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

[yinyang]

From Pool's grapevine..?

Pool fans up in arms on proposed new stadium relocating Anfield. From Anfield to something like Budweiser?!!:p

Anfield up for grabs: Liverpool fans rage over new Stanley Park stadium naming rights
By John Edwards
Last updated at 1:54 AM on 13th January 2010

Liverpool were accused of ‘the biggest act of self-destruction’ after the club confirmed they plan to ditch Anfield’s heritage and sell the naming rights for a new stadium at Stanley Park.

The club’s commercial director Ian Ayre announced that plans are under way to top the £100million Arsenal raised for calling their new ground the Emirates Stadium.

But the move came under instant fire, with one supporters’ group warning of a backlash should Anfield’s legendary name be sacrificed for cash.
Farewell to all that: Anfield is set to be renamed
Graham Agg, secretary of the German Reds official supporters’ club, said: ‘The whole idea of leaving Anfield and knocking it down is the biggest act of self-destruction the club could ever consider.

‘Can you imagine the Nou Camp or Bernabeu being bulldozed by Barcelona or Real Madrid, or Inter Milan leaving the San Siro? You’re talking about football’s cathedrals, and Anfield is one of them. There is too much heritage, history and tradition for it all to be thrown away.

‘I just can’t imagine going to somewhere like the Budweiser Stadium to support Liverpool, and I’m sure there are plenty who feel the same way.’

Liverpool will press ahead with building work once an initiative to raise £120m extra investment is concluded in the next couple of months.

Ayre said: ‘Naming rights is now an accepted part of building any new football venue, and as one of few global brands in the game, it would be crazy of us not to tap into that opportunity.’

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez can help placate fans by moving a step closer to Wembley with a home win over Reading in tonight’s FA Cup replay.

Benitez admits the competition is his team’s best chance of silverware this season. ‘It’s a massive competition so we want to progress,’ said the manager, whose side also face Spurs in a rearranged Premier League game next Wednesday.

Reading caretaker boss Brian McDermott is hoping for a surprise win which could help him get the manager’s job on a permanent basis.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...Park-stadium-naming-rights.html#ixzz0cSc36EkA

 

[yinyang]

Gus Hiddink for Pool (if Rafa gets the axe)? Tgif teaser?:p

Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8460609.stm

BREAKING GOSSIP
Breaking gossip will appear here throughout the day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer is on the verge of retiring after failing to return from a series of injuries.
Full story: Daily Mirror

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

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

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

 

[yinyang]

Robinho for u-turn to Brazil?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8476288.stm

Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

BREAKING GOSSIP
1049 GMT: Robbie Fowler's playing future in Australia's A-League is in doubt after refusing to adapt to a new formation at his North Queensland Fury club.
Full story: Fox Sports Australia

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United have joined Tottenham in the race for £18m-rated Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko - as they prepare to let winger Zoran Tosic join Cologne.
Full story: Daily Mail

But United face the prospect of losing Wayne Rooney to Real Madrid, who have hired super-agent Pini Zahavi to negotiate a deal for the striker.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester City have had a £2m bid for Victor Moses turned down - and Arsenal may step in for the Crystal Palace forward.
Full story: Daily Star

City have also missed out on Racing Santander midfielder Sergio Canales, who has agreed a £5.5m move to Real Madrid.
Full story: Daily Mail

Meanwhile, Robinho is close to leaving Eastlands for Brazilian club Santos - who sold the 25-year-old to Real Madrid in 2005 - in a loan deal until the end of the season.
Full story: The Sun

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti says that midfielder Joe Cole, who is out of contract at the end of the season, will remain at the club next term.
Full story: The Guardian

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has admitted that Aston Villa's Habib Beye is on his radar after a deal to sign Hamburg defender Guy Demel broke down.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn are keen to sign Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen on loan and are also interested in Stuttgart's Turkish midfielder Yildiray Basturk.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham are set to sign South Africa striker Benni McCarthy from Blackburn Rovers on loan for 18 months to get around work permit issues.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn Rovers winger Morten Gamst Pedersen is in talks with Turkish giants Fenerbahce over a January move.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fulham have made a bid for FC Basle's £6m-rated Switzerland striker Marco Streller.
Full story: Daily Mail

Burnley defender Clarke Carlisle is a cut-price target for both Bolton and West Ham.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP
New Bolton boss Owen Coyle and keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen have been involved in a training-ground bust-up after former Burnley goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes was appointed at the expense of Jaaskelainen's mentor Fred Barber.
Full story: Daily Mail

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has tipped Everton manager David Moyes to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United once the Scot decides to leave Old Trafford.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Michael Owen has asked Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney for advice on how to get back into Fabio Capello's England squad.
Full story: The Guardian

AND FINALLY
New West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has suggested the team could be renamed "West Ham Olympic" if they move into the London 2012 stadium.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has cranked up the tension with neighbours City yet further ahead of next Wednesday's second-leg Carling Cup tie by insisting the Blues do not have the mental strength to win the tie.
Full story: Daily Mirror

The Football Association is sending back thousands of World Cup tickets they failed to sell to their official supporters club. Fans have not taken up 6,000 of the 29,000 tickets allocated by organisers to the FA.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manager Darren Ferguson has refused to let his Preston players watch a DVD of Chelsea's 7-2 drubbing of Sunderland, in the run-up to their clash with Carlo Ancelotti's side in the FA Cup.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

 

[BlueCat]

kumsia bro yinyang for the news.

