November Football gossip 2007

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Thursday 01st November gossip column
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester United have stolen a march on Real Madrid in the £10m race to sign midfielder Miguel Veloso. (The Sun)

Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy will battle former club Sunderland to sign Manchester United's Jonny Evans. (Daily Mail)

Stoke are targeting a transfer swoop for West Ham's out-of-favour Nigel Quashie. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield Wednesday are interested in signing Scunthorpe's unsettled midfielder Cleveland Taylor. (Daily Mirror, Daily Star)

Charlton boss Alan Pardew has been told to forget about taking striker Grzegorz Rasiak from Southampton. (Daily Star)

Sevilla striker Freddie Kanoute has refused to rule out a move to Tottenham. (Daily Express)

Chelsea may be alone in the race to sign Ronaldinho, as AC Milan change their minds. (The Guardian)

Former Dundee United player Robbie Winters plans a return to the SPL after quitting Norwegian champions Brann. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Coventry have emerged as the latest takeover target for millionaire Ray Ranson. (Daily Mirror, The Times)

Chelsea boss Avram Grant has pleaded with his club to hand hat-trick hero Frank Lampard a new contract. (Various)

Juande Ramos was unimpressed after watching Tottenham scrape a win in his first game in charge. (Various)


AND FINALLY
John Arne Riise was left with a face as red as his Liverpool shirt when copies of his payslip ended up on the internet. It was revealed that the defender is paying more than £50,000 a month in tax. (The Times)

 

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Friday 02nd November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Barcelona are considering selling the out-of-form Ronaldinho, who is a target for Chelsea. (The Guardian)

Chelsea have stepped up their pursuit of Corinthians' Lulinha, the 17-year-old Brazilian chased by a number of top clubs. (The Independent).

Manchester City are close to signing Brazilian striker Alfonso Alves, 26, from Dutch club Heerenveen for £14m. (Daily Star)

Michael Owen crushed Manchester City's hopes of signing him by pledging his future to Newcastle. (Daily Mirror)

Crystal Palace have pulled out of a move to sign Stoke defender Clint Hill. (Daily Star)


OTHER GOSSIP
Juande Ramos has made replacing goalkeeper Paul Robinson his first priority as Tottenham boss. (The Times)

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann fears he may have played his last game for the club. (Daily Mirror)

Juventus have stepped up their interest in Arsenal midfielder Gilberto. (Daily Mirror, Daily Star)

Emmanuel Adebayor snubbed a move to Manchester United to sign a new contract with Arsenal. (The Sun)

Martin Jol has accused director of football Damien Comolli of costing him his job as Tottenham boss. (The Sun)

Tottenham have launched a hunt for the mole who leaked news of Jol's departure before he had been told. (Daily Mail).

Ipswich manager Jim Magilton is set to sign a new contract. (Various)

Newcastle are ready to offer midfielder Nicky Butt a new deal. (Daily Star)

Farsley Celtic boss Lee Sinnot will be offered the Port Vale manager's job. (Daily Star)

Wigan midfielder Antoine Sibierski has urged chairman Dave Whelan not to sack manager Chris Hutchings. (Daily Mirror)

Gareth Southgate's job as Middlesbrough manager is safe despite six defeats from seven games. (Daily Mirror)

Prince William will be used by the FA as a special ambassador to help England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup. (Daily Telegraph)

Arsenal are leading calls for a boycott of the Champions League unless Uefa president Michel Platini scraps his controversial reform of the competition. (Daily Telegraph)

Striker Chris Killen has become the latest Celtic player to complain about not being given enough first-team opportunities. (Various)

Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, has criticised plans for a GB football team at the 2012 Olympics in London. (The Scotsman)

Australian rugby coach Matt Williams says he and his football counterpart, the German Berti Vogts, were the victims of racism while in charge of their respective Scotland sides. (Various)


AND FINALLY
Sunderland boss Roy Keane has got his players fired up for their trip to Manchester City - by sending them go-kart racing. (Daily Mirror).

 

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Saturday 03rd November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chelsea boss Avram Grant has made Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka his number one target in the January transfer window. (Mirror)

New Spurs boss Juande Ramos could raid former club Sevilla for Russia striker Alexander Kerzhakov. (Mirror)

Atletico Madrid are planning an £8m January swoop for Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. (Express)

Didier Drogba may have signalled the end of his Chelsea career by admitting he was disgusted with himself for accepting Roman Abramovich's millions. (Sun)

Tottenham coach Juande Ramos says he wants Dimitar Berbatov to stay, even though the Bulgarian striker is demanding showdown talks over his future. (Sun)

Portsmouth are tracking Portugese midfielder Tiago Gomes from Estrela Amadora. (Mirror)

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan says fringe players like Derek Riordan, Bobo Balde and Chris Killen are free to leave in January if they are unhappy at the Glasgow club. (Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits he had talks about becoming Leeds manager in 2003 while still with Celtic. (Telegraph)

Bolton boss Gary Megson has blocked Gary Speed's loan move to Sheffield United. (Telegraph)

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admits he must risk burning out Steven Gerrard because of the club's injury problems. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes the Premier League is ready to embrace a winter break. (Daily Star)

Bimingham manager Steve Bruce wants the Premier League to let clubs name seven substitutes.(Sun)

Arsene Wenger has revealed he picked up France midfielder Lassana Diarra for "just £2m" from Chelsea.


AND FINALLY
Avram Grant has revealed his dressing room initiation song at Chelsea was "My Way". (Daily Mirror).

 

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Sunday 04th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manager Mark Hughes is to be offered a huge new deal to keep him at Blackburn. (News of the World)

But Hughes could be in the frame to replace Sam Allardyce at Newcastle if he fails to make a quick impression. (News of the World)

Ronaldinho has snubbed a record-breaking £50m move to Chelsea. (News of the World)

Darren Bent wants to quit Tottenham - just four months after signing for £16.5million. (People)

West Ham have targeted former Liverpool assistant coach Paco Ayesteran to become new technical director at Upton Park. (People)

And West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is poised to bolster his striking options with Inter Milan's Brazilian Adriano in January. (Sunday Mirror)

Bolton manager Gary Megson is ready to raid old club West Brom for Zoltan Gera. (Sunday Mirror)

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will launch an £8m raid on young Real Betis star Juan de Dios Prados. (People)

Benitez is also hoping to bring Burnley's teenage striking sensation John Cofier, 15, to Anfield. (News of the World).

