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Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will try to sign Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given after being warned off his team-mate Joe Hart.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is keeping tabs on Steven Pienaar's situation at Everton and is preparing an offer for the midfielder, who has yet to be offered a new contract by the Toffees.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United are planning a last-gasp bid to snatch Aston Villa midfielder James Milner from underneath the noses of their neighbours Manchester City.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

The Old Trafford side are also mulling over a move for Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Ozil, who could be available for a cut-price £13.5m because he is in the last year of his contract. In todays market that's a steal
Full story: the Guardian

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is ready to offload striker Peter Crouch, with Lyon frontman Loic Remy issuing a come-and-get-me plea to Spurs. 
Full story: Daily Mail

Barcelona midfielder Xavi insists Cesc Fabregas's stay at Arsenal could only be temporary. The Gunners captain, subject to speculation regarding a move to the Nou Camp, revealed last week he would remain at the Emirates. Xavi said: "We've given up on the idea of him arriving now but maybe he'll come in January when Arsenal are out of the Premier League race. They can't just hold him against his will."
Full story: IM Scouting

Queens Park Rangers are the latest club to be linked with striker Marlon King, currently looking for employment after serving nine months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in a London bar.
Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is targeting former Arsenal midfield star Alexander Hleb, who has been told he has not got a future at Barcelona.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Blackburn are trying to tie up a deal for Fenerbahce's £5m-rated Spain striker Dani Guiza.
Full story: Daily Mail

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is considering a move for Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

OTHER GOSSIP

The build-up to England's midweek friendly against Hungary has an element of farce to it. Paul Robinson and Wes Brown retired from internationals after being named in the squad, 'injured' Michael Carrick played for Manchester United in the Community Shield match against Chelsea and Ashley Cole inadvertently snubbed the offer of a handshake from England boss Fabio Capello after that game at Wembley.
Full story: Daily Mail

Sir Alex Ferguson has apologised for Carrick's appearance in the Community Shield two days after declaring the Manchester United midfielder was injured. The United manager said: "The minute he said he wanted to play we had to play him, simply because he needs game time." England manager Capello, who left Carrick out of England's squad to face Hungary, appeared to ask the player after United's Shield win over Chelsea why he had not telephoned him.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham are looking to sign former Arsenal defender William Gallas. The 33-year-old France international is a free agent after being released by the Gunners at the end of last season.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

However, Gallas's demand for a two-year deal could scupper any attempt to join the White Hart Lane outfit.
Full story: Daily Mail

Fulham's new manager Mark Hughes will make Algeria defender Rafik Halliche his first signing. The 23-year-old Benfica centre-back, who played for his country against England at the World Cup, will arrive in a £1.8m deal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

But Hughes faces a struggle to hold on to goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who has handed in a transfer request after being linked with a move to Arsenal.
Full story: the Sun

West Ham are closing in on Marseille midfielder Benoit Cheyrou, 29, who is the brother of former Liverpool striker Bruno.
Full story: Daily Mirror

And Hammers midfielder Scott Parker is to end speculation about a possible move to Tottenham or Liverpool by signing a new four-year deal this week.
Full story: the Sun

Former West Brom midfielder Robert Koren will reject Premier League newcomers Blackpool for Championship side Hull City. The 29-year-old Slovenia captain, who is a free agent, may be given a three-year deal.
Full story: Daily Mail

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic will demand to leave the club if he does not get the number one shirt this season, with Chelsea thought to be interested.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Stoke and Italian side Brescia are both interested in West Ham midfielder Radoslav Kovac.
Full story: Daily Star

Celtic will not move to re-sign Manchester City's Craig Bellamy on loan unless the Welsh striker is willing to take a huge pay cut. Bellamy had a spell on loan at the Scottish club in 2005.
Full story: Daily Record

OTHER GOSSIP

Aston Villa board member General Charles C Krulak, a friend of chairman Randy Lerner, has hit out at former manager Martin O'Neill for thinking he was bigger than the club. O'Neill made a shock exit from Villa Park on Monday.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is on a collision course with chairman Karl Oyston over the club's cautious approach to finances. The Bloomfield Road outfit has a rigid wage structure and moves for strikers Rob Hulse, Jon Stead and Marlon Harewood have been rejected.
Full story: Daily Mail

Sheffield Wednesday face a winding-up order over a £550m tax bill that HM Revenue & Customs claim has not been paid.
Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard says it will take "years" for England to sort out the mess after their World Cup failure but it would make no sense to get rid of coach Fabio Capello.
Full story: the Guardian

Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy says he is "probably more unwanted than I've ever been" and is seriously questioning his future in football.
Full story: the Sun

AND FINALLY

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, who could make his England debut against Hungary on Wednesday, considered playing for Trinidad and Tobago because at one point it was his "only option" of getting international football. The 29-year-old qualifies for the Caribbean team because of his father's nationality.
Full story: Daily Mirror

An addiction to computer games is affecting the performance of some Premier League players, says a sports psychologist who has treated stars from several big clubs.
Full story: Daily Star

England rugby union international Danny Cipriani has been told he has the potential to make it as a professional footballer by Tottenham coach Tim Sherwood. Cipriani played for Spurs reserves in July and is training with QPR before going to play rugby in Australia for two years.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City have offered Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic a four-year deal worth £96m - or roughly £500,000 a week.    WTF
Full story: the Sun

Manchester United are set to miss out on the signing of Werder Bremen's Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil.
Full story: the Guardian

Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli is close to sealing his move to Manchester City, according to the player's agent.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester City are beating Chelsea in the race to land Benfica's £27m-rated Brazilian defender David Luiz.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City have entered into negotiations with two unnamed clubs about a £20m-plus deal to sell forward Robinho.
Full story: the Guardian

Tottenham are to step up their £25m double swoop for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young and Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy with Spurs striker Peter Crouch set to join Sunderland.
Full story: Daily Star

Celtic are still keen on Bellamy but the Welshman would have to take a £70,000 a week pay cut to join the Scottish side.It will never happen
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City will not allow Craig Bellamy to join Tottenham with Fulham, Everton and Newcastle United expected to make approaches for the forward. (The Times)

West Ham are closing in on the loan signing of Manchester City's out-of-favour-striker Felipe Caicedo.
Full story: Daily Mail 

West Ham's Scott Parker is close to signing an improved deal at the club ending speculation that he could move away from Upton Park.
Full story: The Guardian

The Hammers have handed a trial to former Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere. (The Times) He has played for us before 

West Ham will step up their efforts to sign Nottingham Forest keeper Paul Smith after reserve Peter Kurucz was ruled out for the majority of the new season with knee ligament damage.
Full story: talksport.com 

Hammers boss Avram Grant is lining up a £4m bid for FC Twente star Cheik Tiote.
Full story: The Sun 

Everton boss David Moyes is also weighing up a move for Ivory Coast international Tiote.
Full story: talksport.com 

Blackburn Rovers are back on the trail of Norwegian striker Erik Huseklepp after he scored twice against France on Wednesday.
Full story: Daily Mail

Rovers are the latest Premier League club to make an offer for Arsenal's 19-year-old midfielder Henri Lansbury.
Full story: talksport

Blackburn are also set to make a last-gasp attempt to to hijack Stoke striker James Beattie's move to Rangers.
Full story: Daily Mirror 

Rovers striker Jason Roberts has priced himself out of a move to QPR after demanding £30,000 a week.
Full story: The Sun

Arsenal are considering a move for Lyon's Brazil international winger Michel Bastos.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Marseille midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has gone on strike in an attempt to force through a loan switch to Newcastle.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fulham hope to pip Birmingham to the £5m signing of AZ Alkmaar striker Moussa Dembele.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Wantaway Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer has pleaded with new manager Mark Hughes to let him join Arsenal.
Full story: Daily Mail

Birmingham, Sunderland and Stoke are all keeping tabs on Charles N'Zogbia with the Wigan midfielder set to hand in transfer request.
Full story: Daily Mail

Stoke are tracking former Portsmouth midfielder Hassan Yebda who currently plays for Benfica.
Full story: talksport.com

Sunderland are pressing ahead with an £8m bid for Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan as defender Anton Ferdinand heads for Palermo on a season-long loan.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has admitted falling out of love with life in England and is looking forward to the day he returns to Argentina.
Full story: Daily Mail

Chelsea have been accused of "harassment" by Brazilian club Santos over their attempted signing of teenager Neymar, with Santos threatening to report the Blues to Fifa.
Full story: Daily Mirror

England goalkeeper David James's arrival at Bristol City is believed to have contributed to Steve Coppell's shock resignation as manager.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia will quit the club if he is not manager Arsene Wenger's number one choice this season.
Full story: Daily Star

Birmingham are keen to tie manager Alex McLeish to a new deal, especially with neighbours Aston Villa looking for a new manager.
Full story: The Sun

