Showing posts with label Gareth Southgate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gareth Southgate. Show all posts

Monday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has told Sky Italia that he hopes coach Fabio Capello can break his England contract after the World Cup to join the Champions League winners. Moratti also ruled out Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as a possible successor to Real Madrid-bound Jose Mourinho at the San Siro. "I've always thought Rafa Benitez was good but he is tied to Liverpool," he said. (Reuters)


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea have paved the way for midfielder Joe Cole's departure from Stamford Bridge by formalising their interest in Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun. (The Guardian) 
Benayoun is confident the move will go through and claimed that Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti "wants me for next season". (The Daily Telegraph) 
Rangers are still waiting to see if Liverpool will make an improved offer for 18-year-old defender Danny Wilson after the Ibrox club rejected an initial £2m bid from the Reds.(Daily Mail) 
Blackburn are considering a swoop for Rangers striker Kris Boyd, who is set to leave the Scottish Premier League champions as a free agent.(The Sun) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly interested in signing £12m-rated teenage Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic.(caughtoffside.com) 
And the Red Devils have contacted Brazilian side Santos about the possibility of taking 20-year-old midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso to Old Trafford.(Daily Mail) 
Arsenal have joined Aston Villa in the battle to sign Wigan's Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega, who the Latics value at £10m.(Daily Mirror) 
The Gunners have made an inquiry about the possibility of signing England midfielder Joe Cole from Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge outfit, meanwhile, remain interested in acquiring Shakhtar Donetsk's £15m-rated Croatian right-back Darijo Srna. (Daily Mail) 
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is also targeting Ajax's 22-year-old right-back Gregory van der Wiel, the young player of the year in the Netherlands, because out-of-favour Habib Beye and Luke Young, who is eyeing a move to West Ham, are set to leave Villa Park this summer.(Daily Mirror) 
Villa and Sunderland have joined Birmingham in the race to sign Fulham striker Bobby Zamora. (The Sun) 
Neil Lennon will be promoted from interim boss to permanent manager at Celtic on Tuesday and will immediately set his sights on acquiring Hull playmaker Jimmy Bullard, Cardiff's midfielder Joe Ledley and Stoke wide man Liam Lawrence.(Daily Record)
Paddy McCourt, though, may be on his way out of Parkhead, with Premier League new boys Blackpool interested in the 26-year-old Northern Ireland midfielder.(The Sun) 
Barcelona will renew their chase of Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano. However, their big-money pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas could scupper their plans to sign the Argentine, who the Reds value at close to £30m.(Daily Mail) 
Bordeaux ace Yoann Gourcuff, France's first-choice playmaker in the World Cup, is being lined up as a £21.8m replacement for Fabregas at the Emirates. (The Sun) 
Manchester City are considering a move for 21-year-old Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez, who made his senior debut for Spain in their 3-2 World Cup warm-up victory over Saudi Arabia in Austria on Saturday.(Daily Mail) 
Fulham could snap up versatile Hungarian international midfielder Daniel Tozser from Belgian club Racing Genk for about £2.5m.(Daily Mail) 
Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, 19, is a £1m target for French team St Etienne. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate and ex-Milton Keynes Dons boss Paul Ince are both in contention for the managerial vacancies at Portsmouth and Notts County.(Daily Mail) 
Russia's 2018 World Cup bid chief Alexei Sorokin has branded fans of rival bidders England "the utmost hooligans". In the wake of ex-Football Association chairman Lord Triesman's controversial claims that Russia was involved in bribing referees, Sorokin said his bid team "are in a state of information war" with England.(Daily Mirror) 
Inter Milan owner Massimo Moratti will make a formal approach to Fabio Capello's representatives on Monday, just as the FA holds emergency talks with the England manager in a bid to shore up the Italian's future. (Daily Mail) 
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni claims he turned down the chance to become Celtic boss three months ago. (Daily Express) 

AND FINALLY

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is keen to retain penalty-taking duties for England, despite missing from the spot against Japan on Sunday.(Daily Mirror) 
Millwall chairman John Berylson has revealed his debt of gratitude to former Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who convinced Kenny Jackett, the man who guided the Bermondsey side to promotion to the Championship, to become Lions manager when the pair were working together at Eastlands.(Daily Mirror)