But to pay for new signings, Benitez is willing to offload the likes of Peter Crouch, Momo Sissoko and John Arne Riise when the transfer window opens. (News of the World).

New Tottenham coach Juande Ramos will raid former club Sevilla for with a £6m bid for central defender Julien Escude (People).

Boss Steve Coppell is plotting a Reading club-record £5m bid for Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor. (Sunday Mirror)

Arsene Wenger has his sights on Real Madrid's Pablo Saparia and AEK Athens Sokratis Papa, both 15-year-olds. (People).

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is ready to snap up Paraguay World Cup striker Nelson Cuevas - on a free. (People)


OTHER GOSSIP
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is sensationally targeting old rival Rafa Benitez's Liverpool job for his big Premier League comeback. (Daily Star Sunday)

Assistant coach Gus Poyet has been given the job of boosting Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov's confidence. (News of the World) Rafa Benitez will be handed £25m to boost his Liverpool squad in January. (People)

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has been warned not to wear his replica shirt in the Sunderland directors' box next week in case of antagonising home fans. (Sunday Mirror).

England boss Steve McClaren has flown to the USA to check on the fitness of David Beckham in the hope he can play in the next Euro 2008 qualifer. (Mail on Sunday)


AND FINALLY
Portsmouth and England keeper David James has revealed he'd love to one day drive in a demolition derby race. (Observer).

 

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Monday 05th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
New Tottenham boss Juande Ramos is leading the race to sign Russian striker Alexander Kerzhakov from his former club Sevilla. (The Sun).

Christian Poulsen, another Sevilla star, is a £7m target for Manchester City. (The Sun)

Spurs manager Ramos has made securing the future of Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov a top priority. (The Times)

Tottenham's under-pressure sporting director Damien Comolli will hold crisis talks over Berbatov's future. (Daily Mail)

Rolando Bianchi may return to Italy in January after failing to settle at Manchester City. (The Guardian).

Everton are interested in signing Arsenal full-back Justin Hoyte. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea boss Avram Grant is ready to ditch Tal Ben Haim - only months after the defender's arrival from Bolton. (Daily Mirror)

Reading are to offer Rangers £3m for midfielder Brahim Hemdani. (Daily Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP
Middlesbrough will target ex-Wigan boss Paul Jewell if results under manager Gareth Southgate do not improve. (The Sun)

Newcastle have dismissed reports that Sam Allardyce's job as manager is already under threat. (Daily Mail)

Dunfermline are to sack manager Stephen Kenny. (Daily Record)

Louis Saha will be given a starting place for Manchester United in their Champions League game against Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday. (The Sun)

Gilberto has denied having a row with boss Arsene Wenger after being left out of the Arsenal side. (The Sun)

Tottenham will not punish goalkeeper Paul Robinson for criticising the club's board over their sacking of ex-boss Martin Jol. (The Sun, Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY
Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock was promised money for new players by chairman Simon Jordan - when they met in a toilet after the 0-0 draw with Scunthorpe. (Daily Mirror)

 

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Tuesday 06th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
West Ham have been linked with Inter striker Adriano and are ready to pay £14m for the Brazilian. (Independent)

Aston Villa's Sweden international defender Olof Mellberg has refused to deny speculation linking him with a move to Juventus. (Independent)

Arsenal are on the trail of Congo international striker Tresor Mputu and will pay £500,000 for him. (Daily Star)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane says he wants to bring in three or four players in January. (Independent)

Bolton want to sign Manchester City's £2m-rated winger Ishmael Miller, who is on loan at West Brom. (Daily Star)

Man City have been told by Seville they have no chance of signing their midfielder Christian Poulsen. (The Sun)

Derby want to re-sign Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone when the January transfer window opens. (The Sun)

Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson wants to turn his season-long loan at Aston Villa into a permanent deal to stay at the club. (The Sun)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could make a move for Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, whose contract finishes in June. (Mirror)

Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has sought assurances he can leave the club if they finish outside the top four in the Premier League. (The Times)

West Ham captain Lucas Neill wants the club to raise his salary just 10 months after joining them. (Mirror)

Bolton want to sign Sheffield United hard-man Chris Morgan. (Mirror)

Liverpool are interested in signing Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones and could make a £12m bid for him. (Mirror)

Celtic are ready to beat Hearts in the race to sign Dundee United goalkeeper Gregorz Szamotulski in January. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Joe Royle is a front-runner to be the new Wigan boss following the sacking of Chris Hutchings. (Daily Star)

But former Wigan boss Paul Jewell is also in the frame for the job, just six months after he resigned. (various)

And Scotland boss Alex McLeish is hotly-tipped to take over, while Wigan are also considering England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce. (various)

Actually, it's former Newcastle boss Graeme Souness who is set to take the reins at Wigan. (various)

Blackburn are ready to hand manager Mark Hughes a huge pay rise if he signs a new deal. (The Sun)

England boss Steve McClaren will not quit even if he fails to guide England into the Euro 2008 finals. (Mirror)


AND FINALLY
Defender Leon Cort says he has joined Stoke on loan because new Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock does not like his face. Cort revealed: "He was saying things like I did not have enough scars on my face, so I knew my time was up." (The Times)

Reading players have donated £5,000 to subsidise the cost for supporters travelling to watch them play at Manchester City. The first 350 fans who book their tickets will pay only £5. (various)

 

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Wednesday 07th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are chasing young Burkina Faso midfielder Charles Kabore. (various)

West Ham are set to lose out to AC Milan in the race to sign Brazil striker Adriano. (various)

Liverpool have been told by Burnley that a £250,000 approach for 14-year-old striker John Cofie would not be welcomed. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth defender Martin Cranie has ruled out a £2m move QPR after a loan spell at the club. (Daily Star)

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has failed in his bid to sign Sevilla defender Iva Dragutinovic. (The Sun)

Dimitar Berbatov's father has claimed the Tottenham striker wants to quit the north London club. (Mirror)

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa claims Manchester United are interested in signing him. (The Times)

Blackburn's interest in Rosenborg forward Yssouf Kone has been played down by the player's agent. (The Times)


OTHER GOSSIP
Leicester have held talks with former Fulham boss Jean Tigana about their managerial vacancy. (Mirror)

LA Galaxy want a big name to become their new manager and have Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klinsmann and Carlos Queiroz on their list. (Express)


AND FINALLY
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has proved he really is a true Blue by declaring his allegiance to the Tory party. After meeting party leader David Cameron, Lampard said: "I had a good chat with him and I really like him."

