Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United have made Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric their number one target this summer and are preparing a £25m bid for the Croatian 24-year-old. (The Sun) 
United's Wayne Rooney has been linked with a move to Real Madrid after his representatives requested that the striker recorded two versions of a commercial in Barcelona: one wearing a red kit and the other in a white strip as worn by the Spanish side.(Daily Mirror) 
The Red Devils are said to be interested in signing Borussia Dortmund's Serbia centre-back Neven Subotic.(imscouting.com) 
Former United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has urged current club Real Madrid to sign Old Trafford left-back Patrice Evra. (imscouting.com) 
Italian side Roma are ready to offer Brazil goalkeeper Doni, 30, to Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United in a bid to raise funds.(Daily Mail) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's head talent spotter, Steve Rowley, ran the rule over their summer targets at Blackburn - defender Phil Jones, 18, and midfielder Steven N'Zonzi, 21, while scouting Rovers ahead of Arsenal's trip to Ewood Park. (Daily Mail) 
The Gunners are leading the chase to sign Roma's £10m-rated centre-back Philippe Mexes.(caughtoffside.com) 
Tottenham are battling it out with Arsenal to sign Fulham centre-back Brede Hangeland. 
(caughtoffside.com) 
Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign Rangers highly-rated 18-year-old defender Danny Wilson.(imscouting.com) 
The Reds are also keeping tabs on Rangers' Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra who is valued at £5m. (Daily Mail) 
Andrey Arshavin's agent says the forward is committed to Arsenal despite the Russia star recently saying that he would like to join Barcelona.(Daily Telegraph) 
Benfica's £25m-rated defender David Luiz has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Premier League suitors Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City. (goal.com) 
Manchester City are also tracking Lazio defender Stefan Radu, who is said to worth £8.7m.(footylatest.com) 
Birmingham, West Ham and West Brom are interested in Portsmouth keeper David James. (footylatest.com) 
Midfielder James Milner's future at Aston Villa will be decided after the World Cup and hinges on whether manager Martin O'Neill stays at the club. (Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham are keeping tabs on Bayern Munich midfielder Hamit Altintop who is out of contract this summer.(Daily Star) 
West Ham are plotting a cut-price summer move for Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, while the Hammers are also on the trail of Cardiff winger Peter Whittingham and Burnley winger Chris Eagles.(Daily Mail) 
Meanwhile the Hammers, along with Blackburn, have been priced out of the market for former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse. The Panathinaikos striker is currently valued at around £12m.(Daily Mail) 
West Ham are also hoping to sign Tottenham's Jamie O'Hara. O'Hara is currently on loan at Portsmouth and the Hammers are prepared to offer either Matthew Upson or James Tomkins to help land the midfielder. (Daily Telegraph) 
Newcastle are facing a fight to keep Slovenia youngster Haris Vuckic, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool ready to make bids for the 17-year-old forward.(Daily Mirror) 
Reading are ready to cash in on goalkeeper Adam Federici and midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. Federici is linked with Tottenham and Liverpool, while Sigurdsson is a £2m target for West Brom and Wolves.(Daily Mail) 
Derby County will sell striker Rob Hulse, 30, in the summer with Coventry and West Bromwich Albion interested.(Daily Mirror) 
County are battling it out with Bristol City for Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper, who is rated at around £1.5m. (Daily Mirror) 
Wolves are set to offer relegated Burnley £3m for defender Andre Bikey. (The Sun) 
Southampton are hoping to take advantage of rivals Portsmouth's financial problems by launching a £1m bid for midfielder Hayden Mullins. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Cristiano Ronaldo says he does not expect to be at Real Madrid for the rest of his playing career. "I spent several years wanting to play in Madrid but I don't see myself here at 40. Football is all about cycles - if you have already won everything with a team you have to change." (The Sun) 
England boss Fabio Capello has turned down the chance to take over at Juventus to concentrate on England's World Cup campaign.(Daily Mail) 
Juventus are also keen on Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who fears the Merseyside club are trying to force him out of Anfield.(the Sun) 
