Football Rumours

[shaman]

please keep to the topic

or he WILL selectively delete your post, as he has with this topic.

[benjo69_7]

Tuesday's gossip column

 

 

BLACKBURN GOSSIP

Under-fire Blackburn manager Paul Ince will discover his fate when he meets Rovers chairman John Williams at the club's training ground on Tuesday. (The Sun)

 

Williams spent most of Monday in talks with his fellow directors and could dispense of Ince on Tuesday morning. (The Times)

 

The Blackburn board thrashed out a compensation package for Ince at a crisis meeting in Manchester on Monday. (Daily Mail)

 

Ince met Williams on Monday and was told he will be sacked unless Blackburn beat Stoke on Saturday. (Daily Express)

 

One of the reasons Ince is still in charge is that the Blackburn board are split over who should replace him. (Daily Express)

 

There are a lack of an immediately available, and suitable, replacements - and the Sunderland vacancy is seen as more attractive by some of the leading candidates for the Blackburn post. (Daily Express)

 

Ex-Bolton and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has made it clear he sees the Black Cats as a more appealing option than Blackburn. (Daily Telegraph)

 

That leaves former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini and ex-Blackburn manager Graeme Souness as the two leading contenders to take charge at Ewood Park. (Daily Telegraph)

 

The Blackburn board are unsure whether to make Ince's successor a short-term or long-term appointment. (Daily Mail)

 

Rovers' preferred choice is to appoint Souness as manager, with veteran Blackburn midfielder Tugay working under him as coach. (Daily Mail)

 

Blackburn's plan to replace Ince with Souness could fall through as Souness is set to jet to the United States on a skiing holiday later this week. (Daily Mirror)

 

The Blackburn board are unenthusiastic about the prospect of ex-Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley being appointed as the new boss. (Daily Telegraph)

 

SUNDERLAND GOSSIP

Sunderland are set to stick with caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia until after Christmas. (The Sun)

 

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has gained favour in the Black Cats boardroom but no decision on former manager Roy Keane's successor is expected this week. (The Sun)

 

MICHAEL OWEN GOSSIP

England striker Michael Owen must take a £25,000-a-week pay cut - from £105,000 to £80,000 - as part of the new three-year contract he has been offered at Newcastle. (Various)

 

Owen, who has suffered from a series of injuries since moving to St James' Park from Real Madrid in 2005, could boost his basic weekly wage with bonuses that will be paid if he plays in 80% of the Magpies' games. (Various)

 

Owen, who is a free agent in the summer, could meet Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear to discuss the new deal on Tuesday. (Daily Mirror)

 

But the 29-year-old former Liverpool striker is likely to delay any decision until January when he is allowed to start talks on a free transfer and wait to see if any of the 'Big Four' - Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United - or even Tottenham, Manchester City and Everton are interested. (Daily Mirror)

 

Spurs and Everton are keen on signing Owen in January. (Daily Express)

 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear wants West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson and Blackburn left-back Stephen Warnock, although he may have to sell before he can buy. (Daily Mirror)

 

Manchester City have offered Spanish side Espanyol the chance to sign midfielder Elano on loan in January with a view to a permanent move. (Daily Star)

 

Blackburn have upped their asking price for striker Roque Santa Cruz - a January target for City - towards the £20m mark. (Various)

 

Real Madrid are preparing a £25m bid for Aston Villa's England winger Ashley Young. (Daily Star)

 

Real's former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos also wants Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra and could return to his old club for Didier Zokora, Aaron Lennon and David Bentley. (Daily Star)

 

Diarra is likely to join Manchester City for £16m and Pompey could cash in if they receive offers for strikers Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe, defender Glen Johnson or goalkeeper David James. (The Times)

 

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has been told he has no money to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window. (The Sun)

 

Scolari has accepted that he will not be able to sign a striker in January, despite having previously outlined plans to sign a new goalscorer. (Daily Telegraph)

 

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is looking to bolster his squad by signing Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson, West Ham centre-back Matthew Upson, Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing and Bordeaux striker Fernando Cavenaghi. (Daily Mirror)

 

But Spurs chairman Daniel Levy says the current economic climate means the club will not be involved in any big-money deals. (Daily Express)

 

Redknapp wants Lassana Diarra, Matthew Upson, Jermain Defoe and Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini but all four are likely to be unavailable in mid-season. (The Guardian)

 

Redknapp may have to settle for bringing in one or two players on loan instead. (The Times)

 

Celtic could allow winger Aiden McGeady to leave Parkhead in January if they receive a big-money offer for the Republic of Ireland international. (Daily Record)

 

Wolves, Birmingham, QPR and Crystal Palace are all battling to sign Chelsea's teenage winger Scott Sinclair on loan in January. (Daily Mirror)

 

Birmingham say Scotland striker James McFadden is staying at St Andrews unless they receive an offer of £18m. (Daily Star)

 

Hearts centre-back Christophe Berra, a target for Rangers and Bolton, admits it is his ambition to play in the English Premier League. (Daily Record)

 

Leicester are set to make a third contract offer to highly rated striker Matty Fryatt, who is wanted by Preston, Crystal Palace and Derby. (Daily Mirror)

 

Derby boss Paul Jewell is watching Chesterfield striker Jamie Ward, who is available for £250,000. (Daily Mirror)

 

Cardiff and Crystal Palace will fight it out for Watford midfielder Jobi McAnuff, who has been told he can leave the cash-strapped Hornets in January for £1m. (Daily Mirror)

 

Aberdeen are poised to secure West Brom full-back Jared Hodgkiss on a permanent basis in January. (Scottish Daily Mail)

 

Hearts fans are urging the club's owner Vladimir Romanov not to sell the Tynecastle side's big names in January. (Daily Star)

 

OTHER FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Former England midfielder Nicky Butt will sign a new deal with Newcastle this week, ahead of reaching the 19 appearances he needs to make this season to trigger an automatic one-year contract extension with the Magpies. (Daily Mirror)

 

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has been warned he needs to achieve a top-six finish in the Premier League this season to satisfy the club's new billionaire Arab owners. City are currently 17th. (Daily Mirror)

 

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes admits his side would rather be in the thick of the title race rather than in Tokyo contesting the Fifa Club World Cup. (Daily Mirror)