 

[yinyang]

Curtains for MCity's CEO... and Pompey's Abant Grant cash strapped?:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8486437.stm

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Middlesbrough have placed a £9m price tag on Adam Johnson with Manchester City closing in on the winger. The former England Under-21 star requested permission to speak to the Eastlands club earlier this week.
Full story: Daily Express

AC Milan are adamant striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will not be moving to the Premier League before the end of the month. Arsenal, Everton, West Ham and Tottenham had been interested in signing the Netherlands international.
Full story: The Sun

Tottenham have rejected an £8m bid from Birmingham for striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. The north London club are keen to recoup as much of the £14m they paid for the Russia international.
Full story: Daily Mail

Spurs have demanded £10m for the Russian, plus another £3m in add-ons with the Blues refusing to stump up the £13m being asked for in total.
Full story: Guardian

Newcastle have joined the list of clubs wanting to sign Crystal Palace forward Victor Moses by matching the £1.5m bid being offered by West Brom. Nottingham Forest are also interested in the highly rated striker.
Full story: The Times

Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic looks set to join Portsmouth team-mate Younes Kaboul at Tottenham as the south coast club attempt to raise funds to address their £60m financial crisis.
Full story: Daily Mail

Sunderland have made a £1.5m move for Manchester City striker Benjani after the Zimbabwe centre-forward had looked close to sealing a transfer to West Ham.
Full story: Daily Mail

Birmingham are keen on securing the services of Aruna Dindane on loan from Lens after the move of the Ivory Coast striker to Bolton fell through. The French club are eyeing a £4m deal.
Full story: Daily Mail

Celtic are planning to add a defender and a striker before the transfer window closes, with the club set to increase their £2.5m offer for Preston North End centre-back Sean St Ledger.
Full story: Guardian

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester City's owners in Abu Dhabi are considering offloading chief executive Garry Cook in the summer having become increasingly frustrated over his leadership style and publicity gaffes.
Full story: The Guardian
Hull City are desperate to address their £10m debt and rising wage bill and chairman Adam Pearson has said the club will listen to offers for all of his players.
Full story: Daily Star

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant is considering walking out at Fratton Park after defender Younes Kaboul and Asmir Begovic were sold to help raise funds. The Israeli insisted last month no player would be sold without his prior approval.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon faces another three weeks on the sidelines because of a groin strain. The England international has not played since 28 December.
Full story: Guardian

Despite loaning Robinho to Brazilian club Santos, Manchester City must pay about £70,000 to fund the striker's wages, with Santos searching for sponsors to help fund the remaining £35,000.
Full story: The Times

 

[yinyang]

Fabregas to Barca?:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8492560.stm

Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Arsenal midfielder and captain Cesc Fabregas is set to rejoin Barcelona in the summer. The 22-year-old Spaniard is contracted to the Gunners until the end of the 2013/2014 campaign but is unhappy with the team's lack of ambition. (Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo)

Paris St Germain's bid to sign Manchester United midfielder Anderson fell through because the French club were reluctant to pay the Brazilian's wages.
Full story: Daily Mail

Sunderland missed out on landing Egypt winger Ahmed Al-Muhammadi after his club ENPPI rejected the Black Cats' bid of £2m.
Full story: Daily Mail

One of the most unusual deals on deadline day was Mido's move to West Ham - where he will be on the lowest wages for a player in the Premier League. The Egypt striker signed on a six-month loan from Middlesbrough for £1,000 a week and Hammers owner David Sullivan called the deal "one of the most amazing of all time".
Full story: The Sun

OTHER GOSSIP
Beleaguered Chelsea defender John Terry will tell England manager Fabio Capello that he will not relinquish the captain's armband for the national team.
Full story: Daily Mirror

However, others report the Chelsea centre-half is considering resigning as skipper of England ahead of talks with Capello on Friday. It follows newspaper allegations of an affair with the former girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.
Full story: The Independent

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge could be on the verge of quitting international football following the fall-out of Terry's alleged affair with his ex-girlfriend.
Full story: The Times

David Beckham has revealed his thoughts on returning to Old Trafford in an AC Milan shirt ahead of this month's Champions League clash. The England midfielder, on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, said: "The thought of playing United always gives me that sick feeling because I missed the club so much."
Full story: Daily Express

Midfielder Park Ji-Sung has warned Chelsea that Manchester United will not capitulate as the Premier League title race heats up.
Full story: The Sun

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor thanked his Manchester City "family" for providing support following the deadly gun attacks on Togo's football team in Angola in January.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fiorentina and ex-Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu, who tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine last week, has been labelled a "child" by the Italian club's sporting director Pantaleo Corvino.
Full story: The Sun

Striker Wayne Rooney is confident that Manchester United can set a new Premier League record and win four successive titles.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea missed Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, on Africa Cup of Nations duty, throughout January but still won all five games. The strikers are set to feature for the Blues in Tuesday's game at Hull and Frank Lampard said: 'When they were away people spoke about us struggling. We've done well and now we will be even stronger."
Full story: Daily Mail

Portuguese winger Nani says he is back to his best after a stunning performance in Manchester United's 3-1 win at Arsenal. The £17.3m signing in 2007 said: "The manager has shown confidence in me, I have been given more time on the pitch and that has given me belief in myself."
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been busy reflecting on the defeat at the hands of Manchester United. The Spaniard said: "I felt very well but when you find yourself 2-0 or 3-0 down, it's difficult. Even Lionel Messi would struggle to do anything."
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY
It wasn't the most dramatic of transfer deadline days, with less than £20m being splashed out in the final 24 hours of the window.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

[yinyang]

Head on with Glazers in vain?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8544593.stm

Financiers 'hold Manchester United takeover talks'

By John Sinnott

A group of financiers - dubbed the "Red Knights" - have met for the first time to discuss taking over Manchester United, BBC Sport understands.