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Sunday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Liverpool may make a summer move for Manchester City defender Micah Richards with an offer of £12m.(caughtoffside.com) 
Manchester United are preparing a £20m bid for Real Madrid attacker Rafael Van der Vaart according to the Spanish press.(IMScouting.com) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho may move for Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard after agreeing a four-year £40m deal to take over as Real Madrid manager next season. Inter right-back Maicon is likely to be his first signing at the Bernabeu.(Sunday Times) 
James Milner has told friends that he wants to join Liverpool. Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are also desperate to sign Aston Villa's 24-year-old England midfielder.(News of the World)
Liverpool are lining up Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko, who was the German Bundesliga's top scorer with 26 goals last season, to replace Fernando Torres. Chelsea and Manchester City are poised to make massive bids to sign the Spanish striker.(News of the World) 
Chelsea are poised to launch a £26m bid for Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric. (Mail on Sunday) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has failed to change the mind of captain Cesc Fabregas who is determined to return to boyhood club Barcelona this summer.(News of the World) 
Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Ireland, 23, has told Manchester City that he wants to leave the club.(Sunday Mirror) 
City are also looking to offload temperamental Brazilian star Robinho. The club is hoping he has an outstanding World Cup so they can recoup at least £25m of the £32.5m they forked out when signing him from Real Madrid in August 2008. (Sunday Mirror) 
Manchester City are still looking to flex their spending muscles by offering £20m for Everton's 28-year-old midfielder Mikel Arteta. Arsenal are likely to provide the main competition as they search for a replacement for the seemingly Barcelona-bound Cesc Fabregas.(Mail on Sunday) 
Everton have emerged as contenders for the signature of Manchester City's unsettled striker Craig Bellamy. Tottenham are also in the race for the Wales international.(News of the World) 
Robbie Keane is set to move from Tottenham to Aston Villa in a £15m deal. Villa are ready to meet the asking price, particularly if they pick up £30m for James Milner from either Manchester City or Chelsea. (Sunday Mirror) 
Villa are also in the market for Valencia pair Nikola Zigic and Miguel. The Serbian striker and Portuguese defender would cost a combined £9.5m.(News of the World) 
Joe Cole could renew his acquaintance with Harry Redknapp as Tottenham close in on the England midfielder who has yet to agree a new contract with Chelsea. Spurs boss Redknapp handed Cole his debut as a teenager when he was in charge at West Ham.(Sunday Mirror) 
Celtic winger Aiden McGeady is faced with a choice between Birmingham and Russian side Spartak Moscow as he contemplates a £6m move away from Parkhead.(News of the World) 
Hull will have to offload midfielder Jimmy Bullard this summer as his £45,000-a-week wages are too much for the relegated side to afford in the Championship.(News of the World) 
Bolton boss Owen Coyle hopes to sign Portsmouth striker David Nugent who he took on loan during his time with Burnley last season.(News of the World) 
Sunderland are beating Aston Villa and Newcastle in the battle for Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha.(News of the World) 
Newcastle are confident that they can tie up a deal to take Manchester United winger Tom Cleverley on loan for next season. The 20-year-old spent last season at Watford.(News of the World) 
The Magpies are also close to a deal for French winger Bernard Mendy who has left Hull as a free agent.(News of the World) 
Ajax striker Luis Suarez has told his employers that he will only leave the Amsterdam club for Manchester United. (Sunday Express)
Wigan are set to sign up Tenerife centre-half Jose Antonio Culebras on a free transfer. (News of the World) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Wayne Rooney is not fully fit after it emerged that the England striker is still having treatment on his injured right ankle.(News of the World) 
Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell will turn down the chance to move to Manchester United or Arsenal and sign a new long-term deal at Goodison Park.(News of the World) 
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is being offered £5m to quit Anfield and manage the United Arab Emirates.(Mail on Sunday) 
Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate will be offered a return to management by Portsmouth.(News of the World) 
Avram Grant's first task on being appointed West Ham manager will be to trim co-owner David Sullivan's list of transfer targets from 32 names to just 6.(News of the World) 
Notts County manager Steve Cotterill has emerged as Portsmouth's top target to replace Avram Grant as manager. Cotterill, 45, led County to the League Two title, but only had a contract until the end of the season.(Sunday Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Cesc Fabregas will be paid half his annual salary before he has even kicked a ball for Barcelona should the 23-year-old complete his move from Arsenal. The midfielder, who is expected to earn about £160,000-a-week, will immediately be paid £4.16m.(Sunday Mirror)

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EPL initial thoughts

At the first glance,I can’t see any losing points for top three.All have more than decent records against Villa,Birmingham and Bolton.Arsenal and Chelsea should go in over,as well.

A question for million dollars is does Zola remind you on Shearer (or Southgate)?Still can not imagine West Ham in Championship,but wouldn’t dare even to think about backing them again.Especially at that price.

