Football news

Barnsley manager Simon Davey denied reports his club have tabled a £300,000 offer for Coventry striker Michael Mifsud who will be out of contract in June this year.

Davey said: "I don't know anything about a bid for Mifsud. I'd never comment on speculation anyway.

"But I'm still looking to bring in a new striker before the transfer window shuts, so hopefully we can do some business before then."

Davey has already secured the signature of another Malta international, Daniel Bogdanovic. The former Lokomotiv Sofia forward marked his debut with a goal in the 2-1 defeat to Ipswich on Tuesday.

Lyon's Fred let down by Tottenham

Brazilian striker Fred will not be joining Tottenham this month, his agent said yesterday.

Rodrigo, Fred's brother and agent, has dismissed suggestions that the Lyon striker had failed to turn up for a meeting with Tottenham manager Hary Redknapp earlier this week.

"Fred never said he would come to a meeting," Rodrigo told reporters in the UK.

"Redknapp said he would come to see us in France on Sunday but he did not come. Then everything changed and they wanted us to go to Tottenham... they let us down so he will not be joining them. It's as simple as that."

Arshavin deal 90% done - Wenger

Arsene Wenger said Arsenal are very close to sign Andrei Arshavin, the Russian midfielder, but added that the final details of the transfer are far from straightforward to conclude.

Arsenal have been trying to agree a deal for the Zenit SP star for a few days now and reports suggested that Arshavin had yet to agree personal terms.

"There is nothing new on Arshavin so I have been concentrating on the game," the Arsenal manager said.

"But negotiations are maybe 90 per cent completed. However, the final 10 per cent of any deal can be the most difficult because people can change their minds completely."

Man. City to revive Gomes interest

Stuttgart said they have received no bids for Mario Gomez following reports linking the forward with Manchester City.

Last summer, the English Premier League club were reportedly interested in signing the 23-year-old German international but the move failed to materialise.

It now seems that the Citizens are again keen to sign Gomez but the Bundesliga club said that they have received no offers yet.

"At the moment, there are no bids for Mario Gomez," Stuttgart media officer Oliver Schraft said.

"Last summer Manchester City were keen on Mario but so far they have yet to make an approach for the player."

Pompey targeting Saviola swoop

Chairman Peter Storrie is still hopeful that Portsmouth would sign Argentine forward Javier Saviola who has struggled for regular first-team football at Real Madrid. But reports in Spain said Real want Saviola to join Wigan instead in a swap deal involving Antonio Valencia.

"Obviously, it's no secret we have been talking to Saviola and that's one we have been seriously looking at," Storrie said.

"The problem is we need someone to come in that's going to play in the team straight away. He's not played any football since November and you are talking about the Premier League, you need people who are regularly playing games and at the fitness level."

Panucci wanted by Spanish duo

Christian Panucci could be on his way to Spain after Atletico Madrid and Villarreal were reportedly set to bid for the out-of-favour Roma defender.

Panucci fell out with coach Luciano Spalletti after refusing to start on the bench in Sunday's 3-0 win against Napoli. The former Italy international has asked for a transfer and Atletico and Villarreal have reportedly made an initial inquiry on the 35-year-old.

The former Real Madrid defender wants first-team football and will not consider any move that does not guarantee him more time on the pitch.

Panucci has made 11 appearances for Roma this season. He has also scored two goals.

Balotelli to hold talks with Mourinho

Unsettled Mario Balotelli is expected to hold talks with Inter coach Jose Mourinho to discuss his future.

The U-21 striker has reportedly refused to travel with the team for Wednesday's 2-0 win in Catania after an argument with the coach.

He has been linked with a move to West Ham and Sampdoria in recent weeks but Inter do not intend to part with their prized asset.

It seems, Balotelli, 18, is seeking assurances that he will be included in Inter's Champions League squad for the knockout phase.

He made just eight showings in the Serie A so far this season.