Zola still on Mario trail

West Ham boss still likes Inter star

Balotelli: Zola interest

Gianfranco Zola has confirmed that he would still be interested in signing Inter Milan's Mario Balotelli.

The young striker is again been heavily linked with a move away from Inter, where he has failed to convince Jose Mourinho that he should be a first-team regular.
He is not short of fans though with Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti confirming his admiration for the player this week, while Arsenal and Liverpool are also said to be keen.
Zola tried to sign Balotelli in the summer but although that deal failed to materialise he is still keen on the young Italian, who could yet play for Ghana in next summer's World Cup finals.
"If Inter want to talk about him in January we are ready," Zola told Corriere dello Sport.
"Mario has extraordinary potential, but he must understand that he has to improve, showing the right attitude.
"Last summer there was a time when we asked about him. In January, we will see what intention they have.
"And sure if he does leave Milan, we would not be the only ones who want him."

Gunners close on Samba starlet

Zezinho close to move

Wenger: Eyes on Brazilian

Arsenal are set to conclude a deal for Brazilian starlet Zezinho, according to his agent.

The 17-year-old midfielder has already spent time on trial with the North London giants, and has also attracted interest from Liverpool.
But Arsenal now look set to have won the race for his signature after opening talks with his club Juventude.
Reports claim that Arsenal have already had bids of £1.6million and £2.7million rejected with the club believed to be looking for closer to £7million.
However, a deal around £5million looks likely with the Brazilian Under-17 international moving to England in January.
"Arsenal want to close the deal with Juventude this month, who look set to accept," his agent Augusto Nogueira is quoted by Brazilian newspaper Zero Hora.
The player himself has also spoken of the impending move and claimed he has finished his career with Juventude.
"My time at Juventude ended on Saturday," Zezinho said.
"Until now, I thought that I would continue, but my agent said that it is impossible.
"He told me that Arsenal will submit a new offer to Juventude - the third in a year, it seems - and this time it will be solved.
"I don't know about any other interested team. The only proposal is from Arsenal, the others were for trials."

Nimani set for Prem switch

English clubs line for up French striker

Nimani: Keen on English move

Monaco striker Frederic Nimani is set for a move to the Premier League in the January transfer window, skysports.com understands.

A number of clubs are understood to be tracking the highly-rated forward and are hoping to secure a loan move for the 21-year-old in the New Year.
Birmingham have been linked with the French Under 21 international in the past and a host of other sides have been alerted to his possible availability in January.
Nimani scored seven goals in his first full season for Monaco last term, but he has found his first-team chances limited this year.
The 6ft 3in target man is keen on a move away in search of regular action and the player's agent Willie McKay has confirmed the 21-year-old has set his sights on a switch to England.
"Frederic is hoping to find a new club in January and I believe Monaco are willing to loan him out," McKay told skysports.com.
"There are some clubs interested in him and Frederic wants to move to the UK as he feels his game would be suited to the style of football in the UK."

Rovers fail to land Brazilian

Stopper staying in Slovakia

Alladryce: Won't get youngster

Brazilian starlet Dionatan Nascimento has seen a move to Blackburn Rovers fall through, skysports.com understands.

Rovers had beaten a host of English clubs to agree a deal for the young MFK Kosice defender.
The 17-year-old had agreed a three-year contract - but Rovers have been unable to finalise a deal as he does not qualify for a work permit.
Dionatan, as he is known, will now remain with Kosice, although a host of continental clubs are also keen.
He is not 18 until next summer, so will now stay in Slovakia until that time.

Ancelotti admires Balotelli

Blues boss hoping Inter starlet does not waste his talent

Balotelli: A bit of a handful

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted to being an admirer of Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli.

The youngster's future in Italy has been the subject of much debate over recent weeks, with Jose Mourinho culling him from his squad following a breach of club discipline.
That has led to reports suggesting Inter may be willing to part with the 19-year-old during the January transfer.
Premier League giants Arsenal have already been strongly linked with a New Year move, while numerous other clubs would be willing to take a chance on the talented teenager.

Handle

Chelsea could be among those leading the hunt, with Ancelotti revealing that he would have no issue working with the powerful frontman - providing he displays the maturity required to be a world class performer.
"I'd take a player like Balotelli," the Blues boss said in La Stampa.
"I like him and with me he would always play.
"But I don't know how easy he is to handle. If he is really undisciplined, Mourinho is right to punish him. But I hope he doesn't waste his talent."

Pompey eye Benfica swoop

Loan deal lined up for defender

Vitor: Pompey interest

Portsmouth are understood to have made a move for Benfica defender Miguel Vitor.

The highly-rated centre-back has also attracted interest from Ateltico Madrid in recent weeks and could be allowed to leave the Estadio da Luz in the New Year.
However, Benfica officials have confirmed that if Vitor was to leave it would only be on loan until the summer, and there would be no option of a permanent purchase as the 20-year-old is rated highly by the club.
The Under-21 international, who was previously loaned to lower league Aves, has featured just twice this season.
New Portsmouth boss Avram Grant is now seemingly keen to tie up a deal in the next week, with a view to Vitor joining in January.

Neymar interest grows

But Brazlian starlet is happy with Santos

Neymer: Hot prospect

Interest is growing in Brazilian starlet Neymar, with Chelsea and Manchester City reportedly now in the hunt for his signature.

The 17-year-old is already a first-team regular for Santos and has been hailed as one of the South America's brightest young stars for the past 12 months.
Neymar has also cemented his reputation by grabbing 14 goals in the last year.
Manchester United and Arsenal were the first English clubs to show an interest back in 2008, while Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan are all hot on his trail.
Now Chelsea and Manchester Cit are also taking a close look at Neymar - whose value has also soared in the past year.
Reports suggest that Santos want over £20million for the gifted teenager, who has over four years left on his current contract at Vila Belmiro.

Working hard

The player himself insists he is not yet thinking about a move to Europe.
"I only know what is being said in the press, nobody has spoken with me about a possible transfer, and for saying the truth, it's not in mind the idea of leaving Santos," said Neymar.
"I haven't been thinking of a move to Europe.
"I really don't know what is happening and why it said that many European teams are interested in me because here in Brazil nobody has approached me and even the club hasn't told me anything.
"Personally the only thing that I am thinking about is in giving my best to Santos and working very hard for next season as I would like to have a better season."