March Football gossip 2007

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Wednesday 21st March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Birmingham will try to sign Portsmouth striker Andy Cole on loan until the end of the season. (The Sun)

Jlloyd Samuel will quit Aston Villa in the summer after not being given a "fair" chance. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder is planning a summer clear-out with Emre* Titus Bramble and Celestine Babayaro some of those at risk. (The Daily Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is set to make the first conciliatory move in his feud with manager Jose Mourinho as he is willing to hold peace talks. (The Sun)

Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate says Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo is not a diver. (The Sun)

But fellow Boro team-mate George Boateng says Ronaldo risks being "hurt" if he shows disrespect by showboating. (Daily Express)

Luton fans have turned on ex-boss Mike Newell after finding out he allegedly bagged 10% of transfer fees received during his tenure. (Various)

Charlton want a change to the way money from television for the Premiership is distributed to make it more even. (The Daily Telegraph)

Australia striker Mark Viduka is set to quit International football. (The Daily Mirror)

West Ham defender Danny Gabbidon reckons the player have only themselves to blame for their current predicament as relegation looms. (Daily Star)

Real Madrid are planning to lure Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez to the Bernabeu with an offer he cannot refuse. (The Times)

Rangers are battling with Chelsea for promising 14-year-old German keeping prospect Lars Babich. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY...
Going* going* gone. A dinner for 16 at Claridge's - cooked by Gordon Ramsay and hosted by Sir Alex ferguson - went for a cool £45*000 at the charity HMV Football Extravaganza on Tuesday evening

 

[McFLY]

Thursday 22nd March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Barcelona have made Chelsea captain John Terry one of their priority transfer targets in the summer. (Daily Star)

Sir Alex Ferguson will try to lure Eidur Gudjohnsen from Barcelona to Manchester United for £8m in the summer. (The Sun)

Cristiano Ronaldo has told Real Madrid and Barcelona he is not interested in leaving Manchester United. (The Sun)

Reading manager Steve Coppell has joined the chase for Spanish defender Cesar Navas. (Daily Star)

Barcelona striker Javier Saviola says he would like to move to England if Barca do not renew his contract beyond the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is ready to sign Romanian striker Cristian Tudor. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Chris Brunt looks set to join Manchester City for £2m in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham will keep striker Dimitar Berbatov after slapping a £40m price tag on the in-form Bulgarian. (Daily Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea have targeted Frank Rijkaard as their new manager when they sack Jose Mourinho in the summer. (Independent)

Belgium goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen has told Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo he will "have to leave the pitch on a stretcher" after being "massacred" during Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier. (The Sun)

Man City boss Stuart Pearce says Neil Warnock was wrong to criticise Gareth Southgate for resting players at the weekend. (The Sun)

Cesc Fabregas reckons Arsenal can still finish second in the Premiership this season and says they will be genuine contenders to lift the title next term. (Daily Star)

Martin O'Neill will get £30m to spend at Aston Villa this summer, with Craig Bellamy, Steve Sidwell and David Nugent on his wish-list. (Daily Star)

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has hailed Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as "exceptional". (Daily Mirror)

Rangers midfielder Thomas Buffel says he wants to quit the club to move to a stronger league. (Daily Record)

Manager Charlie Christie has committed his future to Inverness Caledonian Thistle after clear-the-air talks with his board. (Daily Express)

Gary Caldwell could be a surprise starter for Scotland against Georgia despite being out the Celtic starting line-up since being injured in November. (Daily Record)

Former referee Hugh Dallas, a member of the Uefa referees' committee, has briefed the Scotland squad on present rules ahead of their game against Georgia. (The Sun)

Georgia coach Klaus Toppmoller says he was offered the Rangers job before present Scotland boss Alex McLeish was appointed at Ibrox. (The Sun)

Former Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell is set to be appointed the new manager of Luton. (Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY...
2,356 days after England players last performed on the hallowed Wembley turf - and the new pitch cut up just minutes into their training session on Wednesday. (The Sun)

 

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Friday 23rd March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Ex-Chelsea boss Gianluca Vialli could be offered a sensational return to Stamford Bridge as number two to Marcello Lippi - a managerial dream team to replace Jose Mourinho. (Daily Mirror)

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has told Manchester United they are under no pressure to accept a £20m summer bid for Owen Hargreaves. (Daily Star)

Spurs are leading the race to sign attacking midfielder Nani - known as the new Cristiano Ronaldo - from Sporting Lisbon. (The Sun)

