Sunday's gossip

[Damien]

I'm curving but if nobody else has posted it before I'm done, I'll post it when I've finished.

 

[Barney]

I'm curving but if nobody else has posted it before I'm done, I'll post it when I've finished.

You subscribe to the sun?

 

[Damien]

You subscribe to the sun?

No, with Remix tagging me in the post I thought it was in The Times. I'd never subscribe to that paper.

 

[Sassy Colin]

Juventus midfielders Paul Pogba, 20, and Arturo Vidal, 26, as well as left-back Shaw and 25-year-old Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa will be Manchester United's summer transfer targets but will be hard to sign if they do not qualify for the Champions League.

I don't think it would make a blind bit of difference who he signs, I doubt he would get the best out of them anyway.

If only SAF had had some of these £M's to spend in the last couple of years.

 

[Antisocial]

Rodgers also wants to add experience to his defence by bringing in 33-year-old Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole on a free transfer.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Should we be considering him if Evra leaves as expected? Bring in Cole and say Ben Davies (assuming Shaw goes to Chelsea) and use Cole to take a bit of pressure off Davies as Evra's long-term successor?

Could allow us to save some cash for elsewhere in the squad.

 

[Stookie]

no gossip today?

 

[C.M.P]

Liverpool and Galatasary are competing to land Manchester City's Micah Richards, 25, in an £8m deal this summer, with Manuel Pellegrini's side open to offers for the defender.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

Chelsea aim to tie up deals for Paris-St Germain's Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, 27, and Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, 18, before the start of the World Cup.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Manchester United's attempts to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielders Ilkay Gundogan, 23, and 24-year-old Marco Reus will be boosted by the German club's willingness to re-sign Shinji Kagawa, 24, who Red Devils boss David Moyes is prepared to let go.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Liverpool and Everton are both monitoring Levante's Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, 27.

Wayne Rooney has scored 11 times for Manchester United this season

Full story: Sunday People

Chelsea's Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 21, who has spent the past three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid, will decide his Blues future next month.

Full story: Metro

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed a potential deal for Barcelona's Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 32, in the summer.

Full story: Marca (Spanish)

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United have extended Wayne Rooney's contract in a £70m deal which makes the 28-year-old the highest paid player in Premier League history and will keep him at Old Trafford for the rest of his career.

Full story: The Sun

Ravel Morrison scored five goals in his first 12 games of this season

Meanwhile, Patrice Evra has triggered a clause in his contract that will force Manchester United into offering the 32-year-old a new deal.

Full story: The Times (subscription required)

West Ham United midfielder Ravel Morrison, 21, cannot wait to escape Upton Park after feeling under pressure from manager Sam Allardyce and captain Kevin Nolan to sign with a prominent football agent.

Full story: Observer

Fulham maintain that head coach Rene Meulensteen has not been sacked following Felix Magath's appointment as manager on Friday. Assistant manager Alan Curbishley's future remains uncertain.

Full story: Sunday Telegraph

Meanwhile, Fulham's players will hate working under their new manager according to Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness, who says Magath goes beyond the limits of physical challenges with players.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Manager Alan Pardew is close to being sacked by Newcastle and the sale of midfielder Yohan Cabaye to Paris St-Germain has caused major issues in the Magpies squad.

Full story: Sunday People

Pardew replaced Chris Hughton at Newcastle in 2010

Tottenham director of football Franco Baldini is facing increasing pressure from the club's board following the failure of record signing Erik Lamela, who has started just three league games since joining from Roma.

Full story: Sunday People

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm, 30, has suggested fellow Germany international Toni Kroos, 24, will be making a step down if he leaves the Bundesliga club for Manchester United in the summer.

Full story: Sunday Express

Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, 21, is in contention for a place in England's World Cup squad after joining Cardiff on loan.

Full story: Sunday Telegraph

Millwall manager Ian Holloway says Brendan Rodgers deserves to win the title at Liverpool for being bold in blooding young English players.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

AND FINALLY
Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta, 29, may try luring Barcelona's Lionel Messi, 26, into a move to the Premier League through the temptation of fish and chips.

Full story: Sunday Telegraph

Could Lionel Messi be tempted from Barcelona to Manchester to sample British cuisine?

Crewe's 3-1 defeat by Brentford in League One was held up after a husky ran on to the pitch at Gresty Road.

