The Rumour Mill

[A Bit High]

BREAKING GOSSIP
Diego Milito's agent is in London talking to "several clubs" over a possible move for the 29-year-old Genoa striker to the Premier League.
"Is it true that I've met directors from Manchester United?" agent Fernando Hidalgo told Calciomercato.it
"If I'm here there's a reason, there are interesting offers for him in the Premier League and we are evaluating them.
"Of course Milito wants to go to England otherwise I wouldn't be here."


TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester City have offered Real Madrid £35m for Spanish striker Raul. The 31-year-old, who is under contract until 2011, has been recommended to City by Brazilian star Robinho. Newcastle and Liverpool are also interested.

Chelsea are ready to offload striker Didier Drogba after his furious reaction to the club being knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has quashed talk of midfielders Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso leaving the club this summer.

Bolton could refresh their interest in Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, who has been suspended by the Magpies, during the summer.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2417854.eceWigan are considering a move for Derby's £5m-rated winger Kris Commons.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/99752/Wigan-to-bid-for-Scotland-ace
Eidur Gudjohnsen expects to leave Barcelona during the summer after falling out of first-team favour. he told an Icelandic newspaper: "Of course I am happy about us being in the finals of the Champions League, but I don't deny that I am rather unhappy about my status and I can very well imagine that this will be my last season with Barcelona."


OTHER GOSSIP
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has waded into the aftermath of Barcelona progressing at Chelsea's expense by saying his countryman and Blues boss, Guus Hiddink's negative tactics cost the London side a place in the final.

Barcelona's players applauded John Terry and sang his name after he congratulated them on their progress by going into their dressing room and shaking hands with each of them.

But the Catalan side wasted little time rubbing salt into Chelsea's wounds with right-back Daniel Alves saying: "football has won over strength."

Alan Shearer has enjoyed management more than he thought and will stay on as Newcastle boss even if the club are relegated.

Shearer faces a crucial game against relegation-rivals Middlesbrough on Monday and is set to recall striker Michael Owen to his starting line-up.


Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie are close to signing new long-term deals with the club.

Former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Petit has warned Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger that Cesc Fabregas could leave unless he signs proven talent.

Ipswich boss Roy Keane is set to upset some of his players by telling them they need to move closer to the club's training ground.

Former Oldham boss John Sheridan is set for a return to management by taking over as Chesterfield manager.

Queens Park Rangers want Cardiff boss Dave Jones as their new manager.



AND FINALLY
A dummy match report on the Uefa website hours before kick-off apparently predicted the Chelsea-Barcelona semi-final, second leg would end 1-1 with the Spanish side getting a late equaliser.

 

[TorresIsGod]

AND FINALLY
A dummy match report on the Uefa website hours before kick-off apparently predicted the Chelsea-Barcelona semi-final, second leg would end 1-1 with the Spanish side getting a late equaliser.

If the late equaliser was scored from a (wrongfully) awarded free kick or (wrongfully) awarded penalty then that would be meaningful.

 

[A Bit High]

Manchester City are ready to splash out £18m on Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Meanwhile, Anfield boss Rafael Benitez has been handed a £64m war chest to sign players in the summer and he is keen to tie up an £8m deal for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry as a replacement for Alonso.

Benitez is also set to sell 11 players, including winger Ryan Babel and Andrea Dossena.

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez says he will leave the club in the summer but will stay in England to play with one of their rivals in the Premier League.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is on his way out of the club following a rant at interim manager Guus Hiddink after the club's Champions League semi-final exit.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen will be offered the chance to resurrect his career at Celtic this summer. The Scottish giants will give Owen a pay-as-you-play deal worth £50,000 a week plus huge bonuses.

The Magpies are lining up Tottenham striker Darren Bent as Owen's replacement but face competition from Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

Meanwhile Newcastle's controversial midfielder Joey Barton, who has been told he has no future at the club, is wanted by Tottenham, Blackburn, Portsmouth and Bolton.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is set to make a move for Swansea striker Jason Scotland and could get his man for about £2.5m.

Hodgson is also tracking Torino full-back Mateo Rubin, but the Italy under-21 defender could be tempted by Everton instead.

And the Craven Cottage chief will target Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand if he loses Brede Hangeland to Arsenal.

Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone will opt to stay in the Premier League when he leaves Tottenham this summer - although he is wanted by German side Hamburg.

Aston Villa are interested in signing £5m-rated Anderlecht centre-back Roland Juhasz.


Portsmouth are planning a £3m swoop for Cardiff defender Roger Johnson as a replacement for Sol Campbell, who will leave on a free transfer in the summer.