Trevor Sinclair will join David Beckham in MLS next season if he fails to win a new deal with Manchester City. (Daily Star)

Fulham are stepping up their interest in Leicester's Australian centre-back Patrick Kisnorbo. (Daily Star)

Blackburn have turned down 15 enquiries from Championship clubs for Scottish striker Paul Gallagher. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal will sign teenage French striker Gilles Sunu in July for between £700,000 and £1m on a four-year deal from Chateauroux. (Daily Telegraph)

Hibernian boss John Collins says midfielder Scott Brown will move at the end of the season, but he has issued a "hands-off" warning to clubs interested in Steven Whittaker, Lewis Stevenson and Steven Fletcher. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Israeli-born super-agent Pini Zahavi says Sven-Goran Eriksson has admitted it was the England players jealousy of David Beckham that undermined their 2006 World Cup campaign. (Various)

Zahavi has also told Steve McClaren that if England lose to Israel on Saturday, he will be sacked. (Various)

Liverpool's American owners want Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to sign new contracts. (Daily Star)

Uefa are investigating alleged threats from Belgium goalkeeper Stijn Stijnen to injure Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. (The Sun)

Arsenal defender Kolo Toure has accused his team-mates of being too violent. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has promised fans a massive summer spending spree to propel them into the top six in the Premiership. (Daily Mirror)

Glenn Roeder is planning a summer clearout at Newcastle, with Titus Bramble, Nolberto Solano and Antoine Sibierski all out of contract. (Various)


AND FINALLY...
Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann says it is not his decision as to whether he stays at the club next season - it is up to his missus. (Daily Mirror)

Former Rangers striker Gordon Durie says Ibrox hitman Kris Boyd is the player to fire Scotland to victory against Georgia in Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier at Hampden. (Daily Mail)

 

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Saturday 24th March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manager Glenn Roeder insists Michael Owen will not quit Newcastle in the summer - even if they fail to qualify for Europe. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is set to meet England's John Terry and Frank Lampard in Israel on Saturday night with a view to discussing plans for new contract talks. (Sun)

Arsenal could be set to make an offer for Roma defender Matteo Ferrari* who was on loan at Everton last season. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal have told Birmingham they will have to pay £4million to land midfielder Fabrice Muamba permanently next season. (Daily Express)

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce still hopes to entice Sylvain Distin to stay at the club rather than leave on a free transfer in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Celtic are to swoop for Motherwell striker Scott McDonald* also a target for Rangers. (Daily Record)

Aston Villa striker John Carew has been promised the club will launch a summer spending spree to strengthen the squad with Craig Bellamy and Steve Sidwell possible targets. (Daily Star)

Rangers are lining up a summer swoop for Everton and Scotland left-back Gary Naysmith. (Scottish Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Arsenal could be in line for an attempted takeover amid a huge recent surge in the share price. (The Sun)

Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez insists talks on his future can wait until after the next two Euro 2008 qualifiers. (Daily Express)

Southampton wonderkid Gareth Bale insists he is not fazed by talk of an impending big-money swoop from one of the Premiership big guns in the summer. (Sun)

Ruud van Nistelrooy has urged Real Madrid to tempt Cristiano Ronaldo away from Manchester United. (Daily Express)


AND FINALLY...
The Dutch Football Association has reminded its match officials not to show public shows of emotion or jubiliation in the wake of referee Eric Braamhaar's apparent delight at an Ajax goal against PSV last week. (The Times)

 

[McFLY]

Sunday 25th March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manager Glenn Roeder insists Michael Owen will not quit Newcastle in the summer - even if they fail to qualify for Europe. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is set to meet England's John Terry and Frank Lampard in Israel on Saturday night with a view to discussing plans for new contract talks. (Sun)

Arsenal could be set to make an offer for Roma defender Matteo Ferrari, who was on loan at Everton last season. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal have told Birmingham they will have to pay £4million to land midfielder Fabrice Muamba permanently next season. (Daily Express)

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce still hopes to entice Sylvain Distin to stay at the club rather than leave on a free transfer in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Celtic are to swoop for Motherwell striker Scott McDonald, also a target for Rangers. (Daily Record)

Aston Villa striker John Carew has been promised the club will launch a summer spending spree to strengthen the squad with Craig Bellamy and Steve Sidwell possible targets. (Daily Star)

