Fulham urged to keep hold of wantaway striker Dimitar Berbatov

AARON HUGHES claims Fulham must do all they can to stop Dimitar Berbatov quitting the club.

DIM VIEW: Berbatov's agent has made it clear that the Bulgarian wants to flee the sinking ship that is Fulham in January [GETTY]
 

Berbatov's agent says his client wants out of Craven Cottage - and Starsport understands Arsenal head a queue of clubs weighing up a January move for him.
The Gunners see Berbatov, 32, as the ideal man to ease the burden on Olivier Giroud and he could be available at a cut-price fee, as his contract is up in the summer.

He is also not cup-tied for the Champions League.

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Scouting Manchester City Transfer Target Iker Caslillas

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Manchester City’s goalkeeper situation is rather precarious at the moment. Joe Hart, once the first name on the teamsheet and widely seen as one of the finest young goalkeepers in Europe, has been dropped after an incredible loss of form over the past 12 months, and his replacement, Costel Pantilimon, has failed to fully convince.

It’s highly likely, given their aspirations, that the club are lining up a move for a goalkeeper, either in January or the summer.

Speaking on Sky’s Revista de la Liga programme earlier this week, my Bleacher Report colleague Guillem Balague spoke at length about Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas—a world-class 'keeper currently marginalised at Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti.

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Six arrests made over suspected match-fixing

Members of an alleged betting syndicate have been detained on suspicion of fixing English football matches following an investigation led by the National Crime Association

Six men have been arrested in connection with a National Crime Association investigation into alleged match-fixing, Goal can confirm.

The identities of the teams and persons involved cannot be revealed for legal reasons but Goal understands that none of those under suspicion currently ply their trade in the Premier or Football League.

The arrests follow an enquiry undertaken by The Daily Telegraph, which obtained a recording of one alleged fixer claiming that a game could be rigged for £50,000.

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Joe Cole denies West Ham exit

Joe Cole has moved to quash reports he will leave West Ham in January.

GettyImagesJoe Cole has been linked with a transfer.

The former England midfielder admitted he was frustrated to be hauled off before half-time in West Ham's comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.
But the 32-year-old rubbished suggestions he is unsettled at the Hammers, and under boss Sam Allardyce.

"I was as frustrated as anyone after Saturday's game with Chelsea but my only focus at the moment is on getting my head down, working hard and helping the team out of the difficult run we're going through at the moment,'' he told West Ham's official club website.

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Swansea are ready to prove themselves against Valencia,' says boss Michael Laudrup

MICHAEL LAUDRUP says Swansea are no Europa League flash in the pan – and wants them to prove it by making the last 32 with another win over Valencia tonight.

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup is holding out for a win against Valencia CF [GETTY]

The Welsh club produced the greatest Euro night in their history with a 3-0 success at the Mestalla in September. It came against 10 men following Adil Rami’s 10th-minute red card and Laudrup is fully aware that his side will face the “real” Valencia second time around.

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Arsenal target to leave Anderlecht next summer, not January

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Cheikhou Kouyate has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with the defender set to leave Belgium at the end of the season.

Anderlecht defender Cheikhou Kouyate has impressed with Belgian side Anderlecht over the last 12 months, and has been widely speculated in the press as a transfer target for a host of Premier League clubs.

SEE ALSO: Arsenal in advanced talks with the 'new Cristiano Ronaldo’ – report

The Senegal-born centre-half has been an ever-present in the Anderlecht side this season and featured in the 3-2 Champions League defeat to Benfica on Wednesday night.

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Ancelotti: I didn't expect it to be so easy against Galatasaray

The Italian thought that the Turks would have made life more difficult for Real Madrid in the wake of Sergio Ramos's first-half dismissal for a professional foul

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Carlo Ancelotti was surprised at the ease with which his 10-man Real Madrid side defeated Galatasaray 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Sergio Ramos was sent off early in the game but goals from Gareth Bale, Alvaro Arbeloa, Angel Di Maria and Isco ensured that Umut Bulut's equaliser just before half-time was insignificant.