Benitez has admitted that with his future at Liverpool in doubt and claims no-one has asked him to stay at the club. (the Times) 
Former Manchester United striker Andrew Cole has urged Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson to launch a summer bid for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.(Daily Star) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has held clear-the-air talks with his employers and is poised to commit his future to the club.(Daily Mail) 
Uefa president Michel Platini believes Bordeaux boss Laurent Blanc should be the next France coach.(Daily Mirror) 
England legend Geoff Hurst says Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes should be tempted out of international retirement and go to this summer's World Cup. (the Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, 27, has given up alcohol and says he lives "a monk-like existence" in an attempt to avoid trouble and reproduce his best form on the pitch.(Daily Star) 
Manchester United fans are being urged to boycott the purchase of season tickets to demonstrate their opposition to the ownership of the club by the Glazer family. The Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association has written to its members asking them not to renew their season tickets this summer. (the Guardian)
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Saturday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc says the club have not received any bids for striker Marouane Chamakh (on photo), despite reported interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal. (Press Association)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool will intensify their efforts to sign Valencia playmaker David Silva. (The Times) 
Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch will decide over the weekend whether to join Sunderland or Fulham after both clubs made a £12m bid for the England international.(Daily Star) 
Pompey may also allow full-back Sylvain Distin to leave the club, with Aston Villa poised to bid about £3m. (The Independent)
Manchester City's hopes of completing a deal for Emmanuel Adebayor are in the balance as the Arsenal striker is keen on a move to Chelsea.(The Times) 
Meanwhile, City are set to make an improved offer for Everton defender Joleon Lescott after having a £15m bid rejected. (The Times) 
Should Lescott leave Goodison Park, the Toffees would consider West Ham defender Matthew Upson as a replacement.(The Times) 
Hull are ready to offer Newcastle £3m over three years to sign midfielder Joey Barton.(The Sun) 
Sunderland have been told it will cost them £5m to sign Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne.(Daily Mirror) 
The Black Cats have also made an enquiry about Tottenham defender Alan Hutton. (The Times) 
And Spurs could sell another defender, Pascal Chimbonda, to Blackburn. (The Times) 
Reading are ready to lower their £5.5m asking price for winger Stephen Hunt after receiving no bids. (Daily Star) 
Manchester City striker Ched Evans will complete a £1.5m move switch to Sheffield United next week.(Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa have made Leeds a 'take it or leave it' offer of £4m plus add-ons for midfielder Fabian Delph.(Daily Mirror) 
But Tottenham are ready to join the bidding for Delph. (Daily Express)
Meanwhile, Spurs have been given until the start of next week to agree a fee with Real Madrid for striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar. (Daily Express) 
Stoke midfielder Seyi Olifinjana is in talks to join French club Monaco. (Daily Star)
Wigan are hopeful of signing Espanyol centre-back Roman Golobart on a free transfer. (The Sun) 
The Latics are also pressing ahead with their move for Crystal Palace winger Victor Moses. (Daily Mail)
Portsmouth boss Paul Hart is giving a trial to Zimbabwe left-back Onismor Bhasera. (Daily Star) 
Wolves are optimistic they can beat Celtic and Wigan to the signature of Hamilton midfielder James McCarthy. (Daily Star)
But Tottenham have joined the race for Accies' in-demand teenager McCarthy with a £2.7m bid. (The Herald) 
Dundee United have offered Argentine striker Damian Casalinuovo a deal after the 22-year-old impressed on trial. (Various)
Bordeaux have called off their bid for Madjid Bougherra because the defender is happy at Rangers. (Daily Record) 
Former Celtic defender Bobo Balde is training with Wolves after failing to win a deal at Birmingham. (Daily Express)