Rangers are lining up a summer swoop for Everton and Scotland left-back Gary Naysmith. (Scottish Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Arsenal could be in line for an attempted takeover amid a huge recent surge in the share price. (The Sun)

Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez insists talks on his future can wait until after the next two Euro 2008 qualifiers. (Daily Express)

Southampton wonderkid Gareth Bale insists he is not fazed by talk of an impending big-money swoop from one of the Premiership big guns in the summer. (Sun)

Ruud van Nistelrooy has urged Real Madrid to tempt Cristiano Ronaldo away from Manchester United. (Daily Express)


AND FINALLY...
The Dutch Football Association has reminded its match officials not to show public shows of emotion or jubiliation in the wake of referee Eric Braamhaar's apparent delight at an Ajax goal against PSV last week. (The Times)

 

[McFLY]

Monday 26th March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Portsmouth have joined Tottenham and Newcastle in the battle to sign West Brom defender Curtis Davies. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth may be ready to hijack 18-year-old midfielder Lester Peltier's move to Arsenal from Trinidad and Tobago club San Juan Jabloteh. (Various)

Watford are set to sell striker Steve Kabba at the end of the season - only months after signing him from Sheffield United. (Daily Mirror)

Motherwell striker Scott McDonald, who has been targeted by Rangers, looks set to clinch a move to Celtic. (Daily Record)

Cardiff have ended their interest in Hibernian striker Chris Killen. (Various)

Reading midfielder John Oster is being lined up for a move to Wolves in the summer. (Daily Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP
England boss Steve McClaren and striker Wayne Rooney had a verbal bust-up in the dressing room after Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifying draw with Israel. (Various)

If the Football Association decides to sack McClaren, it will cost them £2.5m. If England fail to qualify for Euro 2008, it would cost the FA £100m. (Various)

England assistant boss Terry Venables is no longer working closely with McClaren after a damaging backroom split. (The Sun)

Kris Boyd, who scored in the win over Georgia on Saturday, is likely to be on the bench for Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifier with Italy on Wednesday. (Daily Record)

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni says his side will look to mark Barry Ferguson out of the Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday. (Daily Express)

Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor says he may quit international football after getting death threats. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal's four main shareholders would not consider listening to takeover offers unless they received a bid that significantly values the club above the current level, with the suggestion that the figure would have to be £700m. (Daily Express)

Everton are ready to offer defender Alan Stubbs, who is a free agent in the summer, a new one-year contract. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, 20, is set to sign a new three-year deal this week. (Daily Mirror)


AND FINALLY...
Billionaire Chelsea fan David Reuben has claimed that he tried to buy the club before current owner Roman Abramovich. Reuben said: "I am too busy cheering on Chelsea to think what might have been. Anyway, Roman has spent more money on the club than I would have done." (Daily Mail)

 

[McFLY]

Tuesday 27th March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Cristiano Ronaldo has pledged his future to Manchester United, ending rumours linking him with a move abroad. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws is keen to sign Watford striker Steve Kabba. (The Sun)

Tottenham striker Mido claims that Manchester City - linked with a move for him in January - still want to sign him. (Various)

Reading, Wigan and Fulham are interested in signing Arsenal's Fabrice Muamba, who is currently on a season-long loan with Birmingham. (Daily Mirror)

Charlton have been linked with summer swoops for Southend striker Freddy Eastwood and Norwich midfielder Paul McVeigh. (The Independent)

Defender Tyrone Mears will make his loan move from West Ham to Derby permanent in the summer. (Various)

Norwich have taken the Ryman league's top scorer Jon Main on trial from his club Tonbridge Angels. (The Independent)

Rangers striker Dado Prso will see a specialist in France to find out if he can play another season for the Scottish club. (Daily Record)

Falkirk hope to sign Northampton midfielder David Hunt in the summer. (Daily Express)

Everton manager David Moyes wants to sign striker Thorstein Helstad from Norwegian side FK Start in the summer. (The Independent)

Rangers are chasing Israel striker Toto Tamuz from Beitar Jerusalem. (The Sun)

Striker John Sutton says he has not snubbed a new contract - as St Mirren have not offered him one. (Daily Express)

Celtic and Bolton are vying for the signature of 16-year-old Ross County defender Graham Girvan. (Daily Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
England boss Steve McClaren will have to explain to the Football Association's International Committee why recent results have been so poor. (Various)

