March Football gossip 2010

[McFLY]

Sunday 21th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

West Ham want to sign David Beckham should he consider a return to England after his recovery from injury.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester United are leading the chase to sign Spanish striker David Villa for about £35m after the World Cup. Full story: Daily Star on Sunday

Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Wigan midfielder James McCarthy. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has sent chief scout Steve Rowley to watch the 19-year-old Republic of Ireland player.
Full story: News of the World

Liverpool are prepared to replace Ryan Babel, Albert Riera and Alberto Aquilani with top new players in a bid to keep Fernando Torres at the club.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Chelsea are set to pip Manchester City to the signing of 18-year-old Brazilian striker Neymar from Santos.
Full story: News of the World

Arsenal are planning an £8m bid for AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who has impressed Wenger during the Dutch side's European campaign.
Full story: News of the World

OTHER GOSSIP

Jose Mourinho is very interested in becoming the next Liverpool manager, but would only take the job if American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett leave.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester City will ask Mourinho to name his price to become their manager in the summer.
Full story: Sunday Express

Liverpool's Javier Mascherano is looking for a hefty pay rise of around £1m-a-year to stay at Anfield.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Juventus could look to Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini to restore their club to its former glory following their exit from Europe.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

German midfielder Michael Ballack has been offered a new contract at Chelsea, which could keep him at the club until 2012.
Full story: IM Scouting

Dozens of English footballers are missing out-of-competition drug tests, while QPR and Bradford City have been fined for failing to provide accurate information to sampling officers over their players' whereabouts.
Full story: Sunday Times

AND FINALLY

Chelsea skipper John Terry admits that the club's top players fear the drop following the defeat by Inter Milan in midweek.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Gareth Barry bemoans the loss of David Beckham to the England squad saying that the injured star is a "good bloke to have around".
Full story: Sunday Telegraph

 

[McFLY]

Monday 22nd March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1333: Juventus have stepped up their interest in acquiring the services of Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, who may, in turn, take Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano with him.
Full story: IMScouting

0717: Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has told Dutch television he is now "medically fit" and will return to training this week following his long injury lay-off.
Full story: IMScouting

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Midfielder Joe Cole, 28, will be the first victim of a "purge of older players" at Chelsea now that their Champions League dream has ended for another season.
Full story: The Times

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish concedes a move for Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has been shelved because of the *striker's red-hot form.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Derby boss Nigel Clough wants to sign former Rams striker Tommy Smith from crisis-club Portsmouth on loan for the rest of the season.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn are keen on 24-year-old Egyptian playmaker Shikabala. (Full story: Daily Mail)

Roma and Celtic are lining up to swoop for Portsmouth full-back Nadi Belhadj, thought to be available for £2m. (Full story: Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney raised concerns over his fitness as he limped away from Old Trafford after his side's 2-1 victory over Liverpool.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has hit out at England boss Fabio Capello for not looking to keeper Chris Kirkland.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola paid Arsenal the ultimate tribute by claiming they are a better footballing team than his beloved Chelsea. Full story: Daily Mirror

Lionel Messi underlined the Champions League task Arsenal face with a hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-2 away win over Real Zaragoza - but Manchester United fans may take heart from Bayern Munich's 2-1 defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt, the former's first Bundesliga loss in 20 games. (Full story: The Times)

AND FINALLY

If England reach the 2010 World Cup final, fans watching them go all the way could pay as much as £6,400 - or £3,000 just to see one group game.
Full story: The Sun

A band of 180 Rochdale fans walked the 14 miles to see their side face Accrington Stanley on Saturday, to be rewarded with six goals and two sendings-off in a 4-2 victory. (Full story: Daily Mail)

Reading's Matthew Mills, under fire having gestured obscenely at a section of the club's own supporters in their midweek victory over QPR, vaulted advertising boards to hand his shirt to fans as a peace offering after their 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough. (Full story: Daily Express)