Barnsley are close to tying up a deal for former Darlington keeper David Preece. (Daily Star) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Emmanuel Adebayor is locked in a row with Arsenal over a £2m loyalty bonus. The Manchester City-bound striker says he is owed the cash because he did not put in a transfer request.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti says there will be no 'untouchables' at the club, insisting there are no guaranteed places in his first team. (Daily Star) 
Former Liverpool midfielder Steve McMahon is confident his Profitable Group consortium will complete their takeover of Newcastle in the next few days.(Daily Star) 
New Southampton boss Alan Pardew will offer new deals to strikers Jason Euell and Stern John.(Daily Star) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester City have taunted rivals Manchester United by putting up a Carlos Tevez poster in the city centre declaring: Welcome to Manchester. City signed the Argentine striker from their neighbours this week. (Daily Mirror)
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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has met with John Terry and believes the defender is happy to stay at Stamford Bridge despite talk of a £30m offer from Manchester City. The Blues plan to make Terry their best-paid player.(The Sun) 
City are increasingly confident of tempting Terry to Eastlands despite Chelsea's offer of a new contract which would make the 28-year-old England captain their highest-paid player.(Daily Mirror) 
Meanwhile, City have given Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o 24 hours to sign for them or miss out on becoming the best-paid player in English football. (Daily Mirror)
Barcelona have stepped up their pursuit of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas after club president Joan Laporta claimed signing the £40m-rated Spaniard is high on their agenda this summer. (The Sun) 
Fabregas is at the centre of a potential bidding war between Barcelona and Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror) 
Arsenal appear to have missed out on Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo and manager Arsene Wenger now wants to sign Ever Banega, Valencia's 21-year-old Argentine midfielder. (Daily Telegraph) 
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has attempted to quell speculation over the futures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano by insisting both players "owe Liverpool a lot". (The Sun) 
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has made a club record £12m bid for Darren Bent. (Daily Mirror) 
Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has no intention of joining Birmingham. (The Sun) 
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is facing a battle to keep John Carew as Tottenham prepare a £5m bid for the striker. (Daily Express) 
Everton are preparing a new £4m bid for Sheffield United right-back Kyle Naughton, who is also attracting interest from Aston Villa. (Daily Mirror)
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is in talks with Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell over a £5m move. Bruce has also accepted a £5m offer from Ipswich for midfielder Dean Whitehead and striker Daryl Murphy.(Daily Mail) 
Stoke are willing pay a club-record £6m for Rennes midfielder Stephane Mbia. (The Sun) 
Stoke boss Tony Pulis will offer the French club £10m to beat off competition from Everton and Marseille for Cameroon international Mbia. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes is joining St Etienne in a £2m deal. (Daily Mail)
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez looks set to beat off competition from Hull for the signing of Swansea striker Jason Scotland. (The Sun) 
Blackburn want £3m for Fulham target Keith Andrews - more than double what they paid MK Dons for the midfielder's services. (Daily Mirror)
Middlesbrough are closing in on former Sheffield United striker Danny Webber, who is also being chased by Ipswich and Crystal Palace. (Daily Star) 
Sheffield Wednesday striker Marcus Tudgay has pleaded with the Owls to let him talk to newly promoted Premier League side Burnley.(The Sun) 
Coventry left-back Danny Fox is being chased by Celtic, West Brom, Reading and Nottingham Forest. (Daily Mirror) 
Barnsley could beat Norwich to sign out-of-favour Crystal Palace striker Alan Lee. (Daily Mirror)
Bolton manager Gary Megson is planning to secure defender Gary Cahill on a new long-term contract before the start of the new season amid interest from Arsenal. (Daily Express)
Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock is poised to smash the club's transfer record with a £1m bid for Ipswich striker Danny Haynes. (Daily Star)
Reading boss Brendan Rodgers is planning to raid former club Chelsea with a double loan swoop for defenders Ryan Bertrand and Jack Cork. (Daily Star) 