If England fail to reach the finals of Euro 2008 it could cost the FA a figure in the region of £100m. (The Sun)

The relationship between McClaren and his assistant Terry Venables is on the verge of breaking down. (Various)

McClaren is set to play Ashley Cole and Micah Richards from the start against Andorra on Wednesday. (Daily Star)

Manchester City's England defender Richards will be offered a big-money new contract in the summer. (Various)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is furious that England coach McClaren made Wayne Rooney a scapegoat following the 0-0 draw in Israel. (Daily Star)

David Beckham will make his debut for MLS side LA Galaxy in a friendly against Chelsea. (Daily Telegraph)

Blackburn Rovers could be bought by foreign buyers after initial talks were held with chairman John Williams. (Daily Mail)

Gary Megson could return to management with League One Huddersfield after 13 months out of the game. (Daily Star)

Former Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell is set to be named the new manager of Championship strugglers Luton Town. (Daily Mail)

Former Rangers midfielder Rino Gattuso says Italy will have less trouble beating Scotland then they would England. (Daily Record)

Scottish FA chief executive David Taylor says clubs could be docked points from next season for sectarian, racist or anti-social behaviour by their fans. (Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY...
Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd is set to enlist the help of former England rugby union fitness coach Dave Reddin to help his team's battle against relegation from the Premiership. (Daily Star)

 

[McFLY]

Wednesday 28th March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Bolton are eyeing a double summer swoop for Liverpool's Harry Kewell and Wigan's Henri Camara. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal are closing in on a deal for 17-year-old Norweigan defender Havard Nordtveit, though Manchester United are also keen. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie is a summer target for Sheffield United. (Daily Star)

Bolton have been linked with Deportivo's Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aoate. (Independent)

Everton defender Gary Naysmith is being lined up for a return back to his native Scotland by new Rangers manager Walter Smith. (Daily Mirror)

Birmingham are set to make a bid for Fulham defender Zat Knight. (The Sun)

Crewe are keeping an eye on non-league Maidenhead's midfielder Abdul Osman. (Daily Star)

Chelsea are pushing through a deal for 15-year-old Dutch sensation Jeffrey Bruma from Feyenoord. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield Wednesday want to sign on-loan Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner on a permanent basis. (Daily Star)

Danny Granville is set to leave Crystal Palace at the end of his contract in the summer, with Bristol City and Southend interested. (Daily Star)

Lyon's Florent Malouda has ruled out a move to Chelsea, saying there is too much uncertainty over boss Jose Mourinho's future. (Daily Star)

Celtic have completed the signing of Scott McDonald from Motherwell on a pre-contract for the start of next season. (The Sun)

Celtic have launched a £3m bid for Ghana captain Stephen Appiah from Fenerbahe. (The Sun)

Clyde midfielder Craig Bryson is poised to sign a pre-contract agreement with Kilmarnock. (Daily Record)

Norwich manager Peter Grant wants to make Celtic goalkeeper David Marshall's loan spell permanent in the summer. (Daily Record)

Queen of the South manager Ian McCall is favourite to take over from the axed Dick Campbell at Partick Thistle. (Daily Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
England boss Steve McClaren will drop midfielder Owen Hargreaves in order to play a more attacking side in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra. (Various)

Frank Lampard will play despite having his right hand in plaster due to a broken bone in his wrist. (Various)

Michael Owen has set his sights on returning from injury for Newcastle's game against Chelsea on 22 April. (The Times)

Preston boss Paul Simpson fears they have lost their chance of keeping hold of striker David Nugent. (Daily Star)

England and Manchester City defender Micah Richards will have surgery on his long-standing calf problem this summer. (Various)

Sir Alex Ferguson may rest Wayne Rooney for the game with Blackburn on Saturday to save him from burn-out. (Daily Mirror)

Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric is set to sack manager Rob Kelly at the end of the season and his short-list includes Bryan Robson and Glenn Hoddle. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson says injured striker Dean Ashton will not be allowed to leave the club until January at the earliest. (Daily Express)

The Football League is set to follow the Football Association's lead and announce that the play-offs will be staged at the new Wembley Stadium. (Daily Telegraph)

Portsmouth are to offer David James and Sol Campbell new contracts. (Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY...
Only unknown African minnows Zanzibar - who are so bad they are not even recognised by Fifa - have the same miserable record as England over the past five games. (The Sun)

 

[McFLY]