 

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Thursday 08th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chelsea are in talks with 17-year-old Brazilian striker Lulinha - dubbed the new Ronaldinho - over an £8m move from Corinthians. (Independent)

Derby want to sign out-of-favour Celtic defender Bobo Balde in January. (Star)

Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa is keen on a £7m move to Manchester United. (Star)

Dimitar Berbatov's brother says the Bulgarian striker has "outgrown" Tottenham and wants to join Manchester United. (Sun)

Newcastle are considering an £8m bid for out-of-favour Villarreal midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme. (Sun)

The Magpies are also after £8m-rated Russia skipper Andrei Arshavin. (Mirror)

West Ham could bid £5m for Panathinaikos's Brazilian midfielder Marcelo. (Sun)

Atletico Madrid are hopeful of signing Manchester United defender Gerard Pique on loan in January ahead of a permanent deal. (Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP
David Beckham could train with Watford as he bids to keep up his fitness ahead of England's upcoming games. (Mail)

Chelsea boss Avram Grant hauled his players in for an extra day's training on Wednesday following their 0-0 draw against Schalke. (Times)

Reading will make Nicky Shorey their highest-paid player to fend off interest from West Ham. (Star)

Ruud Gullit will be handed a multi-million dollar three-year contract to coach David Beckham's club LA Galaxy. (Telegraph)

Beckham's management company were involved in Gullit's recruitment and will supplement his wages. (Times)

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is set to sign a new £60,000 a week contract. (Mail)


AND FINALLY
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told by the Manchester United's nutritionists to lay off the pies. The Portuguese winger admitted: "I dated a girl from Manchester and she showed me that steak pies and chips are very good." (Star)

Dimitar Berbatov's brother says the Spurs striker gets "grumpy" when he is not the "centre of attention and main man". (Sun)

 

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Friday 09th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is closing in on £10m-rated Russian international Roman Pavlyuchenko - the striker whose two goals have left England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 in tatters. (The Sun)

Eriksson is also trying to prise Partizan Belgrade teenager Stevan Jovetic away from rivals Manchester United. (The Sun)

Former Spurs boss Martin Jol is holding out for the Holland job after turning down the head coach role at PSV Eindhoven. (The Times)

Wigan are sounding out a potential move for England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce and are also interested in Scotland manager Alex McLeish. (Daily Mirror)

Southampton boss George Burley is keen to sign Plymouth midfielder David Norris on loan. (The Sun)

Leicester are eyeing former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill to fill the hole left by Gary Megson. (The Times)

Meanwhile former Fulham manager Jean Tigana will fly in for talks with Foxes chairman Milan Manderic, while Joe Royle has also been linked with the vacant manager's job. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal are watching Villarreal's Martin Caceres, currently at loan with Recreativo in La Liga. (The Sun)

Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen could be set for a return to the Premier League with West Ham, Portsmouth and Manchester City all interested in signing the former Chelsea striker. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Sir Alex Ferguson says "he has absolutely no intention" of letting utility player Gerard Pique return to Spain, where Real Zaragoza lead a group of interested clubs. (The Times)

Scotland boss Alex McLeish believes the pressure will be on Italy when the world champions travel to Glasgow for next week's Euro 2008 crunch match at Hampden Park. (Daily Record)

Michael Essien admits Chelsea are missing John Terry - but are coping in his absence. (The Guardian)

West Ham are open-minded about a potential groundshare with Tottenham, believing it would boost their funds for a new stadium. (Daily Telegraph)

Rafael Benitez wants his Liverpool players to use the memory of the 8-0 thrashing of Besiktas and make Anfield an impenetrable fortress. (The Guardian)

Derby boss Billy Davies will not gamble on Kenny Miller's fitness against West Ham, handing Alex McLeish a massive boost ahead of Scotland's match against Italy. (Daily Record)

Didier Drogba insists he deserves to be named European Footballer of the Year ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. (Daily Mirror)


AND FINALLY
Jose Mourinho has been involved in a playground spat with a 12-year-old boy. The former Chelsea boss was not so special when he was forced to write a formal apology to one of his daughter's classmates after pulling the child's hair. (Various)

 

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Saturday 10th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson wants to sign Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson in the January transfer window. (The Sun)

New Norwich boss Glenn Roeder is planning to raid former club Newcastle for out-of-favour striker Shola Ameobi. (Sun)

Tottenham coach Juande Ramos has begun clear-out plans to make room for a £5million swoop for Espanyol centre-half Dani Jarque. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa will have to pay a British record £10m for a goalkeeper to make Scott Carson's move from Liverpool permanent. (Daily Express, Daily Mail)

Andriy Shevchenko has been warned he must get himself 100% fit to persuade new coach Avram Grant to keep him at Chelsea. (Daily Express)

And Grant is ready to make Feyenoord midfielder Jonathan De Guzman his first signing in the transfer window with an £8m swoop. (Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he has never once thought of quitting the club during his 11-year reign at the club. (Daily Mail)

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric has made Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins his number one target as he bids to replace Gary Megson, now at Bolton. (Sun)

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is ready to copy Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Robson by going on for as long as he can in top-flight management. (Daily Star)

Pressure is mounting on Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce after reports he is already at odds with new owner Mike Ashley. (Daily Express)

Bryan Robson has won the dreaded vote of confidence from Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe. (Sun)


AND FINALLY
Tottenham coach Juande Ramos is considering bringing in a nutritionist Antonio Escribano, tagged "Doctor Baby Food", because of the liquidised concoctions he supplies to aid players after matches. (Sun)

 

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Sunday 11th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is preparing a move for Sheffield United target man James Beattie to solve his club's striker crisis. (People)

Cesc Fabregas insists he wants to stay at Arsenal for the rest of his career and will snub a return to Barcelona. (Sunday Mirror).