Full story: Metro

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has been showing off the shirts he exchanged with players during his career, including one from ex-Arsenal man Robert Pires he received "before we started booting him".

 

[Stookie]

Thanks CMP

 

[Red Shorts]

@ the Messi story, is fish and chips are a way of getting him to come then they have no hope.

 

[sun_tzu]

@ the Messi story, is fish and chips are a way of getting him to come then they have no hope.

Hi mr messi
Here is a huge parcel wrapped in newspaper
honestly its fish and chips not a huge bundle of cash
by the way please sign for us... you can have more fish and chips every day

 

[Drifter]

According to Catalan Daily Sport we have made contact with the agent of Alex Song.

 

[C.M.P]

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, 29, is a transfer target for a Singapore-based billionaire trying to buy Spanish side Valencia.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Liverpool will make a move for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, 26, if they qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season.

Benzema has helped Real Madrid to the top of La Liga

Full story: Metro

Swansea's Spain striker Michu, 27, is wanted by Anzhi Makhachkala, before the Russian transfer window shuts on Monday night.

Full story: Sunday People

Manchester United believe they have won the battle to sign Borussia Dortmund's 21-year-old Germany international midfielder Ilkay Gundogan for £25m.

Full story: Daily Star Sunday

Everton boss Roberto Martinez wants to tempt former Swansea midfielder Joe Allen, 23, across Stanley Park from Liverpool to Goodison Park.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott, 31, is ready to move abroad at the end of the season with the former Everton centre-half wanted by Monaco and Besiktas.

Full story: Sun on Sunday (subscription required)

OTHER GOSSIP
Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is considering returning to the club as a coach. The 35-year-old, who is currently playing at Galatasary, has been offered the chance to work at Stamford Bridge as strikers' coach by manager Jose Mourinho.

Full story: Sunday Times (subscription required)

Premier League strugglers Norwich City will sack manager Chris Hughton if they are beaten by Tottenham on Sunday and will target Celtic boss Neil Lennon as a replacement.

Hughton was appointed Norwich boss in June 2012

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Owner Mike Ashley is willing to discuss selling Newcastle United - if someone offers £250m.

Full story: Sunday People

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville insists his old club will not finish in the Premier League top four this season.

Full story: Talksport

Former Swansea manager Michael Laudrup will demand an extra £1m in compensation if the Welsh club avoid relegation this season.

Full story: Sun on Sunday (subscription required)

Tim Sherwood could keep his job as Tottenham manager even if the club fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

AND FINALLY
Scunthorpe United have revealed the secret behind their 16-match unbeaten run - their interesting selection of half-time snacks.

Full story:Metro

 

[theyneverlearn]

Scunthorpe United have revealed the secret behind their 16-match unbeaten run - their interesting selection of half-time snacks.

Full story:Metro

I knew it would be Jaffa Cakes, they're amazing for energy.

 

[C.M.P]

Might be good for energy but feck me they're rank.

 

[theyneverlearn]

Might be good for energy but feck me they're rank.

Please don't blaspheme.

 

[jojojo]

According to Catalan Daily Sport we have made contact with the agent of Alex Song.

I know at least one Barca fan willing to have him gift wrapped and shipped overnight by courier.

The same one in fact who sent me a message after last night's match with Real Sociedad saying, "I told you so."

 

[jojojo]

Please don't blaspheme.

Too true. How can anyone say bad things about a (real) Jaffa Cake.
He'll be insulting Vimto next.

 

[C.M.P]

 

[marukomu]

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott, 31, is ready to move to another planet at the end of the season with the former Everton centre-half wanted by Vulcan and the Romulans.

 

[C.M.P]

Sunday's gossip column: Barry, Kongolo, Hiddink
For a list of confirmed transfers, check out the transfers page.

Visit our manager ins and outs page for a list of all the current bosses in the top five leagues in England and the Scottish Premiership.

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Liverpool and Manchester City are keen to sign 16-year-old Feyenoord midfielder Rodney Kongolo, who has been described as the "new Patrick Vieira".

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Arsenal's Johan Djourou is on loan in Germany with Hamburg

Everton are ready to offer 33-year-old midfielder Gareth Barry £50,000 per week for the next three seasons as he continues to impress during his loan spell from Manchester City.

