April Football gossip 2008

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Tuesday 01st April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Birmingham loan signing Mauro Zarate is to have talks aimed at making his move from Qatar side Al-Sadd permanent. (Various)

Striker David Connolly will leave Sunderland for Sheffield Wednesday providing The Owls can avoid relegation. (Various)

Portsmouth target John Mensah has revealed that Reading and other unnamed Premiership clubs have also made enquiries about him. (The Sun)

Leicester's former Birmingham striker DJ Campbell is being watched by Watford, Charlton and Cardiff. (Daily Star)

Burnley are monitoring the progress of Manchester United winger Sean Evans, who will be free to leave Old Trafford this summer. (Daily Star)

West Ham are planning a summer move for Lazio's Swiss international midfielder Valon Behrami, who is stalling on a new deal with the Italian club. (Daily Star)

Scunthorpe keeper Joe Murphy is likely to leave this summer in an attempt to boost his international claims, with Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday interested in him. (Daily Star)

Pedro Moutinho's agent has warned Falkirk they risk losing the Portuguese striker unless they stop stalling on a new contract. (Various)


OTHER GOSSIP
Feuding Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have asked not to sit together at Wednesday's Champions League match with Arsenal. (The Guardian)

Bolton manager Gary Megson will not be sacked even if the club are relegated from the top flight. (Daily Mirror)

Norwich manager Glenn Roeder has banned his players from going to nightclubs after matches following Matty Pattison's arrest for drink-driving. (Daily Mirror)

Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit says Avram Grant will never have respect at Stamford Bridge unless he wins a major trophy. (Daily Express)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has urged owner Dave Whelan to emulate Portsmouth and invest heavily on established Premiership stars. (The Sun)

Barnsley defender Bobby Hassell insists he would have preferred not to reach the FA Cup semi-finals as it has affected the club's league form. (The Sun)

Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate says the team needs to show more pride, following their humiliating 4-1 home defeat by Newcastle. (Various)

Derby manager Paul Jewell will be given around £10m to spend in the summer in an attempt to make an immediate return to the Premiership. (Daily Mirror)

Hearts have knocked back the chance of a repeat pre-season friendly with Barcelona to focus on their preparations for the next campaign. (Daily Express)


AND FINALLY
England coach Fabio Capello believes it might be easier for his players to learn Italian than him to speak English. (The Sun)

Accrington Stanley are to change their name to Lancashire Stanley United from next season. (Accrington club website)

Hartlepool have unveiled a new centenary kit for next season - in black-and-white hoops [the colours of local rivals Darlington]. (Hartlepool club website)

Bury manager Alan Knill, 43, has registered himself as a player for their relegation run-in. (Bury club website)

Luton mascot Harry the Hatter has been kidnapped on the way to Debenhams, while Oldham's Chaddy the Owl has had his costume stolen. (Luton and Oldham club websites)

Plymouth have unveiled a tartan away kit for next season, paying homage to manager Paul Sturrock and the other Scots on the playing staff. (Plymouth club website)

Port Vale are to move to a new £35m stadium named after chairman Bill Bratt, across the road from their current Vale Park home. (Port Vale club website)

Wycombe midfielder Sergio Torres is to record an album of folk songs. (Wycombe club website)

Preston are to pay tribute to their 1957/58 team by commissioning some "Invincible Gold"-coloured seats [suspiciously similar in colour to the tangerine of rivals Blackpool]. (Preston club website)

Oxford United will hold a Rodeo Day competition as the bronze ox statue outside their ground has been fitted with a "bucking bronco" setting. Making guest appearances at the event will be Billy Ray Cyrus, Billy Boy Walton, Billy Ray Reardon and Roy Walker. (Oxford club website).

Brighton's tired players have been training at theme park Chessington World of Adventures for three days this week, riding rollercoasters to rejuvenate their weary limbs. (Brighton club website).

Northampton could be deducted points after a complaint was lodged over the colour of socks they wore in a recent game. Boss Stuart Gray expects to hear something "before noon today". (Northampton club website)

Burnley plan to ground-share with arch-rivals Blackburn at Ewood Park in 2010/11 while Turf Moor is redeveloped. (Burnley club website)

Lincoln City are proposing to switch the kick-offs of matches from Saturday at 1500 to Monday at 1000, to reduce their carbon footprint. (Lincoln club website)

 

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Wednesday 02nd April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Birmingham striker Mauro Zarate may have his dreams of a permanent move to St Andrew's scuppered by the Qatari royal family. (The Sun)

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes said he will fight to keep David Bentley at the club. (The Sun)

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has said Tuncay is not for sale. (Daily Star)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Juventus do not want to sign midfielder Mathieu Flamini. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea are trying to negotiate a £6m deal for Boca Juniors striker Rodrigo Palacio. (Daily Mirror)

Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf says he wants to quit Bolton whether they stay in the Premier League or not. (Daily Mirror)

Hull want to sign Mikel Alonso in a £600,000 deal in the summer. (Daily Star)

Sheffield United striker Geoff Horsfield will quit the club in the summer and move to Southampton. (Daily Star)


OTHER GOSSIP
Bournemouth's future may be under threat again after it was revealed £4m is needed to save the club. (The Sun)

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka said Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi made him "smile". (The Sun)

