Reds in for Villa star and other red-hot gossip

(09-12-2010) Liverpool are lining up Aston Villa star Ashley Young in the January transfer window. According to reports, Reds boss Roy Hodgson is prepared to offer Villa £15m for the England international. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger – a reported target of Manchester United - has quizzed Germany team-mate Sami Khedira about life at Real Madrid as the midfield star mulls over a contract extension in Germany; Wigan look set to wrap up £5m deal for highly rated Espanyol midfielder Javi Marquez; Liverpool could make a cut-price £3m play for Rennes and France right-back Rod Fanni which could lead to a Tottenham bid for Glen Johnson; and Manchester City have been encouraged to step up their interest in Benfica defender David Luiz after he indicated he would prefer a move to Eastlands over Chelsea.

No instant success – Tevez

(08-12-2010) Carlos Tevez reckons great clubs need time to develop and cannot be built overnight. Expectation at Tevez’s club Manchester City is extremely high because of the vast wealth of the club’s Arab owners. "Three years ago Manchester City were a team who used to finish in the bottom half of the table," Tevez told www.mcfc.co.uk on Tuesday. "Nowadays we are always battling to be in the top four and trying hard to become one of the great teams. That shows we have grown tremendously in just a couple of years.” He added: "But people need to remain very patient. You don't build a great club overnight. Each new player or new manager needs to go through a settling-in period. There are lots of factors involved so you need to keep fighting, just like we have been doing, in order to win a title.”

Reina not concerned with records

(08-12-2010) Liverpool goalkeeper Pep Reina doesn’t care too much for records. This comes after the Spaniard cruised past Anfield legened Ray Clemence in reaching the club's fastest century of league clean sheets in their 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday. Clemence took 217 games, while the Spaniard needed just 198 games to achieve the feat. "Of course records are nice but it is down to the team-mates I've had for the last 5½ years,” said Reina on Tuesday. "I am pleased, but the main thing is the Christmas period, which we know is crucial for everyone.” He added: "We expect Liverpool to be with the top clubs because anything is still possible in this league. We know anyone can beat anyone, we've proved that, but must find the balance that makes us stay up there.” Liverpool currently lie in 8th place on the EPL standings, 10 points off the lead.

Fergie plays down Rio fears

(08-12-2010) Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has played down fears that star defender Rio Ferdinand could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines. This comes after the elegant centre-back limped off the pitch early in the second-half of the club’s 1-1 draw with Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday. "It's a tight hamstring - not a tear or anything like that," said Ferguson afterwards. "I'm sure he'll be OK for Monday. He felt it at half time but wanted to carry on. But we have several days now to make sure he is right." The result means United top their group and will not be drawn against fellow group winners Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the next round. The draw for the last 16 will be made on 17 December and possible opponents for United so far include Inter Milan, AC Milan, Lyon or Copenhagen.

Nasri’s three reasons behind improved form

(08-12-2010) Samir Nasri has given three reasons behind his sensational form for Arsenal this season. “Firstly, I'm getting older so I'm more mature on the pitch. I can anticipate the pass, the shot, everything like that. But I'm also more mature in my life,” said Nasri, who has scored 11 goals this season, on Tuesday. "Before joining Arsenal, I was at Marseille where it was easy for me as I was with my family, I was born there and had played for them since I was nine. I came here on my own and you grow up quickly.” He added: "Secondly, the fact I was able to have a real holiday this summer - after missing out on the World Cup - has made a real difference. And thirdly I’m playing higher up the wing now and the boss asks me to go in behind defenders.”

Keane set for homecoming and other red-hot gossip

(08-12-2010) Out-of-favour Tottenham striker Robbie Keane could be in line for a return to the club where it all started for him – Wolves. According to reports, manager Mick McCarthy wants to bring the Irishman back to Molineux. Keane came through Wolves' academy before making his debut as a 17-year-old and still has a soft spot for the club. Aston Villa and Fulham are also interested in the 30-year-old. Elsewhere, Juventus are prepared to let former Liverpool star Momo Sissoko join Aston Villa for £6m; both Villa and Wigan are both interested in out-of-favour Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak; Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Dinamo Zagreb's teenage defender Sime Vrsaljko; and Real Madrid are looking to sign Liverpool target and France international Yann M'Vila.

Fergie extremely concerned by Hargreaves

(07-12-2010) Sir Alex Ferguson is growing increasingly concerned that midfielder Owen Hargreaves may have finally hit the end of the road in his long battle to regain full fitness. The England international has spent over two years battling chronic knee knack. He made a surprise return to first team action against Wolves in November only to pull a hamstring six minutes into the game. "He has not played for over two years so we would have to be super-optimistic to think everything in the garden was rosy about him making comebacks,” said Manchester United chief Fergie on Monday. "What we are trying to do is help the lad. That in itself is our biggest challenge.” He added: "This hamstring injury is a real kick in the teeth. He was doing so well in training before the Wolves game. He was absolutely superb.”