 

[McFLY]

Tuesday 23rd March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1200: Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon will be put up for sale this summer, with rivals Manchester United and Manchester City set to compete for his signature.
Full story: TuttoSport (Italian)

1030: Atletico Madrid have rejected Manchester United's approaches for 19-year-old Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea and refused to negotiate with the Premier League side.
Full story: imscouting

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea and Manchester City have been alerted after Valencia decided they will sell Spanish international striker David Villa this summer, with the price likely to be about £40m.
Full story: The Sun

Meanwhile, Manchester United could move for Villa's Valencia team-mate David Silva, with the attacking midfielder likely to fetch around £20m.
Full story: The Sun

Internacional defensive midfielder Sandro, 21, flew to London on Monday night to undergo a medical with Tottenham but the Brazilian will not officially join Spurs until the summer.
Full story: imscouting

Inter Milan's Brazilian full-back Maicon, 28, is being lined up for a move to Real Madrid in the summer - although Manchester City could still be an option for the defender.
Full story: imscouting

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has shelved his plan to sign Roman Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham because the striker's recent form has been too good. The Blues had a £10m bid for the Russian turned down in January.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has lined up a deal to sell Albert Riera to Spartak Moscow. It follows the midfielder's outburst in which he described the Anfield club as "a sinking ship".

Full story: Daily Mail

Everton are planning a £650,000 summer swoop for Portugal Under-20 striker Joao Silva, who plays for Desportivo das Aves and is the top scorer in his country's second division.
Full story: Daily Mail

Wigan and Sunderland are chasing Egypt winger Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, 22, from ENPPI for about £3m.
Full story: The Sun

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy hopes to land Ghana striker Jordan Ayew, 19, from French club Marseille - possibly on an initial one-year loan deal. (Daily Mirror)

West Bromwich Albion could make a move for defender Calum Davenport, 27, who is a free agent after being released by West Ham.
Full story: The Sun

Queens Park Rangers will send on-loan goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, 23, back to Wolves so manager Neil Warnock can bring in more loan signings. (Daily Star)

Doncaster say they cannot afford to sign on-loan striker Billy Sharp, 24, in the summer because his club Sheffield United want £1.5m for him. (Daily Star)

Former Celtic striker Chris Killen wants to stay with Middlesbrough beyond the end of his current contract, which expires this summer. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has owner Roman Abramovich's full backing - unless the Stamford Bridge outfit have a disastrous end to the season. (Daily Star)

Or Ancelotti has 21 days to rescue Chelsea's season and his job or he will be shown the door.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Meanwhile, Chelsea's injury problems have worsened, with the news that Branislav Ivanovic has been ruled out for a month, leaving the club without their first (Jose Bosingwa) and second-choice right-backs.
Full story: Daily Mail

Barcelona's French striker Thierry Henry says he does not want to play against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final - and he will not celebrate if he scores against his former side.
Full story: Daily Express

The Premier League's sale of its overseas broadcasting rights for 2010 to 2013 will raise about £1.4bn, more than double the previous level and a leap of £13m per club, per year.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is confident Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano will commit his long-term future to the club. (The Times)

Former Charlton and West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley is ready to take over as manager of Championship side Bristol City following Gary Johnson's departure last week. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY

Days after rapper P Diddy was linked with a move to buy Crystal Palace, fellow hip hop superstar Jay-Z has revealed he could be interested in investing some of his estimated £500m fortune in Arsenal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

 

[McFLY]

Wednesday 24th March gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

1235 GMT: Liverpool winger Albert Riera hopes to join a Russian club this week to boost his chances of playing for Spain at the World Cup. Russia's transfer window is still open and the 27-year-old has been linked with Moscow clubs Spartak and CSKA. (PA)

1110 GMT: French winger Franck Ribery's long-running transfer saga has taken a new twist. The Chelsea target says he will "certainly be going to Spain" should he leave German side Bayern Munich in the summer.
Full story: imscouting.com

