Hunt Happy To Fight For Survival With Royals Stephan Hunt stringently refuses claims that he is looking for an exit out of relegation-threatened Read

The Republic of Ireland international became embroiled in a tug-of-war in the January transfer window, as Royals boss Steve Coppell vowed to keep the 27-year-old at the Madejski Stadium while Sunderland boss Roy Keane persisted to woo his countryman.


In the end Hunt decided to stay with Reading and maintains he made the right choice.


"I'm delighted to sign this new deal and show my commitment to Reading. I enjoy my football here. Now we look to the rest of the season.


"I believe the club can keep going forward in the next few years and I want to play my part in that.


"The contract was all agreed about 10 or 11 days ago. It was just a matter of solicitors sorting everything out."


Hunt’s team-mate, left-back Nicky Shorey is also understood to be in talks about a new contract at the Madejski Stadium.

 

Torres Reveals Rafa's English Rule

Torres and Benitez - Spaniards themselves - communicate in English at all times, as does everyone else in the Liverpool dressing room.

It is most likely a tactic employed not only to help foreigners learn the language, but to also create an environment where nobody feels alienated.

"There are 12 Spanish speakers but we try not to talk in Spanish because if he catches us, Rafa fines us," revealed Torres.

"He always speaks in English to the Spanish, except when there's something you don't understand. At the start it was difficult. But with every day, I'm getting to know the language and the city better."

Torres signed for Liverpool from Atletico Madrid on July 4, 2007 in a deal breaking the £20 million barrier.

SFA Agree Compensation With Southampton For Burley

George Burley is on the verge of receiving a call-up to the Hampden hotseat after the SFA agreed compensation with his current club, Southampton.

The former Hearts boss is now the SFA's number-one choice for the Scottish national team job, which has been left vacant since Alex McLeish departed to join Premiership strugglers Birmingham City.

Now, if terms can be agreed between the Mount Florida powers-that-be and Burley's representative, then the 51-year-old former international will take the job imminently.

Burley, who also coached Ipswich Town and Derby County, seems to have beaten off competition from Tommy Burns, Graeme Souness and Mark McGhee, all of whom were involved in the SFA's interview process.

Scotland's next match comes against Croatia in March, with Burley set to be in charge long before then.

Keane Targets Swedish Striker Prica

Swedish international striker Prica has 13 caps to his name and has been in prolific form this season with 28 league goals in 38 appearances in the Danish Superliga.

The 27 year old has scored twice for Sweden and is experienced in European football after spells in Sweden, Germany and Denmark.

The player’s agent, Roger Ljung has refused to comment, although it believed both the player and the Black Cats are keen to have the deal sealed before the end of the transfer window.

Sunderland have recently secured the signings of Phil Bardsley and Johnny Evans as Roy Keane attempts to strengthen his squad as they look to secure their Premiership survival in the second half of the season.

Milan & Inter Fight It Out For Ronaldinho - Report AC Milan and Inter are currently involved in a gripping head-to-head battle for Ronaldinho, accord

Milan have long been admirers of the Barcelona star, but their interest was believed to have waned in recent weeks.


On the other hand the 27-year-old has emerged as a confirmed transfer target for Inter, following their recent mammoth sponsorship deal with Nike.


Nerazzurri boss Roberto Mancini admitted over the weekend that he would like to sign the Brazilian.


“Nobody believed me when I talked about Ronaldinho,” Mancio said during a press conference.


“I don’t think it would be a problem to have him settle into the squad. Ronaldinho is a great player and, aside from his behaviour, the important thing is that a champion steps on to the field and makes the difference. He almost always does that.”


The ‘Corriere’ today claim that Milan are in fact in pole position to land Ronaldinho as they have agreed for the playmaker to have complete control over his image rights.


However Inter are desperate to get their man and could now up the stakes. The club are currently involved in negotiations with Ronaldinho’s brother and agent Roberto de Assis.


This is shaping up to be one epic transfer saga between the city rivals

Wenger Convinced Walcott Will Make The Grade Arsene Wenger is still convinced that teenage forward Theo Walcott can become a top striker.

Theo Walcott has what it takes to become a fantastic striker, says his Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Walcott, still only 18 (he turms 19 in March) is set to return to the starting XI for the Gunners tonight as they go to neighbours Tottenham for the Carling Cup semi-final second leg.

It was Walcott's late goal that earned Arsenal a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Emirates, where Spurs dominated but couldn't make it count.

However, Wenger then rested Walcott from the squad for Saturday's 3-0 Premier League victory at Fulham, in order to keep him fresh for tonight's Cup showdown.
Wenger accepts that Walcott is not where he was expected to be after two years with Arsenal, but is fully confident that he will make the grade.

"People asked me 'do you expect more from him?' I said of course, because I cannot expect less from an 18- year-old player and I believe that he is like every player and wants to play in every game," said Wenger.

"I am amazed that people are surprised that he is a little bit frustrated when he doesn't play.

"It is part of his job and part of his improvement.

"Overall I am very happy with him. I've said many times he will be a striker because of the timing of his runs, and he is clinical finisher."

Valencia Still Tracking Catania's Vargas DiarioSport contends that Valencia haven't been discouraged by Catania's "hands-off" warning over versatile

Peruvian Juan Vargas is said to be the next item on Valencia's shopping list as the rebuilding project at the Mestalla continues.

The defender-cum-midfielder is supposed to remain at Catania until the end of the season before the bidding war begins, but due to Valencia's terrible recent form, the Spanish club are eager to secure reinforcements in winter, not summer.

As such, a bid in the region of 10.7m euros (£8m) could prise the versatile stopper away from Sicily.

There are other clubs tracking the 24-year-old former Colon man, including Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Fiorentina and Roma.

The first two are of particular interest to Vargas and his agent. The player's representative recently stated that his client would love a move to England.

However, both the player and his agent have stated that they would leave it until summer before securing that move to a "big club."