Footy's rumour mill.. (believe at your own peril)

[yinyang]

Things hotting up for MU >Valencia's Silva and Villa, and A Madrid's Aguero?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8180168.stm

Sunday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP
1239: Birmingham are hoping to sign Arsenal defender Armand Traore on loan in the next 48 hours, while Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel and Aston Villa forward Craig Gardner are also targets. (PA)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United are about to tell Valencia to name their price for midfielder David Silva.
Full story: News of the World

And United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will enquire about Silva and striker David Villa when Valencia arrive at Old Trafford for Wednesday's friendly.
Full story: The People

Manchester United are also preparing a £35m offer for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero.
Full story: Sunday Express

Everton defender Joleon Lescott is set to hand in a transfer request to force through his £22m move to Manchester City.
Full story: News of the World

Sunderland are preparing a double transfer swoop for Tottenham's David Bentley and Michael Dawson.
Full story: The People

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to call off the propsosed £7m deal for Gremio midfielder Douglas Costa because of concerns about the 18-year-old's private life.
Full story: News of the World

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has been told to bid an extra £1m if he wants to land Spurs striker Darren Bent. The Black Cats have already offered £14m.
Full story: The People

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is resigned to losing midfielder Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. (Sunday Express)

After missing out on former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp could try and bid for Bayern Munich skipper Mark van Bommel.
Full story: News of the World

Chelsea midfielder Deco says he has turned down an offer from Inter Milan to see out his contract at Stamford Bridge. (Sunday Mirror)

Chelsea could renew their interest in Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart if the Spanish giants reduce the Dutchman's price.
Full story: The People

And the Blues are set to complete the signing of AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo early next week, if striker Claudio Pizarro moves in the opposite direction.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Aston Villa will make a £5m bid for Blackburn left-back Stephen Warnock next week.
Full story: News of the World

Arsenal are closing in on 23-year-old PSV midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, who is valued at £7m. (The People)

Blackburn want to sign Manchester City striker Benjani, after missing out on Tottenham's Peter Crouch and Kamel Ghilas of Celta Vigo.
Full story: News of the World

Portsmouth, though, are also in the hunt for Benjani as they desperately try and find a replacement for Crouch.
Full story: The People

Fulham and Wolves are battling it out for Southampton's England under-21 midfielder Adam Lallana.
Full story: News of the World

Aston Villa and Blackburn are among the teams chasing Newcastle defender Habib Beye.
Full story: The People

Everton are in pole position to land Valencia right-back Miguel.
Full story: News of the World

Fulham want to sign Arsenal striker Carlos Vela on loan should the Gunners make a serious offer for centre-half Brede Hangeland.
Full story: The People

Bolton boss Gary Megson wants to sign Hoffenheim full-back Andreas Beck but could face competition from Fiorentina.
Full story: News of the World

Middlesbrough have beaten Sheffield United to the signing of Reading striker Leroy Lita on a free transfer.
Full story: The People

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester City's summer spending spree has seen their annual wage bill double in two years to £100m a year.
Full story: News of the World

However, their dealings in the transfer market and their pursuit of Everton defender Joleon Lescott has angered Toffees boss David Moyes. "It is about showing respect - and we are not being shown that," he says.
Various

Alan Shearer seems to have given up hope of becoming Newcastle manager on a permanent basis. The former England and Magpies striker has gone on his holidays to Portugal and has no plans to return before the new season starts.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

And Shearer has confirmed to the BBC that he will be with them on the Match Of The Day sofa, rather than the dug-out, when Newcastle begin their Championship campaign.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

A South African diamond billionaire is the latest potential buyer linked with Newcastle. The diamond prospector, who was discovered by former chairman Sir John Hall, has expressed an interest in meeting the asking price.
Full story: Sunday Express

Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira will make a shock return to Arsenal this week, and has been lined up by the club's hierarchy as a long-term successor to manager Arsene Wenger.
Full story: The People

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole is to sign a new contract within the next two weeks which will keep him at the club until 2014 and give him earnings of more than £100,000-a-week.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

AND FINALLY
New Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that his approach to management has been crafted by how his father used to make cheese. "The big lesson I learned was to wait, to be patient. Because whoever wants to produce parmigiano has to wait at least one year before everything is ready for him to make the cheese," he said.
Various

 

[yinyang]

SAF starting 1st salvo against Pool:p

Mid week trivia
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8184731.stm

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Liverpool are expected to use some of the £30m they gained from the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid to make an £18m offer for Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani.
Full story: The Guardian

Italian side AC Milan are preparing a £31m bid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Full story: The Sun

Darren Bent's transfer to Sunderland has still not been completed, despite the Tottenham striker passing a medical on Monday. (Daily Star)

Sunderland, meanwhile, are set to sign Lyon defender John Mensah on a season-long loan deal.
Full story: The Sun

The Black Cats are also keeping tabs on Tottenham centre-back Michael Dawson.
Full story: The Sun

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has failed with a £5.5m bid for Sevilla centre-back Federico Fazio.
Full story: The Sun

Wenger says he will wait to sign Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer next season, rather than improve his £6m offer for the striker this summer. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham hope to sign Blackburn defender Christopher Samba for £10m to help ease their defensive crisis.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester United will use their friendly with Valencia to run the rule over midfielder David Silva and forward David Villa. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has agreed a new three-year contract at Chelsea worth over £100,000 a week.
Full story: The Sun

AND FINALLY
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has written off Liverpool's title chances, claiming he has more chance of achieving a hole in one in golf.
Full story: The Sun

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is being considered for a goodwill ambassador's role at former club Manchester United when he hangs up his boots.
Full story: The Sun

Meanwhile, Beckham and his wife Victoria are in negotiations to buy a £10m luxury home in Chelsea, sparking rumours of a move to the west London club.
Full story: The Sun

 

[yinyang]

Viduka left in lurch, after doubts on Pompei's finances?:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8192689.stm

Monday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP
1244 BST: Hull City boss Phil Brown has revealed striker Henri Camara, available on a free transfer after leaving Wigan Athletic, could be close to a move. (Hull Daily Mail)

Brown said: "If we can sit down and thrash out a deal, then there's a possibility he could be a Hull City player. I'm sure we'll do that in the next 48 hours."

