Monday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Barcelona have targeted Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue as cover for regular right-back Daniel Alves. (imscouting) 
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has warned Real Madrid and other clubs that Diego Milito is not for sale. "There's a difference between Milito and our coach, Mourinho," Moratti told the club's official website www.inter.it. "Mourinho has a clause in his contract by which if the clause is exercised, he can leave. However, Milito doesn't and hence, the discussion is over." (Press Association Sport)

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

The news that Jose Mourinho is likely to leave Inter Milan to become manager of Real Madrid has sparked panic among Premier League clubs, who fear he will swoop to sign their best players. Chelsea's Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole are reportedly in his sights, along with Liverpool stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.(The Sun) 
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is ready to offer striker Dimitar Berbatov as part of a £28m-deal for Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko.(caughtoffside.com) 
Chelsea are weighing up a double-swoop for Liverpool midfielders Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun. (Daily Mail) 
The Blues are also eyeing up an £18m-move for Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic.(caughtoffside.com) 
Chelsea and Arsenal are interested in signing Barcelona's 19-year-old Israeli playmaker Guy Assulin, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.(imscouting.com) 
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina believes club and country team-mate Fernando Torres will remain at Anfield next season. Torres has been linked with a move away from Liverpool after the club's poor campaign, with Chelsea and Barcelona supposedly in the running for the Spaniard's services.(Independent) 
Barcelona's pursuit of Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas has been aided by the willingness of the Spanish FA to let the Spanish Champions conduct negotiations with the midfielder during the build-up to the World Cup.(Daily Mail) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is set to reignite his interest in Paris St Germain's French Under 21 captain Mamadou Sakho this summer.(caughtoffside.com) 
Prospective West Ham manager Avram Grant is planning to sign four of his former Portsmouth players once he takes charge at Upton Park. Tal Ben Haim, Kevin Prince Boateng, Nadir Belhadj and on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara are all on his wanted list. (Daily Mail) 
West Ham are also hopeful of luring Italian striker Luca Toni to Upton Park from Bayern Munich on a free transfer.(caughtoffside.com)
Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has put Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United on alert after revealing he has rejected the Goodison club's latest contract offer. (Daily Mail) 
Newly-installed Wolfsburg manager Steve McClaren wants to sign Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy for £8m.(Daily Mail) 
Birmingham have joined Wolves, West Brom and Everton in the race for Hull's Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt. Hunt, who cost £3.5m from Reading last summer, has already been told he can leave the relegated Tigers.(Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham are set to make a £6m move for Valencia's 6ft 7in striker Nikola Zigic.(The Sun) 
However, they could face competition for his signature from Liverpool, may offer winger Albert Rieira as part of any deal.(caughtoffside.com) 
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is planning a swoop on former club Swansea to sign midfielder Leon Britton.(Daily Mirror) 
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway wants to re-sign on-loan Everton defender Seamus Coleman for next season after he impressed at Bloomfield Road this campaign.(Daily Mirror) 
Blackpool have upped the ante in their bid to sign Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot, with Wigan, Portsmouth and several Championship clubs also interested. (the Sun) 
Scunthorpe have told Celtic they will have to pay £2.5m for striker Gary Hooper. (Daily Mail)
Wolves have reportedly agreed personal terms with the Anderlecht utility player Jelle van Damme. He will join Wolves for £2.5m and sign a four-year contract.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is planning a raid on former club Inter Milan to sign Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso for £18m.(caughtoffside.com) 
Shota Arveladze, the new coach of Kaysterispor, wants to sign Kris Boyd from former club Rangers, with the Turks offering a package worth around £5.5m for the forward who is also interesting Bursaspor, Ankaragucu, Birmingham, Newcastle, Wolves, Middlesbrough and Hertha Berlin. (Various)
Celtic are still interested is signing Philippe Senderos, according to the father of the Switzerland defender, who would prefer to remain at Everton after a loan spell from Arsenal. (Daily Mail) 
Hibernian are back on the trail of out-of-favour Preston North End right-back Michael Hart, who will make a decision about his future when he returns from holiday. (Various)

