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Thursday's gossip column - transfers and rumours


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea boss Carlo ­Ancelotti is considering a bid for ­Benfica's £10m-rated Brazilian defender David Luiz. Manchester United and Real Madrid are also interested in the 22-year-old.
Daily Mirror

Cesc Fabregas will resist interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid and decide to stay at Arsenal, according to the man who discovered the Gunners star. Scout Francis Cagigao said reports he had agreed to join Barca in the summer were wide of the mark.That will please all the  nal fans
Daily Mail

Real Madrid have stated their intention to keep new signing Sergio Canales for the long term, by slapping a massive 150m Euro (£135m) release clause on the 19 year-old's contract  . Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all reportedly interested in the attacking midfielder.
IM Scouting

Manchester United are tracking Dinamo Zagreb playmaker Milan Badeli. The 21-year-old Croatian is also attracting interest from German sides Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
IM Scouting

Italian giants Juventus have joined Manchester City in the chase for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain. The 22-year-old is also reported to have a 150m euro release clause.
IM Scouting

Blackburn outcast Steven Reid is set to join Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season.
Daily Mirror

Sunderland are in talks with Paraguay star Cristian Riveros. Manager Steve Bruce wants to sign the midfielder from Mexican side Cruz Azul before the World Cup.
Daily Mirror

Aston Villa defender Habib Beye has threatened to quit Aston Villa - barely seven months ­after joining them from Newcastle. The 32-year-old Senegal international is upset at his lack of first-team opportunities.
Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIP

Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias says the club has been taken off the market because no-one was willing to bid enough money for it.
Daily Telegraph

Manchester City keeper Shay Given insists Brazilian forward Robinho, who is on loan at his boyhood club Santos, will return to Eastlands next season.Don't think so Shay 
Daily Star

AND FINALLY

Fulham defender Chris Smalling has admitted that his summer move to Manchester United came as a complete surprise to him. The 20-year-old was working as a waiter 18 months ago.
Daily Mail

 

Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh has confirmed he will be joining Arsenal in the summer, saying: "It is not easy in England but the challenge in my career has always been to learn every day, keep improving and always help my club to success."
The Mirror

West Ham striker Mido claims he turned down an offer of £45,000 a week from another Premier League club in order to prove himself at Upton Park. Well come on today would be a good time to start 
Daily Mail

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has lined up a £4m summer swoop for Espanyol striker Jose Callejon.
The Mirror

Motherwell defender Mark Reynolds is a £500,000 target for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. (Daily Express)

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he is happy to accept the 'green and gold' anti-Glazer campaign.
Daily Mail

However, he has insisted that there is "no chance" of the Red Knights persuading Manchester United supporters to boycott games in their battle to wrest control of the club from the Glazer family.
The Times 

Birmingham have announced pre-tax losses of £20.5m for the year ending 31 August 2009, blaming 'the decision taken by the previous members of the board to retain most of their playing staff from the previous Premier League season'.
Daily Mail

Rangers are on the brink of securing new ownership in a multi-million pound takeover deal from a London-based property group. (Herald/Daily Record) 

The London-based group bidding for Rangers face competition from a Far East consortium, with the deal expected to top £60m. (Sun)

Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan claims manager Neil Warnock only quit the club for London rivals QPR "for the money".
Daily Mirror

Wembley Stadium is to have its pitch re-laid for the 10th time since the rebuilt venue reopened in 2007 after fresh criticism in the past week. FFS Fergie has a moan, and the FA jump 
The Times

Michael Essien is set to miss the rest of the season after a serious setback in his recovery from knee surgery.
The Sun

AND FINALLY

Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias has urged supporters to cease their abuse of owner Mike Ashley and the club's board, saying: "Enough's enough. It frustrates me because we know what we've done behind the scenes and what Mike's committed to financially. We'd like to be able to go out on the town after a win - we always used to - but it's very difficult for us to do that now."