AND FINALLY

Theo Walcott has revealed that David Beckham helped him to get over the disappointment of being left out of Fabio Capello's World Cup squad with a stream of phone calls and emails.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

Sunday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is preparing a £10m raid on his old club Chelsea for striker Didier Drogba.
Full story: Sunday People

Manchester United will move for Porto midfielder Raul Meireles if they fail to land Werder Bremen's Mesut Ozil.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Marseille are considering an offer for Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov and are also keen on Tottenham forward Roman Pavlyuchenko.
Full story: imscouting

United are battling it out with Arsenal to sign Paris St Germain's 20-year-old French defender Mamadou Sakho, who is valued at £12m.
Full story: caughtoffside

Barcelona have moved ahead of Inter Milan in the race to sign Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano by offering £15m plus winger Alexander Hleb.
Full story: Sunday People

Or, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has reportedly ruled out the signing of Argentinean Mascherano.
Full story: imscouting.com

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner could be about to sanction a £20m move for Tottenham's midfielder David Bentley and striker Robbie Keane.
Full story: caughtoffside

West Ham striker Carlton Cole is a target for new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Liverpool are also keen on Cole's Hammers team-mate, utility player Valon Behrami as well as Tottenham striker Giovani dos Santos.
Full story: caughtoffside

Brazil legend Pele has urged teenage striker Neymar to stay with Santos and reject a move to Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer is on the verge of completing his 'dream' move to Arsenal.
Full story: News of the World

Tottenham have placed a 'staggering' £10m price tag on midfielder Jermaine Jenas as Spurs look to fund a move for Hammers star Scott Parker.
Full story: News of the World

Spurs could increase their initial £7m offer for Parker to £12m with boss Harry Redknapp keen to land the 29-year-old.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Tottenham are set to launch a £10.6m bid for Nice striker Loic Remy on Monday.
Full story: imscouting

Sunderland are considering a move for Fulham striker Bobby Zamora with boss Steve Bruce also keen on Tottenham's Peter Crouch and Manchester City's Craig Bellamy.
Full story: News of the World

Bruce is also keen on Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia who recently demanded a transfer and stormed out of a training session.
Full story: News of the World

Sunderland could pay up to £10m for Frenchman N'Zogbia.
Full story: Sunday People

Brazilian forward Robinho is set to be offered one last chance to prove himself at Manchester City.
Full story: News of the World

Or, Manchester City are set to sell Robinho to Turkish side Fenerbahce for just under half of the £32.5m they paid Real Madrid for him two summers ago. (Sunday Times)

Arsenal are weighing up a £9m move for Blackburn Rovers teenage centre back Phil Jones.
Full story: caughtoffside

Manchester City will complete their summer spending with the £25m signing of Bordeaux's France midfielder Yoann Gourcuff.
Full story: caughtoffisde

Midfielder Jimmy Bullard says he wants to stay at Hull despite the club wanting to send him out on loan.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Bolton and Middlesbrough are locked in a £2m battle to sign Sunderland centre-back Matt Killgallon.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Fulham boss Mark Hughes wants to hijack Birmingham City's move for Olympiakos striker Matt Derbyshire.
Full story: Sunday People

Hughes is also close to sealing the signing of former Chelsea and Barcelona star Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Full story: Sunday People

Blackpool are keen to sign veteran Birmingham striker Marcus Bent on loan.
Full story: Sunday People

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says that Fabio Capello's eventual replacement as England manager should be English.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Capello is being lined up by Manchester City's Arab owners to take over from manager Roberto Mancini, if the club does not get off to a good start to the new season.
Full story: News of the World

And Capello's future as England manager is in doubt following his clumsy ending of midfielder David Beckham's international career with the Football Association said to be furious at the way the Italian announced the decision in a TV interview.
Full story: News of the World

Capello may scrap plans to recruit another English coach to his backroom staff - because nobody wants the job.
Full story: Sunday People

Meanwhile, Everton defender Phil Jagielka will never rule himself out of England contention because it would upset his parents.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Robinho, Craig Bellamy, Jo, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Roque Santa Cruz and Felipe Caicedo will ask for a similar £2m pay-off as Stephen Ireland before they agree to leave Manchester City.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Aston Villa want Ajax boss Martin Jol as a possible replacement for Martin O'Neill.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

But Jol will deal Villa a blow by ruling himself out of the running to replace recently departed manager O'Neill.
Full story: Sunday Express

