February Football gossip 2010

[McFLY]

Mon 01st February gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Big-spending Manchester City are set to make a transfer deadline day £20m offer for Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City look set to beat Inter Milan to the £7m signing of Parma midfielder McDonald Mariga.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester City are also likely to submit a fresh £6m bid for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson.
Full story: Daily Mail

But Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea and Wolves have also expressed an interest in 22-year-old Johnson.
Full story: The Times

Fulham are keen to seal a loan deal for Aston Villa defender Nicky Shorey.
Full story: Sky Sports

Stoke City are to renew their interest in keeper David James after failing to complete a £3m deal for his Portsmouth team-mate Asmir Begovic.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Or Tottenham are keen on Pompey's James after Stoke hijacked their attempts to sign keeper Begovic.
Full story: Daily Mail

Spurs striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has pleaded with the London club to sell him to ambitious Birmingham City.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will turn to FC Red Bull Salzburg striker Marc Janko after moves for Pavlyuchenko and Portsmouth's Aruna Dindane stalled.
Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham and Scotland defender Alan Hutton will sign for Sunderland as Black Cats manager Steve Bruce seeks a breakthrough in solving his right-back problems.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Ipswich manager Roy Keane is set to raid former club Sunderland for striker Daryl Murphy.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham and Tottenham are in talks over striker Robbie Keane.
Full story: Daily Mirror

The Hammers are also interested in Frederic Piquionne, who is on loan at Portsmouth, and Daniele Cacia, of Reggina.
Full story: The Times

Stoke striker James Beattie is considering a £3m switch to Sunderland after the Black Cats gave up on Robbie Keane and Manchester City forward Benjani.
Full story: Daily Mail

Stoke boss Tony Pulis wants to bring winger Jermaine Pennant back to England from Real Zaragoza.
Full story: The Sun

Leeds are to launch a bid for Blackburn striker Jason Roberts, possibly opening the door for forward Jermaine Beckford to leave Elland Road.
Full story: The Sun

Wolves are to offer £5m to Hull for midfielder Stephen Hunt and are keen to take Everton striker James Vaughan on loan.
Full story: Daily Mail

Blackburn themselves are to make a late loan move for Ivory Coast striker Dindane, who is currently on loan at Portsmouth from Lens.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Portsmouth are hoping to seal a loan deal for Sunderland's central defender Nyron Nosworthy.
Full story: The Sun

Hull trio, winger Peter Halmosi, utility player Kevin Kilbane and midfielder Bryan Hughes are all set to leave the KC Stadium on Monday.
Full story: Daily Mail

High-flying championship side Nottingham Forest have tabled a £2m bid for Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Rangers boss Water Smith wants to sign Bolton's Nigerian centre-half Danny Shittu on a free transfer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

On the final day of the transfer window, Celtic's Tony Mowbray is the most active of the managers in Scotland. He hopes to sign Diomansy Kamara on loan from Fulham, Irish midfielder Marc Wilson on loan from Portsmouth, striker Emir Kujovic from Halmstad and Bayern Munich left-back Edson Braafheid, while deals for Ivan Ramis and Icelandic defender Solvi Ottesen remain a possibility. (Various)

Rangers have been in touch with AZ Alkmaar boss Dick Advocaat about signing Danish international left winger Simon Poulsen until the end of the season. (The Sun)

Rangers left-back Stevie Smith says the consistently good form shown by Sasa Papac is making it hard for him to get a regular run in the team and he may be forced to look elsewhere for first-team football. (Daily Express, The Herald)

And Walter Smith has missed out on Portuguese midfielder Ricardo Quaresma, whom he was trying to sign on loan from Inter Milan. (Daily Record)

A top Russian club are considering making a bid for Hibs defender Sol Bamba after he impressed them with his performances for the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge will have talks with England this week about his international future following the allegations about his national side's captain John Terry over the weekend.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea defender John Terry is on the verge of quitting his position as England captain following the weekend revelations about his private life.
Full story: Daily Star

AND FINALLY

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies has accused Derby counterpart Nigel Clough of a "cowardly" assault during the stoppage time melee between the two clubs on Saturday.
Full story: The Independent

 

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Tuesday 02nd February gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1716 GMT: Macecodian U21 defender Stefan Savic, who plays for BSK Borka in Serbia, says he will sign a pre-contract with Arsenal on Thursday after Arsene Wenger got his work permit extended to stay and train with the team after he impressed on trial. (Press Association)

