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

[yinyang]

Fabregas for Inter? Adebayor exit MC for Juventus?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/9222074.stm

Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has set aside £42m in a bid to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Espanyol midfielder Javi Marquez says he is flattered by the interest shown by Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan Athletic but wants to stay with the Catalan-based club.
Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool are heading the queue to sign Stoke's Ryan Shawcross, with Potters boss Tony Pulis eyeing Uruguay defender Mauricio Victorino as a replacement centre-back.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Manchester City are ready to offer £20m for Porto's Brazil striker Hulk, real name Givanildo Vieira de Souza, to ease the burden on Carlos Tevez.
Full story: Daily Mirror

French media have reported that Arsenal have begun negotiations to sign Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro, who has also attracted the interest of north London rivals Tottenham.
Full story: talkSPORT

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is weighing up a move for Tottenham midfielder David Bentley but faces competition from Everton.
Full story: Daily Mail

Everton are monitoring the availability of Porto's Cristian Rodriguez, nicknamed 'the onion' because he has reduced his opponents to tears. The Uruguay midfielder is valued at £7m.
Full story: talkSPORT

Manchester United are battling it out with Bayern Munich for the signature of Croatian midfielder Dino Spehar, 16, who plays for Osijek.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor claims he has secured a move to Italian giants Juventus ahead of the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Star

Midfielder Lewis McGugan's form for Nottingham Forest is attracting attention from Premier League clubs such as Fulham and West Brom.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP
West Ham boss Avram Grant is fighting to save his job following the departure of his number two Zeljko Petrovic.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Gordon Taylor, a vice-president of England's 2018 World Cup bid committee, says the three other bids competing to host the finals cannot compare with his country's package.
Full story: ESPN Soccernet

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale believes Spurs can beat anyone at White Hart Lane ahead of their home Champions League clash against Werder Bremen on Wednesday.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge believes he can break into Fabio Capello's England squad - but wants boss Carlo Ancelotti to play him in his favoured role up front, rather than on the wing.
Full story: talkSPORT

Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey, 19, has made his Arsenal comeback for the reserves against Wolves after a nine-month lay-off following February's nasty leg break. Manager Arsene Wenger may let him go out on loan for a short period to help improve his fitness.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY
Sacked West Ham assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic has labelled the Premier League "shocking", claiming that every team has "just three good players" and that the German Bundesliga is far better.
Full story: The Sun

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway admits he subbed Stephen Crainey by accident in the 2-1 win against Wolves on Saturday, having wanted to replace Luke Varney with David Carney. "We got it mixed up," he said. "Varney, Carney, Crainey is a tongue-twister."
Full story: The Sun

 

[yinyang]

Wed trivia

Becks (of golden balls fame) says no to Everton stint:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/9244963.stm

Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Liverpool are lining up a £10m January raid for Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill.
Full story: Daily Star

The Reds want Lille's French defender Adil Rami and could pay £12m for the 24-year-old's services.
Full story: The Sun

David Beckham has turned down the chance to join Everton on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy. The 35-year-old midfielder played with Toffees manager David Moyes at Preston in 1995.
Full story: talkSPORT

But LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, who spent time on loan at Everton last season, wants the club to take him back to Goodison Park in January.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fulham are weighing up a January bid for Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, 28, who is currently on loan at Wigan. He is valued at about £5m.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester City are keeping tabs on Benfica's Uruguayan wing-back Maxi Pereira, 26, who could cost about £6m.
Full story: talkSPORT

Bolton will vie with Italian giants Juventus in January for the signature of Schalke's out-of-favour 22-year-old Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Newcastle have moved to head off interest from Tottenham by offering contract rebel Steven Taylor, 24, improved £40,000-plus-a-week terms to stay.
Full story: Daily Star

Everton boss David Moyes is keeping tabs on FC Twente's Austrian striker Marc Janko, 27, though he may cost more than £5m.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham are facing a fight to keep hold of defender William Gallas, with Major League Soccer clubs queuing up to make him an offer to play in the United States.
Full story: Daily Express

Manchester United winger Park Ji-Sung has emerged as a shock target for Spanish club Sevilla.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City are monitoring 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Zezinho, who only joined Santos in January.
Full story: Daily Mail

City keeper Shay Given's dream of signing for Celtic may have suffered a blow, with Newcastle keeper Fraser Forster, 22, set to stay at Parkhead after his loan spell finishes in January.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool are preparing a bid for Colombia striker Teofilo Gutierrez and are willing to pay £6m for the 25-year-old, who plays for Trabzonspor.
Full story: footylatest.com

Blackpool's bid to keep midfielder David Vaughan is being hit by a contract snag - and their insistence he takes a relegation pay cut.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Serie A side Bari are stepping up their bid to sign Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand for a possible £3m.
Full story: talkSPORT

Fulham have their eyes on Freiburg frontman Demba Cisse and could stump up £5m for the Senegal international to help bolster their attack.
Full story: talkSPORT

Manchester United have joined the race to sign 17-year-old Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku from Anderlecht, though he will cost at least £16.7m.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Middlesbrough insist Jason Steele is not for sale after the England Under-21 goalkeeper was linked with a £4m move to Arsenal.
Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool and Newcastle are both considering a bid for Aston Villa's unhappy midfielder Stephen Ireland, who only joined from Manchester City in August.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Leicester are considering a £500,000 bid for Everton striker James Vaughan, who was on loan at the Walkers Stadium last season.
(Full story: Daily Star)

Arsenal are closely monitoring Hajduk Split striker Ante Vukuic, 19, currently the leading scorer in the Croatian championship.
Full story: footylatest.com

Spanish side Real Zaragoza have tabled a bid for Arsenal's 21-year-old Mexican striker Carlos Vela.
Full story: imscouting.com

OTHER GOSSIP
England's hopes of hosting the 2018 World Cup have rapidly improved after a day of lobbying in Zurich from three lions Prince William, David Cameron and David Beckham.
Full story: Daily Mail

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola will turn down any move to Chelsea because he wants to work with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stunned the club's board by insisting he will not sign any new players in the January transfer window.
Full story: The Sun

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will ease the blow of Jamie Carragher's injury by returning to first-team action at Newcastle on 11 December.
Full story: Daily Mail

