Babel: Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish revealed yesterday that Ryan Babel’s proposed move to German side Hoffenheim had fallen through. Last week it appeared Hoffenheim had bagged Babel in a reported seven million deal after Liverpool had given permission for the Dutch international to join them. Asked about Babel’s situation Daglish said: “He is staying here.”

Sanchez: Udinese president Giampaolo Pozzo insists winger Alexis Sanchez is not for sale. Sanchez has been strongly linked with a move away from Udine before the end of the transfer window but Pozzo said: “Sanchez and (striker Antonio) Di Natale will stay put. I reiterate that nothing will happen until the end of the season.”

N’Zogbia: Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has categorically dismissed rumours linking Charles N’Zogbia with a move to Liverpool. Speculation suggested the two clubs had begun talks over a possible £15m deal for the winger. Martinez, though, claimed such gossip was “a lie,” again insisting Wigan are in a position where they do not have to sell.

Behrami: Swiss international winger Valon Behrami signed for Serie A side Fiorentina from English Premier League strugglers West Ham yesterday for a fee reported to be five million euros. The 25-year-old Yugoslavia-born player signed a three year contract ending a two year spell with the English side.

Barton: Joey Barton is ready to commit his future to Newcastle after opening talks over a new deal. The 28-year-old midfielder is hoping to extend his stay at St James’ Park beyond the confines of the five-year contract he signed in June 2007. He saw: “I have started discussions with the club, and everything seems to be going in the right direction.”

Futsal: Euro 2012 Qualifying Tournament – Malta vs Lithuania 1-5; Bulgaria vs France 1-2. Final standings – France 9; Bulgaria 6; Lithuania 3; Malta 0.

MFA Div. Two: Senglea vs Rabat 1-0; St Patrick vs San Ġwann 3-1.

Serie B: Triestina vs Novara 1-1.

Primera Liga: Athletic Bilbao vs Hercules 3-0.

Golf: The Scottish Open for this year is to switch from Loch Lomond to the Castle Stuart links course near Inverness. Loch Lomond has hosted the event for the last 15 years, but it will be moved to the new venue this summer from July 7-10 in the week preceding the British Open at Royal St George’s. Edoardo Molinari will defend the title against a field already known to include Masters champion Phil Mickelson, US Open holder Graeme McDowell and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington.

Rugby Union: Welsh flanker Martyn Williams, who has won 98 caps, faced the end of his international career after being axed for the Six Nations. The 35-year-old made his debut in 1996 and was just two matches shy of becoming only the second Welsh player, after Gareth Thomas, to reach the magical 100-cap mark. But with coach Warren Gatland keen to give youth a chance, Williams was a shock absentee from the 28-man squad which kicks off the Six Nations on Feb. 4 at the Millennium Stadium.

Diving: Chinese diving queen Guo Jingjing has called it quits after a stellar career that included four Olympic gold medals and multiple world championship titles. Guo – arguably the country’s most famous female athlete, also known for her good looks and long romance with the son of Hong Kong’s Olympic Committee president – has submitted her application for retirement, the state media reported. The 29-year-old Guo has won six Olympic medals – four of them gold – at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.

Cricket: Jimmy Anderson is hoping to inspire a change in England’s fortunes after rejoining the squad this week. Anderson was allowed to return home immediately after the Ashes victory to rest after being the only seamer to play in all five Tests. However, in his absence England have won just once against Australia, a last-ball victory in the Twenty20 in Adelaide, before losing their last four matches. That run saw the Twenty20 series levelled before falling 3-0 behind in the current seven-game one-day series.