April Football gossip 2007

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Monday 23rd April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Celtic have joined the chase for West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas, who is also wanted by Aston Villa, Blackburn, Everton and Man City. (Daily Mirror)

Everton are set to beat Real Madrid to the £1m signing of Swiss midfielder Bruce Lalombongo. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth striker Andy Cole, currently on loan at Birmingham, will decide at the end of the season whether to join Australian club Queensland Rovers. (Daily Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is considering a £92.2m buy-out of Manchester City. (Thai newspaper The Nation)

Manchester United have only four fit defenders for the Champions League first leg against AC Milan. (Various)

Chief executive Peter Kenyon led a Chelsea delegation which went to LA to sound out Jurgen Klinsmann about the manager's job. (Daily Express)

Portsmouth director of football Avram Grant was also on the trip - ahead of taking over in the same role at Chelsea in the summer. (Daily Express)

Blackburn's Tugay has been offered a new one-year contract. (Daily Mirror)

Bradford want Peter Beagrie as manager - after giving up on getting Stuart McCall. (Daily Mirror)

American tycoon Stan Kroenke will need financial support from investment bankers in order to complete his takeover of Arsenal. (Daily Star)

Gerard Houllier and Spurs sporting director Damien Comolli are being linked with the director of football role at Arsenal. (Guardian)

AND FINALLY...
The Queen has revealed she supports Arsenal, following in the footsteps of the Queen Mother who was, according to a senior royal source, "a self-confessed Gooner, due largely to her admiration of former player Denis Compton". (The Sun)

 

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Tuesday 24th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Arsenal defender William Gallas is on Real Madrid's hit-list of summer transfers. (Various)

Middlesbrough hope to sign Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis in a £3m deal. (Various)

Midfielder Zheng Zhi will ask for a move if Charlton are relegated to the Championship. (The Sun)

Crystal Palace striker Dougie Freedman wants a new two-year deal or he will walk away from the club when his contract expires in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres, who has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool, has the Merseyside club's famous 'You'll never walk alone' slogan on the inside of his captain's armband. (The Sun)

Coventry midfielder Colin Cameron will be released at the end of the season because he does not feature in manager Iain Dowie's future plans. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea are planning a £45m bid for Valencia striker David Villa. (Daily Star).

Manchester City and Everton are vying to sign Cardiff striker Michael Chopra for £4m. (Daily Star)

Ex-France star Zinedine Zidane is ready to come out of retirement to join Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool say they have not forgotten about Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa since a bid for the winger was rejected in 2005. (Independent)

Sheffield United defender Chris Armstrong is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Scotland and England. (Daily Record)

Hibernian and Dunfermline have sold less than 5000 tickets for their Scottish Cup semi-final. (Daily Record)

Everton are prepared to meet Hibernian's £4m valuation for Scotland midfielder Scott Brown, which could see off the interest from Rangers and Celtic. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
American tycoon Stan Kroenke is set to meet the Arsenal board so the directors can listen to his £500m takeover plan. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea's Didier Drogba says revenge over Liverpool is his side's motive in their Champions League semi-final against the side who knocked them out in 2005. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, says the Merseysiders are not fazed by the Stamford Bridge crowd. (Various)

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce fears the club's bid to qualify for Europe could be wrecked by an injury crisis. (The Sun)


AND FINALLY...
Brazilian player Cleberson was booked because he kissed a referee. The Cabofriense defender gave match official Ubiraci Damasio a peck on the cheek after a foul was given against him and after being shown a yellow card, Cleberson said: "I did not know it was against the rules." (The Sun)

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho broke a Uefa two-game touchline ban two seasons ago by being sneaked into his side's dressing room in a laundry basket. (Various)

Portsmouth keeper David James doubts England boss Steve McClaren saw him break the clean sheet record against Aston Villa on television because: "I think there was a documentary on the Discovery Channel at the same time".

An Italian football supporter who travels 36,000 miles a season to watch his beloved Fulham has been named Fan of the Year by club sponsors Pipex. Luca Turchi, who lives in Bologna, has missed only two home games in five years and said: "I would travel anywhere to see Fulham play."

