Football Rumours

Newcastle have confirmed that Kevin Keegan will make a dramatic return to manage the club.
The 56-year-old former Manchester City boss managed the Magpies from 1992 to 1997 and will return to St James' Park as Sam Allardyce's successor.

Middlesbrough trying to thrash out an agreement with Heerenveen for Afonso Alves, the Brazilian striker. The 26-year-old was on Teesside on Sunday and was shown around the Riverside Stadium. It is understood talks progressed to an advanced stage although Middlesbrough are not prepared to meet the ?14.9 million valuation the Dutch media claim his club has placed on him.

Andrei Arshavin, the Zenit St Petersburg forward, has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal after his agent confirmed he is attracting interest from a trio of western European clubs. "We have three offers for Arshavin," Pavel Andreev said. "All three are from strong European teams".

Preston's 25-year-old midfielder Danny Pugh has completed a ?500,000 switch to Stoke City after his initial loan spell ended. The former Leeds man moved to the Britannia Stadium on loan at the start of November with a view to a permanent deal in January.

Celtic midfielder Teddy Bjarnason has completed a permanent move to Norwegian side Lyn Oslo.

Carlisle have announced the signing of defender Evan Horwood from Sheffield United on a two-and-a-half year deal

Gerard Houllier looks to have refused to take the NUFC job and focus now turns to Didier Deschamps who was also associated with the Irish job.

Middlesbrough have reiterated they've received no bid from Tottenham for Stewart Downing.

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has extended his contract at Old Trafford until 2012.

Manchester United have agreed to sign Petro Atletico Luanda striker Manucho on a three-year deal.