Manchester City want to keep Chelsea’s departing director of football Frank Arnesen in England – raising doubts about Brian Marwood’s long-term future at Eastlands.
Arnesen, 54, will leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season and was being lined up to become Ajax’s new head of recruitment.
But sources in Denmark claim that he is now listening to an “interesting” offer from City. Arnesen would not contemplate anything other than a senior role.
Marwood oversees player recruitment at City, alongside chief executive Garry Cook. But the pair were criticised by Carlos Tevez when he put in a transfer request before deciding he wanted to stay at the club.
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak rang Edin Dzeko's representatives on New Year's eve to try and save the Wolfsburg striker's £30m move to Eastlands by offering him an improved £150,000 a week, still short of the £180,000 the player is demanding.Mail on Sunday
WAG OF THE DAY - Zaira Nara
The insanely beautiful Nara—an Argentinian model who bears a striking resemblance to Brazilian model Adriana Lima (the WAG of NBA player Marko Jaric)—is the WAG of Uruguayan World Cup hero Diego Forlan.
Interestingly enough, Nara's sister Wanda is the ex of former Argentina national team coach Diego Maradona.
OTHER BOLLOX
Chelsea have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd for £2m, with the 28-year-old Englishman out of contract in the summer. Birmingham and West Ham are also interested. The Mail on Sunday
Liverpool are leading Arsenal in the race to sign Germany and Werder Bremen centre-back Per Mertesacker. Daily Mirror
Tottenham winger David Bentley is set to move to Newcastle as Spurs make room for the possible arrival of David Beckham. Daily Mail
Meanwhile, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is set to bid £1.5m for Everton winger Steven Pienaar, whose contract is running out, but Toffees boss David Moyes is likely to want at least £3m for the South African. News of the World
Blackburn are set to receive an offer from Tottenham for unsettled defender Christopher Samba. Daily Mirror
And Blackburn are leading the chase to re-sign left-back Stephen Warnock, 29, who could move to Ewood Park for £2m. News of the World
Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen will leave Stoke for Swansea in January.Daily Mail
Newcastle hope Tottenham will let them take striker Robbie Keane, 30, on loan in a deal that would become permanent if the Irishman is successful at St James' Park.News of the World
Aston Villa and Wigan want to sign Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on loan for the rest of the season. Daily Mirror
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he will send Macheda out on loan to the club that will offer him the most games.Daily Mail
Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell, 28, will complete his move to West Ham over the next 24 hours.News of the World
West Ham want Birmingham midfielder Joran Mutch, 19, who is currently on loan at Watford. News of the World
Wolves, Blackpool and Cardiff are battling to sign Millwall defender Danny Shittu, 30, whose contract with the Lions runs out on 20 January. News of the World
Nottingham Forest want to sign Newcastle striker Leon Best on a permanent deal. Burnley, Crystal Palace and Swansea are also interested but only want to take the 24-year-old on loan. News of the World (subscription required)
Liverpool are to delay the search for manager Roy Hodgson's long-term successor until the summer, and will appoint a caretaker boss to lead the side until June. Daily Telegraph
Newcastle's players are to receive guidelines about how to use the social networking site Twitter after Jose Enrique revealed that he was to miss the Tottenham match in midweek because of an injury. Guardian
MORE BOLLOX LATER ...