Chelsea's boardroom is split on whether to launch a record-breaking bid for Barcelona's Brazilian ace Ronaldinho. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester City have been offered the chance to sign Brazilian World Cup winner Adriano on loan with Ronaldo Bianchi going the other way. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is considering a move for Liverpool's Javier Mascherano to fend off a rival £16m bid from Barcelona. (People)

Manchester City may also be ready to mount a double raid on Tottenham for star striker Dimitar Berbatov and goalkeeper Paul Robinson. (News of the World)

Arsenal are lining up a £4m transfer window swoop for Congo international striker Tresor Mputu. (News of the World)

Ex-Spurs striker Freddie Kanoute has told Juande Ramos he does not want to quit Sevilla to join his former boss him at Tottenham. (People)

Bolton are willing to let Nicolas Anelka go in the transfer window - but only for a whopping £15m. (People)

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is chasing Burnley's Northern Ireland striker Kyle Laferty. (People)

Manchester City will splash £5m on Australia's midfielder Marco Bresciano, who plays at Palermo in Italy's Serie A. (Sunday Express)

Spurs boss Juande Ramos is plotting a move for 24-year-old Espanyol defender Dani Jarque, who will cost up to £8m. (News of the World)

Sunderland are planning a double raid on Portsmouth for out-of-favour Matt Taylor and fellow midfielder Sean Davis. (News of the World)

Sheffield United defender and skipper Chris Morgan is a target for new Bolton boss Gary Megson. (News of the World).


OTHER GOSSIP
New boss Avram Grant is set to sign a new £8.25m deal to stay at Chelsea until 2010. (News of the World)

Joe Royle has plunged Leicester into confusion by withdrawing from the Foxes' managerial race. (News of the World)

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is just two games away from the axe. (News of the World)

Everton manager David Moyes is ready to discuss a new five-year deal worth £15m to stay at the club. (News of the world)

Paul Jewell is set to open talks with Wigan this week over a stunning return to the JJB Stadium. (Sunday Express)

Former England manager Terry Venables has emerged as a candidate along with Gerard Houllier to be the next Ireland boss. (Sunday Express)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes the FA would be wrong to sack manager Steve McClaren if England fail to qualify for Euro 2008. (Sunday Mirror)

Middlesbrough are plotting to make a swoop in January for Rangers' striker Daniel Cousin for a fee of around £1.5m. (The Scottish Mail on Sunday)


AND FINALLY
Several Chelsea players were trapped in their mansions in Cobham, Surrey, when a powercut hit the area, meaning they couldn't open the electric front gates. (People)

 

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Monday 12th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Cesc Fabregas insists he is ditching plans to move to Spain in order to see out his career with Arsenal. (The Sun)

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce fears Arsenal will not let Nicklas Bendtner join the Blues on loan in January. (Various)

Aston Villa's on-loan keeper Scott Carson wants to make his switch from Liverpool a permanent one. (Various)

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos has admitted he faces a battle to stop star striker Dimitar Berbatov quitting the club next summer. (Daily Mirror)

Rangers are lining up a January replacement after summer signing Daniel Cousin was linked with Middlesbrough, Bolton and Real Betis. (Daily Express)

Rangers and Portsmouth are considering taking Estrela de Amadora midfielder Tiago Gomes on loan from January. (The Scotsman)

Celtic defender Steven Pressley is a strong candidate to take over as Dunfermline player-boss should they sack Stephen Kenny. (The Scotsman)

Dundee United are nearing the January signing of Drogheda United midfielder Stephen Bradley. (The Scotsman)


OTHER GOSSIP
Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has insisted Chelsea's Michael Essien owes Leon Osman an apology for his over-the-top tackle in the 1-1 draw. (Various)

Cardiff City are expected to dismiss manager Dave Jones on Monday after Saturday's defeat by Charlton. (The Times)

Paul Jewell is a phone call away from becoming Wigan boss again. (Daily Mirror)

Chris Hutchings, who was sacked as Wigan boss last week, could be back at the club as assistant manager - if Jewell is persuaded to return. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wished Jens Lehmann a happy birthday but still refused to make him the Gunners' number one keeper again. (Various)

Wenger says Lehmann has plenty of time to become number one keeper before the January transfer window. (The Guardian)

AND FINALLY
David Bentley's shirt for the Manchester United clash at the weekend had the Blackburn winger's name spelt as 'Betnley". As The Sun points out: "If the Rovers staff struggle to spell 'Bentley' then maybe it explains why Zura Khizanishvili cannot get in the side. (Sun, Daily Mail, Times)

 

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Tuesday 13th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester City and West Ham are in a fight to sign Marseille striker Djibril Cisse for £5m. (Daily Mirror)

LA Galaxy will not allow David Beckham to play on loan with a Premier League club during the Major League Soccer close-season. (The Sun)

Bolton want Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glen Whelan. (Daily Star)

Newcastle have rejected an approach from Norwich, who sought a loan deal for striker Shola Ameobi. (various)

Chelsea are leading the race to sign 23-year-old French striker Guillaume Hoarau. (The Sun)

Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill is set to permanently join Sheffield United in a £1.5m deal. (various)

Derby will only bring in new players in January if they have a real chance of avoiding relegation, otherwise they will wait until June. (Daily Star)

Darlington are poised to sign Southend's 27-year-old striker Richie Forlan on loan. (Daily Star)

Manchester United winger Lee Martin is wanted on loan by Plymouth manager Ian Holloway. (Daily Mirror)

Former Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha has vowed to stay and Hull and fight for his place after clear-the-air talks with manager Phil Brown. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield Wednesday's Kenny Lunt is set to go on loan to Crewe. (Daily Star)

Derby are battling it out with Wigan and West Brom to sign Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard. (Daily Star)

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann claims he is ready to walk out on the club to get first-team football and make Germany's Euro 2008 squad. (various)

Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has insisted he wants to stay at Anfield despite being linked with a move to Aston Villa. (various)

Manchester City have played down reports they want midfielder Javier Mascherano or strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Adriano. (various)

Middlesbrough have insisted winger Stewart Downing is not seeking a transfer. (The Independent)

Chelsea have claimed Didier Drogba is not unsettled. (The Telegraph)

Fulham are looking at 15-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder John Bostock. Portsmouth have already had a £2m bid turned down. (The Times)

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has flown out to Bangkok to sign Thailand international full-back Suree Sukha. (The Telegraph)

