Gary Parkinson

Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Rafael van der Vaart has reiterated his plea for fellow team-mate Luka Modric to reject the overtures of Chelsea and stay at White Hart Lane.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that the Gunners are unlikely to sign in-demand Valencia star Juan Mata before the end of the transfer window, and dismissed outright the discussions of a deal for Brazilian playmaker Jadson.

Craig Bellamy and El-Hadji Diouf are being investigated by police after their involvement in unsavoury incidents during their sides’ respective defeats at Old Trafford and Goodison Park on Sunday.  

Argentina captain Javier Mascherano has reportedly told Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson of his desire to quit Anfield for Inter Milan, following talks about his future on Monday.

Gong-magnet Cristiano Ronaldo has attracted another accolade: the Premier League’s most hated player.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed the North London club are interested in sealing a loan deal for Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Valencia winger Juan Mata has insisted it is far from certain he will leave the Spanish club this summer, and that he isn't concerned by the speculation surrounding his future.

Former Newcastle defender Warren Barton has sent a warning message to his old club on the back of Kevin Nolan's departure to West Ham United.

Fulham's Brede Hangeland has played down rumours linking him with a move away from Craven Cottage, with Liverpool and Arsenal both previously tipped to sign the defender.

Kenny Dalglish's success since returning to Liverpool has been down to the club returning to their traditional values and the Scot's man-management skills, according to former Reds star Steve McManaman.

Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun has told Israeli TV that he may leave Anfield in January if he doesn't start to get more time on the pitch. The Israel captain has only started two of the last 10 games and finds himself in a queue behind the resurgent Dirk Kuyt and promising Ryan Babel – with Rafa Benitez also trying to slot Fernando Torres, Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard into the line-up.

Aston Villa Defender Curtis Davies believes the Villa Park side have a better chance of pipping the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool to a Champions League berth this season than they did last term – thanks to their newly strengthened squad.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch has hailed the club’s season as a success, despite the North Londoners finishing outside of the Champions League places, and is up for the challenge of winning the Europa League next term.

Barcelona forward David Villa has reiterated his desire to see Spain team-mate Cesc Fabregas join him at the Nou Camp next season.

Manchester City's latest signing Gael Clichy insists there is no limit to what his new club can achieve, but has potentially irked fans of rivals Manchester United by claiming the Old Trafford outfit's fans don't live in the city.

AC Milan have yet to move for Arsenal midfielder Denilson, according to the player's agent.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger should look to bring in an experienced goalkeeper to help nurture rookie Wojciech Szczesny, according to pundit Mark Lawrenson.

Ronaldinho has told FourFourTwo that he seriously considered joining Manchester City in August. In an interview in the new magazine, out on Wednesday, the Brazilian reveals that his brother and agent Roberto de Assis Moreira had “many” conversations about the possibility of moving from Barcelona to Manchester. In the end he moved to AC Milan – as Pompey fans know all too well – but the former World Player of the Year thinks other big names will join City next month instead. “My brother spoke to [Man City] many times,” he says. “Their project is the kind that would interest any player: they could soon be among the best sides in England. Lots of brilliant players are heading in their direction and yes, my brother looked properly at their offer. “But (Milan owner, Silvio) Berlusconi had been saying for years that he would like me to sign and I felt in the end that it was the right time to say yes.” The full interview with Ronaldinho is available in the January issue of FourFourTwo magazine, on sale Wednesday.