 

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, now with Inter Milan, says the Gunners can forget about winning the Premier League title if they lose to Liverpool on Sunday. (The Sun)

 

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech believes a successful Christmas programme will be the key to the Blues regaining the Premier League title. (Daily Mirror)

 

Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher could face Rangers at the weekend after being told the shin injury he sustained against Hamilton on Saturday is not as serious as first feared. (Daily Record)

 

Hartlepool caretaker boss Chris Turner could be handed the job on a permanent basis following former boss Danny Wilson's departure. (Daily Mail)

 

Rangers boss Walter Smith has hit back at critics of the Barry Ferguson and Pedro Mendes midfield partnership. (Scottish Daily Express)

 

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson has backed Kilmarnock counterpart Jim Jefferies over his row with SPL chairman Lex Gold following their league summit snub. (Daily Star

 

AND FINALLY

England coach Fabio Capello has had a bust-up over the length of grass at Wembley. Capello says each blade should measure 17 millimetres - and has even measured them with a ruler - but head groundsman Steve Welch is adamant it should be 2mm longer. (The Sun)

 

The stress of being a Premier League boss could be behind the spate of managers suffering from painful kidney stones. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez had surgery to remove one on Monday - 48 hours after Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari was found to have three of them. (The Sun)

 

Junior side Lochee United's secretary Larry Duncan wants legendary weather forecaster Michael Fish to determine when his team's five-times postponed Scottish Cup tie with Ayr United will go ahead. (Daily Star)

[benjo69_7]

Wednesday's gossip column

 

 

BLACKBURN GOSSIP

Martin Jol, the former Tottenham boss who is now in charge of Hamburg, and ex-England coach Steve McClaren, now at FC Twente, have joined a shortlist headed by Sam Allardyce, Avram Grant and Graeme Souness for the vacant managerial job at Blackburn. (Daily Mail)

 

Souness and Rovers' veteran midfielder Tugay are favourites to take over at Blackburn before the weekend. (Daily Express)

 

Former Blackburn manager Kenny Dalglish claims Rovers had to sack Paul Ince because they could not risk him making an even bigger mess at Ewood Park. (Daily Mirror)

 

Former Rovers midfielder David Bentley has no doubt Blackburn will recover from the sacking of manager Ince and retain their Premier League status. (The Sun)

 

MICHAEL OWEN GOSSIP

England striker Michael Owen has received a four-year contract offer - not three years as has been reported - and at a salary believed to be about £90,000 per week, not £80,000. (The Independent)

 

Owen has told his Newcastle team-mates he is hoping for Liverpool, Manchester City or Everton to make him an offer he cannot refuse. (Daily Mail)

 

Wigan boss Steve Bruce will launch an ambitious bid to land Owen in the new year and has already set his sights on Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt. (Daily Star)

 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Portsmouth have agreed to sell midfielder Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid in a club record £20m deal. (Daily Mirror)

 

However, Manchester City believe that Diarra can be theirs for £18m, while reports suggest the Spaniards have offered half that amount. (The Guardian)

 

Russia forward Andrei Arshavin is seeking a move to either Manchester United or Chelsea after being told he can leave Zenit St Petersburg next month. (The Sun)

 

Liverpool have denied claims that Robbie Keane will be sold in January after their former player Mark Lawrenson cast doubt on the striker's Anfield future during an interview with an Irish radio station. (The Guardian)

 

Juventus plan a double swoop for Liverpool's Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger and will make a bid to sign the duo in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

 

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Manchester City are tracking Hull defender Michael Turner. (Daily Mirror)

 

Aston Villa have expressed an interest in Newcastle's French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia, whose future at the club has been in doubt, despite having signed a five-year contract last year. (The Independent)

 

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is to make a £7m swoop for Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. (Daily Mirror)

 

Aston Villa, Spurs and Manchester City are ready to start a bidding war for West Ham's £10m-rated Dean Ashton as the striker is set to return from injury next month. (The Sun)

 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger cast fresh doubt over the future of William Gallas by claiming the Arsenal defender has lost the "happiness to play" football. (The Independent)

 

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is on Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho's Christmas wish list, while Wenger could make a move for Le Mans' Ivory Coast defender Gervinho - if Gallas leaves in January. (Daily Telegraph)

 

Emanuel Pogatetz fears Middlesbrough team-mate Tuncay will join Chelsea. (The Sun)

 

Bolton manager Gary Megson is ready to make a £6m bid for Sunderland winger Kieran Richardson. (Daily Star)

 

Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny is set to turn his back on Sheffield United if they do not offer him a new deal this month. (The Sun)

 

OTHER FOOTBALL GOSSIP

The agents of recently departed Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster, former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini, and ex-Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira are all said to have been in touch with chairman Niall Quinn about becoming Sunderland's next manager. (The Guardian)

 

The Brazilian Football Confederation could offer Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari a return ticket to his homeland as Brazil coach. The country's current manager Dunga faces the axe in the new year after a stumbling 2010 World Cup qualification campaign. (Daily Mirror)

 

Scolari is facing a growing challenge to his authority as several senior Chelsea players asked him to explain his substitutions after the 1-1 draw at home to West Ham. (The Times)

 

Richard Scudamore, the Premier League's chief executive, has claimed the league will be able to stimulate enough competition among broadcasters to defy the global economic slump when its TV rights are put up for auction in the new year. (The Guardian)

 

The Premier League will launch its own TV channel from the summer of 2010 if the value of bids for live rights plummets when the auction for the 2010-13 seasons opens in the next few weeks. (The Independent)

 

Carlos Tevez, whose two-year loan expires at the end of the season, insists he is on the brink of agreeing a deal to stay at Manchester United.

