February Football gossip 2007

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TRANSFER RUMOURS
Portsmouth's bid to sign Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop on loan was thwarted because of work permit problems. (Daily Mirror)

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce believes the sale of defender Matthew Upson to West Ham, which could be worth up to £9m, may have put his club's promotion prospects at risk. (Various)

Fulham midfielder Tomasz Radzinski fears he may not have a future at the club after boss Chris Coleman splashed out on Alexei Smertin, Simon Davies and Clint Dempsey. (The Sun)

Southampton defender Gareth Bale snubbed a £10m move to Tottenham in order to join Manchester United in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan have signed Blackburn defender Andy Todd. (Daily Star)

Former Spartak Nalchick midfielder Gogita Gogua has vowed to make Scotland pay for the collapse of his move to Hearts by helping Georgia beat Alex McLeish's side in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. He was refused a work permit because of Georgia's poor Fifa ranking. (Daily Record)

York City have vowed to fight for a payment from Hibernian for striker Clayton Donaldson, who is set to move to the Conference side in the summer for free because of an 'international loophole'. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea fear defender Ashley Cole could be sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury against Blackburn. (Various)

Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate, who is on loan to Middlesbrough, has played down his chances of being picked for England's match against Spain on 7 February, despite his run of good form. (Various)

Micah Richards believes his Manchester City team-mate Joey Barton will join him in the England squad. (Various)

American tycoon George Gillett is set to buy Liverpool after Dubai International Capital withdrew their offer. (Various)

Newcastle could be the next target for Dubai International Capital. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has pledged to keep faith with the youngsters who have steered the club to the Carling Cup final when they face Chelsea in the battle for the trophy on 25 February. (Various)

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch believes the Anfield club have reactivated a Premiership title race that had seemed set to become a straight battle between Manchester United and Chelsea. (Daily Express)

Sheffield United's Jon Stead wants to reward boss Neil Warnock's faith in him after the striker arrived at Bramall Lane from Sunderland for an initial £750,000 on 11 January. (Various)

Lord Coe appears to have ruled out the prospect of West Ham moving to London's Olympic stadium after the 2012 Games. He told BBC News 24 that the primary function of the stadium would be for athletics. (The Independent)

Olympic minister Tessa Jowell has said that the difficulties preventing West Ham from moving into the stadium built for the Games appeared to be too great. (The Times and The Guardian)

Chelsea have hit back at claims of a lack of fans coming through the turnstiles by insisting that Stamford Bridge is at 98 per cent of the 42,055 capacity for all home matches. (The Times)

The Football Association and Manchester City are set to resume discussions over whether Eastlands boss Stuart Pearce will take over as England Under-21 manager on a part-time basis. (Daily Telegraph)

The Football League is understood to have earmarked the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for the end-of-season play-offs after being unable to gain assurances about available dates for Wembley. (Daily Telegraph)


AND FINALLY...
Blackburn captain Ryan Nelson's nine-month injury problem became a pain in the backside - he had a buttock sliced open and holes drilled in the bone so surgeons could reattach his hamstring. (The Sun)

Conservative leader David Cameron has said terraces could return to football grounds under a Tory government, although he insisted that safety would still be the "first priority". (Various)

 

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Friday 2nd February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Carlos Tevez insists he is not upset by the departure of his Argentine team-mate, Javier Mascherano, to Liverpool. (The Sun)

Meanwhile, Mascherano has admitted he "dropped a clanger" by joining West Ham from Corinthians. (The Sun)

New West Ham signing Matthew Upson has criticised former boss Steve Bruce following his departure from Birmingham. (Various)

New Celtic signing Paul Hartley has admitted he will become number one enemy among the Ibrox faithful after turning down a move to Rangers. (Daily Record)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has praised Andy Cole's decision not to move on transfer deadline day. (Daily Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
Former Middlesbrough striker Massimo Maccarone has launched a blistering attack on England coach Steve McClaren, labelling his ex-boss "two-faced" and "false". (Various)

Maccarone also said that "only in England could a man with such obvious and limited abilities be made into the national coach". (Various)

McClaren is agonising over whether to include outspoken Joey Barton in Friday's England squad to play Spain - Barton previously criticised England internationals for their high-profile autobiographies following the World Cup. (Various)

George Gillett's £470m takeover of Liverpool could go through early next week. (Various)

Meanwhile, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has claimed bully-boy tactics from the Dubai International Consortium was behind the collapse of their rival takeover bid. (The Sun)

But sources close to DIC claim the Dubai Royal family pulled out of the deal because of the way the Liverpool board acted during negotiations. (Daily Mirror)

Prospective new Liverpool owner George Gillett has a bankruptcy on his CV from 1992 following the $1bn collapse of his business empire. (The Independent)

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has admitted for the first time that the club could go down. (Various)

The Premier League is probing Javier Mascherano's registration after the Argentine's move from West Ham to Liverpool - and the Hammers could be docked points if irregularities are found. (Daily Express)

Meanwhile, the Premier League will also probe Manuel Fernandes' move to Portsmouth to check the registration is all in order. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has told the Chelsea boo boys to lay off Michael Ballack. (Various)

Fans of FC Kaunas in Lithuania are revolting because they are fed up with being a feeder club for Hearts. (Daily Record)

Chris Sutton is suffering from an eye problem similar to that which sidelined Paul Scholes - and the Aston Villa striker could be out for the season. (Various)

Manchester United striker Henrik Larsson claims that Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo could become the best attacking partnership in the world. (Various)

Rangers striker Dado Prso will find out on Tuesday whether his dodgy knee will force him to hang up his boots. (Daily Record)

Bolton are ripping up their sub-standard pitch in a bid to boost their chances of progressing in Europe. (Daily Mirror)

The Premiership has been told that some of its £625m overseas TV rights bonanza should be used to cut ticket prices. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has lectured new signing Jon Stead about diving in the area after the striker took a tumble in the area during a midweek match. (Various)

Scottish Football Association chief executive David Taylor is a candidate for the same post at Uefa. (The Herald)

Hearts' plans to redevelop Tynecastle Stadium have hit a snag over the valuation of land being bought from the local council. (The Scotsman)

AND FINALLY...
England's footballer's WAGs are among the intended market for a new computer mouse designed in Switzerland. The device - which is studded with 59 diamonds - costs a mere £13,000. (The Sun)

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has moored his 282ft super yacht at swanky Sandbanks peninsula in Poole, Dorset. (Daily Star)

 

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Saturday 3rd February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Five clubs are in for Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, and Arsene Wenger says he does not know if the German will still be at the club next season as he will only be offered a one-year extension. (Various)

Rangers coach Walter Smith has hinted he will make moves in the summer for Motherwell striker Scott McDonald, Hibs midfielder Scott Brown and Wigan attacker Lee McCulloch. (Daily Record)

