Ryan Fenech will not be joining Valletta this month after the Malta midfielder agreed to extend his contract with Ħamrun Spartans until 2011.
This week, Valletta president Victor Sciriha confirmed that he had made a formal bid for the highly-rated Spartans midfielder but his offer was turned down by the Ħamrun committee after the matter was discussed at a meeting on Wednesday night.
Manwel Fenech, father of Ryan and Ħamrun's public relations officer, told The Times yesterday that the 22-year-old, whose current deal was due to expire at the end of season 2009-10, will extend his deal by another season.
"I'm pleased to announce that Ryan Fenech has just agreed to sign a new contract with Ħamrun Spartans," Fenech said.
"The player is happy with Ħamrun and his decision to prolong his stay is a huge boost for our club. Valletta made a very interesting offer for the player but the committee was determined to keep Fenech."
A player who could leave the Spartans this month is defender Johnny Debattista.
Fenech said that Division One side Mqabba are keen to take Debattista on loan until the end of the season. Ħamrun have yet to make a decision on whether to accept Mqabba's proposal or not.
Meanwhile, a host of foreign clubs are closely monitoring the progress of Valletta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg and Cameroon striker Priso Doding. Faced with a question about Priso's future in light of mooted interest from an overseas club, Sciriha told The Times that the former Msida forward was not the only Valletta player in demand.
"I can confirm that we have had enquiries about Priso from clubs in Italy, France and Belgium," the Valletta president said. "The same goes for Hogg who is prompting interest from teams in Italy, Cyprus and Austria.
"Ancona, the Italian Serie B team we met in a friendly earlier this month, have asked about both Priso and Hogg. Although we are flattered by the interest shown in our players, we have no intention of letting them leave during the January transfer window."
Valletta, the current champions, are still unbeaten after 13 Premier League matches this season. Last week, the Citizens signed Roderick Briffa from Sliema Wanderers. The Malta midfielder is expected to make his first start for Valletta in tomorrow's clash with Birkirkara.
A club in Azerbaijan have sounded out Msida St Joseph about Pedro Dos Santos Calcado, Robert Farrugia, the president of the Premier League club, told The Times yesterday.
Farrugia said that the initial offer from the Azeri club has been rejected. Calcado has been strongly tipped to have a trial with a Spanish Division Two club this month but Msida have yet to receive an official request.