1230 BST: Portsmouth boss Paul Hart has rejected speculation that David Nugent will definitely leave. The striker was sent home recently from a tour to Portugal. (football365.com)

1119 BST: Liverpool are keen on signing Japanese star Keisuke Honda, who is currently playing in Holland for VVV Venlo. (Sky Sports)

1015 BST: Everton are tracking Paris St Germain midfielder Stephane Sessegnon. (L'Equipe)

0915 BST: Blackburn are closing in on Nantes midfielder Aurelien Capoue with the 27-year-old midfielder set to seal a loan move. (L'Equipe)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester City are set to turn their sights towards West Ham centre-half Matthew Upson after having two bids for Everton defender Joleon Lescott rejected.
Full story: The Guardian

Barcelona are preparing a variety of tactics in an attempt to capture Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas, with a fund of at least £25m and a number of fringe players set to be offered.
Full story: The Times

Mark Viduka's move to Portsmouth is in doubt, with the threat of administration still hovering over the Premier League club. The striker currently has no club after being released by Newcastle.
Full story: Various

Aston Villa's PFA Young Player of the Year Ashley Young is unlikely to be released, says Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who has been linked to the England winger. (Press Association)

Liverpool are considering a move for Stoke's 21-year-old centre-half Ryan Shawcross.
Full story: Daily Mail

Derby County are on the verge of signing 19-year-old Tottenham midfielder Jake Livermore on loan. (Daily Mirror)

OTHER GOSSIP
David Beckham has received a heap of praise from Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate Landon Donovan after the 2-1 win at New England in Major League Soccer. The American striker, who recently questioned Beckham's commitment following the England midfielder's loan spell at AC Milan, said: "David's been great since he's been back, in every way."
Full story: The Sun

AND FINALLY
It could be a long season for one Norwich City fan, who threw away his season ticket in disgust after only 22 minutes of their opening match against Colchester. Colchester scored their fourth goal as the fan ran on to the pitch and offloaded his prize possession in front of manager Bryan Gunn. The Canaries went on to lose 7-1.
Full story: The Daily Mail

 

[yinyang]

Wed trivia

Mid week trivia.. honkie Carson Yueng to buy Birmingham City?:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8196586.stm

Wednesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP
Reports in Spain suggest Hull City have completed the signing of Algerian forward Kamel Ghilas from Celta Vigo. (1146 BST)
Full story: skysports.com

Italy striker Giampaolo Pazzini, a reported target of Chelsea, is not Leaving Sampdoria, according to the Italian club's general director Giuseppe Marotta. (1131 BST)
Full story: Goal.com

TRANSFER GOSSIP
AC Milan want Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham to return to the San Siro in January for a second loan spell, which would keep alive the England player's World Cup hopes.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City are intent on continuing their pursuit of Joleon Lescott with a £22m bid for the Everton defender despite the insistence of Toffees boss David Moyes that the 26-year-old is not for sale.
Full story: The Times

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has failed in his bid to make Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi his first big-name signing at Stamford Bridge.
Full story: The Sun

But Ancelotti could make a surprise £17m move for Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini. (Daily Express)

Bayern Munich have stepped up their pursuit of Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa and urged the Blues to keep their word over allowing him to join them for about £15m.
Full story: Daily Mail

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko will see out the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge after rejecting a move to former club Dynamo Kiev.
Full story: Daily Star

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has been challenged by Blackburn to treble his bid for Rovers defender Stephen Warnock to £12m or forget the deal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

O'Neill is also keen to bring Tottenham midfielders David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas to Villa Park.
Full story: The Guardian

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp could be forced back into the transfer market after learning that centre-back Jonathan Woodgate faces at least two months on the sidelines following surgery on a groin problem.
Full story: Daily Mirror

And Redknapp is set to up his offer for Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko from £12m to £15.5m, although the French club want £25m.
Full story: The Sun

Wolves are set to sign Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne, who had a loan spell at Molineux last season, on a season-long loan deal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham hope to sign Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni and Barcelona front man Eidur Gudjohnsen by the end of the transfer window, initially on a loan basis. (The Guardian)

The Hammers are interested in Napoli defender Leandro Rinaudo, with boss Gianfranco Zola keen to bring the 6ft 4in centre-back in on loan if he loses Matthew Upson or James Collins.
Full story: Daily Mail

Defender Lucas Neill could be set for a return to Upton Park after the former West Ham skipper revealed he is considering a contract offer from Zola.
Full story: The Sun

Derby manager Nigel Clough is ready to sign experienced goalkeeper Jimmy Walker on a free transfer from West Ham.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has gone back to his former club Wigan with a £10m offer for midfielder Lee Cattermole.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn are giving a trial to former Real Madrid right-back Michel Salgado.
Full story: The Sun

Rovers are leading a three-club chase with Wigan and Birmingham for Rennes winger Olivier Thomert.
Full story: The Sun

Arsenal are on the trail of 6ft 4in Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic, with chief executive Ivan Gazidis ready to make a £12m offer for the 20-year-old Serb who is also attracting interest from Everton.
Full story: Daily Mail

Fulham are adamant that defender Brede Hangeland will not leave unless Arsenal shatter the club's £12m transfer record, which was paid by Manchester United for Louis Saha. (The Guardian)

The Cottagers are eyeing a £4m move for Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.
Full story: Daily Star

Manchester City winger Martin Petrov would not be surprised if he was sold by the club this summer, with Tottenham keen on the Bulgaria international.
Full story: The Sun

Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul is being monitored by a host of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Portsmouth, Wigan, Hull and Sunderland.
Full story: Independent

Former Liverpool, Chelsea and Middlesbrough midfielder Boudewijn Zenden claims he is in talks with Hull, Blackburn and Portsmouth over a return to the Premier League.
Full story: Independent

Reading manager Brendan Rodgers is planning a double swoop on his old club Watford for midfielder Jobi McAnuff and striker Tommy Smith.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Turkish club Besiktas are poised to land Reading midfielder Jem Karacan in a £1m deal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP
Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung is set to revive his bid to buy Birmingham City in a £70m deal.
Full story: The Sun

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is preparing for a hostile reception when he attends the club's home Championship match against Reading on Saturday.
Full story: Daily Mail

If Ashley fails to sell Newcastle this week he will stay at St James' Park for another two years and appoint David O'Leary as manager with a brief to make the club viable for another attempted sale in 2011.
Full story: Daily Mail

Any hope Arsenal's Spanish-born goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has of playing for England if they qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals appears to be over after the coach of the national side Fabio Capello dismissed the idea.
Full story: The Sun