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(Video) Bayer Leverkusen 0-5 Manchester United: Champions League highlights

Manchester United annihilated Bayer 04 Leverkusen thanks to a virtuoso performance from Wayne Rooney. Watch UEFA Champions League video highlights here.

Bayer Leverkusen 0-1 Manchester United (Antonio Valencia)
Bayer Leverkusen 0-2 Manchester United (Emir Spahic own goal)

Bayer Leverkusen 0-3 Manchester United (Jonny Evans)
Bayer Leverkusen 0-4 Manchester United (Chris Smalling)
Bayer Leverkusen 0-5 Manchester United (Nani)

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Paris Saint-Germain 2 Olympiakos 1: Cavani and Ibrahimovic net to send French side through... as Zlatan insists he knows he is the best, even without Ballon d'Or!

Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued his fine form in front of goal, and equalled a Champions League record as he sent Paris Saint-Germain through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Swedish striker netted his eighth goal in the competition after seven minutes, putting him level with Ruud Van Nistelrooy and others as the top scorers in the group stage against Greek side Olympiakos.

On the night the 32-year-old's autobiography - I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic - missed out on the prestigious sports book of the year prize, and not long after he was blown out of the water in the chase for the Ballon d'Or, Zlatan was in a defiant mood.
After the game, he insisted: ‘I don't need the Ballon d'Or to know that I'm the best.’

Take Zlat! Ibrahimovic, celebrates scoring the first goal for PSG against Olympiakos at the Parc des Princes

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Man City 4-2 Viktoria Plzen: Champions League video highlights

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Manchester City overcame a resilient Viktoria Plzen team 4-2 in the UEFA Champions League with goals from Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko.
Watch video highlights below.

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Emanuelson: Milan have silenced Celtic loud-mouths with 'surprisingly comfortable' victory

AC Milan defender Urby Emanuelson last night claimed the Italians silenced loud-mouth Celtic with their emphatic 3-0 win at Parkhead.

The former Ajax and Fulham left-back was irked by talk emanating from the Scottish champions that they had been hard done by in losing 2-0 at the San Siro in September.

And the 27-year-old Dutch international admitted he was delighted the Serie A strugglers did their talking on the pitch again to leave Celtic’s hopes of European football beyond Christmas dead and buried.
VIDEO: Scroll down to hear Celtic boss Neil Lennon bemoan missed opportunities

Italian job done: Urby Emanuelson claims Celtic have been put in their place after their 3-0 win

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Analysing Wayne Rooney's Performance vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Stu Forster/Getty Images

Wayne Rooney's stellar performance in Manchester United's 5-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League helped propel his club to victory on Wednesday.

Rooney, who is known for his ability to find the back of the net, actually aided his teammates in scoring goals during the blowout win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The English star notched two assists in the match, one in the 22nd minute while the other came in the 77th minute to add to an already insurmountable Manchester United lead.

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Long-Running Man United Defensive Target Edges Ever Closer To Old Trafford Move In January

Attack-minded full back suffered the injury when Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson trod on his foot on Saturday.

Coveted Everton defender Leighton Baines looks like he may have played his final-ever game for the Toffees after the Englishman fractured his toe in last weekend’s Merseyside derby, according to reports in the Daily Star.
Read more Manchester United fc news.

The 28-year-old has been closely monitored by Premier League champions Manchester United ever since former Everton head coach David Moyes left Goodison Park for Old Trafford at the end of the previous campaign.

However, the Merseyside giants refused to allow their star man to team up again with the Scot at the Theatre of Dreams last summer, despite the Red Devils lodging numerous offers with Everton for Baines.

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Bayer Leverkusen 0 Man United 5: '40-year-old' Ryan Giggs is getting better, says David Moyes

The cliché 'life begins at 40' is rarely true, especially so for an athlete, their career is usually completed at that age, but David Moyes believes Ryan Giggs can be the exception once more.