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Middlesbrough - Blackpool

Boro started the season as one of the league giants. Big underachievement with results activated alarms in the club and manager Gareth Southgate has cleaned the desk. His successor, Gordon Strachan, has a big reputation. But, also has a different training methods that had been causing lack of results in the few starting games in his clubs. He claimed his first victories as manager of Coventry and Southampton in his fifth match in charge, in Celtic won in third game and in Boro also in fifth. They possess quality for top three (beside Newcastle and WBA). Needed a good manager, god excellent one –Strachan. After few good performances and unlucky results needed first win to turn the corner, got more than that. Jeremie Aliadiere, Seb Hines, Caleb Folan and Matthew Bates all remain on the sidelines. Big plus is returning one of the best wingers in Championship, Adam Johnson who return to the squad after missing Saturday's win for family reasons. 

It finally happened, Blackpool have lost at home in 10th game. Club hold (for them) very high 8th place, but they’re typical home team. Their pitch, Bloomfield Road, has smaller dimensions and the grounds are closer than usual which give a strong support to home team. However, they’ve been noticing a drop in results lately. Have just one win in last six games (Scunthorpe United 4-1, at home) and in last two at home noticed just one point (Preston 1-1). At Saturday, also at home, lost vs. Barnsley. They put a decent display, got a lead, but conceded two goals in the last five minutes. Striker Ben Burgess and midfielder Billy Clarke are both out after picking up knee injuries. 

After 5-1 win, Boro got a huge amount of confidence and second win in a row could be a start of good run of results. Kitson and Lita are killing duo in attack, this time will be supported with the crosses from the wing (Johnson) and don’t think visitors’ defense will be able to stop them. Also, big advantage for Boro will be attacking style of play that Blackpool carry. Here is too big difference in quality and considering moment of this game (Boro up, Blackpool down) I expect convincing home win. So, home win and handicap as a gamble.

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Monday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Newcastle United are willing to splash out £5m for Leeds forward Jermaine Beckford. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could be in trouble with the Football Association for expressing his displeasure over referee Martin Atkinson after Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.
Disputing the free-kick that led to John Terry's headed goal and the failure to see Didier Drogba's foul on Wes Brown, Ferguson said: "You lose faith in the refereeing sometimes." (Various)(Guardian) 
Hull chairman Adam Pearson could be set to give manager Phil Brown until the end of the season to prove himself. 
With many predicting Brown's sacking on the back of Hull's poor run, the recently appointed chief said: "If you stay strong and dig in, then I think it is a decent solution."(The Sun) 
Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is being lined up to return to employment as manager at Brighton and Hove Albion. (The Sun)

AND FINALLY

Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe has revealed in a forthcoming book that David Beckham used to do everything for him.
On his former Old Trafford team-mate, Sharpe says: "He'd clean my shoes, make me cups of tea and even came in to one of my fan club afternoons." (The Sun)

Preston North End - Middlesbrough

After a run of three games without a win and especially after London humiliation against Queens Park (0-4), Preston put a decent display on the road and beat Sheff.Wed. (2-1). John Parkin scored a winner for a desperately needed win and staying in the top six. They have almost the same team from the previous season (finished sixth), all lines in the squad are well balanced, harmed dignity has been recovered and in my opinion they’ll be (along with Cardiff) the most serious threat to ex-Premiership crew (Newcastle, WBA and Middlesbrough). Only missing is departure on loan of excellent Sean St Ledger to ‘Boro (won’t play against own club) because the financial reasons. Good news came from medical service as Lilywhites have been boosted by the news that skipper Callum Davidson (defense) should make his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury. Also, absence of the key midfielder Paul Parry seems finished as he was an unused substitute at Sheffield and he should play. No new injury or suspension worries for boss Alan Irvine and best eleven should appear.

Middlesbrough started the season in Championship with clear intention for returning in the Premier League. And all started well as club was placed at the top of the table. Then crisis at Riverside and three consecutive home defeats without a single goal scored (WBA 0-5, Leicester City 0-1 and Watford 0-1). 'Boro bounced back at mid-week against Derby County as midfielder Adam Johnson scored twice for a 2-0 win. Then public was hit by the news that Gareth Southgate has been sacked. Well, it’s not about his capability to lead one team on 'Boro’s level, I first claimed he should chose more appropriate profession. The problem is the moment that seems wrong. Team finally won at home, players were pointing the team spirit, fans promising full support and I expect at least missing of positive reaction at Deepdale. Future boss (will be appointed in coming days), Gordon Strachan, will watch the game, but I doubt he’ll see too many good things. Team that will be led by coach Colin Cooper will miss mentioned defender Sean St Ledger, another centre back Seb Hines is a doubt, while skipper defender Emanuel Pogatetz could return after his knee injury. 