Rangers say Daniel Cousin's exit clause does not kick in until the end of the season and only if they are offered £3m for the striker. (Daily Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has sounded out Jose Mourinho's agent about the possibility of him replacing manager Frank Rijkaard. (Daily Mail)

Chris Coleman's future as Real Sociedad boss is in doubt after he arrived late for a media conference amid reports he was out clubbing until 5am. (various)

Former Wigan boss Paul Jewell has decided not to return as manager. The club may now turn to Joe Royle or Gary McAllister. (Daily Mirror)

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni says his side will attack Scotland on Saturday rather than settle for a draw. (The Herald)

Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith has already organised a squad training base for the Euro 2008 finals. (various)

West Brom midfielder James Morrison has had to put his Scotland debut on hold again after dislocating his knee. (Daily Express)

Mike Newell has emerged as a leading candidate for the vacant managers' job at Burnley. (various)

Middlesbrough goalkeeping coach Paul Barron is looking to secure a similar move to Newcastle. (The Times)

Aberdeen's Uefa Cup Group B opponents, Lokomotiv Moscow, have sacked coach Anatoly Byshovets. (various)


AND FINALLY
Southend striker Matt Harold, who scored in the FA Cup against Rochdale at the weekend, is set to make a TV appearance as a double for Prince Harry. The 23-year-old bears a remarkable resemblance to the Queen's grandson and believes "it ought to be quite a good laugh". (Daily Star)

 

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Wednesday 14th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is weighing up a £10m move for Racing Santander central defender Ezequiel Garay. (The Guardian)

Spurs manager Juande Ramos is preparing a list of players to axe ahead of the January transfer window. (Daily Express)

Manchester United defender Wes Brown is set to sign a deal to keep him at Old Trafford for another four years. (The Sun)

Man United team-mate Patrice Evra is also set to agree a five-year contract worth £15m. (Daily Star)

Celtic are planning a January bid for Everton forward James McFadden. (Daily Mail)

Hibernian are considering a move to sign Kilmarnock striker Colin Nish on a pre-contract agreement. (various)

Joe Royle is poised for talks with Wigan chairman about the vacant manager's job. (Daily Telegraph)

Meanwhile, MK Dons manager Paul Ince and Real Sociedad's Chris Coleman have also been linked with the role at the JJB Stadium. (Daily Mirror, Daily Express)

Chelsea manager Avram Grant says two players have confronted him to say they are unhappy at Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

Reading have extended Turkey youth international Jem Karacan's loan deal by another month. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth face a Carlos Tevez-style wrangle over Tiago Gomes, whose club, Estrela da Amadora, own only half of his contract. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy is hoping to sign a new contract at Craven Cottage. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
David Beckham will train with Arsenal's stars over the winter to maintain his fitness during the MLS close season, which lasts until February. (The Times)

John Terry is stepping up his recovery from injury in a race to be fit for England's Euro 2008 crunch match against Croatia next Wednesday. (The Sun)

Israel goalkeeping coach and former Soviet Union international Alexander Ubarov says he wants Russia to qualify for Euro 2008. (The Independent)

Wembley officials will review security arrangements ahead of England's match against Croatia for potential fans protests should Russia beat Israel on Saturday. (Daily Telegraph)

England's FA is keen to resurrect a fixture with Scotland should Steve McClaren's side they fail to qualify for Euro 2008. (Daily Mail)

Scotland could be among the top seeds for the 2010 World Cup draw if they beat Italy and England lose to Croatia. (Daily Mirror)

Italy's Fabio Cannavaro admitted he did not expect Scotland to be in the running for a Euro 2008 slot. (Daily Record)

France coach Raymond Domenech will ban his players from watching Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy. (various)

Scotland's Under-21 side will rush over the border to Italy after their game against Slovenia on Saturday to watch the senior side on television. (The Sun)

The Scottish FA has completed a deal to begin work on a £17m training complex in Bothwell. (Daily Mail)

Hibernian manager John Collins has criticised Morocco for calling up Abdessalam Benjelloun despite the striker not being fully fit. (Daily Express)

Reading striker Dave Kitson hails Arsenal as "the best team on the planet" after their 3-1 victory at the Madejski Stadium. (Daily Telegraph)

Midfielder Stephen Hunt wants the Republic of Ireland to spend big to lure Terry Venables as the country's new manager. (The Guardian)

Tottenham have been given the green light for a new £30m training complex in north London. (The Independent)

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson believes Elano is the Premier League's version of Ronaldinho. (Daily Mirror)

Everton striker Victor Anichebe has opted to play for Nigeria ahead of England. (The Sun)

Bury's hat-trick hero Andy Bishop has put the match ball from their FA Cup 4-1 win over Workington on eBay to raise funds for the club. (The Sun)


AND FINALLY
David Beckham has signed a new three-year lucrative deal - to promote Giorgio Armani's latest underwear campaign. (Daily Telegraph)

Scotland fan Steve Burns has decorated an aquarium in his barber's shop with a picture of James McFadden's wonder-strike against France in honour of the Everton forward's comments about Glasgow being a goldfish bowl for Scottish footballers. (Daily Record)

 

[McFLY]

Thursday 15th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is considering a £7m move for Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin who plays for Zenit St Petersburg. (The Telegraph)

Meanwhile, Magpies striker Michael Owen is not impressed with new boss Allardyce and would jump at a move in the January transfer window. (Daily Express)

Celtic will have to pay more than £4m if they want to sign striker James McFadden from Everton in January. (Daily Record)

James McFadden's agent says Celtic would have to pay £20,000 per week in wages for the Scotland star. (Daily Express)

Arsenal's Abou Diaby may leave the club next year, but has ruled out a move in the January transfer window. (The Independent)

Derby boss Billy Davies is hoping to sign six new players in the transfer window with Portsmouth striker David Nugent top of his list. (Various)

Manchester City have taken three triallists from Chinese club Shanghai Shen Hua - striker Gao Lin, goalkeeper Wang Da Lei and midfielder Mao Jianqing. (Independent)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has dismissed speculation linking Matt Taylor with a move to Sunderland. (Independent)

And Redknapp has also warned Juventus off making a move for leading scorer Benjani. (Daily Star)

