David Beckham - had no transfer talks with Paris Saint-Germain

The 36-year-old is coming to the end of his contract at current club LA Galaxy, and the French side are favourites to capture his signature

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David Beckham insists there has been no contact between himself and Paris Saint-Germain regarding a transfer, as the midfielder considers his options at the end of his LA Galaxy contract.

The Ligue 1 outfit have emerged as the favorites to sign the former England international and their position was strengthened earlier on Tuesday when Tottenham effectively pulled out of their pursuit for the veteran after Harry Redknapp admitted he could not guarantee Beckham regular football.

The Manchester United legend won the MLS Cup with the American based outfit at the weekend, but his current contract is set to expire and his possible availability has alerted a handful of teams around Europe.

Premier League sides Spurs and QPR have both placed their interest into the midfielder, but PSG look to be heading the way to capture the Englishman’s signature, even if the player himself denies any communication with the club or the French team’s director of football Leonardo.

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"I have not spoken to Leonardo actually, he sent me a message of good luck but I have not spoken to him about a PSG move," he told Sky Sports News.

"Talking of playing in England I have always said that unless it was for Manchester United I would feel weird," Beckham continued.

"It is the club as a boy I always wanted to play for, I always wanted to start my career there and finish it there.

"Obviously I moved away to go to Real Madrid, but I am still a Man United fan so playing for another club would be weird and I don't think that will happen - but who knows."

Regardless of the interest from other sides, Beckham insists he is still thinking about his future in America and would not consider another loan move.

"I would consider staying at Galaxy, it is one of my options," Beckham said.

"Going on loan was something I did a couple of years ago to Milan solely to try and stay in the England team and after that I got my Achilles injury and I think playing so much football in a short space of time was a factor," he explained.

Galaxy’s MLS success at the weekend was the first time they’d picked up the national accolade since 2005 and Beckham says it’s just the reason he traveled over the Atlantic for.

"This was the last piece of the puzzle," he said.

"I always said off the field I had achieved everything I wanted to as I wanted to raise the profile [of MLS] and wanted it to grow, I didn't think it would happen that quickly and I am proud of that but on the field I wanted a trophy which I got at the weekend."

On his remaining dream to once more be part of the national setup, he said: "I always dream of playing for England.

"Every time they play, I am proud, I am an England fan. Would I play again? I would love to play again. Will I play again? Who knows, it is though one of the reasons I have never retired from international football."

David Beckham reveals

David Beckham reveals 'there are a lot of options' open to him as LA Galaxy contract comes to an end

The veteran midfielder lifted the MLS Cup on Sunday evening but his deal with the American side expires at the end of the month, with interest high in the Englishman

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CARSON, Calif. -- Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has remained noncommittal regarding his future following his side's MLS Cup success against the Houston Dynamo, but admits there are plenty of options available.

The 36-year-old former England captain won his first title in the United States on Sunday. However, his future remains far from certain, with his five-year contract at the Home Depot Center due to expire next month.

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There has been talk about a move back to Europe, in particular to Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain, but Beckham remains a Galaxy player for the time being.

"I might talk in past tense [about the Galaxy] but it doesn't mean I won't be back," Beckham told reporters. "In my first year at Real Madrid, I was linked to a move to Chelsea every week."

He also maintained that despite the options available to him, he was still a Galaxy player at the moment and reflected on his five years in Southern California. The Galaxy could still play a few more games with Beckham, having scheduled a tour of Australia and Southeast Asia from Nov. 30 to Dec. 6.

"There are a lot of options, but at the moment I am a Galaxy player. I've been a Galaxy player for the past five years," he added. "Whether I stay or not, I've had an amazing five years."

Goal.com UK reports that despite Beckham having plenty of options, Paris Saint-Germain was the frontrunner to sign the 36-year-old after Tottenham had distanced itself from a deal with the player.

"Beckham trained brilliantly during the New Year but it's just not a deal that makes sense,” a Spurs source told Goal.com UK. "Harry and Daniel Levy would both like to do a deal but the fact is we have Aaron Lennon, Rafa Van der Vaart, Steven Pienaar and Niko Kranjcar who can all play that position."

Beckham played a key contribution in the 1-0 win for the Galaxy, combining with Robbie Keane to set up former Everton loanee Landon Donovan to score the only goal of the game, earning the club its first title since 2005.

It had been mentioned that without a win, Beckham's time in Los Angeles would be viewed as far from successful, but that's not an opinion that the player shared.

"This has just topped it off tonight. It's always nice to have doubters along the way and always nice to prove them wrong," he continued. “A lot of people said if we didn’t win tonight it would have been an unsuccessful five years. It’s nice to keep a few people quiet.”

Jurgen Klinsmann may need Michael Bradley

Michael Bradley only started once in Jurgen Klinsmann's first five games in charge, but proved in his second that he's a crucial cog on the U.S. national team.

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Michael Bradley walked slowly, almost deliberately through the thick fog and toward the U.S. bench. His job, on a damp cold November night in Slovenia, was done.

In just his second start since his father Bob Bradley was sacked as head coach, Michael Bradley had contributed an assist and much needed leadership in the United States' 3-2 win over Slovenia on Tuesday. It was only the second win under Jürgen Klinsmann and the team’s first win on European soil in three years. (If Gen. Patton had failed this much abroad Americans would be speaking German today.)

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Klinsmann, who had given Bradley the surprise start, shook hands with the young midfielder when Bradley crossed the touch line in injury time. It seemed only fitting that Bradley played such a significant role in Klinsmann's best moment as U.S. coach.

"We know that Michael has tremendous qualities in terms of his commitment," Klinsmann said afterward. "He covers so much ground, stays calm and is very experienced."

Klinsmann used a more conventional 4-4-2 formation against Slovenia which included Bradley playing a holding midfield position. The U.S. erupted for three first half goals and went ahead 2-1 when Clint Dempsey headed home Bradley's corner kick.