 

Celtic winger Aiden McGeady has been ordered to write a written apology to manager Gordon Strachan following a dressing room outburst for which he was disciplined by the club. (Daily Record)

 

AND FINALLY

Olympic sprint legend Michael Johnson has told Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill that he can make Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor even faster. O'Neill is considering an offer to send his forwards to Dallas this summer to fine-tune their running skills. (Daily Star)

[yogi120]

Wednesday's gossip column

 

 

BLACKBURN GOSSIP

Martin Jol, the former Tottenham boss who is now in charge of Hamburg, and ex-England coach Steve McClaren, now at FC Twente, have joined a shortlist headed by Sam Allardyce, Avram Grant and Graeme Souness for the vacant managerial job at Blackburn. (Daily Mail)

 

Souness and Rovers' veteran midfielder Tugay are favourites to take over at Blackburn before the weekend. (Daily Express)

 

Former Blackburn manager Kenny Dalglish claims Rovers had to sack Paul Ince because they could not risk him making an even bigger mess at Ewood Park. (Daily Mirror)

 

Former Rovers midfielder David Bentley has no doubt Blackburn will recover from the sacking of manager Ince and retain their Premier League status. (The Sun)

 

MICHAEL OWEN GOSSIP

England striker Michael Owen has received a four-year contract offer - not three years as has been reported - and at a salary believed to be about £90,000 per week, not £80,000. (The Independent)

 

Owen has told his Newcastle team-mates he is hoping for Liverpool, Manchester City or Everton to make him an offer he cannot refuse. (Daily Mail)

 

Wigan boss Steve Bruce will launch an ambitious bid to land Owen in the new year and has already set his sights on Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt. (Daily Star)

 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Portsmouth have agreed to sell midfielder Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid in a club record £20m deal. (Daily Mirror)

 

However, Manchester City believe that Diarra can be theirs for £18m, while reports suggest the Spaniards have offered half that amount. (The Guardian)

 

Russia forward Andrei Arshavin is seeking a move to either Manchester United or Chelsea after being told he can leave Zenit St Petersburg next month. (The Sun)

 

Liverpool have denied claims that Robbie Keane will be sold in January after their former player Mark Lawrenson cast doubt on the striker's Anfield future during an interview with an Irish radio station. (The Guardian)

 

Juventus plan a double swoop for Liverpool's Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger and will make a bid to sign the duo in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

 

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Manchester City are tracking Hull defender Michael Turner. (Daily Mirror)

 

Aston Villa have expressed an interest in Newcastle's French midfielder Charles N'Zogbia, whose future at the club has been in doubt, despite having signed a five-year contract last year. (The Independent)

 

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is to make a £7m swoop for Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. (Daily Mirror)

 

Aston Villa, Spurs and Manchester City are ready to start a bidding war for West Ham's £10m-rated Dean Ashton as the striker is set to return from injury next month. (The Sun)

 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger cast fresh doubt over the future of William Gallas by claiming the Arsenal defender has lost the "happiness to play" football. (The Independent)

 

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is on Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho's Christmas wish list, while Wenger could make a move for Le Mans' Ivory Coast defender Gervinho - if Gallas leaves in January. (Daily Telegraph)

 

Emanuel Pogatetz fears Middlesbrough team-mate Tuncay will join Chelsea. (The Sun)

 

Bolton manager Gary Megson is ready to make a £6m bid for Sunderland winger Kieran Richardson. (Daily Star)

 

Goalkeeper Paddy Kenny is set to turn his back on Sheffield United if they do not offer him a new deal this month. (The Sun)

 

OTHER FOOTBALL GOSSIP

The agents of recently departed Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster, former Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini, and ex-Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira are all said to have been in touch with chairman Niall Quinn about becoming Sunderland's next manager. (The Guardian)

 

The Brazilian Football Confederation could offer Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari a return ticket to his homeland as Brazil coach. The country's current manager Dunga faces the axe in the new year after a stumbling 2010 World Cup qualification campaign. (Daily Mirror)

 

Scolari is facing a growing challenge to his authority as several senior Chelsea players asked him to explain his substitutions after the 1-1 draw at home to West Ham. (The Times)

 

Richard Scudamore, the Premier League's chief executive, has claimed the league will be able to stimulate enough competition among broadcasters to defy the global economic slump when its TV rights are put up for auction in the new year. (The Guardian)

 

The Premier League will launch its own TV channel from the summer of 2010 if the value of bids for live rights plummets when the auction for the 2010-13 seasons opens in the next few weeks. (The Independent)

 

Carlos Tevez, whose two-year loan expires at the end of the season, insists he is on the brink of agreeing a deal to stay at Manchester United.

 

Celtic winger Aiden McGeady has been ordered to write a written apology to manager Gordon Strachan following a dressing room outburst for which he was disciplined by the club. (Daily Record)

 

AND FINALLY

Olympic sprint legend Michael Johnson has told Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill that he can make Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor even faster. O'Neill is considering an offer to send his forwards to Dallas this summer to fine-tune their running skills. (Daily Star)

 

 

Benjo u are a rebel!! Big Bertie boy wont be happy with you.

[benjo69_7]

I know, what a shame on him having to read all that, some people just have the worst jobs eh!

[shaman]

El Portsmouth ha aceptado la oferta del Real Madrid por Lassana Diarrà, inferior a los 20 millones que pedía el conjunto inglés, y ha dado permiso al mediocentro para negociar su salida del equipo, según publica en su web.

 

El pasado 23 de febrero Eduardo da Silva se tuvo que retirar en el minuto 3 del Birmingham-Arsenal con el peroné reventado y ayer volvió a jugar un partido.

 

El Torneo Apertura 2008 se decidirá en un triangular compuesto por Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo y Tigre, puesto que todos ellos empataron a puntos al final del torneo.

 

El Torneo Apertura 2008 se decidirá en un triangular compuesto por Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo y Tigre, puesto que todos ellos empataron a puntos al final del torneo.

 

Sergio Ramos y Raúl no se entrenan por culpa de la gripe · Raúl: "Todo es posible en el Real Madrid"

 

Los futbolistas del Real Madrid Sergio Ramos y Raúl González no se entrenaron este miércoles en la Ciudad Deportiva de Valdebebas por culpa de la gripe, que, sin embargo, sí dio un respiro a Míchel Salgado, ausente el día anterior por la misma causa y presente esta vez sobre el césped del campo de trabajo madridista.

 

A la plaga de lesiones del conjunto blanco -Diarra, De la Red, Van Nistelrooy, Hunteelar, Pepe, Heinze, Miguel Torres y Sneijder-, se une ahora la gripe. Míchel Salgado parece que ya la ha superado, pero ahora los servicios médicos del club deberán trabajar rápido para recuperar a Raúl y a Sergio Ramos de cara al partido ante el Valencia.

