Brazilian forward Nene has confirmed he will sign for Qatari-club Al Gharafa from French side Paris St Germain.
The 31-year-old is surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes following PSG's lavish spending in the summer and had been discussing his options with a number of clubs.
But after considering a move back to Brazil with Santos, Nene has decided on a move to the Stars League instead.
"I have reached an agreement with Al Gharafa," he told French television.
"It was difficult. I always had this dream of going to Brazil and the team of my family.
"It was almost completed with Santos, but it has not happened."
Al Gharafa are thought to have offered Nene a lucrative deal, and the veteran said he had to think long term.
"These are things that happen once in a lifetime," he said. "I do not know if people will understand. I'll be 32 in July, the time passes quickly. I thought about my future, my family. That's why I'm going."
---
Ryan Giggs will decide whether to sign another one-year contract with Manchester United at the end of the season, potentially extending his top-flight career into his 40s.
The 39-year-old, who has made 16 appearances for United this season in all competitions, has signed a succession of one-year deals with United since moving into his mid-30s,
Now the midfielder says he is considering signing on again, and will decide this summer.
"I will see how I feel and see how I am contributing, and then I will sit down and talk to the manager," Giggs said.
"I am cool with that. I am enjoying my football at the moment, but the end of the season is a few months away and you never know what will happen.
"I have to contribute as well as enjoying both training and playing."
---
Andrei Yeshchenko has joined big-spending Anzhi Makhachkala from Russian rivals Lokomotiv Moscow on a "long-term" deal.
The 28-year-old left-back, who made his Russia debut under Fabio Capello against Israel in a World Cup qualifier in September, becomes the first major signing for the club in the transfer window.
Anzhi, coached by former Russia boss Guus Hiddink, have assembled an expensive squad, including Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o and Brazil's 2002 World Cup winner Roberto Carlos.
"I hope working under such master as Guus Hiddink and along side such great players as Samuel Eto'o and Roberto Carlos would help my development," Yeshchenko told Anzhi's website.
---
Harry Redknapp hopes a triple signing coup will go a long way to securing Queens Park Rangers' survival hopes.
The Loftus Road manager flew off immediately after his side's draw with Tottenham Hotspur yesterday, and is expected to continue his courting of Yann M'Vila.
But Redknapp admits he is also still keen to bring Peter Odemwingie from West Brom and Jake Livermore from Tottenham to Loftus Road.
He told the BBC he expected QPR chief executive Philip Beard to put in an offer for the 31-year-old West Brom forward imminently.
"There is every chance we have made an offer but I haven't spoken to him today," he said.
"But there is every chance an offer could have gone in."
Redknapp admitted he also hoped to sign Livermore on loan for the rest of the season.
---
Sunderland are closing in on a deal for Senegal defender Kader Mangane as they look to tighten up their back line.
The 29-year-old, who plays for Al Hilan in Saudi Arabia, looks set to clinch a loan move to the Stadium of Light until the end of the season, ahead of a permanent deal.
Sunderland have injury problems at the back with Carlos Cuellar, Danny Rose, Phil Bardsley and Wes Brown all carrying knocks, and Titus Bramble's future at the club uncertain.
---
Palermo have signed Andrea Dossena on loan from Napoli until the end of the season.
The former Liverpool winger, who spent the last three years at Napoli, had fallen out of favour but could make the move to Palermo permanent if he impresses.
---
Uruguay midfielder Sebastian Fernandez is eyeing a move to the English Premier League during this transfer window.
Championship side Brighton have already expressed an interest in the 27-year-old Malaga midfielder, with Southampton and Norwich reportedly interested.
"Sebastian wants to come to England and I can confirm I have had several conversations with a number of clubs," Barry McIntosh, the player's agent, told Sky Sports.
"We are hopeful something can be done in the next couple of weeks."
Follow us
[ @SprtNationalUAE ]
