Thursday's Gossip

[Magma 0]

TRANSFER RUMOURS

 

Newcastle are close to buying highly-rated Croatia midfielder Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb for about £12m. (Various)

 

Tottenham and Manchester City have been sounded out about signing Brazil superstar Ronaldinho after his move to AC Milan collapsed. (Daily Mirror)

 

But Milan still want Ronaldinho despite Barcelona's £40m asking price - and the player wants that move too. (Guardian)

 

City are also considering a move for Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf. (Various)

 

But they face competition from Valencia, who will bid £5m for the Senegal international. (Daily Mirror)

 

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez spoke to owner Tom Hicks on Wednesday and listed his transfer targets, which include Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. (Star)

 

But Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to smash Villa's pay structure to keep hold of his player. (Various)

 

Real Madrid have added Chelsea centre-back Ricardo Carvalho to their wanted list, along with his Blues team-mate Didier Drogba. The Spanish giants also hope to lure Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United. (Star)

 

Chelsea and Liverpool are set to battle it out for the signature of Blackburn winger David Bentley. (The Times)

 

Arsenal midfielder Matthieu Flamini is on the verge of leaving to join Italian giants Juventus. (Independent).

 

And the Gunners' midfield could be further depleted by the departure of Alexander Hleb to Inter Milan. (The Guardian)

 

Arsenal are interested in signing PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa and Valencia striker David Villa. (Daily Star)

 

Tottenham are also in the race for Gomes. However, the £10m price tag could put off both clubs. (Express)

 

Spurs' other goalkeeping targets include Espanyol's Carlos Kameni, Villarreal's Diego Lopez, Manchester United's Ben Foster and Udinese's Samir Handanovic. (Express)

 

Sporting Lisbon want Middlesbrough midfielder Fabio Rochemback. (Various)

 

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is tracking Argentine international Maxi Rodriguez. (Daily Mirror)

 

Marcus Bent will seek a permanent switch to Wigan, where he is on loan from Charlton, if the club stays in the Premier League. (Daily Mirror)

 

Newcastle want Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell, who is also being chased by Blackburn and Sunderland. (The Sun)

 

Tottenham are interested in Real Madrid's Esteban Granero and Chelsea's Tal Ben Haim. (Daily Express)

 

Chelsea could move for Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although his team-mate Mario Balotelli is being considered as an alternative.

 

But Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Frank Lampard, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Tal Ben Haim could all leave Chelsea in the summer. (Independent)

 

Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini may also join the exodus from Stamford Bridge. (Independent)

 

Derby manager Paul Jewell is interested in signing Everton midfielder Lee Carsley. (Independent)

 

Celtic are considering a move for tough-tackling Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Ognjen Vukojevic. (Daily Mail)

 

St Mirren are leading the chase for soon to be out-of-contract Falkirk captain Jack Ross. (Daily Express)

 

Crystal Palace insist youngsters Lee Hills, Victor Moses, Sean Scannell and John Bostock will not be sold if the club fails to win promotion. (Various)

 

Plymouth defender Paul Connolly will move to Charlton in the summer after seven years at the club. (Various)

 

Oldham are monitoring teenage Wigan striker Chris McCaughtrie, who will be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer. (Daily Star)

 

Cardiff and Coventry are competing for the signature of Oxford defender Luke Foster. (Daily Star)

 

 

 

OTHER GOSSIP

 

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks held talks with manager Rafael Benitez on Wednesday and believes the Spaniard is happy at the club and will agree a new contract. (Various)

 

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Pepe Reina says if Benitez leaves the club he is likely to follow him. (Independent)

 

Former Newcastle and Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is being chased by Portuguese giants Benfica. (Daily Mail)

 

Derby manager Paul Jewell will appoint Chris Hutchings as his number two after losing Stan Ternent to Huddersfield. (Daily Star)

 

Portsmouth striker David Nugent has begged manager Harry Redknapp to put him in the starting line-up for the FA Cup final against Cardiff after he scored his first goal for three months while playing for the reserves. (Mirror)

 

West Brom striker Kevin Phillips says speculation he has rejected a new contract and will leave the club in the summer is "nonsense".

 

Sheffield Wednesday will be saved from financial meltdown next week when a foreign consortium takes over the club in a £40m deal. (Various)

 

AND FINALLY

 

Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has been so distraught after his own goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final that he has refused to speak to his family about it. The Norwegian ignored calls from his brother before finally sending a text saying he wants to be left alone. (Various)

 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit back at fans who have turned on him after the club's third season without a trophy. "When people say you don't know what you are doing, that is disrespectful," he said. (Daily Star)

 

The Beckhams have moved three places up the Rich List following their relocation to the USA, which has netted them £13m. The couple are now worth £125m and are the 616th-richest Britons. Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin are the richest celebrity pair under the age of 30 with £35m. (Daily Star)

[Happy Face 29]

Former Newcastle and Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is being chased by Portuguese giants Benfica. (Daily Mail)

 

Like the grumpy neighbour who used to chase me when I asked for my ball back.

[Guest alex]

I hope we get some of the pay-off back if he gets another job.

[acrossthepond 900]

Not really interested in Sidwell, he's not all that special and he's evidently a bit of a mercenary as he shrugged off Reading, who he'd been with for 5 years, at the first time of asking for a spot in Chelsea's reserve team and some $$. Think we can do better now.

 

Fat Sam should go to Portugal, he can pick up some tips from that other shiteater, Fat Phil.

[Fop 1]

Hoofball in the sun.

[Howay 12496]

he's evidently a bit of a mercenary as he shrugged off Reading, who he'd been with for 5 years, at the first time of asking for a spot in Chelsea's reserve team and some $$. Think we can do better now.

I thought this about Sidwell until I read somewhere that he was a Chelsea fan and so was his dad, so I guess it's fair enough he went there really even though it was a terrible career move.

Totally agree we could do better though.

Edited April 24, 2008 by Barton7

[Brock Manson 0]

Sidwell is a good leader, but his ability is very questionable.

 

Can't shoot for shit, and not a good passer either.

 

Too similar to the likes of Butt and Barton as well.