March Football gossip 2010

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Mon 01st March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

2020 GMT: Guus Hiddink is "almost certain" to be manager of Ivory Coast at the World Cup finals. The Dutchman, who steps down from his role a Russia coach in June, has previously agreed a two-year deal as Turkey boss but will take up the position after the tournament.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

France legend Zinedine Zidane says he would "rather die" than apologise to Marco Materazzi for his infamous headbutt of the Italian defender in the 2006 World Cup final.

Bayern Munich are set to open negotiations with their French star Franck Ribery as the Bundesliga side bid to stop the midfielder leaving for Real Madrid or Manchester United.

Birmingham City are interested in signing Kris Boyd from Rangers, with Blues set to send scouts to see the striker play for Scotland against the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

Arsenal have become the latest Premier League club to monitor West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans, who is believed to command a price tag of £6m.

John Rooney, the 19-year-old younger brother of Manchester United superstar Wayne, will have a second trial for Nigel Clough's Derby County this week.

Liverpool's highly-rated new 15-year-old striker, Raheem Sterling, who has been signed from QPR, was enticed to Anfield with a £300,000 contract offer.

Sheffield United and Carlisle are both chasing York City striker Richard Brodie, who is joint top-scorer in the Blue Square Premier league with 20 goals so far this season.

Burnley manager Brian Laws wants to sign 29-year-old Cameroon international winger Salomon Olembe, who is a free agent after leaving Turkish team Kayserispor.

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea defender John Terry is seething over Craig Bellamy's insults, directed at the former England captain after Manchester City's 4-2 win on Saturday, saying: "People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho is keen to leave the Italian club to take over as the Real Madrid manager, should current boss Manuel Pellegrini be sacked by the Spanish giants, according to Spanish daily Sport.

Aaron Ramsey's broken leg is not as bad as the fracture suffered by team-mate Eduardo, and the Wales international could return for the north Londoners in only six months' time.

Midfielder Jack Wilshere will not be recalled prematurely to Arsenal from his loan spell with Bolton, despite his club-mate Ramsey's injury which has reduced Gunners boss Arsene Wenger's options in the centre of midfield.

AC Milan midfielder Alexandre Pato may miss his team's Champions League second leg tie against Manchester United on 10 March after the Brazilian international hurt his right thigh in the Rossoneri's 3-1 Serie A victory over Atalanta on Sunday.

Blackburn striker El-Hadji Diouf was warned by police following his confrontation with Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, which spilled into the tunnel at half-time, during the home side's 2-1 Premier League win at Anfield on Sunday.

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is considering leaving the financially stricken Championship club in the summer after being told by chairman Peter Ridsdale that he must sell players and rely on free transfers in the close-season.

Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone will have a scan on his right foot on Monday after leaving White Hart Lane on crutches following Spurs' 2-1 victory over Everton.

Charlton midfielder Nicky Bailey has branded Southend manager Steve Tilson "a total disgrace" for claiming that he feigned injury in the incident which led to the sending off of the Shrimpers' Jean Francois Christophe in the Addicks' 2-1 away win on Saturday.

England coach Fabio Capello, Liverpool's Rafael Benitez and Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli all feature on a Juventus shortlist to replace Alberto Zaccheroni at the Turin club in the summer.

Celtic have lodged an appeal with the Scottish FA over Scott Brown's red card in Sunday's Old Firm derby defeat.

Southampton have been given a record 44,000 ticket allocation for their Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Carlisle at Wembley on 28 March.

AND FINALLY

Saturday's Stamford Bridge referee Mike Dean reversed the pre-match handshake protocol by asking Manchester City captain Shay Given to lead his away team down the Chelsea line, thereby avoiding an even more embarrassing situation for John Terry which would have seen the home skipper standing in front of Wayne Bridge demanding a reaction.
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Tuesday 02nd March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are considering a fresh attempt to lure Benfica's £20m-rated winger Angel di Maria to Old Trafford.

Chelsea are lining up a bid to sign Benfica central defender David Luiz. The Premier League leaders hope to sign Luiz in time for the 2010/2011 season.

Juventus are close to signing Liverpool target Kevin Kuranyi from Schalke. The 28-year-old striker is out of contract at the end of the season.

Aston Villa, Sunderland and Blackburn are eyeing up Wolves defensive midfielder and captain Karl Henry, 27.

Liverpool are offering key Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano a two-year contract extension with a pay rise to keep him out of Barcelona's clutches.

Blackburn are eager to sign Aruna Dindane - on loan at Portsmouth this season - in £2.5m deal from Lens.

Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb is desperate for a return to the Premier League, with Manchester City and Aston Villa standing by to sign him.

Michael Owen has dismissed the prospect of leaving Manchester United this summer by insisting he is happy to accept a reduced role at Old Trafford in exchange for silverware.

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made a personal phone call of support to Ryan Shawcross after the Stoke defender's tackle broke Aaron Ramsey's leg.

England boss Fabio Capello will turn to Tottenham's injury-plagued defender Ledley King as he attempts to solve his centre-back crisis. King, 29, won his last England cap almost three years ago.

Neil Warnock joined Queens Park Rangers as manager after the club agreed a £400,000 compensation deal with Crystal Palace. Warnock will be paid £15,000 a week at Loftus Road.

Meanwhile, Steve Coppell has turned down the chance of an emotional return to replace Warnock at Selhurst Park, leaving the manager's door open for Paul Hart to take charge.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has urged club manager Rafael Benitez to stop fretting about his fitness while he is away on international duty with Spain.

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is to undergo treatment - but not surgery - for a bruised bone in his knee which he sustained against Blackburn on Sunday. The centre-back left Anfield on crutches after the match.

Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell will escape FA action for a lunge that took out a Wigan player, corner flag and linesman after referee Anthony Taylor cleared him.

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart believes he can answer the question at the heart of Fabio Capello's bid to win the World Cup.

Craig Bellamy's international future is in doubt after John Toshack, the Wales manager, refused to confirm that the Manchester City striker was part of his plans for the future.

Deco has told Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti he is keen to leave the club. The 32-year-old Portugal international is eager for a move to a club in Brazil to be closer to his family.

AND FINALLY

Crisis-club Portsmouth are offering financial advice to supporters on their website. Pompey, who are in administration and have huge debts, are advertising PFC Financial Services division, which claims to bring everyday financial solutions to fans' families. One supporter said: "It's got to be a sick joke."

England legend Alan Shearer thinks every fan in the country should keep their fingers crossed for the next few months to help keep Wayne Rooney fit for the World Cup.

Spain's 23-man World Cup squad will earn a bonus of nearly £500,000 each if they win the World Cup in South Africa later this year.
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Wednesday 03rd March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1639 GMT: Former England manager Graham Taylor wants John Terry to issue a public apology.

"Fabio Capello has a problem with the Terry situation, it's eaten in much deeper than people are aware," said Taylor. "We've all seen that, the media are not going to let it go.