OTHER GOSSIP

England captain Rio Ferdinand says that he would have paid Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes to come out of retirement and play for the country during this summer's World Cup in South Africa.(The Sun) 
Former United States defender Alexi Lalas claims it would not be a shock if the USA beat England in their big World Cup opener in South Africa on 12 June.(The Sun) 
Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote could be poised to complicate Arsenal's ownership even further. Dangote is believed to be interested in buying Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith's 16% stake in the club to join Uzbeki tycoon Alisher Usmanov and American businessman Stan Kroenke as a big shareholder.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth stars want goalkeeper David James to become player-boss as a replacement for Avram Grant, who quit Fratton Park last week. (Daily Mirror) 
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has emerged as a candidate to replace Jose Mourinho as boss of Inter Milan. The 62-year-old has twice managed the Italian side before, the most recent being as caretaker for a season 11 years ago.(Daily Mirror) 
Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell will sign a new five-year contract worth around £30,000-a-week today, scuppering any lingering hopes Manchester United and Arsenal retained of securing the talented teenager this summer.(Guardian) 
Midfielder Michael Ballack will discuss terms over a new contract with Chelsea this week, according to German newspaper Bild.(imscouting.com) 
Hamburg chairman Bernd Hoffman wants to return the club to its glory days and believes former England manger Kevin Keegan is the man to take the German side forward. Keegan played in the Hamburg side that was beaten 1-0 by Nottingham Forest in the 1980 European Cup final.(Daily Mail) 
Former keeper Mark Crossley will have talks with Oldham about becoming their new boss today. (Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

England are struggling to play with the new Adidas football that will be used at this summer's World Cup. Boss Fabio Capello said the players are "having problems controlling it" at their altitude training camp in Austria. The Italian expects the ball to be even harder to control in Rustenburg, South Africa, which is several hundred metres higher above sea level than the European base.(Daily Mail) 
Argentina manager Diego Maradona has demanded two state-of-the-art bidet toilets be installed for him at the team's World Cup base camp in South Africa. Builders were rushed in to carry out a £1,400 overhaul of the football legend's private suite after his aides complained that the existing bathroom facilities would not meet his 'high standards.'(Daily Mail) 
Blackpool striker Ben Burgess says his club boss Ian Holloway was short of the mark when he suggested the newly-promoted Tangerines would target a Champions League place in two years. "With him in charge we'll probably win the Premier League next season!" said Burgess.(The Sun)

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Tuesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Arsenal will move for £12m-rated Lyon and France keeper Hugo Lloris, but could turn to Shakhtar Donetsk keeper Andriy Piyatov.(goal.com) 
Barcelona are in talks to sign Valencia striker David Villa, with negotiations "on track" according to Barca's vice president Rafael Yuste. (Reuters) 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas could be Barcelona bound, with the Spanish champions officially approaching the Gunners with a bid that involves Yaya Toure moving the other way in part exchange.(The Sun) 
And Arsenal are also set to confirm the signing of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh after the 26-year-old Morocco international arrived in London on Monday to finalise the terms of his deal.(Daily Mail) 
But the Gunners have had a £14m offer for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina rejected and manager Arsene Wenger could now turn his attentions to Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon. (Footylatest.com) 
However, Liverpool could lose midfielders Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano and striker Fernando Torres in the summer, with the three considering their futures after a turbulent season.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez is keen for a return to his first club, Boca Juniors, although Real Madrid are also keen on the Argentina striker.(Daily Mirror) 
City boss Roberto Mancini could add defender Phil Jagielka and midfielder Jack Rodwell to his squad, with the Italian willing to pay £32m for the Everton pair.(caughtoffside.com) 
Benfica defender David Luiz could be another new arrival at Eastlands, with Manchester City set to bid £21.5m for the 23-year-old.(Daily Telegraph) 
Mancini will also decide against selling winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and midfielder Stephen Ireland as he needs the pair to boost the club's home-grown contingent; Premier League clubs having to name eight home-grown players in a squad of 25 next season.(Guardian) 
Manchester United are preparing a club record £50m bid to lure Franck Ribery away from Champions League finalists Bayern Munich.(Footylatest.com) 
United are also keen on Inter Milan's Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and are willing to pay £18m for the 29-year-old.(caughtoffside.com) 
West Ham will fend off competition from Birmingham and Sunderland to capture France international Sidney Govou, 30, from Lyon on a free transfer. (Daily Mail) 
Birmingham have also been foiled, at least initially, in their attempt to acquire French winger Charles N'Zogbia after Wigan turned down an £8m bid from Blues. (Daily Mail) 
Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko watched Lokomotiv Moscow at the weekend and is set to hold talks about a possible move this week.(Times) 
West Ham have dropped their interest in Ipswich striker Connor Wickham, freeing the way for Tottenham to move for the £5m-rated 17-year-old. (Daily Star) 
Southampton will take former England Under-21 midfielder Andrew Surman back to St Mary's from Wolves, a year after the 23-year-old left the club for Molineux. (Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant has agreed a deal to become West Ham manager and will sign a three-year deal.(Daily Mirror) 
Inter Milan will make an official approach for Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez if, as expected, former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho quits the San Siro for Real Madrid in the summer.(Daily Mirror) 
However, Martin O'Neill will not replace Benitez at Anfield, with Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner saying that his manager is staying put.(Daily Mirror) 
England's 2018 World Cup bid team will meet governing bodies from Europe, Africa and South America in a bid to limit the fall-out following Lord Triesman's resignation as Football Association chairman.(Daily Mirror) 
However, the FA is braced for a second round of revelations, with Triesman's former aide Melissa Jacobs considering sharing more of her recorded conversations with him.(Independent) 
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is sleeping in an oxygen tent in a bid to quicken his recovery from ankle ligament damage, although the chances of the 27-year-old being fit for the start of England's World Cup campaign are slim.(Daily Telegraph) 
West Ham have submitted their bid to move into the Olympic Stadium post 2012, with the possibility of Essex using the venue to host some Twenty20 cricket matches.(Independent) 
Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has given his strongest indication yet that he will leave Liverpool in the summer, conceding that he finds life on Merseyside far from ideal.(Liverpool Daily Post) 