"It was a great ball in from Michael," said Dempsey. "I tried to get away from my man and make sure that I put it on frame because I had a chance earlier in the game where I put it a little bit wide."

It was an important result for the United States and a bittersweet moment for Bradley, whose adjustment to a new coach and system is justifiably awkward. It's never easy playing for your father on any level, especially for the national team. It's even harder when your father is fired.

Bob Bradley had a good run with the national team: finalist in the 2009 Confederations Cup followed by winning the group at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In the group stage, the U.S. was minutes away from losing to Slovenia before Michael rescued the team with a late goal. It wasn't as memorable as Landon Donovan’s injury time goal against Algeria but was just as important.

But within 14 months, Bradley would be gone as coach while his son was back to trying to prove that he belongs on the national team.

"Anytime you have a new club, anytime you're in a new team, everyone is trying to prove themselves," Bradley said. "Guys are trying to get a feel for how the coach wants to do things - the way they want to play, the way they want to train, the way they want to run things off the field. On the flip side, coaches are trying to get a feel for players and guys they want to count on and the group they want to have together as you move to more important games."



Last season was a tumultuous one for the 24-year-old Bradley. In February, Bradley was loaned to Aston Villa from his German club, Borussia Mönchengladbach. He expected to sign permanently with the English Premier League club but a coaching change nixed the move. Meanwhile, Mönchengladbach told Bradley he had lost his spot on the team.

It turned out to be a blessing for Bradley who instead signed with Chievo Verona on Aug. 31. He's become a regular starter for the Italian Serie A club, a move that Klinsmann feels in crucial for Bradley’s development.

"Going to Italy, for him, as a midfielder, in an environment where they are tactic fanatics, the Italians, will teach him a lot," said Klinsmann, who played three years in Italy with Inter. "It will help him a lot to read the game better, to anticipate the game better to know exactly when to go into certain spaces and when not to go in certain spaces. So I was very pleased."

Klinsmann is still experimenting with different lineups and trying out different players. But when World Cup qualifiers begin next summer there's a good chance Bradley will be on the squad. Klinsmann will need him just as much as Bob Bradley did.

David Beckham owes it to himself to leave with MLS Cup in tow

David Beckham, playing the Michael Jordan role for MLS, finished the last competitive game of his contract with a title win.

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David Beckham limped to the finish line on Sunday in Los Angeles, likely playing his last Major League Soccer game with a damaged hamstring and a renewed spirit.

The title that Beckham seemed destined to win in the United States is finally his, and once he is healthy again Beckham owes it to himself to leave the MLS in his rear view mirror.

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His work in the USA is done. Beckham generated interest in the league, helped it expand and was instrumental in soccer-specific venues being built on American soil. Seven years after Pele retired from the Cosmos in 1977, the North American Soccer League folded. MLS is a better business model and will get the chance to prove it can continue to thrive in the post-Beckham era.

"David has delivered for us on all aspects of our expectations," says MLS commissioner Don Garber. "MLS wouldn't be what it is today if David didn't decide to come."

When you hear Garber and Beckham talk it sounds as if Beckham, whose historic five-year contract with the Galaxy expires Dec. 31, already has one foot out the door. That’s okay.

If Beckham’s rumored destination – Paris – is true, it makes all the sense in the world. He’s already done England, Spain, Italy and the USA. Plus, staying closer to Great Britain puts Beckham is position to play in the London Olympics next summer and possibly the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

It wasn’t always perfect for Beckham in Los Angeles. He and Landon Donovan were rarely on good terms and for a few years Beckham seemed more interested in living the Hollywood lifestyle than being the soccer savior he was touted to be.

That all changed this season, Beckham’s last under contract. You could tell he wanted to go out as a winner. Beckham’s performance throughout the playoffs was nothing short of inspiring. He played strong soccer penalty box to penalty box and Beckham’s Galaxy teammates followed his lead.

Not even a hamstring injury in the days leading up to the MLS Cup match against Houston would keep Beckham down. His header led to the pass from Robbie Keane which assisted Donovan’s championship-winning goal. The Galaxy’s three best players were very much in sync.

"I've been around great athletes and competitors in different sports in my life," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "This guy is as good as it comes. He has an unbelievable desire to win and compete. David's a champion."



Beckham’s shares the same number, No. 23, as another cultural icon, Michael Jordan. In his final shot in a Chicago Bulls uniform in the 1998 NBA Finals, Jordan hit the shot that beat the Utah Jazz and secured Jordan’s sixth championship.

Jordan retired seven months later and, although he briefly returned with the Washington Wizards, his signature moment was that shot against Utah. And even without Jordan the NBA survived. A new group of young stars – LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose – eventually filled the void.

No one has the crossover appeal like Beckham but other international stars will come. Maybe in a few years someone along the lines of Ronaldo, Rooney and/or Drogba will give the MLS a shot. Would that be such a bad thing?

Beckham refuses to rule out a return to Los Angeles and reminded reporters that in his first year with Real Madrid there were rumors that “I was going to Chelsea every weekend.”

Maybe he stays, but I can’t help but think the storybook ending is exactly what Beckham wanted. The same guy who came into the league as something of a matinee idol was at the very end just a soccer player; a guy playing through injury and willing his team to a championship as only the great ones can.

“If he decides to get on his horse and ride into the sunset, I'm all for it," Arena said. "He's really earned the right to make the kind of decision he wants to make for himself and his family."

Adriano Galliani: I have dreamed of signing Chelsea's Didier Drogba for years

The CEO of the reigning Serie A champions has admitted that he is interested in luring the striker to San Siro.AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani revealed that he is eager to sign Chelsea forward Didier Drogba, while also admitting that Nicolas Anelka has caught the attention of the Rossoneri as well.

