French giants lose out on United misfit and other transfer gossip

Paris Saint Germain failed with a bid to land Manchester United misfit Anderson on transfer deadline day. According to reports, the French giants could not afford the Brazilian’s enormous wage demands. The 21-year- old Anderson arrived at Old Trafford from Porto for £18million in 2007 but he has failed to live up to expectations and has scored just once in 54 appearances for the club. Elsewhere, West Ham have sealed the signings of Egyptian striker Mido and South African striker Benni McCarthy; Spurs defender Alan Hutton has joined Sunderland on loan; Wigan bagged talented Victor Moses from Crystal Palace; and Manchester City won the race for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson.

No money enough to net Rooney

All the money in the world will be enough to tempt Manchester United into selling Wayne Rooney. The England striker’s sensational form this season – he has already netted 21 goals – coupled with United’s precarious financial position, has led to rumours that the club would cash in on Rooney by selling him to Real Madrid or Barcelona at the end of the season. This will never happen, claims the club’s Chief Executive David Gill. "Unless Sir Alex (Ferguson) agreed to it, we would not accept an offer, regardless of the value, for a player we want to keep,” Gill told the BBC on Sunday. "Wayne has a contract through until 2012," added Gill. "He has gone on record to say he wants to stay and we want him to stay. He's 24 and got the best years of his life ahead of him.”

JT has full Blues backing

Chelsea have thrown their full weight behind embattled captain John Terry. This comes after mounting calls for his head following tabloid revelations about his affair with the partner of a former team-mate. Terry, a married father of two, is alleged to have cavorted with Wayne Bridge’s girlfriend when Bridge was still a Chelsea player. Regardless of the revelations, the Blues skipper has the support of the club’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. "There is nothing but support for him at the club in a difficult time,” a club insider told The Sun newspaper on Monday. "The bottom line is this is a private matter. John has not done anything illegal and it's up to him how he deals with it. He's a valuable team member and one of the Chelsea family, his position at the club is not in any doubt."

City team-mates support Bridge

T-shirts with the words "Team Bridge" were worn by three Manchester City players in support of team-mate Wayne Bridge during their victory over Portsmouth on Sunday. This comes after tabloid revelations that Bridge's ex-girlfriend had an affair with his former Chelsea team-mate John Terry. Carlos Tevez, Stephen Ireland and Nigel de Jong sported the T-shirts. "The players are very close to Wayne," said City boss Roberto Mancini on Sunday. "It was a nice gesture." Bridge missed the game through injury. In a statement on Saturday, Bridge revealed that he would not be commenting about the alleged affair. "The reports deal with matters which are of a deeply personal and private nature," said Bridge. "My primary concern is the welfare of my son. Therefore, I intend to make no comment whatsoever either now or in the future about these reports and ask that my privacy is respected."

Fergie praises new mature Nani

Nani has won special praise from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after his stellar display against Arsenal on Sunday. The winger, for so long a derided figure at Old Trafford, turned in possibly his best ever performance for the club on Sunday as the Red Devils romped to 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates. Fergie now believes the Portuguese international is finally showing why the club paid £16m for him in 2007. "Maturity is why we're seeing the best of him now," said Ferguson. "His last three games have been absolutely first class but today was his best." Nani has now started four of United’s last five games after speculation just a few months ago that the club would sell him. "He's a very shy boy and maybe his personality is getting stronger to play for us every week. Today was an example of that maturity."

City to go Gago and other transfer gossip

Manchester City are set to make a sensational last-minute swoop for Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago. According to reports, City are to flex their financial muscle with a £20m offer for the player just in time to beat the January transfer window deadline. City have already had one £17m offer turned down but are still keen to strengthen their midfield before the window shuts. Elsewhere, Tottenham defender Alan Hutton will sign for Sunderland as Steve Bruce seeks to halt the club’s worrying slide; West Ham have emerged as favourites to sign Tottenham striker Robbie Keane; and Fulham are keen to seal a loan swoop for Aston Villa's Nicky Shorey.

Rooney’s a modern great – Giggs

Ryan Giggs has waxed lyrical about Wayne Rooney. Giggs claims Rooney can sit alongside Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Eric Cantona as a modern-day greats of Manchester United. "I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded with good players throughout my career,” Giggs told the News of the World newspaper. "If Wayne makes a run, I know where he is going because he's such an intelligent player. He shows me where to put the ball, rather than the other way round. He's got unbelievable physical attributes. He's strong, he's quick but he's also a very clever footballer." Rooney’s ability to dominate matches in a manner last seen by the likes of Robson, Keane and Cantona is not lost on Giggs. "It's hard to do when you're a centre- forward. But he's got the capability purely because of his hunger, his desire and his intelligence. I'd say he's a born leader."