Anelka eyes £120K a week deal
French striker Nicolas Anelka will join Chelsea's platinum pay bracket when he signs a new £120,000-a-week deal at Stamford Bridge.
The striker wants to stay at the club for the rest of his career and is eager to sign a contract extension by the New Year.
The 30-year-old has led a nomadic existence since his controversial move from Arsenal to Real Madrid 10 years ago. But since his £15million move from Bolton in January 2008, Anelka has found personal and professional fulfilment at Chelsea. Anelka's current £80,000 a week deal has 18 months to run and the club's new chief executive Ron Gourlay is preparing a deal that would push the player comfortably above the £100,000 a week barrier.
Babel heads for Bayern
Liverpool forward Ryan Babel is set to join Bayern Munich on loan. Boss Rafa Benitez lost patience after the Holland star complained about his lack of starts for the club in midweek. He will be loaned to Louis van Gaal's side with a view to a £9million move in the summer.
A source said: "Rafa has totally blanked Babel since his outburst. He understands some of his concerns but has made it clear to the player more than once he will only play who he believes to be his strongest XI and won't budge.
"Rafa cannot give Babel the assurances he needs with the World Cup coming up so he will let him go if he's not happy.
"The manager's only concern with this is that he won't be getting any money to improve the squad from the move."
Messi leads shortlist of 10 for Golden Ball award
Argentine player Lionel Messi has been selected among four Barcelona players on a shortlist of 10 for the Golden Ball award.
The Argentina forward was included, on Sunday, along with teammates Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta on the list by France Football magazine.
Messi is the favourite to succeed Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also on the list, as the best player in Europe.
The winner will be announced on Tuesday. Restricted to players in Europe, the annual Golden Ball winner is decided by a poll of football journalists compiled by the magazine.
The other players on the list are Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Kaka (Real Madrid) and Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).
Milan Star Alexandre Pato: I'm No Inter Fan
Milan striker Alexandre Pato has made it clear that he has no feelings for the Rossoneri's cross-city rivals Inter. Inter forward Mario Balotelli revealed earlier this month that he was an AC Milan fan, much to the chagrin of the Nerazzurri faithful. And coach Jose Mourinho consequently joked that Pato was presumably an Inter supporter because of his stint at Brazilian outfit Internacional.
"I'm no Interista," Pato told the Corriere della Sera. "I am a colorado. I don't support Inter, but Internacional of Porto Alegre. And whoever supports that team in Brazil is referred to as colorado."