Micky Adams and Chris Hutchings are heading the chase to take the Huddersfield job. (The Sun)

Mateja Kezman blames former coach Jose Mourinho for his miserable time at Chelsea. (Daily Star)

Fifa has set aside £400m contingency fund for the possible collapse of the 2010 World Cup. (The Guardian)

A Californian-based consortium - backed by a US football agency - is preparing a takeover bid for struggling Gretna. (Scottish Sun)


AND FINALLY
Chelsea boss Avram Grant says Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson's accusations that his side have been whingeing over the fixture schedule is a "joke" (various)

 

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Thursday 03rd April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Real Madrid are interested in signing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, according to reports in Spain. (Independent)

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos is looking to bring in seven new players. Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito and Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero are among his targets. (Various)

Spurs have also been alerted to news that Real Mallorca defender Ivan Ramis has stalled on a new deal, while Portsmouth are also keen. (Daily Mail)

Barcelona and France striker Thierry Henry is being lined up by newly-formed MLS side Seattle, and will pay him £150,000 per week. (The Sun)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane is seeking a £50m transfer kitty, which he believes he needs to take the club to the next level. (various)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is planning a £3m bid for Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard. (Telegraph)

Villa are also keen on USA keeper Brad Guzan, but face a battle with Arsenal for the 23-year-old. (various)

Manchester United are compiling a dossier on Falkirk teenager Scott Arfield. (Scottish Express)

Bolton's Jussi Jaaskelainen is Celtic's top target if keeper Artur Boruc is sold in the summer. (Scottish Express)

Bolton's Switzerland international midfielder Blerim Dzemaili is wanted by Italian side Torino. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth's Ghana international midfielder Sulley Muntari has urged the club to sign his fellow countryman John Mensah. (The Times)

Mikel Arteta's future at Everton may be in doubt after his agent claimed he would be in the Spain team if he played for a bigger club. (The Sun)

Cardiff want to re-sign Sunderland striker Michael Chopra. (The Times)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan will learn how much he has to spend next season only when the club's Premier League status is secured. (The Sun)

Birmingham have been told to move fast if they want on-loan Al-Sadd striker Mauro Zarate permanently. (various)

Blackburn chairman John Williams has insisted the club are not about to sell winger David Bentley. (Independent)

West Ham's Lucas Neil wants the club to blood its youngsters as the injury crisis deepens. (various)

Derby face a battle to capture on-loan Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly permanently as Feyenoord also want to sign the Egyptian. (various)

Wolves striker Freddy Eastwood looks set to join Crystal Palace, but Derby and Coventry are also keen. (various)

Palace are set to lose Mark Hudson at the end of the season, when the defender's contract ends. (Daily Star)

Plymouth will make a summer move for Barnet's 20-year-old winger Albert Adomah. (Daily Star)

Preston want to make Tamas Priskin's loan deal permanent. (various)


OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has been branded a "big-head" by Roma midfielder David Pizzaro. The Chile international felt Ronaldo showed arrogance on the pitch by doing unnecessary tricks when the sides met on Tuesday. (various)

The League Managers' Association has renewed calls for a mid-season break to cut down on players' injuries. New chief executive Richard Bevan says the vast majority of bosses are in favour. (Express)

Former Leicester boss Martin Allen has made it know he is interested in the managerial vacancy at Huddersfield. (various)

Real Madrid have taken out a £24.5m loan to help them with their day-to-day costs. The Spanish giants are struggling to cope with the a loss of earnings since David Beckham left them for LA Galaxy. (various)


AND FINALLY
David Beckham has revealed he got a dressing down from his mum after he appeared in an underwear advert that showed him in only his pants. "It didn't go down well," he said. (various)

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he was "small, feeble and had crooked teeth" when he was younger. But the Manchester United star has since shelled out thousands on a gleaming smile and says he now "feels good about himself". (The Sun)

 

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Friday 04th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill travelled to Germany to watch Bayern Munich's giant centre-half Daniel van Buyten as he seeks a replacement for Olof Mellberg. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant was demoted to reserve team action against Everton and is likely to be released in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is expected to swoop for midfielder Medhi Nafti from his old club Birmingham. (Various)

Burnley are giving a trial to keeper James Beasant, the nephew of former Wimbledon and Chelsea stopper Dave. (Daily Star)

Former Tottenham winger Rohan Ricketts is having trials with Toronto after being released by Barnsley. (Daily Star)


OTHER GOSSIP
Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman taunted his old club by saying "Jose Mourinho would never have lost" against Fenerbahce. (Various)

Blues midfielder Frank Lampard will not be disciplined following his furious reaction to being substituted by Avram Grant against the Turkish side. (Various)

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has apologised for his actions before and after his sending off against Manchester United and admits he deserved his extended ban. (Daily Mail)

Barnsley manager Simon Davey has chosen Marks and Spencer for the team's FA Cup semi-final suits. (Daily Express)

Portsmouth captain Sol Campbell says he is uncertain of his future and has not been approached about a new contract. (Daily Star)

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is reconsidering the role of former Liverpool playmaker Jari Litmanen, after admitting the Finn is not suited to a relegation scrap.


