Latest Articles
The Gene Gossip
20 comments
United open talks over Baines, Van Gaal to Liverpool in some capacity, Bendtner on his way, no Zlatan and...
The Back, Back, Back Gossip
49 comments
Fabio Capello 'emerging as an increasingly serious contender' to become Liverpool manager while Luka Modric wants out...
ARSENAL IN FOR HAZARD?
Now, this would be rather extraordinary if it happens.
The Daily Star, who famously may as well have their offices at the Emirates, so good are their Arsenal sources, report that the Gunners are in with a shot of signing Eden Hazard.
Of course his agent said on Thursday that he had agreed terms with three clubs, and most people thought they were Manchesters City and United and Chelsea.
However, the Star reports that Lille director Frederic Paquet claims another club are in for him, and that club is Arsenal.
The paper claims: 'Wenger is determined to make sure the Gunners are in the hunt. But Arsenal are considered outsiders in the race for Hazard.
'The transfer fee won't be the problem as Wenger had earmarked £30m for Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze before he decided to stay with the German champions.
'But meeting Hazard's wage demands will be a stumbling block. Even Manchester City were stunned by Hazard's request for £200,000 a week.'
CITY TURN TO MARTINEZ
Slightly curious story in The Daily Mail, who claim that Manchester City have become so sick of Hazard's posturing that their attentions have turned to Javi Martinez.
Rather odd, given that it's hardly comparing apples with apples there.
Anyway, the paper says City are looking to sneak ahead of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United in the chase for the midfielder/defender.
The Mail reports: 'Martinez, who has seven caps, can also play as a holding midfielder but Sportsmail understands City want him to play alongside Vincent Kompany in their back four.
'Martinez has a get-out clause in his Athletic Bilbao contract of €30million, around £24m. All four suitors are expected to match that price but City feel they can tempt him to England and will blow away United with their wages kitty.'
NO AVB FOR LFC
Your daily Liverpool update now, and a couple of the slightly more reputable papers (and for 'reputable' read 'use slightly bigger words') report that Andre Villas-Boas is no longer in the frame.
The Guardian reckons that, after Liverpool offered Louis van Gaal the sporting director gig, their interest has 'cooled' in Villas-Boas, although he 'should not be discounted completely.'
The paper suggests Roberto Martinez is a target (who Aston Villa apparently want as well), and interestingly they maintain Brendan Rodgers is in the frame, despite saying he was quite happy at Swansea, thank you very much.
The Independent more or less concurs, reporting: 'The club felt that the former Chelsea manager was enough of a prospect that they made discreet contact with his representatives before Kenny Dalglish's dismissal. But Liverpool now appear to have decided that the 34-year-old is not a candidate.'
CHELSEA RELEASE KALOU AND BOSINGWA
The headline gives you the bones of the story, and click here if you'd like a bit of meat to it.
All the Gossip Column will add is that surely Kalou to Arsenal is as inevitable as the sun rising in the morning.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have apparently had a bid of 40million Euros turned down for Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas Moura, although the club are 'closest' to signing him, according to Sao Paulo's president.
And finally, Chelsea are also in for Hulk.
Who needs a manager to be busy in the transfer market, eh?
AND THE REST...
Didier Drogba was last night offered a two-year £80,000-a-week deal by Juventus...West Ham have agreed to sign Stephen Henderson...West Brom will move for free agent Craig Gordon if they can't get Birmingham's Ben Foster...Spurs are poised to make a £3million bid for West Brom defender Jonas Olsson...Chelsea have joined the growing chase for Birmingham starlet Foday Nabay...Kieran Richardson has emerged as an Everton target - if the Toffees lose £12million-rated Leighton Baines to Manchester United...West Ham and West Brom are ready for a £2million battle for Joseph Akpala...Niko Kranjcar wants to quit Tottenham for a big pay day in Russia or Ukraine...John Guidetti could be heading for a loan move to Swansea...Chelsea have added CSKA Moscow striker Seydou Doumbia to their list of targets...Celtic have made an approach to sign West Brom striker Simon Cox...Lomana LuaLua is in talks to join Karabukspor.
- Post a Comment
- View the Comments Page
Post Comment
