FIFA was facing fresh bribery claims Sunday after a whistle-blower accused two executive members of the international soccer body of striking deals worth $1.5 million for their votes ahead of last week's contest to host the World Cup

Bribes look to be cheap these days

The man in black is Jack Warner, the CONCACAF President and FIFA Executive Committee member who just finished voting on the selection of World Cup 2018 and 2022. A long-time target of corruption allegations, Warner is under fresh claims of shady behavior amid new reports suggesting that he did not vote for the United States in its bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

By Chris Wright

Bit of an iffy source on this one, but word on Pies Street is that Arsenal have taken goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to one side and told him that he will be free to leave the club in the January transfer window.

Almunia's current deal expires in the summer of 2012, but Arsenal are reportedly willing to offload the 33-year-old for a bit of cash (approx £1-1.

After the nastiness of the last few days, I've been on the lookout for a palate cleanser. I suppose the MLS Re-Entry Draft player list could have done the trick, but that felt a bit too dry. Around here, we either do lots of words or image overkill. It's time for a bit of the latter.
Arena Amazonia is one of Brazil's planned stadiums for the 2014 World Cup; built on the site of the recently demolished Estadio Vivaldão Lima in Manaus, it will hold 46,000.

The man in black is Jack Warner, the CONCACAF President and FIFA Executive Committee member who just finished voting on the selection of World Cup 2018 and 2022. A long-time target of corruption allegations, Warner is under fresh claims of shady behavior amid new reports suggesting that he did not vote for the United States in its bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

It has been confirmed Liverpool paid a £5 million signing on fee to sign Joe Cole on a free transfer during the summer, a big percentage of which went to his agent.
And this is in addition to his reported £90,000 wages. Fans have not yet seen the best of the England international but he could be a bargain if he hits top form.

Liverpool is preparing to bid for Ryan Shawcross, skysports.com understands.
The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the most exciting defensive talents in the country after his imperious displays at the back for Stoke since their promotion to the Premier League in 2008.
Liverpool were thought to have originally been eyeing a summer move for the £10.

A lot of noise has been kicked up today about how Manuel Almunia will probably leave in January. His position as Arsenal's number one is... well... he isn't number one anymore to put it most bluntly. A mixture of mistakes against West Brom and an injury problem has allowed Lucasz Fabianski to stake his claim for the number one spot and he has taken it despite a share of the fans still not being totally convinced by him.

Well, it turns out the banks won't accept loan repayments in the form of tiki-taka, which really mucks up my plans for that new hovercraft.

That footballing enterprise which famously dubs itself more than just a club is now more like everybody else: Barcelona's kowtowed to its debt and finally succumbed to a shirt sponsor.

BLACKBURN, England Steve Kean is on his way back from India having had a summit with Blackburn's new owners to confirm his position as the club's manager and he will be handed a transfer budget to bring in four new players in January. Kean is to be installed until the end of the season [...]

In one of the more predictable developments of this Scottish football December, perennial third placers Hearts have backed calls for the top four SPL teams to be involved in a championship play off competition.
I can't figure out the appeal for third placed Hearts at all.
Again, I don't think Dundee United's Stephen Thomspon was being genuine with his proposal.

By Chris Wright

Inter Milan have issued a statement confirming that, after a few days of limbo, Rafa Benitez has officially been relieved of his duties at the Guiseppe Meazza after the two parties finally reached an agreement over the financial terms of the Spaniard's dismissal.

In two major upsets, FIFA has awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. It will be the first time that either of these two countries have hosted a World Cup.

Both countries have major obstacles to overcome. Russia had multiple time zones, poor infrastructure and a lot of new stadiums that need to be build.

By Chris Wright

Golly Moses! Word on the wire is that Aston Villa are set to fluff at least £10 million in the January transfer window on bringing two vastly underwhelming strikers in to replace the vastly underwhelming duo John Carew and Emile Heskey.

Arsenal on Twitter @UntoldArsenal Untold Arsenal on Facebook here Will Forest Help Ramsey Grow? Patrick Norwood, Upper90magazine. As an Arsenal fan living in Nottingham the story that has caught my eye the past few weeks has definitely been, Aaron Ramsey's loan move to Nottingham Forest. Since moving to Arsenal at just 17, for £5 million, from boyhood club [.

Liverpool faces competition from Genoa in the race to sign Spurs winger Giovani Dos Santos.
The Guardian reports that the Italian outfit is close to landing the player, leaving Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson with a decision to make over a potential move for the player.
Still only 21-years-old, Dos Santos has 34 caps to his name for Mexico after making his debut in 2007.

By Chris Wright

Arsenal have confirmed that defender Thomas Vermaelen will remain sidelined until January at the earliest with an Achilles injury that was supposed to keep him out for a week or so back in November.

