Sunday's gossip

Aston Villa boss reveals interest in Manchester United star

Michael Owen is still coveted by Gerard Houllier and a January move could be in the offing.

Gerard Houllier has spoken of his admiration for Michael Owen sparking rumours of bid from Aston Villa for his services.

The new Villa boss worked with Owen for several years when the two were at Liverpool and the Frenchman remains a big fan of the Manchester United player.

“He has always been in my thoughts,” said Houllier. “I like him as a player and a man.

“I went to Liverpool on September 4 for Jamie Carragher's testimonial, and I saw Michael play a half of football. He still has the legs for it.”



Come on :wenger:.You know it makes sense
 
19/09/2010

Manchester United are set to step up their efforts to land Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra. Sir Alex Ferguson has been a long-time admirer of the versatile French midfielder, who left Portsmouth for Real Madrid in a £20m deal last December after spells at Chelsea and Arsenal.
Full story: The People

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton hopes to make the loan signing of French international Hatem Ben Arfa permanent, following his stunning match-winning strike against Everton.
Full story: News of the World

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is interested in bringing Napoli's Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani to Anfield in January.
Full story: Caughtoffside.com

Middlesbrough are looking to take on Newcastle striker Leon Best, who almost signed for Gordon Strachan at the Riverside Stadium in January, on a season-long loan deal.
Full story: News of the World

Tottenham and *Everton are *keen on signing striker Peniel Mlapa from German club Hoffenheim. The 19-year-old, who was born in Togo, was named Young Player of the Year in Germany last season.
Full story: Sunday Mirror


OTHER GOSSIP
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks plans to delay the sale of the club for up to two years, despite being on the verge of a £280m deal to buy out partner George Gillett.
Full story: News of the World

Striker Wayne Rooney will never walk away from Manchester United, according to team-mate Darren Fletcher. The Scottish midfielder said: "He's a big part of *United's history now. He *absolutely loves *playing for this club."
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich admits that the days of multi-million pound transfers and bumper contracts at Stamford Bridge are over.
Full story: Daily Mail

Abramovich, meanwhile, is set to offer the club's boss Carlo Ancelotti a new deal that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2014.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Premier League officials will meet next month to discuss the sanctions they plan to impose on Manchester United as a result of manager Alex Ferguson's refusal to speak to the BBC, with the club likely to be fined £25,000 every time he fails to give a post-match interview.
Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool full-back Paul Konchesky has appealed to referee Howard Webb to be sensible and keep his cards in his pockets for Sunday's match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Full story: Daily Mail

Sir Alex Ferguson has tried to explain why he wasn't always on the best of terms with Liverpool's former boss Rafa Benitez. "I have always had good relationships with all the Liverpool managers. That changed in his regime. Why did that happen? You have to examine him more than me."
Full story: Sunday Express



AND FINALLY
Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks has revealed how close he was to quitting the sport to become a banger-racing mechanic. The 28-year-old struggled to even make the bench under former boss Simon Grayson before things steadily improved when Ian Holloway arrived at the helm.
Full story: The People
 
"WILSON PALACIOS has emerged as a January target for Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Manchester United boss has major concerns about the long-term fitness of Owen Hargreaves and needs a dynamic holding midfielder.

The Tottenham star has impressed during his 18 months at White Hart Lane and played a key role in helping Harry Redknapp's side qualify for the Champions League.

But the Honduras international has never disguised his ambition to play for one of the established top-four clubs after making his name at Wigan and Spurs following a short loan spell at Birmingham three years ago.

Palacios, 26, would cost around £16million and Spurs would hold out for their asking price as he has four years left on his current contract.

It is thought that the deal is loaded with clauses that allow him to speak to other clubs if they offer more than a fixed sum - believed to be in the region of £15m.

Fergie also has doubts over the suitability of Michael Carrick to the defensive midfield position if United are to continue challenging for the Premier League title and Champions League in seasons to come.

The United boss was interested in signing Palacios before he made his £12m switch to Tottenham in January 2009. He also attracted scouts from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich during his time at Wigan."

FERGIE EYES UP £16M PALACIOS | News Of The World
 
Please god let this happen, I will never say a bad word about :wenger: ever again.