AND FINALLY
Evergreen Dean Windass has proved age is no barrier by agreeing a new deal with Hull that will take him well beyond his 40th birthday. (Various)

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt grew up two miles from the home of referee Pieter Vink, who decided his challenge on Arsenal's Alexander Hleb was not a penalty, but insists he did not receive special treatment in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. (Daily Star)

Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt has had his unruly locks trimmed after being subjected to derisory comments from Liverpool fans. (Various)

 

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Saturday 05th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
England striker Peter Crouch could be on his way out of Liverpool in the summer after becoming an after-thought in boss Rafa Benitez's strategy. (Daily Mail)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan was at Ibrox on Thursday to watch Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Rui Patricio and midfielder Miguel Veloso play Rangers. (Daily Mail).

Manchester City are the latest Premier League club showing an interest in taking Brazilian star Ronaldinho from Barcelona. (Daily Mail).

Chelsea manager Avram Grant is interested in Ajax's £25million-rated striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. (Daily Mirror)

England defender Rio Ferdinand is set to sign a new five-year contract with Manchester United, keeping him at the club until he is 34. (Sun)

Italian giants Roma are the latest club to show interest in misfit Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko. (Daily Mail).

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is eyeing up a move for £3m-rated Hearts defender Christophe Berra, 23, after watching him against Rangers. (Daily Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea assistant manager Steve Clarke is ready to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season to pursue a managerial career. (Various)

Chelsea boss Avram Grant has implied that Frank Lampard is demanding more money than Chelsea are prepared to pay him as talks reach a head over a new contract. (Independent)

American goalkeeper Kasey Keller is willing to stay with Fulham even if they are relegated this season. (Daily Star)


AND FINALLY
West Brom's Belgian defender Carl Hoefkens is known by his team-mates as Wolverine because of his uncanny resemblance to the X-Men superhero. (Daily Star)

Barnsley's Robert Kozluk hung a joke sign on Chelsea's dressing room before their shock FA Cup win in the last round, that read: "Sorry, toilets out of order". (Sun)

 

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Sunday 06th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Didier Drogba's Chelsea career looks like ending in tears after a series of bust-ups with team-mates - he is tipped for a £40m move. (News of the World)

Spurs boss Juande Ramos is determined to win the race to sign David Bentley from Blackburn. (Sunday Express)

Real Madrid are locked in a battle to get Cristiano Ronaldo on the cheap for £10m in 2010. (News of the World)

Some of Europe's top clubs are chasing £40m-rated Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov. (Sunday Mirror)

AC Milan are interested in signing unsettled Barcelona star Ronaldinho next season. (Sunday Telegraph)

Middlesbrough skipper Julio Arca is a transfer target for Sunderland boss Roy Keane. (News of the World)

Rafa Benitez has told Jamie Carragher his stay at right-back is only temporary, with Schalke's Rafinha targeted as a long-term solution. (NoW)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan wants to swap Charles N'Zogbia for Spurs' Aaron Lennon, who is also wanted by Liverpool. (News of the World)


OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea are closing in on Getafe boss Michael Laudrup to replace Avram Grant as manager. (News of the World)


AND FINALLY
Sunderland boss Roy Keane will travel to New Zealand to work with the All Blacks rugby union side in June as part of his football pro licence. (Mail on Sunday)

 

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Monday 07th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester City have stepped up their audacious attempt to sign Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho after the striker's agent and brother, Roberto de Assi, and Israeli 'super agent' Pini Zahavi were entertained by Thai members of the club's board in the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea at Eastlands. (The Guardian, Daily Mail)

However, City will have to compete with Italian giants AC Milan, whose billionaire president Silvio Berlusconi is preparing a bid for the brilliant Brazilian. (Daily Telegraph)

Peter Crouch says his future could be beyond Anfield, despite scoring Liverpool's goal against Arsenal on Saturday, with Manchester City, Portsmouth, Newcastle and Aston Villa leading the chase for the England striker. (Various)


OTHER GOSSIP
Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin believes the absence of any of the 'big four' Premier League teams in this season's FA Cup final is a "breath of fresh air". (Daily Express)

Fenerbahce midfielder Deivid - scorer of the Turkish side's winner against Chelsea in Istanbul - says Blues owner Roman Abramovich's millions cannot buy Champions League success. (The Sun)

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate plays down his touchline confrontation with rival boss Sir Alex Ferguson in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday, saying he has "complete respect" for the Scot. (The Times)

Misfit Celtic striker Derek Riordan says manager Gordon Strachan is not giving him opportunities to score goals at Parkhead. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY
Blackburn and England midfielder David Bentley admits he is obsessed - with DIY. "I've been taking up tiles and knocking down walls, mending the potholes on my drive. I've got a strict DIY 24-hour ban before a match because it tires you out." (Daily Mail)

 

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Tuesday 08th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Liverpool are leading the chase for £8m-rated Porto right-back Jose Boswinga, with Manchester United and Aston Villa also keen on the Portugal international. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea are prepared to take a £30m loss to allow Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko to return to AC Milan. (Daily Express)

Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov says he would be "flattered" if AC Milan follow up their interest in taking him from White Hart Lane to the San Siro. (The Times)

Barcelona have put striker Thierry Henry up for sale after less than a season at the Nou Camp, alerting Newcastle, Spurs, Manchester City and West Ham in the process. (Daily Star)