AND FINALLY

Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose FA Cup final tackle resulted in the ankle injury that will keep Chelsea's German midfielder Michael Ballack out of the World Cup, has suffered the wrath of the German press over the incident. Tabloid Bild branded the tackle a "revenge attack", while Germany coach Joachim Loew was forced to issue a message of support for Boateng's half-brother Jerome, a German international defender who will join Manchester City from Hamburg in the summer. (Daily Mail) 
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has urged England manager Fabio Capello to keep him on penalty-taking duty after missing from the spot in Saturday's FA Cup final victory against Portsmouth.(Independent) 
Manchester United defender Gary Neville has criticised Capello for only picking one specialist right-back in his initial 30-man World Cup party, while also saying the Italian's attempt to talk Paul Scholes out of international retirement was "a bit desperate".(The Sun)

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Paynter started and both scored!

Charlton Athletic 2 - 1 Swindon T.

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Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

Atletico Madrid will take a slender Europa League semi-final first-leg advantage to Anfield next week thanks to a ninth-minute strike from former Manchester United front man Diego Forlan.
In truth, however, the hosts will be regretting several opportunities they missed to add to their advantage. 
Liverpool, perhaps tired after their gruelling journey by land across Europe, will be grateful that they will not have to recover from a two or three-goal deficit following a poor game only redeemed by two good saves by goalkeeper Pepe Reina. 
Both sides went into the match missing key strikers and opted for a lone man up front with Atletico's Argentine international Kun Aguero suspended while injury denied Liverpool's Fernando Torres the chance to play against his former club. 
Atletico initially seemed to suffer the least from the absence of one of their key players. 
The Spanish side decided to test their visitors from the whistle and it quickly became apparent that the Liverpool back four were not sure how to deal with ex-Arsenal man Jose Antonio Reyes and Simao operating down the wings, with Jose Manuel Jurado playing just behind Forlan. 
Just nine minutes into the game, Jurado floated a cross to Forlan's head but, despite hardly making any contact, the Uruguayan international got a second chance when the ball fell to his feet and he poked it past Reina. 
The Liverpool defence recovered from the initial shock and gradually started to pick up their men but little creatively was coming out of the midfield with captain Steven Gerrard having another indifferent game.
They were, however, unfortunate not to level when Yossi Benayoun beat Atletico goalkeeper David de Dea - but his effort was wrongly ruled out for offside. 
But both sides were failed to make the best of their first-half free-kicks and corners with each team guilty of poor passing from set pieces as well as when going forward. 
Finally, Liverpool started to come into the game with 10 minutes to go before half-time with, for the first time, Dirk Kuyt starting to find his range from out on the right flank. 
However, Atletico almost went two in front four minutes before the break when their Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi stripped Daniel Agger of the ball on the right side of the box and skipped past two weak challenges before, trying ambitiously to score from a narrow angle, putting the ball into the side of the net. 
Atletico had another good chance just before the hour but a great save from Reina denied Simao, whose thunderous volley from an Ujfalusi cross looked on its way into the top corner. 
Despite Benitez swapping the ineffective David Ngog for Netherlands winger Ryan Babel after 63 minutes, the Dutchman fared little better with the chances he was offered, squandering an excellent opportunity in front of goal four minutes after getting on the pitch. 
The impressive Ujfalusi had another good effort with a rasping left foot shot 15 minutes from the end but Reina again showed why he is almost certainly going to be in Spain's World Cup squad, despite the plethora of options available to Spanish coach Vicente Del Bosque. 
The final minutes saw Liverpool - who have became the first English club to play in 16 European semi-finals - becoming increasingly desperate. 
And Atletico responded with some crude challenges which saw Valera get a late yellow card.
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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Portsmouth's Serbia international Dusko Tosic is expected to join Swansea on an emergency loan after the FA and Premier League finally gave the 25-year-old clearance to play. Tosic's registration had been withheld due to Pompey's administration. (Daily Mail) 
West Bromwich Albion want to sign on-loan Auxerre defender Gabriel Tamas on a permanent basis, with the Romanian international available for £800,000. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says he would not swap Spanish striker Fernando Torres for Manchester United's in-form England forward Wayne Rooney. (The Sun) 
Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina is about to sign a deal worth £80,000-a-week that will keep him at Anfield for the next four years.(Daily Mail) 