Veteran 39-year-old goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar says it is time for the new generation of Manchester United players to step up to the plate as the club chase their 19th league title.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Former World and European player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has just gained his 10 millionth fan on social networking site Facebook. But the Real Madrid star still lags well behind American pop star Lady Gaga who has 15 million. (Mail on Sunday)I have 1,100 friends 

From one social networking site to another. Barcelona's current World and European player of the year Lionel Messi is fan of Aston Villa winger Ashley Young. The Barcelona forward called Young's performance against West Ham on Saturday "a blinder" on his official Twitter page.Well it was
Full story: Sunday People

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has admitted that he regrets his decision not to come out of international retirement and play for England at this summer's World Cup.
Full story: Sunday Express

 

Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas is set to sign for Juventus on loan for the season, with a view to a full-time £10m switch.
Full story: Daily Mirror

But Turkish club Galatasaray hope to fight off Juventus, Sampdoria and AC Milan for England international Jenas, who did not feature in Spurs' 0-0 draw with Manchester City on Saturday.
Full story: the Sun

Liverpool still hope Javier Mascherano will stay at Anfield but admit they have a private agreement with the midfielder to allow him to leave if the right price is offered.
Full story: talksport.co.uk

The Reds are considering a move for Dynamo Kiev forward Artem Milevskiy as manager Roy Hodgson looks to bolster his strikeforce.
Full story: goal.com

Chelsea target Neymar, the 18-year-old Santos forward, will decide on Tuesday whether to complete a £24m move to the Premier League.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City are hoping to sell Brazilian forward Robinho to German club Schalke 04 - and use the cash to make a new bid for Benfica defender David Luiz.
Full story: Daily Mirror

City have been warned they will have to complete the signing of James Milner by Wednesday or face the prospect of the England midfielder remaining at Aston Villa for the rest of the season.
Full story: the Guardian

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has urged Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy not to throw away his career by dropping into the Championship to play for Cardiff.
Full story: Daily Mail

Redknapp is hoping to bolster his squad by persuading Sevilla winger Diego Capel to join the White Hart Lane club.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Everton have joined the queue of clubs interested in providing Bellamy with an escape from Eastlands, despite their inability to match the Wales international's current salary.
Full story: the Guardian

Bolton have made enquiries about taking the 31-year-old to the Reebok Stadium on loan.
Full story: Daily Star

The Toffees are chasing FC Utrecht's attacking midfielder Dries Mertens, but will face competition from PSV Eindhoven and Twente Enschede for the 23-year-old.
Full story: imscouting.com

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to tie up a £2.5m deal for Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in time for the visit of Blackpool on Saturday and it could pave the way for the Cottagers to move for Manchester City keeper Shay Given as his replacement.
Full story: Daily Mirror

But City will try to soften the blow of Given's relegation to the bench by offering the goalkeeper a pay rise and the chance to stay at Eastlands until he turns 39.
Full story: Daily Mail

Current Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia, meanwhile, will seek talks about his future if Wenger brings in another senior goalkeeper before the transfer window closes.
Full story: London Evening Standard

Hamburg centre-back Joris Mathijsen has emerged as a target for Wenger as he looks to stabilise his back line after losing the services of William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikel Silvestre.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Newcastle are close to signing Feyenoord midfielder Leroy Fer - nicknamed the Bouncer because of his powerful physique.
Full story: Daily Mail

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is ready to smash the club's transfer record again with a £9m swoop for Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham's Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami wants to leave for Roma because he says his family cannot settle in London.
Full story: Daily Mail

Rangers have handed former Sheffield Wednesday winger Etienne Esajas the chance to earn a contract at Ibrox by taking the 25-year-old Dutchman on trial. (Daily Record)

Hull are ready to send unwanted striker Daniel Cousin to Greek club Larissa and hope his departure will free up funds to let them move for Cardiff forward Ross McCormack and Arsenal striker Jay Simpson.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Leeds manager Simon Grayson is interested in signing former Aston Villa and Manchester City striker Darius Vassell, who is a free agent.
Full story: Daily Mail

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway hopes Saturday's 4-0 victory over Wigan will help the club attract new players before the transfer window closes.
Full story: the Sun

OTHER GOSSIP

Aiden McGeady has revealed he had to leave Celtic because he feared for his safety in Glasgow. The winger, who joined Spartak Moscow in a £9.5m deal, says he received death threats and constant verbal abuse from members of the public.
Full story: Daily Record

