Daily Gossip

WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has warned England manager Roy Hodgson that Wayne Rooney, 28, is less effective when he plays out wide. Daily Mirror(external)

Wayne Rooney accepts he could be dropped for England's game against Uruguay
Rooney has conceded that he is facing a battle to keep his place in England's starting line-up for Thursday's vital World Cup clash with Uruguay. Times (subscription only)(external)


Lionel Messi says Argentina must improve despite beating Bosnia-Hercegovina 2-1 - a performance for which coach Alejandro Sabella awarded just six out 10. Daily Mail(external)

Nigeria's national team coach Stephen Keshi, who won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles, feels African sides are close to winning a World Cup. Bild (in German)(external)

Italy striker Mario Balotelli says the Azzurri, who beat England 2-1 in their opening match, can win the World Cup and should be feared by other teams. Daily Star(external)

Striker Daniel Sturridge says he is gutted after "letting everyone in England down" following the 2-1 defeat to Italy in their opening game of the World Cup. Guardian(external)

England could be sanctioned by Fifa after it emerged its 2018 bid team had been quizzed about paying for a £35,000 dinner organised by disgraced former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner. Daily Telegraph(external)

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque is ready to make big changes to his line-up for the next game against Chile.Sun (subscription only)(external)

Meanwhile, Brazilian-born Spain striker Diego Costa, 25, says the defeat by the Netherlands will serve as a lesson for the defending world champions. As.com (in Spanish)(external)

Arsene Wenger will give striker Joel Campbell, 21, the opportunity to establish himself at Arsenal after he impressed in Costa Rica's shock win over Uruguay at the World Cup. The 21-year-old has had loan spells at Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiakos. Independent(external)

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 36, says his Ivory Coast team-mate Serge Aurier, 21, who set up his country's two goals in the win over Japan, has the capacity to step up seamlessly to the Premier League if he leaves Toulouse. Guardian (external)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Thomas Vermaelen could swap the Emirates for Old Trafford

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen, 28, has agreed a deal in principle to join Manchester United this summer. Daily Telegraph(external)

Liverpool target Antonio Candreva, 27, could leave Lazio in the summer after the Italy international said he wants to play in the Champions League.Daily Express(external)

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, 34, is likely to leave the Nou Camp and join Qatari club Al-Saad. L'Equipe (in French)(external)

Barca have reached a deal to sign former Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain, 26, from Napoli. Marca (in Spanish)(external)

Everton manager Roberto Martinez wants to sign seven new players this summer, including Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, 21, and Dutch duo Jeremain Lens, 26, and 22-year-old Stefan de Vrij. Daily Star(external)

Prospective Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has lined up Celtic's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, 22, for £8m as his first signing. Daily Mirror(external)

Chelsea, Newcastle and AS Roma are targeting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the 24-year-old forward hinted at leaving Borussia Dortmund. Bild (in German)(external)

Real Madrid are looking at Benfica's 21-year-old Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak to replace Iker Casillas. Marca (in Spanish)(external)

Arsenal could be set to miss out on Alvaro Morata after Wolfsburg submitted a £15.9m offer for Real Madrid's 21-year-old striker.Independent(external)

Meanwhile, the Gunners are interested in taking Real Sociedad's emerging right-back Joseba Zaldua, 21, as part of a deal to send striker Carlos Vela in the opposite direction. Daily Mirror(external)

Athletic Bilbao are interested in a cut-price move for Spanish defender Nacho Monreal, 28, who joined Arsenal for £8m in 2013. Daily Express(external)

Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Aston Villa are showing interest in Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, 29, who impressed on loan at West Brom last season. Daily Mail(external)

Sunderland are close to signing Romania goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, 27, who was recently told that his contract would not be renewed at Manchester City. Times (subscription only)(external)

AND FINALLY

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo works hard on his physique

Portugal's World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the equivalent of 16 cars and does up to 3,000 sit-ups a day to keep his body in trim. Daily Mail(external)

Shuail the Camel from Saudi Arabia has been put forward as a successor to 2010 World Cup score predictor Paul the Octopus after correctly forecasting the outcome of England versus Italy(external) and Netherlands' shock win against Spain. Al-Arabiya(external) (in Arabic)
 
Tuesday's gossip column

WORLD CUP GOSSIP
Wayne Rooney has been training with England's reserves as he battles to save his World Cup. The 28-year-old striker has also been taking part in extra shooting practice.

