Mirandes, the giant killing third division Liga club bowed out beaten by Athletic Bilbao, 6-2, in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey (8-3 aggregate). Fernando Llorente showed why he's on the wishlist of some of the world's biggest clubs by scoring a brace. Athletic also got goals from Iker Muniain, Markel Susaeta and defender Jon Aurtenetxe.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas insists that he is not the right man to discuss a potential deal for Genk youngster Kevin De Bruyne and also feels that "certain issues" will prevent the club from signing Brazil international Willian from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup visit to cross-town rivals QPR a fixture that Villas-Boas desperately wants to win in order to get one step closer to silverware the Blues gaffer told reporters that neither De Bruyne nor Willian were in his immediate plans.

The turn of the year has seen the transfer market in the K-League gather momentum. Players and coaches have returned from their end of season vacations and teams are starting their winter training camps.
The first week of 2012 saw two big deals involving midfielders who may not be quite automatic starters for the national team but are never too far from the first eleven.

Borussia Dortmund has one of the world's up-and-coming stars in its grasp, and the defending Bundesliga champions aren't planning on letting him go.

Dortmund plans to keep 19-year-old playmaker Mario Goetze for at least another season despite major transfer interest, the club's sporting director said to German media.

My wishlist:

* Holland winning the Euro 2012, beating Germany in the finals ( with Afellay scoring)

* Bert van Marwijk succumbing for the lure of a 4 year deal at Chelsea

* Co Adriaanse taking the national team manager job

* Feyenoord winning the title in Holland

* Ajax winning the Europa League

* [read more]

Happy Holidays to all from MLS Reserves. Few things are as rewarding as getting to interact with both levels of professional soccer. On the one hand, I've had to opportunity to speak with professional athletes who make money playing the sport I love. On the other hand I get to dialogue with perhaps the most important aspect of pro sports: the fans.

Liverpool have enjoyed a decent spell of form in recent weeks and manager Kenny Dalglish is determined to keep the momentum going by brining in reinforcements in January.
The Kop boss is reportedly interested in Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Jadson who was close to sealing a move to the Premier League in the summer when Arsenal were linked with the Brazilian.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has reportedly become a transfer target for Bayern Munich.
Bayern head coach Jupp Heynches is thought to be drawing up a list of potential recruits for both the winter transfer window and the end of the season, and according to Insidefutbol.com, Lucas is high on that wishlist.

Arsene Wenger has promised the fans a big announcement tomorrow morning at his first pre-match conference of the new season, and it is certainly going to include the sale of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona. There are whispers that he may be giving his decision on Samir Nasri as well, and hopefully a couple of new [.

By Chris Wright

On the very day that, according to the Guardian at least, the Manchester United board will take a relaxed attitude to Sir Alex going out and snagging a couple of 'bank-breaking, world-class targets' this summer comes the news that Wesley Sneijder a man who was thought to be at the very top of Fergie's wishlist will sadly not be one of them.

Liverpool's hopes of signing Mark Marin have hit a snag at the news that the playmaker wants to stay at Werder Bremen.
The 22-year-old has impressed a number of Europe's big clubs, interest that may have led to a bidding war this summer.
However the German has distanced himself from the rumours linking him with Liverpool.

Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli is returning to his former club in an effort to land coveted teenager Idriss Saadi, according to reports.
The talented French U19 international has been earning rave reviews after an impressive debut season in Ligue 1, leading to a number of clubs across Europe taking an interest in the player.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish and director of football Damien Comolli have outlined up to 22 targets in their pursuit of a Champions League winning squad for next season, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Dalglish has already revealed that despite a great quantity of emerging young talent at Liverpool, investment will need to take place to take the Anfield club in the direction of winning trophies once more.

Liverpool representatives have reportedly met with PSV Eindhoven to discuss a deal for Ola Toivonen, according to reports.
The Swedish international forward was heavily linked with an Anfield move back in the summer, and was again thought to be on the radar of the Merseysiders in January.
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have also taken an interest in the past, according to reports, but it's Liverpool who is now thought to be in pole position to land the player.

MLSSoccer.com's video series profiling the three Cascadia teams in the runup to and execution of the 2011 SuperDraft has hit part 3. You can watch it here. It covers the first round, including the top 2 picks by VAN and POR as well as the sequence of trades for the Sounders' 11th pick.

There's one thing in particular that I think deserves highlighting.

Liverpool are reportedly in talks with Wigan Athletic to convince them to hand over winger Charles N'Zogbia for a lower fee.
According to The People, agent Paul Stretford, who is having more and more influence at Anfield, is negotiating to find a compromise with the Latics as Liverpool are willing to pay only half of the £15million asked to seal the transfer.

Lindsay: Best foot forward
Disappointing news out of BMO Field today as Toronto FC announced that 18-year-old winger Nicholas Lindsay will miss the 2011 season through injury. The energetic Lindsay has suffered a serious knee injury during off-season (rumoured to be a slip on ice) which will require multiple surgical procedures over the next six months.

Liverpool caretaker manager is set to seal a move for Benfica left back Fabio Coentrao as his first signing in January, according to reports.
The new Reds boss wants to bring in a replacement for Paul Konchesky, one of Roy Hodgson's high-profile flops, to improve their defence.
Alongisde Damian Comolli, Dalglish has amended Liverpool's January transfer wishlist, which now includes Ryan Shawcross and Ricky van Wolfswinkel at the top.