Saturday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Former Chelsea and Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed he already is being headhunted after leaving Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor by mutual consent. "I have enough serious offers from a number of different teams. There are two offers from European clubs, another two from Asia and one from Brazilian club. But I'm not ready to decide this now," he said. (Press Association)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

West Ham have launched an audacious move to bring LA Galaxay midfielder David Beckham back to England while trying to lure former midfielder Joe Cole back from Chelsea.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City have stepped up their interest in Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and midfielder Yaya Toure but the Spanish side are demanding £60m for the double deal.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has rejected a move to Juventus because he wants to prove his worth at Anfield.(Footylatest.com) 
Manchester United and Arsenal are competing to sign £13m-rated Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard from French side Lille.(caughtoffside.com) 
Arsenal have had a £4.2m bid for Lorient defender Laurent Koscielny rejected. Wenger had identified the 24-year-old as a potential partner for Thomas Vermaelen.(caughtoffside.com) 
Dutch star Arjen Robben has claimed Manchester City target Rafael van der Vaart wants to join him at Bayern Munich.(Daily Mail) 
Jermaine Beckford is poised to join Everton after his Leeds contract was ripped up early.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan (on photo) believes West Ham can be the Arsenal of London's East End.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been handed a measly £5m summer transfer kitty.(Daily Mail)

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AND FINALLY

Hammers striker Benni McCarthy is "nearly as fat as me," says West Ham co-owner David Sullivan. "He's the one West Ham player I want to go to the World Cup because he might come back fitter."(Daily Mail)

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Maybe will be some pick(s), later. Football, no tennis, no rubbish. Stay tuned.

England to win WC - thoughts and history of failures

I was talking with a friend about the possibility England to win WC. Capello, Rooney, few other players in a great shape are the main public arguments for. Against? Goalie, for sure. This is not a league tournament and if James (he’s the closest for number 1) doesn’t stay focus (as he didn’t before Drogba’s free kick at Wembley) it could be the end. Also, I think the history of England’s failures looks interesting.

My memories (correct me if I’m wrong somewhere) start in Mexico ’86. England were eliminated after “god’s hand” by El Pibe. I think, you must have a real bad luck to exit the tournament after referee allows goal like that on WC. Three refs didn’t notice something that all people in front tv saw. One time in thousand cases, I think.
Italy ’90, Shilton conceded a spectacular fluke after free kick against Germany. Later lost after penalties against them.
USA ’94 did not qualify!
France ’98, “Beckham’s case” and another loss after penalties (Argentina).
Korea and Japan ’02. England were stronger than ever. Again free kick and this time Seaman. Well it wasn’t a fluke, but Ronaldinho’s spectacular goal from 40m average goalie should easily stopped.
Germany ’06, again penalties and again Beckham (launched the ball in the orbit from the spot).
My first thought about ECs is 1996. when England were the host. Then was really expected from them to win. But… Again Germans and again penalties. In extra time they were very close to a golden goal, but missed few sitters. Darren Anderton’s was the worst.

A friend asked me, why they lose tragically every time, what could be the reason. I guess Geoff Hurst’s second goal in ’66 did not cross the line : ), who knows.

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Best odd for England to win WC 2010 is 7.50.

Anyway, wish them luck unless they face Serbia in some round.

Bet for today. If Paynter starts for Swindon, take both to score. Otherwise, no bet. So wait the teams confirmation, bbc make it 45 mins before the kick off.

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Friday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Newcastle striker Nile Ranger could go on loan next season in search of first-team football according to the 19-year-old's agent.(The Journal) 
Liverpool are close to agreeing a deal for Rangers' defender David Wilson and may also attempt to bring his team-mate Madjid Bougherra to Anfield. Bougherra, a former Charlton defender, is expected to travel to the World Cup with Algeria.(Liverpool Echo) 
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp hopes to resign Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari. Redknapp first brought the Ghana international to England when he signed him for Portsmouth in May 2007.(Footy Latest) 
Valencia striker David Villa will turn down Manchester United's advances to sign for Barcelona.(IMScouting.com) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are ready to smash the British transfer record and bid £45m for Valencia and Spain forward David Villa. (caughtoffside.com) 
Inter Milan are planning to buy Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in the hope that the midfielder's signature will stop manager Jose Mourinho from leaving for Real Madrid.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed he is considering his future at the north London club with Barcelona waiting to pounce if the Spaniard decides to quit the Gunners.(Daily Mail) 
Birmingham have made an official approach to sign Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, with boss Alex McLeish undeterred by the failure of his attempts to sign the 29-year-old earlier in the season.(Daily Mirror)
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that he would like to sign Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, increasing speculation the Spaniard could be heading out of Anfield. (Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham are hoping to raid Valencia with boss Harry Redknapp preparing a £28m bid for winger David Silva.(caughtoffside.com) 
Barcelona striker Thierry Henry has signed a pre-contract agreement with Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls and will head to the United States in the summer.(the Sun) 
Tottenham are set to sell midfielder Jermaine Jenas and forward Robbie Keane to fund moves for targets such as Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, Chelsea playmaker Joe Cole and Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.(Daily Star) 
Birmingham City are keeping tabs on Mamelodi Sundowns's South Africa international striker Katlego Mphela. (Daily Mail) 
Fulham are interested in Aston Villa central defender Curtis Davies who cost the club £8m from West Bromwich Albion in 2008.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool are lining up an £8m offer for Werder Bremen striker Mesut Ozil. (caughtoffside.com) 
Blackburn have held preliminary talks over a £450,000 deal for Molde's Norway international midfielder Magne Hoseth. (Daily Mail) 
Nottingham Forest are interested in taking Manchester United's versatile youngster Corry Evans on a season's loan. (Daily Mail) 
Portsmouth striker John Utaka is set to join French side Sochaux in a cut-price £3m deal. Utaka cost Portsmouth a club-record £7m.(Daily Mail) 
Rangers striker Kris Boyd, who is out of contract this summer, says that seven clubs are chasing his signature. He has the chance to move to England with Birmingham, Wolves, Wigan, Newcastle or Middlesbrough or to Turkey with Bursaspor or Ankaragucu. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is set to accept a coaching role with England at the World Cup after his hopes of playing in the tournament were ruined by an Achilles injury.(the Times) 
Beckham's England team-mate and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has revealed that he would like to move into management once his playing days are over.(the Times) 
Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou will demand compensation if West Ham make Pompey boss Avram Grant their new manager. (Daily Mail) 
Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has told Aston Villa that he is prepared to sit out the remaining year on his contract and leave for free next summer rather than sign agreements with Blackburn or Stoke.(Daily Mirror) 
Sunderland are prepared to pay only half of Tottenham's £7m asking price to make full-back Alan Hutton's move to the Stadium of Light permanent.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov has admitted that he expects the club to sign a new striker this summer after he scored just 12 goals in all competitions this season.(the Guardian) 
Southampton boss Alan Pardew has been told his job as manager is safe as long as he delivers promotion to the Championship next season.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has allayed fears over the fitness of defender Rio Ferdinand and striker Wayne Rooney by insisting the pair will be fit for England's World Cup campaign.(Manchester Evening News) 