Wolves hope to make Standard Liege defender Oguchi Onyewu their first signing since being promoted to the Premier League.

Brighton midfielder Chris Birchall is considering joining David Beckham's MLS side LA Galaxy when his contract expires in the summer.

Brazlian left-back Sylvinho has paved the way for a move to Celtic after confirming he will leave Barcelona under freedom of contract.

Hearts midfielder Bruno Aguiar could become a summer target for Coventry City

Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen is keen to keep Grzegorz Szamotulski and has opened talks with the goalkeeper over a new contract.

Dundee United striker Francisco Sandaza will resist interest from Racing Santander and Tenerife in his native Spain and stay at Tannadice.


OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea have issued AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelloti a take-it-or-leave it ultimatum over becoming Blues boss this summer.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has backed Manchester United's bid for Darren Fletcher to play in the Champions League final, saying he would not be disappointed if the red card the midfielder received against Arsenal was rescinded.
(
Uefa president Michel Platini has revealed he fears for the future of football in England, saying he feels the game is being lost to people who only want money.

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is planning to return to the club's training ground in eight days, despite being told by boss Alan Shearer that he is not welcome.

Referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who took charge of Chelsea's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, has been ordered by Uefa to refile his match report. The governing body wants more detail before bringing charges against the Blues.

And Blues striker Didier Drogba, who appeared to verbally abuse Ovrebo after the match, his side were knocked out by Barcelona, faces a ban of up to six months according a to a Uefa official.

Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd will try to buy the club back from Mike Ashley if they are relegated.

Magpies stand-in boss Alan Shearer will consider signing a four-year deal worth £4m a year if he gets assurances there will not cost-cutting at the club.

Robinho has insisted Manchester City will be crowned Premier League champions inside the next two years.

Russian bilionaire Alisher Usmanov has claimed the Gunners are not strong enough and need his money now.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/299149/USMANOV-TIME-FOR-ACTION.html
Guus Hiddink is lining up a job in the Chelsea boardroom, returning to the club as an advisor after the autumn once his contract with the Russian national side expires.

Frank Rijkaard is being lined up as Manchester City manager for next season if the club's owners from Abu Dhabi decided current boss Mark Hughes cannot steer them into the Champions League.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis is set to collect a £500,000 bonus for keeping the club in the Premier League. he will also be offered a new three-year deal on wages of about £1m a year.

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo believes the tactics of Scottish Premier League sides are too predictable for European competition.


AND FINALLY
Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini is dating the cousin of Manchester United striker and former Toffee Wayne Rooney after spotting her on Facebook

 

[AG]

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini is dating the cousin of Manchester United striker and former Toffee Wayne Rooney after spotting her on Facebook

This is a real WTF moment. Do you reckon she looks like Wayne?

 

[BarcaRulz]

This is a real WTF moment. Do you reckon she looks like Wayne?

Geez. Can you imagine their poor baby? That hair on a pig is just cruel and nasty punishment.

 

[AG]

Geez. Can you imagine their poor baby? That hair on a pig is just cruel and nasty punishment.

Haha. Afro Pork.

 

[bus24]

Sounds like Danijel Pranjic from Heerenveen to Liverpool is a done deal.

I like him, but he's not fantastic - and I hope the fee would reflect that isn't top, top quality. 5m or so would be a decent deal.

 

[A Bit High]

Tottenham have joined Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid in the race to sign Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez.


Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has refused to rule out signing the Argentine if the 25-year-old is allowed to leave Old Trafford.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is eyeing Zenit St Petersburg striker Pavel Pogrebnyak as a potential replacement for Emmanuel Adebayor.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has been priced out of a move for Rangers centre-back Madjid Bougherra but could still make a summer move for Ibrox striker Kris Boyd.

McLeish will battle Wigan and Bolton for the signing of Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis.

Marseilles striker Djibril Cisse, who has spent the season on loan at Sunderland, has told team-mates he is joining Tottenham in the summer.

Celtic have rubbished reports that they want to sign striker Michael Owen on a pay-as-you-play deal from Newcastle.

Rangers will not consider selling Steven Davis, Kris Boyd, Pedro Mendes or Madjid Bougherra if they clinch the title. However, Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor will be moved on for the right price.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is ready to sign striker Oli Johnson from cash-strapped Stockport County.

Blackburn scouts were in Egypt on Sunday night to check on ENNPI right-back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi.

Dundee United are interested in Spanish goalkeeper Alberto Marrama and Slovakian counterpart Dusan Pertis.

Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley will spark a bidding war after rejecting the offer of a new contract from the club.

