Thursdays Gossip - 19 June 08

BREAKING GOSSIP

AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani says Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is the Serie A club's sole transfer target this summer, ruling out moves for rumoured targets Samuel Eto'o and Didier Drogba. (L'Equipe 1352)

Jose Mourinho has stated his intention to be reunited with both Frank Lampard and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba at Inter Milan. (Press Association 1238 BST)


Real Madrid are waiting for Cristiano Ronaldo to publicly say he wants to leave Manchester United to join them. "As soon as he says he wants to play for Real Madrid there will be conversations between the two clubs," says Real's director general of the presidency, Miguel Angel Arroyo. (Spanish sports paper Marca, 1045 BST)

Barcelona will offer £24m for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor (Marca, 0741 BST)

Barcelona are still in talks to sign Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb (Press Association, 0735 BST)

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Aston Villa are ready to hijack Tottenham's planned £15m move for Blackburn's David Bentley (Daily Star).

Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United future could depend upon whether coach Carlos Queiroz stays at the club or joins the Portugal set-up (Daily Star).

Emre's move from Newcastle to Fenerbahce could be in doubt as he faces a call-up to the Turkish army (The Mirror).

Inter Milan target Frank Lampard, who turns 30 on 20 June, wants a four-year deal at Chelsea but the club only want to offer him a two-year contract (The Times).

Norwich have beaten Ipswich to the signature of Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi (Daily Star).

Fulham want £2.5m from QPR for Lee Cook. Cook moved in the opposite direction last summer, but didn't make a first team appearance for Fulham last season (The Sun).

Rangers could miss out on both Kyle Lafferty, as Alan Gow is not sure he wants to join Burnley as part of the deal, and also Steve Davis, as Fulham want £4m for him (Daily Record).

Former Gretna striker Fabian Yantorno cut short his summer holiday in an effort to land a contract with Hibs. (Daily Express)

Dundee are lining up a move for former Rangers and Dundee United midfielder Charlie Miller after he was released by Belgian outfit Lierse. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

Portugal boss Luis Felipe Scolari fears his team's lack of inches could cost them against Germany. Their 5 ft 9 inch average height is three inches less than the Germans. Croatia and Greece average a lofty 6ft 1 inch a man (The Mirror).

Middlesbrough star Mido, who tipped the scales at 15st 2lb last season, has apologised to the club's fans and says he has lost two stone for the new campaign (The Sun).

TV replays are to be removed from Premier League dug-outs and tunnels to stop managers berating fourth officials next season (Daily Mail).


Michael Owen says there should be an announcement "in the next month or two" over his contract talks at Newcastle (Daily Telegraph).

Manchester United's Patrice Evra and Patrick Vieira had to be pulled apart from squaring up to one another in the tunnel after France's 4-1 loss to the Netherlands. The incident was caught on camera (The Mirror).


Vieira, who did not play in the tournament, also had a bust-up with old rival Ruud van Nistelrooy after the same game (The Independent).

Turkey coach Fatih Terim is an outsider for the Blackburn job (Mirror) but Paul Ince is on the verge of being appointed (Daily Mail).

Thierry Henry has vowed not to quit international football despite France's failure at Euro 2008 (Daily Star).

AND FINALLY

Three players ended up in hospital after a friendly at Euro 2008 - between Austrian and German police (Daily Express).

French coach Raymond Domenech has been savaged in the press after proposing to his girlfriend live on national television after their elimination from Euro 2008. He said he wanted to provide "a glimmer of light on a cloudy night" (The Independent).

Wednesdays Gossip - 18 June 08

BREAKING GOSSIP

AC Milan star Kaka has ruled out a move to Chelsea and said he will only leave the club if they want to sell him. "I appreciate Chelsea's reported interest. Thank you, but I don't have any desire to leave Milan," he said. (Corriere dello Sport, 1115)

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has said Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho will not be joining the club as they can't afford to compete with English, Spanish and German clubs for their signatures. (La Gazzetta dello Sport, 1110)

Aston Villa have agreed a £5.5m fee with Chelsea for midfielder Steve Sidwell. (AFP, 1044 BST)

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Ronaldinho is line for a shock £20m switch to join David Beckham at LA Galaxy. (Daily Star)

Frank Lampard, who has been linked with a move to Inter Milan, will have face-to-face talks with new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari before deciding his future. (Various)