Aston Villa are prepared to make James Milner one of their highest earners with a contract extension worth around £65,000-a-week.(Daily Telegraph) 
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will try to convince left-back Wayne Bridge to reconsider his decision not to play for England at the World Cup.(Daily Mail) 
Former West Ham star Paolo Di Canio dreams of one day taking over as manager of the London club.(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe aims to return from his hamstring tear in just 10 days.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson tells Owen Hargreaves to forget the 2010 World Cup and concentrate on his club.(Daily Mirror) 
World football's governing body Fifa made a £130m profit in 2009 as the game's commercial appeal defied the global financial crisis. (The Sun) 
Newcastle striker Peter Lovenkrands has told Denmark coach Morten Olsen he will not be available to play for his country at the World Cup after the death of his father earlier this year. (Daily Mail)

AND FINALLY

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt has admitted to employing an "orthomanual therapist" to hit him twice a year with a mallet in order to knock out the lumps and bumps he picks up over the season.(Daily Mail)

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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham are keeping tabs on striker Ruud van Nistelrooy's situation at Real Madrid as the Dutchman is out of contract at the end of the season. (The Sun) 
Liverpool are lining up a January move for Hamburg's Dutch midfielder Eljero Elia.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will resist the chance to join former Old Trafford winger Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, pledging himself to the club for life. (Daily Mirror) 
Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan says he is powerless to stop £10m-rated winger Adam Johnson from leaving the club. (The Sun) 
Blackpool and Plymouth are interested in Hull midfielder Peter Halmosi. (Daily Mail)
Sheffield United are preparing a bid for Oldham winger Chris Taylor. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea look set to follow Newcastle's example and become the latest club to sell the naming rights for their stadium. (The Sun) 
The Blues want £100m for the Stamford Bridge naming rights. (Daily Mail) 
Or, the club could demand up to £150m to tie a sponsor into a 10-15-year deal.(The Independent) 
Chelsea meanwhile will launch a £50m January spending spree if Fifa lifts its transfer ban on the Blues. (Daily Express) 
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has flown to Spain to see a specialist, amid fresh concerns he requires a hernia operation. (Daily Mirror) 
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has accused Atletico Madrid of 'tapping up' Arsenal's young midfielder Fran Merida.(Daily Mirror) 
The 19-year-old Merida will be offered a new two-year contract by Arsenal to stay at the club.(The Sun) 
Manchester United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak has claimed that fellow Old Trafford stopper Edwin van der Sar offers him no advice and believes the Dutchman does not like him.(The Sun) 
Former Aston Villa manager John Gregory is in contention to become Brighton's new boss after former Reading chief Steve Coppell turned down the opportunity.(The Sun) 
Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa could be out for a month after being told he needs knee surgery. (Daily Mirror) 
England's top-flight clubs will discuss the proposal of a two-tier Premier League, involving Scottish sides Rangers and Celtic, at next Thursday's Premier League meeting.(The Guardian) 
Arsenal's major shareholder Stan Kroenke has provided reassurance to supporters that his involvement with the Gunners will not replicate the controversial model of leveraged takeovers which have caused such anger at Manchester United and Liverpool. (Daily Telegraph) 
Rangers fans claim Romanian police spat in their faces and shouted "Celtic" in their faces during Wednesday's Champions League tie against Unirea Urziceni in Romania. (The Sun)
Superintendent Mike Dean of Strathclyde Police has backed Rangers' claims that poor organisation and heavy-handed policing sparked the trouble in Romania. (Daily Record) 
Uefa will take into consideration the poor disciplinary record of Rangers fans when considering the latest crowd scenes during the Champions League tie with Unirea Urziceni. (Daily Record)
Rangers face being forced to play future European games behind closed doors should Uefa rule against the club's fans. (Daily Express) 
The Scottish FA will launch its own investigation into the violence in Romania with president George Peat warning that Uefa is planning its biggest-ever crackdown on fan violence. (The Sun)
Rangers must find a buyer before June or Lloyds Banking Group will introduce cuts to dramatically scale down the ambition and status of the club. (Daily Mail) 
Celtic manager Tony Mowbray thinks his side can still qualify from their Europa League group despite sitting bottom after the 0-0 draw with Hamburg. (Various)
Falkirk chairman Martin Ritchie has backed under-pressure manager Eddie May, pointing out that he has less money to spend than previous boss John Hughes. (Daily Record) 
Falkirk will back manager Eddie May with £500,000 to spend in the transfer market in January. (Various)