United are owned by the Glazer family, but the club's high level of debt - now at £716.5m - has prompted much unease.

Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill, who was acting in a personal capacity, lawyer Mark Rawlinson and financier Keith Harris were at the meeting.

A spokesman for the Glazers told BBC Sport: "United is not for sale."

However, United's owners are now facing a two-pronged attack over their control of the club with the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) running a vocal campaign to bring about a change of ownership.

MUST has recruited 53,520 members and recently started working with Blue State Digital, a communications agency that worked on Barack Obama's successful US Presidential election campaign.

Their "Green and Gold" campaign has seen supporters don the colours of Newton Heath - the club was renamed Manchester United in 1902 - with plenty of green and gold scarves in evidence at Sunday's Carling Cup final.

The City financiers insist that their initiative is about changing the owners and that they have complete confidence in chief executive David Gill and manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The "Red Knights" group also accepts that any takeover would have to be agreed by the Glazers, but that the club's American owners cannot prevent them from putting forward a proposal.

Man Utd fans have staged 'green and gold' protests against the Glazers
The financiers are also understood to want supporters to play a key role in their campaign.

According to the latest accounts that were released in January, debts at United's parent company Red Football Joint Venture have increased to £716.5m.

Red Football Joint Venture is owned by the Glazer family and secures its debts against the football club, but the accounts also confirmed that six of Malcolm Glazer's children were each given loans worth £1.67m from the parent company.

All are directors of Red Football, and such a practice is legal, but Harris, who is the head of merchant bank Seymour Pierce, has said it did "not create a good impression of the directors' governance of the company".

On Sunday, United beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the Carling Cup final to give Ferguson his 34th trophy with the club.

The "Red Knights" are due to release a statement on Tuesday.

 

[Wayne Piew]

On no, Beckham to miss World Cup with injury!!
No "Hollywood" fairy-tale ending to his England's career.



David Beckham's dream of playing in a fourth World Cup looks over after he tore an Achilles tendon in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo on Sunday.

Beckham was unchallenged when he suffered the injury and hobbled off in pain before being stretchered away.

The 34-year-old was hoping to be part of England's World Cup squad in June, but instead will fly to Finland on Monday for specialist surgery.

"A rupture of the Achilles tendon is suspected," said an AC Milan statement.

Beckham, who is in his second loan stint with Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, will now almost certainly not be fit for the World Cup in South Africa which starts on 11 June.

Consultant sports physician Dr Tom Crisp told BBC Radio 5 live: "It's remotely possible he may be running in three months. The chances of him being fit to play for England are non-existent."

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said that the Englishman will be out for "probably five or six months".

"I saw him and he was suffering. In the dressing room, I took him in my arms and told him that if he wanted, he will be with us next year," said Galliani.

AC Milan coach Leonardo said: "Beckham's injury makes us feel terrible. He understood immediately that he had torn his Achilles tendon.

"He is an extraordinary guy and today's game proves it yet again. I cannot enjoy this evening considering this serious injury."

AC Milan team-mate Ignazio Abate said the England star was inconsolable.

"He's not doing well. He was in tears in the dressing room, he wasn't saying a lot. This has affected us all," said Abate.

Former Manchester United star Beckham, England's most capped outfield player with 115 appearances, was bidding to become the first England player to feature in four successive World Cup finals. He shares the record of three with Bobby Moore and Peter Shilton.

England coach Fabio Capello spoke with Beckham on Sunday evening to offer his commiserations, according to the Press Association.

And with Tottenham's Aaron Lennon still suffering from a groin problem, Capello may now turn to both Theo Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips to cover the right side of midfield, with James Milner, Joe Cole, Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson also in the reckoning.

Former England defender Martin Keown told BBC Radio 5 live: "Capello's not stupid, he knew there was a role for Beckham within the squad and this is a massive blow.

"He's going to be out for six months, he needs to now look at rescuing his career and what's left of it.

"He'll be extremely upset, without doubt. I think tonight is a very sad day for the Beckham family."

Beckham's loan spells at AC Milan were a deliberate attempt to convince Capello of his worth in an England squad, but he was an unused substitute in the recent friendly win over Egypt and was quoted in several Sunday papers as saying he feared for his place.

"Am I banking on going to the World Cup? No, not at all," he is reported to have said.

"I am not guaranteed to go to South Africa. I have to work hard and hopefully win my place.

"There are a good few months left and plenty of games to play, but hopefully I can carry on playing well and get in the squad."

Sunday's injury is the latest in a string of heartbreaking World Cup moments for Beckham.

His sending off against Argentina in the quarter-finals was widely blamed for costing England their chance in France in 1998.

Four years later he was not fully fit after suffering a broken metatarsal in his foot in the build-up as England went out to 10-man Brazil in the quarter-finals in Japan and South Korea.

In 2006, Beckham went off injured just after half-time in the quarter-final against Portugal which England went on to lose on penalties.

Beckham tearfully announced he was resigning the captaincy afterwards.

 

[Ramseth]

He won't be missed if England conjures up another wingless wonder trick again.

 

[yinyang]

Mon gossip

Of Benitez bill, Kuszczak to be sold off and Schmeichel's prodigy?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8567390.stm

Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Aston Villa are considering a move for Manchester United's reserve Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP
Rafael Benitez would earn an instant £16m payment if Liverpool sacked the under-pressure manager in the summer due to a clause in the Spaniard's five-year contract.
Full story: Daily Mail

But should the Anfield club accept an investment offer of £100m from private equity firm Rhone Group, the Reds could afford to hang on to their coveted stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
Full story: Daily Mail

Kasper Schmeichel, the son of Manchester United legend Peter, is good enough to play in the Premier League again, according to the keeper's Notts County boss Steve Cotterill.
Full story: Daily Mail

Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou has cast doubt on the seriousness of the latest group expressing an interest in buying the crisis hit-club. Property tycoon Rob Lloyd met supporters' groups to outline details of a £3m offer on Sunday but Andronikou said: "I've never heard of this man."
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[jw5]

Beckham's injury is not a rumour. It has been reported in soccernet.
England should take Adam Johnson to South Africa, he has been magnificent since joining Man City.