Full story: Sunday People

Arsenal may yet sign Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler, although the Gunners could face competition for the 21-year-old from Bayern Munich.

Full story: Inside Futbol

Hull City manager Steve Bruce is lining up a £2.6m summer move for Arsenal's 27-year-old defender Johan Djourou.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Turkish club Trabzonspor have offered Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic a lucrative salary in order to fend off interest from Inter Milan. The Serbia defender, 32, is set to leave Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Full story: Sun (subscription required)

Arsenal and Manchester United have been told they will have to pay at least £8m to sign Red Bull Salzburg's 21-year-old Austrian defender Martin Hinteregger.

Full story: Inside Futbol

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, 26, could be set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with interest being expressed by Inter Milan.

Full story: Football Direct News

Manchester United are plotting an £8m bid for PSV Eindhoven defender Santiago Arias, having identified the 22-year-old Colombian as a cheaper alternative to Everton's Seamus Coleman.

Full story: Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIP
Bacary Sagna has told his Arsenal team-mates he will be leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season. Inter Milan, Galatasaray and Paris Saint-Germain are keen on the 31-year-old defender.

Full story: Sun (subscription required)

Former Manchester United midfielder Gordon Hill says spending £200m on players this summer will not automatically turn around the club's fortunes.

Full story: Talksport

Ex-Chelsea caretaker-manager Guus Hiddink says he will be the next manager of the Netherlands. Hiddink was in charge of the national team between 1994 and 1998.

Full story: Sports Illustrated

QPR midfielder Adel Taarabt, 24, says he can become "the Messi of AC Milan", after hitting an excellent run of form on loan at the Serie A club.

Full story: Daily Mail

Former Everton manager Joe Royle says David Moyes should be given until the end of next season to prove himself as Manchester United boss.

Full story: Daily Star

Arsenal title-winning midfielder Paul Davis says the club's record £42.5m signing Mesut Ozil is suffering with the pace and demands of the Premier League.

Full story: Talksport

QPR will lose chief scout Ian Broomfield to Arsenal once his contract at Loftus Road expires. Broomfield, who worked with Hoops boss Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur, was head-hunted for the role by the Gunners' scouting team.

Full story: Daily Express

Manchester United manager David Moyes will look to improve the partnership between Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in a bid to get the club's season back on track.

Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester City midfielder James Milner, 28, is taking Spanish lessons in order to improve his communication with Spanish-speaking team-mates including David Silva.

Full story: Observer

AND FINALLY
Thirsty Oldham supporters were left disappointed at Tranmere Rovers when the bar serving away fans at Prenton Park had to be closed because the beer had gone past its expiry date.

Full story: Manchester Evening News

 

[Sassy Colin]

Tottenham are ready to offer England international midfielder James Milner a way out of Manchester City, who are yet to offer the 28-year-old a new contract.

Full story: Sun (subscription required) )

James Milner has made 21 Premier League appearances for Manchester City this season.

Inter Milan and Valencia both want Manchester United's Mexico striker Javier Hernandez, 25, who has only started four league games this season.

Full story: Sunday People

Paris St-Germain are considering a £41.5m move for Chelsea midfielder Oscar before the World Cup. Barcelona and Monaco are also interested in the Brazil international, 22.

Full story: Sunday Telegraph

Newcastle will have to repel competition from Arsenal to sign Loic Remy from QPR this summer. The French forward, 27, has scored 13 league goals during his season on loan at St James' Park but the Gunners are confident of signing him for £8m.

Full story: Sunday People

Arsenal will have to pay £25m if they want to sign Real Madrid's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata, 21, in the summer.

Full story: Metro

Manchester United manager David Moyes has identified Arsenal's Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen, 28, as the ideal replacement for the departing Serbia international Nemanja Vidic, 32.

Full story: Sun (subscription required)

Robin van Persie is prepared to waive a £10m loyalty bonus in order to move away from Manchester United this summer, with Juventus a potential destination for the 30-year-old Dutch striker.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Van Persie has scored 14 goals in 22 appearances this season.

United will allow Van Persie to leave, but only if they are able to sign Paris St-Germain's Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, 27.

Full story: Sunday People

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta says the club are ready to significantly invest in new players this summer in order to replace departing goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 32, and defender Carles Puyol, 35.