Thursday 29th March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Tottenham are tracking Germany defender Christoph Metzelder, who plays for Borussia Dortmund. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool are targeting Scunthorpe striker Billy Sharp in a £2m swoop. (The Sun)

Liverpool will offer midfielder Momo Sissoko a double-your-money deal to prevent him being tempted by Barcelona. (Various)

Tottenham are lining up a £2m summer swoop for Leyton Orient defender Brian Saah because of concerns over Ledley King's knee and foot problems. (The Sun)

Manchester United winger Jamie Mullan is set to sign for Swansea in a bargain deal. (Various)

Besiktas boss Jean Tigana wants to sign Sheffield United's Turkish Under-21 international striker Colin Kazim-Richards. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth are chasing Helsingborg star McDonald Mariga in a £250,000 swoop that would make the midfielder the first Kenyan to play in the Premiership. (Daily Star)

West Brom fear defender Curtis Davies, who has been linked to Newcastle, Portsmouth and Tottenham, has played his last game for the club following surgery on a broken foot. (Various)

Everton are planning a move for Crewe defender Billy Jones after Stoke failed with a bid. (Daily Mail)

Fulham will sign Preston's Carlo Nash - once the keeper's loan spell at Wigan ends. (Daily Mail)

Derby want to rescue winger Matthew Etherington from West Ham - if the clubs swap divisions by the end of the season. (Daily Mirror)

Crystal Palace will go head to head with Sheffield Wednesday in a bid to sign Everton keeper Iain Turner, who is currently on loan at the Owls. (Various)

Coventry want to sign Birmingham winger Julian Gray, who is out of contract at the end of the season. (Daily Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
England boss Steve McClaren walked out of a news conference for the written press, which was held following the Euro 2008 qualifying win over Andorra, after only two questions. (Various)

England midfielder Frank Lampard, who was left out of the team against Andorra, wanted to take a private jet back to London for treatment on his fractured wrist but was told he had to stay with the squad. (Various)

Sir Bobby Robson, who is Steve Staunton's number two, has defended the Republic of Ireland boss after Kevin Doyle's goal kept the nation in the hunt in Euro 2008 qualifying group D. (The Sun)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will not walk out on the Midlands club if the FA approach him again to take charge of England - if Steve McClaren leaves the post. (Daily Express)

Boston have appealed to the owners of York Street stadium to ensure its swift sale to enable the club to survive. (Daily Express)

Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg is ready to commit his future to the club in April. (Daily Mirror)

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has set his side the target of picking up 60 points in the Premiership for the first time in a bid to earn a Uefa Cup place. (The Sun)

Goalkeeper Scott Carson, who is on loan at Charlton from Liverpool, says all of the Addicks squad believe they can beat relegation. (Various)

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 19, fears the club's gruelling fixture schedule has left him close to burn-out. (Various)

American tycoon Stan Kroenke is still interested in buying Arsenal, despite claims that he does not want to launch a takeover bid. (The Sun)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted it is his fault that the Gunners have no trophies to play for following their Champions League exit. (Daily Mirror)

Celtic are set to find out if Evander Sno will miss the rest of the season after the midfielder was injured on international duty with Holland Under-21s. (Daily Record)

Dundee star Scott Robertson, who is ruled out for the rest of this season with a foot injury, has pledged his future to the club. (Daily Record)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes revitalised midfielder Paul Scholes can fire the club to the Treble. (The Sun)

Plymouth striker Nick Chadwick has been ruled out until next season following surgery on a groin injury. (Daily Star)

Southampton's top scorer Grzegorz Rasiak has a virus and has been banned from returning to England by doctors after being ruled out of international duty with Poland. (Daily Star)

The Football Association hopes to officially announce on Friday that Brazil will be the opponents for the first England international at the new Wembley stadium on 31 May. (Daily Mail)

The Premier League are in advanced discussions with the Football League about a £50m grant to help close the gulf between the top clubs and the rest of the English game. (Daily Telegraph)

Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate is doubtful for Saturday's game against West Ham because of a knee injury. (The Independent)

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has warned his players there is no room for underachievers at the club. (Various)

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has blamed the players for the relegation-threatened club's problems this season. (The Times)


AND FINALLY...
Manchester United defender Gary Neville's new mansion, which is being built outside Bolton, has upset local people, who have told the council that it is an "eyesore". (Daily Mail)

ITV and Setanta Sports are trying to win the television rights to show FA Cup and home England matches, which are currently covered by the BBC and Sky, in a deal worth more than £400m. (Various)

