Arsenal skipper out for four months, so could this Barcelona midfielder be the one to step in?

Arsene Wenger has today been rocked by the news that Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will be out for four months after injuring knee ligaments in the side's 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.
The Spanish international limped off just as the half-time whistle blew on Sunday after a collision with international team-mate Xabi Alonso. Both players went for the ball fully committed and unfortunately for Fabregas he came off the worse.
Wenger had this to say : "The news is not good. It will take three to four months, we count four. He will be working hard to come back earlier but I count four months .... We will miss him, of course, but how much is difficult to say. We have to find a way and we want to find a way to compensate the fact that he is not on the pitch to give everyone a bit more. "
With Fabregas now sidelined for the foreseeable future, it means Wenger is short a central midfield player and many names have already been mentioned. One name which has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Emirates is Barcelona's Yaya Toure.
The 25-year old plays in a not too dissimilar role as the one which Fabregas plays for the Gunners week in week out and a January move for him may now become a reality. Earlier this year, the Ivorian international had this to say about a possible move to North London : "I am aware of the interest from the Premier League .... It would be great to play in a big team with my brother."
No matter who Wenger does eventually bring in, I think they will struggle to fill the boots of Fabregas. Personally, I feel Fabregas is irreplaceable. He is without one of the best players in the world at the moment and without him in the Arsenal side, I can see them struggling to even finish in the top four considering the unbelievable form of Aston Villa this campaign. Get well soon Cesc.

Arsenal line up incredible £32 million move for Premier League striker

Arsenal have today been linked with an incredible £32 million move for Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez. The Argentine international has struggled this season to keep his place in the United starting eleven due to the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov at Old Trafford earlier this season and a January exit has been touted.
Tevez, 24, has yet to sign permanently for the Premier League Champions and a move to both Manchester City and Real Madrid has been rumoured, however Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is now ready to join the race.
United have thus far failed to cough up the £32 million needed to make Tevez' move permanent and have just six months left to do so. Should Sir Alex Ferguson decide not to make Tevez' move permanent, that will leave the door open for the likes of Arsenal, City and Real to make a move.
I fully expect Tevez to leave United next summer, however whether or not he moves to the Emirates, I do not know. He has established himself as a firm fan favourite at Old Trafford and I am sure the United faithful would be upset to see him join the Gunners (or even City for that fact). Make sure to stay tuned to Football Corner for all the latest news and views of the footballing nature.

Manchester United are officially the Best Club in the World

Manchester United are officially the best club in the world after winning the final of the FIFA Club World Cup. Sir Alex Ferguson's men ran out 1-0 winners over Ecuadorian side Liga De Quito thanks to a goal from Wayne Rooney.
The Premier League Champions found it difficult to break down their opponents for large parts, however they finally made the break through with twenty minutes left on the clock. Cristiano Ronaldo laid the ball to Rooney, who in turn expertly finished from the edge of the box.
Despite the win, it's not all good news for United. Nemanja Vidic was shown a straight red card just after the break and may face a suspension. Great achievement by United, however I just hope that this doesn't affect their bid for the title this season because things like this can often have a negative affect on the team's league form.

Spurs in talks over £15 million move for England international

Tottenham are in talks with Middlesbrough about a possible £15 million move for Stewart Downing. The England international has been linked with a move to Spurs for what seems like decades now, however Boro boss Gareth Southgate has always insisted "I don't have to sell, unless I want to buy."
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is keen to strengthen during the January transfer window, with Downing understood to be his number-one target. The 24-year old is widely renowned as the best left-sided midfielder in the country (only because England have no other left-wingers) and has over 20 caps for the national side.
I have never been Downing's biggest fan, in fact I am probably one of his biggest critic. If Spurs were to splash £15 million on Downing, quite frankly, I think they would be wasting their money. I know a lot of Spurs fans who would most definitley disapprove of Downing arriving at White Hart Lane in January because he is just wouldn't improve the side in any way.

Big Sam off to a flyer

New Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce got off to a flyer today as he guided Rovers to a 3-0 home win against Stoke City. The former Bolton and Newcastle manager took over at Ewood Park on Wednesday and judging by today's display, he has certainly had an immediate impact on the player's.
Benni McCarthy opened the scoring for Allardyce's men just ten minutes into proceedings when he slotted home a penalty after Ibrahima Sonko brought down Morten Gamst Pedersen in the box. Jason Roberts doubled the lead for the home side just five minutes later when he netted from close range.
It was 3-0 just before the break when McCarthy bagged his second to end any chances of a possible comeback for Stoke. This result leaves Blackburn just three points off safety and will no doubt come as a massive confidence boost as they enter this busy Christmas period.
Disappointing for Tony Pulis' men who now sit just two points above the relegation zone. It is often said that the appointment of a new manager can have a positive affect on a team and that was definitely the case with Blackburn today. Over the past two months or so under former boss Paul Ince, they looked as though they were going only one way .... down, however with Allardyce in the hot seat they now have a cracking chance of beating the drop.
Elsewhere in the Premier League it finished : Bolton 2-1 Portsmouth, Fulham 3-0 Middlesbrough, Hull City 1-4 Sunderland.

