Sports

 Mauro Zarate's agent declares war on Lazio

 The former Bimingham City striker is facing a battle to secure a move from his current side due to the hefty price tag slapped on the player by president Claudio Lotito

 Lazio striker Mauro Zarate faces a "war "with the club according to the player's agent, who has given the Serie A side five days to lower the attacker's price tag or face the consequences.

 

Catalonia 1-1 Nigeria: Bright Dike strike cancels out goal by Sergio Gonzalez

The Super Eagles held their hosts to a draw ahead of their trip to South Africa in a friendly on Wednesday night

Nigeria held Catalonia to a 1-1 draw at the Estadi Cornellà El Prat on Thursday evening as they continued preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations that starts later this month.
Sergio Gonzalez converted a penalty early in the seventh minute to give the hosts the lead before US-based striker Bright Dike got the Super Eagles an equaliser in the 55^th minute.

West Ham set to sign Joe Cole on a free

A deal for the former Hammers captain is expected to be confirmed on Thursday after the 31-year-old negotiated a contract severance with his current club Liverpool

The deal is expected to be confirmed by the London club on Thursday after the former Upton Park favourite travelled to the capital to undertake a medical.

The 31-year-old, who came through the ranks at West Ham and graduated to club captain before joining Chelsea in 2003, was given permission by Liverpool to hold talks with the Hammers after failing to establish himself in Brendan Rodgers' squad.

Barring any late hiccups, Cole will sign for Sam Allardyce's team and begin a second spell with the club where he made his name.

QPR also made a move but Cole has his heart set on a reunion with West Ham.

Cole is set to become the second player to move from Liverpool to West Ham this season, following in the footsteps of former colleague Andy Carroll.

Unlike Carroll, who joined on a season-long loan, Cole's switch will be a permanent transfer.

He is believed to have negotiated a settlement with Liverpool on his £100,000-a-week deal, which still has 18 months to run, which allows West Ham to pay the attacking midfielder a salary more in keeping with their wage structure.

Cole must be registered with the Premier League by midday on Friday if he is to be available for the Hammers' FA Cup tie against Manchester United on Saturday.

 

Modric: I have something to offer Real Madrid

 Luka Modric has promised to win over Jose Mourinho in the second half of the season as Real Madrid attempt to claw back some ground on the runaway Liga leaders Barcelona.

The former Tottenham playmaker, pivotal at White Hart Lane, has often underwhelmed since swapping England for Spain last August.
Although the 27-year-old has started just eight league game and registered a solitary goal since completing his €37 million transfer, Modric insists he has a contribution to make to the team.

"I have had a few good performances, if not in every game, but I believe I can prove I have something to offer," Modric told Sportske.

The diminutive midfielder has been kept out of the side by the likes of Xabi Alonso along with German pair Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira.

The trio were central to Madrid's title win last season, but Modric has played down notions that he has been overawed by the challenge of breaking into such an established set-up.

"It is very challenging to adapt to life at a big club like Madrid, but I'm not the kind of person to make excuses," Modric said.

"This is Real Madrid and I understand there is great pressure for new signings to succeed here."