This will be the clash of two serious contenders for Premiership. Usually I would ignore any tought about betting on such game, but moment when it happens gives an advantage to the lads from Deepdale. And defense line without St Ledger (and maybe Pogatetz) will have a lots of problems to stop outstanding John Parkin. Home win (Pinnacle 2.70) should be considered as a gamble, while my advise is dnb (1.90 also Pinnacle). 

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Friday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United and Real Madrid are both keen on Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic, who scored twice against Liverpool in the Champions League this week, but the Italian side are set to offer the Montenegro star a new five-year contract. (The Sun)
Bolton boss Gary Megson insists defender Gary Cahill will not leave the Reebok Stadium in the January transfer window despite interest from Manchester United and Tottenham.(The Sun) 
Birmingham City winger Gary McSheffrey is poised to join Sheffield United on a three-month loan deal. (Daily Mail)
Reading boss Brendan Rogers plans to send Dave Mooney, Julian Kelly, Scott Davies, Michail Antonio and Jay Tabb out on loan.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Everton and Manchester City left-back Michael Ball has turned down a three-year deal at Notts County and could join Portsmouth or Turkish giants Galatasaray.(The Sun) 
Oldham Athletic hope to sign out-of-favour Hull City midfielder Bryan Hughes on loan.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Notts County's players called in the Professional Footballers' Association after the League Two club failed to pay them their win bonuses.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has secured a £5m cash injection from Saudi property magnate Ali Al-Faraj that will allow the Fratton Park side to pay their players. Storrie and Al-Faraj were part of a rival consortium that lost out to Sulaiman Al Fahim for control of the club.(Daily Mail) 
The Premier League is ready to take over at Portsmouth to stop the club from slipping into administration.(The Independent) 
Football Association chief executive Ian Watmore has called for a crackdown on "hostile and abusive" chanting as part of a campaign against disorder in football grounds. (The Times) 
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov admits he has been a failure at Old Trafford since his £30.75m move from Tottenham in August 2008 and says his poor form caused him sleepless nights.(The Sun) 
Liverpool forward Ryan Babel says being dropped by the Netherlands ahead of next summer's World Cup finals has scared him into trying to salvage his Anfield career. The 22-year-old has struggled since joining the Reds for £11.5m from Ajax in 2007.(Daily Mail) 
Former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is facing the sack at Uzbekistan side Bunyodkor after they were knocked out of the Asian Champions League. The Brazilian, who is the highest paid manager in the world on £12.5m a year, will get a huge compensation package if he is forced out. (The Independent) 
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner claims only divine intervention saved his life when he crashed his car on his way to training on Sunday. The Danish star says it is a "miracle" that he is still alive, but hopes to face Blackburn this weekend.(Daily Mirror) 
Under-fire Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate says he will not quit the Riverside despite being criticised by fans.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres says he would never join Manchester United because of his respect for the Anfield club's fans.(The Sun) 
Hotels in South Africa are raising their prices by up to 440% for next summer's World Cup finals.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Gillingham boss Mark Stimson says referees would get less stick if they went back to wearing black rather than multi-colour outfits. Stimson said: "They get enough abuse as it is. As soon as they walk out with pink shirts on, people laugh at them." (The Sun)
Preston legend Sir Tom Finney has told National Football Museum bosses that he wants all his memorabilia back if they leave Deepdale to move to Manchester. (The Sun)
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Tuesday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Blackburn defender Michel Salgado will try to convince his former Real Madrid team-mate David Beckham to join him at Ewood Park. Beckham is keen to move to Europe from Los Angeles Galaxy in January. (The Sun) 
Forward Lionel Messi is set to sign a £170,000-a-week deal (after tax) to stay at Barcelona until 2016. (Daily Mail) 
West Brom want to sign Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara on loan. (The Sun)
Baggies boss Roberto di Matteo also wants to agree a loan deal for Blackburn defender Zuran Khizanishvili. (Daily Mirror) 
Everton are keeping tabs on Bristol City full-back James Wilson, who is currently on loan at Brentford. (Daily Mirror)
Fulham could also be set to lose Sweden international defender Fredrik Stoor, who is hoping to secure a loan move from the club. (The Sun) 
Bolton centre-back Danny Shittu is set to move to Sheffield United on loan, with a view to a permanent switch. (Daily Mirror)
Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood, who has been suffering from a badly bruised foot, is hoping to prove his fitness in order to secure a three-month loan move to Newcastle. (Daily Mirror) 
Notts County boss Ian McParland has confirmed he is interested in signing Malta international striker Michael Mifsud, who is a free agent after leaving Coventry. (Daily Star)
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has reiterated his determination to hang on to winger Adam Johnson, who is out of contract at the end of the season.(Daily Mirror) 
Southgate is also set to tie up loan deals for Preston defender Sean St Ledger and Hull striker Caleb Folan. (Daily Mail) 
Preston are keen on Stockport striker Carl Baker. (The Sun) 
Tottenham striker Robbie Keane has emerged as a transfer target for Celtic boss Tony Mowbray.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United striker Michael Owen's 2010 World Cup hopes have been hit after he was told by Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson he will only be used as a back-up striker. (The Sun) 
United, meanwhile, want Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor banned from the teams' Premier League meeting on Sunday after his alleged stamp on Arsenal's Robin van Persie.(The Sun) 
Kevin Keegan has started his battle for £10m in compensation from Newcastle, claiming he was forced out of his position as manager in September 2008. (Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth boss Paul Hart says he does not fear the sack, despite presiding over the club's worst start to a season in their 111-year history. (Daily Star) 
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has fined defenders Ronald Zubar and George Elokobi a fortnight's wages after the pair turned up late for a team meeting before Saturday's defeat by Blackburn. (Daily Star)
Former Ipswich goalkeeper Shane Supple, who retired from professional football in August at the age of 22, wants to follow in his father's footsteps and join the Irish police force. (Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