Everton face a battle to wrest Romania right-back Cosmin Contra away from Spanish side Getafe. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth step up their bid to sign £3m-rated St Etienne and Senegal international defender Moustapha Bayal Sall. (Daily Mail)

Celtic will target Middlesbrough's Mark Schwarzer should goalkeeper Artur Boruc leave in a big-money summer transfer. (Daily Mail)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is targeting a £6m summer move for Liverpool midfielder Jermaine Pennant. (The Sun)

The Magpies are also keeping tabs on Anderlecht winger Mbarek Boussoufa. (Daily Mail)

Derby striker Robert Earnshaw could make a £2m move to east Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest - but only if Colin Calderwood's side can reach the Championship. (Daily Mirror)

Former Kaiserslautern striker Joel Thomas has started a trial with Dundee United. (Various)

Hearts striker Mauricio Pinilla says he has been offered a new contract despite only eight appearances in two years. (The Sun)

Motherwell midfielder Simon Lappin is not assured of a new contract despite his winning goal against Celtic. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Fulham are preparing to make John Collins their fourth manager in a year, with current boss Roy Hodgson moving upstairs into a director of football role. (The Times)

Former Wigan manager Chris Hutchings is being lined up to replace under-fire Huddersfield boss Andy Ritchie. (The Sun)

Injured Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky is a doubt for Euro 2008, according to Czech international doctor Petr Krejci. (The Sun)

Fenerbahce midfielder Alex says Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich should not interfere with team matters in the dressing room. (The Sun)

Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell says Sheffield Wednesday's prospective buyers should keep faith with current manager Brian Laws. (The Sun)

Out-of-favour £6m Portsmouth striker David Nugent wants boss Harry Redknapp to give him a rare start up front against West Ham. (Various)

Derek Riordan has refused to pay a £1000 fine and turned to the players' union after falling out with Celtic manager Gordon Strachan. (The Sun)

Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar is a doubt for Thursday's Uefa Cup quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon through illness. (Various)

Sporting Lisbon defender Anderson Polga will miss the game with a thigh injury. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY
Fabio Capello has a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, but the England manager is a soft touch - according to his mother. Evelina Tortul Capello says her 61-year-old son is "tender like a mimosa flower" and phones her every day. (The Sun)

 

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Wednesday 09th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is planning an £18m raid for Argentine striker Mauro Zarate. The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Birmingham from Al-Sadd in Qatar. (The Sun)

Newcastle are keeping tabs on £10m-rated Germany defender Christoph Metzelder. The 6ft 4in centre back has made just 11 appearances for Real Madrid this season. (Daily Star)

Chelsea's £4m-rated teenage striker Scott Sinclair will be at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war this summer between FA Cup finalists Portsmouth and Roy Keane's Sunderland. (Daily Mirror)

Wigan manager Steve Bruce has warned Manchester City it will take a lot more than £5m to land winger Antonio Valencia. "When I heard about this supposed £5m interest in Valencia, I laughed," he said. (The Sun)

Burnley are ready to launch a fresh bid for out-of-favour Celtic forward Derek Riordan. (The Sun)

Derek Riordan faces showdown talks with Celtic manager Gordon Strachan today over an unpaid club fine and the player's comments in the media. (Daily Record)

Chile striker Mauricio Pinilla is poised to quit Hearts to care for his two-year-old daughter to his homeland. (daily Express)

Jean-Claude Darcheville would prefer a new contract with Rangers despite interest from English, French and Spanish clubs. (Various)

Austria's Red Bull Salzburg are planning a summer swoop for Wolves skipper Karl Henry - and hope to lure him with the prospect of European football. (Daily Mirror)

Steven Pienaar wants a firm contract offer from Everton - or he'll leave. The winger, on loan from Borussia Dortmund, is available for £2.4m. (The Sun)

Liverpool reject Florent Sinama-Pongolle - now with Recreativo de Huelva - is a £7.2m target for Valencia and Atletico Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland are believed to be interested in £2.5m-rated Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard, especially so if the west London club are to lose their battle to avoid relegation. (Daily Express)

Aston Villa are interested in Bayern Munich's £1.5m-rated right-back Willy Sagnol. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP
Angry Bolton fans are organising a petition and protests to get rid of manager Gary Megson and chairman Phil Gartside. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham have denied that manager Roy Hodgson was going to be replaced by former midfielder John Collins. (Daily Telegraph)

Bolton, meanwhile, have refuted suggestions that Nigeria Under-23 coach Samson Siasia is being lined up to replace Gary Megson. (Daily Telegraph)

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech could be playing in two weeks after having 50 stitches in a face wound courtesy of an accidental collision with team-mate Tal Ben Haim... And he's likely to be donning a face guard to go with the scrumcap he already wears. (The Independent)

American billionaire George Soros could complete his takeover of Roma by the end of the week, according to reports in Italy. (Daily Telegraph)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has assured winger Damien Duff that he still has a future at St James' Park. (The Independent)


AND FINALLY
Roma boss Luciano Spalletti has admitted his players were wrong to accuse Cristiano Ronaldo of showboating. "Sometimes we may say things that we normally would not and that is what happened," he said. (Daily Star)

QPR manager Luigi Di Canio was left bruised and shaken after being mugged just hours before his side's Championship clash with Preston. The Italian was believed to have been robbed in west London after going out for a meal and was up until 3am reporting the incident at a police station. (Daily Mirror)

David Beckham has again topped football's rich list with France Football magazine estimating his annual fortune at a staggering £24.7m, a figure which helps LA Galaxy's Englishman reclaim top spot from Ronaldinho.(Various)

 

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Thursday 10th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Chelsea could take Manchester City's Andreas Isaksson or Thomas Sorensen of Aston Villa on emergency loan to cover their goalkeeping crisis (The Guardian).