 

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Wednesday 25th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Arsenal midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who is on loan at Birmingham, is wanted by Blackburn. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea director of youth development Frank Arnesen has been hunting for new players with Russia coach Guus Hiddink, the man tipped for a backroom role at Stamford Bridge next season. (The Sun)

Out-of-favour striker John Hartson will quit West Brom at the end of the season. (Various)

Bolton are on the brink of signing Real Madrid defender Paco Pavon, 27, on a four-year deal. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City and Portsmouth are battling to sign Barnsley striker Daniel Nardiello. (Daily Star)

Striker Francis Jeffers, who is currently on loan at Ipswich, is set to leave Blackburn in the summer after Rovers, who are also keeping tabs on Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy, admitted there was a question mark over his future. (Various)

Crystal Palace, Millwall and Leyton Orient are battling to sign Barnet midfielder Dean Sinclair. (Daily Star)

Derby striker Paul Peschisolido is set to leave the club in the summer as he has not been offered a new deal. (Daily Star)

Celtic are set for a £5m battle with a string of Premiership clubs in a bid to land West Brom playmaker Jason Koumas. (Daily Record)

Inverness Caledonian Thistle are to step up their interest in Hibernian striker Dean Shiels. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Former England bosses Sven-Goran Eriksson and Kevin Keegan have snubbed Fulham but Parma's ex-Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri is keen on taking over the helm at Craven Cottage. (The Sun)

Lawrie Sanchez faces a fight to sign Leeds and Northern Ireland striker David Healy if he lands the Fulham managerial post on a permanent basis. (Daily Express)

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says if he had Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's record he would have been sacked by now. (Various)

Liverpool midfielder Steve Gerrard, whose side face Chelsea in a Champions League semi-final, says "the things I have got at home, the medals and memorabilia, they mean more to me than extra noughts in my bank account". (Daily Mirror)

Blues boss Mourinho fears Liverpool players will try to provoke Didier Drogba into a booking that would lead to him missing the second leg. (Various)

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says that the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool is not about revenge. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden says he was right to walk away from Chelsea to join Middlesbrough in 2003, despite turning his back on title triumphs and cup wins. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has written off his seventh-placed side's chances of earning a Uefa Cup spot. (Various)

San Francisco-based investment banker Jerome Simon is one of the mystery American financiers behind a move to buy into Manchester City - after earlier trying his luck with Millwall. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City will fight off any bid by former player Ray Ranson to buy the club. (The Sun)

American billionaire Stan Kroenke has written to hundreds of Arsenal shareholders as part of his takeover bid. (Daily Star)

An agreement by Arsenal's board members not to sell their combined 45.45 per cent stake in the club in the next year is reversible. (The Independent)

Kroenke is decidedly "unimpressed" by Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood's personal attack on him, according to those closest to the American. (Daily Telegraph)

Newcastle striker Michael Owen was left out of Tuesday's reserve match against Bolton in a bid to ensure he is ready to face Reading in the Premiership on Monday. (The Sun)

Leicester have launched a bid to make Chelsea assistant boss Steve Clarke their manager. (Daily Express)

Portsmouth are to move from Fratton Park to a new 36,000-seater stadium. (Daily Mail)

Bolton defender Lubomir Michalik may be given his first start in Saturday's game at Chelsea as the club have injury problems at the back. (The Times)

West Ham defender Danny Gabbidon has returned to training after undergoing a second groin operation two weeks ago. (The Times)

Midfielder Mikel Arteta has reiterated his desire to stay at Everton. (The Independent)


AND FINALLY...
Former Arsenal defender Tony Adams believes Gunners boss Arsene Wenger could eventually leave the club for a political career. Adams said: "He has numerous other interests in his life, including politics. Tony Blair is a big friend and it wouldn't surprise me if one day he follows a career path in that direction." (The Sun)

Chelsea keeper Petr Cech plans to study psychology at university to help him deal with spells on the sidelines. (The Sun)

 

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Thursday 26th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Tottenham are lining up a summer swoop for Fulham keeper Antti Niemi. (Daily Mirror)

Everton will sign Preston striker David Nugent in the summer - if the Championship side fail to win promotion. (Various)

Steven Davis looks set to leave Aston Villa because he wants to play in central midfield rather than on the flank. (Daily Mirror)

Leeds are targeting MK Dons defender Ben Chorley, who has impressed while on loan at Gillingham. (Daily Star)

Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate is set to make his loan move to Middlesbrough a permanent one within 24 hours. (The Sun)

Arsenal are preparing a £2m summer move for Caen striker Yoan Gouffran. (The Independent)

Chelsea are monitoring Spartak Moscow striker Alexander Prudnikov. (The Independent)

Everton have joined the battle to land Hibernian midfielder Scott Brown but Celtic are favourites to sign the Scotland international. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal defender William Gallas is set to join Real Madrid in the summer. (The Guardian)

Wolves keeper Michael Oakes, who has not made a first-team appearance this season, is set to leave the club in the summer. (Daily Star)

Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell is in talks with Hanover, with a view to a £2m move. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal are poised to make a bid for Hearts keeper Craig Gordon in the summer, although Gunners star Jens Lehmann is set to sign a one-year contract extension. (The Times)

Ipswich are eyeing Birmingham midfielder Neil Kilkenny. (Daily Star)

Watford want West Ham reserve keeper Jimmy Walker to replace Ben Foster, who is set to return to Manchester United after a season-long loan spell with the Hornets. (Daily Mirror)

Southampton risk losing striker Marek Saganowski because they have not opened talks over a new deal and he is being targeted by clubs in England and Europe. (The Sun)

Crystal Palace are set to sign Leyton Orient striker Gary Alexander on a free transfer. (Daily Mirror)

Jason Roberts wants to persuade striker partner Benni McCarthy not to leave Blackburn in the summer, with Chelsea being linked to the South African forward. (Daily Express)

Bolton striker Henrik Pedersen is considering returning to his native Denmark in the summer. (The Times)

Helsingborg winger Alexander Kacaniklic, a highly rated 15-year-old, is set to join Liverpool's academy after two trials. (Various)


OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic could make a shock return in the Champions League semi-final, second leg against AC Milan next week after recovering quicker than expected from a shoulder injury suffered in March. (The Sun)

England defender Rio Ferdinand, who was expected to be sidelined with a groin injury until the match against Chelsea on 9 May, is set to be available for Manchester United's match against AC Milan. (Daily Express)

Brazilian star Kaka feared the sort of seven-goal mauling Manchester United recently dished out to Roma when the Old Trafford outfit took the lead against AC Milan on Tuesday but now believes his side are favourites to reach the Champions League final. (Daily Mirror)

Clyde boss Joe Miller is set to be offered the managerial post at Livingston next week following the exit of John Robertson. (Daily Record)

Dunfermline striker Tim McManus wants the Scottish Football Association to overturn the ruling that he is unable to face Celtic in the Scottish Cup final. He is cup-tied but did not kick a ball for Falkirk before switching clubs and was on the bench only once for the Bairns. (Daily Record)

Sheffield Wednesday striker Deon Burton could miss Saturday's game against Birmingham after a freak accident - in which he was poked in the eye against Coventry - left him temporarily blind in one eye. (Various)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp says fans must brace themselves for a move to a new £600m stadium or risk being perennial Premiership strugglers. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will meet with owner Roman Abramovich 24 hours after the Champions League win over Liverpool to try to sort out their differences. (The Sun)

Bradford chairman Julian Rhodes could be forced to put the club into administration for the third time since 2000 if they are relegated to League Two. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth defender Linvoy Primus is ready to pledge himself to the club for two more years. (Daily Mirror)

Reading chairman John Madejski, who is Britain's 174th wealthiest man at a worth of about £350m, says the club need to be taken over by someone richer than he is. (The Sun)

Reading coach Wally Downes is in line to replace Tony Adams as Portsmouth's assistant manager, with the former Arsenal defender set to leave the role in the summer. (Daily Mail)

Former England boss Glenn Hoddle believes top players who earn £130,000 a week are worth their salaries but is dismayed by the game turning less than average footballers into multi-millionaires. (Daily Express)

Newcastle midfielder Antoine Sibierski is set to sign a one-year contract extension. (The Times)

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has revealed that the club has a new business plan, which includes looking at building a new stadium. (The Times)

Manager Stuart Pearce's position could be under threat if Ray Ranson takes over the club. (Various)

Henri Biancheri, who is a former colleague of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger from his time at Monaco, has reiterated that he would be interested in becoming the Gunners' director of football. (Daily Telegraph)


AND FINALLY...