Full story: Daily Mirror (external)

Spain forward Juan Mata, 26, says the defending champions should not change their style, despite suffering a 5-1 defeat by Netherlands in their opening match.

Full story: Daily Mail (external)

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque admits that he will make changes as Spain prepare for their vital meeting with Chile.

Full story: The Guardian (external)


Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain missed England's opening game of the World Cup through injury

Roy Hodgson risks a rift with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger by recalling Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 20, to the England team.(The Times) (external)

Eden Hazard, 23, has been ordered to put his country before his ego if he wants to become one of the top five players in world football. Full story: The Sun (external)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Midfielder Tom Cleverley, 24, could join Arsenal from Manchester United as part of a deal to take Thomas Vermaelen to Old Trafford. Full story: Daily Mirror (external)


Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain plays his club football in Italy with Napoli

Atletico Madrid want Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo, 28, as a possible replacement for Chelsea-bound Diego Costa. Full story: Daily Star (external)

Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, 26, is a target for Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. Full story: Daily Express(external)

Arsenal are ready to launch a £25m move to sign Mario Balotelli, 23, from AC Milan. Full story: Daily Star (external)

Winger Tom Ince, 22, is in talks with Queens Park Rangers over a move to Loftus Road. Full story: Sky Sports (external)

AND FINALLY
Lionel Messi left one young football fan heartbroken before Argentina's victory over Bosnia-Hercegovina. The 26-year-old Barcelona forward snubbed a mascot as he moved in for a handshake. Full story: Metro (external)

Germany players celebrated their 4-0 win over Portugal by posing with Chancellor Angela Merkel in the dressing room. Full story: Daily Mail (external)

Balotelli filled a page in his World Cup sticker book with pictures of himself. Full story: Guardian (external)
 
Oxlade-Chamberlain shouldn't be risked if he isn't fully fit. It'd be selfish.

Probably on my own here but I'd be pissed off if we let Cleverley go. He isn't shit just out of form and lacking confidence.

And I know Inter aren't riding high in Serie A but I can't see why Tom Ince would prefer to go to QPR (other than for money).
 
LR7 said:
Oxlade-Chamberlain shouldn't be risked if he isn't fully fit. It'd be selfish.

Probably on my own here but I'd be pissed off if we let Cleverley go. He isn't shit just out of form and lacking confidence.

And I know Inter aren't riding high in Serie A but I can't see why Tom Ince would prefer to go to QPR (other than for money).
Click to expand...
Agreed on Cleverley. He was class with Carrick in SAF's last season. Really flourished getting regular minutes and staying fit. Appalling, the amount of hate he gets. Everyone else gets a pass for under-performing last season except for him.
 
I wonder what changes Del Bosque will make, I think bringing Koke into the midfield would give them some much needed energy in there.

Arsenal after Morata, Balotelli or Higuain for their striker? Certainly an eclectic set of targets.

If City sell Negredo to Atletico I wonder who they'll be buying to replace him.
 
ThaReaper01 said:
Agreed on Cleverley. He was class with Carrick in SAF's last season. Really flourished getting regular minutes and staying fit. Appalling, the amount of hate he gets. Everyone else gets a pass for under-performing last season except for him.
Click to expand...
Some of the stick he gets is quite pathetic actually. I'm quite excited to see him playing under LvG. I reckon he will have him looking more confident and I hope he grabs the opportunity to impress him during preseason with both hands. Imo his lack of confidence was the result of a manager who didn't trust him and the fact that the entire team looked bereft of confidence and ideas at times last season. I genuinely think he will be better next season because I don't think this season was anywhere near his true level.
 
Devil may care said:
I wonder what changes Del Bosque will make, I think bringing Koke into the midfield would give them some much needed energy in there.

Arsenal after Morata, Balotelli or Higuain for their striker? Certainly an eclectic set of targets.