Birmingham managing director Karren Brady says she feels the club have been "mugged" by West Ham over the sale of Matthew Upson for £7.5m. (The Sun)

Watford defender Jay DeMerit says he will leave the club if they are relegated. (The Sun)

Reading will sign Luton defender Leon Barnett in the summer. (Daily Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has agreed to join Real Madrid as long as the Spanish club sign Manchester United's Ronaldo. (Daily Star)

Liverpool's prospective new American owners George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks will fly to Merseyside on Monday to submit a bid of £470m for the club. (The Guardian)

Tottenham Hotspur are being tipped as the next takeover target for private investors. (The Times)

Fulham manager Chris Coleman has told striker Collins John to toe the line in his final four months at the club before his contract ends. (Express)

Blackburn star Matt Derbyshire has revealed he turned down Manchester United to play at Ewood Park. (The Sun)

Michal Pospisil says Hearts have sabotaged their chances of silverware by selling Paul Hartley. (Daily Record)

Brian McBride is set to sign a new two-year deal with Fulham. (Mirror)

Shaun Maloney says he had to quit Celtic for Aston Villa to reach the top in football. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY...
David Beckham will appear on US TV in one of the sought-after half-time advert slots during Sunday's live coverage of the Super Bowl. (Telegraph)

Steve McClaren is the fifth England manager to pick Gareth Barry but the Villa player has still only amassed a grand total of eight caps for his country. (The Sun)

BBC Radio Scotland have apologised to misfiring Rangers striker Filip Sebo for joking that he was transferred to Edinburgh Zoo on deadline day. (Record)

Airline Flybe have named a Q400 passenger jet after Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier. (Daily Mirror)

 

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Sunday 4th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Thierry Henry will be allowed to leave Arsenal in the summer, with Real Madrid or Barcelona likely to pay £25m for his signature. (Sunday Express, Daily Star)

Cristiano Ronaldo's future at Manchester United is even more uncertain after Barcelona joined Real Madrid in the hunt for the winger. (News of the World)

Ronaldo met Madrid officials in a chance meeting during his mid-season break in Dubai. (Sunday Mirror)

Rafa Benitez will be given a transfer fund of between £100m and £150m when Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks take over the club. (Various)

Barcelona and Real Madrid are on alert after learning Frank Lampard's contract talks have been delayed. (The People)

Portsmouth want Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate. (News of the World)

Gabriel Heinze is poised to quit Manchester United this summer to join Italian side Juventus in a £5m deal. (News of the World)

Arsenal are chasing teenage Czech defender Ondrej Mazuch, who plays for FC Brno. (News of the World)

The Gunners have pipped Liverpool to sign France Under-16 prodigy Gilles Sunu from Chateauroux (Daily Star)

Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard has asked the club's fans to lay-off Ronaldinho, who has yet to sign a new contract. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP
Sheikh Mohammed will make a £450m takeover move for Arsenal after his Dubai International Capital group pulled out of negotiations for Liverpool this week. (The People)

Jerzy Dudek has rejected a new contract at Liverpool. (News of the World)

Former Middlesbrough defender Danny Mills says he can understand ex-team-mate Massimo Maccarone's "two-faced" jibe about England boss Steve McClaren. (Independent)

Some of West Ham's relegation rivals want the club deducted points if it is found they broke rules in fielding Argentine pair Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez. (The Mail on Sunday)

Scotland manager Alex McLeish has pleaded for Hearts to resolve their dispute with goalkeeper Craig Gordon. (News of the World)

Garry O'Connor's agent, Gary Mackay, has made the first moves in an attempt to restart the Lokomotiv Moscow striker's Scotland career. (Sunday Mail)

Blackburn striker Paul Gallagher feels snubbed by Scotland after being left out of the B squad to face Finland. (Sunday Mail)

Joey Barton has made his peace with England colleagues Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney but is yet to have showdown talks with Frank Lampard. (People)

AND FINALLY...
Liverpool sent someone on a top-secret scouting mission to Barcelona ahead of their Champions League last-16 tie, but there's a chance their agent was spotted. The person in question was 6ft 7in striker Peter Crouch. "I had never played there and I had never been to the stadium so we decided to make a visit," he said. (Daily Star on Sunday)

 

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Monday 5th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has urged Manchester United's in-form winger Cristiano Ronaldo to join Barcelona in the summer. (The Sun)

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has told Gunners fans "you know where my heart is" after renewed speculation linking him with Barcelona and Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Birmingham will make a renewed approach to Aston Villa this week to take central defender Liam Ridgewell on loan. (Daily Mirror)

West Brom striker John Hartson has been told he can leave the club on loan if he gets an offer. (Daily Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP
Newcastle midfielder Emre has launched his defence against an FA charge of racism by saying his words have been misunderstood in England. (Daily Mirror, The Times)

Italian football chiefs are planning to halt the championship for two weeks and order clubs to play behind-closed-doors in order to tackle their hooliganism problem. (The Sun)

Bayern Munich have become the latest club to signal their desire to recruit Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho if he leaves Stamford Bridge in the summer. (The Times)

Manchester City are ready to open talks with midfielder Stephen Ireland about a new deal. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham striker Brian McBride has signed a one-year extension to his Cottagers' contract. (Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY...
Vietnam coach Alfred Riedl will be out of action for two months while he undergoes a kidney transplant. Truck drivers, bankers and even Buddhist monks had offered to go under the knife for the popular Austrian Riedl, who has led the country to silver medals in the 1999, 2003 and 2005 Southeast Asian Games.

 

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Tuesday 6th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres has told Manchester United he does not fancy a £25m summer move to Old Trafford. (Various)

The Spain international, 22, is understood to view Arsenal as an ideal destination. (Various)

Or does he? Manchester United do in fact lead the chase for Torres and face competition from Chelsea. (Daily Star)

Charlton boss Alan Pardew is planning an end-of-season move for Celtic midfielder Thomas Gravesen. (Mirror)

Leeds are lining up a loan move for West Brom striker John Hartson. (Sun)

West Brom goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler is set to hand in a transfer request following Dean Kiely's arrival. (Star)

Striker Mark Viduka is ready to walk out on Middlesbrough after the club stalled on contract talks. (Sun)

Goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson is preparing to look for a new club after being frozen out at Manchester City. (Mirror)

Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell is still holding out on a new deal. Aston Villa, Manchester City, Charlton, West Ham and Middlesbrough are interested. (Star)

Arsenal are set to close a deal for new French whizzkid striker Gilles Sunu within the next month. (Various)


OTHER GOSSIP
England boss Steve McClaren is pondering going with a 4-3-3 formation against Spain on Wednesday. (Guardian)

Barcelona director Txiki Begiristain will run the rule over Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard in England's Old Trafford game against Spain. (Sun)

