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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.
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.
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.
The Sun

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

Wolves have made a £3m offer for Hull winger Stephen Hunt.
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.
The Times

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

West Ham want to sign striker James Beattie on loan but Stoke say they will only consider a permanent transfer.
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.
Daily Mirror

Aberdeen want to scupper Hibernian's attempt to sign Falkirk defender Darren Barr.
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.
Daily Mirror

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

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

Swansea boss Paulo Sousa has also been linked with the vacant job at Turf Moor.
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.  :headbanger:Boyd has been linked with moves to Birmingham and Middlesbrough.
Daily Record

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

And United defender Rio Ferdinand could make his long-awaited comeback from injury in the home game with Burnley on 16 January.
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.
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.
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.
The Guardian

 



 

Sunday's gossip column 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Spanish side Atletico Madrid are believed to have offered to sell Sergio Aguero, 21, to Chelsea for £30m, providing they can have the striker back on loan for the rest of the season. 
Sunday Express

Dimitar Berbatov will head a sensational clear-out of £80m of Manchester United talent in the summer. Anderson, Nani, Zoran Tosic and unsettled central defender Nemanja Vidic are also set to leave.
Sunday Mirror 

Rubin Kazan's 23-year-old Argentine left-back Cristian Ansaldi will fly in this week to complete a £6m move to Manchester City.
Sunday Mirror

Manchester City are also closing in on a £7m deal for Portsmouth's 24-year-old centre-back Younes Kaboul.
News of the World

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted for the first time he may be powerless to keep Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres if Liverpool's financial woes aren't resolved.
News of the World

Chelsea have entered the race to sign German striker Kevin Kuranyi. The 27-year-old Schalke striker has also held talks with Sunderland.
News of the World

Manchester United are interested in signing West Ham's £10m-rated Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami. Juventus, Arsenal and Manchester City have also shown interest in the former Lazio star. (Sunday Express)

Meanwhile, United have put goalkeeper Ben Foster up for sale for £4m as first choice Edwin van der Sar prepares to return after taking time off to nurse his wife.
Mail on Sunday

Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa has told friends he will join Tottenham in the summer. The 30-year-old, who has 79 international caps, currently plays for Spartak Moscow in Russia.
News of the World 

Wolves and Sunderland have joined the race to sign Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford. Newcastle have already bid £1.5m for the 26-year-old who is valued at £2.5m by the Elland Road club.
News of the World

Bolton and Hull are also interested in former Wealdstone striker Beckford, who scored Leeds winner against Manchester United in the FA Cup last weekend.
Sunday Mirror

Kenwyne Jones is set to snub Birmingham's £10m January bid to sign him and stay at Sunderland until the summer. The striker is keen to play Champions League football next season. Well the way Birmingham are playing at the moment, he has a very slim chance of getting CL football with them, against a snowball in hells chance with Sunderland 
Sunday Mirror

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce believes he has signed Maynor Figueroa, 26, from Wigan for £6m and Hamburg's Ivory Coast right back Guy Demel for £5m.
News of the World

Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan is set to bring in six players in an £8m swoop on Scotland's Old Firm. The former Celtic manager wants to take five players from Parkhead and £1.5m Rangers striker Kris Boyd £1.5m to the Gers, and the other £6.5 to us, thankyou very much wee mhan
News of the World

Birmingham will complete the signing of Sporting Gijon's Michel on Monday. The midfielder watched the 1-1 draw with Manchester United at St Andrew's on Saturday and has already passed a medical. And I bet he liked what he saw 
News of the World

Fulham have emerged as serious challengers to Manchester City in the chase for Crystal Palace striker Victor Moses, 19. 
News of the World

New Bolton manager Owen Coyle is keen to sign winger Chris Eagles and full-back Tyrone Mears from his former club Burnley.Why do managers always go back to their old clubs for players 
News of the World

Coyle is also trying to hijack Burnley's loan move for Arsenal's 17-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere.
News of the World Well that will go down well won't it 

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce must sell Benni McCarthy before making a £2m move for Stoke striker James Beattie. McCarthy is interesting Portsmouth  and Birmingham but neither club has tabled a bid for the South African striker.
News of the World

Matthew Kilgallon will join Everton if Sheffield United fail to reach the Premier League in May. The Blades defender snubbed a £2m move to Newcastle this week in favour of staying at Bramall Lane.
News of the World

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth face a make-or-break week in their battle for survival. Unless they pay off £10m they owe to other clubs, the Premier League will withhold the £7m Pompey were due to receive from TV and give it straight to the club's creditors.
Sunday Express

