Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Premier League trio Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are battling it out along with Spanish duo Real Madrid and Barcelona for Benfica winger Angel Di Maria. (imscouting.com) 
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is targeting £3.5m Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United are leading the race to sign QPR's highly rated 15-year-old midfielder Raheem Sterling. Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham are also interested in the player. (Daily Mirror) 
West Bromwich Albion are tracking Hamilton midfielder James McArthur, with a view to making a £2m summer bid.(Daily Mirror) 
Plymouth have joined the race for highly-rated Barnet winger Albert Adomah.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole is facing a £400,000 fine from the Blues after recent headlines concerning the 29-year-old's private life heaped further embarrassment on the club.(The Times) 
Alternatively, Cole could be transfer listed by Chelsea following an investigation by the club. Owner Roman Abramovich is understood to be furious at the way Cole's alleged behaviour has damaged the reputation of the club.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has ordered Carlos Tevez to return to England after the striker went AWOL in Argentina. Tevez has missed City's last three matches after he was granted compassionate leave by City for family reasons.(Daily Mirror) 
AC Milan manager Leonardo offered to quit following the club's 3-2 home defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League last week.(Daily Mail) 
QPR expect to name Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock as their new manager this week. Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has been lined up to replace Warnock at Selhurst Park.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's younger brother John has landed a week-long trial at Derby.(Daily Mail) 
The Football Association has played down concerns over England's unfinished World Cup base in Rustenburg. England manager Fabio Capello and FA officials have flown over to inspect the £20m hotel and training complex before approving the site for use by the national squad this summer.(The Times) 
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce says that the next four home games will decide if they are to face a relegation scrap at the end of the season. The struggling Black Cats host Fulham, Bolton, Birmingham and Manchester City with a trip to Aston Villa in between.(The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is distraught about the catastrophic floods that have killed 32 people in his native Madeira and has pledged to help the devastated island.(Daily Mail) 
Hull manager Phil Brown says he was so angry with his side's 3-0 defeat at West Ham he cancelled a scheduled appearance on Sky's Goals on Sunday programme so he could read the riot act to his players.(The Sun)
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Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are planning a £140m bid in the summer for Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres. (News of the World) 
Spanish striker David Villa is ready to quit Valencia for Chelsea this summer with Real Madrid indicating that they will stick with French star Karim Benzema. (News of the World) 
Manchester United are lining up a swoop for £10m-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso. The versatile 23-year-old, who can also operate in defence, was watched by United scouts in Sporting's 2-1 Europa League loss at Everton on Tuesday.(Sunday Mirror) 
French striker Thierry Henry is set for Barcelona's exit door having just netted just twice in 13 appearances this season for Pep Guardiola's team.(Sunday Mirror) 
Chelsea are closing in on a £36m move for Benfica's 22-year-old highly-rated forward Angel di Maria. (News of the World) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Brazilian forward Robinho has revealed he rejected a move to Barcelona when he left Manchester City during the January transfer window. The former Real Madrid winger is on a six-month loan at his original club Santos.(imscouting.com) 
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is facing a players' revolt. The Italian admitted last week he had a spat with striker Craig Bellamy and it seems a growing number of players are unhappy with the sporadic nature of the training sessions.(Mail on Sunday) 
Real Madrid are keen on securing the managerial services of Jose Mourinho, but would have to pay up to €7.5m (£6.5m) to break his contract at Inter Milan. The pressure on Real's current coach Manuel Pellegrini increased following Tuesday's defeat by Lyons in the Champions League.(Sunday Times) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be in Real's sights should Pellegrini be shown the door and Mourinho decides not to go to Spain.(Daily Mail) 
Edwin van der Sar is close to signing a new contract with Manchester United after deciding to play on beyond his 40th birthday. The Dutch goalkeeper recently returned to action following a serious illness suffered by his wife Annemarie.(Sunday Mirror) 
Man City defender Wayne Bridge will happily line up with Chelsea's John Terry when England play Egypt in a friendly next month. A confidant of Bridge, whose ex-girlfriend was at the centre of an alleged affair with Terry, said: "He is still anxious to play for his country and won't allow the Terry furore to blind his judgement."(Sunday Express) 
Arsenal are considering breaking their contract structure by offering defender William Gallas a new two-year deal. The Gunners normally offer players aged over 32 one-year deals.(imscouting.com) 
Former England striker Gary Lineker believes Martin O'Neill is the ideal man to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson when the Scot decides to retire at Manchester United.(Daily Mail) 
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists his side can pip Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool to the fourth and final Champions League slot this season.(Daily Telegraph) 
Redknapp also looks set to reward defender Ledley King, who suffers from a chronic knee problem, with a new one-year contract extension in the summer.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester United winger Nani is set to hold talks over a new four-year deal on the back of a recent surge in form for the Portuguese star.(News of the World) 
Manchester City winger and £7m signing Adam Johnson says he wants to be the club's equivalent to Ryan Giggs.(Sunday Times) 