That scouting trip will come 24 hours after he has checked up on Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal's match against Brazil at the Emirates. (Sun)

Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz says Cristiano Ronaldo can have the same impact on European football as Michael Jordan had on the NBA. (Star)

Portgual boss Luiz Felipe Scolari would like to work in England. (Various)

Arsenal are using Wednesday's Brazil versus Portugal friendly at the Emirates to champion their cause to host a European club final. (Guardian)

Gunners skipper Thierry Henry has voted for Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes in this year's PFA Player of the Year award. (Express)

Brighton and Bury could sue West Ham if the FA fails to expel the Premiership club for fielding an ineligible player, Carlos Tevez, in the FA Cup. (Express)

West Ham have also crossed swords with Fulham who are furious they reneged on a deal not to play Luis Boa Morte when the clubs met in January. (Express)

Michael Ballack is happy with his Chelsea form and says he has found his "role in the team". (Daily Telegraph)

Stefan Klos could make a shock return in goal for Rangers. (Daily Record)

Scottish boss Alex McLeish hopes Italy will be forced to play their Euro 2008 qualifier against Scotland behind closed doors. (Daily Record)

Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks are on the verge of completing their takeover of Liverpool after lodging a formal £450m offer. (Various)


AND FINALLY...
A pregnant woman refused to enter a hospital maternity ward when she found out it had no TV as she wanted to watch the UAE v Oman Gulf Cup final. "I shall be back once my national team has won the coveted championship," she said. True to her word, she returned at the final whistle and named her child Matar after Ismail Matar who had scored the winning goal for UAE. (Khalej Times)

"Chelsea is not as good as we thought" read the headline in a Chinese daily paper. The country's Olympic football team were upset they could not train on the same pitches used by the Blues first team and were not allowed to shower, as the facilities were being used by female players at the time. (Titan/Daily Mail)

 

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Wednesday 7th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Blackburn defender Michael Gray may go out on loan when the transfer window opens in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has cast doubt over his future by saying he does not know where he will be in six months. (Various)

Ex-Falkirk striker Tam McManus still wants to return to Hibernian - where he is on trial - despite an offer from Russian outfit Sibir. (Daily Record)

Aston Villa keeper Thomas Sorensen expects manager Martin O'Neill to splash out on new players in the summer. (Daily Express)

Norwich and Leeds are battling it out to snatch ex-Celtic striker John Hartson from West Brom, with Football League clubs allowed to bring in players on loan from 8 February. (Daily Record)

Middlesbrough midfielder Gaizka Mendieta may join former England captain David Beckham in the United States because he is being tracked by two Major League Soccer clubs. (Daily Express)

Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty, who was the subject of a failed £500,000 bid from Celtic last month, wants a move to the Premiership rather than Scotland. (Daily Record)

Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell, who has rejected all offers of a new deal and is set to become a free agent in the summer, wants to talk to the club's hierarchy again to assess their ambition. (The Independent)

Ross County have warned Scottish Premier League and English Premiership clubs to keep their eyes off 16-year-old midfielder Gary Mackay-Steven, who has been dubbed the hottest young property in the Highlands. (Daily Record)

FC Copenhagen defender Brede Hangeland says West Ham were interested in signing him in the January transfer window. (The Independent)


OTHER GOSSIP
American tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks have vowed to make Liverpool the greatest club in the world after agreeing a takeover deal for the Premiership club. (Various)

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso believes that the takeover will propel the club to title glory in the future. (The Sun)

Coventry want to talk to Macclesfield boss Paul Ince about becoming their new manager. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson's England place is under threat for the first time after Watford's Ben Foster was picked to start the friendly against Spain. (Various)

Manager Steve McClaren has admitted that the entire England set-up is on trial - and that they must get it right over the next 10 months. (Daily Mirror)

England captain John Terry, who will not start the friendly against Spain, says he wants to be remembered as a great skipper for his national side. (The Sun)

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has been hit by a new international injury curse after Stephen Carr picked up a thigh problem on duty with the Republic of Ireland. It follows Michael Owen being injured with England last year and Steven Taylor dislocating a shoulder with England Under-21s last season. (The Sun)

Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has tipped the Republic of Ireland's crop of youngsters to provide an exciting future. (Daily Star)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to give new deals to Olof Mellberg and Gavin McCann. (Various)

Striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Inside United magazine that he feels this season is the last chance for the club's old guard to savour glory in the Champions League. (The Sun)

Toronto FC are set to be David Beckham's first opponents on 5 August following his decision to join Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy from Real Madrid in the summer. (Daily Mail)

Any chance of West Ham moving to the 2012 Olympic stadium is set to end but talks are still going on about Leyton Orient becoming a secondary tenant at the future athletics venue. (Daily Mail)

Rangers striker Dado Prso has been given the all-clear to play for at least one more season following fears that a knee problem could force him into retirement. (Daily Record)

Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires, who is now at Villarreal, hit out at Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in L'Equipe for subjecting him to "the worst moment" of his career - being substituted in the Champions League against Barcelona in 2006 after only 20 minutes. (Daily Express)

Aberdeen may enter the Intertoto Cup for the first time to end their five-year absence from Europe. (Daily Record)

Midfielder Mikel Jon Obi's Chelsea future could be in the balance after he ignored Blues boss Jose Mourinho's instruction not to play for Nigeria in Tuesday's friendly because of an injury concern. (Various)

Reading midfielder Glenn Little says the players, who are riding high in sixth place in the Premiership, have started to talk about qualifying for Europe - but only to make each other laugh. (Daily Express)

Huddersfield defender Nathan Clarke faces up to 10 weeks on the sidelines because of a knee injury. (Daily Star)

Former Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric's takeover of Leicester will finally go through this week. (The Independent)

Football Association members are expected to defer the date that shareholders make their final vote on the Burns report on the possible restructuring of the FA by two more months. (The Guardian)

Midfielder Matt Holland wants to convince Charlton boss Alan Pardew that he deserves a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in the summer. (The Independent)

Bayern Munich have denied that they want Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho to become their manager when Ottmar Hitzfeld, who replaced Felix Magath last week, ends his stint at the end of the season. (Daily Telegraph)

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland will be offered a new long-term deal. (The Independent)

West Ham hope striker Dean Ashton, who broke an ankle last August, will be fit to return to first-team action by the end of the month. (Daily Telegraph)

Wigan's Chris Kirkland and Leighton Baines should be fit to face Arsenal on Sunday after overcoming shoulder and calf injuries respectively. (The Independent)


AND FINALLY...
Security teams are investigating how six of Manchester United's Opus books, which are worth £4,250 each and weigh 88lb, went missing from a distribution warehouse in London. Two of the volumes have surfaced in Memphis and China. (Daily Mail)

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has rejected Sky's invitation to broadcast the Championship game with Derby this month so the fans can enjoy the match at the usual time of 3pm on a Saturday. (Various).