"John I think would be well advised if he did come up with an apology sooner or later, and preferably sooner, but he has chosen not to do."
Full story: Goal.com


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Striker Fernando Torres says he would rather move to Spanish side Barcelona, than stay in English football if he is forced to leave Liverpool. The Reds may have to sell Torres, 25, to help repay the club's financial debt with Chelsea and Manchester City interested.
Full story: IM Scouting

Manchester City are on red alert as Real Madrid's top scorer Gonzalo Higuain has turned down a new contract offer amid reputed interest from the Eastlands outfit. Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he retains an interest in Brazil and Juventus defensive midfielder Felipe Melo, as he plans for the longer term without the stricken Aaron Ramsey. Full story: The Guardian

Wigan and Stoke are keen on Serbian defender Dusko Tosic, who is a free agent after leaving cash-strapped Portsmouth. Full story: The Daily Mail

David Beckham will return to to play for LA Galaxy in the United States after the World Cup. The England midfielder, 34, is currently on loan with Italian side AC Milan.
Full story: The Sun

Everton are leading the chase for West Brom's highly-rated Graham Dorrans. The Scottish midfielder, 22, has hit 13 goals this term.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester United midfielder Nani has urged manager Sir Alex Ferguson to press ahead with his bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso. Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are all interested in the 23-year-old.
Full story: The Sun

Bolton boss Owen Coyle wants to sign United States midfielder Stuart Holden on a full-time deal after his impressive start at the Reebok Stadium. The 24-year-old is on a short-term contract to the end of the season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth will be offered a staggering £32m rescue deal from the Premier League to pay their tax bill and avoid going bust this season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Defender Wayne Bridge will play for England again, according to his Manchester City team-mate Kolo Toure.
Full story: The Telegraph

Russia's bid to stage the World Cup in 2018 could be set to benefit from the political and financial firepower of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
Full story: The Telegraph

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has poured cold water over reports suggesting he will quit the Blues to take over as Italy boss after this summer's World Cup.
Full story: The Sun

Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed he quite fancies the Italian job, but not just yet: "Now I'm thinking only of City. I will be here many years."
Full story: The Sun

Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone faces a long injury lay-off after a scan revealed he suffered ankle ligament damage against Everton.
Full story: The Daily Mail
AND FINALLY

England captain Steven Gerrard says his wife, Alex Curran, will not be at the World Cup in South Africa with him, unless they reach the semi-finals. (Various)
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Thursday 04th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is considering a bid for Benfica's £10m-rated Brazilian defender David Luiz. Manchester United and Real Madrid are also interested in the 22-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Cesc Fabregas will resist interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid and decide to stay at Arsenal, according to the man who discovered the Gunners star. Scout Francis Cagigao said reports he had agreed to join Barca in the summer were wide of the mark.
Full story: Daily Mail

Real Madrid have stated their intention to keep new signing Sergio Canales for the long term, by slapping a massive 150m Euro (£135m) release clause on the 19 year-old's contract. Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all reportedly interested in the attacking midfielder.
Full story: IM Scouting

Manchester United are tracking Dinamo Zagreb playmaker Milan Badeli. The 21-year-old Croatian is also attracting interest from German sides Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
Full story: IM Scouting

Italian giants Juventus have joined Manchester City in the chase for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain. The 22-year-old is also reported to have a 150m euro release clause.
Full story: IM Scouting

Blackburn outcast Steven Reid is set to join Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Sunderland are in talks with Paraguay star Cristian Riveros. Manager Steve Bruce wants to sign the midfielder from Mexican side Cruz Azul before the World Cup.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Aston Villa defender Habib Beye has threatened to quit Aston Villa - barely seven months *after joining them from Newcastle. The 32-year-old Senegal international is upset at his lack of first-team opportunities.
Full story: Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIP

Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias says the club has been taken off the market because no-one was willing to bid enough money for it.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Manchester City keeper Shay Given insists Brazilian forward Robinho, who is on loan at his boyhood club Santos, will return to Eastlands next season.
Full story: Daily Star

AND FINALLY

Fulham defender Chris Smalling has admitted that his summer move to Manchester United came as a complete surprise to him. The 20-year-old was working as a waiter 18 months ago.
Full story: Daily Mail
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Friday 05th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Joe Cole could leave Chelsea in the summer after negotiations stalled on a new contract with the 28-year-old demanding in excess of £100,000 a week. Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in taking the England midfielder on a free transfer.
Full story: Daily Mail

Juventus are targeting Arsenal striker Robin van Persie in exchange for Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo. The Turin club are open to a deal, but would be looking to land either Van Persie, Gael Clichy or Bacary Sagna as part of the transfer.
Full story: Daily Mail

Juventus will also move for Bayern Munich's French winger Franck Ribery - putting Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid on alert. Full story: imscouting.com

German playmaker Mesut Ozil, 21, has rejected a new deal at Werder Breman, clearing the way for a £15m move to Arsenal in the summer - although Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also interested.
Full story: Daily Star

Meanwhile, Arsenal defender William Gallas, 32, is a free-transfer target for Italian side Roma.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United are lining up a £9m move for Croatia Under-21 star Milan Badelj. The Dinamo Zagreb playmaker has been labelled the new Luka Modric.
Full story: Daily Mail

Palermo's 20-year-old centre back Simon Kjaer will snub approaches from Manchester United and Tottenham because he wants to play alongside fellow Dane Daniel Agger at Liverpool.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Wigan are keen on Espanyol striker Jose Callejon, 23, and hope to strike a deal at the end of the season.
Full story: imscouting.com

Sheffield Wednesday have joined Swansea in the race to sign Rochdale's 19-year-old defender Craig Dawson. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

Russia have approached Fabio Capello about becoming their new coach after the World Cup. The new head of Russia's Football Union, Sergei Fursenko, held informal talks with the England manager at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, over a deal which could more than double his net income.
Full story: The Guardian

Capello will attempt to talk Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge out of international retirement before he names his provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup on 11 May.
Full story: The Independent

Chelsea officials have sent a specialist sports psychologist to France to help Ashley Cole overcome his broken ankle and split from wife Cheryl Cole.
Full story: Daily Mail

Ian Wright has launched a scathing attack on Manchester City over their treatment of his son Shaun Wright-Phillips. Former Arsenal star Wright accused City chiefs Garry Cook and Brian Marwood of treating the England winger "like a youth team player."
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham have withdrawn the offer of a new contract to midfielder Valon Behrami, with co-owner David Sullivan keen to cash in on the Switzerland international in the summer - much to boss Gianfranco Zola's despair.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Liverpool insist the club has had no contact with the Abu Dhabi royal family regarding a bid for the Anfield outfit.
Full story: Daily Star

Wigan's French left-winger Charles N'Zogbia would play for England, if he was asked - the 23-year-old qualifies through residency having lived in England since 2004.
Full story: The Sun