Full story: Sky Sports

Liverpool are monitoring Red Bull Salzburg and Austria defender Martin Hinteregger. The Anfield club sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old in action against Luis Suarez's Uruguay on Wednesday.

Full story: Observer

The agent of Atletico Madrid winger Arda Turan has played down speculation linking the Turkish 27-year-old with a move to Arsenal.

Full story: Sunday Express

Serie A club Roma are plotting a move for Manchester United's 24-year-old Japanese attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa.

Full story: Football Direct News

OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United are set to offer England midfielder Tom Cleverley, 24, a new five-year contract worth £15m.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

Matthew Etherington joined Stoke in 2009

Winger Matthew Etherington will leave Stoke when his contract expires this summer. The 32-year-old has started five league games this season.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says inflated price tags will make it difficult to recruit English players this summer.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, 31, hopes his move to MLS club Toronto FC will not affect his chances of being selected for England's World Cup squad.

Full story: Sunday Express

Former Tottenham and England manager Glenn Hoddle says Spurs boss Tim Sherwood was wrong to criticise his players' character following the 4-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Full story: Sky Sports

AND FINALLY
Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, 24, has apologised for running in front of a bull dressed as Batman during a carnival in Azpeitia.

Full story: Marca

Napoli manager Rafael Benitez marked International Women's Day by giving flowers to female journalists at his news conference.

Full story: Metro

 

[Brophs]

I really hope these Vermaelen rumours aren't true. They seem to have come up a few times this season. Good footballer, not such a good defender.

 

[sun_tzu]

I really hope these Vermaelen rumours aren't true. They seem to have come up a few times this season. Good footballer, not such a good defender.

Cant get in the arsenal team... Don't think he would get in ours either. (good back up to Jones smalling and Evans though but why swap the bench at arsenal for the stands at old Trafford)

 

[MkPaul]

Would much rather have Vertonghen. More and more news about RVP going in the summer. Who do you think will replace him realistically?

 

[jojojo]

AND FINALLY
Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illarramendi, 24, has apologised for running in front of a bull dressed as Batman during a carnival in Azpeitia.

Full story: Marca

I can't believe he got fined for that.
1. It was only a little bull.
2. No way would Batman be in any danger from a bull.

 

[Hal9000]

I can't believe he got fined for that.
1. It was only a little bull.
2. No way would Batman be in any danger from a bull.

Still probably weighed about 400kg+ and could of gored him.

 

[Gunnar]

France midfielder Paul Pogba, 21, has rejected the chance to rejoin Manchester United in a £35m transfer, opting instead to stay with Juventus.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Paul Pogba made three appearances for Manchester United before he left for Juventus in July 2012.

Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes will leave the club when his contract expires in the summer and Manchester City remain interested in signing the 32-year-old.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

LA Galaxy have targeted the signing of Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard in a £4m-a-year deal, with the 35-year-old out of contract during the summer.

Full story: Sun on Sunday (subscription required)

West Ham midfielder Joe Cole, 32, is not keen on a move to the MLS and could instead opt to join Championship club Brighton.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Stoke City have not received any approaches from Real Madrid for 26-year-old goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Full story: Metro

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is keen to sign promising 22-year-old defender Joel Veltman and attacking midfielder Davy Klaassen, 21, from Ajax at the end of the season.

Full story: Caughtoffside

Chelsea want to tie 21-year-old goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, on loan at Atletico Madrid, to a new contract, with his current deal expiring in 2016.

Full story: Sunday Express

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud's future at the Emirates has been brought into question after the 27-year-old held secret talks with an influential football agent.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

OTHER GOSSIP
Tottenham defender Kyle Walker, 23, is facing a battle to be fit to take his place in England's World Cup squad for Brazil because of an ongoing pelvic injury.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker has won 10 caps for England.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says Luis Suarez, 27, may be a striker but he is also a "hard man" and the "toughest player mentally" he has worked with.

Full story: Observer

Meanwhile, Rodgers - who will have a year left on his contract in the summer - says the club should not be distracted by sorting out a new deal for him until the end of the season.

Full story: Sunday Express

Barcelona are keeping an eye on those contract talks between Liverpool and Rodgers, with their current coach Gerardo Martino likely to leave in the summer.

Full story: The People

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has dropped the biggest hint yet he will sign a new contract with the club.