1208 GMT: Unsettled striker Roman Pavlyuchenko could still secure his Tottenham exit. The transfer window remains open in Russia and Pavlyuchenko's agent spoke to the Lokomotiv Moscow president three times on Monday about a deal.
Full story: Daily Mail

1137 GMT: Liverpool want to secure investment for a new stadium within three months. Plans for a 60,000-seat arena at Stanley Park are on hold and managing director Christian Purslow said: "There are interested parties and I'd like to get it sorted before the end of this season. Without investment there won't be a new stadium." (Spanish newspaper As)

1126 GMT: Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is unconcerned with stories surrounding boss Rafael Benitez. Despite reports in Italy over the Spaniard's potential move to Juventus, Carragher said: "Liverpool has always had speculation about managers, players, players coming, players going and it's the same as managers." (PA)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal midfielder and captain Cesc Fabregas is set to rejoin Barcelona in the summer. The 22-year-old Spaniard is contracted to the Gunners until the end of the 2013/2014 campaign but is unhappy with the team's lack of ambition. (Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo)

Paris St Germain's bid to sign Manchester United midfielder Anderson fell through because the French club were reluctant to pay the Brazilian's wages.
Full story: Daily Mail

Sunderland missed out on landing Egypt winger Ahmed Al-Muhammadi after his club ENPPI rejected the Black Cats' bid of £2m.
Full story: Daily Mail

One of the most unusual deals on deadline day was Mido's move to West Ham - where he will be on the lowest wages for a player in the Premier League. The Egypt striker signed on a six-month loan from Middlesbrough for £1,000 a week and Hammers owner David Sullivan called the deal "one of the most amazing of all time".
Full story: The Sun

OTHER GOSSIP

Beleaguered Chelsea defender John Terry will tell England manager Fabio Capello that he will not relinquish the captain's armband for the national team.
Full story: Daily Mirror

However, others report the Chelsea centre-half is considering resigning as skipper of England ahead of talks with Capello on Friday. It follows newspaper allegations of an affair with the former girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.
Full story: The Independent

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge could be on the verge of quitting international football following the fall-out of Terry's alleged affair with his ex-girlfriend.
Full story: The Times

David Beckham has revealed his thoughts on returning to Old Trafford in an AC Milan shirt ahead of this month's Champions League clash. The England midfielder, on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, said: "The thought of playing United always gives me that sick feeling because I missed the club so much."
Full story: Daily Express

Midfielder Park Ji-Sung has warned Chelsea that Manchester United will not capitulate as the Premier League title race heats up.
Full story: The Sun

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor thanked his Manchester City "family" for providing support following the deadly gun attacks on Togo's football team in Angola in January.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fiorentina and ex-Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu, who tested positive for the banned substance sibutramine last week, has been labelled a "child" by the Italian club's sporting director Pantaleo Corvino.
Full story: The Sun

Striker Wayne Rooney is confident that Manchester United can set a new Premier League record and win four successive titles.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea missed Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, on Africa Cup of Nations duty, throughout January but still won all five games. The strikers are set to feature for the Blues in Tuesday's game at Hull and Frank Lampard said: "When they were away people spoke about us struggling. We've done well and now we will be even stronger."
Full story: Daily Mail

Portuguese winger Nani says he is back to his best after a stunning performance in Manchester United's 3-1 win at Arsenal. The £17.3m signing in 2007 said: "The manager has shown confidence in me, I have been given more time on the pitch and that has given me belief in myself."
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been busy reflecting on the defeat at the hands of Manchester United. The Spaniard said: "I felt very well but when you find yourself 2-0 or 3-0 down, it's difficult. Even Lionel Messi would struggle to do anything."
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

It wasn't the most dramatic of transfer deadline days, with less than £20m being splashed out in the final 24 hours of the window.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

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Wednesday 03rd February gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool are on the verge of a deal to sign Milan Jovanovic on a free transfer in the summer after further talks with the Standard Liege and Serbia striker.
Full story: The Times

Arsenal are set to beat Tottenham in the race to sign centre-half Stefan Savic from BSK Borca after the 19-year-old Serb completed a 10-day trial with the club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Barcelona vice-president Alfons Godall has stepped up the pressure on Arsenal by insisting that Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas will end up at the Nou Camp "sooner or later".
Full story: The Sun