AND FINALLY

Portsmouth are almost £4m better off than previously thought after an apparent oversight in the administrator's report was revealed.(the Guardian) 
Roy Hodgson's run to the Europa League final with Fulham has made him favourite to be named manager of the Great Britain football team for the London 2012 Olympics. An announcement is expected some time next year. (Daily Mail) 
Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has backed Manchester United and England skipper Rio Ferdinand as the man to to take on John Barnes' rapping role in a cover of England's 1990 World Cup song "World in Motion".(FourFourTwo)
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Monday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Bolton defender Gary Cahill, who is reportedly attracting interest from Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool, has admitted the time may be right for a move away from the Trotters.(The Bolton News) 

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

Ajax forward David Suarez may be bound for Arsenal, with the Gunners weighing up a £22m bid for the Uruguay international.(Caught Offside) 
But Wolves insist striker Kevin Doyle, who has emerged as a £10m target for Arsenal, will not be leaving Molineux this summer.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City have Aston Villa winger Ashley Young in their sights, with the Eastlands hierarchy believing a £22m bid may tempt Villans boss Martin O'Neill to sell.(Caught Offside) 
Wigan have slapped an £8m price tag on Honduras left-back Maynor Figueroa, who is wanted by Sunderland boss Steve Bruce. (Daily Mirror) 
Palermo defender Simon Kjaer, 21, is a possible target for Arsenal as manager Arsene Wenger looks for a new centre-back partner for Thomas Vermeulen.(Footy Latest) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is set for showdown talks with new Reds chairman Martin Broughton later this week as speculation continues that the Spaniard may be on his way out of Anfield.(the Sun) 
Former England boss Steve McClaren will move on to Bundesliga club Wolfsburg after guiding FC Twente to the Dutch league title on Sunday. (Daily Mail) 
Inter Milan sporting director Marco Branca has said it is "unthinkable" that manager Jose Mourinho would move away from the Champions League finalists this summer. (the Times)
Defender Steve Finnan has pledged to stick with Portsmouth next season, despite the club's relegation to the Championship. (Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told his error-prone goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to win over the Gunners' faithful in the same manner as defender Emmanuel Eboue, who was booed by the home support at the Emirates last season only to turn it around with a string of fine performances. (Daily Mail) 
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes that in-demand attacking duo Hugo Rodallega and Charles N'Zogbia should stay with the Latics if they want to develop.(the Sun) 
Burnley skipper Steven Caldwell admits that he is disappointed to find himself still waiting for a new contract offer at Turf Moor.(the Sun) 

AND FINALLY

David Beckham has blamed his unerring dedication on the pitch for the Achilles tendon injury that has ruled him out of England's World Cup squad this summer. "In the last two years I've been pushing myself too hard because I wanted to get into Fabio Capello's World Cup squad," the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder told David Letterman's chat programmeThe Late Show in the United States.(Daily Mail) 
Stoke striker Dave Kitson has claimed he has been unfairly blamed for problems at the club. "Cloudy in Stoke? That's Kitson's fault. The traffic's terrible? Blame that on Kitson too," he said. (the Sun)

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Birmingham C. 2 - 1 Burnley

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Milton Keynes Dons 0 - 0 Brighton & Hove A.

Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Sought-after Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has turned down a move to Chelsea and will instead switch to a club in Spain this summer, partly because his wife would hate the English weather.(The Sun) 
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini wants Palermo striker Edinson Cavani.(Daily Mail) 
Palermo, meanwhile, have their sights set on a bid for Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen, with Rovers hoping to take midfielder Mark Bresciano in the other direction.(The Sun) 
Liverpool's Spanish winger Albert Riera is ready to quit Anfield for a loan move to Spartak Moscow in a bid to save his World Cup dream.(Daily Star) 
Manchester City are also in talks with Grenoble over a summer switch for their France Under-21 midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, who will be out of contract at the end of the season.(The Sun) 
Stoke boss Tony Pulis is keen on Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara, who is currently on loan at Portsmouth.(Daily Mirror) 
Nice striker Loic Remy says he still wants to join Arsenal, despite his move collapsing in January due to a £13m asking price.(Daily Mail) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will turn to Notts County goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel next season if he cannot land Joe Hart on loan again.(The Sun) 
McLeish has revealed Birmingham have held talks with Rangers striker Kris Boyd's representatives, but that the Scotland international is also talking to other clubs. (The Times)
Portsmouth left-back Dusko Tosic, 25, looks set to join QPR on Thursday after a proposed move to Swansea fell through. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Chelsea boss Glenn Hoddle is being lined up for a dramatic return to management in place of West Ham's Gianfranco Zola.(Daily Mirror) 
Actually, former Man City boss Mark Hughes is the man the Upton Park club want to replace their struggling Italian gaffer.(Daily Star) 
Hughes is also on a three-man shortlist to lead Ivory Coast at this summer's World Cup.(The Guardian) 
Zola has been told to submit a dossier to West Ham's owners to convince them that he can save the Hammers from the drop.(Daily Mail) 
West Ham striker Benni McCarthy has admitted he and his team-mates "hid" during their woeful 3-1 defeat at home to Wolves on Tuesday.(The Sun) 
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has not trained since their 2-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday, prompting fears he is still troubled by on-going knee problems.(The Independent) 
Balram Chainrai, Portsmouth's fourth owner in their turbulent season, could remain in charge of the club for the long term.(The Guardian) 
Man City manager Roberto Mancini and Everton boss David Moyes could face an FA rap after squaring up during their sides' game at Eastlands on Tuesday. (Various) 
Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, on the brink of a return after injury, has revealed he still needs painkilling injections to get him through training and matches.(The Sun) 
QPR manager Neil Warnock has been handed a £10m summer war chest to take the Loftus Road outfit into the Premier League.(The Sun) 
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner says he is an injury doubt for Saturday's away game at Birmingham.(Daily Mirror) 
Southampton could hand 16-year-old midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a shock call-up for Sunday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final with Carlisle. (Daily Star) 

AND FINALLY

Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has told his team-mates to make sure they are not only remembered for playing pretty football.(Daily Star) 
David Beckham has lost his place at the top of France Football magazine's annual survey of the top earners in the game to Barcelona's Lionel Messi. The Argentine earned £29.6m last year in salary and endorsements, £2.3m ahead of Beckham. (The Independent)

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Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

West Ham want to sign David Beckham should he consider a return to England after his recovery from injury.(News of the World) 
Manchester United are leading the chase to sign Spanish striker David Villa for about £35m after the World Cup.(Daily Star on Sunday) 
Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Wigan midfielder James McCarthy. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has sent chief scout Steve Rowley to watch the 19-year-old Republic of Ireland player.(News of the World) 
Liverpool are prepared to replace Ryan Babel, Albert Riera and Alberto Aquilani with top new players in a bid to keep Fernando Torres at the club.(Mail on Sunday) 
Chelsea are set to pip Manchester City to the signing of 18-year-old Brazilian striker Neymar from Santos.(News of the World) 
Arsenal are planning an £8m bid for AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who has impressed Wenger during the Dutch side's European campaign.(News of the World) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Jose Mourinho is very interested in becoming the next Liverpool manager, but would only take the job if American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett leave.(News of the World) 
Manchester City will ask Mourinho to name his price to become their manager in the summer.(Sunday Express) 
Liverpool's Javier Mascherano is looking for a hefty pay rise of around £1m-a-year to stay at Anfield.(Sunday Mirror) 
Juventus could look to Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini to restore their club to its former glory following their exit from Europe.(Sunday Mirror) 
German midfielder Michael Ballack has been offered a new contract at Chelsea, which could keep him at the club until 2012.(IM Scouting) 
Dozens of English footballers are missing out-of-competition drug tests, while QPR and Bradford City have been fined for failing to provide accurate information to sampling officers over their players' whereabouts.(Sunday Times) 

AND FINALLY

Chelsea skipper John Terry admits that the club's top players fear the drop following the defeat by Inter Milan in midweek.(Sunday Mirror) 
Gareth Barry bemoans the loss of David Beckham to the England squad saying that the injured star is a "good bloke to have around".(Sunday Telegraph)

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Wednesday's gossip column

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.(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.(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. (Daily Star) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge will be out for a month after undergoing groin surgery.(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.(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.(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.(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.(The Independent) 
Defender Calum Davenport has played his last game for West Ham after agreeing a £250,000 pay-off.(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.(Daily Mirror) 
Sheffield United could be forced to make major cutbacks if they fail to win promotion back to the Premier League this season.(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.(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.(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.(Daily Mirror)

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Tuesday's gossip column

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.(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."(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.(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. (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.(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.(The Sun) 
The Tigers could turn to former Crystal Palace and QPR manager Iain Dowie on a short-term deal.(The Times) 
Veteran Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen, 34, has opened talks over a new two-and-a-half-year deal at Turf Moor.(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.(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.(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.(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.(Daily Mirror)

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Sunday's 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.(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. (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.(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.(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. (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. (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.(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).(IM Scouting) 
Portuguese international midfielder Deco expects to leave Chelsea at the end of the season and hopes to join Brazilian side Corinthians.(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. (News of the World) 

