Manchester City forward Sinan Bytyqi has joined Dutch club SC Cambuur on loan after signing a new two-and-a-half year deal.
Bytyqi will spend the rest of the season with the Eredivisie side, who are performing well above expectations this season and currently lie in seventh position.
The Austria youth international is now committed to City until the summer of 2017.
He has been a regular starter for Patrick Vieira’s EDS side.
Dominant holders
Holders Japan enjoyed a Monday stroll in the Newcastle breeze as they swatted aside the meagre challenge of outsiders Palestine to kick off their Asian Cup title defence with a 4-0 victory.
Yasuhito Endo, Shinji Okazaki and Keisuke Honda notched first half goals with Maya Yoshida adding another after the break in a contest that was predictably one-sided for the four-times champs.
Palestine qualified to play in the Asian Cup for the first time despite the restrictions placed on them.
Japan move on to face 2007 champions Iraq in Brisbane on Friday after Palestine take on Jordan in Melbourne earlier in the day.
Aston Villa close to Gil transfer
Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Carles Gil from Valencia.
The club are expected to complete a deal for the attacker as their need for creativity grows.
Reports said Valencia valued Gil around £6m but Villa have negotiated over the fee as they did not want to pay over £4m.
The 22-year-old’s wages are not thought to be a problematic issue ahead of a switch to Villa Park and it is understood he should sign a five-year deal this week.
Spain Under-21 international Gil, who plays as an attacking midfielder, came through the Valencia ranks and spent two years on loan at Elche before returning to the Mestalla at the start of this season.
Valencia extend coach’s contract
Valencia coach Nuno has extended his contract until the end of the 2017-18 season, the La Liga club said yesterday, a vote of confidence for the Portuguese as he attempts to get the team back into Europe.
Nuno, who turns 41 this month and hails from the island of Sao Tome and Principe off the west coast of Africa, replaced Juan Antonio Pizzi in July after Valencia finished eighth in La Liga and failed to secure a berth in continental competition.
Singapore billionaire Peter Lim recently completed his takeover of the club and hopes are high he will stabilise Valencia’s finances and help them revive past glories.
Nuno’s previous contract ran until the end of this season.
Sissoko reveals Arsenal passion
Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko has described Arsenal as “the club of my heart”.
The France international has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this month, having impressed in the Premier League since arriving from Toulouse two years ago. And the 25-year-old revealed he has ambitions to achieve more in his career.
“I remain focused on Newcastle,” he said.
“If something should happen, it will happen. England remains my priority. If (Arsenal boss) Arsene Wenger calls me? We will have a discussion man to man. Arsenal has always been the club of my heart.”
Sissoko, who has 27 caps for France, said his dream was to play for a “big club”.
Lucky charm
China have invited a 12-year-old Australian ball boy to meet their Asian Cup squad after he contributed to their 1-0 victory against Saudi Arabia in their opener at the weekend.
Schoolboy Stephan White was on duty behind the China goal at Lang Park on Saturday when, with the Group B clash deadlocked 0-0, the Saudis were awarded a penalty.
China goalkeeper Wang Dalei peered through the netting at the back of the goal and asked White which way the youngster thought Saudi striker Naif Hazazi would send the spot-kick, and TV pictures show White indicating Wang should dive to his left.
When the Saudi player stepped up to take the kick, Wang did indeed dive to his left and blocked the attempt with his legs to keep the match scoreless.
Sarver ends Rangers bid interest
American financier Robert Sarver walked away from a potential takeover of football club Rangers yesterday after the Scottish side rejected his revised takeover proposal.
Rangers, which last week took an emergency loan from its chairman and has said in order to stay afloat it will need further funding beyond January, had rejected Sarver’s offer because it did not think the required 75 per cent of shareholders would back it.
Sarver, owner of the Phoenix Suns basketball team, had raised his offer to 20 million pounds for a controlling stake from an original offer of 18 million.