England bosses have sent a list of demands they want for their South Africa World Cup base - including a computer games arcade. Manager Fabio Capello wants to ensure his players do not get bored and has asked for a special room in their hotel with a Wii, a Playstation and other games. (Daily Mirror)
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Friday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is weighing up a move for Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, 23, who currently plays for CSKA Moscow. (The Sun) 
Mexico striker Guillermo Franco, 32, says he is joining West Ham after his deal with Villarreal expired last month and a move to South American champions Estudiantes fell through. (The Sun) 
Hull are giving a trial to former Manchester City defender Glauber Berti, the 26-year-old Brazilian is currently unattached.(Daily Mirror) 
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is set to launch a £2m bid for Hull striker Caleb Folan, 26. (Daily Star) 
Stoke defender Leon Cort is wanted by Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough and Newcastle. (Daily Mail)
Coventry boss Chris Coleman is battling Championship rivals Swansea and Doncaster to land Wolves' 19-year-old striker Sam Vokes. (Daily Star) 
Sheffield United will move for Ipswich's Northern Ireland centre-half Gareth McAuley, 29, in a long-term loan deal with current Blades centre-back Matt Kilgallon, 25, being targeted by Wigan and Newcastle. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP

England boss Fabio Capello, who reportedly earns £6m a year, picked up a £1m bonus for guiding England to the World Cup in South Africa. (The Sun) 
And Capello will earn a £2m bonus if England win the World Cup next summer. (The Times) 
Scotland boss George Burley will hold talks with the president of the Scottish FA, George Peat, next week to discuss his future after Scotland failed to qualify for the World Cup. (The Times) 
Meanwhile, Burnley boss Owen Coyle says he has no interest in replacing Burley as Scotland boss. (Daily Express) 
However, three names in the frame for the Scotland job, should Burley get the sack, are Rangers boss Walter Smith, former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan and Dundee United boss Craig Levein.(Daily Record) 
Bryan Robson is being lined up as the next Thailand national team boss to replace Peter Reid, who is Stoke's new assistant manager. (Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, who has been banned for nine months after ephedrine was found in his system, has been nicknamed "Benylin Bill" by his teammates in a bid to cheer him up. (The Sun)
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Thursday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has cast doubt on his future at the Gunners by telling a Spanish radio station he does not know where he will be playing next season. (Daily Mail)
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is attempting to sign Everton striker James Vaughan on loan. (Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth look to have won the race to sign former Sheffield United striker Danny Webber, who is a free agent. (Daily Mail) 
Former Celtic and Manchester United midfielder Liam Miller is set to join Hibernian this week. (Scottish Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Scotland manager George Burley says he will not quit his job, despite his side's failure to qualify for the World Cup. (Daily Mail) 
Hong Kong billionaire Carson Yeung's proposed takeover of Birmingham City has been delayed until 5 October. (Daily Star) 
Aston Villa may be without defender Curtis Davies until the new year following surgery to cure a shoulder injury. (Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Bok of the net! (Daily Mirror), 3 Lions in Africa (Daily Mirror), Get de beers in (The Sun), Ooh-aah Africa! (The Sun), We can win it (Daily Express), Watch out world (Daily Star), World class (Daily Mail) and Job done (The Independent) are some of the newspaper headlines after Fabio Capello's England side secured World Cup qualification on Wednesday night.
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Friday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea have turned down an £18m bid from Real Madrid for Brazilian defender Alex.(The Times) 
Manchester United are still monitoring Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Valencia's David Silva, despite insisting that their summer spending is over.(The Times) 
Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva has said he may leave the club and return to his homeland if he does not get more first-team action next season.(The Sun) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he is interested in signing Fulham defender Brede Hangeland but said the club are yet to make an offer for the 28-year-old Norwegian.(The Independent) 
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has expressed an interest in bringing Real Madrid's 25-year-old Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder to Villa Park.(The Guardian) 
Manchester City will make one final offer for Everton defender Joleon Lescott, believed to be about £22m. (Daily Mirror) 
Wigan have agreed a £3.5m deal for highly-rated Rayo Vallecano midfielder Mohamed Diame and his team-mate, defender Antonio Amaya. (Daily Mail) 
The move for Diame could signal the end of Lee Cattermole's Wigan career, he is a target for Sunderland, Liverpool, Spurs and Everton.(Daily Mail) 
Portsmouth have made a £2m bid for Vitoria Guimaraes midfielder Nuno Assis and the 31-year-old said he is keen on a move to Fratton Park if "the money and sport aspects can be united". (The Sun)
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate admits that he is "amazed" that Tuncay is still with the club but expects the 27-year-old to leave by September.(Daily Star) 
Wigan striker Olivier Kapo, 28, is a target for French club Nice. (The Sun)
West Brom are keen on 25-year-old St Mirren midfielder Billy Mehmet. (Daily Star) 
Celtic are lining up a move for Indian international striker Sunil Chhetri, who signed for Dempo Sports Club in May but is available for £1m. (Daily Express)
Portsmouth are poised to make a move for Celtic left-back Lee Naylor. (The Sun) 