AND FINALLY

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina has described his side's Champions League form as a disgrace. (Various) 

But former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has backed his former manager Rafael Benitez to turn things around at the troubled club. (Daily Telegraph)

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Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is ready to sign Valencia winger Juan Mata for £16.5m next summer.(The Sun) 
Liverpool and Manchester United are monitoring David Villa after the Spain striker sacked his agent for failing to secure a summer move away from Valencia.(Various) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen to make a move for 16-year-old Mexican Martin Luis Galvan.(Daily Mirror) 
Porto Alegra's Brazilian midfielder Sandro is interested in a move to Tottenham. (Daily Mirror) 
Watford will ask Manchester United and Arsenal to extend the loan deals for Tom Cleverley and Henri Lansbury. (Daily Mirror) 
Ipswich manager Roy Keane has been rejected in his bid to sign Stoke defenders Danny Higginbotham and Leon Court on loan until January. (Daily Mirror) 
Burton Albion manager Paul Peschisolido wants to sign Crewe striker Anthony Elding on a three-month loan deal.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Roman Pavlyuchenko's agent has suggested the Tottenham striker's recent poor form is down to "psychological problems" and not a lack of match practice.(The Sun) 
Further doubt has been cast over the future of Hull boss Phil Brown after Adam Pearson quit his post as Derby chairman on Wednesday to take on the same role at the KC Stadium.(The Sun) 
Brown is on the brink of being forced out of the club following their decision to replace his staunch ally, Paul Duffin, with Pearson.(Daily Mirror) 
Brown has been told his future as Hull manager is safe for now, having been called to a meeting with club officials on Monday night and asked to explain his vision for the side after just three league wins in 2009. (Daily Star)
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, currently earning £60,000 per week, will be offered a new £95,000-a-week contract to pledge his next five years to the club.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth will be banned from signing players until they pay money owed to Arsenal and Chelsea for the signings of Lassana Diarra and Glen Johnson respectively. (Various) 
Pompey have been linked to another takeover and their latest potential savious - Levi Kushnir and Balram Chainrai - are close to completing a deal for the club.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth manager Paul Hart has emerged as a shock candidate to take charge at Championship side Reading if the Royals sack under-fire boss Brendan Rodgers.(Daily Mirror) 
Former Birmingham chairman David Gold will step up his bid to buy West Ham next week. (Daily Star)
Tottenham striker Robbie Keane believes his side have caught up with north London rivals Arsenal and a ready to overtake them.(Various) 
Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has criticised Magpies owner Mike Ashley's decision to sell the naming right to St James' Park. (Daily Mirror) 
Sheffield United hope to be granted permission next week to increase the capacity of Bramall Lane to 44,000. (The Sun) 
Bristol City's new stadium plan for a 30,000-seat ground in the Ashton Vale area has been boosted after the council recommended its approval. (The Sun)