The Guardian

 

Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery admits Chelsea are "very interested" in him and expects his future to be decided before the end of March.
Daily Mail

Wigan are weighing up a move for Egypt's right-back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi after he impressed against England last week.
Daily Mail

Aston Villa are the latest club to monitor Cardiff City full-back Adam Matthews, with Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal also interested in the 18-year-old.
Daily Mail

Rochdale can look forward to a predicted £1m windfall from the sale of centre-half Craig Dawson, who is being tracked by Tottenham and Fulham.
Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea captain John Terry's celebration of his goal against Stoke, in which he rolled up his shirt sleeve and pointed to his captain's armband, dominates the back pages. Selections include: "Terry Up In Arms" (Daily Star), "Barmy Army" (Daily Mirror) and "Listen To The Band" (The Sun).

Manchester United defender Wes Brown fears his World Cup dream is over after breaking a bone in his left foot.
Daily Mail

Manager Rafael Benitez has assured Alberto Aquilani that he is not the "forgotten man of Liverpool", despite having to sacrifice the Italian midfielder's adjustment to English football in the race for a critical place in next season's Champions League.
The Guardian

AC Milan midfielder David Beckham believes the Italian club can cause a surprise at Old Trafford on Wednesday and knock Manchester United out of the Champions League, despite losing the first leg 3-2 in the San Siro.
Daily Mail

The battle for control of Manchester United is expected to intensify this week with the appointment of official banking advisers to the Red Knights, the group of City financiers who are trying to seize control of the club.
The Guardian

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes all Premier League managers will eventually be foreign.
Daily Telegraph 

The Football Association may withhold the £600,000 prize money and television income that Portsmouth have earned by reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, then divert it to pay off some of the £3m in transfer fees Pompey owe to other clubs. 
The Times

That, however, may be the least of Portsmouth's problems. The FA may dump the club out of the entire Cup competition as a result of their debts. 
Daily Express

Wigan's Victor Moses may opt to join Nigeria's World Cup squad after being overlooked by Stuart Pearce for the England Under-21 team. 
Daily Mirror

West Ham's new owners will offer goalkeeper Robert Green an improved contract in a bid to keep the England player at Upton Park.  But what about the likes of Parker & Upson 
Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Fabio Capello's love of golf is one of the reasons the Italian wants to stay on as England coach for the next two years. The former AC Milan boss has become addicted to the sport since arriving in the country and now plays a couple of times a week.
Daily Mirror

Arsenal midfielder Theo Walcott has explained that his goal celebration against Burnley, which involved pointing to an imaginary watch on his wrist, was an attempt to dodge a fine for missing the team bus. "I was late for the bus the night before, so that's why I was pointing to a watch," he said. "I probably will get a fine but I'll take it. I shouldn't be late but I just got caught in traffic. Maybe it will be forgotten about now!"
The Sun

 

Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are tracking Sporting Lisbon defender Daniel Carrico as cover for first-choice pair Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott but he is also interesting Atletico Madrid and Valencia.
Daily Mirror

City scouts are also impressed with Sampdoria midfielder Andrea Poli but striker Emmanuel Adebayor wants to stay at Eastlands, despite interest from AC Milan.
Daily Mail

Manager Mick McCarthy has conceded that Wolves have little chance of keeping £6.5m striker Kevin Doyle if they are relegated from the Premier League. Aston Villa, Fulham, Everton and Sunderland are all set to battle to sign the Republic of Ireland international if his side slip into the Championship.
Daily Mirror

Wilson Palacios has stunned Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp by admitting he is using Spurs to get a move to Real Madrid. The Honduran midfielder has been a key player for Redknapp's side following his £12million move from Wigan last January. But Palacios, 25, reckons he has bigger fish to fry.
The Sun

Saint-Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi has been linked with Sevilla, and is also being targeted by Arsenal for next season.
imscouting.com

OTHER GOSSIP

Four years after arriving at Chelsea on a £121,000-per-week contract, German midfielder Michael Ballack has been offered a new one-year deal at half that salary.
The Sun

Chelsea have reopened negotiations with striker Nicolas Anelka over a contract extension that may result in the France international staying at Stamford Bridge until 2013. Anelka's deal was set to expire in 2012 but there is still no sign of a new contract for Joe Cole, whose current contract expires in the summer.
Daily Mail