Dundee manager Alex Rae has dismissed Liverpool's interest in 19-year-old midfielder Kevin McDonald, saying "sitting in the reserves won't help him" (The Independent).

On-loan striker Dougie Freedman hopes to extend his loan at Leeds rather than return to Crystal Palace (The Independent).

Manager Roy Keane says Sunderland are "beefing up" their European scouting network because of high transfer prices in Britain (Daily Star).

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi says it is "very likely" striker Andriy Shevchenko will return to the club from Chelsea. Berlusconi is godfather to the player's first son (The Sun).

Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor says there will be big changes at the end of the season following their Champions League failure (Daily Star).

Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy has agreed a new £40,000-a-week contract to stay until 2011 (Daily Mail).

Preston are set to move for out-of-contract Dundee United midfielder Mark Kerr but face opposition from Aberdeen and Hearts. (Various)


OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United could provide the opposition for the game where Motherwell rename their main stand after the late Phil O'Donnell (Daily Record).

Avram Grant is under pressure in Israel to stand down from management duties for the second leg of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final as it falls on Holocaust Memorial Day (The Times).

Defender Rio Ferdinand had blood visibly leaking through his boot during Manchester United's win over Roma (Daily Star).

Newcastle's Mark Viduka could give up playing for Australia to extend his Magpies career (Daily Star).

England's friendly away to Trinidad and Tobago on 1 June could kick off at 2230 BST because it is cooler in the evening (The Sun).

Rangers striker Lee McCulloch says team-mates David Weir and Allan McGregor should have been among the shortlist for the players' player of the year. (Various)


AND FINALLY
Rangers fans travelling to their game with Sporting Lisbon gave emergency medical help to Chelsea player Paulo Ferreira when he collapsed at Lisbon Airport (Daily Record).

Blackburn's David Bentley says he began gambling at the age of 14 and was placing up to 100 bets a day before his girlfriend helped him overcome his addiction (Various).

Former Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp, who still lives in England, is to start a coaching course in London after admitting he is "starting to get the itch" to return to football (Various).

Cash-strapped Rotherham's administrators are selling off paintings of their 1996 Auto Windscreens Trophy victory and 2001 promotion campaign to raise funds (The Sun).

The managers of Irish Premier League sides Ballymena and Lisburn Distillery have been banned from going within half a mile of their own grounds after a pitch-side bust-up (Daily Express).

 

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Friday 11th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Aston Villa have issued a hands-off warning to Chelsea over England midfielder Gareth Barry. (Daily Mirror)

AC Milan and Fenerbahce have both held talks with Barcelona over the proposed sale of Ronaldinho after it emerged Man City were offered the Brazilian in January. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea have, not for the first time, lined up a £20m move for Valencia's Spanish striker David Villa. (The Sun)

Portsmouth are setting their sights on a £10m bid for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch. (Daily Star)

Obafemi Martins has snubbed a £15m move to Arsenal because he wants to fire Newcastle into Europe. (The Sun)

Ipswich have moved to block Wigan's interest in midfielder Owen Garvan by offering the 20-year-old Irishman an improved contract. (Daily Star)

Blackburn are ready to snap up striker Jason Lampkin from Manchester United. (Daily Mirror)

Preston are set to raid neighbours Blackpool to sign Latvian centre-half Kaspars Gorkss in a £250,000 deal. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has lined up another striker from the Championship - Sheffield United's former England hitman James Beattie. (The Sun)

Arsenal want to sign 14-year-old Portsmouth hotshot Aaron Spear. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are eyeing up Real Madrid's 20-year-old Spanish midfielder Esteban Granero, currently on loan at Getafe. (Daily Mirror)

Spurs are interested in Chelsea midfielder Jack Cork, son of ex-Wimbledon striker Alan Cork. (Daily Mail)

Leeds defender Rui Marques, 30, has told the club to meet his wage demands or he'll quit for nothing in the summer - he is wanted by Sunderland. (Daily Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has admitted he is "desperate" for Michael Owen to extend his contract at St James' Park. (The Times)

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has returned to training, less than a week after requiring 50 stitches in a facial wound after a training ground clash with Tal Ben Haim. (Daily Mail)

Portsmouth will wear their home kit and they have chosen the East dressing room for their FA Cup final clash with Cardiff. (The Sun)

Everton are heading for a row with Nigeria after defender Joseph Yobo was put on standby for their Olympic squad in August. (Daily Mail)

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck refused to confirm whether boss Avram Grant would be in charge of the club next season. (Various)

England boss Fabio Capello has revealed Theo Walcott's display in the Champions League on Tuesday for Arsenal against Liverpool was "incredible". (The Sun)

Indeed, so incredible that Walcott will now start England's next match against USA on 28 May at Wembley. (Daily Star)

Man City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson admits his boss Thaksin Shinawatra wants a "big-name striker" to help fill their stadium. (The Sun)

Danny Cullip has been offered a permanent contract at Gillingham after impressing manager Mark Stimson. (Daily Star)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce wants to offer Paul Scharner a long-term contract - to stop him leaving for free at the end of next season. (Daily Mirror)

Gareth Southgate is considering ditching the role of club captain at Middlesbrough. (Daily Mail)

Sheffield Wednesday have escaped a points deduction for having too many loan players in a match-day squad but were fined £2,000. (Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY
The Daily Star's chief football writer Danny Fullbrook believes Liverpool's Fernando Torres should be the footballer of the year, not Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

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Saturday 12th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester United are set to hand Cristiano Ronaldo a massive £40m deal to keep him at the club, making him the highest paid player in England on £150,000 a week.