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is flying out to Dubai on a family holiday leaving City and Wigan to fight it out for his signature. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has admitted he would be tempted by the prospect of a move to Spanish giants Barcelona. (Various)

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick wants to see former Tottenham team-mate Dimitar Berbatov move to Old Trafford. (Various)

However, Spurs boss Juande Ramos is keen to bring Carrick back to White Hart Lane in an £18m deal. (Daily Express)

Meanwhile, Spurs are poised to beat Arsenal to the signing of Sevilla's £8m-rated teenage midfielder Diego Capel. (Daily Mirror)

And with around £40m to play with, Ramos is also looking at spending £5m on Espanyol defender Dani Jarque. (Daily Express)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane will launch a fresh loan bid for Manchester United's Jonny Evans after losing Nyron Nosworthy through injury. (The Sun)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking at Congo striker Tresor Mputu, dubbed the next Samuel Eto'o. (The Sun)

Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas has dashed any hopes Real Madrid and Barcelona might have retained of signing him by saying he has no intention of returning to Spain. (Various)

Reading are lining up a £3m move for Morocco defender Badr El Kaddouri in case they lose Nicky Shorey to West Ham. (Daily Mirror)

Burnley's approach to talk to Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws has been turned down by Owls chairman David Allen.

The Clarets are seeking a replacement for Steve Cotterill who is being linked with a move to Preston following Paul Simpson's sacking at Deepdale. (Various)

Belgian side Anderlecht are ready to sign forgotten Celtic striker Maciej Zurawski. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Former England defender Paul Parker says it would be a major bonus for English football if they don't qualify for Euro 2008. (Daily Mirror)

However, the economy stands to lose a staggering £1bn in extra revenue if Steve McClaren's side fail to make it to Austria and Switzerland.

Around 1,000 England fans are expected to be in the stadium to watch Israel's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Russia in Tel Aviv on Saturday. (Daily Star)

Watford will collect a £300,000 windfall if striker Ashley Young makes his England debut against Austria on Friday under the terms of his move to Aston Villa last January. (Daily Express)

Former England striker Alan Shearer is ready to ditch television punditry for a management role with either England or Newcastle. (Daily Express)

Midfielder Scott Brown is looking beyond Saturday's qualifier with Italy and is aiming for success in the group stages of the Euro 2008 finals. (Daily Record)

French players are poised to defy coach Raymond Domenech and watch Scotland face Italy on television. (Daily Record)

Reading boss Steve Coppell has told striker Leroy Lita that his days at the Madejski Stadium are numbered unless he adds to the solitary goal he has scored so far this season. (Various)

Derby are reported to be in takeover talks with Shamrock Holdings, an American company owned and run by Roy Disney, nephew of Walt. (Various)

Former Wigan boss Paul Jewell has been added to the list of candidates to succeed Steve Staunton as Republic of Ireland manager. (Daily Mail)

Gaizka Mendieta has denied falling out with Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate despite not playing for the club this season. (Various)

Wales have backed plans to resurrect a one-off Home Championship next summer should England and Scotland fail to qualify for Euro 2008. (Daily Mail)

Hibernian striker Abdessalam Benjelloun will defy manager John Collins and play for Morocco despite a lack of match fitness. (Daily Record)

The Celtic Trust has set up an internet petition against former Defence Secretary John Reid becoming the club's new chairman at Monday's annual meeting. (Daily Express)

Albion Rovers are considering an end to 125 years in Coatbridge by moving to East Kilbride. (The Sun)

East Stirlingshire shareholders will tonight decide whether to sell their ground to a housing firm and share with neighbours Stenhousemuir. (Daily Express)


AND FINALLY
In Italy, the number 17 is considered unlucky. Some Alitalia planes have no row 17, some Italian hotels have no room 17 and in Roman numerals XVII is an anagram of VIXI which translates into "I have lived" with the implication "my life is over" or "I am dead".

Italy play Scotland in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier at Hampden Park on Saturday, 17 November with kick-off at 1700 GMT - for the record, Italy have won four of their 11 matches played on the 17th of a month in the last 30 years. (Various)

 

[McFLY]

Friday 16th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Arsenal are lining up a £15m transfer window swoop for Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor. (Daily Express)

Thomas Sorensen's future at Aston Villa again looks bleak after he spoke of his frustration at being left out of the first team. (The Independent)

And his mood will not be improved with the news that Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to pay £10m to make Scott Carson's loan move from Liverpool permanent. (Daily Star)

Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko is set for showdown talks with coach Rafa Benitez over his Anfield future. (Daily Mirror)

Inter Milan have been linked with Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, joining Manchester United, Arsenal and Fenerbahce in a growing list of admirers. (The Independent)

Chelsea are weighing up a £2.5m move for Hertha Berlin's Serbia international forward Marko Pantelic to cover Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba should they go to the African Cup of Nations. (The Guardian)

The Blues are also ready to step up their chase for Sevilla's Daniel Alves when the January transfer window opens. (Daily Star)

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is prepared to shelve plans to sign Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves because of work permit problems. (Daily Mirror)

And City's Swedish goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson has warned Eriksson that he will leave the club if he does not get his place back in the starting XI. (Daily Mirror)

Eriksson has also been linked with a move for Lokomotiv Moscow star Marat Izmailov. (The Sun)

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos says he will not sign any Sevilla players - despite reports linking the north London club with Freddie Kanoute and Daniel Alves. (The Guardian)

Reading want to sign Blackburn goalkeeper Jason Brown as they prepare for the loss of Marcus Hahnemann, who is currently involved in a contract row with the club. (Daily Star)

Everton have outlined their determination to retain the services of James McFadden after Celtic expressed their interest in the striker earlier this week. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Scotland manager Alex McLeish claims he had to stop a closed training session after spotting some strangers, one with a camera, watching the players preparing for the crucial match with Italy. (Daily Record)

Former Wigan manager Paul Jewell has held talks with the Football Association of Ireland with regard to becoming the new Republic of Ireland boss. (Various)

Real Sociedad have turned down Chris Coleman's request to resign as coach. (The Guardian)

England's players are set to receive a bonus of £150,000, even if they do not qualify for Euro 2008. (The Sun)

Italy goalkeeper Gigi Buffon says Scotland's Craig Gordon is one of the world's top stoppers. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has revealed he broke off his honeymoon in Naples in order to complete his move to the Gunners in 2004.