If City sell Negredo to Atletico I wonder who they'll be buying to replace him.
Click to expand...
I'm surprised there weren't more Atléti players in the Spain squad actually. Koke could be a good about but I reckon del Bosque will see the result as a one off and not make to many knee jerk decisions. I bumped the Isco thread the other day. He's a player I feel could have made a difference for this Spain side but I reckon it was a toss up between him and Mata for the squad.

I reckon Wenger could get the best out of Balotelli but will Arsenal pay the fee any of those three clubs will be expecting?
 
Cleverley to Arsenal would make sense, wouldn't be starting but would probably be decent enough back-up to fit in with their style of play. He'd possibly get a start with us if we didn't sign another CM, which could work decently as he would be able to have the role of 'Mr keep everything ticking". Balotelli to Arsenal would be an interesting one, you'd think that Wenger would be a manager who'd be able to ground him (as much as possible, he'll always be a bit mental) and nurture him.

I'd be sad to see Negredo leave. I enjoyed watching him and Aguero at the start of the season for City, but he did fade at the end of the season. All of their strikers are great to watch though to be honest.
 
SilentWitness said:
Cleverley to Arsenal would make sense, wouldn't be starting but would probably be decent enough back-up to fit in with their style of play. He'd possibly get a start with us if we didn't sign another CM, which could work decently as he would be able to have the role of 'Mr keep everything ticking". Balotelli to Arsenal would be an interesting one, you'd think that Wenger would be a manager who'd be able to ground him (as much as possible, he'll always be a bit mental) and nurture him.

I'd be sad to see Negredo leave. I enjoyed watching him and Aguero at the start of the season for City, but he did fade at the end of the season. All of their strikers are great to watch though to be honest.
Click to expand...
It doesn't make sense though because he's decent enough to be back up here. We hardly have a wealth of midfield options to be getting rid of one of our better ones who loves the club and has come through our academy. Fellaini should be leaving before anyone thinks of letting Cleverley go because Cleverley offers far more and I maintain that he's a far better player (a point I've always made). I'd rather he stayed and kept everything ticking in our midfield and hopefully LvG can get the best out of him. Anderson, Fellaini and unfortunately fletcher should all be gone before anyone even considers transferring Cleverley.
 
Cleverley to Arsenal makes no sense whatsoever. He struggles to get in our shit midfield so what Arsenal would want with him is anyones guess. They have quality, enough depth and some good youngsters coming through.
 
Tarrou said:
Cleverly to Arsenal makes no sense whatsoever. He struggles to get in our shit midfield so what Arsenal would want with him is anyones guess. They have quality, enough depth and some good youngsters coming through.
Click to expand...

Fits in with their style of play. Wouldn't be a starter. Wilshere and Ramsey have had injury problems. Arteta is aging. Flamini is decent. Diaby is great for 2 games and then injured for the season. They have depth if they're all fit but Arsenal have terrible fitness problems. They'd be able to get rid of Diaby and Arteta and bring in Cleverley. Decent deal.
 
SilentWitness said:
Fits in with their style of play. Wouldn't be a starter. Wilshere and Ramsey have had injury problems. Arteta is aging. Flamini is decent. Diaby is great for 2 games and then injured for the season. They have depth if they're all fit but Arsenal have terrible fitness problems. They'd be able to get rid of Diaby and Arteta and bring in Cleverley. Decent deal.
Click to expand...

It's much more Wenger-like to bring in a 20 year-old prospect from overseas to bolster the squad depth, if it's needed. I'd forgotten about Diaby so they probably do need to bring in one more.

But still, are there any Arsenal fans out there who think getting rid of Diaby and Arteta, and bringing in Cleverley would be a decent deal? I'd be surprised if there were.

I still think Cleverley is a good player, certainly better than he showed last season, but if he went to Arsenal he'd just be further down the pecking order.
 
LR7 said:
I'm surprised there weren't more Atléti players in the Spain squad actually. Koke could be a good about but I reckon del Bosque will see the result as a one off and not make to many knee jerk decisions. I bumped the Isco thread the other day. He's a player I feel could have made a difference for this Spain side but I reckon it was a toss up between him and Mata for the squad.