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has warned boss Rafael Benitez that Xabi Alonso will be virtually irreplaceable after the midfielder was sold to Real Madrid. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY
Former Arsenal, West Ham and Celtic striker John Hartson says "I have so much to live for" after winning the first stage of his fight against cancer. (The Sun)

Sunderland midfielder Grant Leadbitter appeared at Gateshead magistrates court on Monday pleading special reasons why he should not be banned for a speeding offence. After being clocked at 112mph, the 23-year-old said he thought he was being followed by a car full of angry Newcastle fans before discovering that it was actually the police.
Full story: The Guardian

Liverpool stars Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres will have a Masterchef-style cook off to discover who is Anfield's best chef. October's final will be held in Carragher's city centre sports restaurant, with chef Marco Pierre White adding expert comments and post-meal analysis.
Full story: The Sun

Michela Quattrociocche, the fiancee of new Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani, says she dreams of marrying the Italian international one day, and added: "Ours is a love that gives you cramps in the stomach." (The Sun)

 

[Ah Guan]

Re: Wed trivia

Thanks yinyang for constantly updating this thread

The season finally starts today!

 

[yinyang]

Re: Wed trivia

...updating this thread. The season finally starts today!

Yo, the big kick off's today... with 2 weeks for transfer window to shut end aug. Thanks for popping by, not too many replies but stll heartened by no. of views over the summer break.

Guess the rumour mill will take a reprieve to Jan window? Or some scandals akin to reading a dirty mag!:p

Latest sat hearsay:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8202763.stm

Saturday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP
0628 BST: Arsene Wenger says Barcelona have as much chance of signing Cesc Fabregas as Arsenal have of signing Lionel Messi.
Full story: Irish Independent

0812 BST: Newcastle midfielder Damien Duff is due in London to finalise a transfer to Fulham. (Sky Sports News)

1300 BST: Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs, who turns 36 in November, insisits he is not contemplating retirement. (Press Association)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Chelsea are poised for a £42m bid for Atletico Madrid's Argentine striker Sergio Aguero.
Full story: Sun

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is still trying to persuade Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen to join him at Upton Park. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa could move for Tottenham's out-of-favour winger David Bentley, but only as a back-up player.
Full story: Times

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has made an enquiry about Aston Villa's England winger James Milner, who cost £12m from Newcastle last August.
Full story: Sun

Everton are trailing Spartak Moscow winger Vladimir Bystrov, 25, and are interested in a loan deal for Valencia's Argentine midfielder Ever Banega, 21. The Toffees are also watching giant defender Isaac Vorsah, who plays for German club Hoffenheim.
Full story: Daily Mail

Middlesbrough are ready to sell German centre-half Robert Huth to Stoke City in a £2.5m deal. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle want Bolton defender Andy O'Brien, 29, to return to St James' Park to solve their defensive crisis. (Daily Mirror)

Hull boss Phil Brown has lined up 34-year-old free agent Sol Campbell in case Liverpool make an improved offer for his £12m-rated defender Michael Turner. (Daily Mail)

Celtic are seeking a new right-back with Andreas Hinkel almost certain to join Hull City in a £1.5m transfer - but after the Champions League tie with Arsenal. (Daily Record)

Hull have put in a £3m offer for Celtic right-back Andreas Hinkel, but the Glasgow club will only let the German go for £4m. (The Sun)

Hamilton striker Richard Offiong rejected summer moves worth higher wages after Accies accepted bids from Colchester United and Greek club Skoda Xanthi. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP
Harry Redknapp says David Bentley still has a future at Tottenham - as long as he does not step out of line again after his recent drink-driving incident.
Full story: The Sun

Everton boss David Moyes has accused Mark Hughes of using underhand tactics to unsettle Joleon Lescott and claimed that it had cost Manchester City any chance of landing their latest target.
Full story: Daily Mail

Former Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd is set to become the new manager of Norwich, who sacked Bryan Gunn less than a week into the season.
Full story: Daily Mail

Paul Hart believes the proposed takeover of Portsmouth will not happen, plunging the club into yet more uncertainty on the eve of the new Barclays Premier League season.
Full story: Times

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov is trying to persuade friend and former Chelsea boss Avram Grant to take a boardroom role at Tynecastle. (Daily Mail)

Scott Brown, Shaun Maloney and Stephen Whittaker have defended George Burley following criticism of the Scotland manager after the 4-0 World Cup defeat by Norway. (Various)

The Scottish champions will face a qualifier for the Champions League - unless the winners of this year's tournament also qualify for the group stages through their league placing. (The Sun)

St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown is willing to sell the Scottish Premier League newcomers but says there have been no potential buyers he would trust to take the club on. (Daily Mail)

East Stirlingshire coach Jim McInally has criticised the Scottish FA for handing his hard-up club a £1000 fine on top of his 12-match touchline ban for misconduct last season. (Daily Record)

AND FINALLY
Defender Anton Ferdinand is planning a Michael Jackson goal tribute if he nets for Sunderland in the Black Cats' Premier League opener at Bolton. "I'm not too sure how it will work out, I actually thought of putting a glove in my sock to pull out if I score," said big Jacko fan Anton.
Full story: Sun

 

[yinyang]

tues trivia..

Benitez only has petty cash 1.5mil to spend.. And spurs rednap has teetoller order out

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8206494.stm

Tuesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP
0821 BST: Hertha Berlin are hopeful of bringing Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin back to the German club. (German newspaper Bild)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Chelsea have 24 hours to meet Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero's £50m get-out clause.
Full story: The Sun

Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in Liverpool winger Albert Riera.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Aston Villa are set to make a £6m offer for Middlesbrough defender David Wheater.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Keeper David James looks set to become the latest high-profile player to leave the club with Tottenham monitoring his situation at Fratton Park. Full story: Daily Star

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is preparing a double bid for Tottenham duo David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas.
Full story: Daily Mail

Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell is ready to take a huge pay cut to join relegated Newcastle.
Full story: Daily Star

West Ham are keeping tabs on Roma striker Julio Baptista. (Daily Mirror)

The Hammers will sell defender James Collins to Stoke for £5m to help fund a move for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.
Full story: Daily Mail

Middlesbrough striker Afonso Alves is in talks with Ajax about a possible return to Dutch football. (Daily Mail)

Wigan are set to improve their offer to £2m for Crystal Palace striker Victor Moses.
Full story: Daily Mail

The Latics are also hopeful of completing the signing of Rayo Vallecano midfielder Mohamed Diame in the coming days. (The Guardian)