Sunderland keeper Darren Ward has revealed that manager Roy Keane rarely rants and raves to get his point across, although the "tactics board has had a karate kick on a couple of occasions". (Various)

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock says he is probably the most superstitious manager in the Premiership as he likes to sit in the same seat, wear the same clothes, drive the same route. "I won't even visit the toilet until the players are on the pitch. There are 300 different superstitions," he added. (The Sun)

 

[McFLY]

Friday 27th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester United are poised to launch a bid for Jermain Defoe, who is unhappy at Tottenham. (Sun)

Meanwhile, Tottenham are considering a £5m to £6m offer for Newcastle winger Kieron Dyer, who is keen to link up with old pal Jermaine Jenas. (Various)

But the move could fail because Dyer's current salary of £80,000 per week is almost double what Tottenham's highest earner Robbie Keane makes. (Times)

Blackburn want to buy back Craig Bellamy from Liverpool - but they will not offer Morten Gamst Pedersen as bait. (Daily Star)

Hull will sign Manchester City defender Danny Mills on a permanent basis provided they stay up. (Daily Star)

Juventus have joined Liverpool and Chelsea in the race for Valencia striker David Villa. (Daily Mirror)

Real Zaragoza are the latest Spanish side to express an interest in Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal have told Julio Baptista he will return to Real Madrid when his loan ends this summer. (Daily Express)

Real Madrid are unlikely to make Arsenal winger Jose Reyes' stay permanent either. (Independent)

Jason Koumas' agent has dismissed suggestions that the West Brom midfielder is heading for Celtic. (Daily Express)

Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston has told Rangers and other suitors they must pay more than £1m if they want Steven Naismith. (Daily Mail)

Heerenveen defender Petter Hansson will choose soon between a move to Atalanta, Rennes or Rangers. (The Sun)

Heerenveen have decided against making a bid for out-of-favour Rangers defender Karl Svensson. (The Sun)

Aberdeen striker Craig Brewster has had talks with Livingston about become player-manager. (The Sun)

Kilmarnock have signed Allan Johnston for a further two season and are poised to offer fellow midfielder Eric Skora a new contract. (The Sun)

St Mirren defnder Kevin McGowne will become assistant manager with Montrose in the summer. (Daily Express)

Falkirk defender Craig Ireland has retired at the age of 31 after six knee operations. (Various)


OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United's Park Ji-Sung could be sidelined for a year with a serious knee injury. (Daily Mail)

West Ham will appeal to the High Court if they are deducted points over the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. (Sun)

However, the Hammers are set to escape with a huge fine. (Various)

Crystal Palace boss Peter Taylor is confident he will keep his job next season. (Daily Star)

Leicester have held talks with Chris Coleman over their vacant manager's post. He is considered favourite ahead of Paul Ince. (Daily Mirror)

Palermo have turned down Sven-Goran Eriksson's application for their vacant manager's post. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has told Joey Barton to watch his mouth after the midfielder criticised the club. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea assistant boss Steve Clarke will be offered a new contract - a moral victory for manager Jose Mourinho. (Various)

Avram Grant will take over as director of football at Chelsea. (Various)

Rangers are planning to increase Ibrox's capacity by 5,000 to 57,000 over the next three years. (Daily Record)

Celtic defender John Kennedy will not sue Romanian Ioan Ganea over the tackle that nearly ended his career. (Daily Record)

AC Milan midfielder Kaka reckons Manchester United, not Arsenal, are the Premiership club who play most like Brazil. (Daily Telegraph)

Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has held talks with Stan Kroenke over selling his 14.6% share of the club. (Daily Telegraph)

Teenage Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is at the centre of a cap tug-of-war between England and Scotland. (The Scotsman/Daily Record)


AND FINALLY...
David Beckham went to great lengths to cover up his hair in Real Madrid training on Thursday - resisting Robinho's attempts to remove his beenie hat. But Becks revealed his new look later - platinum blonde. He admitted: "I have had the mickey taken out of me." (Various)

 

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Saturday 28th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chelsea are bracing themselves for a £15m summer bid from Bayern Munich for winger Arjen Robben. (The Times)

Tottenham have been told by Newcastle that winger Kieron Dyer is not for sale. (Daily Mirror)