OTHER GOSSIP

Gordon Strachan is being lined up for a shock return to Southampton as manager of the League One club. (The Sun) 
Alan Shearer is said to be "tearing his hair out" as the impasse at Newcastle continues. (The Guardian) 
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has urged manager Arsene Wenger to "work harder" to deliver success to the club. (Daily Mirror)
Stewart Downing's hopes of playing for England in the 2010 World Cup are hanging in the balance after he was ruled out until Christmas, potentially wrecking a move to Aston Villa or Tottenham. (Daily Mirror) 
Boro strikers Mido and Afonso Alves have been fined £100,000 after turning up late for pre-season training.(The Sun) 
Manchester United's new signing Gabriel Obertan says he was shocked to join the Old Trafford club and admits he will only be a bit-part player for them this season.(The Sun) 
Simon Davies could miss the start of Fulham's Europa League campaign - the midfielder needed surgery on a foot fracture and has yet to resume full training. (Daily Express)
Portsmouth managerial target Roberto Mancini wants a substantial transfer budget guaranteed before deciding whether to accept the job. (Daily Mirror) 
Joey Barton will play for Newcastle in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, two months after the midfielder was told he would never play for them again.(Various)
 
AND FINALLY

He might be better known for his footballing talents but, away from the pitch, Hull's Brazilian forward Giovanni is also a church pastor. The 29-year-old joined the Brazilian New Hope Fellowship Church in Hulme, Manchester, when he was at Manchester City and regularly preaches sermons.(The Sun) 
US President Barack Obama seemed distinctly unimpressed as he was presented with a singed Brazil shirt by the country's leader Luiz Inacio da Silva. A late Brazil goal denied the USA a shock victory in the Confederations Cup Final in South Africa two weeks ago. (Daily Telegraph) 
Manchester United are to open a string of themed cafes in India. (Daily Star)
England midfielder David Beckham has admitted that he named his son Cruz after actor and friend Tom Cruise. (Daily Star)
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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Everton manager David Moyes wants to offer Newcastle striker Michael Owen a chance to extend his Premier League career.(Daily Mail) 
Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins is set to undergo groin surgery, putting on hold his proposed £7.5m move to Italian side Fiorentina.(Daily Star) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to overhaul his squad over the summer with utility player Emmanuel Eboue, striker Emmanuel Adebayor and defender William Gallas the likely departures. (Daily Mirror)
Russia and CSKA Moscow left-back Yuri Zhirkov will join Chelsea this summer for a fee of £18.6m.(The Sun) 
West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green has turned down the offer of a new contract, which will alert London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal.(Daily Star) 
Bolton want to give Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes one final season of first-team football.(The Sun) 
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is questioning his Old Trafford future after being left on the bench for Wednesday's Champions League final. (Daily Mirror)
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas will have worried his bosses in London with comments that it would be a dream to play for Champions League winners Barcelona.(Daily Express) 
Real Madrid presidential hopeful Florentino Perez has claimed "an agreement" is in place for Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo to join the club. (Various)
Winger Stewart Downing has been told he can leave relegated Middlesbrough, as long as it is not for Tottenham.(Daily Star) 
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton has no intention of leaving the club over the summer, and according to his agent, he wants to honour the three years left on his contract.(The Guardian) 
New Ipswich boss Roy Keane could make a £500,000 bid for QPR defender Damien Delaney. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson, son of Manchester United boss Sir Alex, is wanted by Wigan to replace the Sunderland-bound Steve Bruce.(Daily Mirror) 
Darren Ferguson is also wanted by Reading but a row over his compensation fee could scupper a move to the Madejski Stadium.(Daily Mail) 
Celtic could make a surprise move for West Ham number two Steve Clarke as they look to fill the managerial vacancy left by Gordon Strachan's departure. (The Sun)
Portsmouth could have problems if prospective new owner Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim wants to appoint a new manager, as Pompey have already agreed terms with caretaker boss Paul Hart.(Daily Mail) 
The consequences of Newcastle's relegation from the Premier League has been brought into stark reality with the news that 120 administrative and commercial staff are set to lose their jobs.(The Times) 
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner wants to sign a new contract with the club, even though his current deal does not expire until 2012.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY 

Coverage of the FA Cup final always sees a hefty chunk of nostalgia and this year is no exception. It is 17 years since their popular ITV show came off our screens but 'Saint & Greavsie', former Liverpool forward Ian St John and ex-Tottenham striker Jimmy Greaves, are back on Setanta for a one-off show as part of the build up to the clash between Chelsea and Everton.