Former Sweden and Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback is the new favourite to get the Wales job.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Premier League clubs have reduced spending on agents by £3m in the last year, but the figure still tops £67m.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY
Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has been told by manager Gerard Houllier to lay off lifting weights. The 24-year-old was told by previous boss Martin O'Neill to bulk up but Houllier said: "Sometimes players do too much. He's not in the gym now. The fact is, I think he should stop, he's too stocky."
Full story: Daily Mirror

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce fears that "mollycoddled" Premier League stars are in danger of losing their hunger to succeed.
Full story: Daily Star

 

[yinyang]

Friday's trivia

Fire sale on at MCity?:p

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Chelsea and Manchester City target David Luiz admits he does not know if he'll still be a Benfica player after January. The 23-year-old defender, who could cost £25m, has also been linked with Spanish sides Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will offload six of former boss Mark Hughes's signings in the January transfer window. Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, Shay Given, Roque Santa Cruz, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Emmanuel Adebayor have all been told they can leave.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce fears striker Danny Wellbeck's good form could price him out of making his loan from Manchester United into a permanent move.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham could move for Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell in the January transfer window.
Full story: talkSPORT

Fulham boss Mark Hughes says Arsenal were still chasing goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer right up until he signed a new contract at Craven Cottage.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham midfielder Giovani dos Santos could reject interest from clubs in Mexico to join Italian side Genoa.
Full story: talkSPORT

Aston Villa are keen on West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne and want to team him with Tottenham's Robbie Keane in a new look attack.
Full story: Daily Mail

Blackburn have stepped up their interest in Espanyol's 24-year-old striker Dani Osvaldo.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 33, says he thinks he is getting better with age because of having not started top-level football until the age of 25.
Full story: the Sun

Frank Arnesen is quitting his post as director of football at Chelsea to pursue his dream of becoming Denmark's new national coach.
Full story: Daily Mail

Scotland U-21 coach Billy Stark is favourite to replace Mark McGhee as Aberdeen manager.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy reckons his side need nine more wins this season to guarantee their Premier League survivial.
Full story: the Sun

AND FINALLY
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway plans to beat a frozen training pitch by using the town's beach ahead of Saturday's home game against Manchester United...provided the tide is out.
Full story: The Daily Telegraph

 

[yinyang]

Hotting up in week before xmas..:p

Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko could be on his way to Manchester City. The Bosnia international wrote to a City executive earlier in the season to thank them for their efforts in trying to sign him and is still keen on a move to Eastlands.
Full story: the Guardian

City boss Roberto Mancini may choose to strengthen his front line with Ajax striker Luis Suarez as well.
Full story: IMScouting

Manchester United are considering an approach for Everton left-back Leighton Baines as a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra.
Full story: Metro

Bayern Munich have been warned off any approach for Baines who is a £10m target for the Bavarian club.
Full story: the Sun

Tottenham may attempt to lure former Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes back to north London. The 27-year-old, now at Atletico Madrid, is valued at a minimum of £8.5m.
Full story: IMScouting

Manchester United are set to renew their interest in £9m-rated Valencia winger Joaquin.
Full story: talkSPORT

Tottenham are in a three-way battle with Inter Milan and Valencia to sign £4m striker Luc Castaignos from Feyenoord.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Everton are lining up a £7m move for Birmingham centre-back Scott Dann.
Full story: Daily Star

Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge is being hunted by Galatasaray, Stoke and Bayern Munich. (The Sun)

Liverpool are weighing up a move for West Ham striker Carlton Cole and Tottenham winger David Bentley.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is set for a £2m exit after failing to agree a new contract at St James' Park. Everton, Aston Villa and Wolves are all interested in the 24-year-old.
Full story: Daily Express

Bolton are poised to make a bid of £5m for Celta Vigo midfielder Roberto Trashorras.
Full story: talkSPORT

Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte could be Alan Pardew's first signing as Newcastle manager. Saints striker Rickie Lambert could also form part of a £3m double swoop.
Full story: the Sun

Leicester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is ready to sign forward Bernard Parker from FC Twente.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Spain midfielder Joan Capdevilla shuns Liverpool to sign new deal at Villarreal.
Full story: talkSPORT

Real Madrid and Arsenal are considering a swap deal involving full-back Gael Clichy going to Spain in exchange for forward Karim Benzema.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Wigan have joined the race for Leeds midfielder Bradley Johnson. Bolton and Stoke are already tracking the 23-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mail

Burnley hope to tie up a £2m deal for 21-year-old Chelsea defender Jack Cork who has impressed on a season-long loan at Turf Moor.
Full story: the Sun

Hull and Middlesbrough will battle it out for Portsmouth anchorman Michael Brown who is annoyed at being asked to waive an automatic extension clause in his contract at Fratton Park.
Full story: the Sun

Millwall have turned down a £2m bid for striker Steve Morison from Nottingham Forest. (Daily Mirror)

Reading want to sign Leicester forward Matty Fryatt on loan in January. (the Sun)

Derby boss Nigel Clough is lining up a £1m bid for Burnley striker Martin Paterson. (the Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea's players believe that manager Carlo Ancelotti has already decided to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Full story: the Sun

Blackburn's Indian owners may alternatively give the job to caretaker boss Steve Kean on a permanent basis.
Full story: the Times (subscription required)

The Premier League is monitoring developments at Blackburn amid concerns that the involvement of sports rights and player agencies may breach the league's rules. (Daily Telegraph)

Former Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce could take up a lucrative managerial post in the Middle East after flying out to Dubai in the wake of his sacking at Ewood Park.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Or Allardyce could be tempted back to England with West Ham considering him as a replacement for under-pressure boss Avram Grant.
Full story: the Guardian

Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez will have showdown talks with manager Roberto Mancini on Friday.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Captain Tevez's transfer request was motivated by promises the playmaker feels the club reneged on when he agreed to stay in the wake of their failure to qualify for the Champions League. Agent Kia Joorabchian has pinned the blame for the dispute on chief executive Garry Cook.
Full story: the Sun

New Wales boss Gary Speed said the door is open for the country's retired stars. Midfielders Ryan Giggs and Simon Davies, as well as defender Danny Gabbidon are three players who have quit international football.
Full story: talkSPORT

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insists Harry Redknapp will not be considered for the England job until after the next World Cup in 2014. The Spurs manager's contract runs until 2013.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard defied doctor's orders to come on as a substitute in the Blues' 1-1 draw against Tottenham on Sunday.
Full story: the Sun