England will step up their security as they attempt to hunt down and identify the culprits behind the security breach at their team hotel in Hertfordshire. A six-hour recording of team meetings is said to be in existence and has been offered to media outlets.
Daily Mail

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is set to escape disciplinary action after he appeared to aim a V-sign at referee Andre Marriner during Monday's defeat by Wigan.
Daily Telegraph

Stoke full-back Andy Griffin, currently on loan at Reading, has laughed off suggestions he could snatch a World Cup berth with England after some impressive performances that have guided the Royals away from the Championship relegation zone.
Daily Mirror

Wigan's Victor Moses could be set for a World Cup appearance with Nigeria after he invited officials to watch him play and train for the club. Moses, born in Lagos, has represented England at youth level but could be tempted to switch allegiances.
Daily Mirror

Massimo Cellino, the president of Italian club Cagliari, is "very close to an agreement" to buy Crystal Palace, according to Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport.
imscouting.com

AND FINALLY

Fabio Capello's biggest World Cup selection headache is over the goalkeeping position - according to tennis legend Boris Becker. After a recent dinner with the England coach, Becker said: "I understand why the players are a little bit afraid of him because he's a very serious guy who doesn't joke around much. We talked about goalkeepers and Capello was just smiling so we didn't get into that." (Press Association)

Prime Minister Gordon Brown wanted to appear on Match of the Day 2 but was turned down by the BBC because it was deemed "inappropriate" this close to a General Election.
The Guardian

 

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City have joined rivals Manchester United in the race to sign teenage Nigeria midfielder Ramon Azeez, who is tied to the Future Pro Academy in his native country.
Daily Mail

Real Madrid will look to soften the blow of this week's Champions League exit by launching a bid to lure striker Wayne Rooney from Manchester United, according to the Spanish daily 'Sport'.
imscouting

Manchester United target Igor Akinfeev will be offered a new contract by CSKA Moscow in a bid to ensure they don't lose the goalkeeper for nothing.
Daily Mail

Zenit St Peterburg midfielder Danny wants to reignite a £25m move to Chelsea after recovering from a career-threatening knee injury.
Daily Mail

Doncaster, QPR, Middlesbrough and Leeds are all keen on Sheffield United's Nick Montgomery after the midfielder signalled his intent to leave this summer by refusing to sign a new deal with the Blades.
Daily Mail

Stoke are keen to bring former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant back to England from Spanish side Real Zaragoza.
Daily Mirror

Derby boss Nigel Clough is set to sign Liverpool's young keeper David Martin in an emergency loan deal.
Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has had to rein in his usual all-action training regime to avoid suffering burnout. Rooney has started 43 matches already this season for club and country.
The Sun

Former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham will be invited to become the figurehead of the United fans' protest movement bidding to oust the Glazer family from Old Trafford. The AC Milan player donned a green and gold scarf - the symbol of the fans' protest - after Wednesday's Champions League match, which United won 4-0 to progress to the quarter-finals. (Various)

The Manchester United fans' group are also keen to recruit other former United greats to their cause, including ex-goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and striker Eric Cantona.
Daily Mail

England boss Fabio Capello is considering a World Cup call-up for Manchester United right-back Gary Neville amid fitness concerns over Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson and Neville's fellow United defender Wes Brown.
Daily Mail

Despite overseeing a stuttering campaign so far with Liverpool, Reds manager Rafa Benitez remains the chief target for Real Madrid, who will sack current boss Manuel Pellegrini in the summer.
The Sun

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told Real Madrid not to bother with their annual bid to poach him, warning: "Leave me alone."
Daily Mirror

Portsmouth players are preparing to dip into their own pockets in a bid to keep up to eight members of the training ground staff in work until the end of the season. (Various)

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has been told his job is safe - even if the club are relegated from the Premier League.
Daily Star

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has ordered Blues striker Christian Benitez to clean up his act. Benitez was booked for going to ground in Birmingham's 2-1 win at Portsmouth on Tuesday.
The Sun

Former Derby County chairman Peter Gadsby is launching a £37m bid to regain power at Pride Park.
Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney says his impressive goalscoring form this season is down to his receding hairline. 'It's coming off my bald patch and that's helping me score,' joked Rooney, whose first goal against Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday was the seventh in succession he has scored with his head.
Daily Mail