OTHER GOSSIP

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he is more worried about Aston Villa this season than he is about Manchester City and said that Mark Hughes' side will not break into the Premier League's top four.(Daily Mirror) 
Wenger also believes that 17-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere can make the same impact as when Wayne Rooney first played for Everton.(The Guardian) 
Liverpool are expected to end their 17-year association with shirt sponsor Carlsberg when their current £8m-a-year deal finishes at the end of the season. Banking giants Standard Chartered are expected to replace Carlsberg for about £15m-a-year.(Daily Mail) 
Darren Bent has taken a swipe at former club Tottenham after the striker completed a move to Sunderland. The 25-year-old said he never felt wanted at White Hart Lane and criticised manager Harry Redknapp for not giving him enough support. (The Sun) 
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Michael Owen to score goals for Manchester United this season after the striker missed four good chances in a friendly against Valencia on Wednesday.(The Sun) 
Livingston will today appeal against their relegation to the Third Division, forcing the Scottish Football League to postpone three opening-day fixtures. (The Sun) 
Burnley manager Owen Coyle will not release his three Scotland internationals from their pre-season fixture against St Johnstone ahead of the international side's World Cup qualifier against Norway. (Daily Record)
Manchester City's former Celtic striker Craig Bellamy has blamed Rangers' Lee McCulloch for a foot injury he picked up in Wednesday's friendly defeat at Ibrox. (Various)
Hull captain Ian Ashbee believes his career could be over as the 32-year-old is struggling to recover from a knee injury. (Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Burnley striker Steve Thompson has been fined for drinking a fan's pint of beer on the club's pre-season tour of the United States. The 30-year-old fell over the advertising hoardings and took a swig from the fan's drink as a joke. (The Sun)
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Saturday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Steve Bruce wants to make Tottenham striker Darren Bent, 25, his first signing at Sunderland, but is being put off by the £18m price tag that Spurs have put on him. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United have been told by Karim Benzema's agent that it is only a matter of time before the £35m-rated striker leaves French club Lyon. (Daily Mirror) 
But Benzema has said in the past that he would prefer to play in Spain and the Premier League champions will face a battle with Real Madrid for his signature. (Daily Mail)
Hull manager Phil Brown has admitted Brazilian striker Geovanni could be sold if another club is willing to put in a big money offer. (Daily Star) 
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce wants to sign Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy from Spanish side Real Madrid. (The Independent) 
Fulham are eyeing up a £5m bid for Middlesbrough's 27-year-old striker Tuncay Sanli. (Daily Express) 
The Cottagers are also keen to sign Marseille midfielder Bolo Zenden, 32, who is available on a free transfer. (The Sun)
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is considering a shock move to sign Portsmouth centre-back Sol Campbell, 34, on a free transfer.(The Sun) 
Wolves are set to sell Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Gleeson, 20, to League One side MK Dons for an undisclosed fee. (Daily Star)
Reading striker Kevin Doyle will decide next week on a £6.5m move to Fulham, Bolton, Sunderland or Wolves. (Daily Star) 
Birmingham believe midfielder Lee Bowyer, 32, will complete a permanent move from West Ham next week. (Various)
The Blues are also tracking 24-year-old midfielder Ferne Snoyl, who is out of contract at Dutch side RKC Waalwijk. (The Times) 
Arsenal's hopes of signing Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo, 25, look to have ended after the Brazilian's agent said he was happy in Italy. (Independent)
Queens Park Rangers are trying to talk veteran Turkish midfielder Tugay, 38, out of retirement. (Daily Mirror) 
Burnley have made a club record £2.75m bid for Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher. (Daily Mirror)