AND FINALLY

New QPR manager Neil Warnock has instructed his players to wear shinpads in training to step up the intensity of the sessions.
Full story: Daily Mirror
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Saturday 06th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh has confirmed he will be joining Arsenal in the summer, saying: "It is not easy in England but the challenge in my career has always been to learn every day, keep improving and always help my club to success."
Full story: The Mirror

West Ham striker Mido claims he turned down an offer of £45,000 a week from another Premier League club in order to prove himself at Upton Park.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has lined up a £4m summer swoop for Espanyol striker Jose Callejon.
Full story: The Mirror

Motherwell defender Mark Reynolds is a £500,000 target for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. (Daily Express)

Right-back Habib Beye says he is prepared to take pay cut to end his Aston Villa hell.
Full story: The Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he is happy to accept the 'green and gold' anti-Glazer campaign.
Full story: Daily Mail

However, he has insisted that there is "no chance" of the Red Knights persuading Manchester United supporters to boycott games in their battle to wrest control of the club from the Glazer family.
Full story: The Times

Birmingham have announced pre-tax losses of £20.5m for the year ending 31 August 2009, blaming 'the decision taken by the previous members of the board to retain most of their playing staff from the previous Premier League season'.
Full story: Daily Mail

Rangers are on the brink of securing new ownership in a multi-million pound takeover deal from a London-based property group. (Herald/Daily Record)

The London-based group bidding for Rangers face competition from a Far East consortium, with the deal expected to top £60m. (Sun)

Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan claims manager Neil Warnock only quit the club for London rivals QPR "for the money".
Full story: Daily Mirror

Wembley Stadium is to have its pitch re-laid for the 10th time since the rebuilt venue reopened in 2007 after fresh criticism in the past week.
Full story: The Times

Michael Essien is set to miss the rest of the season after a serious setback in his recovery from knee surgery.
Full story: The Sun

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola insists he will have the final say on contracts and transfers after the takeover by new co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge was right to quit international football, according to Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Everton boss David Moyes has backed Phil Jagielka for an England World Cup squad place in South Africa.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Newcastle United managing director Derek Llambias has urged supporters to cease their abuse of owner Mike Ashley and the club's board, saying: "Enough's enough. It frustrates me because we know what we've done behind the scenes and what Mike's committed to financially. We'd like to be able to go out on the town after a win - we always used to - but it's very difficult for us to do that now."
Full story: The Guardian
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Sunday 07th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are planning to take striker Gonzalo Higuain away from Real Madrid this summer after the Argentine international turned down the La Liga club's latest improved contract offer.
Full story: News of the World

Liverpool will offer Fernando Torres substantially greater rewards on his image rights to fend off bids from Manchester City and Barcelona.
Full story: News of the World

Everton plan to splash the cash this summer by offering current Goodison Park stars improved contracts, as opposed to spending their money on big name transfers.
Full story: News of the World

Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas has started taking Italian lessons as he prepares for a move to Inter Milan in the close-season.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Senior City financiers allied to the wealthy consortium planning a takeover of Manchester United claim Sir Alex Ferguson is supporting the controversial bid.
Full story: The Observer

Portsmouth fans are lining up launching a new side to groundshare with Havant & Waterlooville if their club go under.
Full story: The Observer

Wayne Bridge will not end his self-imposed England exile, dashing manager Fabio Capello's hopes of changing the Manchester City defender's mind before the World Cup.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Capello will tell the seven players who have failed to make his final 23-man World Cup squad the bad news at a sudden-death team meeting in Austria following the friendly against Japan in Graz on 30 May.
Full story: News of the World

European football chiefs have vowed to ban clubs who consistently make a loss and only survive because of subsidies from their billionaire owners.
Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool will delay talks over a new contract with defender Jamie Carragher, who has just over a year left on his current deal, until next year.
Full story: News of the World

Fabio Aurelio, though, is unlikely to remain at Anfield beyond the summer when his deal expires after a season dogged by injuries.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester United defender John O'Shea is poised to make a miraculous return to action, possibly within the next couple of weeks, after originally being ruled out for the remainder of the season with a blood clot last November.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester City striker Robinho, now on loan at Brazilian side Santos, has taken a swipe at Eastlands manager Roberto Mancini, claiming the Italian "has a lack of ability".
Full story: Sunday Mirror

City are set to unveil plans for a £50m training ground as part of a £500m development of the land surrounding their Eastlands stadium.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

AND FINALLY

A new Premier League-endorsed scheme aimed at teenage football talent hopes to eradicate the 'spoilt rich kid' image of England's top footballers following the recent headline-grabbing antics of Ashley Cole and John Terry.
Full story: News of the World

England striker Peter Crouch has ruled out marrying girlfriend Abbey Clancy this summer because "the World Cup is the most important thing".
Full story: News of the World
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Monday 08th March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1039 GMT: Arsenal may look to bring Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez in from Italian side Palermo this summer.
Full story: IMScouting

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery admits Chelsea are "very interested" in him and expects his future to be decided before the end of March.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wigan are weighing up a move for Egypt's right-back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi after he impressed against England last week.
Full story: Daily Mail

Aston Villa are the latest club to monitor Cardiff City full-back Adam Matthews, with Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal also interested in the 18-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mail

Rochdale can look forward to a predicted £1m windfall from the sale of centre-half Craig Dawson, who is being tracked by Tottenham and Fulham.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea captain John Terry's celebration of his goal against Stoke, in which he rolled up his shirt sleeve and pointed to his captain's armband, dominates the back pages. Selections include: "Terry Up In Arms" (Daily Star), "Barmy Army" (Daily Mirror) and "Listen To The Band" (The Sun).

Manchester United defender Wes Brown fears his World Cup dream is over after breaking a bone in his left foot.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manager Rafael Benitez has assured Alberto Aquilani that he is not the "forgotten man of Liverpool", despite having to sacrifice the Italian midfielder's adjustment to English football in the race for a critical place in next season's Champions League.
Full story: The Guardian

AC Milan midfielder David Beckham believes the Italian club can cause a surprise at Old Trafford on Wednesday and knock Manchester United out of the Champions League, despite losing the first leg 3-2 in the San Siro.
Full story: Daily Mail

The battle for control of Manchester United is expected to intensify this week with the appointment of official banking advisers to the Red Knights, the group of City financiers who are trying to seize control of the club.
Full story: The Guardian

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes all Premier League managers will eventually be foreign.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

The Football Association may withhold the £600,000 prize money and television income that Portsmouth have earned by reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, then divert it to pay off some of the £3m in transfer fees Pompey owe to other clubs.
Full story: The Times

That, however, may be the least of Portsmouth's problems. The FA may dump the club out of the entire Cup competition as a result of their debts.
Full story: Daily Express