AND FINALLY

Blackburn centre-back Christopher Samba lost 10lbs in two days after contracting swine flu. (The Sun) 
Referee Chris Foy mistook Fabio da Silva for identical twin brother Rafael and booked the former instead of the latter in Manchester United's 2-0 Carling Cup victory over Barnsley on Tuesday. United will ask for Fabio's yellow card to be transferred to fellow defender Rafael.(The Sun) 
Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies has received a written apology from Crystal Palace after they accidentally broadcast commentary from the club's radio station over the PA system during last weekend's 1-1 draw. The commentator accused Davies of "throwing his toys out of his pram". (Daily Star)
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Tuesday night

Cardiff 6 - 1 Derby

Four-goal Michael Chopra fired Cardiff back to form in a crushing victory.
Peter Whittingham got the first in an early sign that Derby's offside trap would be exposed, then he set up Chopra for his first strike since August. 
Rob Hulse gave the Rams hope straight after the break, before the division's top-scorer Chopra took over, first latching on to Chris Burke's back-heel. 
Stephen McPhail set up the hat-trick, a sweet chip, McPhail playing a part in Chris Burke's goal and Chopra's closer. 
The Bluebirds had previously lost five of their last six matches in all competitions, an awful run that had seen the early season Championship leaders slip to ninth spot in the league. 
But Derby provided the perfect opposition, having lost seven of their last nine away league games. 
McPhail made a huge impression on his return from suspension, replacing Wales midfielder Joe Ledley who was banned for the game.
Cardiff manager Dave Jones:
"Chopra's movement and finishing was top class and he showed us all what a good player he is. 
"We had a lot of the ball and used it well but results like that don't come very often and we have to enjoy it while we can.
Derby manager Nigel Clough:
"I am very disappointed at the way we let the goals in particularly after getting back into the game straight after half time.
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Fiorentina 2 - 0 Liverpool

Stevan Jovetic was Liverpool's tormentor as he scored twice in Fiorentina's surprise win over the Reds in their Champions League Group E tie.
The teenager pierced the visitors' offside trap and slotted past Pepe Reina to put his side deservedly ahead. 
He added a second when he diverted in a powerful Juan Vargas strike. 
Liverpool had chances to get back into the game but Lucas Leiva put a free header high and Fernando Torres skied a close-range volley. 
The Reds did not lose away from home in the Champions League last season but were undone by a poor first-half showing and an inspired Viola at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Liverpool had also found the net in their previous 21 Champions League matches and their failure to do so against the Serie A side saw them miss out on Bayern Munich's record scoring run of 22 games.
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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

The true cost of taking Carlos Tevez to Manchester City from rivals United may have cost the Eastlands club an astonishing £47m. (The Times) 
But a spokesman for Kia Joorabchian, who fronts the company that effectively owned Tevez before his switch to Eastlands, insists that figure is "not true". (Independent) 
Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley has rejected the club's first offer of a new contract.(Daily Mail) 
Mexico striker Guillermo Franco claims he has signed a one-year deal with West Ham, bringing to an end Gianfranco Zola's long search for a new forward.(Daily Mail) 
Chelsea intend to open new contract talks with Salomon Kalou to fend off an approach from former boss Jose Mourinho, the Inter Milan manager.(Daily Mail) 
Former Middlesbrough and Newcastle striker Mark Viduka is returning home to live in Australia, according to his agent.(The WorldGame.com.au) 
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson expects negotiations over a new contract for Arsenal and Everton target Brede Hangeland to speed up now the transfer window has closed.(Metro) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina fears Liverpool's title assault may already be over after just four games. (The Sun) 
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has taken a swipe at Manchester City by insisting their money is not guaranteed to give them success.(Sun) 
Emmanuel Adebayor claims he wanted to stay at Arsenal but was forced to leave the club and join Manchester City because of financial reasons. (Times) 
Scotland manager George Burley has demanded showdown talks with the Scottish FA after learning that it's bosses will discuss his possible sacking next week and are considering Gordon Strachan and Craig Levein as replacements. (Daily Record) 
Former Rangers and Liverpool manager Graeme Souness says he does not want the job of Scotland's national coach at this stage in his career. (Daily Mail)
Celtic manager Tony Mowbray fears that midfielder Scott Brown might have to undergo another operation on his injured ankle. (The Sun) 
Celtic midfielder Scott Brown may need to rest his injured ankle and will visit a specialist later this month. (Various)
Henry McLeish, who is leading a wide-ranging review of Scottish football, says the government must provide money to improve facilities. (Daily Mail)
Emmanuel Adebayor claims he will not forgive Arsenal fans for the way they have treated him for as long as he lives.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has earmarked Owen Hargreaves for a return to action in early November.(Times) 