Middlesbrough have made a £5m bid for Derby striker Rob Hulse. (The Guardian)

Everton are continuing to monitor Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos and are also interested in Middlesbrough centre-back Robert Huth.
Full story: The Independent

Blackburn are close to signing Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado.
Full story: The Times

Manchester City appear to have beaten Chelsea to the signing of 16-year-old Brazilian striker Rafael de Souza Rodolfo from Fluminese.
Full story: The Sun

Birmingham are set to sign Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel for £3m.
Full story: The Sun

Burnley are hopeful of signing defender Andre Bikey in time for Wednesday's clash against Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn are considering a swap deal involving Rovers striker Paul Gallagher and Watford forward Nathan Ellington.
Full story: The Sun

Portsmouth are preparing a bid for Bolton centre-back Danny Shittu, who is out of favour at the Reebok Stadium.
Full story: The Sun

Hull are battling with Real Zaragoza to sign £12m-rated Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo.
Full story: The Sun

Former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who is a free agent, has rejected a chance to link up with old boss Sven-Goran Eriksson at Notts County.
Full story: The Sun

Bolton midfielder Gavin McCann is on the verge of joining Portsmouth.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Nottingham Forest are lining up a £1.5m bid to sign West Ham defender Calum Davenport. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been told by the club's American owners he has only £1.5m to spend on new players.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Rotherham manager Mark Robins is set to be appointed the new manager of Norwich.
Full story: The Sun

AND FINALLY
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has slapped an alcoholic drink ban on his players after midfielder David Bentley was recently charged with drink-driving. (Daily Star)

 

[yinyang]

weekend do..

One for week ahead, still last skirmishes within transfer window? Robben to both Manchesters?:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8215583.stm

BREAKING GOSSIP
0629 BST Carlo Ancelotti insists Andriy Shevchenko has a future at Stamford Bridge, despite the fact that the Ukrainian has played just one game in the last 15 months for Chelsea. (Press Association)

1000 BST: Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who has been linked with Manchester United, Aston Villa and Arsenal during the summer, is resisting pressure from Real Madrid to accept a move away from the Spanish giants. (Marca)

1251 BST: Cardiff have beaten off competition from Wolves and Portsmouth to sign Manchester City forward Kelvin Etuhu on a season-long loan. (Press Association)

1419 BST: Both Manchester United and Manchester City are hoping to lure Real Madrid and former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben. (Marca)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Everton have given up the fight to keep England defender Joleon Lescott and agreed to sell him to Manchester City for £22m.
Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could still make a last-ditch bid to bring former skipper Patrick Vieira back to the club from Inter Milan before the transfer deadline. (Daily Mirror)

But Vieira has put an end to speculation by announcing he will "stay at Inter and try to play as much as possible."
Full story: Football Italia

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is poised to sign Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock for around £8m. (Daily Mirror)

Livorno say that West Ham United’s offer for striker Alessandro Diamanti is considerably short of their £8m valuation.
Full story: Times

Fulham are considering a move for Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos and Newcastle defender Steven Taylor.
Full story: Times

Everton boss David Moyes is chasing Spartak Moscow winger Vladimir Bystrov.
Full story: Daily Mail

Celtic boss Tony Mowbray does not expect Aiden McGeady to leave Parkhead after the Republic of Ireland Winger was linked to Tottenham.
Full story: Press and Journal

Gianfranco Zola has set up a meeting with Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh on Monday to try and persuade the Moroccan to join West Ham.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Bolton boss Gary Megson is weighing up a move for former Valencia striker Miguel Angel Angulo. (Daily Mirror)

Nottingham Forest are lining up a £1m bid for Charlton's Nicky Bailey. (Daily Mirror)

Defender David Wheater has given a declaration of loyalty to Middlesbrough, insisting he could not picture himself playing for anyone else. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed misfiring strikers Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov to start finding the net for Manchester United.
Full story: Sun

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes says he is unfazed by other clubs' criticisms of his massive summer spending spree.
Full story: The Sun

Arsene Wenger has blasted the decision to press Theo Walcott into action for the both the senior and under-21 England teams this summer as "selfish".
Full story: Various, Daily Mirror

Gianfranco Zola insists he has no intention of quitting West Ham after denying he is under pressure to sell players.
Full story: Metro

Alex McLeish's job looks to be safe as Birmingham City prepare for takeover talks with Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung.
Full story: The Scotsman

Birmingham striker James McFadden has revealed that he considered ending his Scotland career after failing to get into coach George Burley's starting line-up. (Daily Record)

AND FINALLY
Blackburn striker Jason Roberts never takes his Premier League wages for granted after revealing his first pay packet as an unknown non-league player: "That would be £15-a-week with Hayes." (Daily Mirror)

 

[yinyang]

Midweek trivia

Midweek trivia..:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8221680.stm

Wednesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says Roman Pavlyuchenko will not be heading home to Russia despite the striker being linked with a £10m move to Spartak Moscow. (AFP, 2315 BST)

Middlesbrough striker Afonso Alves could yet be playing his football in Qatar next season after Qatari outfit Al-Saad resurrected a £7m move. (Press Association, 1831 BST)

Ipswich manager Roy Keane has tabled a joint offer for midfielders Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards from former club Sunderland. (Press Association, 1826 BST)

Spartak Moscow are willing to pay Tottenham £10m to take striker Roman Pavlyuchenko back to Russia. (Press Association, 1617 BST)

Businessman Geoff Sheard has confirmed he is fronting a bid by a mystery American company to buy Newcastle. (Press Association, 1334 BST)

Aston Villa confirm they are in discussions with Blackburn over defender Stephen Warnock. (1307 BST)
Full story: www.avfc.co.uk

Blackburn and Tottenham agree a fee in excess of £2m for Spurs full-back Pascal Chimbonda. (Sky Sports News, 1120 BST)

Watford striker Tommy Smith is having a medical at Portsmouth. (Sky Sports News, 1052 BST)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has derailed Tottenham's flying start to the season by demanding a transfer from White Hart Lane.
Full story: The Sun

Spurs are in talks with Internacional over £15m-rated Brazil midfielder Sandro, while exploring a loan deal for Le Havre midfielder Kevin Anin and trailing Dinamo Zagreb striker Mario Mandzukic. (Daily Mail)

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is also assessing Honduras defender Osman Chavez. (The Independent)

Everton are set to pip Aston Villa to the £5m signing of Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin.
Full story: The Sun

Villa have agreed a £6m fee to sign Manchester City centre-half Richard Dunne.
Full story: Daily Mail

Joleon Lescott only completed his £24m move from Everton to Manchester City after an embarrassing hold-up over payments to agents.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United will launch a deadline-day bid to sign former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben from Real Madrid.
Full story: The Sun

606: DEBATE
Who would you like your club to buy and/or sell before the window slams shut on 1 September?