 

La ausencia de los dos jugadores obligó a Juande Ramos a llamar a un nuevo canterano, el defensa ghanés Daniel Tawiah Opare, que acompañó a sus compañeros del filial Alberto Bueno, Miguel Palanca y Agustín García 'Agus' en la sesión de trabajo dirigida por el técnico manchego.

 

Aparte de la ausencia de Raúl y Salgado, tampoco se entrenaron con normalidad Gabriel Heinze, Pepe, Miguel Torres, Klaas-Jan Hunteelar, Sneijder y Fabio Cannavaro. La presencia de los dos últimos para el encuentro ante el Valencia parece asegurada. El resto, pese a que se entrenó la jornada anterior sobre el césped de Valdebebas, tiene más difícil entrar en la lista de Juande Ramos para el próximo sábado. En esta ocasión se ejercitaron en el gimnasio.



Cooperación, coordinación, comunicación y confianza en los compañeros son algunas de las aptitudes necesarias para trabajar en un equipo. Las quieren poner en práctica a partir de ahora los jugadores del Real Madrid para intentar sacar adelante una situación muy complicada. Saben que la unión hace la fuerza y por ello recurrirán de nuevo al famoso 'Juntos podemos' tras la derrota en el Camp Nou que les deja sextos a doce puntos del líder. Una diferencia que, aunque parezca insalvable, están convencidos de intentar remontar en las 23 jornadas que restan para que termine la Liga BBVA.

 

El primero que quiere mentalizar a los jugadores de que todavía no hay nada perdido es Juande Ramos, que ha llegado al club con la intención de ejercer de entrenador y psicólogo a partes iguales. Nada que ver con el derrotismo de Schuster, incapaz de transmitir ningún mensaje positivo a sus hombres. "Yo estoy convencido de que se pueden remontar los 12 puntos. Si el equipo trabaja con la misma actitud que tuvo en el Camp Nou estoy convencido de que ganaremos muchos partidos. Después del partido vi a los jugadores con ganas de iniciar la remontada", afirma Juande en una entrevista publicada hoy en el diario MARCA.

 

Su planteamiento defensivo en el Camp Nou estuvo a punto de funcionar y evitó que el Real Madrid saliese moralmente hundido pese a la derrota. El equipo luchó con lo que tenía ante un Barça que ahora mismo es muy superior, en plantilla y juego. Juande motivó a los suyos ante la adversidad y los jugadores no le defraudaron. "No tengo ninguna duda de que los jugadores dieron la cara. Tuvieron una actitud muy buena y positiva (...) Demostramos que tenemos orgullo y que estamos ahí".

 

Los pesos pesados toman la palabra

Tras el pitido final, los jugadores madridistas siguieron sin bajar los brazos en la zona mixta. A la cabeza de los irreductibles se situó como siempre Raúl, el capitán que se esfuerza por mantener en pie el espíritu de un equipo maltrecho por las lesiones y dolido por las derrotas. "Queda mucha Liga y no vamos a bajar los brazos. El campeonato es largo y hay que seguir peleando”, fue el mensaje institucional del siete.

 

Más directo fue Michel Salgado, otro de los pesos pesados del vestuario, que habló en caliente sobre la fiesta que se originó en el Camp Nou tras el triunzo azulgrana. "Me sorprende que aquí ya estén celebrando la Liga. Aún me acuerdo cuando vinimos aquí hace dos años y empatamos 3-3 y dije que al final ganaríamos la Liga y la ganamos. Todo el mundo nos da por muertos y eso nos fastidia. Nos fastidió mucho las bromas antes del partido, y hemos jugado bien. La diferencia es de 12 puntos y queremos el apoyo de los nuestros".

 

El lateral gallego anticipó lo que el club ya tiene entre manos para intentar generar un clima de entusiasmo con motivo de la visita del Valencia. Según informa Pablo Polo, el Madrid se está planteando lanzar otra campaña como la que le funcionó en la Liga de Capello. Entonces, tras ver como el Barça le empataba en el descuento en el Camp Nou, los jugadores dieron un paso al frente y se conjuraron para remontar a su eterno rival cinco puntos en doce jornadas.Ahora son 12 en 23, pero en el club se confía en que Juande Ramos pueda revertir la situación con la incorporación de los nuevos fichajes y la recuperación de algunos lesionados.

 

Juande Ramos para levantar los ánimos

A fomentar la ilusión en la plantilla ayuda la confianza que Juande Ramos ha depositado en los canteranos nada más aterrizar en Valdebebas. Con Schuster estaban marginados pero ahora el nuevo entrenador les ha demostrado que, si es necesario, contará con ellos. Puede dar buena fé de ello Miguel Palanca, que hoy pasó por la sala de prensa tras tomar la alternativa como madridista en el Camp Nou. Su desparpajo fuera y dentro del terreno de juego invita a pensar que el club blanco ha ganado un nuevo efectivo para su primera plantilla en las próximas fechas. Con humildad, Palanca ya sabe cuál es la línea argumental correcta para salir de la crisis. "El equipo tienen muchas ganas de salir adelante, de que llegue el partido ante el Valencia y demostrar que no es cierto que el Madrid está tirando la Liga", comentó.

 

Este lunes, el Real Madrid celebró la tradicional comida de Navidad en el estadio Santiago Bernabéu, una reunión que pretende convertirse en un punto de inflexión en una temporada aciaga hasta el momento. La decisión de Juande de trabajar en doble sesión de mañana y tarde es otra de las medidas que pretenden reforzar la cohesión del grupo. Los jugadores convivirán prácticamente durante todo el día en las instalaciones de Valdebebas con el propósito de rectificar errores y volver por el buen camino de la mano de Juande Ramos, el hombre elegido para motivar a un grupo que quiere estar más unido que nunca en estos malos momentos.

 

Según publican medios alemanes, el VFB Stuttgart podría ser el nuevo equipo de Bernd Schuster. El ex técnico del Real Madrid asumiría el mando del equipo germano a comienzos de la próxima temporada cuando se vaya Markus Babbel.

