Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has ruled out a move for former striker Jermain Defoe next month.
The London club were reportedly keen on bringing Defoe back to White Hart Lane but were put off by the huge demands of Portsmouth. Redknapp has now turned his sights on Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing.
"I think they have a massive offer from somebody for Defoe so good luck to them, I paid about £9 million for him," Redknapp said.
"He is a good player but we're not going to pay over the top for anyone."
"I would like to sign Downing but I don't know whether Middlesbrough want to sell him," Redknapp added.
Top players could leave Fulham
Roy Hodgson wants to retain his key players during the January transfer window but admitted that a lucrative offer from a top club could tempt Fulham to sell.
Defender Brede Hangeland and midfielder Jimmy Bullard have both been linked with other clubs.
"We can't say if Bullard or Hangeland are not going anywhere," said Hodgson. "If you say are we trying to sell them, the answer is 'no' - we're not.
"But at the same time we are Fulham FC. There are bigger clubs who unfortunately have a lot more money so I can't say that anyone is not going anywhere."
Faubert ready to return home
West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert is ready to return to France next month. The Frenchman endured an injury-plagued first season at Upton Park after joining the Hammers from Bordeaux in the summer of 2007.
He started this season as a regular in the team but has not figured in Gianfranco Zola's starting line-up for the club's last three Premier League games.
"I need to play, I am 25 years old," Faubert told Le Parisien.
"Even if I feel at ease here, I would not exclude the possibility of returning to France. Clubs like Lyon and PSG are very attractive. We'll see in January."
Trezeguet set for early comeback
Juventus striker David Trezeguet could be back for Juventus sooner than expected after he underwent an operation on both knees.
The French forward had surgery on September 23 and was initially told that he would be sidelined for four months but doctors have given him the all clear to return to full training tomorrow.
"The recovery is going very well," Trezeguet said. "You cannot imagine the joy I felt when I was back in training. My focus is now set on returning to the first team as quickly as possible."
Trezeguet is the most prolific foreign scorer in Juventus's history with an astonishing 130 goals in 219 appearances.
Villa can keep Young says O'Neill
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is confident the English club are in a good financial position to resist a hefty offer from Real Madrid for Ashley Young.
The England U-21 international is reportedly a target for the Spanish champions and O'Neill admitted he would not be surprised if Real were to declare an interest in the player in January.
"We haven't had a call from Real Madrid at all but even if they did come in with £25 million we are in a position to turn it down.
"I said that Ashley was world class and that's fine. But in any case we are in a position to keep him or anybody else because the players themselves are really enjoying being here."
Rooney - I'm always in control
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has dismissed talk that he has a problem with his temperament, insisting he always feels in control.
Rooney's behaviour has regularly attracted criticism and the England striker was again in the headlines on Boxing Day after appearing to throw an arm at Stoke City defender Abdoulaye Faye.
"I don't think there is a problem with my temperament," Rooney told the Sunday Mirror.
"I don't accept that I need to learn to count to 10 in certain situations because I always feel in control of myself.
"It's people who don't know me who like to have a go at me. But I don't give them a moment's thought because they're just not important to me."
Samp eye loan deal for Balotelli
Sampdoria are planning to sign Inter striker Mario Balotelli on loan for the rest of the season, reports in Italy said.
The 18-year-old has only made eight Serie A appearances for Inter this season and his relationship with coach Jose Mourinho has deteriorated as a result of his lack of first-team football.
Sampdoria have already made early enquiries for Balotelli and are expected to face competition from fellow Serie A club Bologna.