Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona are preparing a £50m bid for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas but could face competition from Chelsea and Real Madrid. (Daily Star)
Real Madrid have signed AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka for a world record fee of £62m. (The Sun) 
Chelsea had come into the bidding for Kaka but failed with a late bid for the AC Milan forward.(The Times) 
However, Kaka's signature may not yet be completed and Chelsea could yet land the AC Milan forward if they improve on Real's offer. (Daily Star) 
If Chelsea do miss out on Kaka then they will prepare a £45m deal for AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato. (The Times) 
Chelsea will also look to sign Manchester City's highly rated 19-year-old striker Daniel Sturridge who is out of contract at Eastlands.(The Times) 
The Blues have also told striker Andriy Shevchenko, who is on loan at AC Milan, that he is needed back at Stamford Bridge next season. (Daily Star) 
Argentine striker Carlos Tevez is to reject the chance of staying at Manchester United, despite the Premier League champions looking set to meet the £32m asking price.(The Sun) 
Manchester City appear to be the favourites to land Tevez, with the 25-year-old's representative Kia Joorabchian claiming his client feels "humiliated" by United. (The Guardian) 
City will also target Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o, Everton defender Joleon Lescott and Arsenal centre-back Kolo Toure. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City boss Mark Hughes will also prepare a £15m bid for Didier Drogba, if the Chelsea striker turns down the offer of a new contract. (Daily Express) 
Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun is ready to commit his long-term future to the club, having said in January he was ready to leave if he continued playing a bit part at the club. (The Sun)
However, Benaayoun could yet turn his back on Anfield, with Manchester City, West Ham, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal believed to be interested in the Israeli. (Daily Mail) 
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has pleaded with the club to bring Newcastle striker Michael Owen back to Anfield. (Daily Express)
However, Merseyside rivals Everton are weighing up a move for the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker. (The Times) 
But Owen would have to take a 50% pay cut if he joined the losing FA Cup finalists. (Daily Telegraph)
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has launched a £15m bid to sign Valencia forward David Silva. (Daily Mirror) 
But the Anfield boss faces a fight to hang on to midfielder Javier Mascherano, who is wanted by Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)
Despite appearing to have won the race to sign Kaka, Real Madrid will still go after Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and will pay £75m for the Portugal star. (The Sun) 
Steve Bruce will sign Tottenham striker Darren Bent for £10m once he is confirmed as Sunderland manager. (Daily Mirror)
Bruce will be given £50m to spend on new players at the Stadium of Light.(The Times) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is tracking St Etienne midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who is valued at about £5m. (Daily Mirror)
Bolton are preparing a £6m bid for Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone and are also keen on Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin.(The Sun) 
Manchester United reserve goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak is attracting interest from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg. (Daily Mail)
Bolton hope to beat Blackburn to the signature of Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis.(Daily Mail) 
Portsmouth striker John Utaka is being tracked by French clubs Rennes and Bordeaux. (Daily Star)
 
OTHER GOSSIP

Former Portsmouth manager Tony Adams has claimed that Celtic are lining him up to become their new boss following Gordon Strachan's departure. (The Independent) 
However, Celtic officials have reacted with astonishment to claims by Adams that he'll become their new boss. (Daily Record) 
Wim Jansen has firmly denied recommending Tony Adams for the post of Celtic manager, as the former England captain claimed. (Various)
In-demand Swansea manager Roberto Martinez is set to chose Wigan over Celtic. (Scottish Sun) 
Steve Bruce will insist that his assistants at Wigan, Eric Black and Nigel Spink, are offered contracts at the Stadium of Light, before he agrees to become Sunderland manager.(Daily Express) 
Swansea will ask for £3m compensation if manager Roberto Martinez leaves the club. Celtic and Wigan are reportedly interested in the Spaniard. (Daily Mirror) 
Port Vale look set to name Micky Adams as their new manager. (Daily Mirror)
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba looks set to commit his future to the Blues and sign a new three-year contract at Chelsea. (Daily Mirror) 
Anxious SPL clubs will hold crisis talks about their TV deal with Setanta, with growing fears the plug will be pulled on their £31m-a-year deal. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY

Former Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry has written an open letter to the club's supporters apologising for his departure to Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)
www.bbc.co.uk