AND FINALLY
Manchester City fans wrote "Once a Blue, Always and Blue" in the dirt on the back of Carlos Tevez's Hummer as they attempt to convince him to stay at Eastlands. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal will open a large training complex in the United States in the hope of tapping the unexploited talent that director Stan Kroenke believes exists over the Atlantic.
Full story: Daily Express

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny believes that his mind games caused Manchester United's Wayne Rooney to blaze his penalty over the bar in the clubs' clash on Monday.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Celtic striker Anthony Stokes paid £600 for a taxi ride back to West Lothian from Celtic's Christmas party in London.
Full story: Daily Record

 

[yinyang]

Sun gossip

Snow break messing up fixtures, with more trivia to fuel rumours:p

Tevez u-turn to MU??! And Torres from scousers too?? Barca's also on to Torres and Fabregas? What will Wenger bloke say?:p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/9302355.stm

Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United have been approached with a sensational offer to buy their former striker Carlos Tevez back from rivals City.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Chelsea are also chasing Tevez and want Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko to form a new strikeforce at Stamford Bridge.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester City will again try to prise Fernando Torres from Liverpool in January as a replacement for Tevez.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester City have reportedly lined up a move for £10m-rated River Plate striker Rogelio Funes Mori, 19, as a possible replacement for the want-away Carlos Tevez.
Full story: IM Scouting

Tevez will remain at Manchester City until the summer following a compromise agreement between the unsettled player and manager Roberto Mancini.
Full story: Sunday Express

Manchester City have told Carlos Tevez that he will not be allowed to leave in the January transfer window and will sue him if he retires from football.
Full story: Sunday Times

Manchester United have set their sights on 21-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Marco Reus.
Full story: IM Scouting

Barcelona are planning an audacious £85m summer swoop for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is keen to sign Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, 21, on loan with a view to a £5m transfer, in a bid to save the club's season and his own job.
Full story: The People

Birmingham are willing to outbid Liverpool to sign 26-year-old Tottenham winger David Bentley.
Full story: The People

Tottenham will test Newcastle's resolve to hang on to Andy Carroll in January with a _£20m bid that will include Spurs strikers Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane as bait.

Full story: Sunday Mirror
Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia will leave for Sunderland in a £6m deal this summer.
Full story: News of the World

Everton boss David Moyes is seeking to boost his attacking options by dipping into the market when the January transfer window opens.
Full story: Goal.com

Everton may be in the hunt with Celtic for Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland, after revealing he wants to leave Aston Villa.
Full story: Birmingham Mail

Celtic are considering a move to sign Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand, who has been made available by manager Steve Bruce. (Sunday Mail)

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is poised to offload several big-money players in January, including striker Georgios Samaras and defender Glenn Loovens. (News of the World)

Celtic face competition from Burnley, Derby and Stuttgart for Bohemians' Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker, Paddy Madden. (Sunday Mail)

Gent forward Yassine El Ghanassy says Celtic are interested in signing him, but he would prefer to move to French football. (Sunday Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP
The Football Association is ready to bring the 2014 World Cup finals to England, if Brazil cannot host the tournament.
Full story: The People

The Qatar royal family is planning a £1.5bn takeover of Manchester United.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce reveals that while he is happy at Sunderland, he would love to manage England one day.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Bruce has compared his goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, to Gordon Banks, claiming his stunning save against Bolton was one of the best ever.
Full story: talkSPORT

The fate of Sam Allardyce as Blackburn manager was sealed when the new owners of the club threw a massive VIP party to watch the Manchester United clash on TV - and saw their prize possession _humiliated 7-1.
Full story: The People

Former Hibernian and Charleroi boss John Collins has emerged as a candidate to be Blackburn Rovers manager. (News of the World)

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has refused to rule out a return to Rangers but is in no rush to leave English football. (Sunday Mail)

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has admitted that he has not ruled out managing in the Premier League one day.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Norwich manager Paul Lambert has urged Scotland coach Craig Levein to call-up English-born striker Chris Martin, who has helped the Norfolk side to fifth in the Championship. (Sunday Mail)

Uncapped Coventry City defender James McPake has revealed that his form is being monitored by Scotland coach Craig Levein. (News of the World)

AND FINALLY
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney has revealed the inspiration he takes into his _matches - the music of Susan Boyle.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

... and on a similar theme, Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda has revealed that he plays the drums every day.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

 

[yinyang]

Enter 2011

As we enter 2011, Becks to Spurs? Robbie Keane to Birmingham (paycut for 1st team footy?). Big Sam for Burnley? Danirl Sturridge for Pool??

Have a good 2011, all

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/9326983.stm

Thursday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Tottenham head a list of six Premier League teams attempting to sign midfielder David Beckham on a two-month loan deal from Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Lassana Diarra will be at the centre of a bidding war in January as Manchester United and Tottenham both prepare bids for the Real Madrid midfielder.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Arsenal and Manchester United are on the trail of Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
Full story: talkSPORT

Arsenal striker Carlos Vela is being chased by a host of La Liga clubs, including Valencia, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.
Full story: talkSPORT

Meanwhile, the Gunners are set to sell 20-year-old Norwegian defender Havard Nordtveit to German side Borussia Moenchengladbach in an £800,000 deal.
Full story: Daily Mail

However, striker Nicklas Bendtner says he will not be leaving Arsenal in January after vowing to fight for his place. The Dane has previously voiced his frustration over his lack of first-team football.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who is set to join the Eastlands outfit, can fire his team to the Premier League title if he joins in a £35m deal.
Full story: Daily Mail

Espanyol defender Victor Ruiz has cooled speculation linking him with Manchester City.
Full story: talkSPORT

New Inter Milan boss Leonardo has earmarked a summer move for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres as he seeks to freshen up things at the San Siro.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Hatem Ben Arfa will make his loan move from Marseille to Newcastle permanent next week in a £5.1m deal. The midfielder has been out injured since October with a broken leg.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fulham boss Mark Hughes is lining up a £2m move for Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd.
Full story: the Sun

Tottenham's Robbie Keane is prepared to take a pay-cut in order to play regular first-team football, with Birmingham and Wolves leading the chase for the striker.
Full story: Daily Mail

