Today's other stories
Beckham staying put
Real Madrid have offered a two-year contract extension to David Beckham and will hold talks with the former England captain's representatives during the next two weeks.
"We have a definite offer on the table which is for two more years and is worth slightly more than his existing deal," Beckham's spokesman Simon Oliveira said yesterday. "We will be sitting down in the next couple of weeks to discuss things, but one thing that can be assured is that it is 100 per cent certain that David will not be leaving Real during the January transfer window.
Beckham's contract with Real expires at the end of June and as of January 1st the 31-year-old has been free to talk to other clubs.
Everton get their man
Everton have finally completed the signing of Anderson de Silva after the Brazilian midfielder's immigration problems were resolved.
The Merseyside outfit agreed to buy the player from Uruguayan side National Montevideo a year ago, but he could not join the Goodison Park club as he did not possess the necessary passport.
That issue has now been solved and the 24-year-old has joined David Moyes' first-team squad after signing a short-term deal. De Silva has been given squad number 38.
Eriksson in demand
Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is in negotiations with Marseille as well as another club and a national team regarding his next job in management.
Eriksson - who is still thought to be earning a weekly wage as part of his English Football Association severance package - has not yet signed a deal with the French club and any agreement is unlikely within the next fortnight.
The possible sale of Marseille, currently managed by Albert Emon, to new investors is the main obstacle in those discussions.
Morgan charged by FA
The English Football Association have charged Sheffield United defender Chris Morgan with violent conduct.
The charge relates to an incident involving Morgan and Arsenal's Robin van Persie during United's 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane on Saturday when the centre back was caught by television cameras apparently punching the Dutchman in the stomach. Referee Alan Wiley missed the incident at the time.
Capello comes clean
Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello has admitted he was urged to apply for the England job and that he was approached to be the new coach at Manchester United when Alex Ferguson revealed he planned to retire.
Capello told the current issue of FourFourTwo magazine: "I was very close to England. I was asked some time ago, before they chose (Sven-Goran) Eriksson for the England job."
He claims he did apply for the job and does not know why he was not short-listed.
He also claims he was approached when Ferguson announced he would be leaving Old Trafford six years ago but then decided to stay.
"They made contact," he said.
Bids come in for Neill
Blackburn Rovers have received bids for captain Lucas Neill, according to the players agent.
Neill, who is entering the final six months of his contract and at Ewood Park and has made it clear he does not want to sign a new deal, has attracted the interests of both Liverpool and Newcastle United during the close season.
In brief . ..
Aston Villa have been given permission by Crystal Palace to play on-loan goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly in Sunday's FA Cup third round tie with Manchester United . . . Charlton have appealed against the red card shown to Osei Sankofa during their 4-0 defeat at Arsenal on Tuesday . . . Striker Massimo Maccarone has reiterated his wish to leave Middlesbrough and return to Italy . . . Preston chairman Derek Shaw insists top scorer David Nugent "is not for sale" in the January transfer window, the striker is a target for Sheffield United and Everton . . . Wigan will find out today whether a deal can be agreed with West Brom for striker Nathan Ellington . . . Former Chelsea and Norway striker Tore Andre Flo (33) has signed for Leeds United . . . Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny is out for three weeks after a scan confirmed no serious injury to his groin . . . Dublin-born winger Mark Yeates (21) has left Hull, where he was on loan, to return to Tottenham . . . Galway United have signed midfielder Colm James from Bray Wanderers and striker Chris Armstrong from St Patrick's Athletic.