The pair are as outspoken as ever and are not too impressed with the football programmes on offer today. "No way as good as ours," says Greaves.(The Guardian)
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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Joey Barton has been handed a lifeline to stay at Newcastle by boss Alan Shearer. (The Sun) 
Carlos Tevez has told Argentina coach Diego Maradona that Manchester United boss is Sir Alex Ferguson an 'old man' who is determined to lower his transfer value. (The Sun) 
Real Madrid have confirmed their interest in Tevez but the United striker has rejected a chance to play in Spain. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp wants £5million-rated Almeria left-winger Albert Crusat if he is unable to sign Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough. (The Sun) 
Reading have released goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, Graeme Murty, Leroy Lita and Michael Duberry in the wake of their failure to win promotion back to the Barclays Premier League. (Daily Mail) 
Celtic target James McCarthy has denied claims he is desperate to leave Hamilton and promised to give his all in their fight against relegation. (Daily Record) 
Real Madrid will reportedly sign AC Milan playmaker Kaka if presidential candidate Florentino Perez regains control of the Spanish club. (in Spanish: Marca) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reacted angrily to fans' critical response to a fourth consecutive season without silverware, saying he has been made to feel like a "murderer". (Daily Telegraph) 
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has urged his players to give up drinking and set an example to youngsters as binge drinking reaches epidemic proportions in the UK. (Daily Telegraph) 
Harry Redknapp will counsel his players to keep out of bars and the newspaper headlines after he laid bare the drinking and newspaper culture that he inherited at Tottenham. (Times) 
Chelsea's interim boss Guus Hiddink has told AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti that taking over at Stamford Bridge could be the best job he will ever have. (Daily Express) 
Arsenal striker Andrey Arshavin wants Barcelona to beat Manchester United in the Champions League final, insisting: "United look very solid but they play like machines, whereas Barcelona are dreamers, they are more creative". (Daily Mail) 
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who still has five years of his Emirates contract to run, insists he is fully commited to the club. "I wouldn’t be so committed to the club if I didn’t believe we will win trophies," he said. "For the last four summers people have been saying 'Oh, Cesc will leave now' but I am still here and I will be here next season as well." (Sun) 

AND FINALLY 

Arshavin has a few choice opinions on women drivers: "I would never give driving lessons to women. We need to build a few new roads for them. Why because you never know what to expect from them," he said. (Daily Mail)
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Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP 