 

Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has opened the door to a sensational return to Old Trafford for Cristiano Ronaldo, who he sold to Real Madrid for £80m last summer.
Sunday Express

Ferguson is also locked in negotiations with Chelsea to sign Joe Cole who is out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
People

Manchester United are also eager to sign Everton's young stars Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell, while Everton boss David Moyes would like to bag Manchester City's Stephen Ireland.
News of the World

But Ireland could be spoilt for choice this summer as Everton's Merseyside rivals Liverpool are thought to want his signature too.
Sunday Mirror

Spanish giants Real Madrid have made Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard their number one transfer target and believe they can tempt the midfielder away from Anfield with a £30m bid.
 People

Liverpool winger Albert Riera is a £6m target for Spanish side Villarreal, who are looking for a replacement for Robert Pires who is set to depart at the end of the season.
Sunday Mirror

Manchester City are preparing a £45m bid for Real Madrid 's Argentinian stars Gonzalo Higuain and Fernando Gago. Higuain is Real's top scorer this season with 18 goals while City also tried to sign Gago in January.
IM Scouting

Chelsea and Manchester United face competition from Spanish side Barcelona in the race to sign Benfica winger Angel Di Maria. Di Maria has a buyout clause of 50m Euros (£45m) in his contract, but his Portuguese side would accept 25m Euros (£22m).
IM Scouting

Portuguese international midfielder Deco expects to leave Chelsea at the end of the season and hopes to join Brazilian side Corinthians.
IM Scouting

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is eyeing Birmingham duo Liam Ridgewell and Sebastian Larsson. Both players are out of contract at the end of the season. 
News of the World

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is preparing for a summer exit from Anfield after reaching "the end of his tether" while billionaire New Yorkers line up a £100m takeover bid of the club.
News of the World

Ashley Cole's World Cup hopes are virtually over after it was revealed he would not play again for Chelsea this season. The left-back broke his left ankle on 11 February against Everton and has had three pins inserted in the bone.
News of the World

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has emerged as a contender to replace Marcello Lippi in charge of the Italian national team when the 61 year-old steps down after the World Cup in South Africa.
The Sunday Telegraph

Meanwhile, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who has spent around £200m on transfers and £100m a year on wages, claims football in Britain - and across Europe - is on the road to ruin. He has also hinted he could favour the introduction of a salary cap.
Mail on Sunday

David Beckham has admitted he is not a certainty to make Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup in South Africa. The 34-year-old midfielder would become the first Englishman to play in four tournaments if selected.
 Mail on Sunday

The Football Association has sold its entire allocation of 29,000 tickets for the World Cup. (Sunday Express) 

Portsmouth are on the brink of securing their fifth owner of a chaotic season with property tycoon Rob Lloyd fronting a consortium intending to buy the crisis-ridden club.
The Sunday Telegraph.

AND FINALLY

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has come out in support of his former club Manchester United, reckoning Manchester City will never overcome their rivals.
Sunday Mirror

 

Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

BREAKING GOSSIP

0717: Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has told Dutch television he is now "medically fit" and will return to training this week following his long injury lay-off.
IMScouting

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Midfielder Joe Cole, 28, will be the first victim of a "purge of older players" at Chelsea now that their Champions League dream has ended for another season.
The Times

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish concedes a move for Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has been shelved because of the ­striker's red-hot form.
Daily Mirror

Derby boss Nigel Clough wants to sign former Rams striker Tommy Smith from crisis-club Portsmouth on loan for the rest of the season.
Daily Mirror

Blackburn are keen on 24-year-old Egyptian playmaker Shikabala. Daily Mail

Roma and Celtic are lining up to swoop for Portsmouth full-back Nadi Belhadj, thought to be available for £2m. (Daily Mail) Can't see him picking us over Roma, can you 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney raised concerns over his fitness as he limped away from Old Trafford after his side's 2-1 victory over Liverpool.
 Daily Mail

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has hit out at England boss Fabio Capello for not looking to keeper Chris Kirkland.
Daily Mail

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola paid Arsenal the ultimate tribute by claiming they are a better footballing team than his beloved Chelsea. Daily Mirror 