Rangers have taken advantage of a three-week gap between home fixtures to re-lay the pitch. (Daily Record)

Developers wanted to build near the home of former England and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, now a BBC pundit, but council officials in Northumberland vetoed the plans because the estate is home to a colony of red squirrels. (The Times)

 

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Thursday 8th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Atletico Madrid are lining up a £5m bid for Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta in the summer. (Sun)

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent watched Portugal's win over Brazil with Barcelona's director of football. (Sun)

Manchester United will offer Ronaldo an improved deal to try to persuade him to stay at Old Trafford. (Times)

Bolton fear Nicolas Anelka will quit the club unless attendances improve at the Reebok Stadium. (Daily Mirror)

Leeds boss Dennis Wise is trying to secure loan deals for Liverpool's Gabriel Paletta and West Brom striker John Hartson. (Daily Mirror)

Leeds also want Blackburn defender Michael Gray. (Daily Mail)

Tottenham are ready to sign struggling Everton striker James Beattie for a cut-price deal in the summer, but Blackburn are also keen. (Daily Mirror)

Middlesbrough midfielder Gaizka Mendieta wants a move to the US. (Independent)

Jonathan Woodgate is still hopeful of returning to Real Madrid - even though the Spanish club are keen to sell him to Middlesbrough. (Independent)

Boro's Mark Viduka is wanted by Tottenham but has not ruled out a move back to Australia. (Independent)

Transfer-listed Dunfermline winger Owen Morrison has been offered a contract by Chinese Super League outfit Qingdao Zhongneng. (Daily Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester City will force Stuart Pearce to sit in the stands when the England Under-21s take on Italy on 24 March. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa may offer injured striker Chris Sutton a new contract - even if he does not play again this season. (Daily Express)

Iain Dowie will be asked to take over as Leicester boss if Milan Mandaric completes his takeover. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham are considering building a new stadium next to the tube station. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea will make a formal complaint to Fifa after Nigeria selected Mikel Jon Obi for a friendly despite the club saying he was injured. (Daily Mail)

Dado Prso wants to stay at Rangers next season. (Daily Record)

Rangers defender Stevie Smith could miss the rest of the season if it is decided he needs surgery to a groin injury. (The Sun)

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel could be recalled from his loan with Falkirk because of an injury crisis at Manchester City. (Daily Express)

Deportivo La Coruna goalkeeper Ian Mackay, born in Spain but of Scottish parents, wants to play for Scotland. (Various)

Icelandic billionaire Thor Bjorgolfsson has denied he is funding a takeover bid for Hearts. (The Scotsman)

Hearts will double their board's borrowing powers despite a large increase in debts. (The Scotsman)


AND FINALLY...
Cristiano Ronaldo is planning to move into acting once his playing career is over. He said: "I could see myself as an actor. Playing the role of a comedian is more difficult but I might be capable of doing anything."

 

[McFLY]

Friday 9th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Rafa Benitez wants Tenerife's Iriome Gonzalez to be Liverpool's first summer transfer - he expects to pay about £1.5m for the right-sided player. (The Sun)

Frank Lampard has been dropping hints that he would like to move to Barcelona in the summer. (Daily Mirror, Daily Express)

Mikel Arteta has stunned Everton by revealing he wants to return to Spain and is already being linked with Atletico Madrid. (The Sun)

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has confirmed he is thinking about leaving the club in the summer. (Various)

AC Milan believe they are in "pole position" to sign Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho in the summer. (The Guardian)

Leeds are trying to sign West Brom striker John Hartson on an emergency loan until the end of the season. (Daily Mail)

Dunfermline winger Owen Morrison could be set for a move to a Chinese club. (Daily Record)

Toronto head coach Mo Johnston wants to sign Celtic's Neil Lennon. (Daily Record)

Austria Vienna have rubbished reports that they want to sign Rangers' duo Filip Sebo and Sasa Papac. (Daily Record)

Rangers are interested in signing St Mirren defender Kirk Broadfoot. (The Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
Carlos Tevez has revealed he and manager Alan Curbishley rarely speak. (The Sun)

Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola could be in line to take over as coach of Sydney FC, who have sacked Terry Butcher. (Daily Mirror, Daily Mail)

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner would let Martin O'Neill speak to the FA if they wanted him to replace current England manager Steve McClaren. (Daily Mirror, Daily Express)

Arsenal are involved in talks with a US billionaire about forming a partnership with Major League Soccer franchise the Colorado Rapids. (The Independent)

Coventry defender Robert Page will remain as captain despite knocking out a team-mate's teeth in a training bust-up. (Daily Mail)

Kilmarnock striker Stevie Naismith is being earmarked for Scotland's squad to face Georgia and Italy in the next Euro 2008 qualifiers. (Daily Record)

Berti Vogts has insisted he was not a failure as Scotland manager. (Daily Record)

Celtic have asked Newcastle to stage their Champions League clash away to AC Milan - after a security clampdown on Italian grounds. (The Sun)

Celtic's Japanese midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura says the SPL side can beat AC Milan in any stadium. (The Herald)


AND FINALLY...
Fulham defender Moritz Volz has raised £475 for charity by auctioning off the boots he used to score the 15,000th Premiership goal. (The Sun, Daily Express)

Liverpool new boy Javier Mascherano made a real faux pas by saying how proud he was to become a Red Devil. (The Sun)

Newcastle and England star Michael Owen has revealed he is a fan of cult TV show Deal Or No Deal. (The Sun)

 

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Saturday 10th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Barcelona and Real Madrid could be prepared to pay more than £47m for Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo. (Sun)

Frank Lampard is ready to sign a new Chelsea contract - despite interest from Barcelona. (Sun)

Everton believe they will keep Mikel Arteta this summer, even though the Spanish midfielder is wanted by Atletico Madrid. (Daily Star)

Neil Lennon's agent says the Celtic skipper may extend his stay at Parkhead again. (Daily Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
The Colorado Rapids could change their name to Colorado Arsenal after forming a "development partnership" with the Gunners. (Times)

Work on Liverpool's new 60,000-seat stadium at Stanley Park should begin next month. (Times)

Liverpool's new American owners are keen to install 'bunker suites' at the new ground - executive boxes built underground. (Daily Telegraph)

Everton have revealed that striker Andy Johnson was fit to play for England in midweek. (Various)

Steve McClaren has been told he will be sacked if England fail to qualify for Euro 2008. (Daily Express)

Celtic's Champions League away tie against AC Milan will take place at the San Siro. (Daily Record)

Midfielder Thomas Buffel may not play again for Rangers as he will undergo a knee operation that will rule him out for the season. (Daily Record)

Aberdeen's Ricky Foster says Dons players may get into the Scotland team now Alex McLeish is in charge. (The Sun)