Ron Noades has offered to help rescue crisis club Crystal Palace from the brink of financial meltdown. Palace need to raise around £6m to see the season through and former chairman Noades is willing to put a consortium together to help. 
News of the World

Aston Villa winger James Milner will begin talks to extend his contract until 2015 when the transfer window shuts. The 24-year-old England winger could demand a big pay rise after impressing in his 18 months at the club and Villa boss Martin O'Neill is keen to fend off interest from Liverpool.
News of the World

Huddersfield manager Lee Clark, 37, has emerged as a contender for the Burnley job after impressing in his first year as boss at the Galpharm Stadium.
News of the World

West Ham's Icelandic owners look set to sell the club before the end of January. Former Birmingham owners David Gold and David Sullivan face competition from London finance company Intermarket, but a deal is expected in the next seven to 10 days.
News of the World

Patrick Vieira's move to Manchester City is understood to be motivated by a strategy to develop the next phase of his career, in coaching. The 33-year-old has signed a deal at City that could run for 18 months or more.
Sunday Telegraph

QPR are set to make their 12th managerial change in four years this summer with Alan Curbishley and former boss Luigi De Canio in line to replace Paul Hart.
Mail on Sunday

AND FINALLY

Liverpool's owners have been plunged into more chaos after a foul-mouthed email rant by director Tom Hicks Junior. The Texan told a Reds fan, who had written to the club to express his concerns over the financial future of the club: "Blow me **** face. Go to hell. I'm sick of you."
Full story: News of the World 

 

Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours 

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.
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.
Daily Mail

Liverpool are also monitoring 18-year-old Canales. (Daily Star)

Manchester United could cash in on star striker Wayne Rooney to help ease the club's debts. Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are considering £70m bids for the England international.
The Sun

Bayern Munich playmaker Franck Ribery admits that Chelsea or Real Madrid are in a straight fight for his services should he leave the Bundesliga side.
The Sun

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.
Daily Mail

Tottenham have had a £5m bid for Benfica forward Javier Saviola turned down by the Portuguese club for "sporting reasons". (Daily Mirror)

Bordeaux's in-demand striker Marouane Chamakh has promised a decision soon on his future. Arsenal and Liverpool are both believed to be keen on signing him on a cut-price deal with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Daily Mirror

Out-of-favour Birmingham forward Gary McSheffrey could attempt to resurrect his career with a move to Championship side Sheffield United.
The Sun

Manchester City have replaced city rivals Manchester United in a partnership agreement with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon. The deal will give City first option should Sporting sell any of their players. (The Guardian) 

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

Bruce has denied making a £5m bid to take Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to the Stadium of Light.
The Independent

Former Wigan striker Amr Zaki, currently at Egyptian side Zamalek, has been offered to Stoke City, Sunderland, and Blackburn Rovers.
The Times

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is weighing up a £5m move for Mallorca forward Aritz Aduriz which may see striker Hugo Rodallega leave the DW Stadium.
The Sun

Portsmouth could lose Aruna Dindane with parent club Lens set to recall the striker early from his loan spell at Pompey. The French side fear the Premier League outfit lack the funds to make the deal permanent.
The Guardian

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

Fulham have agreed a loan deal for Roma's 20-year-old striker Stefano Okaka, although the player has yet to sign off on the temporary switch.
The Independent

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.
Daily Mail

But Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has warned Leeds that unless a deal is tied up swiftly for Beckford he will turn his attentions to a loan deal for Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood.
Daily Mirror

New Bolton manager Owen Coyle could offer Beckford the chance to play for his side after expressing interest in the unsettled forward. (The Guardian)

Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin doubts whether manager Arsene Wenger will make any signings during the transfer window.
Daily Star

Derby striker Luke Varney will become Sheffield Wednesday manager Alan Irvine's first signing at Hillsborough.
Daily Mirror

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.
The Times

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."
Daily Mirror

The Glazer family, which owns Manchester United, has personally borrowed £10m from the club, according to financial results released yesterday.
The Guardian

West Ham could have new owners within 24 hours although investment company Intermarket, who made the highest bid for the club, missed a deadline to prove it had the cash to finance a £100m takeover.
The Times

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

Alternatively, Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll could be taking charge at Turf Moor but Burnley will have to pay £1m compensation to get their man. The Sun

AND FINALLY

Chelsea captain John Terry says his leadership qualities were evident even when he was coming through the ranks at Stamford Bridge. As a youngster he shouted at former Blue Gianfranco Zola for giving the ball away in a reserve match, earning the praise of Italian manager Gianluca Vialli.
The Independent

Despite postponing their Premier League clash with Tottenham at the weekend because of icy conditions around Anfield, Liverpool were still encouraging fans to take tours of the stadium throughout the cold weather. (Daily Mail)

