Monday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

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

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

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

OTHER GOSSIP

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

AND FINALLY

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

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Birmingham C. 2 - 1 Burnley

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Milton Keynes Dons 0 - 0 Brighton & Hove A.

Everton - Burnley

For Toffees this season so far looks like endless nightmare. Instead a battle for Europe, Everton hold 14^th place with 19 points from past 18 games. Although injury crisis has been shaking the club from the start and they had to play huge number of games, this season is under all expectations and even Moyes’ job isn’t safe anymore. Everton haven’t noticed a win in seven league games (last time vs. West Ham, away 1-0) and they’re without a win in six games at Goodison. Despite bad results, they have been putting a decent display lately, dressing room atmosphere is still high – players believe in better days, just need a first win to turn the corner. But, Moyes continues to have defensive problems, with Sylvain Distin and Joseph Yobo still not fit enough to return. Skipper Phil Neville could make his return after three months out with a knee injury. 

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After excellent start of the season, newcomers from Turf Moor felt in the crisis of results. They’re in the winless run of seven league games and hold 13^th place (one point more than today’s opponent). On the road have taken just a single point from nine games (Man.City 3-3)! But, as Everton they’re performances are also above the results. In last two games on the road (two 0-2 defeats) were a little bit unlucky to get something from it. Against Pompey created plenty of real goal chances, but didn’t score, while vs. Wolves were short for a clear penalty kick and also missed few very good chances. Their main problem is attractive and offensive style of play that has brought some results at home, but on the road causes defense has been leaking too much goals. Manager Owen Coyle also has big defensive worries, as pair of central defenders, Clarke Carlisle and Steven Caldwell, missed the 1-1 draw against Bolton with groin strains and their appearance is in doubt. 

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This game looks like to be, or not to be for a home side. They desperately need a win and will host a team which has 8 defeats from 9 away games. On the other hand, Toffees still have lots of problems in back line with injuries. Neville is maybe fit but lacks in competitive games and his return could even cause additional problems behind. Burnley won’t defend, surely can score and make this game more interesting. I expect an open game, fight till the last minute and goals. Betfair offer 2.00, Pinnacle 1.94. Over.

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Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City finally expect to complete the signing of Everton defender Joleon Lescott on Thursday in a deal worth £22m.(The Sun) 
Chelsea have not given hope of signing midfielder Andrea Pirlo, despite AC Milan saying the 30-year-old is not for sale.(Daily Star)
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James could be set for a move to Sunderland with Pompey close to signing Antti Niemi on a free transfer.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth striker David Nugent could be set for a move away from the club after a bust-up with team-mate Marc Wilson, with Stoke in discussions over a £4m move.(Various)
Tottenham have had a £12m bid for 19-year-old Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko rejected by the French club who claim he is worth double that amount.(Various) 
Spurs' pursuit of Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar appears to be at an end with the 25-year-old set to sign for AC Milan.(The Independent) 
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has insisted that midfielder Cesc Fabregas will not be leaving the club after reported interest from AC Milan. (Various)
Lucas Neill, who is a available on a free transfer after leaving West Ham, is set to sign for Sunderland on Thursday.(Daily Mail) 
Bayern Munich have played down reports linking 32-year-old Italy striker Luca Toni with a move to West Ham.(The Independent) 
Nottingham Forest are planning a £2m bid for Bolton defender Danny Shittu, who has been told he can leave the Reebok Stadium.(Various) 
Hull have given a trial to former Wigan and Stoke striker Henri Camara.(Various) 
Sunderland are close to signing 21-year-old Egyptian winger Ahmed Al-Muhammadi from ENPPI.(The Independent) 
West Brom and Nottingham Forest are battling it out to sign 19-year-old Leicester full-back Joe Mattock for about £2m. (Daily Express)
Ipswich manager Roy Keane is attempting to resurrect a deal to sign Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy for about £2m.(Daily Mirror) 
Hamilton are still hoping to sign Inverness's Dougie Imrie, Motherwell's Jamie Murphy and Kilmarnock's Craig Bryson despite having bids rejected for the players. (Daily Express)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Aston Villa and Leeds manager David O'Leary has turned down the chance to become Newcastle manager after being offered a two-year contract by owner Mike Ashley.(Daily Mail) 
Local businessman Barry Moat is set to buy Newcastle United from Mike Ashley for £100m and his first task will be to appoint Alan Shearer as manager.(Various)
American tycoon Clark Hunt is interested in buying West Ham for £120m. Hunt owns two Major League Soccer teams in the United States and his late billionaire father founded the league in 1993.(The Sun) 
Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has said the club is living in the "stone age" compared to rivals Manchester United. (Daily Telegraph) 
Manchester City forward Robinho believes the club are destined for "greatness" and are as big as Real Madrid and Brazil.(The Sun) 
Chelsea have offered captain John Terry a new contract worth £151,000-a-week, putting him on a par with team-mate Frank Lampard.(The Times) 
New Manchester United striker Michael Owen is set to miss out on an England recall for the friendly with the Netherlands later this month.(Daily Star) 
Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky, who has just returned from a six-month lay-off, could miss the first six weeks of the season after straining a hamstring in training. (The Sun) 
Former England manager Terry Venables has warned Newcastle that are not too big a club to be relegated to League One. (The Sun)
Scotland manager George Burley says his side can still make the World Cup qualifiers even if they lose to Norway in Oslo this month. (Various) 
Burnley's Steven Caldwell is dreaming of partnering brother Gary in Scotland's defence for the World Cup qualifier against Norway. (Various) 

AND FINALLY

Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin is being mocked by his Gunners team-mates who say his accent sounds like the meerkat featured on the Compare the Market television advert. (The Sun)
Everton's plans for a new stadium in Kirby are on hold because the site is currently occupied by voles. The rodents are protected by law and have to be rehoused before work can begin on the 50,000 seat venue. (The Sun) 
West Brom will back England's bid to stage the 2018 World Cup by displaying the campaigns logo on the club's shirts for Saturday's Championship match against Newcastle. (Daily Star)
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