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has sanctioned a £24m move for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor in a bid to beat off competition from AC Milan. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City's bid to sign CSKA Moscow's Brazilian star Jo has been blocked by the Premier League over fears he is owned by MSI, the same company who owned Carlos Tevez's registration. (Various)

Manchester United's owners have again come out and said Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale at any price, despite Real Madrid being prepared to pay up to £70m for the Portuguese star. (The Sun)

But Real Madrid will pay any fines Ronaldo picks up if he stays away from Old Trafford when the United players report back for pre-season training in a bid to lure him to Bernabeu. (Daily Express)

Ronaldo's agent has advised his client against handing in a transfer request in an attempt to push through a transfer to Real Madrid. (The Independent)

Everton are targeting Blackburn winger David Bentley as a replacement for Mikel Arteta if he leaves for Atletico Madrid. (Daily Mail)

Dutch midfielder Orlando Engelaar is also a £6m target for Everton boss David Moyes. (Daily Mirror)

Roma are ready to take Louis Saha on loan with a view to signing the Manchester United striker on a permanent deal. (Daily Mail)

Portsmouth are set to launch a £10m bid for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch this week. (Daily Telegraph)

The Fratton Park club are also interested in signing Argentine striker Mauro Zarate who spent the end of last season on-loan at Birmingham. (Various)

Celtic are preparing a bid to take Tottenham's £16m striker Darren Bent on loan next season. (Daily Record)

Spartak Moscow have slapped a £6m price tag on striker Roman Pavlyuchenko to fend off reported interest from Celtic. (Daily Record)

Lyon striker Milan Baros, who was on-loan at Portsmouth last season, is a target for Premier League new boys West Brom. (Daily Mirror)


Hull are planning a £2m swoop for Fenerbahce striker Colin Kazim-Richards. (Various)

OTHER GOSSIP

Tottenham could be getting new owners, with a Middle East syndicate ready to offer upwards of £250m for the North London club. (Daily Mirror)

Former Chelsea assistant manager Henk Ten Cate could make a Premier League return as manager of Blackburn, despite agreeing to take over at Greek side Panathinaikos. (The Guardian)

The Philippines national side have said they will offer Paul Gascoigne a football lifeline by making him their next manager. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY

When asked if former British number one Tim Henman had any gossip from Wimbledon he revealed that tennis stars from the Czech Republic are a bit smelly. He said: "Well, the Czechs are a bit niffy." (Daily Mirror)

During filming for a new advert Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was spotted next to Rupert's Tower, an ancient building featured on rivals Everton's club badge, much to the delight of Toffees fans. (Daily Star)

Tuesdays Gossip - 17 June 2008

BREAKING GOSSIP

Barcelona are ready to hijack AC Milan's attempts to buy Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor. (Italian sports paper La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola says Deco, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o are surplus to requirements for next season. (Spanish sports paper Marca, 1320 BST)

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to say he is leaving Manchester United after Euro 2008, according to "a close friend". (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City are negotiating with Ronaldinho's sponsors, Nike, over signing the Brazilian. (Daily Express)

Frank Lampard is at the centre of a "tug-of-war" between former manager Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan and incoming Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari. (The Sun)

Liverpool's John Arne Riise is expected to complete a £5m move to Roma this week. (Daily Mail)

Sunderland are ready to smash their transfer record with a £10m swoop for Celtic's Aiden McGeady. (The Sun)

Wigan are close to signing Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic on a free transfer from Werder Bremen. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa have made the first move to sign Blackburn's want-away midfielder David Bentley. (Daily Express)

Tottenham are hoping to offload right-back Pascal Chimbonda to Aston Villa and defender Younes Kaboul to Portsmouth. (Daily Mirror)

Hull are planning to hijack centre-back Anthony Gardner's move from Tottenham to Stoke. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal want Spain and Valencia's Raul Albiol, who can play at centre-back or in defensive midfield. (Daily Express)

Aston Villa are set to buy misfit Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell for £5m. (Daily Mail)

Oliver Kapo could be on his way out of Birmingham City, with Wigan and Newcastle both interested in signing the midfielder. (The Times)

Manchester City's Swedish goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson is wanted by Spanish side Atletico Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth will make an opening bid of £10m for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch this week. (The Independent)

Middlesbrough and Newcastle want to sign Fulham striker Steven Davis, who would prefer to make his loan period at Rangers permanent. (The Times)


Sunderland are monitoring striker Carlton Cole's position at Premier League rivals West Ham. (The Times)