 

[McFLY]

Friday 30th March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Ajax are bracing themselves for a bid from Manchester United for on-fire striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. (The Times)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has moved a step closer to signing Udinese's £10m-rated Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa are set to bid £1.5m to sign Phil Bardsley on a permanent deal from Manchester United. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has missed out on Paraguayan hotshot Luiz Paez, 17, because he doesn't like the weather. (Daily Mirror)

Everton flop Andy van der Meyde could be heading home to Holland with Twente Enschede. (The Sun)

Fulham boss Chris Coleman has targeted Leicester defender Paddy McCarthy as the man to replace Zat Knight, who looks to be heading to Birmingham. (Daily Star)

Rangers are lining up a £2m bid for AZ Alkmaar striker Danny Koevermans (Scottish Sun)

Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel is a target for New York Red Bulls in MLS. (Daily Mail)

Norwich have opened talks with Crewe right-back Jon Otsemobor. (Daily Mail)

Hibs boss John Collins says Scott Brown's value could soar after his impressive display for Scotland in Italy on Wednesday. (Daily Record)

Rangers boss Walter Smith will not pursue Northern Ireland striker David Healy despite seeing him score twice against Sweden. Smith was casting his eye over a Swedish player. (Daily Record)

Rangers have been told to forget about signing Everton defender Gary Naysmith. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
England boss Steve McClaren has one game - the Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia in June - to save his job. (Various)

Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham says he is ready to answer an SOS from England to help save McClaren's job. (The Sun)

Captain John Terry ripped an England shirt from Andorra skipper Oscar Sonejee's hands in an ugly tunnel bust-up. (The Sun)

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley says he has no hidden agenda for dropping 40-year-old striker. (Daily Star)

Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to sign a new five-year deal at Manchester United worth £110,000-a-week. (The Sun)

Mike Newell admits he is still bitter after getting the sack as Luton manager last week. (The Sun)

Newcastle have been given a one-month extension to finalise a deal with Fifa over their £6.25m compensation claim for Michael Owen's World Cup injury. (Daily Express)

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson says they will still be in the Champions League in five years' time. (Daily Express)

Chelsea's axed England midfielder Frank Lampard is ready to sign a new £120,000-a-week contract to end speculation over his future. (Daily Mirror)

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate believes England stars will quit the national team if fans keep hurling abuse at them. (Daily Mirror)

Ex-QPR chairman Bill Power has made a £1m bid to buy Swindon. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes says he would love to succeed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford. (Various)

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock is in talks over a new two-year contract. (Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY...
Under-fire boss Steve McClaren playfully ordered the England team bus to run over Daily Star journalist Brian Woolnough on Wednesday after the Andorra game. Woolnough reckons that if McClaren himself was driving, he'd miss! (Daily Star)

 

[McFLY]

Saturday 31st March gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Real Madrid are confident of luring Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in the summer, along with AC Milan's Brazilian ace Kaka. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp will search for "another Sol Campbell on a free" to boost his squad for next season. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill may raid neighbours West Brom for right-back Paul McShane. (Daily Mirror)

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan insists Kenny Miller, Craig Beattie and Derek Riordan would not leave the club unless they asked to leave. (Daily Record)

Chelsea winger Arjen Robben will not be sold in a cut price deal to Barcelona in the summer. (Sun).


OTHER GOSSIP
Guus Hiddink is being lined up to join Chelsea as general manager under a new club structure, as a buffer between Jose Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich. (Various)

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has warned Steve McClaren he won't rush England striker Michael Owen back from injury. (Sun)

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock will double his salary to £800,000- a year - but only if Sheffield United stay up this season. (Daily Express)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has told Steven Gerrard he will use him in a position best for the team - whether that be in the middle or right of midfield. (Various)

Wigan boss Paul Jewell believes fans are disillusioned with players because of the "vast" money the game's stars earn. (Mirror)

Newcastle striker Antoine Sibierski has attacked his ex-boss at Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce for being dishonest with him. (Various)

Gordon Strachan denies he will tempted to leave Celtic in the summer and return to the English Premiership with Manchester City. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY...
Arsenal fans will soon be able to watch instant action replays of matches by bringing their own mini-games consoles to the Emirates stadium. (Daily Star)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he may give the Football Association his credit card so it can take fines straight out of his bank account. (Guardian)