OTHER GOSSIP

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.(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. (News of the World) 
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has emerged as a contender to replace Marcello Lippi in charge of the Italian national team when the 61 year-old steps down after the World Cup in South Africa.(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.(Mail on Sunday) 
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.(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.(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.(Sunday Mirror)

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Friday's gossip column

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.(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'.(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.(Daily Mail) 
Zenit St Peterburg midfielder Danny wants to reignite a £25m move to Chelsea after recovering from a career-threatening knee injury.(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.(Daily Mail) 
Stoke are keen to bring former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant back to England from Spanish side Real Zaragoza.(Daily Mirror) 
Derby boss Nigel Clough is set to sign Liverpool's young keeper David Martin in an emergency loan deal.(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.(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.(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.(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.(The Sun) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told Real Madrid not to bother with their annual bid to poach him, warning: "Leave me alone."(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.(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.(The Sun) 
Former Derby County chairman Peter Gadsby is launching a £37m bid to regain power at Pride Park.(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.(Daily Mail)

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Monday's gossip column

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. (Daily Mail) 
Wigan are weighing up a move for Egypt's right-back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi after he impressed against England last week.(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.(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.(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.(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.(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. (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.(The Guardian) 
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes all Premier League managers will eventually be foreign.(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.(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.(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.(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.(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.(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!"(The Sun)

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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona defender Dani Alves has ruled out a move to Chelsea but has admitted to being flattered with their reported interest in him.(The Independent) 
Former Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson had planned on luring LA Galaxy and England midfielder David Beckham to Meadow Lane as a part of ex-owners Munto Finance's ambitious plans for the club. This was before the full extent of the financial problems at Notts became clear and Munto sold the club.(Daily Telegraph) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge quit England because of ex-Chelsea team-mate John Terry's failure to apologise over his alleged affair with his former partner, Vanessa Perroncel.(Daily Mail) 
England coach Fabio Capello will try to persuade left-back Bridge to change his mind and join the Italian's World Cup squad for South Africa this summer. (Various) 
Everton left-back Leighton Baines is likely to benefit from Bridge's decision to quit the national squad by being given a call-up to face Egypt in a friendly on Wednesday 3 March. First-choice left-back Ashley Cole is out after undergoing surgery on a broken foot.(Daily Star) 
Alternatively, Capello could turn to Aston Villa left-back Stephen Warnock, who has recovered early from a shin injury that threatened to end his season.(Daily Express) 
"Friends" of Terry claim Bridge has long been considered a "bottler" in the dressing room as the bad feeling between the pair shows no sign of abating.(The Guardian) 
Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is set to deputise for Tottenham's Aaron Lennon on the right wing for England's friendly against Egypt in five days time.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is definitely out of his side's Champions League second leg match at Old Trafford against AC Milan on 10 March.(Daily Mail) 
Bournemouth have been served another winding-up petition by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs, with a hearing set for 31 March over an outstanding debt of £314,000 the club owes in tax.(Bournemouth Echo) 
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has returned from compassionate leave in Argentina following the premature birth of his second daughter, and is in contention to face Chelsea on Saturday. (Daily Mail) 
Roberto Mancini's tenure at Manchester City is coming under intense boardroom scrutiny for the first time after a run of two wins in eight matches. The Italian was only appointed to the City job in December last year.(Daily Mail) 
The Football Association is considering switching the majority of FA Cup matches to midweek to make it "more relevant".(Daily Mail) 
Neil Warnock has moved a step closer to becoming the new QPR boss after beginning compensation talks with current employers Crystal Palace. (Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

England boss Fabio Capello's World Cup worries for the summer tournament in South Africa mounted last night as it emerged the England WAGs are planning their own base-camp 15 miles from the squad's Rustenburg headquarters.(Daily Mirror)
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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are ready to make a fresh move for Spain striker David Villa if his club Valencia put him up for sale this summer.(Daily Mirror) 
Barcelona right-back Dani Alves has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Chelsea, claiming he wants to stay at the Nou Camp.(IMScouting) 
Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock hopes to take Eagles trio Darren Ambrose, Neil Danns and Nathaniel Clyne with him when he becomes Queens Park Rangers' new manager.(Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is eyeing up giant striker Marc Janko, who has scored 67 goals in 92 games for Red Bull Salzburg.(Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