AC Milan and LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has revealed his latest tattoo. The 34-year-old has an image of Jesus Christ sitting on the cross inked into his side.
Daily Mirror

West Ham's league game with Wolves on Sunday was postponed because of an incorrect weather forecast for more snow. Daily Mail   

 

 

Thursday's gossip column - transfers and rumours 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United's financial problems may result in them having to sell star asset, striker Wayne Rooney.
Daily Express

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is battling to seal a shock season-long loan move for Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James.
Daily Mirror

Former Wigan striker Amr Zaki, who currently plays for Egyptian side Zamalek, is set to join Stoke in a £1m deal.
The Sun

Liverpool have made a shock offer for Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, who played in the Royals' 2-1 FA Cup victory at Anfield on Wednesday.
Daily Mail

Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool are all chasing Racing Santander's 18-year-old striker Sergio Canales.
The Independent

Brazil midfielder Sandro has claimed his £6m move to Tottenham is a "dream come true". Sandro, 20, has agreed to move to White Hart Lane but his club Internacional want to keep him until they finish their Copa Libertadores campaign, which is South America's equivalent of the Champions League, in the summer.
Daily Mirror

Tottenham have been offered the chance to sign Legia Warsaw keeper Jan Mucha, who is also attracting the interest of of Stoke. (The Sun)

Spurs are also keeping tabs on midfielder Joe Cole's contract negotiations with Chelsea.
The Independent

Portsmouth are trying to sign Egypt striker Emad Moteab. The 26-year-old scored in his country's 3-1 victory over Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday. What with 
Daily Mail

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is considering a fresh approach for Red Bull Salzburg striker Marc Janko. The 26-year-old, who is 6ft 5in and has scored 67 goals in 92 games for his Austrian club, is available for £6.5m.
Daily Mail

Birmingham are also chasing Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, 28, after Liverpool forward Ryan Babel, 23, refused to move to St Andrew's.
Daily Mirror

Blackburn are leading a quartet of Premier League clubs in the chase for Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. Bolton, Wigan and Hull are also interested in the 25-year-old, who could leave Villa for £5m.
The Times

But midfielder Reo-Coker is set to reject an approach from Blackburn.
The Sun

Arsenal are looking for a Spanish club to loan their new Bolivian attacking midfielder Samuel Galindo to. The 17-year-old will struggle to get a work permit to start playing in England.
Daily Mirror

Burnley boss Brian Laws is going back to his old club Sheffield Wednesday with a £1.5million bid for keeper Lee Grant.
Daily Mirror

Fulham will tie up the loan signing of exciting young Roma striker Stefano Okaka Chuka, 20, next week.
Daily Mirror

Former England manager Steve McClaren wants to take Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, 18, on loan to his FC Twente side in the Netherlands.
Daily Mail

But new Bolton manager Owen Coyle is also attempting to take Wilshere to the Reebok Stadium in a loan deal.
The Independent

Hull are lining up a £1.25m bid for Derby winger Kris Commons.
The Sun

The arrival of Commons could signal the departure of Hull midfielder Stephen Hunt to Wolves, with manager Mick McCarthy upping his offer for the Irishman to £3.5m.
The Sun

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool's shock FA Cup defeat by Reading on Wednesday has put manager Rafael Benitez on the brink of losing his job.
Daily Mail
 
Manchester United may be forced to sell Old Trafford to help reduce the club's reported £700m debt.
Daily Mail 

Manchester United are also exploring the possibility of selling their training base at Carrington. (Daily Telegraph)

Chelsea will discover at a Premier League tribunal on Thursday how much they must pay Manchester City for signing Daniel Sturridge. The 20-year-old striker clinched a four-year deal with the Blues last summer, with City wanting £10m and Chelsea offering £3m.
The Times

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is prepared to do nothing in the January transfer window - after being told by the club board they will win their appeal against the Fifa transfer ban, which is currently in place until June 2011.
Daily Mirror

Paul Hart is fighting to save his job as QPR manager after falling out with midfielder Adel Taarabt. The 56-year-old only took over as boss in December.
Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Manager Roberto Mancini plans to overhaul his Manchester City players' pre-match meal, introducing pizza and wine to the menu. "You need chicken, pizza, carbohydrates, even a glass of wine, but they are not on the table," he said.
Daily Mirror

 

Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours 

BREAKING GOSSIP

1138 GMT: Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has hinted that he may be interested in signing Middlesbrough winger Gary O'Neil.
Daily Mail

