Transfer Gossip

WHO NEXT FOR SUNDERLAND...?
As you might expect, there's plenty of gossip around about who will be the next Sunderland manager.

Clear favourite is Sam Allardyce (and he certainly seems to want it), but the papers have a few other candidates in mind.

The Daily Mirror reckons David O'Leary, Alan Curbishley, Gordon Strachan and Schteve Van McClaren are in the frame, while Dick Advocaat and Gerard Houllier are outside candidates.

There's even a whisper going around some of the tabs that Phil Brown fancies it, but that seems purely on the basis that he was a Mackems fan as a bairn. Interestingly, The Daily Express reckons Sunderland are pretty keen on that idea, and will appoint Allardyce as director of football if it helps sweeten the deal for Brown.

So in summary, nobody has a clue.


BILLY ON HIS WAY?
Billy Gallas is famous for taking defeat and disappointment well, and The Sun claims that he will react to being stripped of the Arsenal captaincy by doing one in the direction of AC Milan.

The paper quotes 'friends' of the centre-half as saying: "William is not a happy man at the moment. He did not apologise to his team-mates over his comments, nor did Arsene Wenger make him do so.

"But he still feels completely humiliated to have been stripped of the captaincy and is strongly thinking about a move in January. The summer would be too far away.

"...William doesn't want to return to France but AC Milan have publicly shown their interest in him and that would be an attractive option."

Gospel.


ESSIEN TO REJOIN JOSE?
Sulley Muntari is a cheeky little chappy, isn't he?

The former Portsmouth and current Internazionale midfielder is all over the tabs this morn, urging Michael Essien to leave Chelsea and rejoin Jose Mourinho in Milan.

In fact, Muntari doesn't so much suggest the move, as assure us it will happen: "Michael Essien will be at Inter Milan eventually. We will see him here...When the chance came up for me to go to Inter he phoned me. He told me: 'Join them without any fear. Mourinho is in charge, and you will get on really well with him.'

"Michael got on fantastically well with the boss when they were together at Chelsea. Mourinho is the most complete coach I have ever met. Some limit themselves to working with you on the training ground, and then they say bye-bye.

"But he is always around throughout the day, and he'll look after every personal matter for you."


COUPLE IN FOR SPURS
Interesting line in The Daily Mirror, who reckon that 'Arry Redknapp is shifting his glazed gaze to a right-back and a midfielder come January.

They even furnish us with some names! Huzzah!

The paper reports that Spurs will make a cheeky move for Glen Johnson and Stephen Appiah, who they reckon is at Fenerbahce, but we swear blind he's currently a free agent. Indeed, a quick check of the Fener website reveals Appiah is no longer listed as their player.

That's investigative journalism for you.


BIG MONEY FOR BIG EMILE
Emile Heskey will probably leave Wigan at some point in the future, but when?

Not January, if Steve Bruce has anything to do with it.

The Sun quotes the Wigan boss as saying it will take a whole heap of cash to convince the Latics to part with their man.

Bruce said: "Some might think we'd be prepared to accept £2-3million rather than let him go for nothing next July. But I wouldn't consider it. You have to weigh that up against the £30m or so for staying in the Premier League.

"And Emile could be the difference between staying up or going down. He is a talisman at this club and he has got himself back into the England team playing for us.

"Of course every player has his price. If we got an outrageous offer we'd have to think about it but I'm talking £10m not £3m."


AND THE REST...
Blackburn striker Robbie Fowler has snubbed a shock move to League Two club Grimsby...Watford boss Brendan Rodgers is considering his future at the club -11 days after taking charge...David Platt has turned down the chance to manage former club Crewe...Chelsea defender Alex is a target for Panathinaikos...Crystal Palace want to sell Shefki Kuqi - because they cannot afford his wages.