TRANSFER NEWS:Speculation over the futures of a number of players has intensified today with the opening of the winter transfer window. There's news about a transfer request from Arsenal's Kolo Toure, an unsettled Jermain Defoe at Portsmouth, the future of Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Owen, and the latest club to express an interest in Liverpool's Jermain Pennant.
Arsenalchairman Peter Hill-Wood says the club won't grant a transfer requested by defender Kolo Toure. The centre-back has failed to secure a regular first-team spot this season and Manchester City are thought to be considering a bid for his services.
Hill-Wood is aware the €10million-rated Ivory Coast international has indicated he is keen to leave, but insists the Gunners are not looking to sell.
"I know about it (the transfer request)," Hill-Wood said in the Daily Star. "But we are not going to accept it.
"We are not looking to let any of our players go and he is under contract - and we expect him to honour it."
Portsmouthexecutive chairman Peter Storrie has admitted striker Jermain Defoehas expressed an interest in leaving Fratton Park.
The England international has been strongly linked with a January move back to Tottenham, where he would be reunited with Harry Redknapp.
Portsmouth are eager to keep hold of Defoe - who was angered after being left on the bench by manager Tony Adams in the defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates last month - as they look to climb the Premier League table.
Storrie now confesses Defoe looks set to quit the South Coast outfit just 12 months after moving from Spurs.
"It looks like Jermain wants to go," he told the Portsmouth News. "That is something we will be speaking to him about."
Storrie insists that Pompey will not allow their €8million forward - who has also been linked with Aston Villa - to leave in a cut-price deal.
"If Jermain goes it will be at our price and if there is an offer which appeals," added Storrie. "We have always said we will not keep people who do not want to play for Portsmouth Football Club."
Spurs boss Redknapp had told Sky Sports News: "If we could agree a fee with Portsmouth, then fine, he is a good player.
"They haven't got to sell him if they don't want to. If they say, 'no' then that is the end of the story."
Football fans everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief after Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldoinsisted speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid is not true.
Real director Pedro Trapote was quoted in December claiming that his club have a deal in place to sign the Ballon D'Or winner at the end of this season.
Ronaldo, though, has reiterated that the claim is false, telling United's official website: "There's always speculation, not just about me, but about the future of players all around the world.
"People were speaking about me this summer but that was normal because of what I did during the season," he said with typical humility.
"What people are saying now (the recent speculation about an agreement with Real Madrid) is not true," he added. "Who says that is a liar because I am happy at the club, I want to stay here. I feel at home here. I feel very happy here."
Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in bringing Newcastle Unitedstriker Michael Owento Inter Milan after the England man said he would see out his contract at Newcastle rather than sign an extension.
The injury-prone 29-year-old would be an unusual signing for the Italian league leaders, however, considering they only play one up front and already have an astronomical wage bill for strikers like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano.
Hull Cityare the latest club thought to be ready to offer refuge to Liverpool winger Jermain Pennant.
The nothing short of average winger has already been heavily linked with a move to Spanish champions Real Madrid but other clubs have been alerted to the former Arsenal player's potential availability.
Wigan, Tottenham and Stoke have all been linked to the 25-year-old, who has failed to impress in two-and-a-half years at Anfield, and now Hull have revealed their interest.
Manager Phil Brown said: "I would be very interested in Jermaine Pennant if he was available at the right price. We will be making enquiries."
He added: "We have got a number of irons in the fire, but just because the transfer window opens, doesn't mean to say everyone jumps into business straight away.
"A lot of these windows start with the big boys, and once they start to do their dealings everyone else follows suit. We have got certain targets earmarked."
One piece of business that looks certain to go through is the signing of defender Kamil Zayatte on a permanent deal from Swiss side Young Boys.
The Guinea international, 23, has made a big impression since joining the club on loan in August.
"We are very close," said Brown. "We are sitting down with his advisors and people at Young Boys of Berne.
"Hopefully we will have something to announce very soon."
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