Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has turned his attention to Birmingham’s Sebastian Larsson as he attempts to increase his attacking resources.
PA Sport understands the Magpies have registered their interest in the 25-year-old Sweden international, who is out of contract at the end of the season. Pardew has made no secret of his desire to strengthen the supply lines to his strikers and having tied up a permanent move for Frenchman Hatem Ben Arfa earlier this week, has turned to the former Arsenal trainee.
The Newcastle manager has avoided naming the men on his January shopping list, but has lately been linked with the likes of David Beckham and David Bentley.
Rovers hopeful over Ronaldinho
Blackburn manager Steve Kean insisted the club’s chase for Ronaldinho is not over despite reports in Brazil suggesting he is set to sign for his old side Gremio.
Ronaldinho, 30, is back in Brazil and ready to complete a move from Milan. But Kean said: “No it’s not over, as far as I’m aware that hasn’t happened. It seems to have gone back on, and gone a little bit more positive in the last 24 hours rather than negative which is encouraging.
“I’m trying to get the player to commit to come over and speak to us and then to deal with his club. We are trying to get a formula that first of all satisfies his current club and then see if the player is actually fully committed to coming here.”
Mutu barred from Fiorentina training
Just two days after walking out of training, troubled Romania forward Adrian Mutu found himself barred from Fiorentina’s training ground yesterday.
Mutu incurred his bosses’ wrath on Wednesday when walking out of training following a meeting between his agent and the club. And although he turned up yesterday, he was told to leave.
“Fiorentina has decided to exclude with immediate effect Adrian Mutu from training and preparation,” said a statement.
Fiorentina also repeated their intention to sue Mutu for breach of contract.
Vidic eager to set captain’s example
Nemanja Vidic is acutely aware of the need to take the Man. United armband seriously.
The Serbian was Alex Ferguson’s surprise choice as skipper at the start of the season, handed the job ahead of Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville.
Whilst the job itself is not new to Vidic, now the captain of his country, he does feel the need to set an example for the rest of his team-mates to follow.
“I feel very proud,” he said.
“It came as a bit of a surprise. The manager said he wanted someone who would play regularly but I know it is a big honour. I know that I need to set a good example, on and off the pitch.”
Keane sacked as Ipswich boss
Roy Keane has been sacked as manager of Ipswich Town after 20 months in the job. The club have lost seven of their last nine games and the 1-0 loss to N. Forest on Monday left them sitting 19th in the Championship.
Keane, 39, has however led the club to the semi-finals of the League Cup where they will face Arsenal.
A combative Irish midfielder who captained Man. United when they won the treble in the 1998-99 season, Keane started his management career at Sunderland.
He guided Sunderland to promotion to the Premier League but resigned in December 2008 with the club struggling against relegation. He joined Ipswich in April 2009.
’Gers, Birmingham agree Miller deal
Rangers’ striker Kenny Miller is heading to the English Premier League after the Scottish giants accepted a bid from Birmingham City, it was confirmed yesterday.
Birmingham will pay an initial fee of £600,000 for Miller, whose contract at Ibrox expires in the summer.
Miller is now studying the personal terms offered by Birmingham before finally deciding whether or not to move to St Andrew’s.
If he decides to head south, the move will see Miller reunited with Birmingham boss Alex McLeish, who he played for on Scotland duty.
Miller, 31, had previously played for Wolves and Derby and has been a reliable scorer throughout his career.
Kharja on his way to Napoli
Houssine Kharja is close to leaving Genoa and sign for Napoli in the January transfer window according to the midfielder’s representative.
“I knew that Mazzarri wanted to talk with Houssine and the telephone conversation took place,” agent Giuseppe Galli told reporters.
“It was a sensible thing to do because Napoli are having a wonderful season and Kharja wants to earn his place in the side without upsetting the balance of the squad.”
Although talks are at an advanced stage, there are still some details to iron out for a player who only joined Genoa from Siena in the summer.