The 30-year-old Spaniard also said that when he was young, he used to take part in the famous bull-running festival in his native Pamplona, although he "couldn't do it now". (Daily Express)

Sven-Goran Eriksson has introduced the ancient art of Greco-Roman wrestling into his Manchester City training sessions. "Sven told his squad he used to wrestle at school and that it really helped him develop his strength as a player," a Man City source said. (The Sun)

 

[McFLY]

Saturday 17th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Mikel Arteta has shocked Everton fans by claiming he would love to join Atletico Madrid. "One day I will end up at Atletico. It's a club I like and I would love to play there," said the 25-year-old midfielder. (The Sun)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane, who expects to invest heavily in the January transfer window, is chasing Manchester United centre half Jonny Evans. (The Times)

Reading and Derby are battling to sign £2m-rated MLS striker Eddie Johnson. (The Sun)

Out-of-favour West Bromwich Albion midfielder Richard Chaplow is a transfer target for Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United and Manchester City both have their eyes on £7m-rated Partizan Belgrade striker Stevan Jovetic, 18. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Bayern Munich have earmarked Rafa Benitez as a possible replacement for coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who is out of contract next May. Discreet enquiries have been made about the Liverpool manager, who has previously rejected overtures from Inter Milan and Real Madrid. (Various)

Scotland manager Alex McLeish will use inspirational words sent by Sean Connery as part of his team talk before facing Italy. (various)

Roberto Donadoni's job as Italy coach is on the line even if they qualify for Euro 2008. (The Scotsman)

Israel's manager has confessed his undying admiration for Russia coach Guus Hiddink. "We all have a warm place in our heart for him," said Dror Kashtan. (The Sun)

David James has told his England team-mates they deserve to be slated if they fail to reach Euro 2008. (The Sun)

Steve Bruce has been given the green light by Birmingham to talk to Wigan about becoming their boss. (Various)

Premier League chairman Dave Richards is leading the fight to back beleaguered England coach Steve McClaren. (Daily Express)

Many of England's 4,000 supporters were forced to leave the Happel Stadium early during England's 1-0 win over Austria because their return flights were diverted via Bratislava. (The Guardian)

Roy Hodgson, the Finland and former Blackburn manager, has been linked with the Republic of Ireland managerial post. (Daily Telegraph)

Dutch midfielder Fernando Ricksen says he has proved a point to former club Rangers after helping Zenit St Petersburg lift the Russian title. (The Sun)

St Johnstone player-boss Owen Coyle is a target for managerless Burnley. (Daily Express)


AND FINALLY
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson posts "sometimes cryptic, sometimes aggressive and occasionally funny" messages all around the dressing room before games to motivate his players. (Daily Express)

Victor Anichebe is accused of dodging a Nigeria call-up against Australia - to keep the door open for England. (Daily Express)

Manchester City are celebrating Sven-Goran Eriksson's early impact at the club by releasing a new DVD. 'The Sven Revolution' includes footage of the former England coach at a tea dance. (The Times)

 

[McFLY]

Sunday 18th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Tottenham coach Juande Ramos is planning a £30m swoop for Valencia's David Villa as he is worried Dimitar Berbatov still wants to quit the club. (News of the World).

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is tracking Scotland and Rangers fullback Alan Hutton, 22, as a possible long-term replacement for Gary Neville.

Dinamo Zagreb's diminutive Croatian playmaker Luka Modric is heading to Chelsea in the summer. (Observer)

Tottenham are ready to offer bitter rivals Arsenal around £7m for unsettled midfielder Abou Diaby. (People)

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce wants to take his former Bolton defender Tal Ben-Haim for a knockdown £1m from Chelsea. (People)

Liverpool are interested in Athletic Bilbao defender Fernando Amorebieta and Spanish U21 midfielder Javi Martinez (People).

Manchester United are being sounded out about a possible swap deal which would see Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o trading places with Louis Saha. (People)

West Ham will finally seal the £5m swoop for Derby winger Giles Barnes in the January transfer window. (People)

Sven-Goran Eriksson has slapped a 'not for sale' notice on unsettled striker Rolando Bianchi. (Daily Star Sunday)

Birmingham are locked in a desperate scrap to stop manager Steve Bruce taking his assistant Eric Black with him to Wigan. (Daily Star Sunday).

Tottenham will sign ex-Arsenal hitman Julio Baptista in the January transfer window from Real Madrid. Spurs coach Juande Ramos has lined up a £5m swoop for the Brazil striker, who he managed at Seville. (Daily Star Sunday)


OTHER GOSSIP
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce admits he is unhappy after losing Michael Owen for up to six weeks with a thigh injury in England's friendly win over Austria on Friday. (Sunday Express)

Sam Allardyce is planning another raid on his former club Bolton in a bid to take controversial Senegal midfielder El-Hadji Diouf to Tyneside.

David Beckham insists he would sacrifice the chance to win his 100th cap in exchange for England grabbing a Euro 2008 place. (Sunday Express)

Peter Crouch is confident his partnership with Jermain Defoe can help England to victory if the pair are reunited for the final European Championship qualifier with Croatia at Wembley. (Mail on Sunday)

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is to be handed more than £150m from owner Thaksin Shinawatra for new players. (Mail on Sunday)

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley insists he would not be interested in the England job if the FA were looking to replace Steve McCLaren. (Observer)

Henk Ten Cate, Chelsea's assistant manager, has denied attempting to entice the Brazilian star Ronaldinho to Stamford Bridge. (Sunday Times)

Alan Shearer has admitted he wants to succeed Steve McClaren as England coach. (Various)


AND FINALLY
Theo Walcott delivered a foul-mouthed tirade when told James Milner would take the 82nd-minute penalty for England U21s against Bulgaria on Friday. (Mail on Sunday)

 

[McFLY]

Monday 19th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Liverpool target Javi Martinez, who plays for Athletic Bilbao, says he is desperate to play in the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea may have agreed a deal in principle to sign Dinamo Zagreb's Croatian playmaker Luka Modric next summer. (Daily Telegraph)

On-loan defender Gary Cahill says he will not move permanently from Aston Villa to Sheffield United. (Daily Mail)