However, Manchester United boss Ferguson has now slapped Houllier with a firm hands-off warning and is quoted on ESPN Soccernet, saying, "He's wasting his time there. I understand Michael's frustration - he's exactly right - but it's because Berbatov started the season so well, then the international break came. It's difficult.

"We've got this Carling Cup game on Wednesday (at Scunthorpe) and he'll start that. He'll get enough football, Michael. It's just the early season with the internationals that disrupt you - there are four games over two two-week spells now since the start of the season.

"I agree he probably thinks it's passing him by but he's doing well in training, never misses a session. I brought him on for the last 20 minutes the other night but I could have brought on three centre-forwards and we would not have made a chance the way Rangers set out."

...
 
It's time for Sunday Shite!
TRANSFER GOSSIP

Barcelona are ready to offer Wayne Rooney an escape route from Manchester United as he struggles to cope with the scrutiny he is under following allegations about his private life. Full story: Sunday Mirror

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is prepared to offer Tottenham £13m and midfielder Lassana Diarra in exchange for left-back Gareth Bale.
Full story: the People

Arsenal are to revive their summer interest in Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina as manager Arsene Wenger loses patience with current number one Manuel Almunia.
Full story: News of the World

Alternatively Wenger is keen to sign Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon in January for £7m in the wake of Almunia's poor performance in their defeat by West Brom.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Chelsea are ready to do battle with Italian side Juventus in their pursuit of £32m-rated attacker Neymar. An added attraction for Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is that the 18-year-old Santos star would be eligible to play in the Champions League.
Full story: the People

Tottenham are monitoring Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano, who caught manager Harry Redknapp's eye over the summer, amid claims the Brazil international has fallen out with club coach Antonio Alvarez.
Full story: the People

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he has had background checks done on Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez, but he is not planning to move for the Chile international just yet.
Full story: News of the World

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor could call time on his Manchester City career with both Inter Milan and AC Milan keen to take him to Italy in January.
Full story: the People

Manager Gerard Houllier has identified Panathinaikos striker Djibril Cisse and Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago as his first targets at Aston Villa.
Full story: the People

Sunderland are readying a move for Libertad's Paraguay international midfielder Victor Caceres who is available on a free transfer. Preston midfielder Adam Barton is also in boss Steve Bruce's sights.
Full story: the People

OTHER GOSSIP

Royal Bank of Scotland says it has not ruled out the possibility of Kop Holdings, the company which owns Liverpool, going into administration.
Full story: Sunday Telegraph

New York-based investment banking firm Inner Circle Sports, which helped George Gillett and Tom Hicks to purchase Liverpool in 2007, has been in contact with the club to offer their help in finding new owner.
Full story: News of the World

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is set to claim the England captaincy from Rio Ferdinand on a permanent basis.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

In what could be seen as a sign of support, Gerrard applauded Liverpool fans who stayed behind after the 2-2 draw with Sunderland to protest against Gillett and Hicks.
Full story: News of the World

Cardiff boss David Jones has added his voice to the criticism of Roberto Mancini's training regime at Manchester City by blaming Craig Bellamy's latest injury problems on the Italian.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate is facing a fight to save his career after Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp revealed his latest treatment in Australia for a long-term groin problem has been a failure.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Several West Ham players are considering taking legal action against the club over money they believe they are owed for their image rights.
Full story: Sunday Times (requires subscription)

AND FINALLY

New Aston Villa manager *Gerard Houllier had asked the France Football Federation to keep his role as technical director open for him for a year in case he lost his Villa job. But his request was refused.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Players at Championship leaders QPR are in line for £3.2m in bonuses if they convert their good start to the season into promotion to the Premier League.
Full story: News of the World

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has banned his players from organising a Christmas party as he fears the possibility of more bad publicity for the club.
Full story: News of the World

Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland has shrugged off criticism of his car and choice of interior decoration after he and his girlfriend's house was described as "the tackiest home in Britain". "Me and Jess built this house and we are totally happy with it," he said.
Full story: Sunday Times (requires subscription)
 
Wheres Gunnar
TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are preparing an astonishing £90m deal to take defender Gerard Pique from Barcelona.
Full story: Sunday People