 

Leo Messi, la gran estrella del FC Barcelona, estrenará nuevas botas en el próximo partido de Liga BBVA. El domingo 21 de diciembre, frente al Villarreal, 'La Pulga' calzará por primera vez las adidas Tunit F50 Leo Messi, unas botas que pisarán por primera vez un terreno de juego. Adidas ha creado una línea exclusiva a uno de sus mejores símbolos y probablemente el jugador más en forma del momento. Messi será el único futbolista en llevar dichas botas. Los detalles exclusivos de estas botas son la combinación de colores plata y azul; la firma 'Leo Messi' serigrafiada en el lateral de las botas y la bandera de argentina, el número 10 y el nombre 'Leo' bordados en la lengüeta.

[MVTGARY]

Drogba to Inter Milan

Edited December 17, 2008 by MVTGARY

[yogi120]

El Portsmouth ha aceptado la oferta del Real Madrid por Lassana Diarrà, inferior a los 20 millones que pedía el conjunto inglés, y ha dado permiso al mediocentro para negociar su salida del equipo, según publica en su web.

 

El pasado 23 de febrero Eduardo da Silva se tuvo que retirar en el minuto 3 del Birmingham-Arsenal con el peroné reventado y ayer volvió a jugar un partido.

 

El Torneo Apertura 2008 se decidirá en un triangular compuesto por Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo y Tigre, puesto que todos ellos empataron a puntos al final del torneo.

 

El Torneo Apertura 2008 se decidirá en un triangular compuesto por Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo y Tigre, puesto que todos ellos empataron a puntos al final del torneo.

 

Sergio Ramos y Raúl no se entrenan por culpa de la gripe · Raúl: "Todo es posible en el Real Madrid"

 

Los futbolistas del Real Madrid Sergio Ramos y Raúl González no se entrenaron este miércoles en la Ciudad Deportiva de Valdebebas por culpa de la gripe, que, sin embargo, sí dio un respiro a Míchel Salgado, ausente el día anterior por la misma causa y presente esta vez sobre el césped del campo de trabajo madridista.

 

A la plaga de lesiones del conjunto blanco -Diarra, De la Red, Van Nistelrooy, Hunteelar, Pepe, Heinze, Miguel Torres y Sneijder-, se une ahora la gripe. Míchel Salgado parece que ya la ha superado, pero ahora los servicios médicos del club deberán trabajar rápido para recuperar a Raúl y a Sergio Ramos de cara al partido ante el Valencia.

 

La ausencia de los dos jugadores obligó a Juande Ramos a llamar a un nuevo canterano, el defensa ghanés Daniel Tawiah Opare, que acompañó a sus compañeros del filial Alberto Bueno, Miguel Palanca y Agustín García 'Agus' en la sesión de trabajo dirigida por el técnico manchego.

 

Aparte de la ausencia de Raúl y Salgado, tampoco se entrenaron con normalidad Gabriel Heinze, Pepe, Miguel Torres, Klaas-Jan Hunteelar, Sneijder y Fabio Cannavaro. La presencia de los dos últimos para el encuentro ante el Valencia parece asegurada. El resto, pese a que se entrenó la jornada anterior sobre el césped de Valdebebas, tiene más difícil entrar en la lista de Juande Ramos para el próximo sábado. En esta ocasión se ejercitaron en el gimnasio.



Cooperación, coordinación, comunicación y confianza en los compañeros son algunas de las aptitudes necesarias para trabajar en un equipo. Las quieren poner en práctica a partir de ahora los jugadores del Real Madrid para intentar sacar adelante una situación muy complicada. Saben que la unión hace la fuerza y por ello recurrirán de nuevo al famoso 'Juntos podemos' tras la derrota en el Camp Nou que les deja sextos a doce puntos del líder. Una diferencia que, aunque parezca insalvable, están convencidos de intentar remontar en las 23 jornadas que restan para que termine la Liga BBVA.

 

El primero que quiere mentalizar a los jugadores de que todavía no hay nada perdido es Juande Ramos, que ha llegado al club con la intención de ejercer de entrenador y psicólogo a partes iguales. Nada que ver con el derrotismo de Schuster, incapaz de transmitir ningún mensaje positivo a sus hombres. "Yo estoy convencido de que se pueden remontar los 12 puntos. Si el equipo trabaja con la misma actitud que tuvo en el Camp Nou estoy convencido de que ganaremos muchos partidos. Después del partido vi a los jugadores con ganas de iniciar la remontada", afirma Juande en una entrevista publicada hoy en el diario MARCA.

 

Su planteamiento defensivo en el Camp Nou estuvo a punto de funcionar y evitó que el Real Madrid saliese moralmente hundido pese a la derrota. El equipo luchó con lo que tenía ante un Barça que ahora mismo es muy superior, en plantilla y juego. Juande motivó a los suyos ante la adversidad y los jugadores no le defraudaron. "No tengo ninguna duda de que los jugadores dieron la cara. Tuvieron una actitud muy buena y positiva (...) Demostramos que tenemos orgullo y que estamos ahí".

 

Los pesos pesados toman la palabra

Tras el pitido final, los jugadores madridistas siguieron sin bajar los brazos en la zona mixta. A la cabeza de los irreductibles se situó como siempre Raúl, el capitán que se esfuerza por mantener en pie el espíritu de un equipo maltrecho por las lesiones y dolido por las derrotas. "Queda mucha Liga y no vamos a bajar los brazos. El campeonato es largo y hay que seguir peleando”, fue el mensaje institucional del siete.

 

Más directo fue Michel Salgado, otro de los pesos pesados del vestuario, que habló en caliente sobre la fiesta que se originó en el Camp Nou tras el triunzo azulgrana. "Me sorprende que aquí ya estén celebrando la Liga. Aún me acuerdo cuando vinimos aquí hace dos años y empatamos 3-3 y dije que al final ganaríamos la Liga y la ganamos. Todo el mundo nos da por muertos y eso nos fastidia. Nos fastidió mucho las bromas antes del partido, y hemos jugado bien. La diferencia es de 12 puntos y queremos el apoyo de los nuestros".

