Reyes denies asking for Real move

Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes has distanced himself from reports that claimed he wants a move back to Spain. The 22-year-old Spanish international was reported as saying he had not settled in England and was hoping to join Real Madrid. But Reyes told Arsenal's website: "I don't know where these words have come from but what I would like to say is that I am very happy at Arsenal. "I am excited about the new stadium and helping Arsenal challenge for honours." Reyes had been quoted as saying: "I have always said I want a return to Spain. I have not adapted to life in England. "If Real Madrid want me that is marvellous. It would be an honour to play for them. Let's see what happens." "I have nothing against Arsenal, completely the opposite. It is a great club and they have helped me so much. "The fans have given me so much support since I joined. "But they know that I have not got used to the language or the weather." It is not the first time that Reyes, a £10.5m signing from Sevilla in January 2004, has been linked with a move to his homeland with Real. Reyes admitted he wanted to join Real at the start of 2005, when he fell victim to a radio hoax. He told a Spanish radio presenter - who Reyes thought was Real's sporting director Emilio Butragueno - that he was keen on a move to the Bernabeu. But the Spain international then signed a new six-year contract at Arsenal in July 2005. He has made 110 appearances for the Gunners and scored 23 goals.

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Agent insists Drogba wants Chelsea stay

Didier Drogba is staying at Stamford Bridge as he is more than happy to fight for a starting place, according to his agent. The Ivory Coast international has been the subject of persistent speculation with regards his future and the arrival of Andrei Shevchenko at Chelsea has done little to quell any such talk. ''Didier would have no interest at all in leaving,'' Etienne Mendy told a news report on Sunday. ''He feels fine at Chelsea and the club are counting hugely on him. ''Jose Mourinho has said that more than once, so Didier is staying with the Blues. In fact, we are even talking about extending his contract here. ''He hopes to continue winning trophies with Chelsea and why not the Champions League? So why would he leave?'' At the front of the queue for his services would likely be French champions Lyon but again, Mendy does not feel this is a likely scenario. ''Didier will not be going to Lyon,'' he concluded. ''I don't want to lack respect towards them but Chelsea remain a little bit above. ''Didier still has great things to do at Chelsea. There are competition for places there, of course, but that has never frightened him.''

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Novelty Match: Rivers Exco mauls NUJ 2-0

The Rivers State Executive Council football team last Thursday beat the Rivers Council of  Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) by 2-0 in a novelty match which took place at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium. The match which was part of the activities lined up by the NUJ to mark the induction of the Rivers State Governor, Sir (Dr.) Peter Odili into the Union's Hall of Fame saw the NUJ Chairman, Mr. Benneth Kalio and his opponent, Commissioner for Sports, Chief Allwell Onyesoh leading their teams to the field of play. The superior power of the Executive Council's team put them on the offensive and full control of the game as they persistently surged forward to score but all their efforts were frustrated by the NUJ deans of defence. On the 40th minute of the game, the State Exco team came very close at scoring but for the brilliant save by the NUJ goalkeeper, Gabriel Nwanetanya. However, the first half of the encounter ended barren draw. On resumption of the second half hostility the state Exco team became more and more determined to carry the day. And their efforts were rewarded on the 55th minute when Ifeanyi Onyedika opened scoring. The scoring of the goal spurred the NUJ team to action as they tried to equalize but to no avail because of the slippery nature of the field. The NUJ hope to equalize was cealed up when on the 60th minute, the Special Adviser to the Government on Youth Affairs, Tekena Amachree increased the goal tally for his side. In a chat with the Chairman of Rivers Independent Publishers Association (RIVPA), Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke described the Victory as a re-enactment of the Odili's winning spirit. On the other hand, the Commissioner for Sports, Chief Allwell Onyesoh said that the victory of his team was as a result of hard work.

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Carrick set to seal Man Utd move

Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick is poised to seal his move to Manchester United after a medical on Monday. United have agreed to pay a fee of up to £18.6m for the 25-year-old, who was part of England's World Cup squad in Germany this summer. United boss Alex Ferguson said: "We have targeted several players but, in my experience, these things take time. "Michael will have his medical on Monday and then, hopefully, we will be able to conclude that deal." Carrick has two years left on his deal at White Hart Lane but rejected a new contract offer in the wake of United's persistent interest. "This is a move that Michael wants to make," Spurs boss Martin Jol told the club's official website. "We have given him every reason to stay but he has asked to be allowed to leave." The sale of Carrick represents a massive profit for Spurs, who signed him from West Ham for £2.75m two years ago. West Ham are reported to be in for a windfall when the transfer goes through, with a sell-on clause included as part of the deal that took him to White Hart Lane. Carrick is expected to make his first United appearance in the Amsterdam tournament, probably against Porto on Friday.

The midfielder has won seven England caps, making his debut when coming on as a substitute against Mexico in 2001. He made only one appearance for England in the recent World Cup finals in Germany, in the 1-0 win over Ecuador in the first game of the knockout stages. United manager Ferguson stepped up his pursuit of Carrick once it became clear that the transfer of Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid for a reported £10.2m would go through. However, Ferguson denied reports that he is also keen to sign Carrick's Tottenham team-mate Jermain Defoe. "There has not been any interest from us," said Ferguson.

"As far as the Tottenham situation is concerned, we made a move for Michael Carrick - but that is all we did. "He is the only Tottenham player we are interested in at the moment and I think it will stay that way." Jol's determination to hold out for a fee that closely matched their £20m valuation of the player has given them more transfer cash to spend. Jol has already signed 22-year-old Benoit Assou-Ekotto from Lens and spent £10.9m on Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov but he missed out on winger Damien Duff, who has joined Newcastle from Chelsea. The summer signing of Ivory Coast international Didier Zokora will make Carrick's departure somewhat less painful for Jol, who can now continue his search for a left-sided midfielder in earnest.

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Man Utd star Ronaldo's nightmare revealed

The future at Manchester United of Cristiano Ronaldo remains in doubt today after reports of death threats. Portuguese newspaper Record reports Ronaldo believes he will have "to leave" United after the fall-out from his blow-up with Wayne Rooney during the World Cup. Ronaldo says he "wants to play in Spain" and "for either Real Madrid or Barcelona". The newspaper says Ronaldo's home was ransacked by a group of vandals, which saw some of his furniture damaged. The winger also received death threats over the phone and by letter. A source says Ronaldo's niece was also harassed when identified as being part of his family. Emain in the championship and do well."

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Liverpool's Gerrard: I envy Terry

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits he is jealous of the success enjoyed by Chelsea counterpart John Terry. The influential England midfielder has seen international team-mate Terry lift the Premiership trophy twice in as many years and he has clearly found the Londoners' monopoly of the top prize painful. ''The Premiership is the one trophy I really want to get my hands on,'' said Gerrard. ''I've seen John Terry lift it for the last two years and, while I'm happy for him because he's a good mate, there is also a bit of jealously there because I want to do the same. ''It's important for me, but it's more important for a club like Liverpool to be champions again. ''It's been too long for a club like this and it hasn't been easy seeing other teams in the title race while you've fallen too far behind. ''It is a very painful thing for a Liverpool captain to admit, but that's why the title would mean so much to me.''

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