Italian Serie A side Bari are poised to swoop for Wigan's Argentine striker Mauro Boselli, who has scored only once since arriving for £6m last summer.
Full story: the Sun

West Ham co-owner David Gold has revealed the club have targeted 15 different players for manager Avram Grant in the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Mirror

One of those 15 may be Everton striker Yakubu, who has expressed a desire to leave Merseyside to gain more first-team action.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester City have rejected an offer from West Ham to take left-back Wayne Bridge on loan for the rest of the season.
Full story: the Sun

Arsenal are considering a move for Real Madrid centre back Ezequiel Garay as manager Arsene Wenger scours Europe for a top-notch defender.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier is lining up promising Le Havre midfielder Gueida Fofana as one of his first January signings.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has been linked with a move to Spanish side Villarreal.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Everton striker James Vaughan is ready to sign for promotion-chasing Championship side Cardiff City in a £1m-plus deal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge is looking to force his way out of Stamford Bridge in the hopes of making a move to Liverpool, who have expressed an interest in signing the former Manchester City youngster.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Manchester City will allow Michael Johnson to move to Leeds on loan in a bid to rebuild his wrecked career. The midfielder has been sidelined for two years with a serious knee injury. Full story: talkSPORT

Newcastle are ready to offer striker Leon Best in exchange for Leeds winger Max Gradel in January.
Full story: Daily Mail

Bolton are leading the race to sign Sporting Lisbon's Montenegro striker Simon Vukcevic.
Full story: talkSPORT

OTHER GOSSIP
Sam Allardyce, who was recently sacked as manager of Blackburn, wants to be the next boss of Burnley after the Clarets axed Brian Laws on Wednesday. Full story: Daily Mirror

However, former Hull boss Phil Brown, who was Allardyce's assistant at Bolton, is also high on the shortlist to replace Laws at Turf Moor.
Full story: the Sun

Preston could offer former Burnley boss Brian Laws an immediate return to management as Darren Ferguson's successor after the latter was also sacked on Wednesday. Full story: the Sun

However, Paul Jewell is also in the running to take over at Preston after the dismissal of Ferguson.
Full story: Daily Mail

Teenage Manchester United striker Federico Macheda, 19, wants to head for his native Italy on loan. Macheda's agent Marcello Bonetto stated: "United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said Kiko can go for six months to gain experience."
Full story: the Sun

Under-fire Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier may be running out of time to turn things around at Villa Park, with club owner Randy Lerner growing increasingly concerned by his team's league position.
Full story: Daily Mail

Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov is urging the club's young players to "show they are men" in their relegation fight. Boss Houllier has fielded a number of young players over recent weeks but the club have slipped to the foot of the table following five defeats in six matches.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is ready to cancel his contract with Stoke as he is frustrated at the lack of first-team football he has played for the club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY
Former Liverpool striker Titi Camara has been appointed sports minister of Guinea. The 38-year-old, who also played for West Ham, had a four-month spell as his home country's national coach last year.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

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[yinyang]

Re: Mon rumour mill

Now, back to backroom grapevine

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/9500795.stm

Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Aston Villa's veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel, 40, is heading for Tottenham, despite interest from Liverpool. He believes he will see more first-team action at White Hart Lane.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Villa could replace Friedel with Rangers' Allan McGregor, 29, who has two years left on his deal at Ibrox. (the Guardian)

Tottenham have slapped a £50m price tag on left-sided player Gareth Bale, who is believed to be a target for Juventus and Inter Milan. However, they will let midfielder Luka Modric go for about £25m - despite denying the Croatian is on his way to Chelsea or Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Spurs will replace Modric with 22-year-old Dinamo Zagreb playmaker Milan Badelj.
Full story: Daily Mail

Barcelona's opening offer for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is likely to be at the £30m mark. Arsenal want £50m and may stand a better chance of getting it from Manchester City.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United will lose out to Real Madrid in the race to sign Benfica's left-sided star Fabio Coentrao.
Full story: the Sun

Sevilla are set to offer Arsenal £8m for unsettled Brazilian midfielder Denilson.
Full story: Daily Mail

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wants to keep forward Didier Drogba at the club but Nicolas Anelka may be offloaded.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Russian side Zenit St Petersburg have had a bid to swap their defender Bruno Alves for Chelsea's Alex rejected, despite also being prepared to include cash in the deal.
Full story: Daily Mail

Sweden midfielder Sebastian Larsson has been weighed up by four Premier League clubs after being released by Birmingham, with Sunderland believed to be one of the interested parties.
Full story: Daily Mail

With a clutch of Champions League outfits hovering over Phil Jones, Blackburn manager Steve Kean has warned the young centre-half to expect much less time on the pitch if he makes the move to a bigger club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak may head for Germany rather than move to Tottenham.
Full story: Metro

Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith will be the subject of a three-way Premier League bidding war between QPR, Wigan and Everton.
Full story: Metro

Aston Villa winger Ashley Young, a £15m target for Manchester United, will sign for Liverpool instead. (Football writer Ian McGarry on BBC Radio 5 live)

Villa striker Emile Heskey is set to return to Leicester, where he will be reunited with Sven-Goran Eriksson. The Foxes boss regularly selected Heskey when the Swede was manager of England and the deal is set to go through for £500,000.
Full story: Daily Mail

Reading have warned Celtic they will not get £4m-rated striker Shane Long on the cheap.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has ruled out a return to Wigan on loan in the 2011/2012 campaign, despite having helped them stay in the Premier League this season.
Full story: Daily Star

Newcastle are the latest team to show an interest in Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov.
Full story: the Sun

Chelsea's Michael Mancienne is poised to join Hamburg, frustrated at a lack of first-team chances at Stamford Bridge.
Full story: the Sun

OTHER GOSSIP
If Gerard Houllier is given a clean bill of health in his final medical examination it will leave Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner unable to terminate his contract on the grounds of ill health - which would have reduced the Frenchman's payout. It means Houllier would cost £5m to sack.
Full story: Daily Mail

Cardiff City fans want striker Craig Bellamy, who spent the 2010/2011 campaign on loan at the Welsh club from Manchester City, to succeed Dave Jones, who was sacked as manager on Monday.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere says it will be a "disaster" if the Gunners do not win a trophy next season and they need to learn how to be "more nasty" in their defending.
Full story: Daily Mail

Swansea manager Brendan Rogers says he will not break up their promotion-winning team but admits there is "no room for sentiment" following their promotion to the Premier League.
Full story: the Independent

AND FINALLY
While Manchester United fans lined up in the drizzle for their bus parade, Barcelona centre-half Gerard Pique - fresh from snipping off the Wembley nets for his collection - took dancing lessons from girlfriend and pop-star Shakira on stage at the club's Champions League victory celebrations back in Spain.
Full story: the Sun

Meanwhile, pictures have surfaced on Twitter of Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard celebrating United's defeat by the Spanish giants.
Full story: Daily Mail

Swansea's players will celebrate promotion to the Premier League by joining Rod Stewart on stage at the Liberty Stadium during his concert there on Wednesday night.
Full story: Daily Star

 

[yinyang]

Re: tues grapevine..