0930 GMT: Ex-Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini would rather remain at AC Milan than return to England amid reports the Italian club will offer the France international a new deal. (PA)

0830 GMT: Juventus director Roberto Bettega insists goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is not for sale and is confident the Italy international will still be be playing for the Serie A giants next season. (PA)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Inter Milan are set to launch a bid for Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Full story: imscouting.com

Ajrjen Robben has called for Chelsea and Real Madrid target Franck Ribery to stay at Bayern Munich.
Full story: imscouting.com

Chelsea are closing in on Real Madrid's £10m-rated Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.
Full story: The Sun

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists he has no interest in signing Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, who is likely to be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Full story: The Guardian

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has rejected a a bid by Spartak Moscow to sign winger Albert Riera on loan.
Full story: Daily Mail

Fulham are favourites to snap up Wigan defender Paul Scharner when he quits at the end of his contract in the summer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce is lining up a £1m bid for Notts County goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been put up for sale by the Serie A giants, who hope to lure Manchester City and Bayern Munich into an auction to raise £30m for the Italy international.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

England and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has lost his position as the best paid footballer in the world to Lionel Messi, with the Barcelona forward's annual pay rising to £29.6m.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal defender William Gallas is ready to sign a new contract following showdown talks between the club and his agent Pierre Frelot.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Gunners midfielder Andrey Arshavin has claimed the north Londoners will not win the title because they do not have enough "real stars".
Full story: Various

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed striker Robin van Persie is looking "very sharp" and could be back playing before the end of the season.
Full story: The Independent

West Ham are set to launch their bid to rent the Olympic Stadium after the Games in 2012.
Full story: The Independent

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident he will still be in he job next season, even if he wins nothing this term.
Full story: Various

Everton manager David Moyes believes Manchester City's megabucks stars have no genuine feeling for their club.
Full story: Daily Star

Peterborough boss Jim Gannon is poised to sign a new four-year contract. (Daily Star)

England coach Fabio Capello has been given a boost after Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Blues defender Ashley Cole will be able to resume running in training in a fortnight as he steps up his rehabilitation from a fractured ankle.
Full story: The Guardian

Outgoing Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney has accused the Football Association of failing to face up to its structural problems in the wake of the shock departure of its chief executive, Ian Watmore.
Full story: The Guardian

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has spoken out against Wembley Stadium being used for sports other than football following the disunity at the FA that led to Watmore's resignation.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United defender Gary Neville will be handed a one-year contract extension by the club this summer.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has criticised Jamie O'Hara for saying he hopes Spurs lose their FA Cup quarter-final replay against Fulham to give the on-loan Portsmouth midfielder the chance of playing in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Full story: Daily Mail

 

[McFLY]

Thursday 25th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Lazio's former Aston Villa defender Thomas Hitzlsperger could be set for a summer move to Spurs after failing to make an impact for the Rome club.
Full story: IMG Scouting

Sought-after Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has turned down a move to Chelsea and will instead switch to a club in Spain this summer, partly because his wife would hate the English weather.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini wants Palermo striker Edinson Cavani.
Full story: Daily Mail

Palermo, meanwhile, have their sights set on a bid for Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pedersen, with Rovers hoping to take midfielder Mark Bresciano in the other direction.
Full story: The Sun

Liverpool's Spanish winger Albert Riera is ready to quit Anfield for a loan move to Spartak Moscow in a bid to save his World Cup dream.
Full story: Daily Star

Manchester City are also in talks with Grenoble over a summer switch for their France Under-21 midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, who will be out of contract at the end of the season.
Full story: The Sun

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is keen on Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara, who is currently on loan at Portsmouth.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Nice striker Loic Remy says he still wants to join Arsenal, despite his move collapsing in January due to a £13m asking price.
Full story: Daily Mail

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will turn to Notts County goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel next season if he cannot land Joe Hart on loan again.
Full story: The Sun

