Saturday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Andrea Pirlo believes his decision to snub Chelsea proves that AC Milan are a team with ambition. "If I thought Milan's aim was a good place in the standings I'd be at Chelsea now," he said. (Reuters)
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia believes defender Kolo Toure left the Gunners because he was "bored" and fears the same could happen with captain Cesc Fabregas. (Press Association). 
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has already sealed a deal with Bayern Munich to buy Franck Ribery on a five-year contract starting in 2010.(Goal.com) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is closing in on Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin after being priced out of a move for Manchester City's Richard Dunne.(The Sun) 
Liverpool have had a £6m move for defender Michael Turner rejected, with Hull demanding £12m.(Daily Mail) 
Everton and Tottenham are both tracking Inter Milan's Nigerian striker Victor Obinna, who should cost around £3m.(Daily Mail) 
Sunderland are set to make a second attempt to prise Lee Cattermole from Wigan Athletic.(The Times) 
Luca Toni's agent believes the Italian international is close to joining countryman Gianfranco Zola at West Ham.(Independent) 
Manager Roy Hodgson fears for Brede Hangeland's Fulham future after Arsenal admitted an interest in the Norwegian defender.(The Sun) 
Free-agent Mark Viduka is holding out for a two-year, £40,000 a week deal to solve Portsmouth's striker crisis, although Pompey have offered the Australian forward, 33, a one-year, £30,000-a- week contract.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storie has confirmed that the Fratton Park side are monitoring Celtic full-back Lee Naylor, while reiterating the club's desire to hold onto Sylvain Distin, Niko Kranjcar and David James.(The Independent) 
Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc has questioned Arsene Wenger's desire to sign Marouane Chamakh and says he could have the striker within "48 hours" if he really wanted him.(Daily Mail) 
Everton are monitoring 25-year-old Toulouse right back Albin Ebondo, who is available for around £2m.(Daily Mail )

OTHER GOSSIP

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has branded the club "a joke", adding the players "haven't got a clue what is going on".(Daily Mail) 
Arsene Wenger has stressed that the looming Champions League qualifier against Celtic will carry a crucial significance for Arsenal from a sporting rather than financial perspective.(Daily Telegraph) 
Michael Owen will miss the cut when Fabio Capello trims his pre-selection squad to a 23-man party for England's friendly match against Holland on Wednesday.(The Times) 
Frank Lampard has described himself as a "Chelsea lifer" and insisted he could play until he is 38. The England midfielder has also revealed he would love to manage the Blues one day.(The Times) 

AND FINALLY

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway admits he will have mixed feelings when he leads his new side into battle with former club QPR. "If you met your ex-missus in a pub, would you have feelings for her? Of course you would," he said. (The Sun)
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