Manchester United are still interested in Racing Santander midfielder Sergio Canales, who is also wanted by Real Madrid.
Full story: Daily Mail

Birmingham did not sign striker Roman Pavlyuchenko during the January transfer window because Tottenham increased their asking price to £12m at the last minute.
Full story: Daily Star

Manchester City are lining up a summer bid for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.
Full story: imscouting.com

Cash-strapped Portsmouth have replaced Tottenham-bound Younes Kaboul with former Spurs defender Ricardo Rocha.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Pompey are also closing in on deal for Serbia defender Dusko Tosic.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

England manager Fabio Capello is expected to retain Chelsea defender John Terry as his captain when the pair meet on Friday, unless there are more allegations about his private life.
Full story: Daily Mirror

However, Capello is concerned that more revelations will come out this weekend and will delay making a decision on Terry's captaincy until Sunday at the very earliest.
Full story: The Independent

And senior officials at the Football Association have told Capello that Terry should not continue as England skipper.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Chelsea are ready to give Terry some time off to get him out of the media firing line, while the club employed extra security to control members of the paparazzi outside the team hotel for the Premier League match with Hull on Tuesday evening.
Full story: The Times

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr have less than six months to secure the £100m investment demanded by their creditors or they run the risk of being forced to put the club up for sale.
Full story: The Times

And Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been asked about his future plans by Real Madrid.
Full story: imscouting.com

Former Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak will not force the cash-strapped club into administration despite Pompey missing a deadline to pay a £9.5m instalment on the £30m he claims he is owed.
Full story: The Guardian

Manchester United defender Gary Neville has been frozen out at Old Trafford following his touchline gesture to Manchester City's Carlos Tevez during last month's Carling Cup semi-final first leg.
Full story: The Sun

Stoke midfielder Matthew Etherington insists he is winning his fight to overcome a gambling addiction and has been given a pay rise by the club to help him pay off debts that spiralled to £800,000.
Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate is concerned that he may have to quit football as he battles to overcome the long-term groin injury that has restricted him to only three Premier League games this season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who has been out injured since September 2008, could make a return to the squad for the Champions League tie with AC Milan if he completes a week of full training.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Burnley boss Brian Laws says he felt like X-Factor judge Simon Cowell as he auditioned new players to come to the club during the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Carlos Tevez says the infamous 'Welcome to Manchester' poster, which caused so much controversy following his move from United to City over the summer, is now on a wall at his home in Argentina.
Full story: The Sun

 

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Thursday 04th February gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1745 GMT: Liverpool could miss out on signing Standard Liege forward Milan Jovanovic.

"There are many possibilities," the Serb's agent Zoran Stojadinovic told Spanish newspaper Superdeporte, referring to the interest of other clubs. "The situation will be resolved soon, but he has not signed for any club as yet."

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona are piling the pressure on Arsenal, with the Spanish giants planning a £40m summer swoop for midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Full story: The Sun

Barcelona are also interested in another Gunners player, midfielder Emmanuel Eboue.
Full story: The Sun

Fulham are to battle it out with Arsenal for QPR's 15-year-old striker Raheem Sterling.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Crisis club Portsmouth face the loss of striker Aruna Dindane in the next week - if French side Lens do not receive the £3.5m owed for his transfer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen will consider his future at the club if he is dropped in favour of new arrival Asmir Begovic on Saturday.
Full story: The Sun

Birmingham midfielder Gary McSheffrey will make his loan move to Leeds permanent if the Elland Road outfit are promoted to the Championship this season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United's England Under-20 midfielder Matty James is set to join Preston on loan.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery has set a March deadline for deciding his future at the club. Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid have all shown an interest in the winger. (The Times)

Preston defender Sean St Ledger has blasted club chairman Derek Shaw for denying him a dream move to Celtic.
Full story: Daily Record

Liverpool are hoping to bring 14-year-old Danish forward Alexander Jacobsen, who is at FC Copenhagen, into their academy. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP

England manager Fabio Capello will give Chelsea defender John Terry the chance to quit as England captain following newspaper revelations about his private life.
Full story: The Sun

Capello's hopes of having Owen Hargreaves fit for the World Cup finals have suffered another blow after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson removed the midfielder from his Champions League squad.
Full story: The Times

Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai, who has so far lent Portsmouth £20m, is exercising his right to seize control after the cash-strapped club failed to honour their repayments to him.
Full story: The Sun