Newcastle have told Liverpool and Aston Villa they want £9m for winger James Milner. (Daily Mirror)

West Brom will bid £4m for Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi after his talks with Stoke stalled. (Daily Mirror)

Rangers will complete the £3m signing of Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty today - beating Old Firm rivals Celtic to the Northern Ireland international's signature. (Various)

Celtic are being linked with moves for Russia striker Roman Pavlychencko and Spurs forward Darren Bent. (Various)

And Celtic could also move for Roma midfielder Matteo Brighi. (Various)

Belgian outfit Germinal Beerschot are offering Rangers' Thomas Buffel an escape route back to his homeland. (Daily Record)

Burnley have made a £500,000 bid for Falkirk captain Darren Barr. (Daily Express)

OTHER GOSSIP

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is furious with Manchester United's fixture list for 2008/09 as his side face away trips after all six Champions League group games. (The Sun)

Rangers fans are unhappy with their club's fixture list for the season which will see them play three of their opening four games away from home. (Various)

AND FINALLY

Uefa will have to spend £157,000 to replace the turf at St Jakob-Park in Basle following last Wednesday's torrential downpour during the Switzerland-Turkey match. (Daily Star)

Mondays Gossip - 16 June 08

BREAKING GOSSIP

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti says Chelsea's Frank Lampard is his club's "number one" priority this summer. (Corriere dello Sport, 1248 BST)

SCOLARI'S TRANSFER TARGETS

Valencia striker David Villa, who is being targeted by Chelsea, insists he wants to stay in Spain, saying he would reject a big-money move to London in favour of Real Madrid or Barcelona. (Various)

Sports psychologist Regina Brandao expects new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, who she has worked with for 10 years, to bring her in to work with the players at Stamford Bridge. (The Independent)

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Liverpool are poised to table a fourth offer for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry, with the clubs expected to strike a deal this week. (Daily Mirror)

England midfielder David Bentley has opened the door for a £15m transfer after admitting he wants to quit Blackburn - and Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa are all keen to sign him. (Various)

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he would walk out of Old Trafford if Cristiano Ronaldo is sold without his consent. (Daily Express)

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has issued a hands-off warning to Liverpool over Stewart Downing, saying the England winger is "not for sale". (Daily Express)

Inter Milan have been linked with a move for Arsenal and Holland striker Robin van Persie, while the Gunners are interested in Real Madrid midfielder Daniel Parejo. (Daily Mail)

Barcelona are preparing a £25m bid for Tottenham's striker Dimitar Berbatov, who wants to leave White Hart Lane this summer. (Various)

Premier League new boys Hull City are set to table a £2m deal for Plymouth's Hungarian winger Peter Halmosi. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley faces a fight with Fulham and Bolton to capture Reading's £3m-rated midfielder James Harper. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has set his sights on Nolberto Solano after the 32-year-old winger was released by West Ham. (Various)

Everton boss David Moyes is thought to be interested in Deportivo La Coruna striker Riki but may face competition from Bolton. (The Independent)

Wigan will have to come up with £5.5m if they want to land Rennes centre-back John Mensah, who is also attracting interest from Blackburn, Portsmouth and West Ham. (The Sun)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is ready to break the club's transfer record to bring in Celtic winger Aiden McGeady. (The Independent)

Greece striker Stelios Giannakopoulos wants to stay in the Premier League after being handed a free transfer by Bolton. (Various)

Paul Robinson's days at Tottenham could be numbered as Spurs boss Juande Ramos is chasing Manchester City keeper Joe Hart and France stopper Gregory Coupet. (The Independent)

Liverpool have accepted an offer of £4m for John Arne Riise, while negotiations about Xabi Alonso's sale to Juventus are ongoing. (The Guardian)

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric wants to sign centre-half Darren Moore from Derby - before he signs up a new manager. (Daily Mirror)

Rangers are on the trail of Monaco left-back Leandro Cufre, while striker Andrius Velicka has flown to Glasgow to complete his move to Ibrox. (Daily Record)

Burnley will talk with Celtic and Wolves next week over Kyle Lafferty, according to a spokesman close to the player. (Sporting Life website)

France and Barcelona defender Lillian Thuram says both Old Firm clubs are vying for his signature. (Daily Express)

Rangers are expressing interest in Argentina and Monaco left-back Leandro Cufre. (Daily Record).