AND FINALLY...
Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd gave cake to journalists at Friday's press briefing and apologised for being "obnoxious" following his side's defeat to Bolton last Saturday. (Daily Mail)

FA sources are claiming that the press pack misheard Steve McClaren following England's dismal defeat to Spain. His description of the Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel as a "rainbow game" prompted several newspapers to mock up pictures of McClaren as Bungle from 80s TV show Rainbow. The FA says McClaren actually called it a "real ball game". (Daily Mirror)

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan chased a gang of neds at the cinema for shouting abuse at his wife. Strachan compared the incident to a scene from "Chewin' the Fat." (Daily Record)

 

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Sunday 11th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Cristiano Ronaldo has told Manchester United to make him the richest player in the world with an offer of £8.3m-a-year or he will leave the club. (News of the World)

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson provided Owen Hargreaves with a private tour of Old Trafford on Tuesday as Manchester United move closer to signing the Bayern Munich midfielder. (Sunday Express)

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's first signing following George Gillett and Tom Hicks's takeover of the club will be to buy Spain international David Villa from Valencia for £20m. (Sunday Express)

Tottenham boss Martin Jol will bid £3.2m in an attempt to secure Harry Kewell from Liverpool in the summer. (Various)

And the Londoners have also set their sights on Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka, who is out of contract in the summer. (News of the World)

West Ham striker Teddy Sheringham could move to Australia in the summer, with Sydney FC keen to secure his services. (Sydney Morning Herald)

Everton winger Andy van der Meyde has threatened to quit Goodison Park as he is "sick" of being left out of the starting line-up by boss David Moyes. (Various)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp wants defender Sylvain Distin to leave Manchester City in the summer on a free transfer and join him at Fratton Park. (News of the World)

Jose Antonio Reyes, on loan at Real Madrid, could return to Arsenal in the summer because the Spaniards do not believe he is worth the £20m asking price. (Daily Star Sunday)

Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder wants to sign Scotland striker Kenny Miller from Celtic in the summer. (Sunday People)

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce fears midfielder Kevin Nolan will try to engineer a move away from the club because of his repeated failures to earn an England call-up. (Independent on Sunday)

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray will make a loan bid, with the promise of a £2m permanent deal, for Scunthorpe striker Billy Sharp next month if the Iron drop out of the League One promotion race. (Sunday Mirror)

Deportivo La Coruna defender Jorge Andrade is keen to join Chelsea this summer. (News of the World)

Celtic could move for Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon if Arsenal follow up their interest in Artur Boruc. (News of the World)

Hibernian, St Mirren and Falkirk are vying for the signature of Airdrie star Steven McDougall. (Sunday Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea are looking at sites in west London where they could build a new state-of-the-art 55,000-seater stadium after putting on hold talks to expand Stamford Bridge. (Various)

England's assistant manager Terry Venables is keen for the Premiership to limit the number of foreigners in the league, claiming it is a "big worry" for the future of the national team. (News of the World)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp could become Tottenham boss if Paul Kemsley, vice-chairman at Spurs, succeeds with a takeover bid. (Sunday People)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes "third-party ownership" of players, such as Javier Mascherano, leaves football open to corruption and says the Premier League must fight it. (News of the World)

Some "influential figures" at the FA want Steve McClaren sacked as manager if England lose to Israel in next month's European Championship qualifier. (Sunday People)

AC Milan bosses could ban their fans from travelling to Glasgow for the Champions League clash with Celtic to avoid crowd trouble. (Sunday Mail)

Scotland manager Alex McLeish will give forward Garry O'Connor one more chance to resurrect his career at national level after his no-show for a Euro 2008 qualifier under previous boss Walter Smith.


AND FINALLY...
Reading defender Ulises De La Cruz has not forgotten his roots back in Ecuador - he sends 15% of his monthly wage to Piqulucho, the tiny village where he grew up, which has already helped build a new school and ensured running water for the area. (Sunday Express)

Staff at Durham Tees Valley Airport had to call on-site Special Branch police after a persistent fan pestered Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for an autograph while he was on the phone. (Mail on Sunday)

 

[McFLY]

Monday 12th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano is set to be cleared to play for Liverpool within 48 hours after his move from West Ham last month. (Mirror)

But fellow midfielder Iriome Gonzalez has snubbed the chance to join Liverpool from home-town club Tenerife. (Sun)

Blackburn and Middlesbrough will make a move for Burnley's Northern Ireland international striker Kyle Lafferty in the summer. (Mirror)

Portsmouth striker Svetoslav Todorov is set to join Leicester on loan. (Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP
Former Charlton and Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie is expected to be named the new manager of Coventry. (Various)

Phil Dowd is the worst referee in the Premiership, according to Wigan boss Paul Jewell who says decisions in the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal may have cost his relegation-threatened club £50m. (Various)

Kilmarnock's Jim Jeffries was equally scathing of Dougie McDonald after his side's loss to Rangers. "He's the League Cup final referee," said the boss. "I hope he has a better day than he did today against Rangers or it's not worth turning up." (Daily Record)

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton faces an "FA rap" after police saw him gesture abuse at Portsmouth fans following City's 2-1 loss on Saturday. (Various)

The Football Association will discuss the idea that international friendlies be scrapped in favour of training camps. (Guardian)

West Ham's Marlon Harewood was cornered by a group of angry fans as he drove away from the defeat against Watford - in which he missed a penalty. (Mirror)

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who has missed six games in a row, may not make the trip to Cardiff for the Carling Cup final against Arsenal. (Star)

Chelsea are set to create a partnership with American side DC United. (Mail)

David Beckham will get a key role in the rest of Real Madrid's season after his goal-scoring comeback in the club's 2-1 win against Real Sociedad. (Mirror)

Kevin Thomson and Ugo Ehiogu have been ruled out of Rangers' Uefa Cu tie with Hapoel Tel Aviv through injury. (Various)

Hapoel Tel Aviv captain Yossi Abukasis is likely to miss the Uefa Cup tie against Rangers with an ankle injury. (Daily Record)

Craig Gordon's agent has demanded talks with Hearts after the Scotland goalkeeper was left out for the fourth game in a row. (Mail)


AND FINALLY...
David Beckham's future club LA Galaxy hosted 800 players from 20 countries at trials to find new players. (Guardian)

 

[McFLY]

Tuesday 13th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Arsenal are tracking England Under-21 keeper Scott Carson, who is currently on loan to Charlton from Liverpool. (Various)

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has told his close friends he has no intention of turning his back on the club in favour of a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are confident of signing Nigel Reo-Coker from West Ham. (Express)

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wants to sign Plymouth's 17-year-old right-back Dan Gosling. (Daily Mirror)

Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell is attracting the attention of Spanish club Valencia. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo has reiterated his desire to make his loan switch to Inter Milan permanent. (various)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp says he will bid for Manchester City defender Sylvain Distin. (The Independent)

Celtic will try to sign Bayer Leverkusen forward Andriy Voronin on a free transfer this summer. (Daily Record)

Trialist Tam McManus will have the chance to win a contract with former club Hibernian against Rangers reserves today. (Various)

Kilmarnock will give former Airdrie striker Aime Koudou and midfielder Erik Skora contracts if they shine against St Mirren reserves today. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
England boss Steve McClaren will hold crisis talks with his most influential players - John Terry, Frank Lampard, Gary Neville, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney - to discuss the friendly defeat by Spain ahead of next month's Euro 2008 qualifier with Israel. (Daily Mail)

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has ordered his players to undergo extra training in the build-up to the crunch clash with fellow relegation-threatened side Charlton on 24 February. (Daily Mirror)

Rangers goalkeeper Stefan Klos is facing another knee operation to save his career. (Daily Mail)

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will play for Hearts reserves after being left out the first-team after turning down a transfer away from the club. (The Scotsman)

Striker Samuel Eto'o looks set to miss Barcelona's Champions League tie with Liverpool on 21 February after refusing to appear as a substitute in the closing minutes of Sunday's win over Racing Santander. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City striker Darius Vassell is set to learn whether he faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging his hamstring against Portsmouth. (The Sun)

The Football Association is set to demand that England play more friendlies, with Soho Square chiefs offering a guaranteed 18 friendlies and 10 competitive ties in tender documents released to television firms. (Daily Express)

Scotland striker Kenny Miller hints he might have to quit Celtic because of his lack of first-team starts. (Various)

Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley will miss the Old Firm derby against Rangers on 11 March through suspension. (Various)

West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker faces a two-match ban after stockpiling 10 yellow cards. (Daily Mirror)


AND FINALLY...
Former Arsenal winger Robert Pires says he feels so attached to the club that he has bought a luxury apartment on the site of the Gunners' old stadium Highbury. (The Independent)

 

[McFLY]

Wednesday 14th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has told his Portugal team-mates that he wants to quit the Premiership club. (The Sun)

Former Chelsea defender Anthony Barness, 33, is on trial at Yeovil after leaving Plymouth. (Daily Mirror)

Defender Darren Ward is set to leave Crystal Palace in the summer after failing to stake a place in the first team and Preston and Wolves may renew their interest. (The Sun)

West Ham's Argentine forward Carlos Tevez could be set for a shock return to Brazilian side Corinthians. (Various)

Charlton's Omar Pouso wants to return to his native Uruguay, joining up with Penarol. (Daily Star)

Ghana defender John Pantsil has hinted that he may have to quit West Ham in search of first-team football. (The Independent)

Chris Sutton - out of contract with Aston Villa in the summer and sidelined with blurred vision since 23 December - could have played his last game for the club. (The Sun)

Portsmouth striker Svetoslav Todorov will leave the club in the summer. (The Independent)

Ivan Sproule could be ready to quit Hibernian after he was sent-off for the third time this season against Celtic on Saturday. (Daily Record)

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood turned down three bids for defender Zander Diamond during the January transfer window. (Daily Record)

Bayer Leverkusen's Ukrainian striker, Andriy Voronin, has given Celtic the go-ahead to sign him in the summer. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea's pitch, which was only relaid nine weeks ago, cuts up too easily and the club now want the company that did the work to replace the surface next week for nothing, while the company says the weather and the time of the year has led to the problem. (Various)

Six Wigan players have given details of referee Phil Dowd's alleged swearing during the defeat at Arsenal in a dossier to be sent to the Football Association. (Various)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes the club have finally come to terms with the loss of Roy Keane from their midfield. (Various)

Stuart McCall could be in line for a return to Bradford as their manager following the exit of Colin Todd. (Daily Mirror)

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has accused Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger of having double standards over the issue of time-wasting ahead of the FA Cup tie between the sides. (Various)

Manager Neil Warnock believes that Sheffield United are the fittest team in the Premiership. (The Sun)

Fifa are poised for another crackdown on goal celebrations next season. (Various)

Striker Benni McCarthy believes that Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has turned him into a better player than when he won the Champions League under Jose Mourinho at Porto. (Various)


AND FINALLY...
Francky Dury, the manager of Newcastle's Uefa Cup opponents SV Zulte Waregem, will be unfazed if his team are knocked out because they can then "focus on the Belgian league and nothing else". He said: "It is time this European adventure was over." (The Sun)

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been ordered to spend more time in Russia - by the nation's president Vladimir Putin. Abramovich is governor of Chukotka and wanted to resign after six years but Putin ruled he must stay on. (The Sun)

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has launched a scathing attack on Victoria Beckham, claiming people like her are the "death of football". (Various)

 

[McFLY]

Thursday 15th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester United captain Gary Neville wants on-loan striker Henrik Larsson to stay at Old Trafford for the rest of the season. (The Sun)

Chelsea are to give teenage Rushden striker Paris Cowan-Hall, 16, a second trial at Stamford Bridge. (Independent)

Hull boss Phil Brown hopes to sign West Brom striker John Hartson. (Mirror)

Swansea City - Hartson's hometown club - have snubbed the chance to sign the 31-year-old Welsh striker on loan. (Daily Star).

West Ham will allow out-of-favour Ghana defender John Pantsil to leave the club this summer. (Daily Mirror)

Pantsil has told the Hammers 'pick me or I quit'. (Daily Mail)

Cardiff want Sheffield United defender Chris Morgan on loan. (Daily Mirror)

Nottingham Forest are lining up a move for Birmingham City midfielder Neil Danns. (Daily Star)

Cristiano Ronaldo has ruled out a move to Real Madrid in the summer according to Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz. (Daily Star)

Blackburn, West Ham, Charlton and Reading are trailing Swindon striker Lucas Jutkiewicz, 17. (Daily Star)

Yeovil Town want Aberdeen midfielder Gary Dempsey. (Daily Record)

Tottenham could swoop for injury-prone Liverpool winger Harry Kewell. (Times)

Leicester City failed in a bid to sign Portsmouth striker Svetoslav Todorov. (Daily Star)


OTHER GOSSIP
England manager Steve McClaren has sent every player an individual DVD of the defeat by Spain, pointing out where they need to improve. (Various)

Wigan could ask the Premier League for dispensation to sign a goalkeeper on an emergency loan because of their injury crisis. (Daily Mirror)

Birmingham City's co-owner David Sullivan is astonished at the amount being paid out in takeover deals for England's leading clubs. (Daily Mail)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has told Chris Sutton to seek Paul Scholes' advice as he looks to recover from an eye injury. (Various)

Rangers need a long run in the Uefa Cup to curb heavy financial losses this year. (Daily Record)