 

[Alamaking]

Peacock dun come back to man u please!!

 

[Ramseth]

Peacock dun come back to man u please!!

That cocky how to return to MU? Sir Alex tells Real Madrid, goods sold non-returnable, no refund.

 

[yinyang]

Thurs gossip

Chelskis out with check book for Torres? Keane's shortlived stint at Celtic, to Aston Villa? Another re-financing bout for Glazers?:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8573722.stm

Thursday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP
Breaking gossip will appear here throughout the day

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has sanctioned a £50m bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has been assured that he will keep his job, despite a clear-out of the playing staff that will result in midfielders Joe Cole and Deco heading through the Stamford Bridge exit.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Celtic's hopes of hanging on to on-loan striker Robbie Keane may be over, with Aston Villa targeting a £9m summer move for the Tottenham player.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Alternatively, Villa could make a move for Wigan's £15m-rated forward Hugo Rodallega.
Full story: Daily Mail

Juventus president Jean Claude Blanc has quashed Arsenal's hopes of reviving a bid for midfield anchorman Felipe Melo. (The Sun)

Celtic may be interested in signing QPR's Argentine midfielder Alejandro Faurlin in the summer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko wants to help Spurs secure a Champions League place but admits he may not be at the club next season.
Full story: Daily Mail

Palermo centre-back Simon Kjaer has invited Liverpool and Manchester United to make a big-money approach to back up their reported interest.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP
Liverpool winger Albert Riera has hit out at manager Rafael Benitez and said: "His dialogue with the players is practically zero." Riera also branded the Reds a "sinking ship".
Full story: Marca (in Spanish)

In the wake of their Champions League defeat by Inter Milan, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich challenged his players to prove they are worth their pay packets and threatened manager Carlo Ancelotti with the sack unless he wins the Premier League title.
Full story: Daily Mail

The Glazer family are weighing up another round of refinancing to stave off the challenge to their ownership of Manchester United posed by a group of businessmen dubbed the Red Knights.
Full story: The Times

Liverpool's American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have been given three weeks to decide whether to accept an investment offer of £100m from the New York-based Rhone Group.
Full story: The Independent

Prospective Portsmouth owner Rob Lloyd remains optimistic he can clinch a deal for the troubled club, despite administrator Andrew Andronikou's doubts over the group he fronts.
Full story: The Telegraph

Celtic could play Scotland in a testimonial match at Parkhead on 16 May for injured Hoops defender John Kennedy. (Daily Record)

West Ham risk upsetting some of their big-name players after withholding image rights payments as part of a tax investigation.
Full story: The Guardian

Aaron Lennon could give Tottenham and England a welcome boost by returning from his groin injury for the game against Chelsea on 17 April.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY
Fulham forward Bobby Zamora believes that age is catching up with Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro and that he might find some success against the 36-year-old in their Europa League second-leg match on Thursday evening.
Full story: The Independent

Reading defender Matt Mills has apologised to Reading fans after making an abusive gesture at them in reaction to barracking during the Royals' 1-0 win over QPR on Tuesday.
Full story: The Sun

 

[yinyang]

Fabregas to Inter Milan on the cards?

Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

BREAKING GOSSIP
0830 GMT: Juventus director Roberto Bettega insists goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is not for sale and is confident the Italy international will still be be playing for the Serie A giants next season. (PA)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Inter Milan are set to launch a bid for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
">Full story: imscouting.com

Ajrjen Robben has called for Chelsea and Real Madrid target Franck Ribery to stay at Bayern Munich.
">Full story: imscouting.com

Chelsea are closing in on Real Madrid's £10m-rated Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.
Full story: The Sun

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists he has no interest in signing Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, who is likely to be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Full story: The Guardian

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has rejected a a bid by Spartak Moscow to sign winger Albert Riera on loan.
Full story: Daily Mail

Fulham are favourites to snap up Wigan defender Paul Scharner when he quits at the end of his contract in the summer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is lining up a £1m bid for Notts County goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been put up for sale by the Serie A giants, who hope to lure Manchester City and Bayern Munich into an auction to raise £30m for the Italy international.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP
England and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has lost his position as the best paid footballer in the world to Lionel Messi, with the Barcelona forward's annual pay rising to £29.6m.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal captain William Gallas is ready to sign a new contract following showdown talks between the club and his agent Pierre Frelot.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Gunners midfielder Andrey Arshavin has claimed the north Londoners will not win the title because they do not have enough "real stars".
Full story: Various

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed striker Robin van Persie is looking "very sharp" and could be back playing before the end of the season.
Full story: The Independent

West Ham are set to launch their bid to rent the Olympic Stadium after the Games in 2012.
Full story: The Independent

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident he will still be in he job next season, even if he wins nothing this term.
Full story: Various

Everton manager David Moyes believes Manchester City's megabucks stars have no genuine feeling for their club.
Full story: Daily Star

Peterborough boss Jim Gannon is poised to sign a new four-year contract. (Daily Star)

England coach Fabio Capello has been given a boost after Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Blues defender Ashley Cole will be able to resume running in training in a fortnight as he steps up his rehabilitation from a fractured ankle.
Full story: The Guardian

Outgoing Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney has accused the Football Association of failing to face up to its structural problems in the wake of the shock departure of its chief executive, Ian Watmore.
Full story: The Guardian

