Friday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

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Forward Carlos Tevez could break his ties to businessman Kia Joorabchian to stay at Manchester United for free according to a senior European MP. (The Sun) 

Old Trafford officials are reluctant to meet Joorabchian's valuation of £22m, with a midweek meeting ending with the two parties no nearer a deal. (The Guardian) 
But Tevez and his advisor are ready to walk away from negotiations if United continue to haggle over the fee. (Independent) 
The Argentina star has rejected the chance to move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in a £40m switch as he would prefer to stay in the Premier League. (Daily Mail) 
After failing to convince Kaka to move to Eastlands in January, Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has turned his attentions to his £10m-rated AC Milan team-mate Ronaldinho. (The Mirror) 
Chelsea's Didier Drogba is also in Hughes' sights as he looks to take advantage of a Blues boardroom split on whether to retain the Ivorian. (The Sun) 
Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out the possibility of selling some of his biggest stars to fellow top-four sides, opening up the possibility of Emmanuel Adebayor replacing Drogba at Chelsea. (Various)
Porto defender Bruno Alves is also a possible new arrival at Stamford Bridge, but Tottenham and Real Madrid are also considering meeting his club's £15m valuation. (Daily Star) 
Blackburn Rovers will demand £20m in exchange for in-demand Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz. (The Mirror) 
While Paris-St-Germain midfielder Jerome Rothen could be on his way to Ewood Park after being told he is free to leave by his current employers. (Various) 
Defender Gael Givet, who has been on loan from Marseille since January, could also be snapped up by Sam Allardyce on a £3.5 million deal. (The Sun) 
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is in a race with Barcelona to sign Cadiz youngster Jesus Fernandez who has been touted as the new Cesc Fabregas. (The Mirror) 
While Real Madrid and Manchester United are ready to do battle for Wigan's Luis Antonio Valencia with Latics boss Steve Bruce resigned to his departure. (The Mirror) 
Sir Alex Ferguson has seen off rival interest from Arsenal to clinch the signing of 16-year-old Le Harve starlet Paul Pogba - a fee, based on appearances and compensation to his French side, has yet to be set. (The Mirror) 
AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti has targeted CSKA Moscow's Yuri Zhirkov as one of the players he would want to bring to Chelsea should he get the Stamford Bridge job. (Express) 
Tottenham are in talks with Nottingham Forest over a deal to make defender Chris Gunter's loan move to the City Ground permanent. (Daily Mail) 

Wolves will add Doncaster midfielder Brian Stock to their squad at a cost of £2m as they prepare for life in the Premier League. (The Sun)

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OTHER GOSSIP

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AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to be confirmed on Saturday as Chelsea's manager for next season after Guus Hiddink stands aside. (The Sun) 
But Frank Rijkaard has been earmarked as a fall-back option should the Italian decide to stay with the Rossoneri. (The Times) 
Wayne Rooney has urged the Manchester United hierarchy to end Carlos Tevez's contract limbo and make him a permanent part of the Red Devils' strikeforce. (Various)
Cristiano Ronaldo has apologised to Manchester United kitman Alec Wyllie after snatching a tracksuit top from him after being substituted in the Manchester derby. (The Sun) 
Martin O'Neill has admitted he does not know how much clout Aston Villa will have in the summer transfer market amid fears that owner Randy Lerner's finances suffered in the credit crunch. (The Mirror)
Aston Villa captain Martin Laursen is poised to announce his retirement after admitting defeat in a battle with a knee injury. (Various) 
Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia has told on-loan forward Djibril Cisse to concentrate on guaranteeing the Black Cats' survival rather than worry about where he will be playing next season. (Various)
At north-east neighbours Newcastle Michael Owen's agent has dismissed suggestions the 30-year-old could be ready to quit football as "totally untrue". (Various) 
Mark Hughes believes that he hasn't got the plaudits he deserves for the job he has done at the Manchester City helm. (Various)
Premier League officials will take the Premier League trophy to Old Trafford on Saturday ready to be presented to Manchester United if they take a point from their lunchtime meeting with Arsenal. (The Sun) 
Senior football figures in Brazil and Argentina are to lobby Fifa in an attempt to get the third-party ownership arrangements that surround players such as Tevez and Javier Mascherano outlawed. (The Guardian)
Chief executive Gordon Smith says the Scottish FA cannot introduce goal-line technology until world governing body Fifa changes its opposition to the idea.(Various) 

AND FINALLY 

Rangers full-back Kirk Broadfoot went to hospital for treatment after a microwaved egg exploded in his face, scalding his cheek. (Daily Record) 
A six-man delegation from Manchester United sent to Rome to pick up the club's Champions League final tickets counted each one of the 20,000 allocation - before repeating the process on their return to England. (Express) 
A US court has heard how a bar brawl involving former Chelsea and Wimbledon midfielder Vinnie Jones was sparked by taunts about his age and accent. (The Sun)
Blackburn's El Hadji Diouf has treated himself to a £420,000 chrome-plated Mercedes. "
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