Chainrai has taken over the 90% shareholding held by Ali Al Faraj to become Portsmouth's fourth owner in a year.
Full story: The Guardian

Manchester City have rejected Real Madrid's claims that they scuppered a last-minute £16.3m transfer for midfielder Fernando Gago.
Full story: The Independent

AND FINALLY

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs believes team-mate Wayne Rooney is about to join Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid duo Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo in being seen as the best players in the world.
Full story: Daily Star

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, who is on loan at AC Milan, has signed up for an Italian cookery course. "It's something I've always wanted to do," said the former England captain. (Daily Star)

 

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Friday 05th February gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Andrey Arshavin admits Arsenal do not have the class to match title rivals Manchester United and Chelsea. The diminutive Russia international says the Gunners will never be champions while they have to rely on him as a makeshift centre forward. (Daily Mail)

1205 GMT: Aston Villa are to hold talks in the summer with midfielder James Milner regarding a new contract. He signed a four-year deal when he became Villa's record signing in a £12m switch from Newcastle 18 months ago and is under contract until June 2012.
Full story: Wolverhampton Express & Star

1140: France international Franck Ribery has yet to make a decision over where he plans to play next season but expects to announce whether he will remain at Bayern Munich or join another club before the end of March. (France Football magazine)


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Egypt striker Mohamed Zidan, who plays for Borussia Dortmund, is being chased by Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona - according to his dad.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester City are likely to make a fresh move for Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago in the summer, City boss Roberto Mancini has confirmed.
Full story: The Guardian

And City also want to bring Lazio striker Mauro Zarate back to England to replace Robinho - the Argentine previously had a spell at Birmingham.
Full story: Goal.com

Manchester United are resigned to losing Nemanja Vidic in the summer, with AC Milan ready to rival Real Madrid's £20m attempt to prise him away.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to sign Brazilian wonderkid Wellington Silva after his trial with the Londoners.
Full story: Daily Mirror

The Gunners boss has also apparently stepped up the chase for £14m France striker Loic Remy, dubbed the 'new Thierry Henry'.
Full story: The Sun

Liverpool's attempt to sign Standard Liege forward Milan Jovanovic could be under threat after his agent claimed other clubs are interested. (Various)

Lokomotiv Moscow have joined city rivals Dinamo in the pursuit of Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun, despite Reds manager Rafa Benitez being reluctant to sell.
Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham are interested in Ghana goalkeeper George Owu, who has been offered a trial following his release by Egyptian club Al Masry.
Full story: Daily Mail

Veteran striker Paul Dickov is wanted by Leeds and Derby after being released by Leicester.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is trying to sign 17-year-old Bolivian star Gabriel Alvarez from Callejas for next season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

QPR have offered former Fulham defender Moritz Volz, who is a free agent, a contract until the end of the season.
Full story: The Sun

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth goalkeeper David James is to take a pay cut as he does not want to inflict any more financial pressure on the cash-strapped club.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

Manchester City have offered first-team regulars at Eastlands a bonus of £1m each to take the club into the Champions League and win the FA Cup.
Full story: Daily Express

Aston Villa have banned youth defender Nathan Baker from this month's League Cup final after the 18-year-old was caught selling his ticket allocation for the game on social networking site Facebook. (Various)

Villa defender Nicky Shorey, who is on loan at Fulham, could be in trouble with Fifa after playing for his third club this season, breaking the world governing body's rule of only being allowed to play for two clubs in a season.
Full story: The Daily Mail

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is looking into selling his company's NHL ice hockey team the Dallas Stars.
Full story: The Guardian

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has emerged as potential target for Espanyol as the Barcelona club's hierarchy is losing confidence in coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Full story: Daily Mail

Premier League clubs are set to pocket £1bn thanks to a TV deal which the league's chief executive Richard Scudamore is ready to announce as he publishes the figures for the worldwide rights to screen top Premier League matches.
Full story: The Sun

AND FINALLY

French left-back Patrice Evra says Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson "dances up and down like a child" when United win.
Full story: The Sun

Five Portsmouth fans will walk into the Premier League's luxurious offices in London on Friday looking for answers as to why their club has become football's financial basket case.
Full story: The Times

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger cancelled a day off for his Arsenal players ahead of this weekend's match against Chelsea because he was so angry after Sunday's 3-1 defeat by Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Newcastle's new signing Leon Best has turned down the chance to take the club's famous No9 shirt because the £2m buy from Coventry City says he has not earned it yet.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[McFLY]