Giggs is 40 on Friday but played the full 90 minutes during Manchester United's 5-0 Champions League rout of Bayer Leverkusen. "People mention his age but all you should mention is his football ability. He is an unbelievable footballer. Ryan will tell us when he has enough, or when he thinks his time is up, but you could say he is getting better seeing his vision, his pass for Nani's goal.

"He keeps training day-in, day-out, and keeps playing. I think his performances since I came have been excellent. You wouldn't have said he needed to come off because he is lacking in fitness. All round he is a wonderful player and I am really fortunate to be working with him."\

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Agent of Manchester United man: AC Milan link is an honour

Anders Lindegaard's agent has failed to rule out a switch from Manchester United to Serie A.

Anders Lindegaard was once again on the Manchester United bench last night, but for how much longer?
Speculation is ramping up concering a move, with it claimed AC Milan and Juventus are interested in his services.

His agent has now spoken about the situation, quizzed in Danish newspaper BT.
Michael Stansgaard stated: "It's an honour for the player to be matched with a great club like Milan but there is nothing concrete."

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Gunners eye new Ronaldo

Arsenal are reported to keeping tabs on highly-rated Real Betis winger Alvaro Vadillo.
The Portuguese winger is earning rave views following his performances for Betis and comparisons have already been made to fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo.

Whether he is that good only time will tell, but Arsene Wenger has sent scouts to watch him and reports in Portugal say a January bid could be on the cards.

The Spanish outfit are determined to keep hold of their prized asset but an offer in the region of 20 million euros could be too tempting for them to turn down.

Vadillo is under contract until 2016 so Betis are under no pressure to sell and will hold out for their valuation.

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Toon turn to Baggies ace

Newcastle are said to be among the clubs tracking Shane Long's contract situation at West Brom as Alan Pardew targets a new striker.
The Baggies have always insisted Long is in their plans, but they have yet to tie him down to the new contract he is after and while that remains the case, speculation will rumble on.

Long would prefer to concentrate on his football and says there are no developments to report.

"I tell my agent not to get in touch with me unless there is something concrete," Long said of the situation. "I let him do his job and he lets me concentrate on my football.

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Hernandez eyes 'special' return

Pablo Hernandez hopes to put three months of injury frustration behind him by returning to action against Valencia this evening.
The Swansea midfielder has been dogged by injury since the start of the season but is now back in training and hopes to play against his former club in the Europa League clash this evening.

Hernandez arrived at Swansea from Valencia in a deal worth £5.5million back in August 2012 and says it would be a 'special' moment to take to the pitch against them this evening.

Boss Michael Laudrup has to decide whether or not to start the Spanish ace after such a long time out, but he is likely to figure at some point as the Swans look to book their place in the last 32.

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Jerome to stay an Eagle

Last Updated: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 05:13

Stoke striker Cameron Jerome looks set to stay at Crystal Palace after Eagles boss Tony Pulis played down talk of a rift.
Pulis signed Jerome during his time at the Britannia Stadium, but the former Birmingham and Cardiff striker struggled to play regular football and was critical of the Welshman after completing his loan switch to Palace.

Jerome's heart must have sunk when Palace confirmed Pulis as their new manager last week, and reports immediately suggested the player could head back to Stoke.

However Pulis says there is no problem between him and Jerome and was actually impressed with the way he performed during the 1-0 win at Hull last weekend.

"I've not spoken to any player personally," said Pulis. "What happened, happened. You get on with it. I've been in the game long enough to take a bit of stick and if I have to dish it back then I'll dish it back.

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Manchester United have a new midfield starlet who proves he is ready

Academy

Although Manchester United’s Under-19s slumped to a disappointing 3-1  defeat to Bayer Leverkusen yesterday, there were a lot of positives that could be taken from the game, not least the performance of Ben Pearson.

The 18-year-old midfielder has many strings to his bow. He’s equally comfortable sitting back protecting the back four as he is powering forward and grabbing a goal. He has all the hallmarks of a top box-to-box midfielder.

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