Manchester City are ready to splash out £18m on Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso. (News of the World) 
Meanwhile, Anfield boss Rafael Benitez has been handed a £64m war chest to sign players in the summer and he is keen to tie up an £8m deal for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry as a replacement for Alonso. (News of the World) 
Benitez is also set to sell 11 players, including winger Ryan Babel and Andrea Dossena. (News of the World) 
Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez says he will leave the club in the summer but will stay in England to play with one of their rivals in the Premier League. (News of the World) 
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is on his way out of the club following a rant at interim manager Guus Hiddink after the club's Champions League semi-final exit. (Sunday Express) 
Newcastle striker Michael Owen will be offered the chance to resurrect his career at Celtic this summer. The Scottish giants will give Owen a pay-as-you-play deal worth £50,000 a week plus huge bonuses. (News of the World) 
The Magpies are lining up Tottenham striker Darren Bent as Owen's replacement but face competition from Middlesbrough and Sunderland. (News of the World) 
Meanwhile Newcastle's controversial midfielder Joey Barton, who has been told he has no future at the club, is wanted by Tottenham, Blackburn, Portsmouth and Bolton. (Sunday Express) 
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is set to make a move for Swansea striker Jason Scotland and could get his man for about £2.5m. (News of the World) 
Hodgson is also tracking Torino full-back Mateo Rubin, but the Italy under-21 defender could be tempted by Everton instead. (News of the World) 
And the Craven Cottage chief will target Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand if he loses Brede Hangeland to Arsenal. (Daily Star on Sunday) 
Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone will opt to stay in the Premier League when he leaves Tottenham this summer - although he is wanted by German side Hamburg. (Daily Star on Sunday) 
Aston Villa are interested in signing £5m-rated Anderlecht centre-back Roland Juhasz. (News of the World) 
Portsmouth are planning a £3m swoop for Cardiff defender Roger Johnson as a replacement for Sol Campbell, who will leave on a free transfer in the summer. (News of the World) 
Wolves hope to make Standard Liege defender Oguchi Onyewu their first signing since being promoted to the Premier League. (News of the World) 
Brighton midfielder Chris Birchall is considering joining David Beckham's MLS side LA Galaxy when his contract expires in the summer. (News of the World) 
Brazlian left-back Sylvinho has paved the way for a move to Celtic after confirming he will leave Barcelona under freedom of contract. (News of the World) 
Hearts midfielder Bruno Aguiar could become a summer target for Coventry City (News of the World) 
Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen is keen to keep Grzegorz Szamotulski and has opened talks with the goalkeeper over a new contract. (Various) 
Dundee United striker Francisco Sandaza will resist interest from Racing Santander and Tenerife in his native Spain and stay at Tannadice. (Sunday Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP 

Chelsea have issued AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelloti a take-it-or-leave it ultimatum over becoming Blues boss this summer. (News of the World) 
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has backed Manchester United's bid for Darren Fletcher to play in the Champions League final, saying he would not be disappointed if the red card the midfielder received against Arsenal was rescinded. (News of the World) 
Uefa president Michel Platini has revealed he fears for the future of football in England, saying he feels the game is being lost to people who only want money. (Mail on Sunday) 
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is planning to return to the club's training ground in eight days, despite being told by boss Alan Shearer that he is not welcome. (News of the World) 
Referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who took charge of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, has been ordered by Uefa to refile his match report. The governing body wants more detail before bringing charges against the Blues. (News of the World) 
And Blues striker Didier Drogba, who appeared to verbally abuse Ovrebo after the match, his side were knocked out by Barcelona, faces a ban of up to six months according a to a Uefa official. (Sunday People) 
Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd will try to buy the club back from Mike Ashley if they are relegated. (Mail on Sunday) 
Magpies stand-in boss Alan Shearer will consider signing a four-year deal worth £4m a year if he gets assurances there will not cost-cutting at the club. (Sunday People) 
Robinho has insisted Manchester City will be crowned Premier League champions inside the next two years. (Sunday Mirror) 
Russian bilionaire Alisher Usmanov has claimed the Gunners are not strong enough and need his money now. (News of the World) (News of the World) 
Guus Hiddink is lining up a job in the Chelsea boardroom, returning to the club as an advisor after the autumn once his contract with the Russian national side expires. (Mail on Sunday) 
Frank Rijkaard is being lined up as Manchester City manager for next season if the club's owners from Abu Dhabi decided current boss Mark Hughes cannot steer them into the Champions League. (Mail on Sunday) 
Stoke manager Tony Pulis is set to collect a £500,000 bonus for keeping the club in the Premier League. he will also be offered a new three-year deal on wages of about £1m a year. (News of the World) 
Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo believes the tactics of Scottish Premier League sides are too predictable for European competition. (Sunday Mail) 

AND FINALLY 

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini is dating the cousin of Manchester United striker and former Toffee Wayne Rooney after spotting her on Facebook. (News of the World)
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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP 