Saturday 06th February gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has not ruled out a move to England. He said: "Last season, I had many possibilities with Manchester United, Real, Barcelona or Chelsea. I hope I'll have the same ones plus Bayern next summer."
Full story: The Sun

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has declared his love for London, and Barcelona. He said: "All of my life I have been dressing the Barca colours. I had to leave and I have seen also other things that I have enjoyed a lot. When I retire from football, I will live in Barcelona. But I love London a lot, me and my family love London."
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool are confident of beating AC Milan and Valencia to the signature of Milan Jovanovic, who is available on a free transfer from Standard Liege in the summer.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United could offer a contract to Sogndal defender Even Hovland, who has been on trial with the club. Everton are also interested in the 20-year-old Norwegian.
Full story: Daily Mail

Aston Villa midfielder Isaiah Osbourne is set to join Queens Park Rangers when the loan window re-opens next week.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea midfielder Deco has accused Arsenal of being Premier League bottlers ahead of Sunday's crunch game between the sides at Stamford Bridge.
Full story: The Sun

And Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits his young team have a mental problem when they come up against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United.
Full story: The Sun

Wenger believes that finishing third in the Premier League is a better achievement than winning the FA Cup.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Everton boss David Moyes says his side has been in the shadow of city rivals Liverpool because there has been years of overspending at Anfield.
Full story: Daily Star

Just hours before facing cash-strapped Portsmouth, Manchester United's boss expressed his sympathies for Pompey boss Avram Grant. Sir Alex Ferguson said: "When you see what's happening there, you have to feel for him. It can't be easy. How he's coping, you can only imagine."
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has not yet been officially told that he is replacing John Terry as England captain.
Full story: The Sun

Terry is poised to lose £20m in sponsorship revenue over the next four years after being stripped of the England captaincy.
Full story: The Sun

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has warned winger Morten Gamst Pedersen, who has been linked with a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce, not to string the club along during contract talks.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies is angry that his club's transfer panel, headed by former Tottenham manager David Pleat, did not sign anyone during the January transfer window despite bids for Crystal Palace striker Victor Moses and Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Birmingham keeper Joe Hart is willing to take a penalty if selected for England at the World Cup. He said: "Stuart Pearce saw me take one in the semi-final of the European Under 21 Championship last summer. Fortunately, I scored. But I'd happily take one again."
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[McFLY]

Sunday 07th February gossip column

JOHN TERRY GOSSIP

England manager Fabio Capello told John Terry to "get some help" for issues in his private life when he axed the Chelsea defender as his skipper on Friday.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge, who has been in the spotlight over allegations that his former girlfriend had a relationship with Terry, is still part of Capello's plans and will be selected for the friendly with Egypt on 3 March.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

John Terry could take some time out of the game to try and resolve issues in his private life.
Full story: Sunday Express

Capello sacked Terry to protect the Chelsea defender amid concerns about the impact the continued media pressure would have on the player.
Full story: Sunday Telegraph
TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants Everton star Jack Rodwell to come to Old Trafford in the summer.
Full story: News of the World

But Ferguson has lost out to Real Madrid in the race to sign Racing Santander's 18-year-old Spanish midfielder Sergio Canales.
Full story: The People

Liverpool's Martin Skrtel is an £8m summer target for Italian Serie A side Juventus.
Full story: News of the World

Juventus are also planning a £13m raid for Tottenham defender Gareth Bale.
Full story: The People

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is prepared to let Stephen Ireland leave Eastlands in the summer, which will alert the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs.
Full story: Daily Mail

Mancini says he is planning a bid for Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli, who has repeatedly clashed with his manager Jose Mourinho.
Full story: News of the World

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh says he wants to join Arsenal when his contract expires in the summer.
Full story: imscouting.com

Stoke striker James Beattie was close to a £2m move to Fulham in January but his demands for £60,000 a week scuppered the deal.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is preparing to offload £20m of talent in the summer. Anton Ferdinand, Kieran Richardson and Kenwyne Jones - who were all bought by previous boss Roy Keane - will be the ones to leave.
Full story: News of the World

Everton, Liverpool and Spurs are all in the chase for Hull's 19-year-old midfield starlet Tom Cairney.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

West Ham defender Matthew Upson will be sold in the summer.
Full story: The People

