Wanyama staying at Celtic in January; Graham to Sunderland

Celtic F.C. defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama has ruled out the possibility of joining Premier League leaders Manchester United in January, citing the club’s UEFA Champions League ‘dream’ as one of his reasons for staying in Glasgow, according to ESPN.

Wanyama, 21, has been absolutely superb for the Scottish champions this season, with the latest reports suggesting that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was planning to submit a £12 million bid for the Kenya international.

The 21-year-old insisted that he is fully focused on Celtic for the remainder of the 2012-13 season, while opening the door to for a potential move away from Celtic Park in the summer.

Wanyama has totaled 32 appearances, 31 starts, (in all competitions) for the Celts this season, tallying seven goals and two assists.

“I can confirm to you that I will be at Celtic,” Wanyama told the Daily Record. “We are playing well and our Champions League dream is on right now, so I am looking forward to the big game against Juventus.

“A lot has been said about my intended move but I have not given it much thought and even my manager feels I should play until the end of the season for Celtic.

“Then, from that point, the doors can be open for a move.”

The Scottish giants will host Serie A champions Juventus at Celtic Park on 12 February, with the return leg scheduled for 6 March.

Graham to Sunderland

Sunderland have completed the signing of Swansea City striker Danny Graham in a deal worth £5 million, Sky Sports understands.

Graham, 27, has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal on Wearside.

The 27-year-old — formerly of Carlisle United (2007-09), Middlesbrough (2003-07) and Watford (2009-11) — became the Swans’ club-record signing in June 2011 following his £3.5 million move from Watford.

Graham enjoyed a fine debut season in England’s top flight, netting 14 goals — 12 of which came in the Premier League — and two assists in 39 appearances for Swansea.

However, Spanish sensation Michu has kept Graham on the bench for the majority of the 2012-13 campaign, with 10 of the Englishman’s 23 appearances coming as a substitute.

“As soon as I heard about the interest from Sunderland I didn’t even have to consider any of the other options that were on the table,” Graham told the club’s official website.

“I was born and brought up in the north east so I know first-hand the intense passion that people have for their football in this part of the world – it’s special and there’s nowhere else like it.”

In other news, bottom-of-the-table Queens Park Rangers have completed the signing of Anzhi Makhachkala defender Chris Samba on a four-and-a-half year contract worth £100,000-a-week.