Former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti urged Milan earlier this week to make a move for the duo, and Galliani has now admitted that he's been a long term admirer of the Cote d'Ivoire international.

"Ancelotti is someone who knows his football. Perhaps we will sign both players," Galliani said to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Anelka is a great player, however, I have dreamed of signing Drogba ever since he played for Olympique de Marseille."

Anelka's current contract with Chelsea is due to expire at the end of the season, while Drogba, 33, has an expiring deal as well.

"Seriously though, we don't know yet whether we will sign someone in the January transfer window. If so, it will be on a loan deal."

Mexicans players Abroad 2011-2012

Check out the latest stats and results of the top Mexican players in the top leagues around the world.

Pablo Barrera

Age: 24 Club: Real Zaragoza (on loan from West Ham United) Season Stats: 1 goal, 0 assists, 13 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Came on in the 77th minute to replace Efraín Juárez in Zaragoza'a 1-0 loss to Sevilla. Next Game: Dec. 4 at Granada. Comment: Barrera has joined his international teammate Efrain Juarez on a season-long loan at Zaragoza.

Omar Bravo

Age: 31 Club: Sporting Kansas City Season Stats: 28 games, 9 goals, 2 assists Position: Forward Last Game: Came on for the final five minutes of Sporting's loss to Houston. Next Game: Season over Comments: Bravo has been a big factor in Sporting's recent good form and helped the club to the top spot in the East.

Nery Castillo

Age: 27 Club: Aris Season Stats: 0 goals, 0 assists, 6 games Position: Forward Last Game: Started and played 90 minutes in Aris' 2-1 loss to Panionios. Next Game: Dec. 4, vs. Panathinaikos. Comments: Castillo has terminated his contract with Shaktar Donetsk and signed a two-year deal with Aris, where he will try and turn his career around.

Giovani dos Santos

Age: 22 Club: Tottenham Season Stats: 1 goal, 1 assists, 8 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Did not dress for Tottenham's 2-1 loss vs. PAOK in the Europa League Next Game: Dec. 3, vs. Bolton Comments: Dos Santos found some minutes for Spurs early on, but recently has found himself back on the bench.

Andres Guardado

Age: 24 Club: Deportivo La Coruña Season Stats: 5 goals, 0 assists, 13 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Started, played the full 90 minutes and scored in Deportivo's 3-1 win vs. Almeria. Next Game: Dec. 4, at Valladolid. Comments: Guardado will see out the 2011-2012 season with Deportivo in the Segunda Division, but is reportedly set to join Valencia on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.

Javier Hernandez

Age: 23 Club: Manchester United Season Stats: 6 goals, 1 assists, 16 games Position: Forward Last Game: Did not play in 2-1 loss vs. Crystal Palace in the League Cup Next Game: Dec. 3, at Aston Villa Comments: Coming off a Gold Cup win, Chicharito is looking to build upon his fantastic debut season at Old Trafford. He recently landed a new five-year contract with the club.

Guillermo Franco

Age: 34 Club: Velez Sarsfield Season Stats: 8 goals, 0 assists, 17 games Position: Forward Last Game: Did not play in 1-1 draw vs. Colon Next Game: Dec. 3, at Atletico Rafaela Comments: The veteran striker is a regular starter for Velez Sarsfield of the Argentine Primera Division and has been a contributor in its Copa Sudamericana run.

Efrain Juarez

Age: 23 Club: Real Zaragoza (on loan from Celtic) Season Stats: 1 goal, 1 assist, 13 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Started and played the 77 minutes in Zaragoza's 1-0 loss to Sevilla. Next Game: Dec. 4 at Granada. Comments: After falling out of favor at Celtc, Juarez joined Zaragoza on a season-long loan, where he will play for former Mexico national team coach Javier Aguirre.

Rafa Marquez

Age: 32 Club: New York Red Bulls Season Stats: 21 games, 0 goals, 5 assists Position: Defender Last Game: Started and played full match in 1-0 loss vs. LA Galaxy. Picked up red card in post-match fracas Next Game: Season over Comment: Marquez has recently drawn criticism from fans and media over his performances and has caused some controversy with remarks that his teammates aren't on his level.

Hector Moreno

Age: 23 Club: RCD Espanyol Season Stats: 1 goals, 0 assists, 13 games Position: Defender Last Game: Started and played the full 90 minutes in Espanyol's 2-1 loss to Osasuna. Next Game: Dec. 3 at Valencia. Comments: Moreno joined La Liga side Espanyol in the offseason on a five-year deal from AZ of Holland and has become an instant regular in the first team.

Guillermo Ochoa

Age: 26 Club: AC Ajaccio Season Stats: 14 games, 30 goals conceded, 1 clean sheet Position: Goalkeeper Last Game: Started and played the full 90 minutes in Ajaccio's 3-1 loss at Saint-Etienne. Next Game: Dec. 3, vs. Lille. Comments: The Mexico keeper made his move from Club America to recently promoted Ajaccio in France's Ligue 1 and is the club's starting 'keeper.

Pavel Pardo

Age: 35 Club: Chicago Fire Season Stats: 1 goal, 5 assists, 13 games Position: Midfielder Last Game: Played full 90 in thrilling 3-2 win over Columbus, supplying one assist. Next Game: Season over Comments: Pardo was signed in midseason by the Fire and proved a big boost for the team.

Francisco Rodriguez

Age: 29 Club: VfB Stuttgart Season Stats: 1 goal, 1 assist, 13 games Position: Defender Last Game: Started and played the full 90 minutes in Stuttgart's 2-0 loss to Bremen. Next Game: Dec. 3 vs. Cologne Comment: Maza made his move to the Bundesliga in July, signing for Stuttgart from PSV Eindhoven, and has been a regular fixture in the squad early on in the season.