Chelsea could make a move for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic at the end of the season.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Birmingham's loan striker Christian Benitez says he wants to join the club on a permanent basis.
Full story: The People

OTHER GOSSIP

Arsenal will offer Cesc Fabregas a £30m deal in a bid to keep the talismanic captain at the north London club.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Jose Mourinho could buy himself out of his £5.5m contract with Inter Milan to make a return to the Premier League.
Full story: News of the World

Chelsea are ready to axe goalkeeper Petr Cech from the first team at the end of the season if his form does not improve.
Full story: The People

Manchester City striker Benjani failed medicals at West Ham and Blackburn before sealing a loan switch to Sunderland.
Full story: The People

Aston Villa's James Milner has done enough to impress Capello and looks set to be included in his World Cup squad.
Full story: News of the World

But Adam Johnson's chance of joining him could be on the line if the young winger does not get enough games at his new club, Manchester City.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Johnson almost joined rivals United in January. The former Middlesbrough player was given a secret tour of United's training ground and met with Sir Alex Ferguson but the Premier League champions did not follow up their interest.
Full story: The People

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who has replaced Terry as England skipper, has been visiting a specialist sports physician in an attempt to save his career.
Full story: News of the World

And Ferdinand is ready to drop his fight against a Football Association ban in order to keep in with Capello.
Full story: Sunday Times

Manchester United fans are preparing to boycott season tickets in their protest against the club's owners.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Manchester City forward Robinho, currently on loan at Brazilian side Santos, is paying £10,000 a week on security amid fears he could be targeted by kidnappers.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz was involved in an altercation with a television reporter at Lisbon airport en route to the draw for the Euro 2010 qualifiers.
Full story: Sunday Times

AND FINALLY

Beleaguered Portsmouth are facing more troubles after they failed to pay their overdue electricity bill.
Full story: News of the World

Tottenham failed to sign goalkeeper Asmir Begovic last month because of an appointment mix-up. The Bosnian player was set to join Spurs in a £2m deal from Portsmouth but was not too happy at meeting rival Stipe Pletikosa, who was also having a medical at the same time. Begovic pulled out of the move and joined Stoke instead.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

In a bid to raise morale at Manchester United, the ruling Glazer family will treat staff to a day out at the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa later this month.
Full story: News of the World

 

[McFLY]

Monday 08th February gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh says he would prefer to join Arsenal over Liverpool in the summer. Chamakh's contract with the French club finishes at the end of the season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is to reject a new contract at Arsenal and instead join Spanish side Barcelona.
Full story: Spanish newspaper Sport

Everton striker James Vaughan will be allowed to leave the club on loan this week, with Derby County and Coventry both interested in the 21-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth could be welcoming their fifth owner of a turbulent season after executive director Mark Jacob revealed that "two or three groups" have approached the board.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Sacked England captain John Terry has phoned new skipper Rio Ferdinand to offer the Manchester United defender his support.
Full story: The Sun

A study of more than 100,000 fouls in domestic, European and international football has shown that referees are more likely to penalise taller players than their shorter opponents.
Full story: The Guardian

Robinho made a dream debut on his return to Brazilian team Santos by coming off the bench to score the winning goal against Sao Paulo. Full story: Daily Mail

Joshua, the 13-year-old son of football legend Pele, has started training with Santos, his father's former club and the current team of Robinho. (Daily Mirror)

 

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Tuesday 09th February gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

2213 GMT: Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas reaches verbal agreement with Barcelona to join the Catalan club from next season. (Cadena Ser radio)

1700 GMT: Barcelona and Inter Milan tried to sign Cristiano Ronaldo after Real Madrid had agreed a deal with Manchester United to sign the Portuguese winger in December 2008. (Spanish Eurosport)


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has admitted he is tempted to link up with his France team-mate Thierry Henry at Barcelona.
Full story: The Guardian

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh after his proposed move to Liverpool collapsed.
Full story: The Times

Barcelona and Sevilla have targeted Madjid Bougherra after the Rangers defender impressed during the Africa Cup of Nations. (Daily Record)

Rangers defender Stevie Smith says he will almost certainly reject the offer of a new contract in the search for regular first-team football. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool have emerged as a takeover target for the seventh-richest man in the world, Indian Mukesh Ambani.
Full story: The Times

But, India's wealthiest man Mukesh Ambani has denied British newspaper reports on Tuesday that he is considering a takeover of Liverpool. (AFP)