Off season, but rumour mill's starting to be busy. Fabregas gbp54mil bill?

Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/9503437.stm

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Arsenal have told Spanish giants Real Madrid the bidding for their captain Cesc Fabregas starts at £54m.
Full story: the Sun

Manchester City are set to abandon their attempt to sign Udinese's Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez. City had made a £21m offer but Udinese want nearly £30m and Sanchez wants to stay in Italy.
Full story: Daily Mail

City will turn to striker Edinson Cavani, midfielder Marek Hamsik and forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, who all play for Napoli, after missing out on Sanchez.
Full story: Metro

Liverpool want to bolster their midfield and are weighing up Sunderland pair Jordan Henderson and Lee Cattermole.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

The Black Cats are holding out for £20m for 20-year-old England midfielder Henderson.
Full story: Daily Star

Not only do the Reds want Henderson but they are also ready to make a formal offer to Blackburn for their £15m-rated 19-year-old centre-back Phil Jones.
Full story: Daily Mail

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is in turn targeting a £12m double raid on his former club Manchester United, with defender Wes Brown, 31, and midfielder Darron Gibson, 23 in his sights.
Full story: Daily Star

Brown is also wanted by Bolton manager Owen Coyle, who sees him as a replacement for Arsenal target Gary Cahill.
Full story: the Sun

The Trotters are keen to have striker Daniel Sturridge back at the Reebok Stadium next season after a stunning spell on loan from Chelsea.
Full story: the Sun

Tottenham have had a bid of £10.5m for Internacional's Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao, 21, rejected.
Full story: Daily Mail

But Spurs have intensified their chase for the one-cap striker, with an increased bid of £13.2m. Arsenal are also thought to be keen.
Full story: the Times (subscription required)

Want-away Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero says he would rather stay in Spain, paving the way for a move to Real Madrid rather than Manchester City or Chelsea.
Full story: the Sun

Former England international Mark Chamberlain has pleaded with Arsenal to buy his son Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton.
Full story: Daily Mail

Everton and Tottenham are interested in veteran German striker Miroslav Klose, who is a free agent after his Bayern Munich contract expired.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Spurs midfielder Wilson Palacios could see his move to Italian side Napoli fall through after the clubs failed to agree a fee. Tottenham want £12m for the 26-year-old.
Full story: the Sun

Wigan have made an increased £3m offer to Bolton for goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who impressed on loan at the DW Stadium last season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

QPR are prepared to double the wages of Wales striker Steve Morison to lure him away from Millwall.
Full story: Daily Mail

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba could reject interest from AC Milan to make a shock move to Tottenham.
Full story: talkSPORT

Real Madrid have told Manchester City they will not pay £12.5m for Emmanuel Adebayor but are instead keen on an £8m switch. AC Milan are also interested.
Full story: the Sun

QPR are set to seal a deal for Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard, handing the 32-year-old a return to the Premier League.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Swansea have had a £3m bid for Watford striker Danny Graham turned down by the Championship club. QPR and West Brom are already considering increasing their offers for the 25-year-old.
(the Sun)

Veteran striker Kevin Phillips, 37, is set to return to the Championship with Watford after being released by relegated Birmingham.
Full story: the Sun

Liverpool have set their sights on Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson, 25, who is a free agent because his contract expires this month.
Full story: CaughtOffside

Arsenal are thought to be interested in Marseille's 26-year-old talented playmaker Mathieu Valbuena - potentially as a replacement for Andrey Arshavin, who has been linked to a transfer from the Emirates.
Full story: CaughtOffside

OTHER GOSSIP
The surprise resignation of Mark Hughes as Fulham manager on Thursday has paved the way for former Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill to be appointed at Craven Cottage.
Full story: Daily Star

However, Hughes will not become the new manager of Aston Villa becauses the Midlands club are looking to appoint someone else.
Full story: the Sun

Villa ditched plans to get Hughes after being disturbed by the manner of his exit from Fulham and the activities of his agent Kia Joorabchian over the last 24 hours.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Former Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has hinted at a return to Stamford Bridge, refusing to commit his future to the Turkey national team.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven say Hiddink has turned down the chance to be technical director at the Dutch club.
Full story: Goal

England face a striker crisis ahead of their Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland on Saturday, with only Darren Bent fit. Peter Crouch and Bobby Zamora are both struggling with injuries.
Full story: the Sun

The Professional Footballers' Association is to issue a handbook to all players in the top four divisions to help them deal with mental health issues.
Full story: the Guardian

Manchester City winger Adam Johnson says being left out of England's World Cup squad last summer was a blessing in disguise and has motivated him in his career.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Johnson has also begged team-mate Carlos Tevez not to quit City this summer.
Full story: Daily Star

Manchester United have opened contract talks with Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia, 25, but they have hit a snag over image rights.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY
Barcelona's Argentine playmaker Lionel Messi was unharmed when a youngster wearing a hooded top threw a punch at him as he was leaving a restaurant in his home city of Rosario on Thursday.
Full story: Eurosport

Manchester United striker Michael Owen sparked a row with Newcastle after he is thought to have dismissed them as a "poor team" on the social networking site Twitter.
Full story: Daily Express

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie hit out at Chelsea and Barcelona during an interview on Dutch television.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

[Ah Guan]

Re: tues grapevine..

Guus Hiddink and Marco van Basten going to Chelsea as manager and director of football respectively?