Carlos Vela

Age: 22 Club: Real Sociedad (on loan from Arsenal FC) Season Stats: 1 goals, 1 assists, 9 games Position: Forward Last Game: Started and played the full 90 minutes in Real Socidedad's 3-2 win over Betis and scored his frist of the season in the process. Next Game: Dec. 4 vs. Malaga. Comment: Vela has gotten more playing time since joining Real Sociedad, but will need to stay healthy after missing time with a recurring knee injury.

Didier Drogba is all about the money

The Ivory Coast international believes he has already proven himself on the pitch. Now, he wants to pick up a huge check, even if it means coming to MLS.

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Didier Drogba comes with a buyer beware label and it’s got nothing to do with the fact that the world-class striker is on the wrong side of 33 years old.

No, Drogba can still score goals but just so there is no misunderstanding he wants every club team from Russia to the United States to know that he’s in it for one thing: money.

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Drogba is no longer a regular in Chelsea’s starting XI but he’s very much a top-flight striker. Why else would Chelsea offer him a contract extension and why would AC Milan try to acquire him via a loan?

Here is the brutally honest quote from Drogba’s agent Thiemo Seydi earlier this week after Camp Didier turned down Chelsea’s one-year contract offer: “At Didier's age, he has nothing left to prove as a player. He will go where he is offered the most money.”

Let’s give Seydi credit for saying what most agents and players won’t. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting a huge payoff in the twilight of a wonderful career.

But if the Los Angeles Galaxy, one of the club’s supposedly interested in Drogba, are looking for a goodwill ambassador to replace David Beckham they’d better think this one through before opening the vault.

There is no denying Drogba’s brilliance as a player and if he signed with the Galaxy he’d rival Thierry Henry as the top striker in Major League Soccer. But will Drogba be fully committed to making an impact on the field as opposed to just his bank account?

Beckham also came with a hefty price tag and early on and you wondered if his heart was really in it. That all changed this past season and right through the Galaxy’s run to the MLS Cup. Beckham proved he can still play, win and draw fans.

Drogba is a huge international name but he does not have the crossover appeal like Beckham. Very few do. But Drogba does have plenty of cache, having spent the prime years of his career with Chelsea and appearing in two World Cups with Ivory Coast.

In theory, the addition of Drogba with Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan would make the league’s most popular team the favorite to repeat. And MLS should be searching for “name” players who still have three to five years of quality soccer left in them.

For now, getting major international stars at the tail end of their respective careers is the most logical way for MLS teams to augment their mostly anonymous rosters. But that is not a fail-proof formula. For Exhibit A we present you Lothar Matthäus with the MetroStars and for Exhibit B Rafa Marquez with New York Red Bulls.

The former was essentially on a New York vacation while the latter plays as if he’s been sentenced to hard time at San Quentin State Prison.

Carlos Tevez's agent meets AC Milan chiefs

A loan deal could see the Argentine striker head to San Siro once the transfer window opens in January as the Italians spark contact with his representative.

AC Milan has opened negotiations with the agent of Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, according to a report in Italy.

Sky Sport Italia claims Milan CEO Adriano Galliani and transfer director Ariedo Braida spoke at length with Kia Joorabchian in a meeting at the club's head office in Milan on Thursday afternoon.

A loan deal has been proposed by the Italian giant which is keen on landing Tevez in January as a temporary replacement for Antonio Cassano, who is currently recovering from heart surgery.

It will reportedly cost Milan around 5 million euros to take the striker on loan, and then a further 20 million euros if the club wants to keep him in June.

Tevez is earning around 8 million euros plus bonuses per year at City - a figure too high for the Italians who are not eager to pay that amount.

Tevez will also be ineligible to play for Milan in the Champions League, having featured against Napoli in the competition in matchday one.

On Monday, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini warned interested clubs that they would have to pay a high price to land the striker.

Tevez was recently fined by the Premier League side after he refused to come off the bench during a Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Sept. 27.

Since then, his career at City has been thrown into serious doubt, and his recent trip back to Argentina has cast a further shadow on his relationship with Mancini.

Carlos Tevez's first choice destination is AC Milan

The Argentine's representative reveals that he has held discussions over a move to the Serie A champion, and claims that City's owners are not angered by the forward's actions.Carlos Tevez's first choice destination is AC Milan after the Italian side held preliminary talks over a transfer for the Manchester City striker, according to the player's adviser, Kia Joorabchian.

The Argentine returned to his homeland earlier this month without City's permission, which has led Roberto Mancini to reiterate that the forward is no longer part of first team plans at Eastlands.

The 27-year-old's adviser has further boosted Tevez's certainty to leave City after confirming that the club has agreed to allow the Italian giant to begin negotiations over a transfer.

"They were constructive talks, which makes me feel good. Manchester City authorized me to meet with AC Milan's directors," Joorabchian told Gazzetta dello Sport. "AC Milan, at the moment, is the best solution for him, the first choice. Carlos wants to wear the AC Milan shirt."

Joorabchian insists Tevez's high salary should not prove a stumbling block in any potential deal and feels the striker has no concerns over the squad depth in Milan's attack.

"Tevez's wage should not be a difficulty as all the major players have high salaries," he said. "However, with [Adriano] Galliani [AC Milan's president] we haven't yet talked about this. Carlos doesn't fear competition in AC Milan because playing with players like [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, Robinho and [Alexandre] Pato, it's just a pleasure."

On Friday, Mancini refused to answer questions regarding Tevez during his press conference but Joorabchian maintains that City's owners are not angered over the striker's actions due to his influence at the club last season.

"At City the problem is only with Mancini. Not with the club," he insisted. "Carlos clarified with the directors, the only consequence was an economic measure by the club, that want to solve this situation

"[Sheikh] Mansour cannot be angry because the team with Tevez has grown a lot."