McLeish has revealed Birmingham have held talks with Rangers striker Kris Boyd's representatives, but that the Scotland international is also talking to other clubs. (The Times)

Portsmouth left-back Dusko Tosic, 25, looks set to join QPR on Thursday after a proposed move to Swansea fell through. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Chelsea boss Glenn Hoddle is being lined up for a dramatic return to management in place of West Ham's Gianfranco Zola.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Actually, former Man City boss Mark Hughes is the man the Upton Park club want to replace their struggling Italian gaffer.
Full story: Daily Star

Hughes is also on a three-man shortlist to lead Ivory Coast at this summer's World Cup.
Full story: The Guardian

Zola has been told to submit a dossier to West Ham's owners to convince them that he can save the Hammers from the drop.
Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham striker Benni McCarthy has admitted he and his team-mates "hid" during their woeful 3-1 defeat at home to Wolves on Tuesday.
Full story: The Sun

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has not trained since their 2-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday, prompting fears he is still troubled by on-going knee problems.
Full story: The Independent

Balram Chainrai, Portsmouth's fourth owner in their turbulent season, could remain in charge of the club for the long term.
Full story: The Guardian

Man City manager Roberto Mancini and Everton boss David Moyes could face an FA rap after squaring up during their sides' game at Eastlands on Tuesday. (Various)

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, on the brink of a return after injury, has revealed he still needs painkilling injections to get him through training and matches.
Full story: The Sun

QPR manager Neil Warnock has been handed a £10m summer war chest to take the Loftus Road outfit into the Premier League.
Full story: The Sun

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner says he is an injury doubt for Saturday's away game at Birmingham.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Southampton could hand 16-year-old midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a shock call-up for Sunday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final with Carlisle. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY

Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has told his team-mates to make sure they are not only remembered for playing pretty football.
Full story: Daily Star

David Beckham has lost his place at the top of France Football magazine's annual survey of the top earners in the game to Barcelona's Lionel Messi. The Argentine earned £29.6m last year in salary and endorsements, £2.3m ahead of Beckham. (The Independent)

 

[McFLY]

Friday 26th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City will revive an £11m move for Hamburg's German defender Jerome Boateng in the summer and are also keen on highly-rated Osasuna right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, 20.
Full story: Daily Mail

Everton are being linked with a move for Dinamo Zagreb's Croatian centre-forward Mario Mandzukic, 23.
Full story: Daily Mail

Lokomotiv Moscow have not given up on signing Roman Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham.
Full story: Daily Mail

Spurs could be lining up a summer move for Lazio's former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas 'The Hammer' Hitzlsperger, 27, after the German struggled to settle in Italy.
Full story: The Sun

Nice striker Loic Remy is keen to join Arsenal in the summer.
Full story: TribalFootball.com

The Gunners have been rebuffed in their attempts to sign Stuttgart's 15-year-old goalkeeper Odessas Vlachidimos for £1m.
Full story: Daily Mail

Newcastle defender Steven Taylor, reportedly involved in a training ground bust-up with team-mate Andy Carroll, will leave this summer with Everton and Aston Villa chasing the 24-year-old.
Full story: The Sun

Portsmouth have been offered £250,000 by Spartak Moscow to terminate Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's loan early and send him back to the Russian side.
Full story: Daily Mail

Birmingham are ready to offer Matthew Taylor an escape route from Bolton by bidding £2m for the unhappy 28-year-old this summer.
Full story: The Sun

Stoke City are interested in Congo-born Belgian striker Christian Benteke, 19, who is on loan at KV Kortrijk from Standard Liege.
Full story: Daily Mail

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is reportedly keen on Nantes youngster Jonathan Nanizayamo.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is plotting a double raid on cash-strapped Portsmouth with a joint £1.5m bid for Tommy Smith and Aaron Mokoena.
Full story: The Sun