Guus Hiddink plots escape from Turkey to Chelsea

Daily Mail From: Herald Sun June 07, 2011 7:52PM

Former Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink celebrates with the English FA Cup after leading the club to victory in 2009. The Daily Telegraph

GUUS Hiddink has an escape clause in his contract with the Turkish Football Federation that allows him to move to Stamford Bridge if Chelsea comes calling.

Turkish officials admitted they were resigned to losing their Dutch coach and the 64-year-old is expected to be confirmed as Carlo Ancelotti's successor this week.

Hiddink has remained close to Roman Abramovich, acting in an advisory role since his 2009 stint as manager of the club.

And now it seems the Russian billionaire always had it in mind to bring back Hiddink should it not work out with Ancelotti.

Sources in the Netherlands insisted Hiddink still intended to perform a managerial role, having expressed a desire over the weekend to return to the day-to-day involvement of working with players on the pitch.

This was said in response to suggestions he was set to become director of football at Chelsea.

But the structure could yet see him bring another, less experienced manager with him.

Marco van Basten, currently out of work, is understood to be the preferred choice of Hiddink, who has enjoyed spells working with Frank Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman.

But this is where Mark Hughes, who last week resigned from Fulham, could yet come into the equation.

The Turkish federation has accepted Hiddink will quit. One senior source is reported to have told the BBC: "Chelsea is too good an offer to turn down and the federation understands this.

"Hiddink feels he still has a job to do there. He wants to work every day and win championships and maybe the Champions League.

"We understand that he has coached his last Turkey game as long as Chelsea pay the compensation."

The only issue holding up Hiddink's move is the terms of his severance.

Abramovich is reluctant to pay $6.1 million in compensation to cover the final year of Hiddink's contract, not least because he suspects Turkey was planning to sack the manager anyway.

Only Chelsea's well-known interest prevented the Turks from firing the Dutchman.

Abramovich is prepared to offer some form of settlement to the Turks, which will take his aggregate compensation fees for six managers beyond $76 million in the eight years since he arrived at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea paid $9 million to sack Claudio Ranieri in 2004 and gave Porto $3 million to release Jose Mourinho. It cost $27 million to dismiss Mourinho and his backroom team three years later.

Chelsea paid $7.6 million to fire Avram Grant eight months later and $18 million to sack Luiz Felipe Scolari and his staff. Sacking Ancelotti, who announced he would be taking a year off coaching, and his staff could cost another $9 million.

 

[yinyang]

Re: thurs trivia

Tgif gravevine.. (and thanks AG for rejuvenating this thread)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/9521567.stm

Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIPArsenal have rejected a £27m offer from Barcelona for midfielder Cesc Fabregas, with the London club placing a minimum £44m valuation on the 24-year-old.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Manchester City have been told they will need to pay £44m if they want to secure the signing of Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez.
Full story: the Sun

Arsenal have reopened negotiations with Argentine side Velez Sarsfield regarding midfielder Ricardo Alvarez, who is also wanted by Inter Milan, Malaga, Sevilla, Roma and Schalke.
Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham have moved a step closer to signing former Manchester United forward Diego Forlan after Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo confirmed the striker's "first choice would be England".
Full story: Metro

Chelsea will not pay £45m for highly-rated Santos forward Neymar, who is also wanted by Real Madrid.
Full story: Daily Express

Manchester United will not stop at the signing of Ashley Young with manager Sir Alex Ferguson set to break the £80m barrier for the summer by bringing in Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea and Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric.
Full story: Metro

Atletico have found a replacement for De Gea but are locked in a battle with Chelsea for the signature of Genk's highly-rated keeper Thibaut Courtois.
Full story: talkSPORT

Manchester United may have signed Young but they have missed out on Lens defender Raphael Varane, who is to join Real Madrid this summer.
Full story: Independent

Chelsea are closing in on the £26.5m signing of Porto striker Radamel Falcao after the 25-year-old accepted a £5m-a-year contract in principle.
Full story: Daily Mail

New Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas could be open to the idea of striker Didier Drogba staying at Stamford Bridge, despite the imminent arrival of Falcao.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Liverpool are ready to sell midfielder Raul Meireles despite his fine end to last season with Juventus offering £13.5m for the Portuguese international.
Full story: Metro

Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng is set for showdown talks with manager Roberto Mancini as he is keen to return to Germany, with Bayern Munich a possible destination.
Full story: the Sun

Former Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra wants to join Fulham.
Full story: Daily Star

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish is preparing to join Wigan in the £5m battle for Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.
Full story: Daily Star

Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez is wanted by Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Sevilla.
Full story: the Sun

Blackburn are prepared to double their £6m offer for Freiburg striker Papiss Cisse to fend off interest from Lokomotiv Moscow and Zenit St Petersburg.
Full story: Daily Mail

However, Rovers defender Christopher Samba has asked the club to let him move to Arsenal, who are prepared to pay £12m for the 27-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Stoke are the latest club linked with Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, with manager Tony Pulis ready to make a £6m bid for the England Under-21 international.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Pulis is also keen on Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha, who is being tracked by Fulham.
Full story: talkSPORT

Mexico striker Carlos Vela has been told by Arsenal that he will not be sold this summer.
Full story: the Sun

Villarreal want to sign Tottenham midfielder Sandro for £12m.
Full story: Daily Mirror

QPR are ready to make an offer for Portsmouth centre-back Tal Ben Haim.
Full story: Daily Star

And Rangers boss Neil Warnock may bid £2m for Reading winger Jobi McAnuff.
Full story: the Sun

Former England boss Steve McClaren is set to make ex-Derby and West Brom winger Giles Barnes his first signing at Nottingham Forest.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham defender Herita Ilunga is ready to turn down transfers to Bolton and QPR to join Greek champions Olympiakos.
Full story: talkSPORT

OTHER GOSSIPBirmingham have stepped up their compensation bid against both Aston Villa and Alex McLeish and have sent final legal letters to both demanding cash.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia has vowed to fight for his first-team place after the arrival of Ashley Young from Aston Villa.
Full story: the Sun

England striker Kelly Smith has admitted in a frank interview that she had a drinking problem a few years ago. She says: "I'd drink every day until I passed out, vodka usually, and usually on my own, and every time I got another injury it would spiral more out of control."
Full story: Independent

AND FINALLYA freakish late equaliser scored by Canada goalkeeper Quillan Roberts from inside his own half denied England Under-17s the win that would have sealed their progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup in Mexico.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[yinyang]

Tues gravevine:

Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

BREAKING GOSSIP
0820 BST Craig Gardner is set to end his 18-month spell with Birmingham in the next 24 hours and complete a £5m move to Sunderland. (Press Association)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Arsenal are eyeing £15m-rated Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Arturo Vidal as a possible replacement for Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Barcelona will offer £35m plus incentives for Fabregas as they look to reach a successful conclusion to their long-running pursuit of the Spain midfielder.
Full story: Daily Mail

Or, Barcelona want Fabregas to go on strike in order to force a cut-price move from Arsenal to the European champions.
Full story: the Sun

Arsenal themselves have opened talks with Bolton defender Gary Cahill, while Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is also interested in Birmingham's Scott Dann, Blackburn's Chris Samba and Everton's Phil Jagielka. (the Times - subscription required).