I reckon Wenger could get the best out of Balotelli but will Arsenal pay the fee any of those three clubs will be expecting?
Click to expand...

I didn't realize Isco hadn't even made the squad, I'm also surprised Iturraspe didn't make the cut either. I think if Del Bosque looks at the game again he'll realize the midfield trio were too slow in the tackle and that a player like Koke would benefit that, plus I'd start with Pedro in one of the front 3 roles.

They may be willing to pay the price Real want for Morata but I can't see Higauin moving after just one season at Napoli unless the fee is stupid money. Balotelli is hard to predict, I guess the price will depend on how much they ant to keep him, has he been trouble there?
 
WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Roy Hodgson is preparing to return forward Wayne Rooney, 28, to a central role for England's crunch match against Uruguay on Thursday.Times (subscription required)(external)

QPR boss Harry Redknapp believes Uruguay will have "no chance" of beating England if striker Luis Suarez, 27, is not fit. Evening Standard(external)


Daniel Sturridge's goalscoring World Cup debut came as no surprise to the 24-year-old Liverpool striker's first coach at Cadbury Athletic, Pete Evans, who watched him net 50 goals in a season aged eight. "If I was a gambling man I would have put money on him playing and scoring for England, but sooner than he has," Evans said. Birmingham Mail(external)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Rubin Kazan's France international midfielder Yann M'Vila, 23, is set to reject Liverpool and Arsenal in favour of a move to Inter Milan. Daily Star(external)

_75603434_guillermo_ochoa_afp.jpg

Ochoa ended a three-year spell with French club Ajaccio in May after their relegation to Ligue 2

Arsenal and Liverpool also want Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, 28, who is keen to play in the Champions League after becoming a free agent.Daily Express(external)

The agent of Chelsea target Sefa Isci says the 18-year-old Anderlecht defender has rejected the chance of a move to Benfica. Daily Star(external)

Manchester City are unlikely to pursue their former youth-team goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, 29, who left Sunderland at the end of last season. City are looking to provide competition for first-choice Joe Hart after Costel Pantilimon joined the Black Cats. Manchester Evening News(external)

Newcastle United have offered a deal to Hertha Berlin's 22-year-old striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga. Newcastle Chronicle(external)

_75603314_sun_back_page.jpg

The Sun's back page on Wednesday

Manchester United are likely to bid for Sami Khedira, who has also been a target for Arsenal, after Real Madrid told the 27-year-old midfielder he could leave. Daily Express(external)

Another of new United manager Louis van Gaal's targets, Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, 25, says he is staying with the German club for the immediate future. Daily Star(external)

Crystal Palace are moving closer to a £1.5m deal for former Everton midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, 29, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Anzhi Makhachkala from Spartak Moscow. Croydon Advertiser(external)

Middlesbrough are keeping tabs on Sammy Ameobi, with Newcastle open to offers for the 22-year-old forward. Newcastle Journal(external)

Turkish side Besiktas want to take Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou, 26, on a one-year loan deal. GetWestLondon(external)

Premier League newcomers Leicester City are interested in Port Vale's out-of-contract defender Joe Davis, 20, who has been offered a new deal by the Valiants. Stoke Sentinel(external)

OTHER GOSSIP

New Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 27, says he told Barcelona to let him leave, and claims they tried to stop him departing. Sky Sports(external)

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has returned from holiday keen to resolve the future of 25-year-old midfielder Steven Nzonzi, who has again hinted at a move. Stoke Sentinel(external)

AND FINALLY

Brazil legend Pele had to listen to the first half of the World Cup hosts' 0-0 draw with Mexico on the radio because of traffic jams in Sao Paulo. Yahoo(external)
 
Someone gets linked with Yann M'Vila evey window
 
Well, Kedhira is better than some of the other names we have been linked with.

LR7 said:
Someone gets linked with Yann M'Vila evey window
Click to expand...

He looked a great prospect at one time, shame he didn't seem to have the application and maturity to go with his talent.
 
Devil may care said:
Well, Kedhira is better than some of the other names we have been linked with.
.
Click to expand...