 

El lateral gallego anticipó lo que el club ya tiene entre manos para intentar generar un clima de entusiasmo con motivo de la visita del Valencia. Según informa Pablo Polo, el Madrid se está planteando lanzar otra campaña como la que le funcionó en la Liga de Capello. Entonces, tras ver como el Barça le empataba en el descuento en el Camp Nou, los jugadores dieron un paso al frente y se conjuraron para remontar a su eterno rival cinco puntos en doce jornadas.Ahora son 12 en 23, pero en el club se confía en que Juande Ramos pueda revertir la situación con la incorporación de los nuevos fichajes y la recuperación de algunos lesionados.

 

Juande Ramos para levantar los ánimos

A fomentar la ilusión en la plantilla ayuda la confianza que Juande Ramos ha depositado en los canteranos nada más aterrizar en Valdebebas. Con Schuster estaban marginados pero ahora el nuevo entrenador les ha demostrado que, si es necesario, contará con ellos. Puede dar buena fé de ello Miguel Palanca, que hoy pasó por la sala de prensa tras tomar la alternativa como madridista en el Camp Nou. Su desparpajo fuera y dentro del terreno de juego invita a pensar que el club blanco ha ganado un nuevo efectivo para su primera plantilla en las próximas fechas. Con humildad, Palanca ya sabe cuál es la línea argumental correcta para salir de la crisis. "El equipo tienen muchas ganas de salir adelante, de que llegue el partido ante el Valencia y demostrar que no es cierto que el Madrid está tirando la Liga", comentó.

 

Este lunes, el Real Madrid celebró la tradicional comida de Navidad en el estadio Santiago Bernabéu, una reunión que pretende convertirse en un punto de inflexión en una temporada aciaga hasta el momento. La decisión de Juande de trabajar en doble sesión de mañana y tarde es otra de las medidas que pretenden reforzar la cohesión del grupo. Los jugadores convivirán prácticamente durante todo el día en las instalaciones de Valdebebas con el propósito de rectificar errores y volver por el buen camino de la mano de Juande Ramos, el hombre elegido para motivar a un grupo que quiere estar más unido que nunca en estos malos momentos.

 

Según publican medios alemanes, el VFB Stuttgart podría ser el nuevo equipo de Bernd Schuster. El ex técnico del Real Madrid asumiría el mando del equipo germano a comienzos de la próxima temporada cuando se vaya Markus Babbel.

 

Leo Messi, la gran estrella del FC Barcelona, estrenará nuevas botas en el próximo partido de Liga BBVA. El domingo 21 de diciembre, frente al Villarreal, 'La Pulga' calzará por primera vez las adidas Tunit F50 Leo Messi, unas botas que pisarán por primera vez un terreno de juego. Adidas ha creado una línea exclusiva a uno de sus mejores símbolos y probablemente el jugador más en forma del momento. Messi será el único futbolista en llevar dichas botas. Los detalles exclusivos de estas botas son la combinación de colores plata y azul; la firma 'Leo Messi' serigrafiada en el lateral de las botas y la bandera de argentina, el número 10 y el nombre 'Leo' bordados en la lengüeta.

 

Ha. Stick that in your pipe bert"keep to the topic"dunf.

[bertdunf98]

please keep to the topic

or he WILL selectively delete your post, as he has with this topic.

how can the topic still be here if i have deleted it?

[shaman]

please keep to the topic

or he WILL selectively delete your post, as he has with this topic.

how can the topic still be here if i have deleted it?

The meaning may have you bewildered i.e. selectively deleting posts from the topic, not deleting the topic.

[bertdunf98]

please keep to the topic

or he WILL selectively delete your post, as he has with this topic.

how can the topic still be here if i have deleted it?

The meaning may have you bewildered i.e. selectively deleting posts from the topic, not deleting the topic.

i wasnt selectively deleting anything

[benjo69_7]

Thursday's gossip column

 

 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

A director at Real Madrid claims the Spanish giants have a "secret deal" in place to sign Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo but clauses in the arrangement prevent the transfer being made public. (Various)

 

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has admitted that there is nothing he can do to keep Michael Owen at the club and hinted that Manchester City might be interested in the 29-year-old. (The Sun)

 

New Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce only agreed to take over at Ewood Park if Roque Santa Cruz stayed at the club. (The Sun)

 

However, the former Bolton manager is prepared to offload the 27-year-old striker for about £20m to held fund a January spending spree. (Various)

 

Tottenham have made enquiries about 28-year-old Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant and manager Rafael Benitez is interested in a swap deal involving Aaron Lennon. (Daily Mirror)

 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is lining up 24-year-old Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini as a long-term replacement for William Gallas. (Daily Telegraph)

 

Chelsea defener Alex, 26, will meet with owner Roman Abramovich to discuss his future after demanding to leave Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

 

Luiz Felipe Scoalri has won his battle with Abramovich over Chelsea's spending policy and will spend £20m on either Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano or Zenit St Petersburg's Andrei Arshavin. (Daily Star)

 

Mark Hughes is still hoping he can persuade Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra to come to Manchester City, despite the 23-year-old Frenchman having agreed a deal to sign for Real Madrid. (The Sun)

 

Valencia defender Miguel, 28, has said he wants to leave the Spanish club with Chelsea thought to be his preferred destination. (Various)

 

Liverpool will offer Fernando Torres a new £6m deal to keep the 24-year-old striker at Anfield and fend off reported interest from Mancheester City. (Daily Star)

 

Rosenborg midfielder Anthony Annan, 22, is a £4m target for Tottenham and the Ghanian has said he would like to join-up with Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane. (The Sun)

 

Gary O'Neill is set to return to Portsmouth in the wake of Diarra's proposed move to Real Madrid after failing to settle at Middlesbrough since his £5.5m move in August 2007. (Daily Mirror)

 

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray wants to sign 23-year-old striker Leroy Lita on loan to help the Baggies avoid relegation. (Various)

 

Everton and Bolton are fighting it out to sign Sheffield Wednesday's £3m-rated defender Mark Beevers. (The Sun)

 

Although Bolton have agreed a £3m deal to bring the 19-year-old to the Reebok Stadium. (Daily Mail)

 

Derby manager Paul Jewell is ready to launch an £800,000 bid for 20-year-old Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper. (The Sun)

 

Celtic are lining up Hungarian international Szabolc Huszti from Hannover 96 as a replacement for Aiden McGeady. (Daily Record)

 

The Scottish champions will also sign goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska on a pre-contract after the Pole rejected new terms at Dundee United. (various)

 

And the president of Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia says Celtic are interested in their £400,000-rated defender Ivan Ivanov.

