Saturday's gossip column

WORLD CUP GOSSIP

The World Cup draw has given England the "best group since the Beatles" according to one newspaper as they face Algeria, Slovenia and the US.(The Sun) 
US star Landon Donovan says he will wind up LA Galaxy team-mate David Beckham ahead of their two countries' World Cup group clash.(The Sun) 
And Beckham is also facing flak from Luis Figo, who says the joint Portugal-Spain bid for World Cup 2018, which he fronts, will beat the former Manchester United star's campaign to host the tournament in England. (Daily Express)
Beckham may have cause to sweat, as some reports liken the England 2018 bid's promotional video to "a budget version of South Park".(The Independent) 
Slovenia, meanwhile, have chosen Wayne Rooney as their wind-up target, according to defender Bostjan Cesar. (The Guardian) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes is set to leave Manchester United in the summer. (Various)
Manchester City will move for AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso after he turned down a new contract.(Daily Mirror) 
Neither City nor Chelsea are interested in Gattuso, according to AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.(The Independent) 
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has told City they will never get their hands on John Terry.(Daily Star) 
Bordeaux say they have no intention of selling striker - and Arsenal target - Marouane Chamakh in January.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Manchester United target Adam Ljajic is "in psychological shock" after the club pulled out of a £9m deal to sign the Serbian.(The Guardian) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United's owners, the Glazer family, are having trouble refinancing part of the club's £700m debt.(The Times) 
Tottenham have overlooked Ledley King's knee problems to offer the defender a new £70,000-a-week contract.(The Sun) 
Liverpool believe a persistent groin injury may deprive Fernando Torres of the chance to play for Spain at the World Cup.(The Times) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips keeps in touch with old Chelsea team-mates John Terry and Frank Lampard by playing Call Of Duty against them on the Xbox games console.(The Sun) 
David Moyes says he is considering naming himself in the Everton team to face Tottenham, as the club's injury crisis mounts.(The Independent)
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Friday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini says he is prepared to take charge of Nigeria's national team after receiving an unofficial approach (Gazzetta dello Sport) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea are battling it out with Arsenal for Inter Milan's £18m-rated striker Mario Balotelli.(Daily Mail) 
Chelsea have also been linked with a £13.5m move for Santos striker Neymar. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is set to land Switzerland World Cup keeper Eldin Jakupovic as competition for current number one Heurelho Gomes.(Daily Mirror) 
AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso could be heading for the Premier League after talks over extending his contract at the Italian club broke down. (The Sun) 
Newcastle have turned down the opportunity to sign former England defender Sol Campbell who is now a free agent after leaving Notts County. (Daily Mirror) 
The Magpies however, could move for former Newcastle midfielder Laurent Robert who is a free agent after leaving Larissa. (Daily Mirror) 
But, Robert's plea to be given an opportunity at St James' Park is likely to go unanswered.(The Times) 
Stoke want to sign Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies in a £3m deal and then loan him back to the Terriers. (Daily Mirror) 
Burnley want on-loan striker David Nugent to join on loan from Portsmouth on a permanent basis. (The Times) 
Birmingham are being linked with a move for Valencia forward Nikola Zigic in January. (The Times) 
Peterborough United boss Mark Cooper is setting up a move for Crewe's giant striker Calvin Zola when the transfer window opens in January. (Daily Mirror) 
Malky Mackay, the Watford manager, does not expect to have to sell players despite the club's precarious financial situation. (The Times) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson is on the brink of quitting the League Two club because he is not being paid the full amount of his seven-figure contract. (Daily Mail) 
The 32 nations who made it to South Africa will share a jackpot of more than £250m next summer.(The Sun) 
Meanwhile, 200m people across the globe are expected to watch Friday's World Cup draw.(The Sun) 
Football fans will also be able to watch next year's World Cup in 3D for the first time.(Daily Telegraph) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has hit out at the lack of loyalty shown to him by fans at his former club, Manchester United. (The Sun) 
Middlesbrough have offered fans a gamble - anyone buying a half-season ticket by 21 December will get their money back if Gordon Strachan's men go on a winning streak of four games in a row.(Daily Mirror)
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Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea are hoping to win the race with Real Madrid for Bayern Munich's £45m-rated French midfielder Franck Ribery in January.(The Sun) 
The Blues' pursuit of Ribery has been given a boost by Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness conceding the player will leave the German club if he does not believe they are ambitious enough.(Daily Mail) 