You can hardly claim that we are 'linked' to Khedira when it's the Daily Express who are creating the rumor......there are never links with that paper...just random made up nonsense
 
Ringo 07 said:
You can hardly claim that we are 'linked' to Khedira when it's the Daily Express who are creating the rumor...
Click to expand...

Linked as in as much as any of the 50 rumoured players we are considered linked with in the transfer section.
 
  • Bild report that Chelsea are interested in Aubameyang for €25m although the article does state that they're getting it from Gazzetta dello Sport who seem to know everything that the English clubs are planning given that it's where most of our Alexis/Vidal runours have stemmed from.

  • They also say Southampton, Shalke and Wolfsburg are interested in signing Croatian left winger Ante Rebic from Fiorentina but his contract is until 2018.

  • And finally from Bild, Juventus want Drogba (according to Turkish media reports apparently) whose contract expires at the end of this month.

(German GCSE + google translate might = a few mistakes but I think that's the general gist of the reports in Bild!)

http://sportbild.bild.de/fussball/2...t.html&usg=ALkJrhiG3CE0s-LJR7gbXV39vfeTQV-NOg
 
Being linked to Tello again today on loan. I think some are interested in getting him on a perm deal but maybe Enrique wants to see if he can perform like Deulofeu and possibly go back. I think we will probably be linked to a few Barca players on loan to be fair, could be a nice relationship.
 
SilentWitness said:
Being linked to Tello again today on loan. I think some are interested in getting him on a perm deal but maybe Enrique wants to see if he can perform like Deulofeu and possibly go back. I think we will probably be linked to a few Barca players on loan to be fair, could be a nice relationship.
Click to expand...
I think I read somewhere a whole ago that Martinez was going to try to get Deulofeu back for a second loan but I'd imagine Barcelona will integrate him into the first team next season so Christian Tello could could be a good alternative. Loan signings seem to be a big part of your strategy going forward so I can't think of a better club than Barcelona to strike up a loan partnership with given the way Martinez wants his team to play.
 
WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Portuguese surgeon Jose Carlos Noronha has warned Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, he is putting his career at risk by playing at the World Cup with a knee injury. nbcsports.com(external)

Fifa has denied Diego Maradona's claim he was prevented from attending Argentina's opening match in the Maracana. Daily Mail(external)


Greece midfielder Giannis Maniatis, 27, booked himself a flight home after a dispute during training, but was persuaded to stay. Guardian(external)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United target Toni Kroos, 24, is no closer to committing his future to Bayern Munich despite the midfielder's team-mates Thomas Muller and Philipp Lahm being given new deals. Daily Mail(external)

Arsenal are reportedly set to offer AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, a deal worth £180,000 per week to move to Emirates Stadium this summer.Metro(external)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants to sign midfielder Adam Lallana, 26, and defender Dejan Lovren, 24, from Southampton and is prepared to lose 23-year-old striker Fabio Borini as part of the deal.Daily Mirror (external)

New Southampton boss Ronald Koeman wants Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall, 29, to provide competition for Artur Boruc. Daily Mirror (external)

Tottenham are lining up a £3m bid for Sunderland's 33-year-old defender John O'Shea. Daily Telegraph(external)

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Robin van Persie's 93-year-old granddad has been photographed#VanPersieing(external) - a social media trend started after the Dutch striker scored against Spain at the World Cup.

_75631027_75631026.jpg

England striker Wayne Rooney praised Manchester United team-mate Van Persie for his strike during the Netherlands' 3-2 victory over Australia. The 28-year-old tweeted: (external)"Great finish by @Persie_official. Yes Batman."

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott congratulated Dutchman Arjen Robben for becoming the world's fastest footballer, a title he previously held. "Robben, Congrats for beating my clocked speed but thought it looked a bit downhill," the 25-year-old tweeted. (external)

AND FINALLY

Englishman David Grey has appealed online for fellow Uruguay supporters to join him to watch Thursday's World Cup match without success. The 58-year-old developed a love for Uruguay based on striker Luis Suarez and the leftist ideals of the country's former guerrilla president, Jose Mujica. Guardian (external)
 
LR7 said:
I think I read somewhere a whole ago that Martinez was going to try to get Deulofeu back for a second loan but I'd imagine Barcelona will integrate him into the first team next season so Christian Tello could could be a good alternative. Loan signings seem to be a big part of your strategy going forward so I can't think of a better club than Barcelona to strike up a loan partnership with given the way Martinez wants his team to play.
Click to expand...