Full story: Star on Sunday

Former Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is set to be named the new boss of Russian club Zenit St Petersburg on Monday.

Full story: Metro

AND FINALLY
Paris St-Germain have sacked their two head chefs after Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticised the quality of the food at the French club's training ground.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

Tottenham players decided to celebrate midfielder Sandro's birthday by covering the Brazilian in cake.

Full story: Metro

Hull City's KC Stadium will host polo matches in the summer before its planned reconstruction.

Full story: Hull Daily Mail

 

[Varun]

Rodgers to Barca does makes sense.

 

[ashgabat]

Tiki-taka, okeeey?

 

[Buchan]

I think Rodgers is a bit of a spoofer (in terms of the bullshit he comes out with in pressers) but the bollocks has Liverpool playing quite well.

He'd be a decent shout for that Barcelona job, if a little left-field.

 

[Buchan]

P.S What's Catalan for 'envelope'?

 

[Varun]

I think Rodgers is a bit of a spoofer (in terms of the bullshit he comes out with in pressers) but the bollocks has Liverpool playing quite well.

He'd be a decent shout for that Barcelona job, if a little left-field.

He's got the punching above their weight. And pretty sure he couldnt turn down the Barca job, I'd love to see the back of him.

 

[marukomu]

'Stoke City have not received any approaches from Real Madrid for 26-year-old goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.'

This is news?
In other news, Manchester United are not going to sign Osama Bin Laden.
Chelsea are not playing today.
Stockport County have had no approaches from Galtasaray for their left back.

 

[Barney]

Rodgers to Barca does makes sense.

Don't see it myself.

'Stoke City have not received any approaches from Real Madrid for 26-year-old goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.'

This is news?
In other news, Manchester United are not going to sign Osama Bin Laden.
Chelsea are not playing today.
Stockport County have had no approaches from Galtasaray for their left back.

 

[lysglimt]

'Stoke City have not received any approaches from Real Madrid for 26-year-old goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.'

This is news?
In other news, Manchester United are not going to sign Osama Bin Laden.
Chelsea are not playing today.
Stockport County have had no approaches from Galtasaray for their left back.

Well not exactly news - but there aren't many goalkeepers of his age and quality outside the top 20-30 clubs in the world (which is another way of saying - available)

 

[Nedved]

Paris St-Germain have sacked their two head chefs after Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticised the quality of the food at the French club's training ground.

 

[a_devil_inside]

In other news, Manchester United are not going to sign Osama Bin Laden.

Good, he used to go missing too much

 

[Barney]

 

[LR7]

TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United have wrapped up the signing of Sporting Lisbon's 21-year-old midfielder William Carvalho, and Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos, 24, is next on the list.

Real Madrid are ready to move for Liverpool defender Glen Johnson.

Full story: Sunday People

Real Madrid are considering a summer bid for Glen Johnson, 29, as the Spanish giants prepare to capitalise on Liverpool's delay in offering the defender a new contract.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Carl Jenkinson, 22, will be sent out on loan to a Premier League club next season - with Newcastle and West Ham leading the chase to land the Arsenal defender.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Belgian side Standard Liege claim Tottenham are not interested in signing their 20-year-old top goalscorer Michy Batshuayi.

Full story: Sunday Express

Queens Park Rangers' 27-year-old striker Loic Remy, who is on loan at Newcastle, will jump at the chance to join Arsenal if they come calling as expected this summer.

Full story: Sunday People

Liverpool are risking the wrath of Barcelona after making a move to sign one of their most exciting young talents in 16-year-old South Korean striker Lee Seung-woo.

Full story: Metro

Besiktas are ready to pounce for Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul, 28, this summer after missing out on 32-year-old Nemanja Vidic.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he wants to commit his future at the Emirates and that there "shouldn't be any uncertainty" over his future.

Full story: Sunday Express

Manchester United manager David Moyes believes the Red Devils will be winning trophies next season.

But Arsenal legend Bob Wilson says Wenger could quit the club if he wins the Premier League again.

Full story: talkSPORT

David Moyes is building for the future, and he claims that his side will be targeting titles and silverware as soon as next season.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

AND FINALLY
A spiritual healer from Bromley has told reporters this week that she was married to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger - in the 15th Century.

Full story: Metro

 

[LR7]

They've got that story about us winning trophies on there as if it's outlandish!