Lionel Messi underlined the Champions League task Arsenal face with a hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-2 away win over Real Zaragoza - but Manchester United fans may take heart from Bayern Munich's 2-1 defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt, the former's first Bundesliga loss in 20 games.The Times)

AND FINALLY

If England reach the 2010 World Cup final, fans watching them go all the way could pay as much as £6,400 - or £3,000 just to see one group game.
The Sun

A band of 180 Rochdale fans walked the 14 miles to see their side face Accrington Stanley on Saturday, to be rewarded with six goals and two sendings-off in a 4-2 victory. Daily Mail) For sports relief I hope 

Reading's Matthew Mills, under fire having gestured obscenely at a section of the club's own supporters in their midweek victory over QPR, vaulted advertising boards to hand his shirt to fans as a peace offering after their 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough. (Daily Express)

 

Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

BREAKING GOSSIP

10.30: Atletico Madrid have rejected Manchester United's approaches for 19-year-old Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea and refused to negotiate with the Premier League side .
Full story: imscouting

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea and Manchester City have been alerted after Valencia decided they will sell Spanish international striker David Villa this summer, with the price likely to be about £40m.
Full story: The Sun

Meanwhile, Manchester United could move for Villa's Valencia team-mate David Silva, with the attacking midfielder likely to fetch around £20m.
Full story: The Sun

Internacional defensive midfielder Sandro, 21, flew to London on Monday night to undergo a medical with Tottenham  but the Brazilian will not officially join Spurs until the summer.
Full story: imscouting

Inter Milan's Brazilian full-back Maicon, 28, is being lined up for a move to Real Madrid in the summer - although Manchester City could still be an option for the defender.
Full story: imscouting

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has shelved his plan to sign Roman Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham because the striker's recent form has been too good. The Blues had a £10m bid for the Russian turned down in January.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has lined up a deal to sell Albert Riera to Spartak Moscow. It follows the midfielder's outburst in which he described the Anfield club as "a sinking ship".
Full story: Daily Mail 

Everton are planning a £650,000 summer swoop for Portugal Under-20 striker Joao Silva, who plays for Desportivo das Aves and is the top scorer in his country's second division.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wigan and Sunderland are chasing Egypt winger Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, 22, from ENPPI for about £3m.
Full story: The Sun

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy hopes to land Ghana striker Jordan Ayew, 19, from French club Marseille - possibly on an initial one-year loan deal. (Daily Mirror)

West Bromwich Albion could make a move for defender Calum Davenport, 27, who is a free agent after being released by West Ham. 
Full story: The Sun

Queens Park Rangers will send on-loan goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, 23, back to Wolves so manager Neil Warnock can bring in more loan signings. (Daily Star)

Doncaster say they cannot afford to sign on-loan striker Billy Sharp, 24, in the summer because his club Sheffield United want £1.5m for him. (Daily Star)

Former Celtic striker Chris Killen wants to stay with Middlesbrough beyond the end of his current contract, which expires this summer. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has owner Roman Abramovich's full backing - unless the Stamford Bridge outfit have a disastrous end to the season. (Daily Star)

Or Ancelotti has 21 days to rescue Chelsea's season and his job or he will be shown the door.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Meanwhile, Chelsea's injury problems have worsened, with the news that Branislav Ivanovic has been ruled out for a month, leaving the club without their first (Jose Bosingwa) and second-choice right-backs.
Full story: Daily Mail

Barcelona's French striker Thierry Henry says he does not want to play against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final - and he will not celebrate if he scores against his former side.
Full story: Daily Express

The Premier League's sale of its overseas broadcasting rights for 2010 to 2013 will raise about £1.4bn, more than double the previous level and a leap of £13m per club, per year.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is confident Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano will commit his long-term future to the club. (The Times)

Former Charlton and West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is ready to take over as manager of Championship side Bristol City following Gary Johnson's departure last week. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY

Days after rapper P Diddy was linked with a move to buy Crystal Palace, fellow hip hop superstar Jay-Z has revealed he could be interested in investing some of his estimated £500m fortune in Arsenal.
Full story: Daily Mirror