1124 GMT: Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has warned new Bolton counterpart Owen Coyle not to bother making a bid for striker Andy Carroll. Coyle is reported to be considering a £2m offer for the Gateshead-born 21-year-old. (Press Association)

1122 GMT: Bayern Munich's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the club would like to give Franck Ribery a long-term contract. However, reports in Spain say the Germany winger has already signed a pre-contract deal with Real Madrid. (German newspaper TZ)

1103 GMT: Greek side Larissa are trying to sign Hull City striker Daniel Cousin. (SkySports.com)

1056 GMT: Liverpool forward Ryan Babel is attracting the interest of Marseille who are looking for an alternative to Inter Milan winger Mancini. (French newspaper La Provence and radio station RTL)

1028 GMT: West Ham midfielder Luis Jimenez is being tracked by Italian sides Catania, Chievo and Parma. "There is a possibility that Jimenez could leave our club," said West Ham's sporting director Gianluca Nani. (Italian newspaper Itasportpress.it)

1015 GMT: Marseille have given Inter Milan winger Mancini until Sunday to sign a loan deal with the French club. Manchester City and AC Milan are also said to be interested in the 29-year-old. (French newspaper L'Equipe).

0958 GMT: Real Madrid midfielder Guti seems set to leave the club with Italy his preferred destination. Tottenham and Bolton have also been linked with the 33-year-old. (French television station Canal+)

0908 GMT: Midfielder Sandro's proposed move from Internacional to Tottenham looks to be off after the Brazilian club claimed he would not be leaving in January. (Brazilian station Radio Gaucho) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Spanish giants Real Madrid have joined the race to sign Crystal Palace's highly-rated 19-year-old striker Victor Moses.
Daily Mail

Under pressure Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce wants to sign Middlesbrough's Gary O'Neil to bolster Rovers' midfield.
Daily Mirror

Arsenal and Real Madrid are competing to sign 18-year-old midfielder Sergio Canales from Racing Santander.
Daily Star

The Gunners are also considering a move for Lazio striker Mauro Zarate - but he will cost £17m.
(The Independent)

Everton are thought to be lining up a bid for out-of-favour Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos.
Daily Mirror

New Burnley boss Brian Laws is hoping to sign Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon and is prepared to pay £1.5m and break the club's pay structure to land him. Well it didn't take him long to stamp his name on the place, 1st signing breaks the clubs pay structure 
Daily Mirror

Birmingham are prepared to pay £14m to sign 23-year-old midfielder Aiden McGeady from Celtic, but the Scottish club are not keen to sell. I'm afraid for £14m they will have to sell. But I just think it's the Cat in The Hat doing a Harry Redknapp and bidding for everyone and anyone 
Daily Telegraph

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has set his sights on signing Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas from Mexican side Club America.
Daily Mirror

Bolton manager Owen Coyle wants to sign Newcastle striker Andy Carroll and will try to tempt the Magpies with a £2m bid.
Daily Mail

Manchester United are considering an £18m bid for Porto defender Rolando, who has been outstanding in this season's Champions League.
Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

Dutch coach Guus Hiddink wants to take over as Liverpool boss if Rafael Benitez is sacked - but would want the blessing of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. 
Daily Mail

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish would make a superb Liverpool boss, reckons former Blues chief David Gold.
The Sun

Striker Wayne Rooney will ask for £140,000 a week when a new contract at Manchester United is negotiated in the summer - a figure that could end his Old Trafford career. 
The Sun

West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer is on the verge of retiring after failing to return from a series of injuries. Don't get me wrong, I don't like seeing any player haveing to retire through injury, but at least it will save us £60,000 pw.
Daily Mirror

Paul Hart has left his post as manager of QPR after just five games in charge of the London club.
The Guardian

Reading are considering rewarding caretaker manager Brian McDermott with a permanent contract after the club's FA Cup victory over Liverpool.
The Times


AND FINALLY
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo has followed in the footsteps of David Beckham by modelling underwear for Emporio Armani.
The Sun

 

 

Sunday's gossip column 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are favourites to beat off neighbours United and Tottenham by signing Chelsea's Joe Cole on a free transfer in the summer.
Sunday Mirror

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is heading towards the exit door at Anfield after becoming fed up with their poor form. Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Manchester City wait with their cheque books at the ready.
Mail on Sunday 

Tottenham have moved closer to sealing the biggest deal of the January transfer window by holding direct talks with Palermo about £11m defender Simon Kjaer.
Daily Mail

Argentina winger Angel di Maria has said 'no' to a move to Manchester City after a £38m bid was made for the 21-year-old at Benfica. 
Sunday Mirror

Sunderland winger Kieran Richardson is wanted by Birmingham as part of Alex McLeish's Blues revolution.
News of the World