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AND FINALLY

Man United striker Wayne Rooney says Fabio Capello has been "fantastic" as England boss and revealed some of his training tactics. Rooney said: "He records everything and he once had Glen Johnson going over a tape of a throw-in for 30 minutes because he wasn't happy with it. I was almost falling asleep!" (Daily Star)
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Great day

Newcastle 3 - 0 Preston

Newcastle moved five points clear at the top of the Championship as they kept up their unbeaten home record.
The Magpies took only three minutes to score, Peter Lovenkrands' attempted cross clearing Preston keeper Andy Lonergan and dropping inside the post. 
Top scorer Kevin Nolan doubled the lead after half-time when he burst into the penalty area and slotted in his 12th goal of the season. 
Substitute Ryan Taylor fired in the third in injury time. 
West Brom could narrow Newcastle's lead when they face Bristol City on Sunday. 
But the Magpies' promotion chase shows no sign of letting up after a comfortable win over Preston, who had their chances but lost to a far more clinical side.
Newcastle boss Chris Hughton:
"I think it is the most important thing. 
"We know West Brom and Nottingham Forest are one or two wins away from being a lot closer to us or being above us so we can't afford to lose focus. 
"Our preparation has to be the same and our mental attitude going into every game has to be the same." 
Preston boss Darren Ferguson:
"It was never a 3-0 game, that flatters Newcastle massively. 
"They'll have a good chance of winning promotion if they get referees like today. You have to have strong referees, especially against Newcastle, and he wasn't strong enough. 
"Overall I was pleased with the performance, if we play like that we'll be OK."

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West Ham 3 - 0 Hull City

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West Ham turned on the style to make it two wins in a row for the first time this season as fellow relegation strugglers Hull were reduced to 10 men.
Valon Behrami capped a surging run with a third-minute opener after exchanging passes with Guillermo Franco. 
And Hull's problems increased shortly after the break when Craig Fagan was sent off for a second bookable offence. 
Julien Faubert fed Carlton Cole for a slotted second before completing the win with a thumping late effort. 
It was West Ham's fourth consecutive clean sheet at home, and the emphatic scoreline - not to mention the buoyant nature of the display against a relegation rival - will surely please manager Gianfranco Zola.
The Hammers came out of the blocks at lightning speed and although they did not build on their overall superiority until after Fagan's dismissal, their performance was brimming with a brio and belief that have too often been missing this season. 
They were aided and abetted by a Hull side who, rarely in it apart from a brief spell of pressure before the break, were left with a mountain to climb after Fagan's departure. 
The result leaves Phil Brown's side just a point above the drop zone.
Hull manager Phil Brown:
"It was self-inflicted, we had a game plan but it was unhinged by poor decision-making. 
"The sending-off was also self-inflicted, it was a poor decision by Craig Fagan to make the tug because he was already in the book. 
"The first diagnosis of Anthony Gardner's injury isn't good, he has a problem with both his tibia and fibula. 
"It was a bad day at the office to say the least." 
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
"It was a good performance; we can do better, but the difference was the way we started. 
"We were solid throughout the game and the second goal was important for us. 
"Robert Green's save was worth a goal to us, because it allowed us to reorganise at half-time. 
"The whole team is getting better; the more confidence you get, the more the players can give."
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West Ham - Hull City

West Ham have been noticing a slight improvement in past few games. Main reason is return of a key striker Carlton Cole who already reached his old shape and start scoring goals. The Hammers made very important victory against Birmingham (2-0 at home) in last round. The pressure has been decreased, but they’ll simply have to continue with collecting the points. Especially in six points games as this one is. Many other things have also been settled down. Zola’s position is safe again, club paid Curbishly and they won’t have to sell best players. The squad is even strengthened with few names. Benni McCarthy will miss the game because the knee problem, while his fellow striker Guillermo Franco is in contention to return. Gabbidon,Davenport, Boa Morte and Hine remain sidelined. Zola's side are unbeaten in their last four home games, keeping a clean sheet in the last three.