Wigan's Victor Moses may opt to join Nigeria's World Cup squad after being overlooked by Stuart Pearce for the England Under-21 team.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham's new owners will offer goalkeeper Robert Green an improved contract in a bid to keep the England player at Upton Park.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Fabio Capello's love of golf is one of the reasons the Italian wants to stay on as England coach for the next two years. The former AC Milan boss has become addicted to the sport since arriving in the country and now plays a couple of times a week.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal midfielder Theo Walcott has explained that his goal celebration against Burnley, which involved pointing to an imaginary watch on his wrist, was an attempt to dodge a fine for missing the team bus. "I was late for the bus the night before, so that's why I was pointing to a watch," he said. "I probably will get a fine but I'll take it. I shouldn't be late but I just got caught in traffic. Maybe it will be forgotten about now!"
Full story: The Sun
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Tuesday 09th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Birmingham are keen on signing Portsmouth striker Frederic Piquionne after failing to land the Frenchman in the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Egypt and Borussia Dortmund star Mohamed Zidan was watched by Arsenal scouts in the 3-1 defeat to England, according to the 28-year-old striker. Zidan, who scored their only goal at Wembley, said: "My agent told me about Arsenal's interest. He asked me to try to impress them and become the first Egyptian to play for the Gunners."
Full story: imscouting.com

Sunderland are keeping tabs on Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara, who is on loan at Portsmouth, with a view to making a summer swoop for the 23-year-old.
Full story: The Times

Lokomotiv Moscow will resume their efforts to prise striker Roman Pavlyuchenko away from Tottenham in the close season.
Full story: Daily Mail

Everton are hoping to extend American Landon Donovan's loan deal, which is set to expire after Saturday's match at Birmingham but will not pursue the matter if it threatens to upset their good relationship with the forward's team Los Angeles Galaxy.
Full story: The Times

Chelsea midfielder Miroslav Stoch is a target for Dutch giants Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. The 20-year-old is currently on loan with Steve McClaren's side Twente Enschede and has impressed with 10 goals in 36 appearances this season.
Full story: imscouting.com

Fulham are eyeing Shakhtar Donetsk centre-back Yaroslav Rakytskyi as a possible summer target after the 20-year-old impressed against the London side in their recent Europe League clash.
Full story: imscouting.com

OTHER GOSSIP

Arsenal defender William Gallas could face another month on the sidelines after the former captain, out since mid-February, injured his calf muscle in training.
Full story: Daily Mail

Gallas, meanwhile, will have to accept a drop in wages if he wants to extend his Gunners contract beyond the summer.
Full story: The Times

Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere is in danger of missing the remainder of the season as he recovers from a broken toe suffered in the weekend defeat by Cardiff.
Full story: Daily Mail

Premier League managers are preparing for action in protest at the recent decision by football's international governing body Fifa to drop experiments with goal-line technology.
Full story: Daily Mirror
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Wednesday 10th March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1625 GMT: Arsenal's William Gallas could be in line for a reunion with his former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri at Roma after the club's director of sport Daniele Prade reportedly came to London, where he watched the Gunners' Champions League game - although Gallas did not play because of injury. (imscouting.com)

1401 GMT: Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal has conceded that his side's progression to the Champions League quarter-finals is no guarantee Franck Ribery will stay at the club beyond the end of his current contract, which ends in 2011. "If I read the newspapers I think he won't stay," said the Dutchman. "It is difficult. If he wants to go we should sell him now, because it brings in money and is good for Bayern." (Press Association)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are tracking Sporting Lisbon defender Daniel Carrico as cover for first-choice pair Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott but he is also interesting Atletico Madrid and Valencia.
Full story: Daily Mirror

City scouts are also impressed with Sampdoria midfielder Andrea Poli but striker Emmanuel Adebayor wants to stay at Eastlands, despite interest from AC Milan.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manager Mick McCarthy has conceded that Wolves have little chance of keeping £6.5m striker Kevin Doyle if they are relegated from the Premier League. Aston Villa, Fulham, Everton and Sunderland are all set to battle to sign the Republic of Ireland international if his side slip into the Championship.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Wilson Palacios has stunned Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp by admitting he is using Spurs to get a move to Real Madrid. The Honduran midfielder has been a key player for Redknapp's side following his £12million move from Wigan last January. But Palacios, 25, reckons he has bigger fish to fry.
Full story: The Sun

Saint-Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi has been linked with Sevilla, and is also being targeted by Arsenal for next season.
Full story: imscouting.com

OTHER GOSSIP

Four years after arriving at Chelsea on a £121,000-per-week contract, German midfielder Michael Ballack has been offered a new one-year deal at half that salary.
Full story: The Sun

Chelsea have reopened negotiations with striker Nicolas Anelka over a contract extension that may result in the France international staying at Stamford Bridge until 2013. Anelka's deal was set to expire in 2012 but there is still no sign of a new contract for Joe Cole, whose current contract expires in the summer.
Full story: Daily Mail

England will step up their security as they attempt to hunt down and identify the culprits behind the security breach at their team hotel in Hertfordshire. A six-hour recording of team meetings is said to be in existence and has been offered to media outlets.
Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is set to escape disciplinary action after he appeared to aim a V-sign at referee Andre Marriner during Monday's defeat by Wigan.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Stoke full-back Andy Griffin, currently on loan at Reading, has laughed off suggestions he could snatch a World Cup berth with England after some impressive performances that have guided the Royals away from the Championship relegation zone.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Wigan's Victor Moses could be set for a World Cup appearance with Nigeria after he invited officials to watch him play and train for the club. Moses, born in Lagos, has represented England at youth level but could be tempted to switch allegiances.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Massimo Cellino, the president of Italian club Cagliari, is "very close to an agreement" to buy Crystal Palace, according to Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport.
Full story: imscouting.com

AND FINALLY

Fabio Capello's biggest World Cup selection headache is over the goalkeeping position - according to tennis legend Boris Becker. After a recent dinner with the England coach, Becker said: "I understand why the players are a little bit afraid of him because he's a very serious guy who doesn't joke around much. We talked about goalkeepers and Capello was just smiling so we didn't get into that." (Press Association)

Prime Minister Gordon Brown wanted to appear on Match of the Day 2 but was turned down by the BBC because it was deemed "inappropriate" this close to a General Election.
Full story: The Guardian
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Thursday 11th March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1038 GMT: Italian side Roma have apparently switched their attention from Arsenal defender William Gallas to his Gunners team-mate and fellow defender Emmanuel Eboue, according to Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport.
Full story: imscouting

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is set to quit the club on a free transfer in the summer. The Blues have reportedly offered him a one-year extension, incorporating a 40% pay-cut, to his current deal which expires at the end of the season.
Full story: Daily Star

Brazilian midfielder Sandro is preparing himself for a £6m summer move to Tottenham from current club Internacionale by learning English.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham are sounding out clubs in Belgium about taking Zambian left-back Emmanuel Mbola on loan after the London club agreed a £1m deal to sign the teenager from Armenian club Yerevan.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Celtic are keen to recruit Arsenal striker Jay Simpson for next season after watching him in action for QPR, where he is on loan for the season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery, who is a target for the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid, says he will resolve his future before the summer.
Full story: imscouting.com