Manager Arsene Wenger told the club's official site:

"Vermaelen is in a [protective] boot.

Liverpool are the latest in a long list of clubs pursuing out of favour Milan playmaker Ronaldinho.
The Brazilian, 30, is designed to amuse, but his season thus far has been far from jovial. He has become peripheral to plans under Massimiliano Allegri, who has preferred Robinho.
Ronaldinho's lack of regular football has led to speculation his time will be up in January as promises of a new deal have been placed into the background by Milan.

By Chris Wright

Dubious stuff in the Mirror this morning, with reports that West Ham are considering a £5 million January bid for Newcastle ne'er-do-well Joey Barton, who is apparently ready to leave the club at the first opportunity in protest over the way that the ownership mistreated his 'mentor' and only friend in the world, Chris Hughton.

Great so Australia's biggest loser Mr Nearpost who's motto, "I tend to fail," comes through once more.
One time A-League4Canberra Bid Manager Eamonn Flanagan, not to be confused with Bid Leader Ivan Slavich, is stunningly depressed, amused, mental, (you decide) this morning.
In early discussions with Transact CEO Ivan impressed with his, "I tend not to fail," attitude.

By Chris Wright

Having seen a written transfer request knocked back on Saturday evening, Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez remains adamant that he will quit the club sooner rather than later citing 'irreconcilable differences' between he and certain club executives (who he claims have painted him as, heaven forbid, some kind of cash-grabbing mercenary) as the main catalyst behind his decision to force a move from Eastlands.

By Chris Wright

This morning's Daily Mirror has word on the fall-out precipitated by Sam Allardyce's sacking at the hands of Blackburn's new ownership yesterday, claiming that 'he of the thick neck' now stands to receive a hefty £1.

Left out in the dark at Tottenham Hotspur, winger David Bentley could be set to re-light his career at Liverpool, according to The Metro.
Roy Hodgson has reportedly indicated that he would be keen to bring the player to Anfield during the January transfer window, if a fee in the region of £5 million can be agreed.

While watching a Sky Sports News report that explained that Stone will be Alan Padew's number two I noticed something...

I then made the thing and realised I might be going crazy, but I still see it.

Anyway, a little about Steve Stone...

Starting his career at Nottingham Forest, Stoney managed to establish himself as key player and he was eventually rewarded with a call up to the England squad.

Liverpool are being linked with a January loan move for England U21 international Daniel Sturridge.
The Chelsea forward is thought to be considering his options after failing to earn a regular starting place in the Blues line-up, and the club is reportedly aware of Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson's interest.

Ryan Babel insists that he would like to remain at Liverpool, while praising Roy Hodgson's style of management.
The Dutchman arrived at the club in 2007 after the Reds had carved out a €16.5 million deal with Ajax for his services.
But his stay on Merseyside saw him being only fringe player under former boss Rafael Benitez, with whom he shared a frosty relationship that saw him wanting to leave the club.

By Ollie Irish

Antonio Cassano will become a Milan player on 3 January 2011 after the rossoneri reached an agreement with Sampdoria to pay Real Madrid half of his €5 million buy-out clause. Samp will pay Madrid the other half of Cassano's contract – that's how badly they wanted to get rid of him.

By Chris Wright

Dinamo Zagreb vice-president Zdravko Mamic is running his mouth in The Sun this morning, claiming to have the inside track on Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti's desperation to land Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric sooner rather than later.

Blackburn caretaker manager Steve Kean has been appointed as manager until the end of the season. The 43-year-old was promoted from first-team coach to caretaker boss following the surprise sacking of Sam Allardyce and assistant Neil McDonald last week.

A statement on Rovers' web site said:

"Following the departure of Mr Sam Allardyce as football manager of Blackburn Rovers Football Club earlier this month, Mr Steve Kean was appointed as manager.

Reports have resurfaced suggesting Liverpool could be set to move for Uruguay full-back Jorge Fucile.
According to skysports.com, the Portuguese media have suggested the 26-year-old defender could be on his way to Merseyside, but Fucile says he is concentrating on the job in hand.
He said: "I am under contract at Porto and my focus is here.

According to The Independent, reports in Germany are claiming that Manchester City look set to sign Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko for a fee around 40 million Euros.

Man City would pay an initial 30 million Euros and an additional 5 million Euros if they qualify for the Champions League and 5 million would go to agent fees and sign-on fees.

Adam Pearson isn't one of Football Chairmanship's more shy and retiring individuals and his programme notes in advance of yesterday's somewhat unfortunate failure to beat Reading at the KC Stadium were illuminating indeed. Keeping cards close to one's chest is a piece of advice unbeloved by this executive and his confirmation of the recently leaked intention to spend £2.