David O, BBC Sport
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce is making a shock £1.5m move for Tottenham full-back Pascal Chimbonda.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Bolton manager Gary Megson has made a £6m move for Real Betis midfielder Achille Emana.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Bolton striker Ricardo Vaz Te is in talks with Turkish club Gaziantepspor and is also attracting interest from Cologne. (Daily Mail)

Sunderland defender Paul McShane is set to complete a £2m move to Hull, with whom he had a loan spell last season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

A player on his way to Sunderland is Ahmed Al Muhammadi, after Black Cats boss Steve Bruce agreed a season-long loan deal for the ENPPI full-back.
Full story: The Sun

Birmingham are set to sign Spanish midfielder Michel in a £3m deal from Sporting Gijon after owner-in-waiting Carson Yeung pledged to put his own cash in to help City manager Alex McLeish.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Livorno striker Alessandro Diamanti will have a medical at West Ham on Wednesday and is expected to complete a £5.5m move to Upton Park this week. (The Sun)

Sporting Gijon want to take Liverpool reserve goalkeeper Charles Itandje on a season-long loan.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Striker Jon Stead and midfielders Owen Garvan and Alan Quinn have been transfer listed by Ipswich manager Roy Keane.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Watford striker Tommy Smith is on the verge of a £1.8m move to Portsmouth after stalling on a switch to Reading at the 11th hour.
Full story: Daily Mirror

QPR are set to sign young Arsenal striker Jay Simpson on a season-long loan. (Daily Express)

OTHER GOSSIP
Arsene Wenger believes the impressive form of defender William Gallas proves the Arsenal manager was right to strip his fellow Frenchman of the captaincy last season.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester United striker Michael Owen is set to miss out on a place in England's squad for the forthcoming friendly against Slovenia and the World Cup qualifier against Croatia after failing to impress the coach of his national side Fabio Capello.
Full story: The Sun

United have opened negotiations with Park Ji-Sung over a new four-year contract worth £65,000 a week .
Full story: Daily Telegraph

With Richard Dunne linked with a switch from Manchester City following the arrival of Joleon Lescott, defender Kolo Toure is set to be named the club's new captain.
Full story: The Sun

Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida, 19, is to be rewarded with a new long-term contract after being promoted to the first-team squad.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Gunners winger Theo Walcott has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifier against Croatia on 9 September with a back injury.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Businessman Geoff Sheard has entered the race to take over at Newcastle but the club have yet to receive proof that he has the funds to launch a bid. (The Sun)

AND FINALLY
LA Galaxy and England midfielder David Beckham was pictured drying himself down with a stars and stripes towel after a swim in Malibu. Also sporting a New York Yankees baseball cap and oversized shades, all he needs is a hot dog and a Budweiser to perfect the all-American look.
Full story: The Sun

Chelsea players were jeered after fans who had turned up to watch an open training session were denied the chance to get autographs.
Full story: The Independent

 

[yinyang]

Sat trivia

One for the weekend

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8228121.stm

Saturday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP
0923 BST: Sunderland have accepted a bid from Stoke City for defender Danny Collins.
Full story: Sky Sports

0937 BST: New Portsmouth recruit Tommy Smith has put in a good word for his former Watford team-mate Mike Williamson, after the defender was also linked with a move to Fratton Park. (Press Association)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Everton's bid to complete a loan deal for Valencia's Argentine midfielder Ever Banega has hit problems because his club cannot find a replacement for the 21-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mail

But Moyes is set to seal a £5m deal for Atletico Madrid's 25-year-old Dutch defender John Heitinga, who arrives hot on the heels of £5.3m signing Sylvain Distin.
Full story: The Sun

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will swoop for Derby striker Rob Hulse to boost his forward line after Tuncay's departure to Stoke. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham have told Zenit St Petersburg they are ready to accept £10m for striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Full story: Daily Mail

Everton will ask Tottenham about taking David Bentley after being quoted £15m for the former Blackburn winger last week.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Bolton could swoop for Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford for £3m, who would be free to leave Elland Road for nothing in the summer.
Full story: Independent

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has given his blessing for Andriy Shevchenko to leave the club before the close of the transfer window with the Ukrainian striker expected to rejoin his former club Dynamo Kiev.
Full story: Times

Newcastle want Everton striker James Vaughan on loan because Shola Ameobi faces a month on the sidelines with a foot injury. (The Sun)

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is believed to have offered Nyron Nosworthy and Daryl Murphy as part of a deal for Hull defender Michael Turner.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wigan have launched an audacious bid to take Celtic's Australian striker Scott McDonald on loan for the rest of the season.
Full story: Daily Record

Newcastle will attempt to prevent Kevin Nolan from rejoining Bolton Wanderers after Gary Megson announced his intention to take the midfielder on loan.
Full story: Northern Echo

Sunderland could provide England goalkeeper David James with the escape route out of Portsmouth.
Full story: Independent

Real Madrid could launch a fresh bid for Franck Ribery now Arjen Robben has gone to Bayern Munich while West Ham target Eidur Gudjonhson is being linked with a move to French club Monaco.
Full story: Marca

OTHER GOSSIP
Arsene Wenger has accused UEFA of a witch-hunt after they charged Eduardo with diving in the Champions League clash with Celtic.
Full story: The Sun

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned midfielders Anderson and Michael Carrick their places in the Manchester United squad are not guarenteed and they cannot afford to rest on their laurels.
Full story: The Times

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is the likely choice to boss Great Britain's 2012 Olympic team and and is becoming a serious contender to succeed Fabio Capello when he leaves the England job.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fenerbahce's veteran Brazil defender Roberto Carlos has revealed he would like to team up with countryman Ronaldo at Corinthians once his contract at the Turkish club ends.
Full story: Goal.com

Goalkeeper David James will get an England recall at the expense of Paul Robinson. (Daily Star)

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has admitted he is surprised no club has yet bid for defender Brede Hangeland, but he is still keen to hang on to his prize asset.
Full story: Metro

