FOOTBALL | IN BRIEF
Two come in for Kjaer
ITALIAN club Palermo claim two English clubs have made an offer for Danish defender Simon Kjaer, 20.
“We have received four offers – two from Germany, two from England,” said president Maurizio Zamparini. “We hope to keep him.”
Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are all interested.
Rivals lock horns over Boyd
MIDLANDS rivals Aston Villa and Birmingham are locked in a battle to sign Scotland and Rangers striker Kris Boyd.
The 26-year-old can leave Ibrox for nothing when his contract expires this summer, prompting both Villa and City to open talks.
Injured O’Shea out for season
MANCHESTER UNITED defender John O’Shea is expected to miss the rest of the season with a blood clot in his leg.
O’Shea, 28, has not featured since suffering the injury for the Republic of Ireland against France in November.
Mancini chases midfield duo
MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed his interest in AC Milan’s Mathieu Flamini and Argentinian Fernando Gago, of Real Madrid.
“I need players,” Mancini said. “I hope that Vieira is fit for the return. Perhaps Real Madrid will give me Gago, maybe Milan [give me] Flamini…”
No Gunners bid for Smalling
FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson says he has had no contact from Arsenal over promising defender Chris Smalling.
The 20-year-old has with linked with a £7m switch but Hodgson said: “If Arsenal are interested then I guess they better get in touch with us.”