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has spoken out against Wembley Stadium being used for sports other than football following the disunity at the FA that led to Watmore's resignation.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United defender Gary Neville will be handed a one-year contract extension by the club this summer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has criticised Jamie O'Hara for saying he hopes Spurs lose their FA Cup quarter-final replay against Fulham to give the on-loan Portsmouth midfielder the chance of playing in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[yinyang]

Milan's got sights on Steve Gerard? And scroll down to West Ham's embarrasing sponsor

Thursday's gossip column

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8598058.stm

BREAKING GOSSIP
1300 BST: Inter Milan have set their sights on Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and will launch a summer bid to sign him.
Full story: imscouting.com

1045 BST: Albert Riera says he wants to stay at Liverpool after the winger's proposed move to Spartak Moscow stalled over personal terms.
Full story: Spanish newspaper Marca (in Spanish)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Arsenal are favourites to sign Italian under-21 international Mario Balotelli from Internazionale, after the 19-year-old's agent ruled out a move for the £15m-valued striker to Inter's local rivals AC Milan.
Full story: Caughtoffside.com

The Gunners are also chasing Real Zaragoza midfielder Ander Herrera and are mulling over the Spanish side's £7m vaulation of the 20-year-old.
Full story: The Sun

Chelsea want to sign Everton pair Steven Pienaar and Jack Rodwell, and will undertake a summer clear-out to raise funds for the transfers.
Full story: Caughtoffside.com

Wigan will let in-form winger Charles N'Zogbia leave the club in the summer if one of the Premier League's big guns comes calling, according to Latics manager Roberto Martinez.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United will turn down Bolton and Birmingham's requests to sign winger Tom Cleverley on loan. (Daily Star)

Albert Riera wants to stay at "great" Liverpool after his move to Spartak Moscow broke down.
Full story: imscouting.com

Everton winger Dan Gosling will ignore interest from Manchester United and Arsenal and sign a new long-term deal at the club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Ipswich have agreed a £100,000 fee with Brentford for Dutch central defender Pim Balkestein.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP
Wayne Rooney will be fit for the World Cup after suffering a suspected 'grade one' ligament tear in Manchester United's Champions League first leg defeat by Bayern Munich. The striker is expected to be out for between three and four weeks.
Full story: Daily Mail

Didier Drogba is a major doubt for Chelsea's top-of-the-table Premier League showdown against United on Saturday after sitting out the last two days of the Blues' training with a knock.
Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool boss manager Rafa Benitez has not ruled out Alberto Aquilani missing the rest of the season as he waits to learn the full extent of the Italian's ankle injury.
Full story: Daily Mail

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson is on the shortlist to succeed Tony Mowbray as the new boss of Celtic.
Full story: Daily Mail

The Football League's bottom side, Darlington, are poised to name former Barnsley boss Simon Davey as their new manager.
Full story: Daily Mail

Nenad Milijas will quit Wolves at the end of the season - if he cannot convince Mick McCarthy he has a long-term future at Molineux.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY
Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda has told Manchester United how to stop Blues striker Didier Drogba - make him laugh. "That's the best way to defend against him," said Malouda, ahead of the sides' crucial Premier League match on Saturday.
Full story: The Sun

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has backed plans for referees to use a motorised two-wheeled personal transporter to help them keep up with speedy players.
Full story: The Sun

West Ham will brave ridicule next season by wearing pink on their home shirts as part of a new sponsorship deal with adult retailers Ann Summers.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[yinyang]

Stronger rumours yet for Juventus going for Benitez? And Benzema summer exit RM for MU? And AM for Vidic?

Friday's gossip column

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8600307.stm

BREAKING GOSSIP
1025 BST: Lille playmaker Eden Hazard wants to go to Real Madrid or Arsenal should he leave the Stade Metropole. Liverpool are believed to be interested in the 19-year-old who impressed in their Europa League tie.
Full story: Daily Mail

0941 BST: West Brom will look to recruit another goalkeeper as competition to Scott Carson as Dean Kiely takes up the role of goalkeeping coach at The Hawthorns.
Full story: wba.co.uk

0833 BST: Juventus have resumed their pursuit of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez after Bordeaux's Laurent Blanc and Fiorentina's Cesare Prandelli turned down the chance to take charge of the Italian club.
Full story: imscouting.com

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Inter Milan's ambitious attempts to sign midfielder Steven Gerrard could see forward Mario Balotelli go in the other direction to Liverpool.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wolfsburg's £25m-rated striker Edin Dzeko, a target of Chelsea and Manchester City, says he is open to a move to England despite AC Milan being his preferred option.
Full story: Daily Mail

AC Milan are lining up a £20m bid for Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic after making the defender their top priority in this summer's transfer market.
Full story: Daily Star

Manchester United could move for unsettled Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson attempted to buy the £30m-rated Frenchman from Lyon last summer.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Blackburn have agreed a £2m fee with Aruna Dindane's parent club Lens and may loan the striker back to Portsmouth where he has spent this season on loan. (Daily Mail)

West Bromwich Albion are ready to rival Wigan for Hamilton's £2m-rated midfielder James McArthur.
Full story: Daily Mail

Notts County have told Birmingham and Blackburn they can have keeper Kasper Schmeichel in the summer - but the cash-strapped League Two side have put a £2m price tag on him.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will use this weekend's meeting with Tottenham to sound out the possibility of making Spurs full-back Alan Hutton's loan spell at the Stadium of Light permanent. (Daily Mirror)

Kris Boyd will leave Rangers in the summer for Birmingham City after the Scotland striker was offered a contract worth £1m per year. (The Herald)