Birmingham City and Wolves are both trailing Crystal Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Everton hit man James Vaughan is joining Leicester City's promotion push - to the fury of Championship rivals Derby County, who had the striker on loan earlier this season and had hoped to re-sign him.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fulham striker Erik Nevland will leave the club on a free transfer at the end of this season to join his former team Viking Stavanger.
Full story: Daily Express

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has challenged striker Wayne Rooney to beat former United winger Cristiano Ronaldo's United goal record of 42 during the 2007/08 season. The England man took his tally to 30 for the season with a brace in United's 4-0 Champions League win over Milan on Wednesday.
Full story: The Sun

England boss Fabio Capello says Rooney is one of the three best players in the world; putting the striker on a par with Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
Full story: The Sun

Arsenal defender Sol Campbell, who started the season playing for League Two side Notts County, is eyeing a shock re-call to the England side.
Full story: The Sun

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has called a crisis meeting of his players in an attempt to stamp out the ******* that threatens the very fabric of the club. In recent weeks, the Spanish coach has been dismayed by what he sees as "negative body language" from his players as they struggle to keep themselves in the race for a top-four finish.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson, who enjoyed managerial spells with Udinese and Inter Milan prior to taking over at Craven Cottage, has admitted he would like to coach again in Italy before the end of his career.
Full story: Daily Mirror

The backlash towards Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has begun following the club's Champions League exit at the hands of Lyon on Wednesday. The front page of Madrid based newspaper Marca this morning says "Adio Champions, Adios Pellegrini. Fuera" which translates as "Goodbye Champions [League], Goodbye Pellegrini. Out."
Full story: imscouting.com

Former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has agreed to manage Ivory Coast at this summer's World Cup in South Africa - providing he can negotiate an early release from his contract as Russia coach, which runs until mid-July. After the World Cup, Hiddink will take over as coach of Turkey.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Newcastle stars like Alan Smith and Kevin Nolan will be asked to take a pay cut if the Magpies win promotion to the Premier League because they are still on lucrative contracts handed to them prior to the club's relegation from the top flight last season.
Full story: Daily Mirror
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Friday 12th March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1405 GMT: Real Madrid have said they intend to stick with current boss Manuel Pellegrini despite their Champions League last-16 exit at the hands of Lyon on Wednesday. Real director-general Jorge Valdano said: "Pellegrini has a contract and the club's plan is that he stays in charge."
Full story: Independent

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City have joined rivals Manchester United in the race to sign teenage Nigeria midfielder Ramon Azeez, who is tied to the Future Pro Academy in his native country.
Full story: Daily Mail

Real Madrid will look to soften the blow of this week's Champions League exit by launching a bid to lure striker Wayne Rooney from Manchester United, according to the Spanish daily 'Sport'.
Full story: imscouting

Manchester United target Igor Akinfeev will be offered a new contract by CSKA Moscow in a bid to ensure they don't lose the goalkeeper for nothing.
Full story: Daily Mail

Zenit St Peterburg midfielder Danny wants to reignite a £25m move to Chelsea after recovering from a career-threatening knee injury.
Full story: Daily Mail

Doncaster, QPR, Middlesbrough and Leeds are all keen on Sheffield United's Nick Montgomery after the midfielder signalled his intent to leave this summer by refusing to sign a new deal with the Blades.
Full story: Daily Mail

Stoke are keen to bring former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant back to England from Spanish side Real Zaragoza.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Derby boss Nigel Clough is set to sign Liverpool's young keeper David Martin in an emergency loan deal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has had to rein in his usual all-action training regime to avoid suffering burnout. Rooney has started 43 matches already this season for club and country.
Full story: The Sun

Former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham will be invited to become the figurehead of the United fans' protest movement bidding to oust the Glazer family from Old Trafford. The AC Milan player donned a green and gold scarf - the symbol of the fans' protest - after Wednesday's Champions League match, which United won 4-0 to progress to the quarter-finals. (Various)

The Manchester United fans' group are also keen to recruit other former United greats to their cause, including ex-goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and striker Eric Cantona.
Full story: Daily Mail

England boss Fabio Capello is considering a World Cup call-up for Manchester United right-back Gary Neville amid fitness concerns over Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson and Neville's fellow United defender Wes Brown.
Full story: Daily Mail

Despite overseeing a stuttering campaign so far with Liverpool, Reds manager Rafa Benitez remains the chief target for Real Madrid, who will sack current boss Manuel Pellegrini in the summer.
Full story: The Sun

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told Real Madrid not to bother with their annual bid to poach him, warning: "Leave me alone."
Full story: Daily Mirror

Portsmouth players are preparing to dip into their own pockets in a bid to keep up to eight members of the training ground staff in work until the end of the season. (Various)

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has been told his job is safe - even if the club are relegated from the Premier League.
Full story: Daily Star

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has ordered Blues striker Christian Benitez to clean up his act. Benitez was booked for going to ground in Birmingham's 2-1 win at Portsmouth on Tuesday.
Full story: The Sun

Former Derby County chairman Peter Gadsby is launching a £37m bid to regain power at Pride Park.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney says his impressive goalscoring form this season is down to his receding hairline. 'It's coming off my bald patch and that's helping me score,' joked Rooney, whose first goal against Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday was the seventh in succession he has scored with his head.
Full story: Daily Mail
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Saturday 13th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are targeting Benfica's Paraguayan star Oscar Cardozo. The striker, and free-kick specialist, has scored 18 league goals this season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has admitted he will think about his future at the club if they do not buy the players needed to turn them into Premier League contenders. (Spanish newspaper AS)

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Alex McLeish's contract talks at Birmingham, with a view to bringing in the Scot as a replacement for current Reds boss Rafael Benitez at the end of the season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says the desire to become the first team to win four consecutive league titles and a record 19th in all is driving him on this season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has told his goalkeeper Paul Robinson that it is not too late for him to be included in England boss Fabio Capello's World Cup plans.
Full story: Daily Mirror

And Aston Villa duo Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor have also been told not to write off their England hopes by their boss Martin O'Neill despite missing out on Capello's last squad.
Full story: Daily Star

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon's World Cup dreams are in tatters though after Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted he had no idea whether the 22-year-old would play again this season. Lennon has been out with a groin problem since December.
Full story: The Sun

Stoke striker Tuncay Sanli is taking his former club Middlesbrough to court. He claims they owe him more than £500,000 in image, sporting and economic rights.
Full story: Daily Mail

Everton are ready to offer 10 players new long-term deals in an attempt to ward of interest from other clubs.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has told Shaun Wright-Phillips to stop talking about his desire for a new contract and concentrate on earning one on the pitch.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola reckons 10 points from their final 10 games of the season will be enough to keep his side in the Premier League. The Hammers currently have 27 points. (Daily Express)

The 2012 football season will be put back by one week to accommodate the London Olympic Games which runs from 27 July to 12 August.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has admitted he would "do a Thierry Henry" and handle the ball if it meant getting England through to the World Cup final.
Full story: The Sun