AND FINALLY
Such is the condition of Ledley King's knees, the only way the Spurs captain can keep fit is by cycling in the gym and having a 20-minute run-out in training the day before a match.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[yinyang]

fri's gossip

Aston Villa's Martin bust up:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8262201.stm

Friday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Arsenal have suffered a blow in their efforts to sign Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh after Italian side Juventus moved in for the player.
Full story: Daily Mirror

However, Chamakh's representatives are pushing for further talks with both Arsenal and West Ham after holding a meeting with Juventus in Turin on Wednesday.
Full story: Daily Mail

Norwich defender Gary Doherty has admitted that he expects to leave Carrow Road in the coming weeks after falling out of favour with new manager Paul Lambert.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill and midfielder Nigel Reo Coker had a training ground bust-up on Thursday which saw the pair wrestle each other to the ground.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says that his dug-out strop during the Champions League match against Besiktas in Turkey on Tuesday was because he was spat on by home fans and not because he was substituted.
Full story: Daily Star

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has begged manager Mark Hughes to play him against former side Manchester United in the derby match between the sides this Sunday.
Full story: Daily Mirror

England are planning a friendly with Japan as part of coach Fabio Capello's World Cup warm-up programme.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is set to give midfielder Olivier Kapo a second chance to kick start his career at Wigan after he was seemingly on his way out of the club under former manager Steve Bruce.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Former Liverpool, Blackburn and Newcastle manager Graeme Souness says he never wants to manage again because he is not prepared to deal with rich, opinionated modern footballers.
Full story: Daily Star

Former Chelsea coach Avram Grant is being lined up as the new coach of Poland.
Full story: Daily Mail

Former Nottingham Forest coach John Pemberton is in line to take the managers job at Lincoln City.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Burnley manager Owen Coyle thinks Sunderland boss Steve Bruce can be in charge of the England team one day. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY
Derby midfielder Robbie Savage has revealed that Rams defender Jermaine Johnson, who was set to join up with his new Stafford Rangers team-mates at a service station after agreeing a loan move to the club, got on the wrong coach and ended up travelling down the motorway with Tamworth FC.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

[yinyang]

MCity with their big cheque book again, with latest 65mil on Ribery bloke?:p New russkie goalie for MU?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8300366.stm

Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester City are prepared to pay up to £65m to sign France winger Franck Ribery from Bayern Munich in January.
Full story: The Sun

City are also tracking Atletico Mineiro's £7m striker Diego Tardelli.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United look set to step up their interest in Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, with CSKA Moscow indicating they are prepared to let United speak to the £10m-rater stopper in the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Mirror

United have revived their attempt to sign Valencia's £35m-rated striker David Villa.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola faces a battle with Napoli to sign Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn midfielder David Dunn is being offered a lucrative move to Dubai club Al-Nasr when his contract at Ewood Park expires in the summer, although the 29-year-old's early-season form has also alerted several European clubs.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wolves striker Sylvain Ebanks-Blake is being tracked by Serie A side Palermo but the Premier League club insist he is going nowhere having signed a new four-year contract in July. (Daily Mirror)

Non-league Woking are lining up an ambitious move for former Chelsea and Leeds United striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Full story: Daily Mirror


OTHER GOSSIP
Speculation mounts that former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson may decide to leave Notts County.
Full story: MirrorFootball

Former Tranmere striker David Kelly is set to take over as Rovers boss after John Barnes was sacked.
Full story: MirrorFootball

England coach Fabio Capello intends to start the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with David James as his first-choice goalkeeper.
Full story: The Times

The Football Association has indicated it is willing to provide a £5.5m bonus pot if England win the World Cup and, with it being split on a pro-rata basis depending on number of games played, Capello's top stars could each earn around £400,000.
Full story: The Sun

England midfielder Steven Gerrard has prepared for his country's World Cup qualifier in Ukraine by studying a DVD of his disappointing performance for Liverpool against Chelsea last Sunday.
Full story: The Sun

Portsmouth's new director of football Avram Grant will take a place in the dugout alongside manager Paul Hart during matches.
Full story: The Sun

John Barnes was sacked as Tranmere manager after chairman Peter Johnson had a change of heart: Johnson met Barnes on Thursday and told him he would be carrying on, only to dispense of the former England midfielder's services after being besieged by angry supporters at a fans' forum that evening.
Full story: Daily Mail

Leeds City Council has demanded that Leeds United reveal who the club's ultimate owners are before the council proceeds with the £6m purchase of the Thorp Arch training ground.
Full story: The Guardian

AND FINALLY
England defender Rio Ferdinand says there will be no "distractions" for his side at the 2010 World Cup, insisting Capello will not allow the squad to be thrown off course by WAGs, injudicious predictions of victory or debates over broken metatarsals and players carrying injuries.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo can be seen playing the guitar and singing for a new tongue-in-cheek television advert.
Full story: Daily Star

Members of the 1966 England World Cup-winning squad have branded the decision to show England's match in the Ukraine on the internet only as a "disgrace."
Full story: MirrorFootball

 

[yinyang]

Nothing like some xmas juicy gossip:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/default.stm

Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Under-fire Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants to sign two players in January, with Aston Villa's former Reds striker Emile Heskey being one of them.
Full story: Daily Mirror

New Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will make strengthening his defence a priority in the new year. West Ham centre-half Matthew Upson (£10m), Inter Milan full-back Maicon (£15m), Juventus full-back Giorgio Chiellini (£10m) and Bolton's Gary Cahill (£10m) are all on the wanted list.
Full story: Daily Star

And City striker Craig Bellamy could be the first player to be shown the door after clashing with Mancini in his first training session. Mancini has reportedly ordered double training sessions but Bellamy was only expecting a light workout because of a recurring knee injury.
Full story: The Sun

Valencia striker David Villa believes the time is right for a switch to England after failing to secure moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Full story: The Times

Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel is to become Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung's first signing.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United have bid £9m plus Nani for Benfica winger Angel di Maria.
Full story: Daily Mail

Everton are in talks with Valencia midfielder Manuel Fernandes about the possibility of the 23-year-old returning to Goodison Park for a third loan spell.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is under pressure from the club's shareholders to spend big in January. Wenger wants to bring in a striker and West Ham's Carlton Cole, Andre-Pierre Gignac of Toulouse and Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh have all been linked with the Gunners.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Real Madrid are keen on in-form Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham defender Michael Dawson is poised for a move to Sunderland.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant is set for a return to the Premier League after being told by Spanish club Real Zaragoza that he is no longer wanted. Aston Villa are thought to be interested in the 26-year-old.
Full story: The Sun