Everton want to lure Bristol City youngster Christian Ribeiro to Goodison Park.
Full story: TribalFootball.com

Nottingham Forest have suffered more transfer frustration after failing to land Aston Villa left-back Wilfred Bouma on loan.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola banned team co-owner David Sullivan from a meeting with his players after their relationship broke down in the wake of Sullivan's highly critical open letter to fans.
Full story: Daily Mail

Zola says he is confident he can keep the Hammers in the Premier League, but is less confident he will still be manager next season.
Full story: Daily Express

Norwich boss Paul Lambert, a former Celtic player, is the favourite to succeed Tony Mowbray on a permanent basis as manager of the Bhoys - with Henrik Larsson an outside bet.
Full story: The Times

Craig Bellamy is being investigated by Manchester City after allegations of an incident in the players' tunnel at the end of their 2-0 defeat by Everton on Wednesday.
Full story: Daily Mail

Meanwhile, Everton want an apology from Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook after he had a VIP fan and his wife thrown out of Eastlands.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has told his players their Premier League game against Birmingham on Saturday is the "priority" over next week's Champions League meeting with Barcelona.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Wenger has suspended contract talks with stars such as William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre, refusing to discuss terms until crucial matches are out of the way.
Full story: The Guardian

Meanwhile, the Gunners could welcome back Dutch striker Robin van Persie within three weeks as he continues to make progress after an ankle ligament injury.
Full story: The Sun

Chelsea defender Paulo Ferreira has revealed some of Chelsea's older players fear they will never win the Champions League after last week's last 16 defeat to Inter Milan.
Full story: Daily Star

No such worries at Liverpool, where midfielder Javier Mascherano has pledged his future to the club and expects to sign a new contract soon.
Full story: PremierLeague.com

Though Reds legend Phil Thompson has urged stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to threaten to quit the club unless there is real investment in the playing squad at Anfield.
Full story: The Sun

Portsmouth boss Avram Grant will ask Tottenham's permission to let on-loan midfielder Jamie O'Hara play in the two sides' FA Cup semi-final meeting next month.
Full story: Daily Mirror

England fans are angry that the team will play three Euro 2012 qualifiers on Fridays so that players can return to their clubs a day early.
Full story: The Guardian

Portsmouth's Ricardo Rocha has accused Chelsea star Florent Malouda of setting out to hurt him with a swipe of the elbow during the teams' Premier League clash on Wednesday.
Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has moved a step closer to a return after being pulled out of a reserves game to train with the first team.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Sven-Goran Eriksson, Mark Hughes and Bernd Schuster will find out on Friday which one of them is to coach Ivory Coast at the World Cup in South Africa this summer. (Daily Express)

Burnley are facing a mass exodus in the summer after refusing to give in to players' wage demands, with 11 first-teamers out of contract at the end of the season. (Daily Star)

Former Peterborough manager Mark Cooper has emerged as the favourite to replace Steve Staunton as boss of Darlington.
Full story: The Sun

AND FINALLY

Paul Gascoigne confronted an imposter who posed as him on social networking site Twitter, taking a photo of himself in front of a TV news channel displaying the date and time to prove he was the real Gazza.
Full story: Daily Star

Riot police in Brazil restored order in a league match between Genus and Moto Clube by baton-charging and then pepper-spraying the players.
Full story: The Sun

Three-time world player of the year Ronaldo has apologised for making an obscene gesture to fans of his Corinthians team in Brazil after their defeat by Paulista.
Full story: NBC

Juventus goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti was so upset after conceding a 35-yarder against Sampdoria that he broke his hand punching a dressing room table. (The Sun)

 

[McFLY]

Saturday 27th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is planning a raid on Portsmouth for forward Tommy Smith and midfielder Aaron Mokoena - and could get the pair for £1.5m.
Full story: The Sun

Blackburn winger Steven Reid is keen to join West Brom on a free transfer if his loan spell is extended and the Baggies are promoted to the Premier League.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Rafael Benitez says Liverpool have no cash to give him for a summer spending spree.
Full story: Independent