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AND FINALLY

Dimitar Berbatov has revealed chats with his grandad while helping with the gardening back in Bulgaria persuaded him to quit Spurs for Manchester United. "My grandfather is a very wise man and a great man to talk to. When I am home in the summer I will go to his allotment and help him dig. The allotment has been the place for some great chats and it was there where we talked about me moving to a club where I could win major trophies and I asked him what he thought about Manchester United," he said.(The Sun)
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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

AC Milan want Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham to return to the San Siro in January for a second loan spell, which would keep alive the England player's World Cup hopes.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City are intent on continuing their pursuit of Joleon Lescott with a £22m bid for the Everton defender despite the insistence of Toffees boss David Moyes that the 26-year-old is not for sale.(The Times) 
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has failed in his bid to make Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi his first big-name signing at Stamford Bridge. (The Sun) 
But Ancelotti could make a surprise £17m move for Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini(on photo). (Daily Express) 
Bayern Munich have stepped up their pursuit of Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa and urged the Blues to keep their word over allowing him to join them for about £15m.(Daily Mail) 
Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko will see out the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge after rejecting a move to former club Dynamo Kiev. (Daily Star) 
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has been challenged by Blackburn to treble his bid for Rovers defender Stephen Warnock to £12m or forget the deal.(Daily Mirror) 
O'Neill is also keen to bring Tottenham midfielders David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas to Villa Park. (The Guardian) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp could be forced back into the transfer market after learning that centre-back Jonathan Woodgate faces at least two months on the sidelines following surgery on a groin problem.(Daily Mirror)
And Redknapp is set to up his offer for Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko from £12m to £15.5m, although the French club want £25m.(The Sun) 
Wolves are set to sign Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne, who had a loan spell at Molineux last season, on a season-long loan deal. (Daily Mirror) 
West Ham hope to sign Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni and Barcelona front man Eidur Gudjohnsen by the end of the transfer window, initially on a loan basis. (The Guardian) 
The Hammers are interested in Napoli defender Leandro Rinaudo, with boss Gianfranco Zola keen to bring the 6ft 4in centre-back in on loan if he loses Matthew Upson or James Collins. (Daily Mail) 
Defender Lucas Neill could be set for a return to Upton Park after the former West Ham skipper revealed he is considering a contract offer from Zola. (The Sun) 
Derby manager Nigel Clough is ready to sign experienced goalkeeper Jimmy Walker on a free transfer from West Ham. (Daily Mirror) 
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has gone back to his former club Wigan with a £10m offer for midfielder Lee Cattermole. (Daily Mirror )
Blackburn are giving a trial to former Real Madrid right-back Michel Salgado. (The Sun) 
Rovers are leading a three-club chase with Wigan and Birmingham for Rennes winger Olivier Thomert.(The Sun) 
Arsenal are on the trail of 6ft 4in Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic, with chief executive Ivan Gazidis ready to make a £12m offer for the 20-year-old Serb who is also attracting interest from Everton.(Daily Mail) 
Fulham are adamant that defender Brede Hangeland will not leave unless Arsenal shatter the club's £12m transfer reocrd, which was paid by Manchester United for Louis Saha. (The Guardian) 
The Cottagers are eyeing a £4m move for Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. (Daily Star) 
Manchester City winger Martin Petrov would not be surprised if he was sold by the club this summer, with Tottenham keen on the Bulgaria international. (The Sun) 
Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul is being monitored by a host of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Portsmouth, Wigan, Hull and Sunderland.(Independent) 
Former Liverpool, Chelsea and Middlesbrough midfielder Boudewijn Zenden claims he is in talks with Hull, Blackburn and Portsmouth over a return to the Premier League.(Independent) 
Reading manager Brendan Rodgers is planning a double swoop on his old club Watford for midfielder Jobi McAnuff and striker Tommy Smith. (Daily Mirror) 
Turkish club Besiktas are poised to land Reading midfielder Jem Karacan in a £1m deal.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung is set to revive his bid to buy Birmingham City in a £70m deal. (The Sun) 
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is preparing for a hostile reception when he attends the club's home Championship match against Reading on Saturday. (Daily Mail) 
If Ashley fails to sell Newcastle this week he will stay at St James' Park for another two years and appoint David O'Leary as manager with a brief to make the club viable for another attempted sale in 2011.(Daily Mail) 
Any hope Arsenal's Spanish-born goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has of playing for England if they qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals appears to be over after the coach of the national side Fabio Capello dismissed the idea.(The Sun) 
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has warned boss Rafael Benitez that Xabi Alonso will be virtually irreplaceable after the midfielder was sold to Real Madrid. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY

Former Arsenal, West Ham and Celtic striker John Hartson says "I have so much to live for" after winning the first stage of his fight against cancer. (The Sun)
Sunderland midfielder Grant Leadbitter appeared at Gateshead magistrates court on Monday pleading special reasons why he should not be banned for a speeding offence. After being clocked at 112mph, the 23-year-old said he thought he was being followed by a car full of angry Newcastle fans before discovering that it was actually the police.(The Guardian) 
Liverpool stars Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres will have a Masterchef-style cook off to discover who is Anfield's best chef. October's final will be held in Carragher's city centre sports restaurant, with chef Marco Pierre White adding expert comments and post-meal analysis. (The Sun) 
Michela Quattrociocche, the fiancee of new Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani, says she dreams of marrying the Italian international one day, and added: "Ours is a love that gives you cramps in the stomach." (The Sun)
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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea will bid £22m in the summer for Inter Milan's Brazilian defender Douglas Maicon, a player wanted by the club's probable new manager Carlo Ancelotti.(Daily Star) 
Tottenham and Liverpool are battling it out for the chance to buy Portsmouth and England right-back Glen Johnson.(The Sun) 
Arsenal are preparing a £15m move for Fulham defender Brede Hangeland.(The Sun) 
But the Gunners are set to cash in on striker Emmanuel Adebayor with the Togo international unhappy with fans' criticism of his performances. Chelsea, Inter Milan and AC Milan are possible buyers. (Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa and Birmingham are leading the chase for Anderlecht midfielder Lucas Biglia, who is rated at £8m.(The Sun)
West Ham are willing to sell injury-prone striker Dean Ashton over the summer and are hoping that Newcastle or Aston Villa might revive their previous interest.(Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham are looking to land Derby pair Kris Commons and Giles Barnes as Alex McLeish prepares for the Blues' return to the top flight.(Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa defender Zat Knight could cross the city to join up with McLeish's newly-promoted side.(The Guardian) 
Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong has warned the Magpies that he will seek a transfer should the club drop into the Championship. (The Times)
Giant Hibernian defender Rob Jones is being tracked by a host of English league clubs including Bristol City, Derby, Leeds, Swansea, West Brom and Nottingham Forest - with Forest lining up a £1m bid.(Bristol Evening Post) 
Dundee United have agreed a pre-contract deal with Huddersfield striker Danny Cadamarteri. (Various)
Wigan manager Steve Bruce has shelved plans to swoop for £4m-rated Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher. (Daily Express) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Carlos Tevez's future at Manchester United is looking bleak with the Argentine, as well as fellow forward Dimitar Berbatov, set to be left on the bench for the Champions League final next week.(The Sun) 
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has been cleared by the Football Association in his spitting row with Hull assistant manager Brian Horton.(The Sun) 
Sunderland will offer former Tottenham boss Martin Jol the manager's job at the Stadium of Light in the summer.(Daily Star) 
Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho has predicted that AC Milan counterpart Carlo Ancelotti will switch to Chelsea for next season.(The Independent) 
Chelsea have cancelled plans for an FA Cup victory parade, citing the credit crunch.(The Sun) 
Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson is holding off signing a new contract as he is undecided over his long-term future.(Daily Star) 
Everton centre-back Joseph Yobo is poised to sign a new five-year deal to stay at Goodison Park after ironing out problems from his initial negotiations with the club.(The Guardian) 
England's 2018 World Cup bid has been criticised by Fifa vice-president Jack Warner after a British National Party councillor was invited to its Wembley launch.(The Guardian) 

AND FINALLY 

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is backing Barcelona, the club where he started his career, rather than Manchester United in the Champions League final.
"I want the Spanish side to win and I don't want our closest rivals to collect another title," he said. (The Independent)
Manchester United fans have been given special dispensation by Uefa to create a mosaic tribute to former boss Sir Matt Busby ahead of the Champions League final kick-off in Rome. (Various)
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