Rangers striker Kris Boyd has laughed off suggestions that he has agreed to join Birmingham City when his contract ends in the summer. (Various)

Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan will attempt to sign Stephen McManus when the Celtic defender's loan deal ends in the summer. (Various)

West Brom are poised to battle it out with Wigan to sign Hamilton midfielder James McArthur in the summer and are lining up a £1.5m bid. (Daily Record)

Hamilton chairman Ronnie MacDonald expects the club to cash in on midfielder James McArthur and goalkeeper Tomas Cerny in the summer. (The Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas may have already fractured his right leg before taking to the pitch against Barcelona on Wednesday. The injury is on exactly the same spot the Gunners captain hurt when tackled by Birmingham's Craig Gardner last weekend.
Full story: The Sun

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has reprimanded his midfielder Martin Olsson for cheating to win a crucial penalty in the 1-0 win against local rivals Burnley last weekend.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola may be replaced by assistant Steve Clarke at the end of the season. Former England boss Steve McClaren is also in the running for the post should the Hammers preserve their top-flight status.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Tottenham defender Ledley King is set to be offered a two-year extension to his current White Hart Lane deal. (Daily Express)

Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James has been ordered to cut back his workload to avoid aggravating a niggling calf injury during the closing stages of the season. (Daily Express)

Derby captain Robbie Savage says that Celtic should appoint former Blackburn and Manchester City boss Mark Hughes as their manager ahead of caretaker Neil Lennon.
Full story: Daily Record

Steven Pressley, manager of relegation-threatened Falkirk, has compared debt-ridden Scottish Premier League clubs to drugs cheats. (Various)

Mark McGhee expects to be sacked by Aberdeen if his side are still struggling in the first few months of next season. (Various)

AND FINALLY
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti's attempt at an April Fool gag was scuppered by midfielder Michael Ballack. The Italian told his squad their training hours would double ahead of their match with Manchester United, but Ballack immediately called his bluff.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham striker Mido has been given the nickname "Kung Fu Panda" by his team-mates in reference to his weight and running style.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Australians were taken in by an April Fools spoof radio interview with a David Beckham impersonator that claimed the LA Galaxy midfielder would coach their national team in this summer's World Cup. The sports minister even rang the Australian Football Association to congratulate it on the coup.
Full story: Daily Star

 

[yinyang]

From tues grapevines... Gunners with gbp60mil kitty war chest and MU for Benzema and Silva?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8616817.stm

Tuesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP
1051 BST: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be given a £45m transfer kitty to spend during the summer, which could allow him to recruit long-time targets midfielder Felipe Melo from Juventus and Inter striker Mario Balotelli.
Full story: goal.com

0953 BST: Feyenoord midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has denied making comments suggesting he was keen to follow in the footsteps of countryman Dirk Kuyt and join Liverpool. "I've never talked to anyone about Liverpool," he told Dutch publication Elf Voetbal.
Full story: imscouting.com

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will try to persuade Old Trafford chiefs to allow him to splash out £60m this summer to sign striker Karim Benzema and winger David Silva from Real Madrid and Valencia respectively.
Full story: The Sun

Chelsea are also planning a raid on Valencia, with £50m-rated forward David Villa the target.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

However, both Manchester United are Chelsea are set to fail in their attempts to sign Ajax's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who wants to remain with the Dutch side.
Full story: imscouting.com

Manchester United could also miss out on Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is also wanted by Bayern Munich.
Full story: imscouting.com

Liverpool are ready to make a renewed effort to snap up promising Dutch winger Eljero Elia for £9m from Hamburg this summer.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna's agent Christophe Mongal claims he has held informal talks with Inter Milan over a possible move to Serie A for the Frenchman.
Full story: Footylatest.com

The Gunners may also seek to strengthen their defence this summer by making a move for Uruguay defender Martin Caceres, who is on loan at Juventus this season from Barcelona.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester City have put 26-year-old Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo on their list of summer targets after he caught the eye in Benfica's Europa League quarter-final clash with Liverpool.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Cardozo could replace fellow Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz at Eastlands, with Tottenham considering a move for the out-of-favour 28-year-old.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Everton will try to sign Inter Milan's former Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari this summer.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

OTHER GOSSIP
The Football Association is considering spending £90,000 to relay the Wembley pitch for the 11th time in three years in time for the FA Cup final on 15 May and England's friendly match against Mexico just over a week later.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's ankle injury will be reassessed on Tuesday to determine his chances of playing in Saturday's derby game at Manchester City. Rio Ferdinand is also a doubt for the match at Eastlands after suffering a groin injury in the 0-0 draw at Blackburn on Sunday.
Full story: Daily Mail

Striker Carlos Tevez has been prevented from speaking out by Manchester City ahead of Saturday's derby match with rivals Manchester United. The Argentine sparked a war of words with his former club when the two teams met in the Carling Cup semi-final and he branded Red Devils defender Gary Neville a "boot licker" and a "moron".
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United are ready to sell striker Dimitar Berbatov at the end of the season. The Bulgarian has struggled to make an impact since his £30.75m switch from Spurs in September 2008 and it appears as though manager Sir Alex Ferguson has lost faith in him.
Full story: The Sun

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant has received an offer from an unnamed Premier League club to be their manager next season. The Israeli guided Pompey to the FA Cup final on Sunday via a 2-0 win over Tottenham, but the south coast club are already consigned to Championship football next season.
Full story: The Sun

Hull fear winger Stephen Hunt may not play again this season and have sent the Irishman for an exploratory operation to get to the bottom of the foot problem that has kept him sidelined since February.
Full story: The Sun

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres could miss out on a return to his old club Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final on 22 April after being booked in for further treatment on his knee injury with a specialist in Barcelona.
Full story: Daily Mail

