BENZEMA READY TO MOVE

Manchester United and Real Madrid have been placed on alert by an announcement from Lyons striker Karim Benzema that he sees his future outside France at ‘one of Europe’s top clubs’. The prolific 20-year-old France international, valued at £85m by Lyons president Jean-Michel Aulas, says he wants to discuss his future at the end of the season. Benzema said: ‘There are a lot of clubs - Barcelona, Real Madrid, but also Manchester United, AC Milan. They are all clubs you dream about. I like Spain, but Manchester, Milan . . . you progress so much there and I want to be among the world's best’

SOUTH AFRICANS TARGET POMPEY

A consortium of South African and British-based businessmen will make a formal offer to buy Portsmouth within two weeks. Prosport International’s Mike Makaab, who describes himself as a ‘contact person’ for a group including major players in South African gold mining, said: ‘I am confident a bid will be made within 14 days. A lot depends on the numbers.’ Portsmouth’s current owners are believed to be seeking offers above £70m for a club with significant debts

BALLACK PUTS HIS FOOT IN IT

Poor old Michael Ballack. The Germany midfielder’s recent foot injury must have been worse than most people realised. His white Ferrari was parked in a disabled bay at Chelsea’s training ground on Friday

THIS IS A STICK-UP. TAKE ME TO THE MATCH

Train delayed on the way to the game? Stuck in a jam on the M62 as the minutes tick away to kick-off? You could always try what fans of Argentina's Chacarita Juniors did to get to their team’s fixture against Talleres of Cordoba. Seventy-four of them, including children of 11 and 12, hijacked two public buses in Buenos Aires, threatening the drivers with knives. Police intercepted the renegade fan wagons before they reached the ground and they missed Chacarita’s 3-2 victory

AT LEAST CHELSEA ARE MAKING AN EFFORT

The FA’s Respect campaign, which urges players to accept decisions without arguing, has come under fire in recent weeks, but at least one club has responded in the desired manner. Last season Chelsea were ranked worst of all the Premier League clubs when it came to receiving yellow cards for dissent. This time they sit proudly on top of the good behaviour table. It just shows what you can do . . .

EMIRATES TO HOST BRAZIL FRIENDLY

Brazil return to their European home at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium on February 10 for a friendly international against world champions Italy. It is sure to be a big attraction with some of the planet’s top players on show, possibly featuring Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robinho of Brazil against Italy’s Luca Toni, Andrea Pirlo and Fabio Cannavaro. This will be the fourth time Brazil have used the Emirates

LAVEZZI NO INTEREST IN BLUES MOVE

Ezequiel Lavezzi, Napoli’s 23-year-old Argentine forward, says Chelsea want to sign him, but he doesn’t fancy the move. Lavezzi’s sparkling form has been key to Napoli’s bright start to the Serie A campaign and he is included in Diego Maradona’s 23-man squad for Wednesday’s match against Scotland, but he said: ‘I want to stay. I know Chelsea are interested in me but I don’t think there is any intention of letting me go and I’m glad about that’