American sports franchise Club 9 Sports claim they are close to a deal to invest in Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora clearly does not rate his chances of making the England World Cup squad - he has already booked a holiday in Las Vegas during the tournament.
Full story: Daily Telegraph
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Sunday 14th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has opened the door to a sensational return to Old Trafford for Cristiano Ronaldo, who he sold to Real Madrid for £80m last summer.
Full story: Sunday Express

Ferguson is also locked in negotiations with Chelsea to sign Joe Cole who is out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Full story: People

Manchester United are also eager to sign Everton's young stars Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell, while Everton boss David Moyes would like to bag Manchester City's Stephen Ireland.
Full story: News of the World

But Ireland could be spoilt for choice this summer as Everton's Merseyside rivals Liverpool are thought to want his signature too.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Spanish giants Real Madrid have made Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard their number one transfer target and believe they can tempt the midfielder away from Anfield with a £30m bid.
Full story: People

Liverpool winger Albert Riera is a £6m target for Spanish side Villarreal, who are looking for a replacement for Robert Pires who is set to depart at the end of the season.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Manchester City are preparing a £45m bid for Real Madrid 's Argentinian stars Gonzalo Higuain and Fernando Gago. Higuain is Real's top scorer this season with 18 goals while City also tried to sign Gago in January.
Full story: IM Scouting

Chelsea and Manchester United face competition from Spanish side Barcelona in the race to sign Benfica winger Angel Di Maria. Di Maria has a buyout clause of 50m Euros (£45m) in his contract, but his Portuguese side would accept 25m Euros (£22m).
Full story: IM Scouting

Portuguese international midfielder Deco expects to leave Chelsea at the end of the season and hopes to join Brazilian side Corinthians.
Full story: IM Scouting

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is eyeing Birmingham duo Liam Ridgewell and Sebastian Larsson. Both players are out of contract at the end of the season.
Full story: News of the World

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says he will not become Italy manager when Marcello Lippi steps down after the World Cup - but "maybe in 10 years". (Press Association)

However, The Sunday Telegraph report that Mancini is a contender for the role.
Full story: The Sunday Telegraph

Meanwhile, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who has spent around £200m on transfers and £100m a year on wages, claims football in Britain - and across Europe - is on the road to ruin. He has also hinted he could favour the introduction of a salary cap.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is preparing for a summer exit from Anfield after reaching "the end of his tether" while billionaire New Yorkers line up a £100m takeover bid of the club.
Full story: News of the World

Ashley Cole's World Cup hopes are virtually over after it was revealed he would not play again for Chelsea this season. The left-back broke his left ankle on 11 February against Everton and has had three pins inserted in the bone.
Full story: News of the World

David Beckham has admitted he is not a certainty to make Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup in South Africa. The 34-year-old midfielder would become the first Englishman to play in four tournaments if selected.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

The Football Association has sold its entire allocation of 29,000 tickets for the World Cup. (Sunday Express)

Portsmouth are on the brink of securing their fifth owner of a chaotic season with property tycoon Rob Lloyd fronting a consortium intending to buy the crisis-ridden club.
Full story: The Sunday Telegraph

AND FINALLY

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has come out in support of his former club Manchester United, reckoning Manchester City will never overcome their rivals.
Full story: Sunday Mirror
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Monday 15th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Aston Villa are considering a move for Manchester United's reserve Polish goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
Full story: Daily Mail

Reports in Italy claim Juventus would be prepared to let goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon sign for Manchester City for a fee in the region of £32m. (The Times)

France winger Franck Ribery remains coy over his future at Bayern Munich amid continued interest from Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Ribery's current contract expires at the end of the season, but German side Bayern have given him until the end of March to decide his plans.
Full story: IM Scouting

French striker Frederic Piquionne wants to remain in England after his loan spell at Portsmouth finishes at the end of the season. The 31-year-old looks set to leave cash-strapped Pompey but does not want to return to his parent club Lyon.
Full story: IM Scouting

Real Madrid's sporting director Jorge Valdano has said that he would like Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain to spend the rest of his career with the Spanish side. Manchester City are reportedly interested in the 22-year-old, who has scored 21 goals in 27 games for Real this season.
Full story: IM Scouting

OTHER GOSSIP

Rafael Benitez would earn an instant £16m payment if Liverpool sacked the under-pressure manager in the summer because of a clause in the Spaniard's five-year contract.
Full story: Daily Mail

But should the Anfield club accept an investment offer of £100m from private equity firm Rhone Group, the Reds could afford to hang on to their coveted stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
Full story: Daily Mail

However, Benitez fears that striker Torres will seek to leave Anfield if Liverpool fail to finish fourth in the Premier League to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Full story: The Guardian

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho is claiming 'home advantage' ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg tie at former club Chelsea. Mourinho, who led the Blues to six trophies in three years, said: "Everybody knows Mourinho doesn't lose at Stamford Bridge. My record is unbeatable."
Full story: The Sun

Meanwhile, Mourinho has refused to let his Inter players train at Stamford Bridge, fearing Chelsea spies may attempt to learn his tactical plans. The Italian side hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg.
Full story: Daily Star

Kasper Schmeichel, the son of Manchester United legend Peter, is good enough to play in the Premier League again, according to the keeper's Notts County manager Steve Cotterill.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Hull manager Phil Brown has been ordered not to talk to his teenage midfielder Tom Cairney. Brown has received a letter from the 19-year-old's legal representatives after the club tried to open contract negotiations.
Full story: The Sun
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Tuesday 16th March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1405 GMT: Real Madrid are eyeing a summer move for Wayne Rooney as part of their "new plan" for next season, according to Spanish newspaper ABC. (AFP news agency)

1129 GMT: Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli may leave the Italian club this summer, with both Arsenal and Manchester City rumoured to be interested in his signature.
Full story: imscouting

1127 GMT: Juventus are set to make an audacious bid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, according to Italian Turin based newspaper Tuttosport.
Full story: imscouting

1018 GMT: Real Madrid are eyeing Chelsea's left-sided England defender Ashley Cole to boost their back line for next season, according to Madrid based newspaper Marca. (AFP news agency)
TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham hope to complete the £6.5m capture of 21-year-old midfielder Sandro from Brazilian side Internacional by the end of the week. (Various)

Ex-Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes that his former club are obsessed with trying to prise England striker Wayne Rooney away from Manchester United and thinks the Spanish club will make a bid soon.
Full story: Independent

The agent of Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has dismissed rumours linking the 32-year-old with a move to Manchester City. Silvano Martina told calciomercato.il that Buffon "is very annoyed" about the rumours "because they are baseless."
Full story: imscouting.com

OTHER GOSSIP

England boss Fabio Capello has told David Beckham he can still travel with the World Cup squad this summer, despite being ruled out of the tournament through injury. The midfielder had an operation on Monday on the Achilles tendon he ruptured playing for AC Milan on Sunday, which will keep him out for at least three months.
Full story: The Sun