Everton are considering making a loan move for former Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes, who is now at Atletico Madrid.
Full story: Daily Mail

And Everton will battle it out with Tottenham for Watford's England Under-21 goalkeeper Scott Loach. (Daily Star)

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce wants to sign Coventry goalkeeper Keiren Westwood as his new number one.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant could still be prevented from signing players in the new year, even if the club pay off all their transfer debts.
Full story: Daily Star

But if the ban is lifted, Grant wants to buy Wigan midfielder Olivier Kapo.
Full story: Daily Mirror

New Queens Park Rangers manager Paul Hart will go to his former club Portsmouth to try to sign defender Mike Williamson and striker Tommy Smith.
Full story: The Sun

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is interested in Celtic winger Niall McGinn, who is valued at £1.5m.
Full story: Daily Mail

Glasgow giants Celtic are set to join Newcastle in the race to sign Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon.
Full story: The Sun

OTHER GOSSIP
Former England, Tottenham and Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle is set for a return to the English game with Championship side Reading.
Full story: Daily Mirror

New Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is not convinced that his tenure at Eastlands will last beyond next summer.
Full story: Daily Mail

Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson is closing in on a £2m buy-out at the club, with backing from Scandinavian investors. (Daily Express)

Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson's impressive form has alerted England boss Fabio Capello.
Full story: The Independent

Saudi prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdullah is ready to buy the 50% stake of Liverpool co-owner George Gillett.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY
As captain of England, John Terry is known to millions but that did not prevent the Chelsea defender from being snubbed when saying hello to darts player James Wade at a chemist in Surrey. "I thought it was someone trying to be a pest so I gave him the flick," explained Wade. "But a few hours later he texted my girlfriend with the message 'How rude is your other half?'. I've never been so embarrassed in my life."
Full story: Daily Star

 

[yinyang]

Latest from the grapevine for start new year (Jan window transfer?):p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8444902.stm

Thursday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

BREAKING GOSSIP
Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira has told Eurosport he is leaving the Serie A champions to join Manchester City in a bid to secure more first-team action that would help him earn a place in France's World Cup squad. (Reuters, 0919 GMT)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United have been told they will have to pay £40m if they want to sign Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa.
Full story: The Sun

Cash-strapped Portsmouth have put their entire squad up for sale.
Full story: Daily Star

Manchester City are set to sign former Arsenal midfielder and Patrick Vieira from Inter Milan on Thursday.
Full story: The Sun

City boss Roberto Mancini is also expected to land Palermo centre-half Simon Kjaer for £18m.
Full story: The Sun

A player who could be on his way out of Eastlands is Roque Santa Cruz, with Espanyol keen to sign City's Paraguay striker on loan.
Full story: The Sun

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is tracking CFR Cluj's 6ft 6ins Ivorian striker Lacine Traore - dubbed 'The New Adebayor'.
Full story: Daily Express

Tottenham are ready to offer captain Robbie Keane as bait to secure a deal for Aston Villa striker John Carew.
Full story: Daily Star

Everton are considering a deal for out-of-favour Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy as boss David Moyes looks to boost his options in attack.
Full story: Daily Mail

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is ready to capitalise on the financial uncertainty around crisis club Portsmouth by attempting to hi-jack their bid to re-sign Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara on loan.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham hope to wrap up a loan deal for Fiorentina's former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu early next week.
Full story: Daily Star

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has launched a £9m bid for Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones.
Full story: Various

Sunderland want to replace Jones with Schalke 04 striker Kevin Kuranyi.
Full story: Daily Mirror

And Black Cats manager Steve Bruce is on the verge of signing £5.5m Hamburg defender Guy Demel. (The Sun)

McLeish, meanwhile, is set to improve his offer for Liverpool forward Ryan Babel from £8m to £10m.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen is wanted by Greek champions Olympiakos - but they are unwilling to meet Rovers' £1.8m valuation.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Bolton could make a move for Eskisehirspor's Bosnia defender Safet Nadarevic, who is due for talks with Bolton on Monday.
Full story: Daily Mail

Newcastle will target Napoli's Ezequiel Lavezzi, nicknamed 'the Tank', if they make it back to the Premier League but the Italian club want more than £5m for their striker.
Full story: The Sun

Magpies boss Chris Hughton has received a setback after Sheffield United centre-back Matt Kilgallon decided he will remain at Bramall Lane until his contract expires in the summer, despite the clubs having agreed £2m fee.
Full story: The Sun

The Blades want to take Kyle Naughton back from Tottenham on loan - the full-back has played only once since his joint £12m summer transfer with Kyle Walker.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United defender Gary Neville is set to retire from football at the end of the season.
Full story: The Sun

West Ham are the target of £100m takeover offer, which could lead to a bidding war for the Upton Park club.
Full story: The Sun

Chelsea are bracing themselves for a financial hit next week when a compensation fee for their signing of Daniel Sturridge from Manchester City will finally be settled. The London club could end up forking out £8m for the 20-year-old striker Sturridge, who was Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti's first signing after taking over as manager last summer.
Full story: Daily Express

LA Galaxy midfielder David Backham may have nowhere to play once his AC Milan loan deal ends in May because Major League Soccer faces a strike. International players union DIDPro is deadlocked in talks with MLS about a new deal for all players in the United States and the league is threatening a lock-out if a new contract is not signed by 31 January.
Full story: The Sun

AND FINALLY
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he once tried to sign legendary AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini - only to be rebuffed by his father, the former Italy boss Cesare Maldini. "I always wanted to get Paolo here but it was impossible," said the Scot.

"I met his father at a game and told him how much I'd love to have his son at United. Cesare smiled at me and said 'My grandfather was Milan, my father was Milan, I played for Milan and now my son is Milan'. And that was it - story over!"
Full story: The Sun

Michael Oliver will become the youngest referee in Premier League history when he takes charge of Fulham's home game against Portsmouth on Saturday at the age of 24. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has scored a chart-topping single in South Korea. But the Chelsea star is unlikely to celebrate when he hears the lyrics to Mister. They refer to the England star as "cute chubby Frank".
Full story: Daily Star

A 100-inch plasma television has been installed by Manchester United players at the club's Carrington training ground. It is believed Sir Alex Ferguson's stars had a whip-round to buy the £80,000 TV set for the lounge area. (Daily Star)

 

[Ah Guan]

Man Citeh will be serious when Viera joins up. Not sure if he will be as good as during his Gooner days.