Carlos Tevez's representative Kia Joorabchian on AC Milan move

The Argentina international's representative is not excluding the scenario of a transfer to Serie A and described the San Siro outfit as a good destination for his client

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Carlos Tevez's representative Kia Joorabchian has refused to rule out a loan move to AC Milan in the winter transfer window.

Italian sources claimed on Thursday that Joorabchian had met with Milan's directors at the club's office with a view to discussing the Argentine's potential transfer to San Siro in January.

Tevez, 27, has been frozen out by Manchester City after allegedly refusing to come on as a substitute in a Champions League match against Bayern Munich in September and is looking for an escape route from his situation.

"I spoke to Tevez, but we did not discuss anything," Joorabchian told Sky Sport Italia. "Could he move to Serie A? Sure, why not? Italy is great, the football is great, the football there is coming up... Milan are a great club with a big history. Milan are one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is a possibility that Carlitos goes to a big club."

The San Siro side, who is already through to the Champions League knockout stages, is on the lookout for a new striker following Antonio Cassano's heart surgery.

Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has insisted the club are only interested in a temporary replacement for Cassano, a possibility that would also please City, as they would not see Tevez's valuation go down significantly should he earn playing time.

AC Milan only interested in loan deal for Manchester City's Carlos Tevez

AC Milan only interested in loan deal for Manchester City's Carlos Tevez in January, vice-president Adriano Galliani reveals

The Italian giants are not ruling out a move for the troubled City frontman in the New Year, but are adamant they will be making no permanent signings until the summer

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AC Milan is only interested in signing Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez on loan in January, the club's vice-president Adriano Galliani has revealed.

Tevez is desperate to leave the Etihad Stadium and advisor Kia Joorabchian has held talks with Milan in the last week in an attempt to broker a deal before the transfer window opens in the New Year, with City reportedly only willing to consider a permanent transfer.

But while Galliani admits the long-term absence of Antonio Cassano after heart surgery means Milan could be in the market for a striker, he remains adamant the Italian giants are only interested in a loan deal with an option to sign at the end of the season.

"Whoever comes to Milan in January will be on loan for free, with an option to make that stay permanent,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Tevez? We will see, there's time. Probably if we had not had [Antonio] Cassano's situation, we would remain as we are."

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Joorabchian managed to muddle issues enough that Manchester City could only fine Tevez two weeks' wages, for allegedly refusing to warm up. (I say "only," but that fine amounts to 500,000 pounds: more money than I've made in my entire life.)

Many sources will hastily cite Joorabchian as Tevez's agent. That's false. Joorabchian is not a registered FIFA agent. He prefers the amorphous "adviser."

Like his title, much about the Iranian-born businessman is mysterious. Official records through companies he owns reveal two different passports. There's British Kia Joorabchian, born on July 14, 1971, and there's also Canadian Kia Kavash, born on July 25, 1971.

Whatever the date, Joorabchian was born in Tehran, and fled with his family as a child when the revolution toppled the Shah. After running a hot dog and hamburger stand in Canada, his father opened a Mercedez-Benz dealership in England, where Joorabchian first worked after dropping out of London University's Queen Mary College.

His first major deal, in his late 20s, connected Joorabchian with former Roman Abromavich partner Boris Berezovsky, the first billionaire in Russia, who has lived in exile in the UK since 2000. Joorabchian's company, registered in the U.S. Virgin Islands, bought Kommersant, one of Russia's most influential newspapers, before selling it on to Berezovsky a few months later.

It's widely assumed that Berezovsky's money funds Joorabchian's soccer exploits, though both parties adamantly and persistently deny any business relationship since the Kommersant sale.

Whoever his backers, Joorabchian, inspired by a chance meeting with Pele's agent, created Media Sports Investments (MSI) to invest in Brazilian club Corinthians. MSI essentially leased control of the team in return for wiping out its debts and promising to invest in players.

Invest MSI did, ushering in Tevez, Javier Mascherano and a host of young South American talent on third-party ownership deals. With Carlitos as captain, Corinthians won the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2005.

"I took Carlos to Brazil to play for Corinthians and he became an idol," Joorabchian told GQ. “An Argentinian becoming a hero in Brazil! It was amazing.

"Carlos is my heart. He is like family."

The bonds between the two men are more than familial. Throughout his spells at Corinthians, then West Ham United and then Manchester United, Tevez was in essence on loan, with his rights owned by companies headed by Joorabchian.



Israeli super-agent Pini Zahavi – who, along with Joorabchian and Benfica, co-owned Ramires before the Brazilian was sold to Chelsea – claims that one should switch companies every three or four years, to make sure one's compensation matches one's true worth. Tevez goes one better: since leaving Boca Juniors, he has fled every subsequent club within two years.

Except, of course, Manchester City – though not for want of trying. The 27-year-old had myriad reasons to stay: the captaincy, a mind-boggling record of having scored or assisted 48 percent of his team's goals, the approaching precipice of trophies, the inability of any other club in the world to improve on City's wages. Instead, weeks after trotting onto Wembley with the FA Cup trophy lid on his head as a cap, the Argentine international submitted a transfer request.

Now owned solely by Man City, no club met the asking price for Tevez's rights this summer. (West Ham ended up paying a 5.5 million pounds fine, plus a total of 20 million pounds to Sheffield United, for the convoluted, illegal deal which brought Tevez to England and contributed toward Sheffield's relegation. The Premier League bars third-party ownership.)

"Since the summer there have been three offers: Corinthians, Inter Milan and another Italian team," Joorabchian told La Gazzetta dello Sport last week from Milan, where he is negotiating a loan deal.

This is what the 40-year-old does – he massages deals. Joorabchian was an intermediary when Man City purchased Robinho. He managed to get an arrest warrant – issued in Brazil for him and other members of MSI over suspected money laundering – suspended. He allegedly owns or is involved in the ownership of the rights of between 60 to 70 soccer players across the world.