OTHER GOSSIP

English football's super-rich owners, including Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour, face drastic curbs on their influence under Uefa proposals. Uefa has drawn up a document setting out detailed plans to force clubs to spend only what they earn.
Full story: The Times

Alan Curbishley has been lined up to replace Roy Keane as Ipswich manager if the Tractor Boys lose at Swansea today.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan called some of the team "fat, lazy and useless" after he hijacked manager Gianfranco Zola's get-together on Thursday.
Full story: Daily Mirror

But then, Zola is considering walking out after Saturday's vital relegation battle against Stoke City - even if his team are victorious.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

On the contrary, the last thing Zola is going to do is walk out.
Full story: Daily Star

Regardless of whether Zola does or does not leave West Ham of his own volition, co-owners Sullivan and David Gold have a list of 10 potential replacements. (The Sun)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted having the jitters in the run-up to the end of the season - and believes the title will be decided on the final day.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini may appeal against his improper conduct charge from the Football Association.
Full story: The Times

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has blasted "idiots" for booing his players ahead of their clash with Portsmouth.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

AND FINALLY

One Irish bookmaker is threatening to ignore all goals Thierry Henry scores at the 2010 World Cup, following the French striker's handball incident against the Republic of Ireland in their qualifying play-off last November.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Ji-Sung Park and Chung-Yong Lee are about to cause an outbreak of insomnia in their homeland. More than one million South Koreans are setting their alarm clocks for 3am on Sunday - the time in their country when Park's Manchester United take on Lee's Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

 

[McFLY]

Sunday 28th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal have joined Manchester City in the race to sign £11m Hamburg defender Jerome Boateng.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

The Gunners have also been given first option on West Ham striker Carlton Cole.
Full story: News of the World

Failing that, Arsenal will take a closer look at Japanese striker Takayuki Morimoto.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester City, Tottenham and Stoke are all keen on Getafe midfielder Pedro Leon.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will discuss a £40m summer move for Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery when the two clubs meet in the Champions League this week.
Full story: Sunday Express

Chelsea and Spurs are locked in a tussle to land Nigerian teenage striker Sani *Emmanuel, who is just 17.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Portsmouth's short-term financial future could be secure after receiving a number of bids for players, among them £4.5m from CSKA Moscow for Nadir Belhadj and £5m from Sevilla for Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Full story: Sunday Telegraph

Birmingham City are eyeing a shock summer move for John Carew as the Norwegian striker's contract talks with Aston Villa have hit a stumbling block.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Sunderland are prepared to pay £10m for Tottenham's David Bentley and Jamie O'Hara.
Full story: News of the World

Barcelona star Thierry Henry is set to join Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls this summer.
Full story: News of the World

OTHER GOSSIP

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho will snub Manchester City's advances as he is waiting for Sir Alex Ferguson to retire before taking the reins at arch-rivals Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Star

Glenn Hoddle and Graeme Souness have both turned down the chance to take charge at West Ham as the clock appears to tick down on Gianfranco Zola's time managing the club.
Full story: News of the World

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has also distanced himself from the West Ham job.
Full story: Daily Star

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is instead being lined up to replace Zola.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks stands accused of risking the club's future by rejecting a 40% sale of the club, because he will not make any money from the deal.
Full story: News of the World

Senior figures at the FA fear the furore over the departure of the Football Association's chief executive, Ian Watmore, has fatally damaged England's bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Burnley's on-loan striker David Nugent is prepared to give up £1m to ensure he never has to play for Portsmouth again.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Meanwhile, former Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie, still a consultant at Fratton Park, has received a letter from police over Eyal Berkovic's pay-off from the club in 2005.
Full story: News of the World

Avram Grant has been asked to stay on as Portsmouth manager next season by administrator Andrew Andronikou, despite all the club's players being up for sale.
Full story: Observer