Hull City have collected the same number of points as today’s opponent and hold the 17th position with just one point far from relegation zone. They’re typical home side, from total of 24 points, 20 collected at home. On the road they’re the second worst team (after Burnley) with just four draws in 13 games. Tigers scored just 7 goals and conceded 31 and didn’t score in last three games on the road! The Tigers also have failed to score in seven of their last nine away games in the league. As for West Ham, this game is also decisive for Hull and I expected their intention to win all three points. That would, at the same time, make the defense line even more vulnerable. The biggest dilemma for boss Brown is should he include his “key of the keys”, Jimmy Bullard in this game. Midfielder has been absent for 11 weeks and still doesn’t train with full capacity. Geovanni remains sidelined, but midfielder Boateng is available after his red card at Blackburn was rescinded. Hull City have gone 18 games without an away win.

West Ham definitely have more potential than have been showing so far. Win vs. Birmingham decreased the pressure and give a wind in the back. They’ll be focused and fully motivated as this is a six point game. Hull simply lack in quality and while they at home compensate it with fanatical fighting, on the road don’t have a clue. Hosts are clear favorites here. Home win and again handicap as a gamble.

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And another gamble. Michael Chopra (Cardiff) to score first.

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Newcastle United - Preston North End

Toons are on the top, but big margin between them and second placed WBA has been melted, thankfully to problematic results on the road. On the other hand, Newcastle are best home side in Championship with 12 wins and just four draws (34 goals scored and just 8 conceded – 0.5 per a match). They also hold the best defensive record in the division. Club faced a crisis of performance in two games vs. WBA, but after that three home wins in a row and all with margin higher than two goals. Boss Chris Hughton can not count on striker Shola Ameobi and midfielders Steven Taylor and Joey Barton. Midfielder Nicky Butt and midfielder Jose Enrique will face a late fitness test. Newcastle have won the last four matches between these clubs.

Preston are struggling under Ferguson junior, as they have only one win in last five games (Sheff.Utd. at home, 2-1). Good thing is they’re (still) far from relegation zone. Bad thing is they’re poor travelers, they’ve noticed seven defeats in last nine games on the road (one draw and one win) and next one will be at the toughest place in the second tier. Situation looks even worse after Tuesday’s defeat vs. Derby and conceded five(!) goals. The biggest problem is defense line that conceded 11 goals at last four games on the road (total of 30 goals and the worst record alongside Scunthorpe). That defense will miss the skipper Callum Davidson, while midfielders Richard Chaplow and Paul Parry are also out. Preston have played three of the current top five teams away from home, and lost all three games.

There’s no doubt Newcastle are far better squad in Championship. Their current performances and just three points more than WBA will guarantee their serious approach in this game. Preston just look like a victim of bad circumstances. Home win, -1.5 handicap as a gamble.

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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Robinho has cleared his house, sold his car, shipped his possessions back to Brazil and told his representatives to arrange a permanent move away from Manchester City in the summer. The striker is currently on loan at Santos in his home country.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano said he will never be tempted by Manchester City's millions saying: "You cannot buy history." (The Times) 
Man City's plans to sign Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure could hit a snag with the Spanish giants keen to use Toure as bait to secure the services of Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas.(Daily Mail) 
Everton want in-demand Stephen Pienaar to sign a new contract to prevent Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Manchester City from snapping up the South African midfielder.(Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Everton boss David Moyes has revealed how his former striker Wayne Rooney - now at Manchester United - apologised a year ago for libellous claims made in his autobiography. Relations between the pair became strained but Moyes said: "Wayne phoned me up a year ago to apologise for his book and to say that the things he'd put in his book were wrong, and he'd made a mistake."(The Guardian) 
Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge has told England boss Fabio Capello he will have no problem lining up alongside John Terry. Bridge will be hoping he makes the squad for next month's friendly with Egypt following Terry's alleged affair with Bridge's ex-girlfriend.(The Sun) 
Man City boss Roberto Mancini has denied he has fallen out with striker Craig Bellamy, following a reported bust-up in training. Mancini says their differences had been "resolved".(WalesOnline.com) 
QPR are hoping to bring in Neil Warnock, currently at Crystal Palace, as the new manager now Flavio Briatore has stepped down as chairman. Mick Harford has yet to win in six games as manager at Loftus Road.(Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish wants to have the final say on all transfers before committing to a new contract. The Scot was unhappy with the owners after being pressured into signing Argentine Mauro Boselli in January. "Contracts can be compromised if players are brought in without a manager's permission," he said.(Daily Mail) 
Portsmouth could have a fifth owner this season after a Hong Kong-based investment company showed its interest in buying out the current owner, Balram Chainrai.(The Guardian) 
England boss Fabio Capello will be at Craven Cottage on Sunday with Fulham striker Bobby Zamora hoping to add to his 14-goal tally this season against Birmingham. The 29-year-old has yet to feature in an England senior squad and could be called up for the friendly with Egypt on 3 March. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY

Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed has said sorry to Shakhtar Donetsk after players were refused entry to his shop Harrods. The Ukraine club lost to Fulham in the Europa League on Thursday. A club spokesman said: "The billionaire is very upset over this incident and has made his apologies."(Daily Mirror)
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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Ajax striker Luis Suarez has snubbed interest from Chelsea and Manchester City and given Manchester United and Arsenal the green light to launch a £30m summer move for him. (Daily Star)
Arsenal have also been put on alert after the agent of Lazio striker Mauro Zarate claimed he could walk out of the Italian club.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is keen on Fiorentina full-back Juan Manuel Vargas. (Daily Star)
West Ham defender Matthew Upson is refusing to commit his long-term future to the club.(The Sun) 
Meanwhile, Hammers midfielder Valon Behrami is an £8m summer target for Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart. (The Sun)  
Stoke are chasing Wigan midfielder Paul Scharner, who looks set to leave the DW Stadium on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer.(Daily Mirror) 
Portsmouth defender Nadir Belhadj said he would be "very interested" in joining Barcelona after the reigning European champions renewed their interest in the Algerian.(The Sun) 
Highly-rated Crystal Palace right-back Nathaniel Clyne has revealed he turned down a deadline-day move to Wolves because he did not want to sit on the bench at the Premier League club. (Daily Express) 
Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici is a £2m target for Tottenham.(The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth could have a fifth owner this season after Hong Kong-based investment company Endeavor Plan viewed documents relating to the club's financial position and informed Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie of its interest in buying out current owner Balram Chainrai.(The Guardian) 
The south coast club's plea to allow them to sell players outside the transfer window has fallen on deaf ears at Fifa.(Daily Telegraph) 
Pompey are clear to sell their players under a little-known 'club in crisis' rule but, in the process, they will be hit with a nine-point penalty by the Premier League.(Daily Mirror) 
But the cash-strapped Fratton Park outfit have been offered a loan of £10m from West Ham co-owner David Gold offered to prevent them from going bust.(The Sun) 
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was involved in a heated exchange with Craig Bellamy after the Welsh striker refused to train on Thursday with one of the Italian's staff.(The Sun) 
Mancini is facing dressing-room unrest among City players over his training ground methods.(Daily Telegraph) 
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is set to commit his long-term future to the club by signing a new deal.(The Guardian) 
Sir Alex Ferguson says AC Milan made a tactical error by playing David Beckham in the centre of midfield against Manchester United in his team's Champions League victory.(The Guardian) 
United supporters angry at the ownership regime of the Glazer family have brought their 'green and gold' protest to the driveway of Old Trafford chief executive David Gill, attaching a banner to the gates of his home.(Daily Mail) 
England boss Fabio Capello will name defenders Wayne Bridge and John Terry in the squad for the friendly against Egypt on 3 March. Terry is alleged to have had an affair with Bridge's former partner but Capello has warned both defenders not to bring any personal tensions with them.(The Times) 
Nigeria are preparing to snatch Wigan's new striker Victor Moses from under the nose of Capello with the lure of a place in their World Cup squad this summer.(Daily Mail) 
Fifa president Sepp Blatter is backing under-fire referee Martin Hansson, criticised for giving the free-kick that led to Porto's winner against Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday.(The Times) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans should watch where he sits in the changing room after manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted giving him the hairdryer treatment in the match against AC Milan because "he was the nearest defender to me". Sir Alex said: "Our whole back four were going to get it, but he's unfortunate."(Daily Mail) 
Stoke midfielder Diego Arismendi has been accused of driving a neighbour crazy by playing football in his flat at all hours of the night. Plastic surgeon Dr Muhammad Khan, who lives above the Uruguayan, said the player's rowdy antics were forcing him out of his home.(The Sun) 
Armed raiders have stolen 50,000 new-design England away shirts worth £2m from a lorry.(Daily Mirror)
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One fast pick

UEFA Europa League

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Villarreal - Wolfsburg 1, 1.80 at 888sport

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