Giles Barnes is being offered to all clubs as Derby look to cash in on the midfielder.

Swindon manager Danny Wilson has placed West Brom and Leicester on red alert by conceding top scorer Simon Cox is likely to leave the County Ground this summer.

Ipswich defender Alex Bruce, who was a target for Hull, Wolves and Leeds, has agreed a new two-year contract at Portman Road.

Millwall will sign Stevenage Borough striker Steve Morrison in an £85,000 deal this week.


OTHER GOSSIP
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit out at Chelsea striker Didier Drogba after his side's 4-1 defeat by the Blues on Sunday, claiming: "We live in a league now where the divers are rewarded."

Newcastle defender Fabio Coloccini, who claims he was "sold" a different club from the one he is playing for, is set to be dropped for the Magpies' relegation showdown against Middlesbrough on Monday. He said: "I was sold a club that would be challenging in the top half of the table with maybe a good chance of doing well in the cups."

Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios will not play again this season after returning to Honduras after the murder of his 16-year-old brother Edwin

Brazilian midfielder Elano has threatened to quit Manchester City if the club do not open talks over a new contract.

Chesterfield are interested in appointing Andy Richie as their new manager following the departure of Lee Richardson.


AND FINALLY
Angry Chelsea supporters want to get their own back on Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who made a number of controversial decisions in the Blues' Champions League semi-final, second leg against Barcelona. They have set up an internet campaign to stop Norway winning the Eurovision song contest.

Armed officers in gas masks foiled a samurai sword gang's raid on a jeweller's used by the wives of England footballers in upmarket Wilmslow, Cheshire. The store's celebrity customers include Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney.

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has become the 16th Premier League victim of burglars who strike while footballers are playing. Thousands of pounds in cash and valuables were taken from his Liverpool home just before the Toffees' match against Tottenham kicked off on Saturday

 

[Beamdogg]

Sad to hear about Palacios after this long.

I hope Adebayor goes. Van Persie needs to try and stay on the pitch he is there most dangerous man. Adebayor's attitude on the pitch doesnt look like he cares when he is out there.

Rumour is he is going to AC because he knows the vice chairman???? and talks to him. Could be false though.

 

[Hawthorn United]

Angry Chelsea supporters want to get their own back on Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who made a number of controversial decisions in the Blues' Champions League semi-final, second leg against Barcelona. They have set up an internet campaign to stop Norway winning the Eurovision song contest.

It's war!

 

[Beamdogg]

Iniesta injured quad from last weekends game. May not play in Champs League Final.

Must have been from the killer strike. lol.

 

[jod23]

BREAKING GOSSIP



TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester City have offered Real Madrid £35m for Spanish striker Raul. The 31-year-old, who is under contract until 2011, has been recommended to City by Brazilian star Robinho. Newcastle and Liverpool are also interested.



Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has quashed talk of midfielders Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso leaving the club this summer.

[/URL]

Hahah... why would be interested in 31 year old Raul?? And why in gods name would City stump up 35 million for a 31 year old? Raul wouldnt leave Real Madrid anyways, he is like their Stevie G.

Quash those talks Rafa! QUASH THEM!! Xabi is going nowhere.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

The same Stevie G who would have happily joined Chelsea a few seasons back?

Carragher would have been a better example.

 

[jod23]

The same Stevie G who would have happily joined Chelsea a few seasons back?

Carragher would have been a better example.

Happily joined Chelsea? I dont think so. But yes, Carragher is a better example. Either way 35 million is hilarious and I guarantee that LFC arent interested in Raul.

 

[Beamdogg]

Happily joined Chelsea? I dont think so. But yes, Carragher is a better example. Either way 35 million is hilarious and I guarantee that LFC arent interested in Raul.

Cant see us spending our whole summer budget almost on one midfielder alone. When our intentions are for a striker lol.

 

[RoosterLad]

Happily joined Chelsea? I dont think so. But yes, Carragher is a better example. Either way 35 million is hilarious and I guarantee that LFC arent interested in Raul.

Because you are so heavily involved with the club and all.

 

[Beamdogg]

Because you are so heavily involved with the club and all.

When we got a new manager Stevie G didnt know where the club was going cause we couldnt make uefa cup final. Rafa fulfilled his needs. He bleeds Liverpool Red.

 

[RoosterLad]

When it suits him he does.

 

[Punchy Bassett]

LOL at the Bin Dippers trying to defend Stevie G here, face it he was happy to leave.

 

[Duncan Disorderly]

LOL at the Bin Dippers trying to defend Stevie G here, face it he was happy to leave.