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov is in trouble with the SFA after accusing Rangers and Celtic of buying off players and referees. (Daily Record)

Reading boss Steve Coppell will field a second-string team in his side's FA Cup tie against Manchester United on Saturday. (Various)


AND FINALLY...
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson was co-pilot on Rangers' charter flight to Wednesday's Uefa Cup tie against Hapoel Tel Aviv. (Daily Record)

Yakubu wants to keep taking penalties for Middlesbrough - despite missing two in their FA Cup fourth round win over Bristol City. (The Sun)

 

[McFLY]

Friday 16th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Former Arsenal star Jose Reyes says the time is right for Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo to join him at Real Madrid. (The Sun)

Real could have signed Ronaldo in 2003 when he was recommended to them by a youth coach at the winger's former club Sporting Lisbon. (Daily Telegraph)

Barcelona will sell Ronaldinho or Samuel Eto'o to persuade Ronaldo to join the club. (Daily Mirror)

Middlesbrough are tracking Reggina striker Rolando Bianchi. (Daily Mirror)

John Hartson is set to stay at West Brom - despite several clubs wanting him on loan. (The Sun)

Real Zaragoza are keen to secure on loan Manchester United defender Gerard Pique on a permanent deal. (Daily Mail)

Real Madrid striker Robinho says he will not be going to Tottenham because he will only move to "another big club". (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth are giving Nigerian striker Chinedu Ogbuke a second trial with a view to a £2m summer move. (Daily Star)


OTHER GOSSIP
Gary Neville says football agents make "millions for no work" and has called for them to be kicked out of the game. (Various)

Chelsea say they will not reduce ticket prices because they have to fund the players' high wages. (The Sun)

Nearly a quarter of England's ticket allocation for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel in Tel Aviv remains unsold. (Daily Mirror)

A Leicester insider has revealed Milan Mandaric has paid only £4.5m up front to buy the club. (Daily Express)

Jermaine Pennant says Liverpool are the best team in Europe. (Various)

Former Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell is the favourite to succeed Kenny Jackett as Swansea boss. (Daily Mirror)

Former Norwich boss Nigel Worthington is an early frontrunner for the Swansea job. (Daily Mail)

Mickey Adams and former Swansea striker Dean Saunders are also in the frame. (Daily Telegraph)

Scotland's top managers want Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov banned from football after his outburst about corruption in the game. (Daily Record)

Kilmarnock boss Jim Jeffries will sit in the stands at the CIS Cup final if his ban is upheld. (Daily Record)

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has returned to the UK to heal his rift with manager Jose Mourinho. (Times)

A survey by a German newspaper has revealed no Bundesliga club is interested in signing Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann. (Independent)


AND FINALLY...
The Queen was introduced to Arsenal's players on Thursday by Thierry Henry - and the monarch informed him: "You have a very international side". (Various)

Arsene Wenger says he never gives team-talks of more than seven minutes because players cannot concentrate for longer. (Daily Mirror)

Ipswich defender Alex Bruce has apologised for his half-time ritual - throwing up as he emerges for the second-half. "I am genuinely sorry. It's all about going into a red-hot dressing-room for 15 minutes and then coming straight back out to the freezing cold again." (Daily Star)

 

[McFLY]

Saturday 17th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
David Nugent will be allowed to leave Preston in the summer if they are not promoted to the Premiership. (The Times)

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has lined up Bayer Leverkusen's Ukraine striker Andrei Voronin as a summer signing. (Daily Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
Jose Mourinho's future as Chelsea manager has been cast into further doubt as right-hand man Steve Clarke has not been offered a new contract. (Daily Express)

Iain Dowie will be unveiled as the new Coventry boss on Monday. (Various)

Michael Essien says Chelsea will win the League, FA Cup, Carling Cup and the Champions League this season. (Daily Star)

Steven Gerrard says he could not contemplate playing for any Premiership club other than Liverpool. (The Times)

Sheffield United will break their contract stalemate with Keith Gillespie and hand him a new deal. (Daily Mail)

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson will launch a £50m lawsuit against the club's former owners if the club are docked points for fielding Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez, who may be ruled to be ineligible.


AND FINALLY...
Dean Saunders says that Ron Atkinson used one half of cheesy 1980s pop duo Rene and Renata to inspire the Aston Villa team at half-time during matches. Saunders said: "Half-time, we've had a bit of a disaster. Ron would open the door and in would come Rene. "Ron would say: 'Sit down and just have a look at what passion means."

 

[McFLY]

Sunday 18th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

The Glazers insist they will not be tempted by any huge offer for in-demand winger Cristiano Ronaldo. (Sunday Express)

Manchester United can extend Henrik Larsson's contract when his temporary deal ends on 12 March because the Swedish striker will be a free agent. (Sunday Mirror)

Newcastle are planning a £10m move for West Ham striker Dean Ashton should the Hammers drop down to the Championship. (Sunday Mirror)

Tottenham are set to make a £10m swoop for Sweden midfielder Kim Kallstrom this summer. The 25-year-old, currently at Lyon is keen for a move to the Premiership. (Sunday Mirror)

Antoine Sibierski could be on his way out of Newcastle after a row over a new contract. The Frenchman is demanding a two-year deal, but chairman Freddy Shepherd is intent on offering just one year. (The People)

Cardiff want to re-sign West Ham defender James Collins on loan until the end of the season after being told he can leave by Alan Curbishley. (The People)

Bayern Munich are lining up an end-of-season move for Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer to replace Oliver Khan. (The People)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has handed a second trial to Nigerian striker Chinedu Ogburke. (News of the World) Redknapp is also keen on taking Marlon Harewood to Fratton Park in a £3m deal. (The People)

Aston Villa are set to make a £1.5m bid for on loan Manchester United right-back Phil Bardsley. (Various)

Real Madrid have made Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas their number one transfer target with president Ramon Calderon already having made a move for the teenager in January. (News of the World)

Chelsea want to sign Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell in the summer. (The People)

But the Blues will face competition from Celtic for the in-demand 24-year-old. (Sunday Express)

Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan has pledged to splash out on new players if the club are promoted to the Premiership and wants to invest in a new stadium. (News of the World)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is planning a summer clear-out, even if his team win the Premiership, because his squad has expanded to over 60 professionals. (The People)


OTHER GOSSIP

The Football Association will not be allowed to run England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup because the of the way they handled the failed attempt to secure last year's tournament. (The Observer)

Liverpool are alleged to have gone on an alcohol-fuelled rampage during a training camp last week in Portugal. Jerzy Dudek, Jermaine Pennant and Robbie Fowler were named by local newspapers as being involved in the drunken spree. (Mail on Sunday)

Jose Mourinho will ask Roman Abramovich for total control of the club's playing side and a pay rise in talks that will determine whether he stays at Stamford Bridge this summer. (The Sunday Times)