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will sell four or five players in order to bring in any new signings.
Full story: Metro

And Spurs have stepped up their interest in Stuttgart's Germany defender Serdar Tasci.
Full story: the Sun

Blackburn manager Steve Kean is considering a renewed bid for Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, having had a £2m offer rejected.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Manchester City are refusing to give up in their pursuit of Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez, despite the Chilean claiming it would be a "dream" to play for Barcelona.
Full story: Daily Mail

Sunderland have agreed a £13m fee with Ipswich for striker Connor Wickham. Liverpool are still interested but must match Sunderland's bid.
Full story: Daily Mirror

The Black Cats are also set to make a £7m offer for Reading striker Shane Long.
Full story: Daily Mail

Real Madrid are planning a bid for Chelsea defender Ashley Cole after it emerged that new Stamford Bridge boss Andre Villas-Boas wants to sign Benfica left-back Fabio Coentrao.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Liverpool are giving up on signing Jose Enrique from Newcastle and will instead look to experienced Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge, who was on loan at West Ham last season.
Full story: footybunker.com

Liverpool are ready to send youngsters Jonjo Shelvey and Stephen Darby to Blackpool as part of a deal to land midfielder Charlie Adam.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Aston Villa are expecting midfielder Stewart Downing to hand in a transfer request but are determined to hold out for their £20m valuation of the player, who is wanted by Liverpool.
Full story: Daily Star

Barcelona claim they have already rejected a £27m offer from Chelsea for striker David Villa.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Six Premier League clubs are chasing Manchester City's James Milner - including Aston Villa, who sold him to City for £26m last summer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Aston Villa and Fulham are locked in a battle to sign highly rated Monaco goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier.
Full story: talkSPORT

Stoke have made a £3m offer for West Ham striker Carlton Cole.
Full story: Daily Mail

Spanish side Valencia will make a £14m offer for Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov, who looks to be on his way out of Old Trafford this summer despite being the club's top scorer last season.
Full story: Footy Bunker

United have already made enquiries for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani as a replacement for Berbatov.
Full story: Footy Bunker

Wolfsburg playmaker Diego has revealed he is in talks over a "dream" move to the Premier League. The 26-year-old is thought to be one of Liverpool's top summer targets.
Full story: talkSPORT

Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Tottenham winger David Bentley, who is also wanted by Fulham.
Full story: Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIPLiverpool keeper Pepe Reina has backed David De Gea to be a hit in the Premier League with Manchester United, and has ruled out replacing the youngster at Atletico Madrid.
Full story: talkSPORT

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has interviewed candidates to be his new number two after his initial choice, Vitor Pereira, was appointed his replacement at Porto.
Full story: the Guardian

AND FINALLYCesc Fabregas's days at the Emirates look to be numbered after he was left out of promotional material for the launch of Arsenal's new away kit.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

[yinyang]

Prelude to curtain raiser sun:*:

Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester City could allow Carlos Tevez to leave as part of a swap with Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto'o, who has had a row with the Italian club's new coach, Gian Piero Gasperini.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham are expected to hold talks with transfer target Fernando Llorente when the giant striker visits White Hart Lane with Athletic Bilbao for Saturday's pre-season friendly. Full story: Metro

Spurs and Liverpool have been told to forget a move for Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay, who was also thought to be a target for Juventus but is happy to stay at the Nou Camp.
Full story: talkSPORT

Two Premier League sides are reported to have contacted Newcastle about Joey Barton, and the midfielder is set to determine whether or not he can leave the club immediately on a free transfer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Barcelona have 11 days to conclude a deal for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas if they want to be sure of his inclusion in the Champions League.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

French striker Karim Benzema has dismissed reports he is poised to leave Real Madrid for Arsenal.
Full story: talkSPORT

Everton, Aston Villa and Fulham have all contacted Real Madrid about taking former Spanish Under-21 midfielder Pedro Leon on loan.
Full story: The Sun

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole is a target for big-spending French outfit Paris St Germain.
Full story: The Sun

But QPR have made no move for out-of-favour Cole, who has vowed to fight for his place at Anfield.
Full story: talkSPORT

Bolton are in negotiations with Manchester City over winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. The Trotters are also seeking a striker and could turn to Cameron Jerome of Birmingham as Liverpool will not alter their £4.5m valuation of David Ngog.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn Rovers have put a £12m price tag on Chris Samba in a bid to keep him at Ewood Park.
Full story: Daily Star

Stoke have joined Spurs and Chelsea in the race to sign West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, who is valued at £8m.
Full story: Daily Mail

Newcastle are considering a move for Manchester United's French winger Gabriel Obertan, who has failed to make an impact since signing for £3m from Bordeaux in 2009.
Full story: Daily Mail

Hungary defender Roland Juhasz hopes Rangers make an improved offer for him to Anderlecht as he is not put off a move to the Glasgow club by their exit from the Champions League. (Daily Express)

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra has jetted to Qatar for signing talks with Lekhwiya following his red card in Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against Malmo. (the Sun)

OTHER GOSSIPUnsettled midfielder Cesc Fabregas cut a disconsolate figure at a soggy Emirates in Arsenal's open training session.
Full story: Metro

Manchester United defender Phil Jones's remarkable summer has led to his inclusion in Fabio Capello's provisional squad for next week's friendly against Holland.
Full story: Times (subscription required)

Former Spurs goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt has expressed his surprise at the signing of 40-year-old Brad Friedel, and has backed Heurelho Gomes to remain as number one at White Hart Lane.
Full story: talkSPORT