Spurs, however, could move for Benfica's Greek international utility man Kostas Katsouranis. (Daily Mirror)

Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell is believed to be on the way to Newcastle this summer on a free transfer. (The Times)

Bolton have been linked with Switzerland Under-21 midfielder Gelson Fernandes - who is valued by FC Sion at about £2m. (Daily Mirror)

St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown claims that no-one wants to see promotion rivals Gretna in the SPL. (Daily Record)

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan insists departing skipper Neil Lennon is irreplaceable. (Daily Record)

Celtic are considering a £3m summer swoop for Borussia Dortmund's Swiss international striker Alexander Frei. (Scottish Express)

And Gordon Strachan's side will listen to similar offers for Kenny Miller, with Newcastle and Everton interested in taking the Scotland forward south. (Scottish Daily Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has told chairman Phil Gartside that he is going to leave the Reebok Stadium in the summer - with Manchester City his possible destination. (Various)

Former Fulham manager Chris Coleman is favourite to take over from Peter Taylor at Crystal Palace in the summer. (The Sun)

West Ham striker Carlos Tevez says he does not feel any guilt over the £5.5m fine dished out to the Hammers in the wake of his summer move to Upton Park. (The Sun)

AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi has recovered from a thigh injury and could return to the starting line-up for the Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Manchester United next week. (The Times)

Former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has made a £108m takeover bid for Manchester City. (The Sun)


AND FINALLY...
Tottenham have used the threat of Intertoto Cup competition next season as a way of motivating their players to qualify for the Uefa Cup.

"The players are certainly aware that a top-seven finish would mean they won't have to start early in the summer," said assistant manager Chris Hughton. (Various)

 

[McFLY]

Sunday 29th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chelsea want to sign Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov in the summer. (Various)

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has changed his mind and now wants Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell at St James' Park. (News of the World)

Liverpool are favourites to beat Chelsea in the race to sign Manchester City defender Micah Richards. (The People)

Everton are close to agreeing a new deal with teenage star Victor Anichebe. (Sunday Mirror)

Arsenal are interested in PSV's Ivorian striker Arouna Kone, who is rated at around £4m. (News of the World)

Sunderland are ready to make a £4m bid for disgruntled Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton. (The People)

Birmingham striker Mikael Forssell's wage demands could see him leave the club. (News of the World)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp wants Argentine World Cup defender Fabricio Coloccini. (The People)

Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright is wanted by his former club Ipswich. (News of the World)

Aston Villa will spend £12.5m this summer on Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy and Polish goalkeeper Artur Borac. (Sunday Mirror)

Middlesbrough are chasing Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davies for £2.5m. (News of the World)

Cameroon midfielder Achille Emana could be on his way to Aston Villa from Toulouse this summer. (News of the World)

Derby manager Billy Davies has vowed to fight off interest from Tottenham in midfielder Giles Barnes, even if the club do not get promoted this season. (Sunday Mirror)

Newcastle have beaten Celtic, Chelsea, Liverpool and Valencia to the signature of Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell. (News of the World)

Celtic are ready to bid more than £4m for Hibernian midfielder Scott Brown. (Sunday Mail)

Celtic have not been put off by West Brom's £4m valuation of Jason Koumas. (Sunday Mail)

Aston Villa face competition from Bayern Munich and Inter Milan should they make a bid for Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc. (News of the World)

Celtic are interested in James Beattie if Everton reduce the striker's £4.5m price tag. (Sunday Express)

Celtic will have to pay New England Revolution £1m if they want to sign midfielder Shalrie Joseph. (Sunday Mail)

Hibernian striker Chris Killen is set to sign for Hearts this summer when he quits Easter Road. (Sunday Mirror)

Chris Killen says he rejected Hibernian's contact offer as it was only a year long. (News of the World)

Scotland goalkeeper Neil Alexander could join Hearts after failing to agree a new deal with Cardiff. (Sunday Mail)

Falkirk are preparing a move for Inverness striker Craig Dargo. (Various)

Dunfermline winger Owen Morrison has contract offers from clubs in China and Greece. (Various)


OTHER GOSSIP
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce may have made a massive blunder by deciding to leave the Reebok Stadium in the mistaken belief that he would be guaranteed the Manchester City job this summer. (News of the World, Daily Mail)