Arsenal have written to Barcelona to demand the Spanish giants stop their public campaign to try and sign midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Full story: Daily Mirror

New West Ham owner David Sullivan reckons any Birmingham fans who abuse him at Wednesday's game are fools after declaring his regime at the Blues the best in the club's history.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham co-owner David Gold has fanned the flames of controversy before the clash at Upton Park by saying the Hammers are bigger than the Blues.
Full story: The Times

Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller will keep his place in the squad for Tuesday's Premier League match at Wigan despite being arrested on suspicion of assault.
Full story: The Times

Mark Hughes is weighing up whether to become Turkey's new manager, two months after he was sacked by Manchester City.
Full story: Daily Mail

But Hughes could be in line to replace manager Gianfranco Zola should West Ham continue to struggle while Russia coach Guus Hiddink has also been linked to the vacant job at Turkey.
Full story: The Times

His successor at City, Roberto Mancini, is under increasing pressure to ensure that the Blues qualify for the Champions League.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola and his players will be asked to take a 25% pay cut at the end of the season.
Full story: The Sun

Ian Holloway has axed three of his Blackpool players for Tuesday's game at Sheffield Wednesday after they were spotted in a nightclub on Saturday night, hours after their 2-1 defeat by Leicester.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, the new England captain, is still agonising over whether he should withdraw his appeal against a four-match violent-conduct ban as a gesture of goodwill to the Football Association.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Former Bradford striker Dean Windass is among the favourites to replace Stuart McCall as boss of the Bantams.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Kieron Dyer's time at West Ham could cost the club a staggering £30m over the course of his four-year contract. The midfielder has started only five league matches in his two-and-a-half years at Upton Park and has yet to score.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[McFLY]

Wednesday 10th February gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1140 GMT: Barcelona in a statement have "flatly denied" they have reached an agreement with Cesc Fabregas which would see the Arsenal captain return to the Nou Camp at the end of the season.
Full story: Press Association

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea's first summer target will be Barcelona's £30m-rated right-back Dani Alves.
Full story: Daily Star

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has reached a verbal agreement with Barcelona to join the Catalan club from next season.
Full story: Cadena Ser radio

Manchester United are on the hunt for Roma's 15-year-olds Valerio Verre and Filippo Cipriani.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wigan and Sunderland will renew their interest in Paraguay international Cristian Riveros over the summer. The midfielder currently plays for Mexican side Cruz Azul.
Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal have beaten Liverpool to the signature of Marouane Chamakh. The Bordeaux striker is set to agree a five-year, £50,000-a-week deal with the Gunners.
Full story: The Mirror

Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic has ignored interest from Manchester City and Birmingham and has agreed to join Liverpool this summer.
Full story: The Mirror

Millwall are on the verge of signing Crawley Town forward Charles Ademeno in a bargain £120,000 deal.
Full story: The Mirror

Out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has admitted he may be forced to look for a new club after failing to force his way into new manager Robert Mancini's plans.
Full story: The Times
OTHER GOSSIP

Indian businessman Subrata Roy is to step up his pursuit of a takeover of Liverpool. Fellow Indian Mukesh Ambani is also a potential investor, despite issuing a denial on Tuesday.
Full story: The Times

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is facing the axe if his side fail to beat Birmingham on Wednesday.
Full story: Daily Star

Arsenal defender William Gallas is set to quit Arsenal over a row about the length of his contract extension at the Gunners.
Full story: The Mirror

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that when it comes to signing the world's best players, the Gunners cannot afford the top stars.
Full story: The Times

Queens Park Rangers' former majority shareholder Antonio Caliendo has asked the Football Association to investigate the sale of the club to Flavio Briatore.
Full story: The Daily Telegraph

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says getting Spurs into the Champions League would be his greatest achievement as a manager.
Full story: The Mirror

Bolton are seeking a second opinion in the case of Gary Cahill's blood clot - a condition that could end the defender's World Cup dream.
Full story: The Mirror

AND FINALLY

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is scenting blood. He has described Arsenal as a "wounded animal" and believes the Reds will soon catch them up in the Premier League table.
Full story: Daily Mail

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has claimed that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sell winger Cristiano Ronaldo to Barcelona and has also said the Scotsman "is no friend of Real Madrid."
Full story: Spanish Eurosport

 

[McFLY]

Thursday 11th February gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1242 GMT: Valencia and Spain striker David Villa is determined to leave any transfer speculation until after the summer. "I am only thinking about the World Cup in June, I didn't get involved in any transfer talk last year, and this year even less so," the 28-year-old said.
Full story: imscouting.com

1226 GMT: Argentina coach Diego Maradona has laid into his former international team-mate and current Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano. He says defender Gabriel Heinze was "ruined" after being offloaded to Marseille and Gonzalo Higuain "must be next".

