 25-year-old fell out with Hoffenheim recently when he refused to attend a training camp, but a transfer to Stoke City fell through when he failed a medical.

Ba is now set to join West Ham on a short-term deal, Hoffenheim manager Ernst Tanner confirmed.

“Nothing has been signed, but everything points to the fact that he will go on loan at West Ham,” said Tanner.

Ba passed the medical on Saturday and the deal is due to be finalised soon.

Hoffenheim are still hoping to recruit Liverpool striker Ryan Babel as a potential replacement.

Suarez tempted by England move

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez is enthusiastic about the possibility of a move to England as speculation mounted of a transfer to Liverpool yesterday.

Ajax striker Suarez told The Sunday Times that he had initially believed his style of play would not be suited to the physical rough-and-tumble of the Premier League.

But the 23-year-old told the paper he had been inspired by the success of Carlos Tevez.

“England is a league that attracts me,” Suarez said. “I used to think that English football was not my style. But I saw Tevez play at Boca and Corinthians and I never imagined that he would play in the Premier League.

“When I see the way that Tevez plays there I think I can be a big name in England.”

Fiorentina to sign Maccarone

Fiorentina have agreed a deal to sign Palermo striker Massimo Maccarone, according to reports in the Italian media.

The Serie A strugglers are in the market for a forward and were linked with several names before settling on Maccarone who was transfer-listed by Palermo earlier this month. Reports suggested that the two clubs have already reached an agreement and are just waiting to make the deal official.

The former Middlesbrough frontman had also been the subject of interest from Cesena, but was said to have turned down the move.

Wenger desperate to protect Van Persie

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailed Robin van Persie’s hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Wigan, but warned the Dutchman that he cannot risk burnout as the Gunners target a four-trophy sweep.

“He’s back in form,” Wenger said of Van Persie. “He was already fit and sharp last week.

“It’s important to have him back but we have plenty of offensive players so let’s hope we can keep him fit until the end of the season and it’s up to us to use him in the right proportion of games we play.

“He handles it alright. He is intelligent but of course he wants to play.”

Muscat apologises for Zahra tackle

Former Wolves and Millwall hardman Kevin Muscat has issued a public apology for his horror tackle in the Melbourne derby.

The 37-year-old Melbourne Victory defender was shown a red card for a knee-high tackle on Adrian Zahra.

“Having had a sleepless night I felt it was important to front up and accept everything that is going to be coming my way in relation to bans and suspensions and being criticised and my character and my performance and all that comes with it,” Muscat said.

“I have to accept full responsibility for it but my only concern is the welfare of Adrian (Zahra).”

Muscat, who had just returned from suspension, hinted he could now retire. “I badly mistimed a tackle. Maybe it is telling me the game has passed me by.”

Emanuelson pens Milan deal

Milan have signed left-back Urby Emanuelson from Ajax, the Serie A club confirmed yesterday. Eman-uelson has signed a deal with the Rossoneri until June 30, 2014.

The 24-year-old Dutch international is Milan’s second reinforcement in the winter transfer market following the arrival of Antonio Cassano from Sampdoria.

Milan had been looking to strengthen their defensive line with Gianluca Zambrotta out injured and Luca Antonini having failed to impress Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri at left-back.

The Serie A leaders had previously seen bids for Sampdoria left-back Reto Ziegler and Genoa defender Domenico Criscito turned down.

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