But City could lose striker Emmanuel Adebayor after he revealed he would be open to joining Juventus.
Full story: ESPNsoccernet

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier is determined to sign Michael Carrick - even though the midfielder insists he wants to stay at Manchester United for life.
Full story: Sunday People

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has put Stoke City centre-half Ryan Shawcross on his wish list - if he can find some money for players in the transfer market.
Full story: Sunday People

Hodgson may be able to use funds from a possible sale of forward Milan Jovanovic, who is said to be contemplating leaving the club only two months into the season.
Full story: Sunday People

Everton boss David Moyes wants to land Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on loan.
Full story: Sunday People

Manchester United are pursuing Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez and Atletico Madrid defender Alvaro Dominguez Soto.
Full story: Caughtoffside.com

Arsenal are ready to tempt Liverpool with a £19m bid for goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
Full story: Caughtoffisde.com

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is ready to offer goalkeeper Ross Turnbull to Stoke City in a swap deal for Asmir Begovic.
Full story: Sunday People

Manchester City will offer goalkeeper Shay Given a new contract in January in an effort to prevent the current second-choice stopper leaving the club.
Full story: News of the World
OTHER GOSSIP

England manager Fabio Capello is desperate to lure Emile Heskey out of retirement to play in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro.
Full story: Sunday Express

But the Aston Villa striker has rejected Capello's plea.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Meanwhile, Capello fears the Premier League's top stars are struggling to cope with their multi-millionaire lifestyles.
Full story: News of the World

Also, Rio Ferdinand is likely to lose the England captaincy this week - with Capello refusing to confirm the Manchester United defender's return to the squad will come with his reinstatement as skipper.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

West Ham have dismissed the possibility of a ground share with Tottenham at the Olympic Stadium after their Premier League rivals joined them in submitting a bid to lease the arena after the 2012 Games.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Liverpool boss Hodgson has described himself as "one of the most respected coaches in Europe" and said it is insulting to suggest he cannot handle the club's big-name stars.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

However, Hodgson has confided in friends that he feels Liverpool are six players short of challenging at the top of the table.
Full story: News of the World
AND FINALLY

Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh admits he has yet to taste a good English cup of tea.
Full story: News of the World
 
£90m Pique :lol::lol: You couldn't make it up....well you could as that's blatantly what they do.
 
Didn't Pique just sign a contract extension with his boyhood club until 2015 this summer? Great platform to get a move to a Europa League team is that :rolleyes:
 
Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh admits he has yet to taste a good English cup of tea.
Full story: News of the World


Riveting from the NOTW.
 
Getting slow Gunnar
TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are lining up 24-year-old German international Manuel Neuer as a replacement for keeper Edwin van der Sar.
Full Story: Mail on Sunday

Newcastle could swoop for Tottenham winger Niko Kranjcar next summer, although they may face competition from Everton who are also keen on the Croatian.
Full Story: News of the World

Manchester City are looking for a European club to buy as a feeder, where they can farm out some of their younger players to get first-team experience.
Full Story: Sunday People

Stoke want to sign Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne, currently on loan at Wolves, on a permanent basis in January.
Full Story: Sunday People

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has a £3m get-out clause in his contract should the club be taken over and its new owners decide to replace him.
Full Story: Sunday Mirror

Former Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric says much as he loves the club it would be "financial suicide" to return to Fratton Park - "I'm not sure anyone appreciates the level of incompetence that has gone on," he said.
Full Story: Sunday Mirror

Wolfsburg coach Steve McClaren has vowed never to manage England again, even though he has resurrected his reputation abroad and been tipped for a return to the role he occupied between 2006 and 2008.
Full Story: Mail on Sunday

Wales are likely to move their Euro 2012 qualifier against England from the Cardiff City Stadium to the Millennium Stadium to get a bigger crowd, despite their poor record there.
Full Story: Observer

Dutch club Feyenoord have complained to Fifa about Cardiff signing Craig Bellamy on loan from Manchester City, saying they are still owed money from a sell-on clause in the contract of Glen Loovens, who they sold to Cardiff two years ago.
Full Story: Mail on Sunday