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham could join Tottenham when the 2009 Major League Soccer season ends in October to maintain his match fitness for the 2010 World Cup finals. The England star, currently on loan at AC Milan, grew up down the road from White Hart Lane in Chingford. (The Sun) 
Manchester City defender Richard Dunne will join Sunderland this summer for £4m and the Black Cats also want West Brom midfield duo Jonathan Greening and James Morrison. (The Sun) 
Tottenham striker Darren Bent is also on Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia's list of targets. (Daily Star) 
But Sunderland are set to miss out on £6m-rated Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, who says he is not interested in a move to the Stadium of Light. (The Sun) 
Chamakh, 25, says a move to Premier League is his "priority", adding: "I target a club that is just under the big four. Tottenham could interest me but not Sunderland. (Daily Express) 
are set to sign highly rated Rapid Vienna striker Philipp Prosenik, 16, during the summer. (The Guardian) 
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will make a new defender his top priority if Martin Laursen is forced into retirement. The Danish centre-back needs another knee operation and could be out for nine months. (The Sun) 
Everton defender Joleon Lescott has emerged as a shock target for O'Neill, who has £10m to spend and is also considering a move for Manchester City defender Micah Richards. (Daily Mirror)
Villa are being linked with a swoop for Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Maor Buzaglo. (The Sun) 
Arsenal have been watching 17-year-old Paris St Germain full-back Chris Mavinga. (Daily Mail) 
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is giving a trial to Racing Santander teenager Lotam Zino. (Daily Mirror) 
Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic are battling it out to sign Bristol City midfielder Marvin Elliott for £2m. (Daily Star) 
Wigan are close to agreeing a deal for Rosenborg's Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan. (Daily Mail) 
Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws wants to sign Wolves midfielder Darren Potter, who has been on loan with the Owls since January, on a permanent deal. (Daily Star) 
Swansea City are set to offer a contract to Queen of the South striker Stephen Dobbie. (Daily Mirror) 
League One champions Leicester City will spend £400,000 on Liverpool's Jack Hobbs and £200,000 to land Hull City's Wayne Brown. The defenders are both currently on loan with the Foxes. (Daily Star) 
West Brom have taken Livingston striker Leigh Griffiths, 18, on trial. (Daily Record) 

OTHER GOSSIP 

Alan Shearer is set to stay on as Newcastle manager beyond the end of the season rather than stepping down to allow Joe Kinnear, who is recovering from heart surgery, to return as boss. (The Guardian) 
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell says the club would give "serious consideration" to joining a revamped English Premier League. (Daily Record) 
Injury-prone Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is set to return from a broken foot to help the Magpies in their fight against relegation. (The Sun) 
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he has never received one enquiry for midfielder Paul Scholes, who is set to make his 600th appearance for the club on Wednesday against Portsmouth. "They all know he would never leave," said Ferguson. (Various) 
Injured Hull City star Jimmy Bullard says he will not walk out on the club if they are relegated from the Premier League. The midfielder has played for only 37 minutes in a Tigers shirt since joining them for £5m from Fulham in January. (Daily Star) 
Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson made his first appearance after seven months out with a groin problem when he played for an hour for the reserves against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City will tour South Africa this summer as they look to start establishing themselves as a global brand by challenging neighbours Manchester United's popularity in the country. (Daily Telegraph) 
Plymouth Argyle are set to be taken over by Japanese real estate tycoon Yasuaki Kagami. (Daily Star) 
Bundesliga side Schalke 04 want Chelsea's director of youth development Frank Arnesen as their new boss. (The Guardian) 
Bradford City boss Stuart McCall is set to do a U-turn and stay in his post after his admission he may quit the Bantams prompted a deluge of letters from fans asking him not to go. (Daily Mirror) 
Former Hibernian and Dunfermline winger Freddie Daquin has returned to his native France after being released by Dundee. (Daily Record) 

AND FINALLY 

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has not watched an episode of Coronation Street since he joined the club in 2003 but says he will watch the Manchester-based soap "next time it is on and I am home". (The Sun) 
Murdo MacLeod's wife confronted Craig Brown after the 1990 World Cup because the then Scotland boss had put the Celtic midfielder on the "ugly team" in training while in Italy. (Daily Record)
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