Football news

Milan director Umberto Gandini told reporters they will try to extend David Beckham's contract with the Serie A club if possible.

The 33-year-old midfielder is at Milan on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy. He is due to return to the US in March.

"We would be foolish not to look into extending his contract," Gandini said.

"David is a great player and we think he can fit into our game plan and give Milan a higher profile.

"What we have is a short-term contract in which he'll play eight to 10 games."

Last week, Beckham's management team said that the England player would be returning to LA as planned in March.

Strange transfer window - James

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James said this has been the strangest transfer window he had ever experienced in his career due to speculation about his club.

Lassana Diarra and Jermain Defoe have already left Pompey and reports said other top players at Fratton Park could follow suit but James believes joining the FA Cup winners would be an attractive proposition for any player.

"This is the strangest transfer window I have ever experienced. It seems rumours are all about who is going rather than who is coming in," James said.

"In recent times Porstmouth have gone from relegation strugglers to playing in Europe... that's the kind of club most people want to join, not leave."

Balotelli lucky to have Mourinho

Massimo Moratti, the Inter supremo, has told unsettled striker Mario Balotelli he is lucky to have Jose Mourinho as coach after the 18-year-old hinted he wanted a move after losing his place in the squad.

"I think he will have time to learn from Mourinho what discipline, tactics, living in a club like this is really all about," Moratti said.

"We have faith in him, because he has talent. However, even the best have to take a certain journey. He is fortunate to have a positive coach like Mourinho and should make the most of it."

Zenit turn down Arsenal bid

Zenit St Petersburg have turned down an offer from Premier League club Arsenal for Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin.

Arsenal are keen to conclude transfer negotiations for Arshavin this month to bolster their options in midfield and up front but reports suggest Zenit are demanding a £20 million fee and the Gunners value the 27-year-old at considerably less.

Zenit spokesman Alexei Petrov said: "I can confirm that Zenit did get an official offer from Arsenal about Andrei Arshavin. It was rejected as insufficient.

"They offered about £10m. At the moment, Arsenal are the only club to have approached us about the player."

Spurs receive offer for Gomes

Tottenham have received an offer for Heurelho Gomes but manager Harry Redknapp will not part with his goalkeeper.

The 27-year-old joined Spurs following a £7m move from PSV last summer. He struggled for form at first before settling down to improved displays.

"I know a club from abroad want to give us our money back for Gomes, but he's shown unbelievable character," Redknapp said.

Gomes joined PSV in 2004 from Brazilian side Cruzeiro.

Many reckon that the arrival of goalkeeping coach Tony Parks was behind Gomes's improvement after a series of blunders that cost Spurs vital points.

Amauri tired of Italy-Brazil debate

Juventus striker Amauri has decided to focus his attention on club football rather than the Italy-Brazil debate that has raged on for several months now.

Amauri had suggested last year that he was willing to play for the Italian national team if he gets the documents to change citizenship but there were delays in the process and Brazil now seem to be interested in the Juventus forward.

"Lately, I have read and heard many things that are simply not true and now I'm tired of all this," Amauri said.

"When I receive the call from one of the national teams, and only then, will I make a decision. I will get back to talking about international football later on, but for now I am focusing only on Juve."

Zola not letting top players go

Manager Gianfranco Zola said he had high hopes that Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker will eventually stay at West Ham.

Bellamy played a blinder in the Hammers' 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Saturday as Zola sought to bring an end to speculation that some of his top players could leave this month.

"I am very confident because this club is determined to improve and it's not true we want to sell our best players," Zola said.

"The way we are playing and training this club deserves to be in a better position.

"Being a footballer I know it's not easy when you have so many words around you to concentrate and perform, but they are outstanding."