England manager Fabio Capello will read the riot act to his squad because he is so furious at the recent off-field exploits of some of his players.(Daily Mirror) 
Capello says he will select defenders John Terry and Wayne Bridge and expects them to settle their differences after Terry was alleged to have had an affair with Bridge's ex-girlfriend.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole flew to Spain on Monday for warm-weather recuperation on his broken ankle amid controversy surrounding his split from wife Cheryl. (Daily Telegraph)
Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke admits that South Africa is not yet ready to host the World Cup finals but added that a series of hiccups will be overcome before the tournament starts on 11 June.(The Times) 
Premier League clubs owe more money - £3.5bn - than all the others in Europe's top divisions put together, according to a Uefa report.(The Guardian) 
Former Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson drew up a plan to sign former England captain David Beckham as part of the League Two club's ill-fated dream of reaching the Premier League. (Daily Telegraph) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has banned academy players from doing interviews on the club's in-house television station as part of crackdown on attitudes of youngsters at Old Trafford.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has turned down a new contract with the Eastlands club because he felt he was not being offered enough money. (The Guardian) 
Portsmouth will go into administration with a nine-point penalty - but earn an £11m lifeline when the Premier League gives them an advance of the parachute payment for relegated clubs. (Daily Mirror) 
Spain coach Vincente del Bosque insists there is no rift between himself and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez over the use of striker Fernando Torres.(Daily Mirror) 
Benitez will turn down any move by Real Madrid to become coach at the Bernabeu.(IMScouting) 
Crystal Palace's FA Cup fifth-round replay against Aston Villa on Wednesday is almost certain to be Neil Warnock's last game in charge of the Championship club, with Queens Park Rangers thought to be close to appointing the former Sheffield United manager as their new boss. (Daily Telegraph) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry says the sight of Stoke City is driving him round the bend. His team face the Potters on Wednesday for the third time in 11 days and Barry said: "We know each other inside out now. The guy who does our research has virtually gone through it all before."(The Sun) 
The World Cup plans for the England players' wives and girlfriends are in disarray after Cheryl Cole's split from husband Ashley. On Cheryl's advice, the WAGs were all booked into the exclusive £1,600-a-night Anahita resort on the island of Mauritius, a five-hour flight from South Africa. But Cheryl's decision to part from Ashley has caused the rest of the women to rethink their summer plans. (Daily Express)
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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Ajax striker Luis Suarez has snubbed interest from Chelsea and Manchester City and given Manchester United and Arsenal the green light to launch a £30m summer move for him. (Daily Star)
Arsenal have also been put on alert after the agent of Lazio striker Mauro Zarate claimed he could walk out of the Italian club.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is keen on Fiorentina full-back Juan Manuel Vargas. (Daily Star)
West Ham defender Matthew Upson is refusing to commit his long-term future to the club.(The Sun) 
Meanwhile, Hammers midfielder Valon Behrami is an £8m summer target for Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart. (The Sun)  
Stoke are chasing Wigan midfielder Paul Scharner, who looks set to leave the DW Stadium on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth defender Nadir Belhadj said he would be "very interested" in joining Barcelona after the reigning European champions renewed their interest in the Algerian.(The Sun) 
Highly-rated Crystal Palace right-back Nathaniel Clyne has revealed he turned down a deadline-day move to Wolves because he did not want to sit on the bench at the Premier League club. (Daily Express) 
Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici is a £2m target for Tottenham.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth could have a fifth owner this season after Hong Kong-based investment company Endeavor Plan viewed documents relating to the club's financial position and informed Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie of its interest in buying out current owner Balram Chainrai.(The Guardian) 
The south coast club's plea to allow them to sell players outside the transfer window has fallen on deaf ears at Fifa.(Daily Telegraph) 
Pompey are clear to sell their players under a little-known 'club in crisis' rule but, in the process, they will be hit with a nine-point penalty by the Premier League.(Daily Mirror) 
But the cash-strapped Fratton Park outfit have been offered a loan of £10m from West Ham co-owner David Gold offered to prevent them from going bust.(The Sun) 
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was involved in a heated exchange with Craig Bellamy after the Welsh striker refused to train on Thursday with one of the Italian's staff.(The Sun) 
Mancini is facing dressing-room unrest among City players over his training ground methods.(Daily Telegraph) 
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is set to commit his long-term future to the club by signing a new deal.(The Guardian) 
Sir Alex Ferguson says AC Milan made a tactical error by playing David Beckham in the centre of midfield against Manchester United in his team's Champions League victory.(The Guardian) 
United supporters angry at the ownership regime of the Glazer family have brought their 'green and gold' protest to the driveway of Old Trafford chief executive David Gill, attaching a banner to the gates of his home.(Daily Mail) 
England boss Fabio Capello will name defenders Wayne Bridge and John Terry in the squad for the friendly against Egypt on 3 March. Terry is alleged to have had an affair with Bridge's former partner but Capello has warned both defenders not to bring any personal tensions with them.(The Times) 
Nigeria are preparing to snatch Wigan's new striker Victor Moses from under the nose of Capello with the lure of a place in their World Cup squad this summer.(Daily Mail) 
Fifa president Sepp Blatter is backing under-fire referee Martin Hansson, criticised for giving the free-kick that led to Porto's winner against Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.(The Times) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans should watch where he sits in the changing room after manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted giving him the hairdryer treatment in the match against AC Milan because "he was the nearest defender to me". Sir Alex said: "Our whole back four were going to get it, but he's unfortunate."(Daily Mail) 
Stoke midfielder Diego Arismendi has been accused of driving a neighbour crazy by playing football in his flat at all hours of the night. Plastic surgeon Dr Muhammad Khan, who lives above the Uruguayan, said the player's rowdy antics were forcing him out of his home.(The Sun) 
Armed raiders have stolen 50,000 new-design England away shirts worth £2m from a lorry.(Daily Mirror)
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Thursday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has re-stressed his loyalty to the club in the face of renewed speculation linking him with a move to Spain. "I will repeat for the 100th time: my contract with Manchester is until the summer of 2012 and I want to stay at Old Trafford until the last day," Vidic told Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti. (Agence France-Presse)