West Ham received clearance to pick Carlos Tevez against Wigan on Saturday by tearing up their deal with his owners, a move which could lead to legal action. (Sunday Mirror)

And if the Hammers do manage to stay up, the clubs that are relegated from the Premiership could start legal proceedings as West Ham escaped a points deduction over the Tevez/Javier Mascherano affair. (Sunday Express)

Former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says he is determined to turn Manchester City into a world force. (News of the World)

Meanwhile, City bidder Ray Ranson wants to bring former chairman Francis Lee into his camp as he tries to gain control of the club. (The People)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that he may not renew his contract in 2008 if his side fail to win any trophies next season. (Various)

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted he had sleepless nights after the loss to Portugal in the World Cup. (Sunday Times)

Leeds, set to drop into League One, are being targeted by consortium led by former Sheffield United chairman Mike McDonald. (Sunday Express)

Former Spurs striker Jurgen Klinsmann could leave America and coach in England next season. (Daily Mail)

English-born Derby striker Steve Howard says he would be honoured to play for Scotland. (News of the World)

Kilmarnock striker David Fernandez faces a career-saving knee operation this week. (Sunday Mail)

Celtic defender Bobo Balde will visit a specialist after his failure to recover from a broken ankle. (Sunday Mail)

Dundee United captain Barry Robson will not play again this season to avoid suspension next term. (Sunday Mail)


FERGIE VS MOURINHO
Delighted Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he would give Sam Allardyce a kiss or "maybe two" after Bolton held title rivals Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. (Various)

A dejected Jose Mourinho admitted the title race is almost over Chelsea side after they went five points behind United, adding that Ferguson's squad "won't feel any pressure now". (Various)

However, he is not giving up just yet, adding: "It's not over. Practically, there is a chance and when the chance is there you have to believe." (Various)

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba admitted United winger Cristiano Ronaldo deserved to win Player of the Year but says he would rather have success with Chelsea than pick up awards. (News of the World)


AND FINALLY...
Newcastle players are angry with boss Glenn Roeder as he is planning to cut short their summer holidays, even if they do not get into the Intertoto Cup, as he wants to play in a South African tour in order to get the squad ready for the new season. (The People)

 

[McFLY]

Monday 30th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Midfielder Kevin Nolan could now leave Bolton in the wake of manager Sam Allardyce's departure. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn are tracking highly-rated Hibernian right-back Steven Whittaker. (Daily Mirror)

Everton keeper Richard Wright could return to old club Ipswich at the end of the season. (Daily Mirror)

Serie B side Genoa want Hibernian striker Chris Killen. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Newcastle and Manchester City are Sam Allardyce's most likely destinations after quitting Bolton. (Various)

But Allardyce is not committed to taking over at City (Daily Mail) and would welcome a career break if the right job does not come up. (Times)

Allardyce quit because the board would not back him in the transfer market and he would have had to sell Nicolas Anelka to raise funds. (Sun)

'Little Sam' Sammy Lee will take over from Allardyce at Bolton. (Various)

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has banned predecessor Terry Brown from attending Saturday's game against Bolton. (The Sun)

Chelsea have accused Michael Ballack of caring more for his country than his club after he had ankle surgery without permission. (Daily Express)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane will get a bumper four-year contract and a £25m transfer kitty after the Black Cats were promoted. (Daily Mail)

Michael Owen will start a Newcastle match for the first time in 16 months against Reading on Monday. (Times)


FERGIE VS MOURINHO
After Ferguson hit out at Mourinho for calling Cristiano Ronaldo a liar, the Chelsea boss says he understands his United counterpart "felt he had to protect his boy".

But Mourinho adds: "A kid made some statements and was not showing maturity or respect. Maybe it's about education, a difficult childhood, no education, maybe it is a consequence of that. That was why I had to give an answer."

However, Mourinho says he hasn't lost respect for Ferguson, even after the Scot accused the Chelsea boss of "ranting".

"I have no problems with him and no problems with the boy," he said. "I like Sir Alex and if his digs against me are not offensive in relation to integrity and morals, then no problem."


AND FINALLY...
Former Manchester United keeper Fabien Barthez is poised to quit Nantes after he was confronted by a group of angry fans following the 2-0 defeat to Rennes. (Various)