France 0-1 Nigeria

Nigeria claimed a morale-boosting win over France in a friendly match in St Etienne on Tuesday.
The Belgium-based striker Joseph Akpala put the Super Eagles in front after 32 minutes. 
He followed-up an Ikechukwu Uche shot which came back off the post. 
The result is likely to relieve some of the pressure on coach Shaibu Amodu, who was the focus protests during last week's draw with Ireland. 
It was a strong French line-up, with Franck Ribery, Patrick Vieira and Nicolas Anelka all in the starting eleven. 
Nigeria were missing several of the their top stars, but a BBC reporter at the game said the Super Eagles' performance was much-improved. 
Nigeria play Kenya in Abuja at the weekend in a 2010 World and Nations Cup qualifier before travelling to take on Tunisia two weeks later.
www.bbc.co.uk

France - Nigeria

France national team won’t play competitive games in this period. They’ll use two friendlies, Nigeria tonight in St Etienne and Turkey in Lyon three days later, to prepare for games against Faroe Islands and Romania. France started recent qualifying campaign “as usual”, loosing in the first round against Austria on the road (1-3), then made a draw in Romania, a win at home against Serbia and a double against Lithuania. They’re second in the group and at least play-off is secured. The game in Belgrade, against Serbia will probably decide the direct traveler to South Africa. For this game Raymond Domenech called 25 players, 12 for domain league. He decided to call back two players. Veteran, 32-year-old Patrick Vieira, has played only two friendlies for France in the past 18 months, missing Euro 2008 and all the World Cup qualifiers so far. Second one is more reasonable. With his excellent performances under the guidance of Guus Hiddink, Florent Malouda left Domenech with almost no choice but to recall him. Thierry Henry has been ruled out with a sore knee and no replacement has been named. Beside usual motives, some of the key players (in fact, maybe half of the team) have not found their new clubs and will certainly try to show themselves in the best shape. Atmosphere in St Etienne will be more noisy and less friendly than in Paris.


The Super Eagles are using this match to prepare for Sunday's 2010 World Cup qualifier against Kenya. At Friday, they played equal 1-1 against Ireland at Fulham’s stadium. Team’s good performance stayed in the shadow of the clash national coach Shuaibu Amodu on one side and angry supporters and Nigeria’s journalist who demand his dismissal, on the other. The reason is goalless draw against Mozambique in their opening World Cup qualifier. Additional problem for Amodu is missing players. Obafemi Martins and Chinedu Obasi have left the squad because the injuries. Michael Eneramo, who impressed in Friday's draw, will not feature too. Defender Joseph Yobo and midfielder John Mikel Obi - both involved in FA Cup action on Saturday - joined the squad on Sunday, but the question is are these two mentally and physically prepared for national team friendly. Players are happy to have opportunity to face one of the best World teams. Amodu have been trying to decrease player’s enthusiasm repeating this game is just preparation for Kenya. In that purpose, maybe he’ll change something in the first eleven.

Although it seems the press decrease the pressure on Domenech, ‘cause the bad start in campaign and not so good team performances, any result except victory can bring a bad atmosphere before the decisive games in group 7. France will have the best eleven (excluding Henry) and they’re much better side. Pinnacle offers 1.62. As a gamble I take x-1, ht/ft, odds around 4.60. Home win.

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Tuesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

AC Milan playmaker Kaka insists he wants to stay at the San Siro. Speculation has been rife that the Brazil star, who turned down a move to Manchester City in January, will follow his former coach Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea. (PA 0948 BST)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

New Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has made AC Milan's Brazilian striker Pato and Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson his top targets. The Blues have bid £30m for Pato and have offered £12m for their former player Johnson. (The Sun) 
AC Milan have hinted it will be hard for them to reject a substantial offer for their Brazilian playmaker Kaka, which could alert Chelsea and Real Madrid.(The Sun) 
Everton manager David Moyes is offering Newcastle striker Michael Owen £50,000 a week to make the switch to Goodison Park. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City's Brazilian forward Robinho has ruled out a summer switch to his homeland club Santos. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United hope to sign striker Carlos Tevez on a permanent deal on Wednesday - but only on their terms. (Daily Mirror) 
Real Madrid will use rookie striker Negredo as bait in a bid for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso - but they will first have to buy back the forward from Almeria.(The Sun) 
Birmingham have tabled a club record £6m bid for Santos Laguna's Ecuador striker Christian Benitez but face competition from several other Premier League clubs. (The Sun)
Fulham look set to beat Portsmouth to the signing of Brazilian left-back Felip Lopes, who plays for Portuguese side Nacional. (The Sun) 
Tottenham are keen to sell defender Pascal Chimbonda to Blackburn for about £3m as the Londoners chase Marseille utility man Lorik Cana, who is valued at £5m. (Various)
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is keen to bring goalkeeper Paul Robinson back to the club, a year after he was sold to Blackburn. (Daily Star) 
Sunderland will make a £5m bid for Wigan defender Titus Bramble, once Steve Bruce is installed as manager. (Daily Star)
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate wants to hand Manchester United defender Gary Neville a lead role in getting Boro back into the Premier League.(Daily Mirror) 
Hull boss Phil Brown is eager to sign Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan.(Daily Mirror) 
Wolves and Birmingham are set to battle for the signature of Bolton defender Danny Shittu. (Daily Mirror) 
Bristol City midfielder Marvin Elliott is a £2m target for West Brom but Blackburn and Wolves are also interested. (Various)
Derby boss Nigel Clough is set to sign Exeter midfielder Dean Moxey in a £275,000 deal.(Daily Star)
Charlton are lining up a double defensive swoop, with Southend's Peter Clarke and Miguel Llera of MK Dons the targets. (Daily Star) 
Gillingham are set to open talks with Oldham for midfielder Kevin Maher. (Daily Star)
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is keen on signing Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara. (Daily Star) 
Leeds United look set to lose midfielder Bradley Johnson to Crystal Palace and forward Robert Snodgrass to Sheffield United. (Daily Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich picked Italian Carlo Ancelotti as the club's new manager because he wants a yes man in charge. The Russian tycoon plans to be more hands-on at Stamford Bridge than before, deciding which players will come in and are let go. (Daily Star) 
England coach Fabio Capello has recommended under-21s manager Stuart Pearce for a new improved contract. (The Sun) 
Alan Shearer still wants to become Newcastle manager on a permanent basis, despite owner Mike Ashley's sale plans causing meltdown at the club. (The Sun) 
Former Aston Villa boss Graham Taylor believes current incumbent Martin O'Neill needs to sign five new players if the club are to challenge for a Champions League spot. (Daily Mirror) 
Reading want to offer Watford boss Brendan Rogers their vacant manager's job. (Daily Mirror)
West Ham defender Lucas Neill has hinted he may stay with the club, despite rejecting one offer of a new deal. (The Sun) 
Fears are growing for the viability of Setanta's financial commitment to the Scottish Premier League after the broadcaster defaulted on a £3m payment. (The Herald)
Celtic face competition from Wigan and Real Sociedad in their pursuit of Swansea manager Roberto Martinez. (Various) 
Wigan may turn to Dundee United's Craig Levein if they miss out on Martinez. (Scottish Sun)

AND FINALLY

Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has lifted the lid on his team's pampered lifestyle - admitting he even rings someone to rush over and change a lightbulb. Evra says he can call player liaison manager Barry Moorhouse night or day. (Daily Mirror)
www.bbc.co.uk

Norway-results

Sandefjord 1 - 2 Aalesund

1 - 0 B. Madsen  58. min.  
1 - 1 P. Kopteff  71. min.
1 - 2 T.H. Aarøy  81. min.

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Bryne 3 - 3 Moss

1 - 0 E. Bala  4. min.
2 - 0 M. Helle  20. min.
2 - 1 K. Kvalheim  34. min.
2 - 2 K. Kvalheim  49. min.
3 - 2 M. Helle  53. min.
3 - 3 K. Kvalheim  60. min.

Monday-new beginning

Brazilians ended very good betting week. More than encouraging start with summer leagues. Norwegians play a regular round today. I found two games. In first league, Sandefjord (after Kisa disgrace) will host Aalesund. They're typical home team, already defeated at home Brann, Viking and made a draw vs Rosenborg. Visitors are an average team, have not so good record on the road, loosing three games from last four. I go for a home win with the nice odds.

In Norway 2, I was thinking to take Bryne as a home win. They have more quality than the table shows (last 16th place), it's the matter of time when they'll start climbing. And new boss has been promoted. In such situation, squad usually plays over their real capabilities. Then I found injury list, Bryne will miss six important players, mostly defenders. They already conceded seven goals in last three games (scoring four). So, attacking attitude with the woundable defence can be very safe over. 

