FOOTBALL

Chelsea have been linked with a mega-money bid for Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao but appear unwilling to spend crazy money.

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has been training with the Red Devils' first team, and Sir Alex Ferguson may sign the free agent as short-term cover for his injury crisis.

Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on Celtic striker Gary Hooper, following a breakdown in the 24-year-old's contract talks with the Scottish champions.

Arsenal reportedly had a summer loan bid for Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko rejected.

Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta has revealed his success at Arsenal, as a deep-lying playmaker, has brought about a change in his mental approach to the game

Germany coach Joachim Low has praised Arsene Wenger and Arsenal for making Lukas Podolski a better player.

Tottenham Hotspur's Clint Dempsey has expressed his happiness in the new central role handed to him by manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Out of favour striker Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is to return to former club Bordeaux as the Gunners look to trim their squad ahead of recruiting new faces

Gareth Bale scored twice in the final ten minutes to lead Wales to a 2-1 win over Scotland in a World Cup qualifier.

England manager slams San Marino goalkeeper's horror tackle, which put Theo Walcott in hospital with suspected broken rib.

Roy Hodgson says the challenge which saw Theo Walcott replaced after just 10 minutes was reckless

England face international minnows San Marino as they look to get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track

Edgar Davids' move to Barnet FC to work alongside Mark Robson smacks of individual gain at the expense of the club's morals

Jose Mourinho believes that Cristiano Ronaldo is in fact a better player than Lionel Messi, with the pair favourites for the prestigious Ballon d'Or prize for yet another year.

Pepe Reina insists that despite his disappointing form this season, the Liverpool keeper will not be one of the names Brendan Rodgers believes will let him down this season.

Manchester City have reportedly ramped up their interest in Malaga midfielder Isco and have now made the 20-year-old the club's primary target for the January transfer window.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has praised Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers' youth policy.

Jordan Henderson says Brendan Rodgers has been 'brilliant' since the Liverpool manager came into the fold at Anfield, helping the young midfielder get better as he aims to finally prove his worth to the club.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering a January move for Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Patrick Herrmann.

England resume their 2014 World Cup qualifiers against San Marino with the Three Lions currently occupying second place in Group H.

Ashley Cole has escaped a ban from the FA after apologising for his tweet claiming the body were a 'bunch of twats' and personally apologising to chairman David Bernstein.

Bradley Wiggins says he had 'a good idea' of seven-time champion's drug use, while former cyclist Brian Smith says refusal to take drugs may have harmed his career.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says it was an easy decision to make the move to Arsenal amidst interest from other big clubs in the Premier League, with the winger revealing that Wenger's style of football and youth policy, along with Thierry Henry, made him dream of playing at the Emirates.

Liverpool are reportedly planning a January move for Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz.

Arsene Wenger believes that players like Shinji Kagawa, Santi Cazorla and Luka Modric will be the future stars of football, with midfield players taking over from strikers as the driving force at Arsenal and beyond.

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has not held talks with Juventus or Barcelona over a potential move, his agent Silvano Martina has confirmed.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has asked the fans to show their support to young midfielder Haris Vuckic after the midfielder was ruled out for more than six months.

Ian Ayre has come out to back up Brendan Rodgers' defence of Luis Suarez, insisting that the striker is the subject of special attention by both the media and the referees.

Hugo Lloris has insisted that there are no problems with Andre Villas-Boas at Tottenham, with the Frenchman keen to move on from the controversy surrounding his fight for a place on the side.