Blackburn are a takeover target for two wealthy Indian businessmen. Representatives of billionaire Ahsan Aly Syed arrived at Ewood Park on Monday for talks, claiming they will inject £300m into Rovers. They hope to block a bid by rival Saurin Shah, who is due in Blackburn on Wednesday for talks.
Full story: the Sun

Rovers manager Sam Allardyce will be given £100m to spend on players this season if Ali Syed's proposed bid for the club is successful.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra and four France team-mates will attend a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday over their role in the players' strike after striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home from the World Cup this summer.
Full story: the Sun

Unsettled Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia has held crisis talks with club chairman Dave Whelan in an attempt to resolve his future.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Chelsea are keen to help restore Ashley Cole's public image by helping him to lower his profile in a bid to keep the left-back at Stamford Bridge.
Full story: Daily Mail

Striker Mario Balotelli has started life at Manchester City by persuading a team-mate to give up his own shirt. The £24m signing has taken the number 45 shirt off 19-year-old Greg Cunningham because it is the same number the Italian wore at Inter Milan.
Full story: Daily Mail

Two football fans created a new record by driving to all 20 Premier League stadiums in just over 14 hours. Teacher Paul Cox and friend Luis Felipe completed the 572-mile trip in 14 hours, three minutes and 18 seconds, knocking 45 minutes off Cox's previous unofficial record. (Daily Mirror) 

 

Thursday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Shay Given is set to walk out on Manchester City after finding out Joe Hart will keep his place in goal for the Europa League qualifier against FC Timisoara on Thursday night. Given is now mulling over possible on-loan moves to Arsenal or Fulham. Shay don't rule out  or 
Full story: Daily Express

Chelsea may miss out on the signature of 18-year-old Brazilian Naymar after the striker's club Santos offered to make him their highest paid player and refused to accept any offers less than their valuation of £29m.
Full story: the Independent

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that midfielder Javier Mascherano will not be offloaded for anything less than £25m to Inter Milan and has told the Argentine he should be prepared for an extended stay at Anfield.
Full story: the Guardian

Or the Reds may yet sell Mascherano to fund further purchases after he left the Argentina international out of the squad to face Trabzonspor in the Europa League on Thursday. The Inter Milan and Barcelona target's absence prevents him being cup-tied for European competition.
Full story: Daily Mail

Chelsea are up against Ajax in the battle for the signature of 17-year-old Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku.
Full story: talkSPORT

Ahsan Ali Syed wants to sign former England captain David Beckham, now at Los Angeles Galaxy, if the Indian businessman's proposed £300m takeover bid of Blackburn is successful. Syed said: "I was 26 when I started following the Premier League. I liked Blackburn back then and also used to follow Manchester United's fortunes because of David Beckham. If my finances allow and his intentions are positive then I would love to take Beckham." 
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United may be about to test Deportivo La Coruna's determination to keep hold of Mexico winger Andres Guardado with a £12m bid.
Full story: Caught Offside

Arsenal are close to sealing a deal for Sevilla's Sebastien Squillaci after the Spanish side withdrew the French defender from a Champions League qualifier.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham will only make a £15m bid for Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano if they qualify for the group stages of the Champions League. Even then the Brazilian's £90,000-a-week wages may prove to be a stumbling block. 
Full story: talkSPORT

Liverpool are weighing up an approach for Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz and may also include his Eastlands team-mate Wayne Bridge in the deal as they look to fill a left-back vacancy.
Full story: Caught Offside

Rangers have secured the services of Slovakian World Cup star Vladimir Weiss, who had also been linked to rivals Celtic. The 20-year-old Manchester City winger has sealed a season-long deal at Ibrox.
Full story: Daily Record

Bolton left-back Jlloyd Samuel is a loan target for Middlesbrough.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Chinese businessman Kenny Huang is becoming frustrated at his efforts to gain control of Liverpool. There are several parties interested in replacing Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett but Huang is anxious to arrive and provide funds for new players before the end of the transfer window on 31 August.
Full story: the Guardian

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has hit back after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson accused teams of spending money with "kamikaze effort". City have spent £130m this summer but Mancini said: "It's normal when you want to buy a good player that you have to spend money. It is not important for me [what Ferguson says]. I respect his opinion but I repeat that United, like City, have spent a lot of money in the past."
Full story: Daily Mail

