PLAYER TRANSFER - GOSSIP, REUMOR : WORLD FOOTBALL .

17.01.2012 : ADHIRAJ DUTTA...KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE

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AC Milan are reportedly keen to re-sign Genoa midfielder Alexander Merkel, with Taye Taiwo set to be included in the deal for the German. According to reports, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is keen to add some more depth to his midfield in January, and has earmarked the 19-year-old Merkel as the perfect addition to the squad.

Paris St Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti claims he has been offered Fernando Torres, Dimitar Berbatov and Roman Pavlyuchenko during this month's transfer window. The Parisian club's new Qatari owners have money to compete for the world's top players after spending over Euro 85million last summer on a number of high-profile signings.

Paris St Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti claims he has been offered Fernando Torres, Dimitar Berbatov and Roman Pavlyuchenko during this month's transfer window. The Parisian club's new Qatari owners have money to compete for the world's top players after spending over Euro 85million last summer on a number of high-profile signings.

Spanish striker Fernando Llorente has reiterated his desire to remain at Athletic Bilbao. The 26-year-old is regarded as one of the best strikers in La Liga and he has attracted attention for big European clubs.The Spanish international was heavily linked with Real Madrid, Liverpool and Tottenham, but it looks as though he will be staying at San Mames after all.

Former France international Robert Pires has revealed his excitement ahead of next month's launch of the new Indian premiership league. Based on the country's successful and innovative cricket competition, the Indian Premier League, Pires and a host of international-renowned footballers will take part in an auction in Kolkata as six clubs bid to land their respective superstars.

Pires, who is currently out of contract after one season at Aston Villa, told L'Equipe that he was ready for the challenge of playing in the sub-continent.

Liverpool are reportedly set to make a Poune 10 million move for Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe. Now then, Andy Carroll may not be on scintillating form, but Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy are surely more capable than Defoe at the moment, not to gorget Luis Suarez who has been handed an 8 match ban of which he has served 3 matches already.

Inter president Massimo Moratti is yet to learn if Manchester City have rejected the club's bid for Carlos Tevez. According to reports in England, the Premier League leaders have turned down the Nerazzurri's offer of 25 million euros for the Argentine forward.

Eric Abidal has ended speculation over his future by signing a new deal at Barcelona. The French international has agreed a new one-year deal to keep him at Camp Nou until 2013 with Barcelona having the option to extend it for two more years.

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME : WORLD FOOTBALL NEWS MAGNET.

17.01.2012 : MRINAL KANTI NATH...KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE

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Messi is going to play his 300th official game for Barcelona against rivals Real Madrid. He has so far scored 213 goals in 299 games for his club. Among this 213 goals he has scored most goals against Iker Casillas(14 goals).

FC Barcelona Manager Pep Guardiola believes his side can handle the pressure of a Copa del Rey quarter-final against arch-rivals Real Madrid despite trailing them in the La Liga title race. Real Madrid coach Jose

Mourinho has lauded under-fire Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarter final against Barcelona. They could be without defender Pepe for the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-final due to injury.

Thierry Henry has apologised for swearing at an Arsenal fan following his side's defeat at Swansea on Sunday.

The FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 moved a step closer earlier today with the launch of the tournament's official emblem in Bangkok.

FIFA Secretary Genera Jerome Valcke and Brazilian football legend Ronaldo successfully kicked-off the first leg of their 2012 roadshow today at the Ministry of Sports in Brasilia.

Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs and former England captain David Beckham are among 184 players who have confirmed to the Football Association that they wish to be considered for selection for the British men's team at the London Olympics.

Swansea director John van Zweden has claimed Manchester United and Chelsea have made enquiries about goakeeper Michel Vorm for his brilliant performance in this season so far.

Arsenal skipper and Dutch striker Robin van Persie has revealed that Arsenal's renowned focus on youth recently manifested itself in the club inviting his five-year-old son to join their youth training ranks.

PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti has claimed he has been offered a number of high-profile players, including Chelsea's Fernando Torres and Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov.

Former Brazil international and FIFA World Player of the Year 39-year old Rivaldo has agreed a move to Angolan side Kabuscorp. Brazil Under-20 striker Henrique Almeida set to join EPL side QPR after expressing his admiration for the club's new manager Mark Hughes.

Brazilian Bayern Munich defender Breno has apologised for criticising his club after being dropped from the first team for a friendly match at the weekend.

The legendary defender, Paolo Maldini is poised to take up a coaching role with Paris Saint-Germain, saying that he feels at home in the French capital.

I-LEAGUE PREVIEW : Salgaocar want to break into top-five.

17.01.2012 : AIFF PRESS...KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE

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Salgaocar Sports Club stay aware they can jump to the top-five spot for the first time should they manage to get past struggling HAL at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday (January 18). Salgaocar are placed seventh at the moment with 22 points and a win against the bottom-placed squad will help them jump two spots and closer to a place they believe they belong; whereas HAL stay at the borrom of the League with 3 goals from 14 matches.

"We have to continue making progress. We have done well in the last five games but three points against HAL are an absolute must now," said Salgaocar coach Karim Bencherifa. Salgaocar had struggled to post a solitary goal win against HAL in the first leg at Bangalore and Bencherifa feels they team would have to be at their best to replicate the result at Fatorda.

"The slow start in the beginning taught us some lessons and one lesson which we learnt was that you don't win if you don't work really, really, hard. Whether it's a top team or one at the bottom, there cannot be an exception. We have to really work hard for full points," said Bencherifa.

The coach, however, was happy that his team has enjoyed a good run of form in the last five matches, that too without some of their key players. "We have managed to achieve some level of consistency and if you see the records, we have missed quite a few players. That’s an encouraging sign," said the coach.

Unless there is a dramatic change in fortunes in the next couple of matches, HAL's relegation becomes almost inevitable. The Bangalore side has not won a single game in the competition - only Pailan Arrows has such a dubious record - and are sitting at the bottom of the pool with three points in their kitty.

I-LEAGUE PREVIEW : Dempo aim for revenge.

17.01.2012 : AIFF PRESS...KFC.. | www.kolkatafootball.com HOME PAGE

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Armando Colaco's Dempo Sports Club will definitely not take things easy when they meet Air India in the Round XV match of the I-League at the Balewadi Sports Complex on Wednesday (January 18).

After being clear leaders in the early part of the season for seven rounds, Dempo crashed to three defeats in a row and it was Air India's 2-0 away win in Fatorda that had shown to all the Goan team's defence was vulnerable.

Since then, Dempo has remained tentative and have lost only one of the next four matches. At present, they stay at the top with 30 points from 14 matches, three points clear of Kolkata teams, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Their rivals Air India are on 20 points from 14 matches.

In the last match against Chirag United Kerala, Dempo had plenty of misses but early strikes from Clifford Miranda and Ranti Martins were enough for the league leaders to stay ahead of the chasing pack.

However, Air India would not be such an easy meat at home. On Saturday, Air India's defence spearheaded by Collin Abranches, Lamine Tamba and Muhammed Shafi frustrated Shillong Lajong no end in a goalless draw.

Dempo will have to go all guns firing as Kali Alaudeen, who captained Air India in the last match, can shift roles effortlessly and is good at either positions, in the midfield or defence. Striker Sandesh Gadkari was off-colour and had to be substituted in the second half, but Sandeep Sangha worked nicely upfront with Alaudeen keeping him busy all the time.

In the last five encounters, Air India has won two, lost two and drawn one - their last win coming just before Christmas against Pailan Arrows. Air India hasn't done badly given that much wasn't expected from the Mumbai outfit, who was forced to adopt Pune as home for this season.