Dundee United will not allow midfielder Morgaro Gomis leave amid speculation Rangers are poised to move for the former Cowdenbeath player. (Daily Mail)

Davie Hay has returned to Livingston for his second spell after being confirmed a consultant at Almondvale. (Daily Mail)

Poland coach Leo Beenhakker has defended goalkeeper Artur Boruc following reports the Celtic stopper damaged a dressing room after the 1-1 draw with Austria. (Various)

Artmedia Bratislava coach Vladimir Weiss says Hearts have offered him the vacant manager's position at Tynecastle. (Daily Mail)

Stranraer have signed Stephen McConalogue after the striker was released by Cowdenbeath. (Daily Express)

Unsettled Celtic midfielder Thomas Gravesen will be offered £1m to quit the club. (The Sun)

Rangers are no nearer completing the signing of Fulham midfielder Steven Davis. (The Herald)

OTHER GOSSIP

England are locked in a head-to-head battle with Russia to stage the 2018 World Cup, with Fifa president Sepp Blatter saying he wants the competition to return to Europe. (Daily Mirror)

AND FINALLY

Poland coach Leo Beenhakker has suggested Croatia boss Slaven Bilic should ask his own mother-in-law to play in the Euro 2008 Group B encounter between the two sides because he reckons that is the only way his team can beat Bilic's men on Monday. (Various)

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is doing a spot of summer sightseeing with wife Alex Curran and the couple took some holiday snaps outside the Miami mansion of Gianni Versace - the same house where the fashion designer was shot in 1997. (The Sun)

Among the Euro 2008 memorabilia available on eBay is a limited edition original hand painting of former England boss Steve McClaren. (The Daily Telegraph)

Sundays Gossip - 15 June 08

SCOLARI'S TRANSFER TARGETS

Big Phil will bid £40m for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres. (News of the World)

But the Spanish international has reassured Liverpool fans that he has no desire to leave Liverpool. (Sunday Express)

Ronaldinho would love to sign for Chelsea and be reunited with Scolari, the coach who made him a World Cup winner six years ago (Daily Telegraph)

Scolari will shake-up Chelsea's midfield and attack with moves for Deco, Ricardo Quaresma, Ronaldinho and David Villa, with Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka among those likely to leave. (Sunday Times)

Deco won't be moving to Stamford Bridge as he is seen as too old to justify a likely £12m price tag (Various)

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Rafa Benitez could persuade David Villa to sign for Liverpool, according to the striker's Spanish team-mate Carlos Marchena. (Mail on Sunday)

Ronaldo agreed personal terms on a move to Real Madrid "a long time ago". (The Observer)

But United won't be bullied into offering Ronaldo a bumper new pay deal to persuade him to stay. (Mail on Sunday)

Liverpool will up their bid for Gareth Barry to £15m and could sign the Aston Villa midfielder as early as next week. (The Observer)

And they might have to go as high as £20m for the England international. (News of the World)

Spurs keeper Paul Robinson will not be moving to Middlesbrough as manager Gareth Southgate has decided to give Brad Jones and Ross Turnbull the chance to fight it out for the number one shirt. (The Observer)

Bordeaux and Roma are chasing Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre. (Channel 4 - Football Italia)


Spurs boss Juande Ramos wants two keepers to replace Paul Robinson - Manchester City's Joe Hart and France international Gregory Coupet. (News of the World)

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes hopes to sign Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra for £8m. (News of the World)

And Hughes will complete the £18m capture of Brazilian forward Jo this month. (Various)

James Milner has pleaded with Newcastle not to block a "dream" £7m move to Liverpool. (Various)

Coventry have signed Aron Einar Gunnarsson from AZ Alkmaar (The Observer)

Manchester City goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson is a £2m target for Turkish side Galatasaray. (Various)


Inverness Caledonian Thistle's Romanian striker Marius Niculae could be heading back to Sporting Lisbon after Euro 2008. (Sunday Mail)

Rangers forward Jean-Claude Darcheville insists he's staying at Ibrox, despite the arrival of Kenny Miller and Andrius Velicka. (Sunday Mail)


Roy Keane is on the verge of offering £10m for Celtic's Aiden McGeady, with Anthony Stokes heading from Sunderland to Glasgow as part of the deal. (Scotland on Sunday)

OTHER GOSSIP

Sheffield Wednesday hope to secure Alan Shearer as their new manager once a £50m take over has been completed. (News of the World)


Southampton want former World Cup winner Ossie Ardiles as their director of football. (News of the World)

AND FINALLY

Sam Allardyce would not be a popular appointment as manager of Blackburn among some fans, with almost 2,000 signing up to a Facebook petition. (Various)

Saturdays Gossip - 14 June 08

BREAKING GOSSIP

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has played down speculation he is headed for the Stamford Bridge exit door. "I have a contract with Chelsea until 2010, so I am still a Chelsea player," the striker told skysports.com.