Bayern have revealed that they turned down a £70m bid from Chelsea for Ribery in the summer. (Daily Star)
AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso - a target for Manchester City - has no intention of leaving the Italian club, according to their coach Leonardo. (Daily Mail) 
Derby want to sign Leicester striker DJ Campbell on loan before the window for short-term deals closes later this week.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is facing a fight to keep his Dutch coach Rene Meulensteen, with wealthy Qatar desperate to appoint him as their national boss.(Daily Mirror) 
Liverpool face an injury crisis ahead of their must-win Champions League match with Hungarian side Debrecen on Tuesday, with major doubts over the fitness of Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Ryan Babel, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano. The Reds are already without striker Fernando Torres.(Daily Mirror )
Cash-strapped Charlton may be forced to sell a number of players, including star midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, this January as their financial woes increase. The club may also face administration next summer if a new investor is not found.(Daily Mirror) 
Ipswich boss Roy Keane is on the brink of being sacked by the Suffolk club following a series of meetings on Sunday regarding his future. Town currently sit second bottom of the Championship. (Daily Star) 
Manchester United defender Gary Neville says that a lack of strength in depth could ultimately prove England's undoing at the World Cup in South Africa next year.(Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that his side "lacked desire and sharpness" as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland on Saturday.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Cleaners in Ireland have decided their Henry vacuum cleaners really suck - after Thierry Henry's handball ended the nation's World Cup dream. Angry workers can't bear to look at the smiley-faced machines. Some have painted out the word "Henry" while others have daubed over its cheerful face.(The Sun) 
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has revealed that a change of boots before the game with Wigan on Sunday helped him to score five in Spurs' 9-1 win.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United defender Gary Neville has joined his manager Alex Ferguson in blasting players who rely entirely on their agents and said: "A player doesn't need to pay between five and 15% of his wages to a guy to set up a bank account or buy him a new fridge." (Various)
Damien Duff's Fulham team-mates have been helping him get over his World Cup heartache following the Republic of Ireland's defeat by France in the play-offs by taking the mickey out of the winger. "He likes to take the mickey, so he is getting a bit back," said Cottagers midfielder Jonathan Greening. "But he is a great character and he will bounce back." (Various)
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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea are closing in on the £40m signing of Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero. (Daily Telegraph) 
AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is hoping to secure a January transfer move to Manchester City. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City are interested in Tottenham winger David Bentley and could bid £8m for the 25-year-old.(Daily Mirror) 
City could tempt Tottenham with a swap deal involving Martin Petrov and cash, in a bid to land former Blackburn winger Bentley. (Daily Star) 
Tottenham are set to beat Manchester United to the signing of Plymouth's young defender Jamie Richards. (Daily Mirror) 
Barcelona will ask to take Manchester City forward Robinho on loan first before deciding whether to sign the Brazilian permanently.(Daily Mirror) 
However, Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has claimed that the Brazilian is not needed at the Nou Camp. (The Sun) 
Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham could have their plans to sign Mahamadou Diarra in January scuppered by the African Cup of Nations. (Daily Star) 
Brighton are hopeful of keeping Arsenal right-back Gavin Hoyte on loan until January.(The Sun) 
Liverpool could be forced to sell as many as four players in the January transfer window in an attempt trim the wage bill at Anfield. (Daily Mirror) 
Everton have renewed their interest in Standard Liege's Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic.(Daily Mirror) 
Wigan are lining up a move for Olimpia's Honduran defender Johnny Palacios, who is the younger brother of Tottenham midfielder Wilson. (Daily Mirror) 
Swansea City are set to move for Sheffield United winger David Cotterill. (Daily Mirror)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Birmingham City owner David Sullivan has demanded a free 50% stake in West Ham - in return for saving the club. (The Sun) 
Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou and West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite were kicked out of the Ivory Coast squad after coming to blows in training. (Daily Star) 
Crystal Palace will be forced to sell their top stars in a bid to avoid administration with Victor Moses, Sean Scannell and Nathaniel Clyne among the players set to leave. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY

At least five other Premier League players have tried the same controversial placenta cure treatment in Belgrade that Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is undergoing. (Daily Mail) 
Manchester United winger Gabriel Obertan has revealed he was made to water hanging baskets, prune rose bushes and wash staff cars at the club's Carrington training ground when he first arrived at the Premier League club. (The Sun) 

Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez is finally learning English, by watching television drama Coronation Street. (Daily Star)

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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Real Madrid are leading the race to sign Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery, who is also being targeted by Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United. (The Sun) 
Chelsea are actually the favourites to sign Ribery as Real are not happy with the price tag put on the French international. (Guardian) 
And Manchester United may ditch a move for Ribery as they do not want to sign players aged 26 or over for large transfer fees.(Guardian) 
Manchester United and Chelsea have a chance of landing Valencia striker David Villa in excess of £40m after his move to Real Madrid was put in doubt. (Daily Star) 
But Villa would only leave La Liga for England's top flight if it was to join Liverpool and their Spanish boss Rafael Benitez.(The Sun) 
Barcelona's courting of Liverpool's Javier Mascherano has resulted in the Argentine's international team-mate Lionel Messi, who plays for the Catalan club, saying it would be "beautiful" if the combative midfielder joined him at the Nou Camp. (The Sun) 
Liverpool winger Ryan Babel could be offered a route out of the club, with new Galatasaray manager Frank Rijkaard interested in signing his Dutch compatriot.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City playmaker Robinho is also a target of Champions League winners Barcelona and they are ready to bid £35m for the Brazilian. (Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy may help Real Madrid recoup some of their extravagant summer spending by thrashing out a £37m deal to sign winger Arjen Robben, striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar and defender Gabriel Heinze.(Daily Mirror) 
Italian midfielder Gennarro Gattuso has not ruled out following new Cheslea boss Carlo Ancelotti from AC Milan to Stamford Bridge. (Daily Mirror) 
Ancelotti is also weighing up a £30m move for Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.(Daily Express) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will step up his attempts to sign Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo with a £15m bid. (Daily Mail) 
Arsenal right-back or right-sided midfielder Emmanuel Eboue wants to move abroad if he is not going to get more first-team football.(Daily Express) 
West Ham have landed Inter Milan winger Mancini and striker Luis Jimenez on season-long loans and will have first refusal on signing the pair next summer. (The Sun) 
Manchester City are close to capturing striker Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn in a deal worth £15m, plus more depending on the success of the Paraguyan.(The Sun) 
Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna insists he is committed to Arsenal after reports linking him with a switch to Barcelona. (The Sun) 
Everton boss David Moyes has had a bid for Sheffield United right-back Kyle Naughton knocked back. (Press Association) 
Fulham are keen on some Brazilian flair as they want to bring Manchester City striker Jo to Craven Cottage for £8m. (The Sun) 
Middlesbrough managing director Keith Lamb says it "wouldn't be the easiest of negotiations from their (Spurs') point of view" but he would take Tottenham's call if they wanted to sign winger Stewart Downing.(The Sun) 
Premier League new boys Birmingham have agreed a deal to sign defender Roger Johnson from Cardiff and are also interested in Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora. (Daily Mirror) 
Fellow top-flight newcomers Wolves are in talks with former Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann about signing him as cover for Wayne Hennessey. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has questioned whether Newcastle striker Michael Owen has "the bottle" to cut it in the Premier League. (Daily Star) 
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak has sent out a warning to clubs saying the Eastlands outfit will walk away from deals to signs players if they are quoted unreasonable figures.(Times) 
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will find out on Wednesday whether he will be banned for his behaviour following his side's Champions League semi-final exit to Barcelona last season. (Times) 
The Premier League are struggling to sort out the fixture list for the upcoming season beacuse of more European fixtures as well as the World Cup finals next summer.(Daily Star) 

AND FINALLY

Blackburn forward El-Hadji Diouf has his sights set on becoming an MP in his native Senegal once he hangs up his boots as well as wanting to coach his country's national team. (The Sun)
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