 

[yinyang]

Man Citeh will be serious when Viera joins up. Not sure if he will be as good as during his Gooner days.

MC may benefit with his experience. Guess it's mutual as he's near to his shelf life. And welcome paycheck from big spenders:p

 

[yinyang]

Spice up tgif.. :p And old cambell soup for return to Gooners?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8447375.stm

Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Defender Sol Campbell is set for a shock return to Arsenal, but only if manager Arsene Wenger sells Philippe Senderos in the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is delaying signing a new contract with the club until they can guarantee the signing of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Full story: Daily Star

However, Spanish rivals Real Madrid are preparing to derail Barcelona's attempt to sign Fabregas. President Florentino Perez and director general Jorge Valdano have held talks about a £43m bid.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester City are on the verge of signing Argentine defender Cristian Ansaldi for £4m from Rubin Kazan.
Full story: The Times

Liverpool have entered the race to sign Marouane Chamakh with the offer of a pre-contract agreement for the Bordeaux striker, who can leave the French club for nothing at the end of the season.
Full story: The Guardian

Wolves have made a £3m offer for Hull winger Stephen Hunt.
Full story: The Sun

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is willing to make Kenwyne Jones the club's highest earner if he can lure him from Sunderland, but is unwilling to pay the £11m the Black Cats want for the striker.
Full story: The Times

Former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who is now at Monaco, is closing in on a £2m move to Blackburn.
Full story: The Sun

But Gudjohnsen is also wanted by West Ham and Tottenham.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan has blocked Austrian defender Emanuel Pogatetz's proposed £1.5m move to Greek club Panathinaikos.
Full story: Daily Mail

Hull boss Phil Brown is chasing Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood, who is currently on loan at Championship side Newcastle.
Full story: The Sun

Liverpool are expected to conclude a £1.5m deal for Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez in the next 24 hours.
Full story: The Times

And Reds boss Rafael Benitez also wants to sign Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici for £2m.
Full story: The Sun

Winger John Utaka is set to start an exodus at cash-strapped Portsmouth by joining French side Sochaux.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Defender Younes Kaboul is also expected to leave Portsmouth, with Sunderland keen on the former Spurs player.
Full story: Daily Mail

Stoke City are considering a £1m move for ex-Wigan striker Amr Zaki, while Marseille enquire about Bolton striker Johan Elmander's availability.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham want to sign striker James Beattie on loan but Stoke say they will only consider a permanent transfer.
Full story: The Times

Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City are sending scouts to Crystal Palace's home game on Saturday as the race hots up for striker Victor Moses.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Aberdeen want to scupper Hibernian's attempt to sign Falkirk defender Darren Barr.
Full story: Daily Record

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester City have insisted on a six-month get-out clause with new midfielder Patrick Vieira, just in case the former Arsenal star fails to make the grade at Eastlands.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Norwich manager Paul Lambert has emerged as a leading contender to replace Owen Coyle at Burnley.
Full story: Daily Mail

Or Burnley want to talk to Simon Grayson about becoming their new manager.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Swansea boss Paulo Sousa has also been linked with the vacant job at Turf Moor.
Full story: The Guardian

In a bid to keep striker Kris Boyd at Ibrox, Rangers are promising to make him one of their best-paid players - on a salary of £18,000 a week. Boyd has been linked with moves to Birmingham and Middlesbrough.
Full story: Daily Record

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is set to become club captain next season should Gary Neville retire in the summer.
Full story: The Sun

And United defender Rio Ferdinand could make his long-awaited comeback from injury in the home game with Burnley on 16 January.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could offer the club's 21-year-old Slovakian Nemanja Matic the chance to take over the first team's holding midfielder role in the absence of Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is so fed up with freezing conditions ruining training that will take his players to Dubai if Saturday's game at Birmingham is called off.
Full story: The Sun

Thirty-three-year-old Patrick Vieira, who would have been out of contract in the summer, will pick up a weekly wage of £100,000 at Manchester City. The Guardian's report fails to mention whether he will also receive a final-salary pension.
Full story: The Guardian

 

[jw5]

Bro yinyang
I think only the rumours relating to Viera to Man City and Maxi to Liverpool are real at this point.
But I agree that G Neville should retire.

 

[yinyang]

..agree that G Neville should retire.

Jw5, thanks for dropping by. As for Neville bloke, I came to that conclusion awhile back he's past his shelf life liao. :p

 

[yinyang]

Joe Cole stalling on chelski?

Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8453281.stm

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho is battling it out with former club Chelsea and Manchester United for £15m-rated Benfica winger Angel di Maria.
Full story: Daily Mail

Chelsea are leading the chase to sign Racing Santander's Spanish midfielder Sergio Canales who is also being tracked by Arsenal and Manchester City.
Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal are considering a move for Everton striker Louis Saha whose contract negotiations at the club have broken down. Tottenham and Liverpool are also said to be keen.
Full story: Daily Mail

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce insists it will take a "mind-blowing" offer to prise striker Kenwyne Jones away from the club and doubts if the clubs who want to buy him would prove able - or willing - to meet the necessary price.
Full story: The Guardian

Former Wigan striker Amr Zaki has been offered to Stoke City, Sunderland, and Blackburn Rovers.
Full story: The Times

Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers have expressed an interest in Hull midfielder Stephen Hunt who may be offloaded if the cash-strapped club are forced to sell players.
Full story: The Times

Wolves are set to offer £1.5m for Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford but Newcastle are still leading the fight to sign the 26-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP
Joe Cole's contract talks with Chelsea have stalled over the wage demands of the England international, who is free to leave for nothing at the end of the season.
Full story: The Guardian

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has suggested in an email to a supporter that the summer transfer market will be a "big" one for the Premier League club.

"Our debt is very managable (sic) [see Man U] and we never use player sales for debt service," said Hicks. Our interest on £200m is about £16m. The new stadium will be the game changer. Managing director Christian [Purslow] is working very hard on it. Jan is a poor-quality market. The summer window will be big."
Full story: The Guardian

Burnley are set to spring a major surprise by naming former Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws as their new manager.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY
West Ham's league game with Wolves on Sunday was postponed due to an incorrect weather forecast for more snow. Full story: The Daily Mail