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has checked up on Coventry's Scottish striker Kevin Kyle. (Daily Mirror)

Leeds boss Dennis Wise is planning a January bid for Ipswich midfielder Sammy Moore. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
England boss Steve McClaren has not decided whether David Beckham will play in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday, or whether Paul Robinson will be recalled for Scott Carson. (Various)

Chelsea captain John Terry is desperate to make a comeback from injury to play in the Wembley showdown and rejoined the squad on Sunday night. (The Sun, Independent)

McClaren has warned his players to remember what happened against Greece in 2001 and make sure they qualify properly. (Daily Star)

The England gaffer is going to invite all the senior injured or suspended players - like Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen - to join the squad and offer their support. (Various)

Omer Golan, who scored Israel's winner against Russia to hand England a lifeline, says it is his dream to play in the Premier League. (The Sun)

Portsmouth's Croatian midfielder Nico Kranjcar says they will spoil England's party by sending out a pre-Euro 2008 message to the rest of Europe on Wednesday. (The Sun)

The FA will try and find a job for Alan Shearer within the England set-up even if the team qualifies for next summer's European Championship. (Daily Express)

Republic of Ireland will step up their hunt for a new boss by approaching England assistant Terry Venables and Gerard Houllier. (Daily Mail)

Ireland's players want a man with international experience, ruling out ex-Wigan boss Paul Jewell. (The Times)

Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher says he let his team-mates down by not marking Christian Panucci for Italy's winner on Saturday. (The Sun)

Steve Bruce, who is set to leave Birmingham to become Wigan boss on Monday, will sign a four-year deal worth £8m. (Various)

Wigan will be forced to pay Birmingham £3m for the former Manchester United defender. (Daily Star)

AC Milan and Brazil midfielder Kaka says he would vote for Man Utd's Cristiano Ronaldo as European Footballer of the Year. (Various)

Nemanja Vidic will miss Man Utd's trip to Bolton on Saturday - because Uefa has rescheduled Serbia's twice postponed Euro 2008 qualifier against Kazakhstan. (Various)

West Ham are the latest Premier League team to try to break into America by setting up academies in Colorado and Florida. (Daily Telegraph)

Nigeria manager Berti Vogts has backed Chelsea manager Avram Grant's calls for the African Cup of Nations to be moved from January to June. (Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY
Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is being taught how to play the accordion - by his assistant Tord Grip. (The Sun)

Israel's Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim was bombarded by text messages from his English team-mates both during and after their stunning win against Russia. (The Sun)

Steve McClaren could not watch the last 10 minutes of Israel v Russia. He spent the time in his bathroom. (Various)

The Israeli FA has told Omer Golan he cannot accept the £50,000 Mercedes that had been offered by an English bookmaker to any Israel player who scored the winner against Russia. (The Times)

 

[McFLY]

Tuesday 20th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal are locked in a £30m scrap for Dinamo Zagreb and Croatia midfielder Luca Modric. (The Sun)

Israel's Omer Golan is angling after a move to the Premier League after scoring the winner against Russia on Saturday to boost England's Euro 2008 qualification hopes. (Mirror)

North-east neighbours Middlesbrough and Sunderland are battling over £2m-rated Macedonia striker Ilco Naumoski who plays his club football in Austria for SV Mattesburg. (Mirror)

Bolton manager Gary Megson is looking at a £400,000 move for Zoltan Gera, the Hungarian midfielder he originally signed as West Brom boss. (Daily Express)

Reading manager Steve Coppell will be given a £10m transfer kitty for the January window, but the Royals are struggling to attract big-name players. (Various)


OTHER GOSSIP
England boss Steve McClaren may start Aston Villa goalkeeper Scott Carson against Croatia on Wednesday instead of Tottenham's Paul Robinson. (Various)

Didier Drogba has told Chelsea he wants play for Ivory Coast in the Beijing Olympics next August. (Mirror)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes England will top their Euro 2008 qualification group by beating Croatia 2-0 at Wembley. (Various)

Croatia say the England player they most fear is former captain, and LA Galaxy midfielder, David Beckham. (Times)

Russian billionaire, and owner of Spartak Moscow, Leonid Fedun, has offered Croatia four Mercedes cars if they beat England to help Russia qualify for Euro 2008. (Various)

Croatia striker Mladen Petric could miss the game as he is fighting a virus. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City and Croatia defender Vedran Corluka says there are too many foreign players in the Premier League. (Mirror)

The Scottish Football Association will use a trip to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup qualifying draw as an opportunity to open contract talks with boss Alex McLeish. (Various)

Former Wigan manager Paul Jewell is favourite to replace Steve Bruce, who is bound for the JJB Stadium, as manager of Birmingham. (Times)

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has dismissed reports linking manager Harry Redknapp with Newcastle. (Times)

Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, 32, looks likely to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season after his agent said there are no talks planned. (Times)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants to win the Premier League this season after turning down the manager's role at German Bundesliga side Bayern Munich. (Various)

Premier League clubs may lose their Nigerian players for up to seven weeks after manager Berti Vogts revealed he wants his players for two weeks before the African Cup of Nations, starting in January. (Times)

Blackburn will allow defender Andre Ooijer to return to Holland in the summer on a free transfer with Feyenoord keen to sign the 33-year-old. (Daily Mail)

Billy Davies has two games to save his job as manager of Premier League basement boys Derby. (Daily Star)

Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly, who has not played since reacting angrily to being substituted by former boss Martin Jol last season, has been granted permission to train with Egyptian side Al Ahly. (Daily Star)

Andy Cole is set to launch his Premier League comeback for Sunderland against Everton this weekend. (Various)

Preston are expected to name Alan Irvine as Paul Simpson's successor as manager at Deepdale. (Various)

Plymouth boss Ian Holloway is expected to become Leicester's new manager after being offered large pay rise by City chairman Milan Mandaric. (Various)

However, Mandaric himself has ruled out a move for the former QPR manager saying he had not approached Argyle and had no intention of doing so. (Various)

Former Sunderland and Manchester City manager Peter Reid is pondering a return to management with Championship side Burnley. (Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY
Joe Cole will keep his promise and send Chelsea team-mate Tal Ben Haim on holiday after he helped Israel beat Russia on Saturday. Cole says he has brochures for Clacton-on-Sea (in Essex). (Various)