As well as backing midfielder James Milner for a place in Capello's World Cup squad, Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes two of his other midfielders, Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, are capable of 'playing very well indeed' in the right-sided midfield role that is up for grabs in the England squad after David Beckham's injury blow.
Full story: Daily Mail

Mark Hughes has already turned down the Hull City job but chairman Adam Pearson hopes a face-to-face meeting with the former Manchester City boss will persuade the Welshman to change his mind.
Full story: Daily Mail

Alternatively, the man Hull want to lead their fight against relegation is former England boss Terry Venables, who answered a similar crisis call from Middlesbrough nine years ago and saved them from the drop.
Full story: The Sun

The Tigers could turn to former Crystal Palace and QPR manager Iain Dowie on a short-term deal.
Full story: The Times

Veteran Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen, 34, has opened talks over a new two-and-a-half-year deal at Turf Moor.
Full story: Daily Mail

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant will leave Fratton Park in the summer after being 'worn down' by false promises at the crisis-hit south-coast club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has warned established duo Craig Bellamy and Shaun Wright-Phillips they are under threat from rising star Adam Johnson. The young midfielder came off the bench on Sunday to score a stunning 90th-minute equaliser against Sunderland.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes the poor performance of defender Gary Caldwell in the 4-0 loss at Bolton on Saturday is down to him becoming a new dad. "He is a father and has a newborn baby, sometimes that can affect you," said Martinez.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Boxer and Bolton fan Amir Khan has revealed his part in the Trotters' recent revival by giving the club's players a pep talk and showing them his WBA light-welterweight belt. Wanderers have won three of their last four matches.
Full story: Daily Mirror
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Wednesday 17th March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Arsenal left-back Armand Traore says Paris St Germain are the "club of his dreams" and insists that he will play for them one day. (Le Parisien)

Real Madrid have targeted Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero as a key summer signing. Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested in the 21-year-old Argentine.
Full story: imscouting

Arsenal defender Gael Clichy says he has struggled with the club's new 4-4-3 system this season.
Full story: goal.com

Barcelona want to offload striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the summer, with Fernando Torres of Liverpool and David Villa of Valencia their main targets.
Full story: imscouting

Former Lyon captain Sidney Govou says he will leave the club in the summer after falling out with coach Claude Puel and club officials. (L'Equipe)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Real Madrid are keen on Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, who is thought to be interested in such a move, with Manchester United's Patrice Evra a back-up target if the Spanish club fail to land the England international.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo, who is a target for Arsenal, could be on his way out of the Italian club after arguing with fans during the draw with Siena last weekend.
Full story: Daily Mail

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has told midfielder David Beckham, who had been on loan at the Italian club from Los Angeles Galaxy, he can return next year if he wants to after recovering from his Achilles tendon injury.
Full story: Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge will be out for a month after undergoing groin surgery.
Full story: The Sun

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas could be back from his hamstring injury for the game against West Ham this weekend after missing the last two matches.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Burnley have already started their search for a new manager as current boss Brian Laws is on the brink of getting the boot at Turf Moor.
Full story: The Sun

Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi says he is unimpressed by the success of English clubs in the Champions League as there is nothing English about them. He also says Italy's top teams are similarly unrepresentative of the country.
Full story: Daily Mail

Uefa president Michel Platini is still keen on adding extra officials. "Either we add referees or we use replays. I'm for the human option," he told an Italian television show.
Full story: The Independent

Defender Calum Davenport has played his last game for West Ham after agreeing a £250,000 pay-off.
Full story: The Sun

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson's injury could result in Blackburn recalling goalkeeper Mark Bunn from loan at Sheffield United - and he may make his Premier League debut against Chelsea on Sunday.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Sheffield United could be forced to make major cutbacks if they fail to win promotion back to the Premier League this season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Ipswich manager Roy Keane locked his players in the dressing for 90 minutes after the 2-1 defeat at Watford on Tuesday night. (The Times)

AND FINALLY

He may not be playing at the World Cup but England midfielder David Beckham could still be in South Africa after receiving plenty of television offers for the tournament.
Full story: The Sun

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson could be at the World Cup as manager of the Ivory Coast but faces competition from ex-France coach Philippe Troussier.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United defender Gary Neville, 35, is hoping for a shock England recall in time for the World Cup, three years after winning the last of his 85 caps.
Full story: Daily Mirror
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Thursday 18th March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1431 GMT: Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinze Rumenigge insists that the German giants that they will not be forced into selling Franck Ribery if the France midfielder turns down a contract extension.
Full story: Sky Sports

1241 GMT: West Brom are looking to bring in a loan striker to cover for Roman Bednar as the Czech striker recovers from a thigh injury.
Full story: Birmingham Mail

1144 GMT: Tottenham playmaker Adel Taarabt, currently on loan at QPR, has claimed that he should have joined Arsenal rather than Spurs when he first moved to England from French side Lens.
Full story: Evening Standard

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has sanctioned a £50m bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has been assured that he will keep his job, despite a clear-out of the playing staff that will result in midfielders Joe Cole and Deco heading through the Stamford Bridge exit.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas could be one of the new arrivals at Chelsea having fallen out of favour with the Bernabeu hierarchy.
Full story: imscouting.com

Manchester City are one of two English clubs to have opened negotiations with Catania over a possible move for the Italian club's striker Jorge Martinez according to the player's agent.
Full story: imscouting.com

Celtic's hopes of hanging on to on-loan striker Robbie Keane may be over, with Aston Villa targeting a £9m summer move for the Tottenham player.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Alternatively, Villa could make a move for Wigan's £15m-rated forward Hugo Rodallega.
Full story: Daily Mail

Juventus president Jean Claude Blanc has quashed Arsenal's hopes of reviving a bid for midfield anchorman Felipe Melo. (The Sun)

Celtic may be interested in signing QPR's Argentine midfielder Alejandro Faurlin in the summer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko wants to help Spurs secure a Champions League place but admits he may not be at the club next season.
Full story: Daily Mail

Palermo centre-back Simon Kjaer has invited Liverpool and Manchester United to make a big-money approach to back up their reported interest.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool winger Albert Riera has hit out at manager Rafael Benitez and said: "His dialogue with the players is practically zero." Riera also branded the Reds a "sinking ship".
Full story: Marca (in Spanish)

Real Madrid have included Benitez on a four-man shortlist to replace manager Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season. Inter Milan's Jose Mourinho, Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti and England's Fabio Capello are the other names.
Full story: imscouting.com

In the wake of their Champions League defeat by Inter Milan, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich challenged his players to prove they are worth their pay packets and threatened manager Carlo Ancelotti with the sack unless he wins the Premier League title.
Full story: Daily Mail

The Glazer family are weighing up another round of refinancing to stave off the challenge to their ownership of Manchester United posed by a group of businessmen dubbed the Red Knights.
Full story: The Times