Yeah, they want to keep him and Deulofeu confirmed he was staying at a Barca in a letter to us, and by the sound of it he's thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend other players from Barca to come here. We do seem to be interested in a few wingers though - Cerci, Perisic - and we have Mirallas, McGeady, Pienaar, Oviedo and even Naismith who could play wide so it would be winger overload to get Tello on loan aswell. It does beg the question that Pienaar/Naismith could leave or that Mirallas and/or Cerci would be used as a Striker. Who knows at this stage. I do think we can expect to see a few more Barca players at Goodison though.
 
WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says Germany's 25-year-old playmaker Mesut Ozil needs special treatment because he is "sensitive". Daily Mail (external)

Belgium captain Vincent Kompany missed training on Thursday with a "slight groin strain". His country play Russia on 22 June. Guardian (external)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

AC Milan could lower their £27m asking price for Mario Balotelli, 23, if Arsenal are willing to send Costa Rica's Joel Campbell, 21, in the opposite direction. Metro(external)

But Arsenal will move for Bayern Munich's Mario Mandzukic, 28, if they fail to sign former Manchester City forward Balotelli. Daily Express(external)

New West Brom manager Alan Irvine is interested in bringing Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell, 23, to the Hawthorns either on loan or permanently. Daily Mirror (external)

Liverpool and Arsenal are ready to resurrect their interest in Chile and Juventus right-back Mauricio Isla, 26. Daily Star (external)

Monaco are in pole position to sign former Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole. Daily Express(external)

Five players are set to leave Chelsea this summer, with striker Fernando Torres, midfielder Marko Marin and forward Romelu Lukaku among those set to depart. Daily Star(external)

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Italy striker Mario Balotelli wants a kiss from the Queen if Italy keep England's World Cup hopes alive. England have a slim chance of qualifying for the knockout stages if Italy beat Costa Rica on Friday and the Azzurri striker tweeted:(external) "If we beat Costa Rica, I want a kiss, obviously on the cheek, from the UK Queen."

Argentina's players seem relaxed ahead of their Group F match against Iran on Saturday, with Sergio Aguero posting a selfie with team-mate Maxi Rodriguez on Facebook. (external)

Pop star Rhianna(external) offered advice to England's defence after Luis Suarez inspired Uruguay to a 2-1 win, tweeting: "Man they know better than to give Suarez that much room bruh!"

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson saw Uruguay's win over Roy Hodgson's men as a victory for Liverpool, tweeting: (external)"Well done Liverpool. You beat England."

AND FINALLY

An eight-year-old Brazilian fan burst into tears of joy at the sight of meeting defender David Luiz. The boy had evaded security and ran onto the pitch where the Brazil squad were training and was embraced by former Chelsea defender Luiz. Independent. (external)
 
Barcelona have joined the race to sign Liverpool's Luis Suarez.

Atletico Madrid are trying to sign Chelsea's Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku on a season long loan.

Tottenham consider move for out of contract Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.

West Brom have signed free agent Joleon Lescott on a two-year deal.

Hull are ready to pay a club record £6.5 million to sign Jake Livermore from Tottenham.

Crystal Palace eye Manchester Unitedwinger Wilfried Zaha (Daily Mail).

Tottenham are showing an interest in £7 million-rated Mexico centre-back Hector Moreno (Daily Mail).

Mexico star Hector Moreno is being tracked by Hull (The Sun).

Stoke hope to take teenage Barcelonawinger Adama Traore on loan (The Sun).

Orlando City sign AC Milan star Kaka (The Sun).
 
WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Walter Ferreira, the physio behind Luis Suarez's recovery from knee surgery, suspended cancer treatment to see the 27-year-old Liverpool striker score twice in Uruguay's World Cup win over England.Independent(external)

England captain Steven Gerrard's display against Uruguay was so bad, according to Spanish newspaper AS, they did not give him a rating for his performance. Daily Mail(external)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona want Liverpool striker Suarez, already a target for Real Madrid, and believe a £70m bid will activate a release clause. Daily Mirror(external)

Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic, 28, is set to reject the chance to join Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea to sign for Wolfsburg. Daily Star(external)

AC Milan have told Arsenal they must spend £29.5m to sign former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, 23. Daily Express(external)

Crystal Palace will enquire about a deal for Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, 21, once manager Tony Pulis returns from media work in Brazil. Daily Mail (external)

New Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is considering a move for Esteban Cambiasso, 33, who is leaving Inter Milan on a free transfer this month. Daily Mirror(external)

Manchester United and Chelsea are set to miss out on Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos, 24, who wants to join Real Madrid once his contract expires in 2015. Daily Express(external)

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea's title challenge next season will benefit from Cesc Fabregas's winning mentality and Premier League experience.Daily Star(external)

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

England midfielder Jack Wilshere apologised to fans after his team failed to progress to the World Cup knockout stages. "Gutted doesn't come close to how I am feeling right now. Sorry to all the fans who came out and supported us, and everyone back home," he tweeted. (external)

"Loads saying no pride no passion," tweeted(external) former England defender Rio Ferdinand. "The boys didn't try you saying? Rubbish. We just wasn't up to it. Nothing to do with pride & passion."

Triathlete Jonathan Brownlee(external) wrote about his World Cup experience on Twitter: "I went to Spain and they lost. Came home and England lost, now in Switzerland and they are losing... where next?! Germany?"

Goals help make a striker popular - and in-form Manchester United and Netherlands striker Robin van Persie has accumulated 10 million fans onFacebook.(external)

AND FINALLY

One Brazilian family is sending more good fortune than most to their team - by crossing their fingers. All 14 members of the Silva family were born with an extra digit on each hand. Independent (external)
 
If Chelsea do loan out Lukaku again it should probably be to Atlético as a gesture of goodwill!
 
Considering there's been nothing new for nearly 48 hrs I'm going to go out on a limb here and say no.
 
WORLD CUP GOSSIP

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal says Fifa is guilty of a lack of "fair play" over the scheduling of World Cup fixtures. Daily Mail(external)

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque says he thinks of everyone, while players only think of themselves, after his argument with Cesc Fabregas over the 27-year-old Chelsea midfielder's role at the World Cup. Marca (in Spanish)(external)


Fifa is looking into photographs of fans wearing black make-up at Germany's World Cup game against Ghana. FourFourTwo(external)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona are no longer interested in Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, but the 23-year-old remains a target for Chelsea and Manchester United. Daily Star(external)

Tottenham are set to make a £5m bid for Divock Origi after the 19-year-old Lille striker scored Belgium's winning goal against Russia at the World Cup.Daily Mail(external)

Mexican striker Carlos Vela, 25, will not return to Arsenal and has signed a new contract with Real Sociedad. Daily Express(external)

Swansea have beaten Newcastle to the signing of free agent Bafetimbi Gomis, 28. Daily Express(external)

OTHER GOSSIP

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson says Roy Hodgson only retained his job as national coach because he is English. Daily Telegraph(external)

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Brazil's tournament-opening game against Croatia is the most talked-about match of the World Cup so far on Facebook, with 58 million unique views and 140 million interactions. England's match against Uruguay is fourth. L'Equipe (in French)(external)

Fans lit flares in Algiers(external) as Algeria became the first African nation to score four goals in a World Cup encounter by beating South Korea 4-2.JOE.ie (external)

AND FINALLY

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, 21, was filmed playing for Chelsea - on computer game Football Manager. Metro(external)
 
From the Telegraph:

• Imminent move: Hull City are preparing to to seal the £8m transfer ofJake Livermore from Tottenham. (Hull Daily Mail)

• Strong rumour: Bafetimbi Gomis will travel to Swansea next week to complete his free transfer move after rejecting Newcastle. (Express)

• Long shot of the day: Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are on transfer alert with Radamel Falcao looking to leave Monaco this summer. (Mirror)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.