Victory in next month's FA Cup final against Chelsea would net Portsmouth about £3.2m, the club's administrator Andrew Andronikou estimates.
Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham's hopes of an Aaron Lennon comeback in Wednesday's north London derby have been dashed. The England winger trained last week but was forced to undergo another scan on the groin problem that has kept him out since December, ruling him out of the game against Arsenal.
Full story: Daily Mail

However, injury-prone centre-back Ledley King is confident he has shaken off the thigh problem that has kept him out since February and may start for Spurs.
Full story: The Guardian

Celtic's majority shareholder Dermot Desmond has told interim manager Neil Lennon he still has a chance of being awarded the job on a permanent basis, despite Saturday's embarrassing Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by minnows Ross County.
Full story: Daily Mail

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has insisted that the club are not "oppressive" when it comes to contract negotiations but they refuse to be held to ransom by players. The club are undertaking talks with a number of players over improved terms following what has been a successful first season back in the Premier League for the club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Bolton manager Owen Coyle thinks 18-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere, who is on loan at the Reebok from Arsenal, should be selected by England boss Fabio Capello for the World Cup this summer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Leeds are a reported takeover target for Australian billionaire Frank Lowy, who is chairman of the sport's governing body in the country, Football Federation Australia.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY
Brazilian legend Pele, often considered the best player in football history, has offered a retort to those hailing Barcelona forward Lionel Messi as the greatest star to have played the game. The three-time World Cup winner says people should only start drawing comparisons when Messi has equalled his goal tally of over 1,000 career goals. The Argentine took his senior career tally to 133 goals, which includes 42 this season for club and country, with a goal against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[yinyang]

Thursday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8621301.stm

BREAKING GOSSIP
Barcelona deny they have promised Arsenal that they won't try to sign Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas this summer.
Full story: Daily Mail

AC Milan are looking to sell Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato this summer, with Chelsea and Real Madrid expected to fight it out for his signature.
Full story: Corriere dello Sport (In Italian)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery has told a German television channel he hopes to decide where his future lies "in the next 10 days". The Frenchman claims Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea are all interested in signing him.
Full story: The Guardian

Bayern Munich are determined to keep hold of Franck Ribery and will snub any £40m bids for Franck Ribery from Chelsea and Real Madrid even if it means the France international leaves on a free transfer in 2011.
Full story: Daily Star

Manchester City are closing in on a £11m deal to sign Hamburg's 6ft 3in Germany international defender Jerome Boateng, the younger brother of Portsmouth's Kevin Prince.
Full story: The Guardian

Real Madrid hope to fend off competition from Manchester United by signing 24-year-old Spanish striker David Silva from Valencia in a £22m pre-World Cup deal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack could be heading for a reunion with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan after admitting there have been no talks over renewing his Stamford Bridge contract, which ends this summer.
Full story: Daily Mail

Mourinho is increasingly confident that he can tempt Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard to quit Anfield for a move to Inter.
Full story: Daily Mail

Palermo are hopeful of agreeing a summer loan deal for Manchester United striker Federico Macheda.
Full story: Daily Star

Olympiakos want to sign Liverpool's Fabio Aurelio, and the Brazilian defender could join Hungarian Krisztian Nemeth in Greece, with AEK Athens keen to extend the Anfield striker's loan spell at the club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stepped up his bid to sign Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris as his long-term replacement for Edwin van der Sar.
Full story: Daily Mail

Barcelona have denied claims by Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood that they have promised not to make a summer bid for Cesc Fabregas.
Full story: Portuguese newspaper Abola, translated by IMScouting

Sunderland midfielder Steed Malbranque, wanted by Bordeaux and Marseille, has ruled out a return to France, with the former Lyon man intent on staying on Wearside.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Nottingham Forest hope to lure midfielder Darren Pratley from Championship rivals Swansea with a £2m summer swoop.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Benfica are willing to sell highly-rated central defender David Luiz - a reported target for Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City - this summer and are hoping to secure a 30m euro fee.
Full story: IMScouting

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has recovered from the ankle injury that has sidelined him for two games and will return for Saturday's derby game at Manchester City.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is on a shortlist to succeed Marcello Lippi as Italy manager after this summer's World Cup.
Full story: Daily Mail

World Cup organisers have called on Fifa to overhaul the way tickets will be sold for the 2014 tournament in Brazil as they begin a race against time to sell half a million tickets for this year's event in South Africa.
Full story: The Guardian

In-form Stoke winger Matthew Etherington will open talks with the Potters next week over a new £30,000-a-week deal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

The Premier League will deny FA Cup finalists Portsmouth their dream of playing in the Europa League next season, unless the south-coast club can come out of administration and pay off all their debts by the end of the season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Southampton manager Alan Pardew has emerged as a shock contender to be the new Celtic boss.
Full story: Daily Record

Juventus's hopes of tempting Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez to become their new manager rest on them overhauling Palermo and finishing fourth in Serie A this season.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Benitez's agent, Manuel Garcia Quillon, claims a Chinese investor wants to buy Liverpool on condition that the Spaniard remains as Reds boss.
Full story: Spanish newspaper AS, translated by IMScouting

Manchester City winger Adam Johnson has played his way into England boss Fabio Capello's World Cup plans and will be named in the Italian's provisional 30-man squad next month.
Full story: Daily Mirror

The Red Knights consortium that is considering a bid to take over Manchester United are expected to finalise their proposal to make an offer for the club by the end of this week, with an approach expected at the end of the season.
Full story: The Guardian