Michael Essien has agreed a new four-year deal at Chelsea worth £12m. (News of the World)

Jose Mourinho, Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho could all be stripped of their Portuguese championship medals after claims of referee bribing from their former club Porto president Nuno Pinto da Costa. (News of the World)

Barcelona striker Javier Saviola says his team-mates work in a 'cold' dressing room full of big egos and admits the bust-up between Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho has shaken the team. (News of the World)

But coach Frank Rijkaard insists he does not plan to leave Barcelona despite the reported infighting. (Independent on Sunday)

Tottenham officials are considering a plan to make the new Wembley Stadium their temporary home while they rebuild White Hart Lane. (Sunday Mirror)

Government officials insist Wembley will not be ready for this year's FA Cup final because the Football Association will not have enough time to carry out full safety checks on the new stadium. (News of the World)

Cesc Fabregas apologised to Mark Hughes after the Arsenal midfielder made some disrespectful comments to the Blackburn boss after Saturday's FA Cup draw. (The People)

England boss Steve McClaren has asked his players if he should recall former captain David Beckham. (Sunday Mirror)

England's assistant coach Terry Venables is the shock name on West Ham's shortlist - if new owner Eggert Magnusson decides to replace manager Alan Curbishley. (Sunday Mirror)

Curbishley has only three games to save his job at West Ham. (News of the World)

Keith Gillespie is set to triple his wages at Sheffield United with the Blades set to offer the winger a £15,000 a week contract. (The People)

Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller and Luton's Sol Davis were interviewed by police on Saturday after fighting in the players lounge. (Sunday Express)

Internet tycoon Peter Wilkinson could soon make a move to buy struggling Championship side Leeds United. (Sunday Express)


AND FINALLY...

Hearts chief Vladimir Romanov capped an eventful week by having staff hand journalists bananas and monkey nuts at Saturday's draw with St Mirren. (The Observer)

Chelsea are in advanced talks with Disney over a multi-million-pound partnership aimed at generating major marketing opportunities for the club. (News of the World)

Ricardo Carvalho admits he could cry if he scores a winner for Chelsea against his former club Porto in the Champions League this week.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed the secrets behind his managerial success. The Frenchman declared: "If you're dealing with someone who's only wearing his underpants, if you take them off he's naked. You're better off giving him some trousers." (News of the World)

Right-back Micah Richards has pleaded with boss Stuart Pearc to let him solve Manchester City's goal crisis. The England defender is eyeing a place in Pearce's attack. (Sunday Express)

Real Betis plan to ban Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido from their stadium for life after he told board member Javier Paez that he had 'the face of a bender'. (The Observer)

PSV's Jefferson Farfan is being forced to fly to Peru to undergo a DNA test before facing Arsenal this week. He has been accused of fathering a daughter with former fling Mercedes Carrasco. (The Observer)

 

[McFLY]

Monday 19th February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Dynamo Kiev want Chelsea misfit Andriy Shevchenko to come home. (Daily Star)

Newcastle midfielder Emre has pleaded with former club Galatasaray to sign him. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle have stepped up their interest in Celtic striker Kenny Miller. (Sun)

Captain Dejan Stefanovic is demanding talks with Portsmouth about his future, with Leicester showing an interest. (Daily Mail)

Celtic still hope to beat Liverpool to the signature of Bayer Leverkusen striker Andrei Voronin. (Sun)

But Voronin has already agreed a deal to sign for Liverpool in the summer. (Daily Record)

Hearts midfielder Laryea Kingston says he will only extend his stay beyond the summer if the Edinburgh club qualify for European football next season. (Daily Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy will be fined £80,000 after an alleged altercation with team-mate John Arne Riise. (Daily Star)

Bellamy is still likely to play against Barcelona on Wednesday. (Sun)

However, the Wales striker will be the first casualty of a summer clear-out at Anfield. (Times)

Defender Matthew Upson should be fit for West Ham's crucial relegation six-pointer against Charlton on Saturday. (Daily Express)

England manager Steve McClaren is considering a recall for David Beckham and has asked to see a video of him in action for Real Madrid. (Sun)

The FA has denied fresh reports that the new Wembley will not be ready in time for the FA Cup final. (Daily Express)

Chelsea are poised to announce a pre-tax loss for the year of £80.2m. (Sun)

QPR are on the verge of sacking John Gregory and could replace him with Joe Kinnear. (Daily Star)

Chris Waddle has emerged as a surprise candidate to take over as Bradford manager following Colin Todd's sacking. (Daily Mirror)

Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink will be fit to play for Celtic against AC Milan. (Daily Record)

And fellow striker Craig Beattie has also declared himself fit despite picking up a knock. (Daily Mirror)

However, Rangers look set to be without skipper Barry Ferguson for their Uefa Cup tie against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY...
Patrice Evra has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo is known by his Manchester United team-mates as Playboy because he has his own mirror in the dressing room. (The Sun)

The FA and England's football kit manufacturers are on the look-out for anyone who shares their name with John Terry to launch a new five-a-side football tournament. Anyone with the same moniker as the England captain is asked to email their details to mynameisjohnterryATredconsultancyDOTcom for the chance to play in their own side during the unveiling of the FA Umbro Fives at Wembley Stadium on 27 February.

 

[McFLY]

Wednesday 21st February gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester United striker Alan Smith still has a future at the club, according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler will be offered a shock move to America by old team-mate and New England Revolution boss Steve Nicol. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has targeted David Trezeguet, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Valeri Bojinov and Amauri. (The Independent)

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have targeted Hamilton striker Richard Offiong to bolster their front-line. (Daily Express)

Aberdeen midfielder Gary Dempsey mulls over an offer from English League One side Yeovil Town. (The Herald)


OTHER GOSSIP
Bolton Wanderers will reduce the prices of their season tickets for next season. (The Guardian)

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has taunted Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger by telling him he has not won the Champions League. (The Sun)

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has got "100% backing" from owner Eggert Magnusson. (The Sun)

NBA star Steve Nash, a Canadian who plays for Phoenix, is interested in becoming a major investor in Spurs. (The Sun)

QPR goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts has been suspended by manager John Gregory. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry secured a £500,000 bonus before recommending a takeover for the club. (The Daily Telegraph)

The United States are looking to use David Beckham's image in order to promote their bid for the 2018 World Cup. (The Times)

Inverness boss Charlie Christie has called on the SPL to revamp top-flight football in Scotland. (Daily Record)

Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has challenged the club to break their away day hoodoo in the Champions League by beating AC Milan. (Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY...
Wigan boss Paul Jewell said he was sent a £25 donation to help fund his feud with referee Phil Dowd by another official. (The Sun)

Former Arsenal star Robert Pires has bought a flat at old ground Highbury. (Express)