Everton are closer to a £6m deal for Rennes midfielder Stephane Mbia. (Daily Mail) 
Italian side Fiorentina are vying with Spanish club Atletico Madrid for Everton's Steven Pienaar.(Daily Mail)
Tottenham have bid £6m for Inter Milan's Nigeria striker Victor Obinna, while Atletico Madrid want to sell Maxi Rodriguez to Spurs.(Daily Mail) 
Birmingham have failed in a bid to sign midfielder Patrick Vieira, 33, from Inter Milan. Full story: (Daily Mail) 
Blackburn are weighing up a move for £10m-rated striker Andre-Pierre Gignac, 23, from Toulouse, who was top scorer in France last season. Full story: (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Tottenham could be dragged into a legal fight over Jermain Defoe's £7.5m move from Spurs to Portsmouth in January 2008.(The Sun) 
Carlos Tevez, who is set to sign for Manchester City next week, claims he was forced to leave Manchester United after the Old Trafford club signed Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham.(The Sun) 
Liverpool left-back Fabio Aurelio looks set to miss the start of the season after damaging his knee playing football with his children. The 29-year-old is facing the prospect of surgery and several months on the sidelines, so the Reds are hanging on to Andrea Dossena despite interest from Juventus.(Daily Express) 
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has denied claims that he has offered Everton defender Phil Neville a coaching role at the Riverside. (Daily Express) 
Former Crystal Palace boss Alan Smith is set to return to the game as Gareth Southgate's number two at Boro.(The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is raging after being forced to sign Ecuador centre-back Giovanny Espinoza, 32, on Wednesday. (The Sun)
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Tuesday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra is trying to persuade Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery to come to Old Trafford.(The Sun) 
Manchester City and Tottenham are battling it out for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.(Daily Star) 
West Brom defender Paul Robinson says he will leave the relegated club as he wants to play in the Premier League.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal have made an £8m bid for Fulham centre-back Brede Hangeland.(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham are ready to make another bid for Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov, who is currently playing for Manchester City.(The Sun) 
Chelsea are confident they have beaten Inter Milan in the race to sign FC Twente striker Marko Arnautovic.(Daily Mail) 
Defender Michael Turner has disappointed Liverpool by pledging his future to Hull. (Various)
Wolves have abandoned plans to sign Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone after being quoted £8m for the 22-year-old.(Daily Mail) 
Rangers manager Walter Smith is set to offload midfielder Barry Ferguson this summer rather than risk him going on a free next year.(Daily Record) 
Tottenham are ready to listen to offers for Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko and are set to step up their chase for Djibril Cisse.(The Guardian) 

OTHER GOSSIP 

Newcastle are ready to offer Alan Shearer a four-year contract as they look to bounce back into the Premier League.(Daily Mirror) 
Shearer has been told that £30m must be slashed from Newcastle's wage budget following their relegation to the Championship.(Daily Star) 
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray is the favourite to succeed Gordon Strachan at Celtic.(The Sun) 
Wigan boss Steve Bruce has been strongly linked with the vacant manager's position at Sunderland. (Daily Mirror) 
However, Strachan is not a target for Sunderland.(The Independent) 
Strachan told family and friends last week that he would be standing down as Celtic manager.(Daily Record) 
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov says following his FA Cup semi-final miss, he will not want to step up should the Champions League final go to a penalty shoot-out.(The Sun) 
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate says the club needs to be in the Championship promotion hunt by Christmas if he is to remain in his job.(The Sun) 
Former Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd is hoping to beat Jim Magilton to the QPR manager's job. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY 

