Football transfer news

Anzhi president Konstantin Remchukov has dismissed reports linking David Beckham with a move to the Russian club – branding the speculaton as “complete nonsense”.

The former England captain has been linked with a number of clubs since ending his five-year spell with MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy, one of which has been the Chechnya-based outfit.

However, Remchukov has moved to deny any interest in the veteran midfielder, suggesting the idea has not even been considered by the Russian club.

“A note about Anzhi’s interest in Beckham – it’s complete nonsense,” Remchukov tweeted on Friday.

“An idea like this hasn’t been floated even once.”

Beckham is said to be mulling over his options as he seeks out one last challenge to end his career and has been linked with moves to teams in France, Asia and Australia.

And his management company say he is considering “a number of serious proposals” from a “host of clubs” but warned it is “early days in the process”.

Former Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli believes Luis Suarez could be driven out of the Premier League if he continues to be the subject of “victimisation” from the British public.

The Uruguayan forward, who joined Liverpool for €26 million in January 2011, has scored 40 goals in 80 appearances for the Reds but has been criticised after a series of controversial incidents – most recently his alleged handball against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup.

And Comolli believes it would be an “absolute shame” if Suarez was driven out of English football due to the treatment he has received from some quarters.

“It’ll be an absolute shame for English football if this victimisation drives him away,” Comolli told BBC Sport.

“As the biggest league in the world you want to keep the biggest players, not drive them away for crazy reasons.”

As well as the incident against Mansfield, the 25-year-old has been accused of diving and stamping, while he also received an eight-match ban last season for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

But Comolli, who played a major part in bringing Suarez to Anfield, says he is baffled by the striker’s treatment.

“I find it extremely hard to understand why people look at all the bad aspects and not how good the player is,” Comolli continued.

“He is a fantastic individual and professional – totally committed to his club, team-mates and job. He’ll give you everything, he’s a winner.

“People need to be very careful what they say and stop criticising him. He’s someone you’d want to go to war alongside.

“I don’t think you can captain Ajax as a foreigner at 21 years of age if you’re not a great individual.”

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has dismissed speculation linking Mario Balotelli with a move to Italy, insisting he is “very, very happy” with the striker.

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to Serie A after being involved in a bust-up with Roberto Mancini on January 3, and although AC Milan appeared to be frontrunners for the player’s signature, their city rivals have now joined the race for the striker.

Goal.com revealed in December that Milan were preparing a bid for Balotelli, but when asked about a possible departure Mancini was quick to deny any claims AC Milan could sign the striker in the January transfer window.

“No, it is not true. I am very, very happy [with Balotelli],” he told reporters.

Balotelli made his return for the first team in last weekend’s FA Cup win over Watford after missing the previous four due to illness.

Questions over a possible demotion were raised when the Italian turned out for the club’s Under-21s during the week – in which he scored twice – but Mancini insisted it was purely a matter of gaining fitness.

Mancini said: “He went with the Under-21s because he needed a game.

“After 40 days without a game, he needed one game. He trained well and I hope this year will be different.”