Barcelona are set to bid for Arsenal's Belarus midfielder Alexander Hleb. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa are to offer England midfielder Gareth Barry an improved new contract to ward off interest from Chelsea. (Daily Mail)

And boss Martin O'Neill also wants to sign up Villa young guns Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Young to long term deals. (The Sun)

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry admits he would love to return to Arsenal in some capacity in the future. (The Sun)

Croatia's Dynamo Zagreb midfielder Luka Modric, 22, is hoping for a summer move to Liverpool. (Times)

Manchester City's quest to sign Ronaldinho this summer has been boosted after the Brazilian admitted he wants to play in the Premier League. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Roy Hodgson admits there is no guarantee he will still be manager of Fulham next season. (The Times)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has told Charles N'Zogbia he has a future at the club, provided he proves his commitment. (Daily Mail)

Harry Redknapp says he is glad he turned down Newcastle to remain as Portsmouth manager. (Various)

Striker Robbie Keane has declared he is ready to commit his long-term future to Tottenham. (Daily Express)

Rangers boss Walter Smith wants to sign on-loan Fulham midfielder Steven Davis on a permanent basis. (Guardian)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is unwilling to let Michael Owen leave for Manchester City (Guardian)

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish believes his £5million Scotland international James McFadden has the potential to prove a bargain signing. (Various)

Inverness have played down fears that Romanian international Marius Niculae will depart the club in the summer after club chairman Alan Savage - who bankrolled much of his wages - resigned from the club. (Various)

Motherwell legend Tommy McLean has tipped Mark McGhee to bring European football to Fir Park. (Daily Mail)


AND FINALLY
After admitting he had a huge gambling problem when he was younger Blackburn's England winger David Bentley has revealed a new way to keep himself occupied - housework and DIY.

 

[McFLY]

Sunday 13th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
David Bentley will choose between either Liverpool or Chelsea as the Premier League giants wage a £15m fight for the Blackburn star this summer. (News of the World)

Tottenham are ready to sell French Under-21 skipper Younes Kaboul with Portsmouth interested in the 22-year-old who cost Spurs £7m. (Mail on Sunday)

Manchester City are confident of completing the £10m capture of former Eastlands star Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea in the summer. (News of the World)

But Chelsea will be splashing the cash themselves with Roman Abramovich signing off £100m for Avram Grant to target players such as Gareth Barry, Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero and Lyon's Karim Benzema. (Sunday People)

Gerard Pique is considering his Manchester United future after Barcelona declared an interest in re-signing the Spanish centre-back. (News of the World)

Manchester United and Arsenal are closing in on Cardiff City's £6m-rated midfielder Aaron Ramsey - just 17 years old. (Sunday Express)

Portsmouth are winning a three-way fight ahead of Newcastle and Aston Villa to secure the services of Liverpool striker Peter Crouch in a £6m deal this summer. (News of the World)

Chelsea have been given renewed hope of signing £25m-rated Sevilla full-back Dani Alves after comments from the player hinting he wants to leave the Spanish club. (News of the World)

Man United are eyeing £15m-rated defensive midfielder Miguel Veloso of Sporting Lisbon. (Sunday Telegraph)

Tottenham are lining up a £5m bid for Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor. (Sunday Mail)

Real Madrid will pay £4.5m for Hibs striker Steven Fletcher and farm him out to a La Liga rival on loan for a year. (Sunday Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
Rafa Benitez will challenge Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks on claims the American still uses former Germany coach Jurgen Klinnsman as an advisor. (News of the World)

Irish horse racing magnates John Magnier and JP McManus - formerly Manchester United's major shareholders - are considering buying into Liverpool and are keen to play a role in the future of the club. (Sunday Express)

Manchester City have lost confidence in manager Sven-Goran Eriksson after their slide down the Premier League and are looking to replace him in the summer with Portugal boss Luis Felipe Scolari. (Sunday Times)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he wants Barcelona to knock Man United out of the Champions League because of his allegiance to Thierry Henry. (Sunday Express)


AND FINALLY
Legendary Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos sprinted after Ashley Cole - not the other way round - to almost beg the England man to swap shirts with him after Fenerbache's defeat at Chelsea on Wednesday evening. (News of the World)

After Diego Maradona has been handing out lavish praise to fellow countryman Javier Mascherano, the Liverpool midfielder is set to invite the Argentine hero to watch him play at troubled Anfield. (Mail on Sunday)

Danish Premier League player Andreas Dahl says he has no regrets about kicking a streaker where it hurts when the naked man invaded the pitch during Nordsjalland's game with AaB. "I know it's the steward's job but why shouldn't I?" he said. "He sure went down fast." (The Observer)