Liverpool's American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have been given three weeks to decide whether to accept an investment offer of £100m from the New York-based Rhone Group.
Full story: The Independent

Prospective Portsmouth owner Rob Lloyd remains optimistic he can clinch a deal for the troubled club, despite administrator Andrew Andronikou's doubts over the group he fronts.
Full story: The Telegraph

Celtic could play Scotland in a testimonial match at Parkhead on 16 May for injured Hoops defender John Kennedy. (Daily Record)

West Ham risk upsetting some of their big-name players after withholding image rights payments as part of a tax investigation.
Full story: The Guardian

Aaron Lennon could give Tottenham and England a welcome boost by returning from his groin injury for the game against Chelsea on 17 April.
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Rap star P Diddy is considering a bid to buy struggling Championship club Crystal Palace. The American musician and business mogul is in the market for an English football team and has set his sights on the Eagles after running the rule over cash-strapped Portsmouth.
Full story: The Sun

Fulham forward Bobby Zamora believes that age is catching up with Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro and that he might find some success against the 36-year-old in their Europa League second-leg match on Thursday evening.
Full story: The Independent

Reading defender Matt Mills has apologised to Reading fans after making an abusive gesture at them in reaction to barracking during the Royals' 1-0 win over QPR on Tuesday.
Full story: The Sun
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Friday 19th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal and Manchester City target Yaya Toure has ruled out a move to the Premier League. The midfielder insists he is settled at Barcelona.
Full story: Daily Mail

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has dismissed press speculation that he might be heading for Chelsea in the summer.
Full story: IMscouting.com

Liverpool winger Albert Riera could leave Anfield within weeks after his outburst against manager Rafael Benitez. CSKA Moscow and Spartak Moscow are tracking the 27-year-old and may match Liverpool's £8m valuation.
Full story: The Times

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will invest in young talent rather than high-profile big names in the summer as he attempts to drive down the age of his ageing squad. (Daily Star)

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is keen to sign on-loan full-back Alan Hutton on a permanent £6m deal from Tottenham. The transfer may help rebuild the relationship between the two clubs after Darren Bent's protracted move to the Stadium of Light last summer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Former Celtic midfielder Barry Robson has tipped winger Aiden McGeady to be the next high-profile star to follow him out of Parkhead.
Full story: Daily Record

Everton are readying themselves for a battle with Spanish side Sevilla for £8m-rated FC Twente striker Bryan Ruiz.
Full story: The Sun

Meanwhile FC Twente boss Steve McClaren is looking at a bid for Hull forward Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink as he attempts to bolster his forward line. (The Sun)

West Ham owner David Sullivan wants Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson and defender Liam Ridgewell, but Blues boss Alex McLeish has issued a hands-off warning over the pair.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant has threatened to field weakened teams for the remainder of the season with his side all-but relegated following a nine point penalty for entering administration.
Full story: Daily Mail

Bristol City may approach former Ipswich and Scotland manager George Burley as they attempt to replace Gary Johnson who parted company with the club on Thursday.
Full story: The Guardian

Or sacked Hull boss Phil Brown will be offered an immediate return to management with the Ashton Gate side. (Daily Star)

Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll is another in the frame for the Bristol City position with City chairman Steve Lansdown impressed by Doncaster's performance in a 5-2 win over the Robins earlier this month.
Full story: The Sun

Forward Robinho could return to Manchester City this season because of a wage dispute at his loan club Santos.
Full story: Daily Mirror

But City feel under no obligation to take the playmaker back, and resume paying his salary, until their loan arrangement with the Brazilian side comes to an end on 4 August.
Full story: The Independent

Hull City must continue to pay Phil Brown as, although he is on gardening leave, he technically remains their manager. Iain Dowie has been appointed as "football management consultant".
Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

Ipswich boss Roy Keane has admitted he would rather throw punches than tea cups at underperforming players, adding that it is good "to go a bit mad".
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will offer his sympathy to under-pressure Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez in his programme notes for the two teams' meeting on Sunday.
Full story: Daily Mirror
 

McFLY

Registered
Messages
2,354
Saturday 20th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Portsmouth's Serbia international Dusko Tosic is expected to join Swansea on an emergency loan after the FA and Premier League finally gave the 25-year-old clearance to play. Tosic's registration had been withheld due to Pompey's administration.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Bromwich Albion want to sign on-loan Auxerre defender Gabriel Tamas on a permanent basis, with the Romanian international available for £800,000.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has defended his part in Pompey's financial crisis, but amazingly revealed he was paid the same win bonus as the players. Storrie said: "Because I had a big, big role on the football side, they included me in the win/draw bonus. It's about £3,000 a win and £1,500 a draw."
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says he would not swap Spanish striker Fernando Torres for Manchester United's in-form England forward Wayne Rooney.
Full story: The Sun

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina is about to sign a deal worth £80,000-a-week that will keep him at Anfield for the next four years.
Full story: Daily Mail

Aston Villa are prepared to make James Milner one of their highest earners with a contract extension worth around £65,000-a-week.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will try to convince left-back Wayne Bridge to reconsider his decision not to play for England at the World Cup.
Full story: Daily Mail

Former West Ham star Paolo Di Canio dreams of one day taking over as manager of the London club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe aims to return from his hamstring tear in just 10 days.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson tells Owen Hargreaves to forget the 2010 World Cup and concentrate on his club.
Full story: Daily Mirror

World football's governing body Fifa made a £130m profit in 2009 as the game's commercial appeal defied the global financial crisis.
Full story: The Sun

Newcastle striker Peter Lovenkrands has told Denmark coach Morten Olsen he will not be available to play for his country at the World Cup after the death of his father earlier this year. (Daily Mail)

Rangers manager Walter Smith will leave first-choice goalkeeper Allan McGregor on the bench for Sunday's final and continue his policy of playing Neil Alexander in the Co-operative Insurance Cup. (Various)

St Mirren defender Chris Innes has lost his fight to be fit for Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup final. (Daily Express)

The Scottish Football League says it is surprised and disappointed that St Mirren fans have only bought 10,000 of the 14,000 tickets available to them for Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup final at Hampden. (Daily Mail)

Celtic striker Morten Rasmussen and Kilmarnock defender Tim Clancy will face a Scottish Football Association disciplinary committee after a video review of two separate incidents in last weekend's Scottish Cup tie. (Daily Express)

Manager Tony Mowbray has rubbished former Celtic player Barry Robson's suggestion that winger Aiden McGeady will be the next big name to quit the club. (Daily Express)

Aberdeen director of football Willie Miller believes manager Mark McGhee will turn around the side's fortunes despite their recent dismal form. (The Scotsman)

Former Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo has thrown his name in the hat for the Bristol City job. (The Sun)

AND FINALLY

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt has admitted to employing an "orthomanual therapist" to hit him twice a year with a mallet in order to knock out the lumps and bumps he picks up over the season.
Full story: Daily Mail
 
Top