Ronald Koeman not keen on Europe just yet

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman says that he is only focused on the games ahead and that he is ignoring what he calls ''the obsession with Champions League football''. Southampton open 2015 with a crucial match as they play a home match against Arsenal who are only one place below the Saints in fifth with just a one goal difference between the two clubs. However Koeman says being above Arsenal in the table means nothing as they look to improve their hopes of qualification for the Champions League. "For me it's not an obsession," said Koeman of the challenge for a top-four finish. "But it's not an obsession, because I don't like to watch the table every weekend; it means nothing''. Turning his attention to January transfer business, Koeman has already recruited Eljero Elia on loan from Werder Bremen - a deal that will be formalised over the weekend - and he is keen to add another offensive player as well, if the right option becomes available. The Dutchman has no intention of letting anyone leave St Mary's, despite Morgan Schneiderlin constantly being linked with rival clubs, and he will not rush loan defender Toby Alderweireld into making a decision about turning his season-long loan into a permanent move. "We don't sell players in January, as I've said before," said Koeman. "If we need another player it will be an attacker

Manchester City top Premier League going into the new year

Manchester City and Chelsea are first and second, with City top by one goal on goal difference. Liverpool are third as a result of their brilliant second half to last season when they collected 48 points - more than any other club, while Manchester United are fifth in the table despite their seventh-placed finish at the end of the 2013-14 season. At the other end, it is a sorry tale for Steve Bruce's Hull. Their combined total of 30 points is the same amount that Cardiff managed when they finished bottom last season. They have also managed only seven wins this year. Crystal Palace might be in the relegation zone in the 2014-15 campaign, but in this table they are six points clear of the bottom three due to the magic touch of previous manager Tony Pulis. Only seven teams of the 17 in the table managed to accrue more points than the Eagles in the second half of the 2013-14 season.

Arsenal signing Carvalho likely. Deal to sign Reus is agreed at last.

Arsenal are in the process of finalising a deal for WIlliam Carvalho. Several publications in Portugal claim Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is preparing a bid in the region of £25.5m for the Sporting ace, who has made 48 appearances for the club. Meanwhile, in their pursuit of Dortmunds Marco Reus after the club reported that he will be sold to Athletico Madrid. According to well respected Spanish journalist Juan Gato, Atletico Madrid have agreed a deal in principle to sign the coveted German. It seems as if Wenger might splash the cash this transfer window, but not with much luck.

Fernando Torres returns to Athletico Madrid on loan

Spain striker Fernando Torres has agreed to return to Athletico Madrid on loan from AC MIlan until the end of the 2015-2016 season. Almost 8 years after leaving his boyhood club Athletico. Torres, 30 has been struggling to hit the net and score since leaving Liverpool and joining Chelsea back in 2011. He moved to Milan on loan this summer. Chelsea and Milan had agreed this weekend to make the transfer permanent which allowed Torres to join Athletico on loan.

Real Madrid: Gareth Bale is not for sale!

Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move to bring the Welshman back to the Premier League during the January transfer window but Perez is adamant the former Southampton and Tottenham star is going nowhere. Perez is quoted in the Sun as saying: "I cannot imagine Real Madrid without Bale. We would never listen to any offer, no matter the amount. "This is a unique player who has already given us a lot and it is crucial for the future of the club.” Bale, who joined Madrid from Spurs in 2013 for £86m, has been rumoured to be wanted by United boss Louis van Gaal and there had been talk of Spanish keeper David De Gea heading to the Bernabeu as part of any deal.

Barcelona can kiss goodbye to Champions League football until 2017

Barcelona will now definitively be unable to sign any more players until January 2016. On Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected Barca’s appeal against a two-window transfer ban, after the Catalans had been found guilty by Fifa of signing underage overseas players. "CAS has dismissed the appeal filed by FC Barcelona against Fifa regarding the decision issued by the Fifa Appeals Committee on August 19, 2014," said a CAS statement. "The panel found in particular that FC Barcelona had breached the rules regarding the protection of minors and the registration of minors attending football academies ... Accordingly, the Fifa decision is confirmed in full and the sanction remains in force." This is a hammer blow to Barcelona and will allow Madrid to further increase the widening gap between them and their rivals Real Madrid as Madrid continue to rapidly progress in all competitions.

Serero admits disappointment in missing out on national team.

Thulani Serero has admitted to his disappointment at missing out on the African cup of nations but has stated that he is determined to put in some good performances for his club Ajax. The 24 year old had looked likely to be included in the national squad but he was overlooked by South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba. The talented midfielder has put in some strong performances for the Amsterdam club in the Eredivisie this term and it was thought that he would be on the plane to Equatorial Guinea in January. But he will play no part and will now try to prove Mashaba wrong by starring for de Godenzonen. "I am very sorry that I was not selected," he told the Ajax website. "The African Nations Cup is a special tournament and I'd liked to have played for my country. "Now I will flip the switch and focus entirely on Ajax. There are a number of important contests after the winter break and I will give my full focus."