Fernando Torres is on course to return from the knee injury which kept him out of the goalless draw with Fulham. The Spaniard "will do whatever it takes to be ready" to face his old club Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final next week, according to an unnamed team-mate.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Relegation-threatened Crystal Palace are just three weeks away from 'meltdown' - manager Paul Hart is poised to quit the financially stricken Championship club to join Tottenham's coaching staff, first-team coach John Pemberton is off to Sheffield United, while the Croydon side's ground, Selhurst Park, is at risk from developers.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY
Former England star John Barnes will reprise his legendary rap from New Order's 1990 World Cup song 'World in Motion' for a TV advert.
Full story: The Guardian

Real Madrid claim they have already recovered the £80m it cost them to buy Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United through sales of replica shirts bearing the Portuguese star's name.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

[yinyang]

Sunday's rumour mill

RM 90mil bid for Roon? Berbi for Bayern Munich? Bellamy bust up yet again?:p

Sunday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8627825.stm

BREAKING GOSSIP
Arsenal's 20-year-old midfielder Fran Merida will join Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.
Full story: Imscouting.com

Manchester City winger Martin Petrov has told media in his native Bulgaria that he will miss the remainder of the season with the knee injury he suffered during the 1-1 draw at Stoke in February.
Full story: Reuters

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United want striker Wayne Rooney to sign a new £150,000-a-week contract before he leaves for the World Cup, amid reports of a staggering £90m bid for him from Real Madrid.
Full story: News of the World

Real's former United winger Cristiano Ronaldo admits he cannot see Rooney ever joining him at the Bernabeu because the 24-year-old "is very happy in Manchester".
Full story: News of the World

But one player who could be on his way out of Old Trafford is Rooney's striker partner Dimitar Berbatov, with Bayern Munich ready to offer the former Bayer Leverkusen forward a return to Germany.
Full story: News of the World

Real could turn their attention to Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez if the Argentine can not agree a new deal at Eastlands.
Full story: News of the World

Liverpool are interested in signing Feyenoord's teenage winger Georginio Wijnaldum in the summer.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

The Reds may, however, lose forward Dirk Kuyt with Juventus hoping to exploit the financial problems at Anfield.
Full story: News of the World

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed he plans to use the £30m available to him this summer, and also intends to hold talks with centre-back Sol Campbell over extending his Arsenal career. (The Observer)

Wenger is lining up an £8m bid to sign Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, who is currently on loan at Birmingham City, with West Ham keeper Robert Green also on his list.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega has welcomed speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal and says he will be ready if the Gunners come in for him this summer.
Full story: News of the World

But Arsenal striker Eduardo is an £8m summer target for French side Lyon.
Full story: News of the World

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has inquired about Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar as he seeks to add an attacking midfielder to the Spurs squad.
Full story: Sunday Times

Aston Villa striker John Carew looks set to join Fulham this summer after spending £2.6m on a three-bedroom flat in the luxury Battersea Reach apartment block in south-west London, within two miles of Craven Cottage.
Full story: News of the World

Celtic's Scott Brown admits he's desperate for Stephen McManus to return from his loan spell at Middlesbrough and relieve him of his duties as captain. (Sunday Mail)

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov has told manager Jim Jefferies that he will get hard cash to buy players this summer if the price is right. (Sunday Mail)

Falkirk's Scott Arfield and Kilmarnock's Craig Bryson are on Jefferies' hit-list as he targets a core of Scottish players to rebuild Hearts next season. (Mail on Sunday)

Hamilton's James McArthur looks set to be playing his football in England next season after his agent Willie McKay revealed he is being targeted by a number of Premier League clubs. (Mail on Sunday)

Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan is tracking the progress of Dundee United's Morgaro Gomis and Craig Conway with a view to a summer raid. (News of the World)

OTHER GOSSIP
Liverpool medical staff fear striker Fernando Torres needs an operation on his troublesome knee injury which would keep him out for the rest of the season and possibly also the World Cup.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

The Anfield club's search for new owners could drag on through the summer, increasing the likelihood of manager Rafa Benitez leaving to join Juventus or Real Madrid.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has risked angering Reds fans - not for the first time - by boasting: "I'll make four times my money from selling the club."
Full story: News of the World

Hicks has revealed that Liverpool are on the market for £800m.
Full story: Sunday Telegraph

Juventus are increasingly hopeful that Benitez will leave Anfield to become their new coach, regardless of whether the Reds club qualify for the Champions League or are sold to new investors.
Full story: Sunday Times

Arsenal are to offer manager Arsene Wenger a new deal that would keep the Frenchman at the Emirates until 2014.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Gunners midfielder Alex Song says he is "100% sure" captain Cesc Fabregas will be at the club next season despite persistent rumours linking the Spaniard with a move to boyhood club Barcelona.
Full story: News of the World

Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to remain as Manchester United manager for at least one more season, disappointing Jose Mourinho who hopes to succeed the Scot at Old Trafford.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy was involved in a spectacular bust-up with the club's football administrator Brian Marwood on Friday after demanding an advance on his £90,000-a-week salary.
Full story: News of the World

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is expected to quit Villa Park this summer.
Full story: News of the World

Europa League semi-finalists Fulham face being excluded from the competition in the long term if they are unable to meet Uefa's new financial rules which would see any club banned if they make a consistent financial loss.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai says he would be confident of passing "any fit and proper persons test known to man".
Full story: The Observer

The Professional Footballers' Association says Premier League players should consider hiring private security guards to ensure the safety of themselves and their families.
Full story: Sunday Telegraph

AND FINALLY
England coach Fabio Capello's "perfect scenario" is to lead England to a World Cup final victory over France - after defeating Germany in the semi-finals.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Chelsea have already started making enquiries about an open-top bus parade despite the Premier League title being far from secure. (Mail on Sunday)