.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are ready to make a summer move for England midfielder Joe Cole if he cannot resolve his contract dispute at Chelsea.(Daily Express) 
Birmingham claim they have reached an agreement with Manchester City for goalkeeper Joe Hart to remain on loan at St Andrew's next season.(The Sun) 
Bayern Munich look set to beat Chelsea to the signature of CSKA Moscow's Serbian winger Milos Krasic.(Daily Mail) 
Chelsea have been told that defender Neven Subotic will cost them "a lot of money" by the Serbian's club Borussia Dortmund. (The Sun) 
Spanish newspaper AS has reported that Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano - a target for both Chelsea and Manchester City - will cost 30m euros, in line with a release clause in his contract.(imscouting.com) 
Antonio Caliendo, the agent of Inter Milan's Brazilian full-back Maicon has opened the door to a summer move to Manchester City, saying: "(City boss Roberto) Mancini has always expressed his desire to have Maicon." (Daily Mail) 
Manchester United defender John O'Shea is a summer target for Spanish champions Barcelona, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.(imscouting.com) 
Crisis club Portsmouth will ask the Premier League to let them sell some of their players now - despite the transfer window having closed - in a bid to pay their bills. Pompey are understood to have debts of around £60m and last week survived a winding-up order by providing the High Court with a detailed statement of their finances. (Daily Mirror) 
Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has dismissed rumours that he is set to quit the club, saying that Merseyside feels like home.(The Sun) 
Newcastle will attempt to hijack West Brom's bid to sign Wigan midfielder Jason Koumas, who has been told he can leave the DW Stadium.(The Sun)

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones has hinted that he would jump at the chance to join Liverpool this summer.(The Sun) 

Arsenal are set to lose 18-year-old striker Gilles Sunu to Bordeaux for a pittance this summer. The player is unsettled at the Emirates and out of contract at the end of the season.(Daily Mirror) 
Brighton boss Gus Poyet has opened talks with QPR to bring striker Rowan Vine to the Withdean Stadium on an extended loan.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Midfielder David Beckham, currently on loan at AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy, has backed Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to fire England to World Cup glory this summer. Rooney scored twice in the San Siro on Tuesday as United secured a 3-2 Champions League last-16 first-leg lead over Milan.(The Sun) 
Notts County's new owner Ray Trew may put the club into administration in the next 48 hours after discovering the full extent of the financial problems at Meadow Lane.(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has launched a stunning verbal attack on Harry Redknapp and accused the Spurs boss of "making fun of me". The Russian has struggled to nail down first-team football under Redknapp and added that he does not think he has a future at White Hart Lane.(The Sun) 
Alan Curbishley could take over as QPR manager now he has settled his financial dispute with former club West Ham.(Daily Mail) 
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is discussing a new contract after guiding the club to eighth in the Premier League.(Birmingham Mail) 
However, McLeish will not sign a new deal unless he is given full control of transfers by owner Carson Yeung.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Sunderland striker Darren Bent has stopped using social networking site Twitter as it distracts him from playing.(The Sun)
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Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona are piling the pressure on Arsenal, with the Spanish giants planning a £40m summer swoop for midfielder Cesc Fabregas.(The Sun) 
Barcelona are also interested in another Gunners player, midfielder Emmanuel Eboue. (The Sun) 
Fulham are to battle it out with Arsenal for QPR's 15-year-old striker Raheem Sterling.(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.(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. (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. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United's England Under-20 midfielder Matty James is set to join Preston on loan. (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.(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.(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. (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.(The Sun) 
Chainrai has taken over the 90% shareholding held by Ali Al Faraj to become Portsmouth's fourth owner in a year. (The Guardian) 
Manchester City have rejected Real Madrid's claims that they scuppered a last-minute £16.3m transfer for midfielder Fernando Gago.(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. (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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Tuesday's gossip column

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.(Daily Mail)
Sunderland missed out on landing Egypt winger Ahmed Al-Muhammadi after his club ENPPI rejected the Black Cats' bid of £2m.(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".(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.(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.(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.(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."(Daily Express) 
Midfielder Park Ji-Sung has warned Chelsea that Manchester United will not capitulate as the Premier League title race heats up.(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.(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.(The Sun) 
Striker Wayne Rooney is confident that Manchester United can set a new Premier League record and win four successive titles.(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."(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."(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."(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.(Daily Mirror)
www.bbc.co.uk

Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona are stepping up their attempt to sign Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, and are prepared to offer him wages of £8m a year after tax.(Daily Star) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is in talks with Real Madrid with a view to signing former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy on a free transfer.(Daily Telegraph) 
And Redknapp has had a bid for out-of-favour goalkeeper Ben Foster rejected by Manchester United. (Daily Mirror) 
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is ready to quit the club he joined as a nine-year-old two decades ago. Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan and Premier League big spenders Manchester City are believed to be interested in a deal.(Daily Mail)
Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford is planning to leave the League One club in the summer for a move to Everton.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has held further talks with the father and agent of Racing Santander's Spanish midfielder Sergio Canales. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool are also interested in the 18-year-old.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool star Fernando Torres has urged the club to buy a top Spanish striker - such as Valencia's David Silva or David Villa - while under-fire Reds boss Rafael Benitez is pondering a £12m bid for Sunderland forward Kenwyne Jones.(The Sun) 
However, Benitez's attempt to sign Jones has hit the rocks as Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is holding out for a £10m cash deal.(Daily Express) 
Bruce wants Wigan's £7m-rated left-back Maynor Figueroa and is willing to sacrifice midfielder Kieran Richardson to land him.(Daily Star) 
Sunderland are preparing a bid for Benfica's veteran Portuguese striker Nuno Gomes.(The Independent) 
French side Lille want to sign Portsmouth defender Younes Kaboul for £10m, with cash-strapped Pompey willing to accept the offer.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James has been told that he must drop his wage demands if he is to secure a move away from Fratton Park.(Daily Star) 
Zenit St Petersburg say they have pulled out of the race to sign Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko.(The Guardian) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to splash out on Fulham's England under-21 giant centre-half Chris Smalling - in a stunning £7m deal. (Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham City have been told they can have Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, if they match the asking price.(The Sun) 
And Birmingham are interested in FC Moscow forward Maxi Lopez, who has been on loan at Gremio in Brazil.(The Times) 
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has made an offer for Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic.(Daily Mail) 
Tottenham have watched Bordeaux defender Mathieu Chalme as they try and offload Alan Hutton. (Daily Telegraph) 
Crystal Palace striker Victor Moses has revealed he cannot wait for his crack at the big time as his inevitable exit from the Londoners draws closer.(Daily Mail) 
Burnley are speaking to Monaco striker Frederic Nimani, and could sign the French Under-21 international on loan.(Daily Mirror) 
Wolves are keen on Stoke striker James Beattie and Hull winger Stephen Hunt.(Daily Mail) 
Philippe Senderos is weighing up his options before deciding whether to join Celtic, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich or Everton on loan from Arsenal. (Daily Mail/The Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea are waiting to discover the extent of midfielder Michael Essien's knee injury, amid fears that the Ghanaian could be out for the rest of the season.(The Times) 
The Glazer family, the controversial owners of Manchester United, could take £600m out of the club over the next seven years in dividends, interest and fees coming out of a bond issue.(Daily Telegraph) 
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola could be replaced by former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes if David Gold and David Sullivan complete their takeover of the club.(Daily Mirror) 
However, Gold and Sullivan will announce that Zola's position is safe when they take control of the club.(Daily Star) 
Barcelona have shrugged off claims that coach Pep Guardiola will replace Sir Alex Ferguson as the next manager of Manchester United.(The Sun) 
French winger Jerome Rothen, on a season-long loan from Paris St Germain, was in Glasgow on Monday to prove to Rangers he is still too sick to play after two months off with swine flu. (Daily Record) 
Celtic and Rangers are on the verge of clinching a £1.5m per year deal with Tennent's to replace Carling as the Old Firm's shirt sponsor. (Daily Record/Daily Express)

AND FINALLY

Manchester United defender Gary Neville has stoked the flames ahead of Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final first leg against rivals Manchester City by claiming his club were right to get rid of City striker Carlos Tevez as he was over-priced.(Daily Telegraph) 
And former United winger David Beckham has told City's fans that they will never be bigger than the Old Trafford club. He also said that he would never join City, no matter how much money they offered him.(Daily Mirror)

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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Steven Gerrard is unhappy with Liverpool's latest plight and is keen on a move to Real Madrid or AC Milan if things don't improve quickly. A source close to the 29-year-old midfielder said: "Stevie knows time is running out if he wants to win more honours."(Daily Star)
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says he's not going anywhere, and he is also keen on swapping winger Ryan Babel for Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones. Babel, 23, has struggled to make the first XI following his £11.5m move from Ajax in 2007.(The Sun) 
Sunderland winger Kieran Richardson has been offered for sale to Tottenham, Birmingham and Fulham. The 25-year-old moved to the Stadium of Light from Manchester United for £6m three years ago. (The Times) 
Chelsea and Manchester City are keen on securing a deal for Palermo's 20-year-old centre-back Simon Kjaer. The Danish star is reported to have an £11m release clause, but that hasn't stemmed the growing interest in the Serie A star from the two Premier League sides. (Daily Star) 
Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has branded suggestions that £8m may be enough to take Aiden McGeady from Celtic to the Premier League as "ridiculous". (The Guardian) 
CSKA Moscow winger Milos Krasic has rejected an approach from Roberto Mancini's Manchester City, saying he only wants to join Manchester United or Arsenal. (Daily Mail) 
Spanish side Real Zaragoza have joined the chase for Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos. Bayern Munich, Cagliari and Atletico Madrid are also interested in the 23-year-old who wants to stay in the Premier League. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Italian side Juventus are keeping an eye on events at Anfield amid speculation that Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez may soon be relieved of his duties. Former Italy striker Roberto Bettega, who has just moved into the Juve boardroom, is a close friend and admirer of Benitez. (Daily Mail) 
Despite everybody suggesting it's a matter of when, and not if, Benitez will leave Anfield, the Spaniard has vowed to remain as Liverpool boss until 2014. "Inside, I am as strong as ever," he said. (The Sun) 
Russia coach and former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink has revealed that he would be keen to manage in England again, adding weight to the rumour that he will succeed Benitez at Liverpool. (Daily Mail) 
Meanwhile, Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has played down rumours linking him with the Liverpool manager's job. (Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth keeper David James is believed to be concerned that the collapse of his proposed move to Stoke could affect his prospects of being selected for England's squad for this summer's World Cup as Portsmouth may decide not to play him in order to avoid triggering a clause in his contract. (The Guardian) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has told Michael Owen that he will get more games over the coming months after starting the striker only once since his Champions League hat-trick at Wolfsburg almost six weeks ago. (The Guardian) 
At the age of 39 years and 79 days Edwin van der Sar will become Manchester United's oldest post-war player if he plays against Burnley. The Dutch keeper has been on compassionate leave since the end of December. (The Guardian) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Sol Campbell could play his way back into the England squad for the World Cup in South Africa this summer. (Daily Mail) 
Alex McLeish is ready to commit his long-term future to Birmingham City by agreeing a new contract at St Andrew's. (Daily Mail) 
St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson believes that the cash-strapped SPL has become little more than a feeder league for England's lower divisions and he can only envisage that state of affairs worsening in the immediate future. (Daily Telegraph) 
Championship side Cardiff have begun talks over a new contract with highly-rated Adam Matthews as Manchester United and Arsenal keep an eye on proceedings over the 17-year-old left-back. (Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