Chelsea to make Fab £20 million bid for Brazilian striker

Chelsea are preparing a £20 million bid for Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano as they look to bolster their attacking options come the new year. The Brazilian international has long been linked with a move to England, with Chelsea understood to be keen admirers of the player for some time, however for whatever reasons he remains a Sevilla player.
That may be about to change though. Blues boss Luis Filipe Scolari is desperate to bring another striker to Stamford Bridge in January after losing out to Manchester City for the signature of Robinho during the summer. Fabiano, 28, has been in sensational form for Sevilla since his move to the La Liga giants back in 2005 and has firmly established himself as one of the world's most prolific strikers.
What a tremendous signing this would be for Chelsea. Fabiano is a player who I really admire and I think he would be a real success should he decided to move to the Premier League. There is no doubt that Sevilla will reluctant to sell one of their star players, however, as well all know, when Chelsea set their sights on a player they usually get their man (apart from Robinho of course).

Champions League Last 16 Draw : Liverpool get Real, while Chelsea face Juve

Here is the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League :

Chelsea V Juventus
Villarreal V Pannathanikos
Sporting Lisbon V Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid V Porto
Lyon V Barcelona
Real Madrid V Liverpool
Arsenal V Roma
Inter Milan V Manchester United

The first-leg's of each tie will take place on the 24/25 February with the return legs coming two weeks later. A very interesting draw indeed. Obviously the Inter Milan V Man United looks the most attractive, with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho set to meet his old friend Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ronaldo to join Real Madrid next summer

It has been reported in several papers today that Manchester United have agreed in principle to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid once the seasons ends. The Portuguese winger was continuously linked with a move to the Spanish giants during the summer, with an £80 million transfer being touted, however for whatever reasons he remains a United player.
At times it looked as though Ronaldo would join the La Liga side, but in the end Sir Alex Ferguson managed to hold onto his man but how much longer will he be able to keep hold of his prized asset. Well it has today been claimed that United and Real have a gentleman's agreement in place for Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford next summer and move to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid director Pedro Trapote is quoted in El Mundo today saying : "The deal is already done for the summer ... It's better not say anything now because there are some clauses that prevent us from announcing it. For us it would be the right time, but we shouldn't do it."
For many people, it is a case of when, not if Ronaldo joins Real after the 24-year old openly admitted it has always been his dream to play for the club. As much as I dislike Ronaldo, I feel it would be a shame to lose such a fantastic player. He is undoubtedly the greatest player in the world at this current moment in time and I think United will find it tremendously hard to find a replacement should he leave in the summer. Judging by the picture of Ronaldo, he doesn't know where he'll be next season!

Arsenal to renew their interest in Liverpool midfiedler come January

Arsenal are ready to renew their interest in Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso once the January transfer window opens. The Spanish international was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates during the summer, but for whatever reasons Alonso remains a Liverpool player.
The 27-year old has played no small part in Liverpool's terrific start to the Premier League campaign, which sees the Merseyside club sit top of the table. Alonso was close to joining to Juventus during the summer after falling down the pecking order at Anfield behind Javier Mascherano and Steven Gerrard, however Rafa Benitez has now managed to use the trio to best affect.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been told he has money to spend in the transfer window and he has now set his sights on bringing Alonso to North London. I am sure all Arsenal fans would be delighted to see a player like Alonso walk in the door in January, however I just can't see it. He is really starting to excel at Liverpool and I can't see Benitez letting him go for anything.
There is no doubting that Alonso is in terrific form and personally I would want him in my team. He costs just £4 million in this season's "You the Manager" and personally I feel that is a bargain. So follow the link below to enter your team to be in with a chance of winning some great weekly and monthly prizes.

Keane : I'll Be Back

Former Sunderland manager Roy Keane has this evening insisted he will return to management. Keane left the Stadium of Light last week after a poor run of form with the Wearside club, however he has vowed to one day return to management.
Many senior figures in the game questioned whether or not Keane would have the desire to return to management including his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The 37-year old had this to say when questioned about the matter : "I have experienced and learnt a tremendous amount in the last 27 months and enjoyed the rigours of being a manager.
"I look forward to building on those experiences and, sometime in the future, returning to football management." Personally, I am glad to hear Keane say these things. There is no underestimating how well Keane actually did during his time at Sunderland, earning promotion in his first season their and maintaining their Premier League status the season after.
Meanwhile the race to replace Keane at Sunderland is hotting up. Sam Allardyce remains the bookies favourite, however Alan Curbishley has come in for a lot of support from the punters in recent weeks and is now the second favourite. Make sure you stay tuned to Football Corner over the coming weeks for the latest news and views of the footballing nature.