Now he's donning the rubber gloves and applying the lube to help slide Tevez out of Manchester.

"It was a constructive dialogue which left a good feeling," Joorabchian said of the Milan talks.

A six-month loan deal would suit all parties. Tevez can escape City, where he is expected back later this week, after bolting to Argentina sans permission during the most recent international break, incurring a fine worth four weeks' wages. Man City can hope playing time will halt the steeply depreciating value of Tevez – each match he skips to holiday in Argentina and each petulant antic knocking off a substantial chunk from the initial asking price.

Milan picks up an obligation-free replacement for Antonio Cassano, who will likely miss the remainder of the season recovering from surgery to fix a tiny hole in his heart.

"Whoever comes to Milan in January will be on loan for free, with an option to make that stay permanent," Milan vice president Adriano Galliani told Gazzetta. "Tevez? We will see, there's time. Probably if we had not had Cassano's situation, we would remain as we are."

Galliani has pulled off a series of similar loan deals with purchasing options built in, including, most recently, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kevin Prince-Boateng and Alberto Aquilani. And the team, owned by alleged statutory rapist Silvio Berlusconi, will hardly blink when confronted by Tevez's unique brand of madness.



"Tevez would be perfect to substitute Cassano," legendary Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta said. "I get the impression that he could create some problems if he is left on the bench though - and that will happen at Milan when you consider the forwards they have in their squad.

"He would have to be managed properly. Nevertheless, he is the ideal attacker for Milan."

Despite Ibrahimovic mumbling after the 4-0 trouncing of Chievo that "no one can replace Cassano," Tevez comes as close as most in the world, albeit minus a good deal of heart-warming frivolity.

Besides, Tevez will need to tear the Serie A up to make sure his next contract sees a nice little wage bump.

Tevez will likely wriggle free from Manchester City

Carlos Tevez and advisers adept in the art of profiteering from churlish club exits

Tevez will likely wriggle free from Manchester City on a loan move in January, and by now the 27-year-old knows how to fully maximize profits from an exit.

Carlos Tevez, Manchester City (Getty Images)

When agitating for a move, the trick is to moan and hiss enough to force your way out, but not quite enough to hamper net earnings on future contracts. It's a subtle balance, which is why Carlos Tevez has people helping him finesse it.

Well, person. It's been the same guy all along.

Juxtaposed against the sweaty, burly, grotesquely-scarred, monolingual-grunting Tevez is the crisp, charismatic, polyglot Kia Joorabchian, with his pressed suits and virginal, eager face.

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When Tevez all but admitted that he had refused to enter the match against Bayern Munich in the Champions League earlier this season, Joorabchian swooped in with customary cool and eloquently explained that, in fact, the clearly misappropriated quotes were birthed thanks to an entirely understandable, but still damaging, mistranslation.

Celtic are capable of winning everything - Beram Kayal

Beram Kayal is targeting a win over Atletico Madrid before a return to SPL business at Tannadice on Sunday. Pic: ©SNS Group

Beram Kayal says Celtic’s participation in the Europa League isn’t having a detrimental effect on their efforts to win the Scottish Premier League.

Celtic have dropped points three times this season in domestic games immediately after fixtures in Europe, losing to St Johnstone, Rangers and Hearts after playing Sion, Atletico Madrid and Udinese respectively.

Kayal’s team have recorded positive results off the back of their last two games against Rennes and the midfielder says that their upturn in form demonstrates their ability to make a challenge for every trophy on offer.

Celtic host Atletico on Wednesday night and the Israeli is certain the match with the La Liga side won’t hamper them ahead of their weekend visit to Dundee United.

“I don't believe that will happen because we have a big squad and big players here,” Kayal said. “We have players who can play in Europe and players who can play in the league.

“We have a big team and now we have the injured players coming back. I'm so happy that they are back to help the team win games and do well in the league.

“All the focus for the players, the fans and everyone at the club is to do the maximum and win games.

“We want to win everything - the league and the cups. We want to work hard in every game and do the job.”

Celtic went down 2-0 in Madrid when they took on Gregorio Manzano’s side earlier in the campaign. Kayal though believes his team have improved since, thanks to the experience gained.

“The first game was different because it was the first game for a lot of the players in Europe,” he said.

“Now we have the confidence to play in Europe and we have the experience after three or four games. We need a good result tomorrow for us to continue in Europe.”

Radamel Falcao: Atletico Madrid

The Vicente Calderon outfit have had an inconsistent campaign so far, and the Colombia international has urged his team to look forward and search for solutions

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Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao has admitted that his side must improve after an inconsistent start to the season, and feels the players should shoulder the blame for recent poor results.

"The players are the most responsible. Together, we must look for solutions, not blame," the 25-year-old told AS. "These things happen in the world of football, now we must move forward and not dwell on regret."

The Vicente Calderon outfit find themselves in 11th place in La Liga having only secured three victories so far this campaign.

Despite pressure building on coach Gregorio Manzano, the South American attacker feels his side can improve.

Atletico host high-flying Levante in its first game after the international break and will look for three points to begin climbing the table.

Falcao scored the opener against Celtic earlier in the campaign

Falcao scored the opener against Celtic earlier in the campaign and has travelled to Glasgow. Pic: ©SNS Group

Atletico Madrid boss Gregorio Manzano has refused to say whether star striker Falcao will be set loose on Celtic in Wednesday night’s Europa League clash.

The £35m striker travelled to Glasgow with the Atletico squad on Tuesday, as he looks to make his first appearance since November 6.

The former Porto player missed the derby with Real Madrid as a result of a muscle injury but is in contention to play. But his manager wasn’t willing to give away whether he would field the Colombian at Parkhead.

“He is here and fit to play,” said Manzano. “I am unsure if he will start or come on at some point.”

