Football news

Milan could revive their interest in Lyon defender Aly Cissokho, according to the player’s Italian representative Fabrizio Ferrari.

Cissokho was on his way to Milan from Porto in 2009 but the Rossoneri halted the transfer at the last minute on the recommendation of the club’s doctor.

The French left-back ended up joining Lyon in a move worth €15 million.

“Milan are interested in several players. He is probably one of them,” Ferrari said.

“We’ll need to see if the decision will fall to him again and if Lyon are prepared to sell him.”

Bruce calls for winter break

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has backed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s call for a winter break which could help to revitalise the FA Cup.

“We have to try to arrest something,” Bruce told the Black Cats’ official website.

“My thoughts on it are that the competition needs a radical revamp.

“For example, the third round is usually the first Saturday after New Year when everyone is spent up from Christmas, and it becomes a problem for people after they have shelled out the money for their season tickets.

“Maybe we could try to restructure things – I’ve seen Sir Alex’s quotes on a mid-season break – if we’re going to be successful as a nation, that has to come into play.”

Zhirkov could quit Chelsea

Yury Zhirkov will look to leave Chelsea if he fails to force his way into the first team before the end of the season.

The 27-year-old Russia wing-back has only recently returned from three months out with an Achilles injury.

“My only target at the moment is to get back into the main Chelsea team,” Zhirkov said.

“If I’m successful with that, all the other issues will resolve themselves.

“But if I fail to achieve that between now and the summer, I will start thinking of other possibilities.”

Parma keen to keep Giovinco

Parma are keen to make Sebastian Giovinco’s loan move from Juventus permanent in the summer, reports in Italy suggest.

The 25-year-old is enjoying a very good season with Parma and his fine form earned him a call-up to the Italy squad earlier this month.

According to Tuttosport, Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi has decided to take up an option to sign Giovinco, although Juve have yet to determine a transfer fee for the player.

It is believed that Juventus are prepared to sell Giovinco in order to generate funds for other transfer targets amid reports of interest in Valencia playmaker Juan Manuel Mata and Andrea Pirlo.

Benzema wants to improve – Mourinho

French striker Karim Benzema , who scored within seconds of coming on in Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against his former club Lyon on Tuesday, still needs to improve, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said.

“Everyone knows his potential which is impressive. But everyone knows, and he himself knows it, because he is an intelligent boy, that during matches he still needs to improve certain aspects,” he told AS.

“He is working to improve. He is going in the right direction.”

Benzema, 23, became the first Real player to score at Lyon in the Champions League, but a late equaliser from Bafetimbi Gomis meant the seven-time French champions preserved their unbeaten record against the Spanish heavyweights.

Aquilani set for Juve stay

Juventus have already discussed terms with Liverpool for the permanent transfer of Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani who is currently on loan with the Bianconeri.

“Juventus and Liverpool reached an agreement for the player some time ago,” Franco Zavaglia, Aquilani’s agent, was quoted as saying.

“The Bianconeri directors absolutely intend to buy him permanently at the end of the season and have repeated it many times.

“If Juventus do not buy Aquilani outright, then he will return to Liverpool, even if he wants to play in Italy… I don’t think there are any Italian clubs that can have him other than Juventus.”

N’Zogbia focused on Wigan cause

Wigan winger Charles N’Zogbia has pledged to do everything in his power to help the club retain their Premier League status before considering his options in the summer.

Birmingham failed to sign N’Zogbia in a £9 million deal last summer after the player failed to agree personal terms with his suitors, while reports are rife that several clubs, including the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, are interested in the 24-year-old Frenchman.

“At the start Wigan was a springboard club for me,” N’Zogbia said.

“But I’ve been here two years and I want to do everything possible to keep the club in the Premier League.

“I’ll finish this season and then look at my future.”