"The fact that an Argentine could hold back another Argentine sounds disgusting to me," he told Argentine television network TyC Sports. (goal.com)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Cesc Fabregas' dad says his son would talk to Barcelona about a move but only at the end of the season.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero will have Premier League chairmen drooling after admitting a move could be on the cards. The 21-year-old Argentine says: "I have enormous affection for Atletico but you cannot say I'll be here for ever."
Full story: The Sun

Roberto Mancini is planning a £6 million bid to bring 22-year-old West Bromwich Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans to Eastlands.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

The Manchester City boss is also interested in Fiorentina central defender Alessandro Gamberini.
Full story: Daily Mail

Blackburn Rovers could be in the running for South Korea midfielder Ku Ja Cheol as Sam Allardyce looks to bolster his midfield options.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

Portsmouth and England keeper David James could lead the exodus of the club's top players if the cash-strapped side goes bust.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

West Brom are considering a loan move for midfielder Jason Koumas. The 30-year-old Welshman is currently with Wigan.
Full story: Birmingham Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is first choice to replace West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola should the Italian leave the east London club.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

Portsmouth's bid to avoid going bust could see them beg the Premier League for an advance on the parachute payments they would get if relegated.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

QPR are eyeing German Lothar Matthaus as their next boss. Mick Harford is contracted until the end of the season but has yet to pick up a win in five games since replacing Paul Hart last month as the club's tenth manager since Flavio Briatore took over as chairman in 2007.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson is considering his options concerning a possible takeover at Crystal Palace. "We are always happy to have a look but I think the chances are less likely than likely," he said.
Full story: The Daily Mail

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has given a verbal swipe at his former club Chelsea claiming that nothing had changed since his departure, adding: "Even the warm-up is the warm-up they did in our time."
Full story: Daily Star

AND FINALLY

England boss Fabio Capello says the Premier League's teams, supporters and stadiums are superior to those in Italy.

Adding that he wants to face the Italians in a World Cup final, Capello said: "Two things are important in the Anglo-Saxon world: respect for referees from players and coaches and the sporting behaviour of players."
Full story: The Guardian

 

[McFLY]

Friday 12th February gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Portsmouth could lose on-loan Algerian midfielder Hassan Yebda because they cannot afford the £4m it would take to buy him from Benfica.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

But Pompey could be in the running for former Blackburn striker Shabani Nonda, who has been released by Galatasaray on a free.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

Sunderland have not given up their interest in Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas in the summer - despite the player being in hospital at the moment after being shot in the head last month. Full story: Daily Star

Manchester United are interested in bringing Benfica's Brazilian Under-20 international defender David Luiz to Old Trafford.
Full story: The Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

The Premier League could advance Portsmouth their end-of-season payment to help the club stay afloat, provided the other Premier League clubs all agree. Full story: The Daily Mail

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole is drooling over his old club's performances this season and says Wayne Rooney is in the form of his life.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, 23, feels liberated under new manager Roberto Mancini because he feels he was played out of position by previous boss Mark Hughes.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan says he is glad his mind games have worked after the team responded to talk of a pay cut with their first win of the year when they beat Birmingham on Wednesday night. Full story: The Sun

Former Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson could be on his way to the World Cup as Nigeria and North Korea both want the Swede to take over as manager.
Full story: The Daily Mirror

Wayne Bridge has been warned he can forget about going to the World Cup if he boycotts England's next game against Egypt on 3 March. Full story: The Independent

England's home weekend international fixtures could be moved to Friday nights from the autumn onwards. Full story: Daily Express

Hibernian defender Sol Bamba says his Ivory Coast team-mates wanted to pull out of last month's Africa Cup of Nations after receiving death threats after the attack on the Togo team, and only the nation's president persuaded them to take part. Full story: Daily Record

AND FINALLY

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher says the fact their second-top scorer this season is own goals by opponents - 10 goals - is because they put opponents under so much pressure.
Full story: The Sun