Atletico face Celtic knowing a win would see them qualify from Group I with a game to spare.

The Spaniards go into the match having suffered a 4-1 loss to their city rivals on Saturday but Manzano says his team have put the result behind them.

"The idea is to win,” he said. “Mathematically that would put us through. We want to secure our step through to the next phase.

“The team is well. It wasn't a positive result [against Real] but there's a lot we can take from the game.

“We want to get far in the tournament and to do that we need to take all the points. It's going to be a similar team compared to the one at the weekend.”

José Mourinho is restrained

José Mourinho is restrained by a Barcelona official during the aftermath of Marcelo’s tackle on Cesc Fábregas. Photograph: Albert Olive/EPA

Barcelona's vision has been a problem for José Mourinho ever since he took the Real Madrid job, so gouging the eye of a Barça coach in the latest melee between the two clubs was a Shakespearian act of desperation by a manager now working outside the laws and spirit of the game.

In the chaos that followed Marcelo's scissor-chop on Barcelona's prodigal son, Cesc Fábregas, Mourinho hunted around the fringes of the rumpus before advancing on one of Pep Guardiola's assistants, Tito Vilanova, and hooking a finger in his eye from behind: an offence that even rugby front-row forwards consider beyond the pale. The potential to cause blindness is obvious even to the most cauliflower-eared prop.

Initial TV images suggested Mourinho had tweaked Vilanova's lug but close-up pictures suggest a gouge. Vilanova responds by turning and shoving Mourinho, who retreats and smirks. This, after Marcelo had been sent off for his hack at Fábregas and Mesut Ozil (Madrid) and David Villa (Barcelona) were also dismissed. Both had already been substituted but were caught up in the scuffle as the two sides extended the tradition of histrionics in recent El Clásico fixtures.

With David de Gea's troubled arrival from Spain in goal for Manchester United, much was made of the phrase "welcome to England". It was "welcome back to Spain" for Fábregas when Marcelo cut him down. This was his introduction to what Real-Barcelona matches have become as Mourinho gropes for a formula to nullify the brilliance of the best side in the world.

Like the British tourist who believes the non-comprehending foreigner will understand English in the end if the sentence is simply repeated louder and louder, Mourinho appears to think more of the same intimidation is bound to cause Barcelona to crack. The pity is that many observers thought Real looked closer to Guardiola's radiant ensemble than they were last season, when Mourinho's XI were crushed in La Liga and the Champions League but beat the enemy in the Copa del Rey final.

"This team is better than it was last year. The longer you work with people, the better the conditions are to have a better year," Mourinho said. "I'm happy with the progress my men have made." But that claim was obscured by Marcelo's tackle and the kerfuffle on the touchline.

This Super Cup second leg at the Camp Nou was settled by the current El Clásico default mode: a winning goal three minutes from time by Lionel Messi, to whom there is no answer, either for Mourinho or the rest of football. The nail of Messi's talent was again banged into Real's spirits.

Mourinho's loss of self-control, then, was proof of an emotional inability to accept a subservient role for another year. For all the millions of words written about his machiavellian cunning, this latest caper exposes a measure of stupidity, as well as nastiness, because he seemed to forget that every sneaky act is now recorded and pinged around the world on digital pathways. In a rational state he could not have thought that gouging the eye of a fellow professional who was in no position to see the attacker approach would enhance his already frayed reputation.

Hook this up with the racist chanting directed at Marcelo and all the virtuosity on the field retreats into insignificance. Barcelona and Real Madrid are so powerful in Spain that the Spanish FA assumes the look of a mute bystander as the most alluring fixture in club football lurches into parody.

Mourinho has developed a deep paranoia about the only club to so far halt him on his grand tour of Europe. In Portugal, England and Italy, all opposition was subdued after a bit of grappling. But Barcelona are implacable.

Last spring he convinced himself that Catalan play-acting had caused Pepe to be sent off in the Champions League semi-final first leg and was dispatched to the stands before incurring a five-match ban (reduced to three) for disparaging Barcelona, whose website's report on the Super Cup describes "the touch and elegance of Barcelona against the rough and physical Madrid".

His best soundbite from those volcanic semi-final legs was: "It's clear that against Barcelona you have no chance. Sometimes I am disgusted to live in this world."

In the fallout the respected Ottmar Hitzfeld described him as "arrogant, haughty, chewing gum and somewhat of a boor", an epithet to sit alongside the "enemy of football" label bestowed by Uefa's head of refereeing back in his Chelsea days.

Mourinho's main beefs are that Barça are politically manipulative and that they roll around when touched by foot or hand. "I'm not going to say we're happy because we didn't win the Spanish Super Cup, that would be hypocritical of me," he said. "But we intended to play like men and not fall on the ground at the slightest touch."

The counter-claim is that Mourinho has resorted to violence to mask his failure to deal with Barcelona's lustrous passing. The whereabouts of the ball was certainly on his mind when he accused the Camp Nou fetchers of disappearing after the interval: "What I'm about to say is not a criticism, I'm just stating a fact: there were no ball boys in the second half, which is something typical of small teams when experiencing difficulties."

The idea that Barcelona sent their ball boys home so the "small team" could keep it off the field will bring mirth to players whose possession rate is sometimes 70%. Seasoned observers in this country made a note of Real's aggression in the first leg and were unsurprised to see Marcelo take out Barça's new star signing in the second.

Under this kind of provocation Guardiola likes to play the statesman: "The images speak for themselves. We must be careful, because one day we will cause harm, not on the field but off, and we're all a little responsible for this." That was another jab in the eye for Mourinho, who has rather lost control of his own anti-hero act.

José Mourinho - will not ask for forgiveness- after Barcelona melee

Real Madrid's José Mourinho is restrained after the Spanish Super Cup second leg against Barcelona ended in chaotic scenes. Photograph: Albert Olive/EPA

José Mourinho is not going to apologise for his behaviour during the ugly scenes which marred Real Madrid's meeting with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.