AND FINALLYHis final game for Manchester United was against Barcelona in the Champions League final in May, but Paul Scholes isn't ready to hang up his boots quite yet after turning out for a 'dads versus coaches match' at his 12-year-old son's club.
Full story: Metro

Wolves attempted to cover up that three of their star players missed a pre-season photocall by photoshopping their heads onto the bodies of others.
Full story: Metro

Crystal Palace lodged three bids for AFC Bournemouth's Danny Ings during a 90-minute pre-season friendly - against the south-coast side.
Full story: Metro

 

[yinyang]

Becks for St Germaine '95% complete'? Last hurrah for golden balls?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/9618113.stm

Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Reports in France claim the deal to take former England captain David Beckham to Paris Saint-Germain is "95% done".
Full story: talkSPORT

Newcastle and Stoke are set to battle it out to sign Coventry's 18-year-old defender Cyrus Christie.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Chelsea will have to compete with Inter Milan and Bayern Munich for the signature of 17-year-old River Plate winger Lucas Ocampos, who has been dubbed the new Cristiano Ronaldo.
Full story: Daily Mail
Arsenal are poised to offer 18-year-old Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba a contract at Emirates Stadium if he fails to pen a new deal at Old Trafford.
Full story: Metro
Boca Juniors, striker Carlos Tevez's old club in Buenos Aires, are believed to want to sign the Manchester City outcast on loan.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Tottenham look set to battle it out with AC Milan to sign 19-year-old Brazilian midfielder Carlos Casemiro, who plays for Sao Paulo.
Full story: talkSPORT
Spurs defender Ledley King is to see a specialist on Tuesday amid fears the groin injury that forced him off against Newcastle will lead to yet another long lay-off.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Zenit St Petersburg have joined Manchester City in the chase to sign Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Full story: talkSPORT
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is believed to be planning a move for midfielders Yann M'Vila of Rennes and Sochaux's Marvin Martin.
Full story: Inside Futbol
Meanwhile, the Gunners' Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is rumoured to have instructed his agent to find him another club.
Full story: Footy-online
Everton, West Brom and Fulham are set to battle it out for the signature of 21-year-old Barnsley midfielder Jacob Butterfield.
Full story: Daily Star
Spurs could offer goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes as part of a deal to lure Udinese keeper Zeljko Brkic, 25, to White Hart Lane.
Full story: Footylatest.com
OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has described a bid to scrap promotion and relegation in the Premier League as "suicide".
Full story: Daily Telegraph
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed he wants to stay at the club for "three or four" more years.
Full story: the Sun
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists that being sidelined for six months has made him mentally stronger as a player.
Full story: Metro
Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi has insisted that the Magpies' great start to the season is down to the team's pride in wearing the shirt.
Full story: the Sun
QPR manager Neil Warnock believes Joey Barton's comments about team-mate Adel Taarabt were a "little bit out of order" and will speak to his captain about them. Barton told Absolute Radio after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Blackburn that the Morocco international needed to buck up his ideas.
(Press Association)

AND FINALLY
Tottenham defender William Gallas has been photographed visiting his former club Arsenal for a catch up with France international friends Bacary Sagna, Robert Pires and Gunners mascot Gunnersaurus.
Full story: Metro

New Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cotterill has banned his players from Twitter and Facebook. Anyone using either site will be fined £1,000 per word.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fifa's medical chief Jiri Dvorak has revealed that contaminated meat in Mexico led to traces of the banned drug clenbuterol being found in urine samples given by more than 100 players at the Under-17 World Cup in June.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[yinyang]

Wed, Thurs grapevine. Torres at steep discount, and out of truant schoolboy to Spurs.

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


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/9661575.stm

 

[chowka]

The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

 

[yinyang]

Tues grapevine.. Lampard back to West Ham, and scroll down to Becks "encounter" with naughty boy Balotelli :p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/9674581.stm

Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard could end his career back at his first club West Ham.
Full story: Daily Express

Manchester United are considering a move for Olympiakos right-back Vasilis Torosidis.
Full story: Daily Mail

Owen Coyle's Bolton have made a surprise swoop on neighbours Blackburn for their midfielder Junior Hoilett.
Full story: Bolton News

Meanwhile, Rovers manager Steve Kean says nothing should be read into the absence of Rovers' in-demand stars in the FA Cup on Saturday - as he looks to add new faces before their match against Fulham this weekend.
Full story: Lancashire Telegraph

Stoke are giving a trial to Dutch Eredivisie side VVV-Venlo's striker Michael Uchebo, who is known as the Nigerian Peter Crouch. At 6ft 8in, Uchebo is even taller than the England international.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal are believed to be planning a move for Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou.
Full story: talkSPORT

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas insists play-maker Yoann Gourcuff is going nowhere this month, despite continued speculation linking him with the Gunners.
Full story: Sky Sports

Midfielder Mario Gotze has dealt a blow to his Premier League suitors by saying he may extend his Borussia Dortmund contract.
Full story: the Sun

Striker Daniel Sturridge has alerted Premier League rivals as Chelsea stall on securing his long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
Full story: Daily Mail

Chelsea target Hulk will not force a move away from Porto in the January transfer window - although his agent has hinted that a summer move for less than his £83m release clause could be a possibility.
Full story: Metro

Tottenham defender William Gallas says he has turned down an offer from Paris Saint-Germain.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is believed to ready to make a £30m bid for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.
Full story: Caught Offside

OTHER GOSSIPManchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is staying put at Old Trafford - and his agent says the chances of him leaving are as likely as Lionel Messi quitting Barcelona.
Full story: talkSPORT

DFB (German Football Association) general secretary Wolfgang Niersbach is believed to be eager to rebuild bridges with former Germany captain Michael Ballack. The 35-year-old lost his place in Germany's 2010 World Cup squad due to injury and was later informed he was no longer in the plans of manager Joachim Loew.
Full story: Bild (in German)

AND FINALLYFormer England captain David Beckham was all smiles when he met striker Mario Balotelli at the Etihad Stadium during Manchester United's 3-2 win over Manchester City on Sunday, but after the polite exchange the 36-year-old seemed to wipe his nose with a City shirt.
Full story: Metro

Former Aston Villa and Bolton defender Jlloyd Samuel has found a new club - in Iran.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

[David Luiz]

In that case, I really hope Argentina don't win.

No problem.