In Iceland five rounds left, think it's wiser to wait to team shapes become more consistent, than to place some forced bets (Fjolnir didn't bring anything good). So, two picks for today.

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Sandefjord - Aalesund, Home win (2.06 at Pinnacle)

Bryne - Moss, Over (1.60 at Expekt)

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Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United will make a last-ditch attempt to keep striker Carlos Tevez at the club and are willing to pay £25m for the Argentine.(Daily Telegraph) 
However, Manchester City are leading the race for Tevez and are prepared to pay £30m to land the 25-year-old. (Daily Mirror) 
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that Xabi Alonso is a key part of his plans and does not want to sell him. Real Madrid are reportedly interested in the midfielder. (Daily Telegraph)
Birmingham are set to land Ecuador striker Christian Benitez for £6.25m from Mexican club Santos Leguna. (Daily Mirror) 
Alex McLeish's Premier League new boys also look set to sign Manchester City keeper Joe Hart on loan. (Daily Mirror)
West Brom are keen on Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson and will bid £1m for the Scotsman. (Daily Mirror) 
Winger Glen Little looks set to leave Portsmouth and join Championship side Coventry. (Daily Mirror)
Sheffield United are poised to sell young defender Kyle Naughton and have slapped a £5m price tag on his head. (Daily Mirror) 
West Ham captain Lucas Neill looks set to leave the club after turning down a new one-year deal.(Daily Mail) 
And Manchester City now appear favourites to sign Australian defender Neill from the Hammers. (The Sun) 

CHELSEA GOSSIP

Former AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti will be given £50m to spend on new players if he takes over at Chelsea.(The Sun) 
Chelsea captain John Terry has urged Blues owner Roman Abramovich to bankroll Ancelotti, if the Italian arrives at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Mirror) 
Ancelotti could be given up to £100m by Abramovich to spend on new players. (Daily Star) (Daily Star) 
And captain Terry has urged the Italian to make Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Valencia forward David Villa his first signings as Chelsea manager.(The Guardian) 
Ancelotti's arrival may mean the Chelsea careers of Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and Deco will come to an end.(The Sun) 
The 49-year-old coach is also lining up Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and will pay £23m for the front-man.(Daily Express) 
Ancelotti will hope to bring AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo with him to Stamford Bridge. (Daily Star) 
The former Italian midfielder is also targeting Atletico Madrid's £50m-rated striker Sergio Aguero. (Daily Express) 
Ancelotti is keen to appoint Filippo Galli, who was his assistant at AC Milan, as his number two at Stamford Bridge.(The Times) 
However, Ancelotti's Chelsea move could be in doubt after Real Madrid declared their interest in the Italian.(Independent) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Alan Shearer looks set to turn down the chance to become the permanent manager of Newcastle unless owner Mike Ashley can quickly offload the club at a knockdown price. (Daily Express)
Shearer will also have to reduce his financial demands if he is to be installed as Magpies boss.(The Guardian) 
Sunderland are set to unveil current Wigan manager Steve Bruce as their new boss. (Daily Mirror)
However, Wigan are still holding out on the £3m in compensation they want for Bruce's departure. (Daily Express) 
Meanwhile, Sunderland officials have spoken of their puzzlement at claims from former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini that he has been offered the manager's job at the Stadium of Light. (The Guardian) 
Wigan owner Dave Whelan wants to replace Bruce with Swansea manager Roberto Martinez. (Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda has revealed the secret behind his recent fine form - the removal of his wisdom teeth. (The Independent)
Chelsea players celebrated their Wembley triumph on Saturday with a night out and left the FA Cup in a bin liner. (Daily Star) 
Departing Blues manager Guus Hiddink and his partner Liza were each given a £50,000 Rolex Daytona watch by Chelsea players as a thank you. (The Sun)
But Hiddink could be fined £50 after being caught on camera smoking a cigar in Chelsea's Wembley dressing room on Saturday. (Daily Mirror)
www.bbc.co.uk

Brazil result

Santos 3 - 1 Corinthians

1 - 0 C.d.L.P. Henrique  16. min.
2 - 0 C.d.L.P. Henrique  29. min.
2 - 1 D.A.C.J. Renato  50 min.
         L.M.M.d.R. Lulinha  66. min. red card-Corinthians
3 - 1 F.C.M. Micao  89.min.