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says England will only become serious challengers on the world stage if the Premier League introduces a winter break as players get too tired.
Full Story: Sunday Express

West Ham striker Carlton Cole says he deserved to be dropped by England for the game against Macedonia as his club form this season has not been good enough.
Full Story: Sunday People

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish is glad England boss Fabio Capello has included Arsenal's 18-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere in his squad for the Montenegro game and says that even if the national side play well, there should still be a place for Chelsea's Frank Lampard when fit.
Full Story: Mail on Sunday

Chelsea's Ashley Cole will equal Kenny Sansom's record as most capped England left-back if selected for Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley.
Full Story: Mail on Sunday

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has fuelled fan anger against his regime by describing protests against his presence at the club as "noise we are dealing with".
Full Story: News of the World

Manchester City's Nigel de Jong has not apologised to Newcastle's Hatem ben Arfa for breaking his leg as had been reported, says the Frenchman's agent.
Full Story: Daily Star

AND FINALLY

The shirt worn by Pele in his last game for Brazil in 1971 is to be sold by auction in Chester later this month (Sunday Express).

Paul Gascoigne could still be appointed manager of non-league Garforth Town after the club's owner resumed contractual negotiations with the former England midfielder.
Full Story: The Non-League Paper

New manager Gerard Houllier has introduced double training sessions at Aston Villa to get the players fit enough to play his new style (Sunday Express).

Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin says his recent poor performances for the Russian national team are because he is overweight (Sunday Express).
 
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is targeting a January transfer window move for West Brom winger Chris Brunt, who is valued at about £9m.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Hodgson is also reportedly looking to sign highly-rated Belgium international Steven Defour from Standard Liege.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Arsenal want to snap up Charlton's England youth midfielder Diego Poyet - son of former Tottenham and Chelsea star Gus, the Brighton manager.
Full story: the People

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will resist any bids to send goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey out on loan, having been impressed with the Wales stopper's application since he lost his starting place last season.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Tottenham hope to take Bolton's England international central defender Gary Cahill to White Hart Lane in January but Spurs will have to part with £15m to get their man.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Alternatively, Spurs could make a move for Blackburn's £10m-rated defender Phil Jones.
Full story: the People

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is to step up his interest in Tottenham midfielders Luka Modric and Tom Huddlestone and is willing to offer the likes of Michael Carrick and Anderson in part exchange.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Manchester City are preparing a £15m bid for Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson.
Full story: the People

Meanwhile, out-of-favour City goalkeeper Shay Given could join boyhood heroes Celtic on loan.
Full story: the People

BREAKING GOSSIP

Roy Hodgson says it would be "a sad day for Liverpool" if the club's new owners abandoned the Anfield tradition of loyalty to managers and dismissed him after the team's worst start to a season for 57 years.
Full story: the Observer

Striker Wayne Rooney will sensationally quit Manchester United in January after a series of rows with manager Sir Alex Ferguson has left their relationship beyond repair.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas will make his comeback from a month-long absence with a hamstring problem when the Gunners take on Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is willing to offer former Gunners and current Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira a coaching role at the Emirates Stadium if he opts to retire from playing at the end of the season.
Full story: the People

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he would consider succeeding his fellow Italian Fabio Capello as the next England boss when Capello steps down after Euro 2012.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

However, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says he would be reluctant to accept the job as England manager because of the attention he would subsequently receive from the press.
(News of the World)

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole has revealed Ancelotti convinced him not to join former manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid last summer, and to instead remain at Stamford Bridge.
Full story: Mail On Sunday

Bolton are ready to offer striker Johan Elmander a new contract but want the Swede to take a pay cut.
Full story: the People

Former Middlesbrough favourite Tony Mowbray is being lined up to replace Gordon Strachan as Boro boss following the club's poor start to the season.
(News of the World)
 
Any truth to the claim?

For a start I find it preposterous that United would sell their best player (or any quality player) in the January window.
 
15m for Jordan Henderson?

I know he's rated by a few people out there (not necessarily here) but thats just bollocks.

Although I wouldn't be surprised City to actually go ahead and do that.
 
Got to say, I'm actually missing the News of the Worlds input into the Sunday shite.