It appeared that way to me as well. The rumours on Merseyside about him wanting to move to a side that could challenge for the major trophies had been in full force for months.

Their fans were not defending him at the time that's for sure. The shirt burning outside the Shankly gates was a sight to behold and beats anything from our fans when Rooney left.

 

[bus24]

I don't trust Gerrard after that.

Respect him as a player, he's brilliant.

But as a person? He's selfish. He's not a bad person, but "Stevie Me" is an extremely apt nickname.

He's still rightly treated with a massive element of distrust from some Liverpool fans. I'll never forgive him, a scouser and a so called "boyhood fan" (which he was) angling for a move down to a pack of money grabbing w***ers like Chelsea.

It was pathetic.

 

[apollo_creed]

wash your mouth out bus.

it's a 'pack of socially generous, money giving lovers like Chelsea'

 

[A Bit High]

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez could make a dramatic switch to rivals Manchester City after his agent Kia Joorabchian revealed the Argentine striker would join a club not in the Champions League.

However, United are looking to see if there are any loopholes in Tevez's contract that will allow them to sign the 25-year-old for free.

Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce, who is now manager of Wigan, has warned Tevez that he would be mad to leave Old Trafford, with Liverpool also keen on the former West Ham forward.


Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is lining up a £15m bid for Valencia forward David Silva.

Arsenal will renew their interest in Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso but will have to pay about £18m for the Spaniard.

Blackburn have inquired about taking Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic on loan next season.

Everton will hope to sign Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley for £3.5m in the summer.

Toffees boss David Moyes is also keen on bringing in Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne on a season-long loan next term.

Aston Villa and Tottenham are keeping tabs on Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer, who has only a year left on his contract.

Everton, Tottenham, Sunderland and Newcastle are tracking Hamilton teenager James McCarthy after Portsmouth's failed bid for the midfielder.

Birmingham are lining up a £2.5m offer for Aston Villa midfielder Craig Gardner.

Derby boss Nigel Clough is preparing a £400,000 bid for Nottingham Forest striker Nathan Tyson.


OTHER GOSSIP
Former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is favourite to replace Quique Flores as the coach of Benfica.

Hull manager Phil Brown has been assured he will still have a job, even if the Premier League club are relegated to the Championship.

AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has moved a step closer to becoming Chelsea manager after he was the victim of a bitter attack from Rossoneri owner Silvio Berlusconi.

Chelsea will target AC Milan stars Andrea Pirlo and Kaka if Ancelotti becomes their new boss.

Arsenal assistant manager Pat Rice is considering retiring at the end of the season.


AND FINALLY
Manchester United stars have warned Cristiano Ronaldo not to repeat his derby-day antics. The Portugal winger reacted angrily to being substituted by throwing his training top to the ground.

Tom Henning Ovrebo, the Norwegian referee at the centre of Chelsea's Champions League exit, says he will not quit football

 

[AG]

Arsenal will renew their interest in Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso but will have to pay about £18m for the Spaniard.

If Benitez sells him I doubt it will be to another EPL side. I'd be more than happy to have him. Sell Adebayor. I'm sure Milan will still pay at least 15m for him. Ade out, Xabi in. But it won't happen.

 

[A Bit High]

Tevez could sign for free
United could try to sign Carlos Tevez on a Bosman-style free transfer. SunSport understands the Red Devils are exploring whether there are legal loopholes in the striker’s contract. In particular, the third party ownership agreement which ties Tevez with the investment company MSI is under scrutiny. Leading sports lawyers are looking at whether the ownership of Tevez’s registration by MSI could be challenged under the same terms as Jean Marc Bosman took on the old transfer system. His advisor Kia Joorabchian said once again yesterday that no deal is close with United and that Tevez is willing to sign for one of their Premier League rivals. “What he wants to do is to go to a club which has real ambition, a real focus, to be champions of England, champions of Europe, champions of everywhere. Obviously, leaving United he would have to go to a rival in order to achieve that target. But he understands it’s not in his control.”

Other quotes from Joorabchian indicated the striker would be willing to switch to Manchester City - who have made preliminary inquiries - although no decision would be made until the end of the season.

Former United captain Steve Bruce, who has been tipped by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan to take over frrom Sir Alex, has warned Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo that they will be making a huge mistake if they leave Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand has hailed Sir Alex, insisting he never lost faith in the United manager's ability to create another great team. “You just have to trust the manager," he said. "He has been so successful, so not to have done that would have been crazy. The players stood by everything he has done.”

United are on the verge of signing Brazilian teenager Dodo in a £5million deal.