Former West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson is preparing for a shock return to football as the Icelandic businessman launches a rescue bid for struggling Sheffield Wednesday.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

You loved them or hated them during the World Cup - the vuvuzela. But there's no doubting the instrument's effect on modern culture following its arrival into the new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of English. Along with the name of the famous horn blown by fans in South Africa this summer, other words (non-sporting ones) to be added are tweetup (a meeting arranged through social networking site Twitter) and cheeseball (lacking taste or style).
Full story: Daily Telegraph

 

Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson says neither Javier Mascherano or Dirk Kuyt will be joining former boss Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could swoop for Netherlands international and Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg if he fails to lure Mark Schwarzer from Fulham.
Full story: Talksport.com

Should Schwarzer leave Craven Cottage for Arsenal, Fulham boss Mark Hughes wants Stoke's Asmir Begovic to replace the veteran Australia international.
Full story: Mirror

The Gunners are considering whether to bring Matthew Upson back to the club. The defender has one year left on his contract with West Ham, who could be open to offers of about £7m for the England international.
Full story: Caughtoffside.com 

Meanwhile, the Hammers are lining up a £2.5m bid for Aston Villa defender Luke Young.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham boss Avram Grant is also lining up a £2.5m deal for Celtic's Marc-Antoine Fortune.
Full story: Daily Mail Now I don't want him to leave  but if he is going to go anywhere, then ley it be 

Manchester United are close to signing 16-year-old Ajax winger Gyliano van Velzen.
Full story: Talksport.com

Birmingham are set to make an improved offer for Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia, thought to be in the region of about £8.5-£9m.
Full story: Guardian

Tottenham have ended their efforts to sign Manchester City defender Micah Richards after landing William Gallas.
Full story: Talksport.com

Newcastle are closing in on a £3.5m deal for FC Twente's Ivory Coast's defensive midfielder Cheick Tiote.
Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits a move for Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given is increasingly unlikely because of his wage demands, although Fulham's Mark Schwarzer is still on his radar.
Full story: The Sun

Tottenham will have to cough up £8.5m to take Lassana Diarra after Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho said he will not allow the midfielder to go out on loan.
Full story: Daily Mail

Mourinho is planning a £20m bid to bring Chelsea's Didier Drogba to Real Madrid.
Full story: Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIP

New Aston Villa signing Stephen Ireland says James Milner is "going to get a shock soon" following his move to Manchester City.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham striker Carlton Cole says Fabio Capello is "up there with Jose Mourinho" as the best manager he has ever worked with.
Full story: Talksport.com

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton will not take any risks with former England defender Sol Campbell as he nears full match fitness.
(Press Association)

Harry Redknapp has told Tottenham Hotspur fans to get behind his decision to sign William Gallas on a free transfer, insisting he has not "signed the Yorkshire Ripper".
Full story: The Guardian

 

Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has agreed personal terms with Barcelona for a move to the Spanish side, however the clubs are yet to settle on a fee. Barca have offered around £12m but Liverpool want closer to £21m.
Full story: insidefutbol.com

Liverpool are also willing to engage in further talks with Inter Milan over the sale of Dirk Kuyt to the Italian side. The Reds have already rejected an offer thought to be in the region of £7.5m plus Nigerian striker Victor Obinna.
Full story: IM Scouting

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson will look to secure a deal to bring 32-year-old Juventus forward David Trezeguet to Anfield.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Arsenal have set their sights on signing Netherlands international goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and centre-back Jan Vertonghen from Ajax in a £22m deal.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Inter Milan striker Victor Obinna is due at West Ham on Monday for talks. Hammers boss Avram Grant has acted swiftly to tee up a possible move for ­the 23-year-old Nigerian international.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Stoke City are tracking Tottenham striker Peter Crouch.
Full story: Daily Mail

Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Stephane Sessegnon is keen on a move to England, with Tottenham and West Ham interested in the 26-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is preparing a £12.3m bid for Benin international Sessegnon.
Full story: caughtoffside.com If he is going to cost that, they can have him

Blackburn have put a £1m price tag on Jason Roberts - the striker without a squad number. Leeds and Nottingham Forest are interested in the 32-year-old but may wait ­until the Football League loan window opens next month.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez faces crunch talks with his chairman Dave Whelan. Martinez wants to bring in two strikers but Whelan is more keen to discuss plans for the defence after the Latics conceded 10 goals in two games.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli can be an even better player than Fernando Torres, says City boss Roberto Mancini.
Full story: Daily Mail