England and LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, on loan with AC Milan, plans to hang his boots up after the World Cup and return to Britain. A friend of the 34-year-old, says: "His mind is made up. He wants to walk away to be a dad." (The Sun)

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Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho is battling it out with former club Chelsea and Manchester United for £15m-rated Benfica winger Angel di Maria. (Daily Mail) 
Chelsea are leading the chase to sign Racing Santander's Spanish midfielder Sergio Canales who is also being tracked by Arsenal and Manchester City. (Daily Mail) 
Liverpool are also monitoring 18-year-old Canales. (Daily Star)
Manchester United could cash in on star striker Wayne Rooney to help ease the club's debts. Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are considering £70m bids for the England international.(The Sun) 
Bayern Munich playmaker Franck Ribery admits that Chelsea or Real Madrid are in a straight fight for his services should he leave the Bundesliga side.(The Sun) 
Arsenal are considering a move for Everton striker Louis Saha whose contract negotiations at the club have broken down. Tottenham and Liverpool are also said to be keen. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham have had a £5m bid for Benfica forward Javier Saviola turned down by the Portuguese club for "sporting reasons". (Daily Mirror)
Bordeaux's in-demand striker Marouane Chamakh has promised a decision soon on his future. Arsenal and Liverpool are both believed to be keen on signing him on a cut-price deal with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.(Daily Mirror) 
Out-of-favour Birmingham forward Gary McSheffrey could attempt to resurrect his career with a move to Championship side Sheffield United.(The Sun) 
Manchester City have replaced city rivals Manchester United in a partnership agreement with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon. The deal will give City first option should Sporting sell any of their players. (The Guardian) 
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce insists it will take a "mind-blowing" offer to prise striker Kenwyne Jones away from the Black Cats and doubts if the clubs who want to buy him would prove able - or willing - to meet the necessary price.(The Guardian) 
Bruce has denied making a £5m bid to take Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to the Stadium of Light.(The Independent) 
Former Wigan striker Amr Zaki, currently at Egyptian side Zamalek, has been offered to Stoke City, Sunderland, and Blackburn Rovers.(The Times) 
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is weighing up a £5m move for Mallorca forward Aritz Aduriz which may see striker Hugo Rodallega leave the DW Stadium.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth could lose Aruna Dindane with parent club Lens set to recall the striker early from his loan spell at Pompey. The French side fear the Premier League outfit lack the funds to make the deal permanent.(The Guardian) 
Birmingham City and Wolves have expressed an interest in Hull midfielder Stephen Hunt who may be offloaded if the cash-strapped club are forced to sell players. (The Times) 
Fulham have agreed a loan deal for Roma's 20-year-old striker Stefano Okaka, although the player has yet to sign off on the temporary switch.(The Independent) 
Wolves are set to offer £1.5m for Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford but Newcastle are still leading the fight to sign the 26-year-old.(Daily Mail) 
But Newcastle boss Chris Hughton has warned Leeds that unless a deal is tied up swiftly for Beckford he will turn his attentions to a loan deal for Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood.(Daily Mirror) 
New Bolton manager Owen Coyle could offer Beckford the chance to play for his side after expressing interest in the unsettled forward. (The Guardian) 
Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin doubts whether manager Arsene Wenger will make any signings during the transfer window.(Daily Star) 
Derby striker Luke Varney will become Sheffield Wednesday manager Alan Irvine's first signing at Hillsborough.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Joe Cole's contract talks with Chelsea have stalled over the wage demands of the England international, who is free to leave for nothing at the end of the season.(The Times) 
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has suggested in an email to a supporter that the summer transfer market will be a "big" one for the Premier League club. "Our debt is very managable (sic) [see Man U] and we never use player sales for debt service," said Hicks. "Our interest on £200m is about £16m. The new stadium will be the game changer. Managing director Christian [Purslow] is working very hard on it. Jan is a poor-quality market. The summer window will be big."(Daily Mirror) 
The Glazer family, which owns Manchester United, has personally borrowed £10m from the club, according to financial results released yesterday.(The Guardian) 
West Ham could have new owners within 24 hours although investment company Intermarket, who made the highest bid for the club, missed a deadline to prove it had the cash to finance a £100m takeover.(The Times) 
Burnley are set to spring a major surprise by naming former Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws as their new manager.(Daily Mail) 
Alternatively, Doncaster manager Sean O'Driscoll could be taking charge at Turf Moor but Burnley will have to pay £1m compensation to get their man. Full story: (The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Chelsea captain John Terry says his leadership qualities were evident even when he was coming through the ranks at Stamford Bridge. As a youngster he shouted at former Blue Gianfranco Zola for giving the ball away in a reserve match, earning the praise of Italian manager Gianluca Vialli.(The Independent) 
Despite postponing their Premier League clash with Tottenham at the weekend because of icy conditions around Anfield, Liverpool were still encouraging fans to take tours of the stadium throughout the cold weather. (Daily Mail)
AC Milan and LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has revealed his latest tattoo. The 34-year-old has an image of Jesus Christ sitting on the cross inked into his side.(Daily Mirror) 
West Ham's league game with Wolves on Sunday was postponed because of an incorrect weather forecast for more snow.(Daily Mail)

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