Darren Fletcher is negotiating a new contract worth £80,000 a week with Manchester United.
Full story: News of the World

Gabriel Agbonlahor is also ready to put pen to paper on a new deal, one which will extend his Aston Villa contract by two years and make him one of the club's top earners.
Full story: News of the World

Arsenal expect Barcelona's Pep Guardiola to succeed Arsene Wenger as manager.
Full story: Daily Star

AND FINALLY

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger resorted to a four-letter word when facing the media following his side's 1-1 draw with Birmingham.
Full story: News of the World

Lionel Messi has a claim to be considered the best player in the world - but has barely any fans in his home country of Argentina.
Full story: Observer

Bradford Park Avenue are looking to make a Football League comeback, 40 years after being voted out of it.
Full story: Independent on Sunday

 

[McFLY]

Monday 29th March gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham could extend striker Eidur Gudjohnsen's loan for a further 12 months. The Monaco player has scored two goals in his last three appearances and impressed in top scorer Jermain Defoe's absence.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United are considering a move for 24-year-old Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is valued by the Bundesliga club at about £10m.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Bolton, Birmingham and Preston are keeping tabs on Manchester United's England Under-21 international Tom Cleverley, currently on loan at Watford.
Full story: Daily Mail

Defender Liam Ridgewell will look to leave St Andrew's unless Blues stump up a new four-year, £20,000-a-week deal for the in-form 25-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Hull misfit Geovanni is in talks with Greek side AEK Athens as the Brazilian hopes to leave the KC Stadium, where his £25,000-a-week wages are set to be cut by 40%.
Full story: Daily Mail

And Geovanni's team-mate, midfielder Jimmy Bullard, will be top of Newcastle's shopping list if the Magpies secure promotion to the Premier League. Bullard, 30, has only started eight games since a £5m move 14 months ago but scored in Saturday's win against his former club Fulham.
Full story: The Sun

Derby County manager Nigel Clough is chasing Den Haag midfielder Danny Buijs.
Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Roy Keane will be sacked as Ipswich manager this week, although he could make a quick return to work, with Celtic considering making him Tony Mowbray's successor.
Full story: The Guardian

But West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola will remain in his post at least until the end of the season, despite a six-game losing streak that has left the Hammers only a point above the relegation zone. The Italian, who said he would consider his future in the wake of Saturday's loss to Stoke, has the backing of senior players.
Full story: The Times

Or, Zola will not return to the club after taking flight to Sardinia following Saturday's home loss.
Full story: The Independent

However, a friend of Zola's has spoken to him and learnt that he has no intention of walking out on the job and will be in charge for Sunday's trip to Everton.
Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas faces a race to be fit for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, first-leg against Barcelona. The former Barca trainee could be joined on the sidelines by Abou Diaby, while Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta will miss the tie with a hamstring strain.
Full story: The Guardian

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic fears being banned for four of the club's remaining six Premier League matches after appearing to catch Bolton's Johan Elmander with an elbow during Saturday's 4-0 victory.
Full story: Daily Mirror

A group of Rangers fans have taken the first tentative steps towards a potential takeover of the club. The Rangers Supporters Trust has sent an exploratory document and members hope to buy the shares of majority shareholder and former chairman Sir David Murray.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chris Hughton has confirmed he will remain as Newcastle manager next season and insists he is keen to keep both striker Andy Carroll and captain Steven Taylor at the club, despite the pair allegedly being involved in a training-ground row that left Taylor with a broken jaw.
Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Football fans will be given the right to buy their club under new proposals announced by the Labour government. Under the proposal, fan groups would get priority over other bidders. (The Times)

West Ham had a novel approach to combating Stoke midfielder Rory Delap's long throws on Saturday - deploying advertising hoardings within feet of the pitch. They even made an announcement over the public address system for a ball boy to replace a hoarding that had been knocked over. (The Sun)