 

Rangers have enquired about Spartak Moscow's Austrian centre-back Martin Stranzl as manager Walter Smith looks to toughen up his defence. (various)

 

Hibernian boss Mixu Paatelainen will decide in the next 48 hours whether he wants to sign former Dundee United goalkeeper Grzegorz Szamotulski. (various)

 

OTHER FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has warned that the Premier League cannot continue to grow and is worried about club's over-reliance on billionaires and vast amounts of television money. (Various)

 

Manchester City's record signing Robinho has accused Premier League footballers of being "animalistic" but the 24-year-old Brazilian says he has adapted quicker to the style of English football than he thought he would. (Various)

 

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has said the club need to spend big in January if they harbour ambitions of a top-half Premier League finish. (Daily Mail)

 

Sunderland defender Danny Collins says that spirits have been lifted and communication improved since Roy Keane left the club. (Various)

 

Ryan Giggs has said that of all the 19 trophies he has won with Manchester United, the hardest was winning the Club World Cup in 1999. (The Sun)

 

Mike Ashley has hailed the impact of Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear and labelled him "better than Fabio Capello". (The Sun)

 

Gary Speed, 39, is hoping to land his first management job with Swindon after the Sheffield United midfielder was interviewed for the vacant post. (The Sun)

 

Rangers are lining up a friendly against David Beckham's AC Milan side for early 2009. (Daily Record)

 

AND FINALLY

Spartak Moscow players have criticised the standard of Chelsea's Cobham training ground after being lent the facilities to prepare for their Uefa Cup clash with Tottenham on Thursday.

 

Striker Artur Mayolan said the food was not up to scratch and that "they sit on plastic chairs which are more suitable for outdoor BBQ parties and even eat from disposable plates". (Various)

 

Robinho has said that listening to rap music has helped him learn English and understand fans' chants. The Man City striker has also said that he is getting used to the cold weather, but is not too fond of rain. (The Sun)

[benjo69_7]

Thursday's gossip column

 

 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona are planning a sensational raid on Arsenal with a £45m double summer move for captain Cesc Fabregas and striker Robin van Persie. (Daily Star)

 

Sunderland striker David Healy has snubbed a £1m move to Rangers. (Daily Star)

 

Manchester City have tabled an £8m bid for Newcastle's unhappy goalkeeper Shay Given, which is expected to provoke an approach from Tottenham. (Daily Mail)

 

Hull boss Phil Brown is poised to sign midfielder Kevin Kilbane from Wigan in a cut-price deal worth about £1m. (Daily Express)

 

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is a shock £5m target for Portsmouth. (The Sun)

 

Pompey manager Tony Adams is also on the verge of landing his former Arsenal team-mate Edu on loan from Valencia. (The Sun)

 

Bolton are on the verge of snapping up Zenit St Petersburg centre-back Sebastien Puygrenier on a six-month loan deal. (The Sun)

 

Manchester City have intensified their £15m bid to sign Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn Rovers as manager Mark Hughes looks to reassert his authority over a demoralised squad. (The Times)

 

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is considering a £4.5m bid for Lyon's Brazilian striker Fred. (Daily Mirror)

 

Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha is at the centre of a battle between Wigan, Blackburn, Fulham, Newcastle and French side Paris St Germain. (Daily Mirror)

 

West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer could be in line for a move to Championship high-fliers Birmingham. (Various)

 

Queens Park Rangers are after Manchester City's young midfield star Michael Johnson. (The Sun)

 

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate appears to be warming to the idea of allowing Stewart Downing to leave the club for nearly £15m in order to use the money to strengthen his squad. (The Times)

 

Tottenham could move for Polish goalkeeper Sebastien Przyrowski, currently with Polonia Warsaw, as potential cover for Heurelho Gomes. (Daily Telegraph)

 

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has added Arsenal's Abou Diaby to his list of transfer targets. (Daily Telegraph)

 

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson faces competition to land French midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, 19, from Grenoble. Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Inter Milan are also interested. (Daily Telegraph)

 

Everton may be pipped by Middlesbrough in the race to sign Newcastle striker Alan Smith, who is currently recovering from ankle surgery. (Daily Mail)

 

Ipswich are the latest club to offer Hull's veteran striker Dean Windass as escape route as he prepares for showdown talks with manager Phil Brown. (Daily Mail)

 

Italian club Lecce are eyeing a £1m move to take Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati back to Serie A. (Daily Record)

 

Manchester United are interested in Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez after his impressive performances in two goalless draws against the European champions in the Champions League group stages. (The Independent)

 

Hull City are in the verge of signing Luis Boa Morte from West Ham for a fee of around £2m. (The Independent)

 

Newcastle are expected to renew their interest in the Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson after the Glasgow club indicated they were willing to let their captain leave for around £3m. (The Guardian)

 

OTHER FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Deco has blasted suggestions he is manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's Chelsea "pet" and does not warrant a place in the team. (The Sun)

 

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp may be ready to axe David Bentley from his side, casting the £15m winger's long-term future at the club into doubt. (Various)

 

Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins future at St James's Park is also in doubt after his agent blasted the club's "woeful" medical staff. (Daily Star)

 

Jermain Defoe wanted a £700,000 loyalty bonus from Portsmouth - where he stayed for less than a year - after quitting the club to rejoin Spurs. It is believed the Londoners finally looked after the payment, made because Defoe did not officially request a transfer. (The Sun)

 

Manager Harry Redknapp has decided that Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko will be his first-choice forward partnership for Spurs, starting at Wigan on Sunday. (The Times)

 

Chelsea have entered into negotiations over a performance-related contract extension for German midfielder Michael Ballack, signalling evidence of their determination to become financially self-sufficient. (The Times)

 

Rafa Benitez has dismissed Manchester united manager Sir Alex Ferguson's attempts to derail Liverpool's title push by claiming they will be stronger than ever in the second half of the season. (Daily Mail)

 

AND FINALLY

David Beckham has been accused of turning AC Milan into a Hollywood film set by Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness after both clubs recently shared training facilities in Dubai. (The Sun)