Ruud van Nistelrooy will snub a move back to the Premier League and instead join Galatasaray in a £4m deal. So much for the best league in the world 
Daily Mirror

Sunderland want Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, but the £7m price tag may put them off with manager Steve Bruce unlikely to pay more than £5m.
News of the World

Manchester United keeper Ben Foster will be sold as the Old Trafford club wait to see what happens with Schalke's Manuel Neuer. (Sunday Express)

While Sunderland and Stoke are considering a £4m move for the United and England keeper. (Mail on Sunday)

Portsmouth are hoping their transfer embargo is lifted this week to enable them to snap up Spurs midfielder Giovani dos Santos on loan.
News of the World

Wolves have bid £6.5m for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson - but other clubs, including Chelsea, are monitoring the former England Under-21 star.
Daily Mail

Newcastle are lining up a loan move for Arsenal teenager Jack Wilshere for the remainder of the season.
Daily Mirror

New Bolton boss Owen Coyle has his eyes on Stoke's 25-year-old defender Andy Wilkinson. (News of the World)

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United could be in line for a £1.2bn  takeover after efforts by the Glazers, United's owners, to attract Middle East investment.
Sunday Express

The West Ham takeover saga is set to be resolved by Tuesday, with David Sullivan and David Gold now poised to seize control of the club. 
News of the World

Liverpool and Manchester United would be banned from the Champions League if Michel Platini's "Financial Fair Play" criteria for European club competitions was introduced, according to senior sources within Uefa. Manchester City and Chelsea would also be at risk, despite their owners having paid off their debts recently. 
The Times

Manchester United will decide on Monday whether striker Dimitar Berbatov needs an operation on his injured knee.
News of the World

AND FINALLY

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has been approached about a coaching role at Old Trafford before stepping into the hotseat to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.

Guardiola's agent Jose Maria Orobigt said: "A club has contacted me but there have been no discussions over money or the sporting project. Anything like that is up to Pep."
News of the World

 
 

Monday's gossip column 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool are on the verge of signing Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones on loan, with the 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago star seen as perfect cover for the injured Fernando Torres.
Daily Mail

Netherlands striker Ryan Babel will be swiftly shipped out of Liverpool after a row with manager Rafa Benitez sealed his fate and cost him a week's wages.
Daily Mirror

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has though ruled out a straight swap between Babel and Jones. Bruce said: "The one thing I am trying to do is build the squad and build the squad to improve. The last thing I want to be doing is trade or anything like that."
The Independent

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp could make a new and final move to sign goalkeeper David James - and save some money for Portsmouth, who are in huge debt and currently have a transfer embargo. Stoke ended their interest in James last week.
Daily Mirror

Brazilian Robinho looks to be heading out of Manchester City after suffering the embarrassment of being substituted by manager Roberto Mancini 51 minutes after coming off the bench at Everton.
Daily Mail

Chelsea want to keep hold of midfielder Joe Cole, who is out of contract at the end of the season. The England star has been linked with a summer move to Tottenham. Blues chairman Bruce Buck said: "I am personally a big fan of Joe Cole and we are in discussions with his agent and hopefully that will be sorted out soon."
Daily Express

Newcastle could be set to take on Peruvian striker Nolberto Solano for a third time after missing out on Jermaine Beckford, who has decided to stay with Leeds.
Daily Mirror

Cash-strapped West Ham have slapped a staggering £15m price tag on England midfielder Scott Parker. 
Daily Mirror

Liverpool are battling with AC Milan over the services of striker Milan Jovanovic, 28, who is out of contract at Standard Liege at the end of the season.
The Sun

Dundee United have rejected a £75,000 bid from Blackpool for Scotland's 21-year-old centre-half Garry Kenneth.
Daily Record

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand could make a shock return against neighbours Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi-final on Tuesday. It would be the England star's first game in three months after struggling with a back problem.
Daily Star

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has undergone successful keyhole surgery on his right knee. Talking from the Barcelona hospital, the surgeon said: "If there are no problems, Fernando will be OK in six weeks."
The Sun

Manchester United supporters fighting the Glazer family's ownership of the club are contemplating asking manager Sir Alex Ferguson to make the ultimate sacrifice and resign in protest.
The Guardian

West Brom will pay tribute to the victims of the Haiti earthquake tragedy by wearing special logos on their shirts in their Championship clash with Newcastle on Monday night.
The Sun

AND FINALLY

Premier League referee Mark Halsey is looking to be back in action within four weeks as he continues his battle with throat cancer. The 48-year-old said: "I didn't realise how popular I was as a ref but I suppose when I come back I won't be so popular!"
The Sun