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Thursday football
06 September 2007
by Jerrad Peters

ARSENE Wenger has agreed an extension to his contract with Arsenal. The Gunners boss will sign a three-year extension to his current deal and remain at Emirates Stadium until at least June, 2011. The 57-year-old Frenchman will be paid 4M-pounds per-season over the duration of the contract. While seeming to dither over an extension earlier in the summer, Wenger looks to have been rejuvinated by the young players coming through the squad. "Since the begining of the season something has been happening in this team," said Wenger after announcing the agreement. "They fight for each other; they have a great togetherness and love for the game." Wenger is also believed to be fully behind the takeover plans of former chief executive David Dein. Dein is rumored to be joining forces with Russian steel tycoon Alisher Usmanov and his company Red & White Holdings.

England are sweating over the fitness of midfielder Owen Hargreaves. With an already crowded therapists room, manager Steve McClaren can hardly spare the 26-year-old Canadian. But after missing training on Tuesday and Wednesday, Hargreaves was sent for a scan on his thigh. If crocked, he will join Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Kieron Dyer, and Ledley King on the injury list. Steven Gerrard is also questionable ahead of Saturday's contest against Israel at Wembley. The Liverpool captain is mulling a pain-killing injection in order to participate in the match. Peter Crouch is also unavailable through suspension. As it stands, McLaren appears likely to partner Andy Johnson up front with Michael Owen. Emile Heskey, Owen's striking partner with Liverpool and previous incarnations of the England squad, was recalled this week; although McClaren is unlikely to use him against Israel. Scott Carson is also likely to be picked ahead of Paul Robinson in goal.

Andriy Shevchenko is fully fit and anxious to play football. One problem -- Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho doesn't much fancy him. The odd set of circumstances have led the Ukraine international to question his future at Stamford Bridge. And while he was not even named among the substitutes at Aston Villa on Sunday, he remains optimistic. "I don't understand," stated Shevchenko when asked about Mourinho's thought process, yesterday. He continued, "But I'll remain calm and wait for my chance." His chance may come next week. Chelsea are reeling after losing to Villa and will be looking to shake things up when Blackburn Rovers visit on September 15.

Manchester United are tracking Mexican prodigy Giovani Dos Santos. The 18-year-old forward is currently at Barcelona and has a 20M-pound buy-out clause in his contract -- similar money to what United paid for both Nani and Anderson this summer. Barcelona, however, are keen to secure Dos Santos to a long-term deal and, at the same time, raise his buy-out clause. The Mexico international was a stand-out performer for his country at the U-20 World Cup in Canada this summer.

Paul Robinson is on the edge with England as Scott Carson threatens his position as Steve McClaren's number-one goalkeeper. He may now be facing competition for his job at Tottenham Hotspur as well. Spurs manager Martin Jol is lining-up a January swoop for Livorno's Marco Amelia to compete with Robinson. Amelia is unsettled at Livorno and keen to exit the club as soon as possible. The club, however, rejected overtures from Palermo, Lazio, and Manchester City this summer. They are beleived to want approximately 7M-pounds for the 25-year-old.

Sheffield United are mulling the takeover of Hungary's most successful football club. Ferencvaros, mired in debt and currently playing in the country's second division, are desperate for an influx of cash and would be unlikely to resist the Blades' proposal. Known as the Green Eagles, Ferencvaros play in Budapest and have won 28 championships -- the most recent coming in 2004. Under the terms of the plan, Sheffield would assume the debts and financial pressures of the club and use it as a sort of feeder-system for Bramall Lane.