 

Derby academy coach David Lowe, who steered the Rams to a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday, had just a day earlier taken charge of the club's under-eight side. (The Sun)

[benjo69_7]

Sunday's gossip column

 

 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United have lined up Lyon striker Karim Benzema as their main summer transfer target, which means the end of Carlos Tevez's time at Old Trafford. (News of the World, Sunday Express)

 

Arsenal's attempt to sign Andrei Arshavin could be hijacked by Manchester City, who have agreed an £18m deal with Zenit St Petersburg. (Sunday Mirror)

 

Manchester City have also targeted Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso. (Sunday Mirror)

 

Manchester City will turn their attention to Chelsea's Carlo Cudicini should they fail to lure Newcastle's Shay Given to Eastlands. (News of the World)

 

And City manager Mark Hughes has been told he needs to offer £20m if he wants Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz. (News of the World)

 

Tottenham will offer winger David Bentley to Middlesbrough in an attempt to seal the signing of Stewart Downing. (Sunday Mirror)

 

And Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is lining up a £10m swoop for Wigan midfielder Wilson Palacios. (The People)

 

Everton are pondering a loan bid for Real Madrid's Javier Saviola - but the Argentine's wages could prevent any deal from happening. (News of the World)

 

And Everton could face competition from Portsmouth for Saviola, as boss Tony Adams looks to replace Jermain Defoe. (Sunday Telegraph)

 

Adams is also interested in VfL Wolfsburg's Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko. (The People)

 

Arsenal will strengthen their midfield with the signings of Jimmy Bullard from Fulham and West Ham's Jack Collison. (Sunday Mirror)

 

However, Bullard is soon to be the subject of a £5m bid from Middlesbrough. (The People)

 

Newcastle are closing in on Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes (Sunday Express) and Porto midfielder Raul Meireles. (News of the World)

 

The Magpies also want Aston Villa left-back Nicky Shorey, and are willing to offer Charles N'Zogbia as part of a swap deal. (The People)

 

And Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear is considering a £4m bid for Coventry goalkeeper Kieran Westwood, should Shay Given leave the club. (Sunday Express)

 

Wigan striker Emile Heskey will not leave the club in the January transfer window - but will go in the summer. (Sunday Mirror)

 

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams has received a boost after hearing that striker Peter Crouch, who interests Tottenham and Aston Villa, intends to stay at Fratton Park. (News of the World)

 

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has spoken to fellow Argentine Gabriel Heinz about a possible move to Real Madrid in the summer. (The People)

 

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant is wanted by Spanish club Sevilla. (News of the World)

 

Aston Villa head the list of clubs chasing Reading striker Kevin Doyle, although the Royals will not settle for anything less than £8m. (Sunday Express)

 

Blackburn and Newcastle are battling it out for Sheffield United striker James Beattie, after his move to Stoke fell through. (The People)

 

Rangers are interested in signing John Utaka from Portsmouth, should the Scottish club sell Kris Boyd. (News of the World)

 

Arsenal face competition from two Italian sides in the race to sign Boca Juniors £4m-rated midfielder Sebastian Battaglia. (News of the World)

 

Lucas Neill's future at West Ham is under threat after the Hammers offered the defender a cut-price new contract. (The People)

 

Tottenham have offered £4m to Sunderland for former full-back Pascal Chimbonda. (Sunday Express)

 

Everton will make a £500,000 bid for Bristol City defender James Wilson. (Sunday Mirror)

 

Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt is keen on a move to the Premier League, with Everton, Middlebrough and maybe Tottenham all interested. (News of the World)

 

Stoke want Lens and Ivory Coast striker Aruna Dindane, who is rated at around £6m. (Sunday Mirror)

 

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler is wanted by Australian side North Queensland Fury. (Independent on Sunday)

 

Middlesbrough are weighing up a £2m move for Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson. (Sunday Mail)

 

Celtic hope to sign Manchester City's Ched Evans on loan, with a view to a permanent summer move. (News of the World)

 

Celtic face competition from Portsmouth for Le Mans goalkeeper Yohann Pele. (News of the World)

 

Celtic are ready to swoop for Barcelona fringe player Abraham Gonzalez. (Sunday Mail)

 

Dundee and St Johnstone are tracking Arbroath striker Bryan Scott. (News of the World)

 

Dundee United boss Craig Levein is keeping tabs on Cowdenbeath's top scorer Paul McQuade. (News of the World)

 

OTHER FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has continued his war of words with Liverpool counterpart Rafa Benitez, dismissing the Anfield club's title ambitions. (Sunday Mirror)

 

David Beckham is set to turn his back on LA Galaxy after convincing AC Milan that he is worth a permanent contract. (Sunday Express)

 

Elton John and Graham Taylor are being lined up to make a comeback at Watford. (Sunday Mirror)

 

Liverpool's players gave manager Rafa Benitez their blessing before the Spaniard's tirade against Ferguson on Friday. (Sunday Mirror)

 

It does not get any easier for Benitez. After an eventful week, the Spaniard is set to return to hospital for another operation on his kidney stone problem. (News of the World)

 

Agent Pini Zahavi is heading a consortium which is lining up a Premier League club and make former Chelsea boss Avram Grant as manager. Newcastle and Portsmouth are the main targets. (Sunday Express)

 

Zahavi is already smiling following Wayne Bridge's move from Chelsea to Manchester City, as he pocketed £900,000 in commission. (Sunday Mirror)

 

Sunderland are still considering appointing a big-name manager in the summer, despite handing Ricky Sbragia an 18-month deal at the end of last year. (Sunday Express, The People)

 

AND FINALLY

Never one for hiding his light under a bushel, former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has given a typically forthright assessment of his time at the club. Mourinho, who will be at Old Trafford to watch his old club take on Manchester United, believes he "would have won the Champions League at Chelsea" and says former boss Grant "got the money, got the job but he did nothing". (News of the World)

[RKid]

Sunday's gossip column

 

 

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United have lined up Lyon striker Karim Benzema as their main summer transfer target, which means the end of Carlos Tevez's time at Old Trafford. (News of the World, Sunday Express)

 

man u shud have spent 30 mil on this guy and not bot berba and kept tevez 2!