Liverpool reportedly failed in an attempt to sign Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko on transfer deadline day.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson was keen to bring in Pavlyuchenko in order to strengthen his attack, but Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was not ready to let the Russian international leave the club.

Hodgson wanted Pavlyuchenko to partner with Fernando Torres in the Liverpool attack, but failed with his move.

Hodgson was desperate to bring in another striker before the transfer window closed and also failed with a move to West Ham striker Carlton Cole.

The Reds were ready to include Ryan Babel in a deal for Cole, but the Dutchman has declared that he does not want to leave Liverpool.

[Source: talkSport]

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has admitted that he would like to sign David James, as the Black Cats are in search for a new goalkeeper.

Sunderland first-choice keeper Craig Gordon will be out of action for the foreseeable future due to a broken arm.

“James could be somebody that we’re interested in because of the problem with Gordon,” said the Black Cats boss.

“We had had a conversation with David’s representatives and I’ll make my mind up in the next week or so.

“It’s something I didn’t want to happen because I was very happy with Craig Gordon and how he did last year.

“David James has talked to Celtic, which we always knew he was going to do.

“I don’t think he is trying to play one off against the other. He is just keeping his options open at the moment, but we’re still hopeful something will happen.”

[Source: The Sun]

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has denied reports that he has made a bid for Internazionale’s in-form midfielder Wesley Sneijder. Reports had claimed the Scot made an official bid for the Netherlands star but the offer was turned down by the Italian champions.

However, Ferguson has rubbished those reports, reassuring his belief in United’s squad as the youngsters of the squad begin to gather experience.

“I believe the squad is stronger than last season with the younger players having another year under their belts,” he told the Mail on Sunday.

“I don’t know where those reports about Sneijder came from. How can anybody turn me down when I haven’t even made a bid?”

The 26-year-old midfielder has been one of the best performers of the World Cup in South Africa, scoring five goals to help Bert van Marwijk’s side to secure a spot in Sunday’s final against Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

Arsenal have signed defender Laurent Koscielny from French club Lorient on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee, the English Premier League side announced on Wednesday.

Manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal’s official website: “Koscielny is a central defender with great ability who performed extremely well last season for Lorient.

“We identified him as a very strong centre-half, who has made big progress very quickly,” the French boss added.

“He has shown he is mentally strong, he’s a fighter and a very strong competitor. Koscielny is a great addition to our squad.”

Koscielny, who will wear the number six shirt, said: “I’m very excited to be joining Arsenal. They are one of the biggest teams in Europe with many great players.

“I’m really looking forward to playing in the English Premier League and the Champions League with my new club.

“Also, in Arsene Wenger, Arsenal have one of the best managers in the world and I can’t wait to work with him and do my best for the Arsenal supporters.”

“It wasn’t a difficult decision to make. It is exceptional to have a club like Arsenal wanting to sign you,” Koscielny added.

“I don’t believe any French player would have refused to come and play for Arsenal. It is a very big club that plays in the Champions League and it is always near the top of the Premier League.

“Arsenal is a reference for football and we all know the quality of their game. The decision was quickly taken – I took the decision the day after hearing about their interest in me.

“I know the club have the means and the ambition to get that Premier League title and to go as far as possible in the Champions League.”

Wenger had tracked the 24-year-old for some time as Koscielny, who is also eligible to play for Poland, impressed in the French domestic league.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to offload several players to fund his bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Main victim of Ferguson’s desire to bag the French striker is Dimitar Berbatov. The Scottish manager hopes to sell the Bulgarian hitman to Bayern München for £20 million.

Ferguson is also ready to sell Anderson in order to raise the cash needed to land Benzema.

French trio Olympique Marseille, Paris Saint Germain and Olympique Lyon all expressed an interest in Anderson before a knee ligament injury in the New Year.

Mick McCarthy won’t rule out a move for Jermaine Pennant but insists he hasn’t been offered the former Liverpool midfielder.

Pennant, 27, was struggling to regain his form at Real Zaragoza and he has also been linked with moves to several Premier League clubs like Wolves, Stoke City and Wigan Athletic.

After dismissing the reports, Wolverhampton Wanderers boss McCarthy said he had not spoken to anyone regards the former Arsenal and Birmingham winger.

“It’s an interesting one, but I haven’t been offered him or spoken to anyone about him,” the Wanderers manager told the Express & Star.

“That doesn’t mean to say I’m not interested in him.”

Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas is reportedly still keen on a move to Barcelona and the Spanish giants’ new president Sandro Rosell has spoken to the midfielder’s family.

Rosell spoke to the 23-year-old’s family at a MotoGP bike race on Sunday, according to the Daily Star.

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has also made a secret visit to South Africa in order to persuade Fabregas into joining the club.

A source close to Fabregas said last night to the Daily Star: “Sandro Rosell is a good friend of the family and things have not changed from earlier in the summer.

“Cesc wants to return to Barcelona where he grew up and the club are trying to make that happen.”

[Source: The Daily Star]

Manchester United are preparing a £15 million bid for Bolton defender Gary Cahill.

The Manchester Evening News says the 24-year-old centre half is the main target to bolster United’s defence this summer.

Cahill is tipped to benefit from England’s World Cup debacle with Ledley King, Matthew Upson, Jamie Carragher and John Terry all failing to make an impact.

The former Aston Villa defender has also been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

It’s likely England boss Fabio Capello will name Cahill in his squad for next month’s friendly against Hungary and the European Championship qualifier with Bulgaria in September.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has handed an olive branch to departed midfielder Yaya Toure.

Toure has joined Manchester City from Barcelona on a five-year deal. The Blaugranes boss Guardiola was upset over his decision but wished him all the best as he joins his brother Kolo Toure at the Blues.

“It’s not a good move for us, he is a top player,” he said.

“I would like him to be with us and stay but he wants to move on.

“So when a player doesn’t want to stay at the club we have to move on. I wish him all the best, he is an excellent guy.

“I want to thank him for the last few years at Barcelona, the last three years with me.

“Without him it would have been impossible to win seven trophies in two seasons and I wish him all the best in Manchester.”

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed he is hopeful of landing England midfielder Joe Cole.

Redknapp has held talks with the 28-year-old, who is available on a free transfer after his contract at Chelsea expired earlier this summer.

“You know he’s got lots of options, I think quite a few clubs want him,” said Redknapp.

“I had a great relationship with him as a kid; I signed him when he was 11 years of age.

“As I said before he lived for football, he was the best schoolboy footballer I have ever seen without a doubt.

“He has still got that enthusiasm I think, but whether there is a chance of getting him, I feel there is a chance.

“I don’t think it will be easy, but I think we have got as good a chance as anybody.”