Eladio Parames, Mourinho's spokesman, told the Spanish newspaper El Mundo that "José will not ask for forgiveness. He firmly believes that he was defending the interests of Real Madrid".

The Madrid manager poked a finger in the eye of the Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova after a wild tackle by the Madrid defender Marcelo on Cesc Fábregas sparked a scuffle between the sides at the Camp Nou last Wednesday. Marcelo's was one of three red cards.

Mourinho was also seen making inappropriate gestures toward Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Dani Alves. He made a derogatory remark about Vilanova after the match and accused Barcelona's ballboys of time wasting, saying the tactic was something a "small-time" club would do. Barcelona won the second leg 3-2 for a 5-4 aggregate victory.

Mourinho has not been swayed by criticism in the foreign and local media. "He [Mourinho] doesn't care what the press says, he only cares about what Madrid's fans think," Parames said.

Last season, Madrid and Barcelona played four matches in 18 days in April which were characterised by fights, diving and accusations of feigned injuries. That led to Mourinho being banned for five matches for alleging that referees and Uefa favoured Barcelona.

Neither club played this weekend after La Liga was postponed due to a strike by players seeking a collective bargaining deal with improved salary guarantees.

Chelsea loan Thibaud Courtois to Atlético Madrid

The teenage goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will spend the 2011-12 season in Spain. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Thibaud Courtois has joined Atlético Madrid on loan from Chelsea for the forthcoming season.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper signed from the Belgian side Genk this month for a fee which could rise to £7.9m but with the Chelsea hierarchy regarding him as one for the future, he has been sent out on loan.

Courtois passed a medical on Friday morning in the Spanish capital and completed the necessary paperwork. He will train with his new team-mates on Sunday.

Atlético were in the market for a goalkeeper after David De Gea's departure to Manchester United this summer.

Salomon Kalou double helps Chelsea

Chelsea's Salomon Kalou, right, celebrates with Frank Lampard after scoring against Atletico Madrid. Photograph: Kieran Doherty/Reuters

The Champions League ought to be a stern test and, in due course, it will bring severity to bear on Chelsea but this encounter was more of a therapy session. Atlético Madrid, worn down in the end, posed a challenge and the victors could tell themselves that the solidity missing in the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa had been recovered.

There were nuances, too, that had the resonance to warn everyone that Carlo Ancelotti is more ruthless than his benign manner would suggest. The manager was determined to drop Ricardo Carvalho, who had floundered at Villa Park, even though the natural alternative Alex was not quite fit enough to displace him.

Ancelotti instead put Branislav Ivanovic at the core of the defence with Juliano Belletti at full-back. Carvalho will do well to realise that talk of his being rested is mere euphemism. The squad now appreciate the steep price to be paid by those who let the manager down. The win will be recalled for sunnier reasons as well.

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Frank Lampard, for instance, got his first goal from open play for the club in this campaign when he put a low shot into the corner of the net after 69 minutes to stretch the lead to 3-0. Atlético, bright and incisive at times, were ultimately despondent. In stoppage time, Luis Perea diverted a free-kick from the substitute Florent Malouda into his own net.

There had been encouragement for Chelsea, as well, in the sight of Salomon Kalou shedding initial haplessness to claim the first two goals. Atlético were ideal adversaries. They had more than enough ability to merit respect but the inherent brittleness ensured that they would succumb in the end.

That team is 15th in La Liga and has so far collected a single point in the Champions League. Even the goalless draw should make them cringe since they had been at home to Apoel Nicosia. The Atlético players were either stirred initially by the sense of occasion at Stamford Bridge or just angry with their lacklustre efforts.

They could have been ahead when Simão crossed for Diego Forlán, whose header had to be saved smartly by Petr Cech. The goalkeeper also needed to beat away a drive in the middle of the first-half from the same attacker, who has long since demonstrated that he is far from the misfit he appeared in his Manchester United period. Ancelotti must have fretted that something must soon go right for such opponents. Chelsea, after all, were faced by a line-up with a glaring potential for goals in the attacking partnership of Forlán and Sergio Agüero.

In the wake of events at Villa Park, the manager must have hoped that this competition would be a setting in which the team donned its customary vigour. With Atlético committed to an attacking style in the quest for revival, Chelsea could not afford simply to be patient.

They went in search of the visitors' defects. A fine move opened up the Spaniards and Kalou can be relieved his bungled finish in the 12th minute was irrelevant since he had wrongly been ruled off-side. The officials seemed skittish and Agüero had wasted an opening when his marginally off-side position was overlooked after 10 minutes. Kalou's goal did not call for forensic examination. A dummy by Michael Ballack let a Lampard ball run to Ashley Cole and the cut-back was forced home by the Ivorian after 41 minutes.

There had been indications of Kalou locating composure when Sergio Asenjo made a particularly good save from his deflected drive in the 36th minute. Atlético had come up with some of the spirit that, presumably, had been dormant until now but it was no longer enough to hinder Chelsea once they held the lead.

There was a hungry persistence to Ancelotti's line-up. Asenjo made an excellent save from a Nicolas Anelka drive but was merely delaying the second goal that Chelsea sought so urgently. After 52 minutes, an unmarked Kalou struck again as he headed in a Lampard corner.

Atlético had been worn down and the brittleness that has typified them in this campaign started to become apparent once more. They were also hurt, too, by bad challenges here and there from Michael Essien. He was not cautioned by the referee, Florian Meyer, even when a tackle on Paulo Assunção ended the midfielder's involvement.

The visitors flickered into life on occasion and Agüero made space before firing at Cech from an angle on the left. To their annoyance, the Atlético players would have appreciated that they were doing no more than giving Chelsea a work-out for which Ancelotti will have been grateful.