One person that is revelling in Burnley's promotion to the Premier League is former Labour press chief Alastair Campbell. He says Burnley's achievement was "even better than playing football in a charity match with Diego Maradona in front of 72,000 people".(The Sun)
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Newcastle United - Middlesbrough



I think everybody who loves home side is trying to find the answer on question: How did it happen?! Big club, excellent players (expensive, too), unlimited support by fans… Logic position would be a place that lead to European competition. But, current situation is different, 18th position on the table, three points under the line, last win was 07.02.2009.(WBA on the road)! Club’s owner announced that he will sell the club if relegate. Even club’s legend Alan Shearer, who btw. grab just two points from five games, (also grab a million for a two months job) can’t help. Anyway, everybody talks about very good atmosphere in a dressing room. Hard to imagine. As their current position, however. Good news came from Hull, where hosts lost their game against Stoke, yesterday. It means, with three points the Magpies would skip them. At the last round Newcastle was crashed at Anfield. Big mistakes by defense line were punished with three goals. Things went even worse when Joey Barton got a red card (three games suspension). Rumors say he finished not just a season, but the career at St James. Another good news is injury list, that is decreasing. Just Alan Smith won’t be available, while Jose Enrique is struggling to shake off a hamstring injury. The hosts will be fully motivated, they’re better side than visitors and only thing left is to show it on the pitch.

,

If I feel no sorry for home side, then I definitely don’t know what to say about visitors. In the previous season, they bravely avoided relegation. Then instead buying some quality players, they even sold the bests. Wrong strategy by club’s management had a culmination when Gareth Southgate was appointed for a manager. I won’t use hard words, but he simply is not capable to lead one Premier League team. So, different reasons for being under the line, then Newcastle. Bad team, bad manager, they’re fully deserved the relegation. Here is one Gareth’s thought (for BBC): "We are probably closer to survival than we were eight weeks ago because the tally needed to stay up seems to reduce every week." The funny thing is if they somehow win tonight, then they would be one step from avoiding relegation, sending Newcastle in Championship. But, their performances on the road don’t support that scenario. Just two wins (and two draws) from 17 games, with just 9 scored goals and 32 conceded, six competitive defeats in a row and just a single point from last 11 away games! Defender Andrew Taylor returns to the squad, while other two defenders Emanuel Pogatetz (knee) and Chris Riggott (ankle) are out.

,

For Newcastle, moving into Championship would be a shame. For Boro, avoiding relegation would be a great achieve. Both sides have the last opportunity. I expect open game from the start where Boro’s defense (more likely than Newcastle’s attack) will decide the game. Over is also very good choice, but I go for a home side. Pinnacle offers 2.06. Home win.

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My second pick for today will be the play-off game in Championship. But, more about that later. Stay tuned.

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Wednesday's gossip column


TRANSFER GOSSIP 

Liverpool are monitoring Lazio star Mauro Zarate with a view to a summer swoop for the striker. (The Sun) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is targeting Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones. (Daily Mirror) 
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is ready to bid for Swansea's 24-goal goal machine Jason Scotland. (Daily Mirror) 
Championship promotion candidates Birmingham want Portsmouth goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown, who has rejected a fresh contract at Fratton Park. (Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa are unlikely to pay the £15m Standard Liege want for their midfielder Steven Defour. (Daily Star) 
Dundee United manager Craig Levein is keeping tabs on Huddersfied striker Danny Cadamarteri. (Various) 
Celtic are preparing a double swoop on Swansea, with defender Angel Rangel joining midfielder Jordi Gomez on the Glasgow giant's wanted list. (Scottish Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP 

Portsmouth insist executive chairman Peter Storrie was not paid £2m last year, despite evidence contained in the club's financial results. (Daily Telegraph) 
Southampton may sell their St Mary's home to the local council and lease it back at a reduced rate. (The Sun) 
Wolves will ignore its salary cap of £10,000 a week to keep stars like Wayne Hennessey and Karl Henry. (Daily Mirror) 
Clyde have moved closer to closure after North Lanarkshire Council threw out a rescue plan. (Daily Record) 
Creditors of Liverpool owner Tom Hicks say Hicks Sports Group is in default on debts of £351m. (Wall Street Journal) 
Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann is unlikely to be sacked after following up the win in the Bundesliga with a 1-1 draw against Barcelona. (The Times) 
 
AND FINALLY 

Weekly football classes in Edinburgh for pre-school children as young as 18 months are so popular there is now a lengthy waiting list for applicants.
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