 

[McFLY]

Wednesday 16th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Valencia striker David Villa is poised to reject a move to Chelsea in favour of Arsenal. (The Sun)

West Ham face a battle with Plymouth and Manchester City for 20-year-old Barnet midfielder Albert Adomah. (Daily Mirror)

Welsh winger David Cotterill is likely to join Sheffield United after being told he can leave Wigan. (The Sun)

Newcastle defensive target Carlos Cuellar has insisted that he wants to stay at Rangers to "win trophies" but the Magpies are also looking at Derby midfielder Giles Barnes and Cardiff midfielder Aaron Ramsey, 17. (Daily Mirror)

Everton manager David Moyes hopes his American connections will give him the edge in the race to sign United States midfielder Michael Bradley, who plays for Dutch club Heerenveen. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is set to give Avram Grant a £100m summer transfer kitty, despite the Blues manager coming under fire from fans following Monday's draw with Wigan. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has vowed to spend in the summer, saying he is unafraid to pay big money for players he thinks are worth it. (Daily Star)

Derby look set to dump striker Robert Earnshaw and that could see him return to Cardiff. (The Sun)

Crystal Palace will bid £1m for Leeds striker Jermain Beckford in the new transfer window. (Various)

Wigan, Sunderland and Bolton are locked in a battle to sign Coventry youngsters Dan Fox and Scott Dann. (Daily Star)

Arsenal and Chelsea fear they could miss out on Villarreal defender Martin Caceres after Real Madrid opened talks with him. (Daily Mail)

The Gunners are also on the trail of Guimaraes' Algeria striker Kamel Ghilas. (Daily Mail)

Chris Innes has turned down the chance of signing for MLS side New York Bulls. (Daily Express)


OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea's former Bolton defender Tal Ben-Haim, who has been pushed into the reserves at Stamford Bridge, has revealed he would not have joined the club if he had known manager Jose Mourinho was going to be replaced with Avram Grant. (The Sun)

Celtic's on-loan striker Georgios Samaras has accused Old Firm rivals Rangers of playing a defensive game with little football on show. (Various)

Rangers midfielder Brahim Hemdani is a late fitness doubt for the Old Firm clash as he struggles to overcome a virus. (Daily Record)

Rangers manager Walter Smith says Celtic are as good as the majority of the teams he has faced in the club's run to the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup. (Various)

Massimo Donati believes Celtic have already lost the chance to retain their SPL title (The Sun)

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan admits he must improve his record in Old Firm games. (Various)

Kilmarnock midfielder Medhi Taouil wants to remain at Rugby Park after his current deal expires at the end of the season. (Daily Record)

St Johnstone expressed disappointment after selling 4,000 tickets for their Scottish Cup semi-final encounter with Rangers. (Daily Record)

England's players face being axed from the World Cup qualifiers if they try to duck out of the summer friendlies against the United States and Trinidad, with boss Fabio Capello saying: "If a player doesn't love to play for England then perhaps he should stay at home." (Various)

Wigan manager Steve Bruce will receive a £2m bonus if his side are not relegated from the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)

Former Tottenham boss Martin Jol is tipped to return to management with AZ Alkmaar because the Dutch side are set to lose current boss Louis van Gaal to Galatasaray at the end of this season. (Various)


AND FINALLY
David Beckham and Tom Cruise are considering teaming up to buy a football club - but they have not decided whether the club would be in the UK or the USA. (Daily Express)

 

[McFLY]

Thursday 24th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Newcastle are close to buying highly-rated Croatia midfielder Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb for about £12m. (Various)

Tottenham and Manchester City have been sounded out about signing Brazil superstar Ronaldinho after his move to AC Milan collapsed. (Daily Mirror)

But Milan still want Ronaldinho despite Barcelona's £40m asking price - and the player wants that move too. (Guardian)

City are also considering a move for Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf. (Various)

But they face competition from Valencia, who will bid £5m for the Senegal international. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez spoke to owner Tom Hicks on Wednesday and listed his transfer targets, which include Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. (Star)

But Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to smash Villa's pay structure to keep hold of his player. (Various)

Real Madrid have added Chelsea centre-back Ricardo Carvalho to their wanted list, along with his Blues team-mate Didier Drogba. The Spanish giants also hope to lure Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. (Star)

Chelsea and Liverpool are set to battle it out for the signature of Blackburn winger David Bentley. (The Times)

Arsenal midfielder Matthieu Flamini is on the verge of leaving to join Italian giants Juventus. (Independent).

And the Gunners' midfield could be further depleted by the departure of Alexander Hleb to Inter Milan. (The Guardian)

Arsenal are interested in signing PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa and Valencia striker David Villa. (Daily Star)

Tottenham are also in the race for Gomes. However, the £10m price tag could put off both clubs. (Express)

Spurs' other goalkeeping targets include Espanyol's Carlos Kameni, Villarreal's Diego Lopez, Manchester United's Ben Foster and Udinese's Samir Handanovic. (Express)

Sporting Lisbon want Middlesbrough midfielder Fabio Rochemback. (Various)

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is tracking Argentine international Maxi Rodriguez. (Daily Mirror)

Marcus Bent will seek a permanent switch to Wigan, where he is on loan from Charlton, if the club stays in the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle want Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell, who is also being chased by Blackburn and Sunderland. (The Sun)

Tottenham are interested in Real Madrid's Esteban Granero and Chelsea's Tal Ben Haim. (Daily Express)

Chelsea could move for Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although his team-mate Mario Balotelli is being considered as an alternative.

But Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Frank Lampard, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Tal Ben Haim could all leave Chelsea in the summer. (Independent)

Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini may also join the exodus from Stamford Bridge. (Independent)

Derby manager Paul Jewell is interested in signing Everton midfielder Lee Carsley. (Independent)

Celtic are considering a move for tough-tackling Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Ognjen Vukojevic. (Daily Mail)

St Mirren are leading the chase for soon to be out-of-contract Falkirk captain Jack Ross. (Daily Express)

Crystal Palace insist youngsters Lee Hills, Victor Moses, Sean Scannell and John Bostock will not be sold if the club fails to win promotion. (Various)

Plymouth defender Paul Connolly will move to Charlton in the summer after seven years at the club. (Various)

Oldham are monitoring teenage Wigan striker Chris McCaughtrie, who will be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer. (Daily Star)

Cardiff and Coventry are competing for the signature of Oxford defender Luke Foster. (Daily Star)


OTHER GOSSIP
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks held talks with manager Rafael Benitez on Wednesday and believes the Spaniard is happy at the club and will agree a new contract. (Various)

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Pepe Reina says if Benitez leaves the club he is likely to follow him. (Independent)

Former Newcastle and Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is being chased by Portuguese giants Benfica. (Daily Mail)

Derby manager Paul Jewell will appoint Chris Hutchings as his number two after losing Stan Ternent to Huddersfield. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth striker David Nugent has begged manager Harry Redknapp to put him in the starting line-up for the FA Cup final against Cardiff after he scored his first goal for three months while playing for the reserves. (Mirror)

West Brom striker Kevin Phillips says speculation he has rejected a new contract and will leave the club in the summer is "nonsense".

Sheffield Wednesday will be saved from financial meltdown next week when a foreign consortium takes over the club in a £40m deal. (Various)


AND FINALLY
Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has been so distraught after his own goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final that he has refused to speak to his family about it. The Norwegian ignored calls from his brother before finally sending a text saying he wants to be left alone. (Various)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit back at fans who have turned on him after the club's third season without a trophy. "When people say you don't know what you are doing, that is disrespectful," he said. (Daily Star)

The Beckhams have moved three places up the Rich List following their relocation to the USA, which has netted them £13m. The couple are now worth £125m and are the 616th-richest Britons. Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin are the richest celebrity pair under the age of 30 with £35m. (Daily Star)

 

[McFLY]

Saturday 26th April gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Having captured Croatia star Luka Modric, Tottenham are targeting Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o, Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni and Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva is being chased by Roma after deciding to end his six-year stay at the Gunners. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United could lose out to Barcelona in the chase for full-back Philip Lahm. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is refusing to rule out bringing Thierry Henry back to the club from Barcelona. (Various)

West Ham are close to signing 17-year-old defender Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson from HK Kopavogur. (Times)

Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes looks set to move back to Portugal after putting his house up for sale in Poole. (Daily Express)

Liverpool's England striker Peter Crouch could still be a target for FA Cup finalists Portsmouth. (Daily Express)

Birmingham have jumped ahead of West Brom to sign Sean Geddes from Walsall. (Daily Mirror)

Midfielder Lee Cook is set for a return to QPR after failing to settle at Fulham. (Various)

Blackburn are chasing midfielder Radoslaw Majewski and defender Dariusz Dudka from Polish sides Groclin Dyskobolia and Wisla Krakow respectively.

FA Cup finalists Cardiff are keen to re-sign Derby striker Rob Earnshaw after he failed to impress with the relegated Rams this season. (Daily Mirror)

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood says he wants to keep on-loan Alan Maybury at Pittodrie permanently if the Dons and Leicester can agree to a deal. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
England boss Fabio Capello is ready to name Rio Ferdinand as England captain ahead of Chelsea defender John Terry. (Various)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is furious with Inter Milan for trying to tap-up midfielder Alexander Hleb. (Various)

Stoke boss Tony Pulis will scoure Europe for players good enough to play in the Premier League - should they get promoted. (The Sun)

Former Tottenham coach Martin Jol believes he is in the frame to replace Alan Curbishley as West Ham boss. (Daily Mirror)

Kevin Keegan insists his relationship with director of football Dennis Wise will be a success and says they will land four top players this summer. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley insists he will overcome the West Ham boo-boys by bringing "fantasy football" to Upton Park. (Various)

Aston Villa are battling hard to keep hold of England midfielder Gareth Barry and are poised to offer him a bumper new deal. Various)

Welsh star John Hartson is in line to be offered the manager's job at Livingston by the club's new general manager Roddy Collins. (The Sun)


AND FINALLY
Chelsea manager Avram Grant has called in a top American shrink to held his team through their make-or-break week this season (Daily Express).

Jinxed Fulham striker Jari Litmanen has had heart trouble, an ankle injury and a groin strain. Now the Finnish veteran has been denied the chance of making his debut for the club in the relegation scrap against Manchester City after being injured when a ball hit his ear in training.