Reports in Italy have claim new Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has identified Arsenal forward Robin van Persie as one of his summer targets (Corriere dello Sport, 1442 BST)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to tie up a £13m deal for long-time target Samir Nasri, the Marseille midfielder, after Euro 2008. Ivory Coast international Gervinho also claims the Gunners have made inquiries to Le Mans about his availability. (PA Sport, 0635 BST)

SCOLARI'S TRANSFER TARGETS

Real Madrid star Robinho is the shock new name at the top of new Chelsea boss Phil Scolari's shopping list. (Daily Star)

Chelsea are aiming to take advantage of a cash crisis at AC Milan by luring Brazilian midfielder Kaka from the San Siro. (Daily Mail)

Frank Lampard has edged nearer the Stamford Bridge exit door with Portugal playmaker Deco set to arrive for £15m from Barcelona. (Daily Mirror)


Chelsea will battle with Manchester City to capture Brazil star Ronaldinho, who Scolari managed at the 2002 World Cup. (Sun)

Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o is another possible target for Scolari, although they could face a battle with AC Milan. (Daily Telegraph).

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Real Madrid plan to outflank Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United by lodging a world-record £75m bid directly to the Glazer family in their latest attempt to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. (Daily Express)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to go back to Tottenham with a £25m bid for striker Dimitar Berbatov. (Sun)

Barcelona have agreed to sell Italy winger Gianluca Zambrotta to AC Milan. (Daily Mail)


Manchester City will offer Ronaldinho £120,000 a week to come to Eastlands. (Sun)

QPR are to snap-up West Ham striker Bobby Zamora and Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson for a combined £5m. (Sun)

Boss Mark Hughes believes he has convinced skipper Richard Dunne to stay at Manchester City with a new £50,000-a-week deal. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle have moved for Zenit St Petersburg's Russia striker Andrei Arshavin, who is available at £11m. (Daily Mirror)

Bolton manager Gary Megson is set to sign Birmingham midfielder Fabrice Muamba for £5m. (Sun)

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has lost interest in Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson. (Daily Star)

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is ready to raid his old club for giant Congo defender Christopher Samba. (Sun)

Manchester United are hoping to sign Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. (Times)

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso's expected move to Juventus is likely to go ahead now a fee of £14m has been settled. (Daily Telegraph).

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is ready to use Antoine Sibierski to try and land Olivier Kapo from Birmingham (Daily Mirror).

Wolves are to make a new offer to land Derby midfielder Dave Jones overa £1million move. (Sun).

John Arne Riise's agent has rejected reports that Roma are tracking the left-sided wing-back. (Daily Telegraph)

Highly-rated Le Mans striker Gervinho, 21, claims Arsenal are trying to sign him. (Times)

Liverpool will bide their time in their attempt to sign Aston Villa's England midfielder Gareth Barry, despite the rejection of a £13m bid. (Daily Mail)

Former Hearts striker Andrius Velicka will hold signing talks with Rangers this weekend as he aims to seal a £1m move from Viking Stravanger. (Various)

Portsmouth have ruled out a move for Celtic left-back Lee Naylor. (Daily Record)

Rangers are interested in Sporting Lisbon's Montenegrin striker Milan Purovic. (Daily Express/Daily Mail)

Celtic's teenage striker Cilian Sheridan could be sent out on loan to Dunfermline next season. (The Scotsman)

OTHER GOSSIP

Paul Ince will be confirmed as new Blackburn manager within the next few days. (Daily Mirror)


Celtic midfielder Massimo Donati will stay and fight for his place next season, according to agent Alessandro D'Amico. (Various)

Sunderland fear striker Kenwyne Jones will not play again this year due to a knee ligament injury he sustained playing for Trinidad & Tobago against England. (Daily Mail)

AND FINALLY

Newcastle's stars have been told to buy their own club suits in the latest cost-cutting measure from owner Mike Ashley. (Daily Mirror)

Roma teenager Davide Petrucci claims the offer of a job as a gardener for his father helped persuade him to leave Italy for Manchester United (Various)

Fridays Gossip - 13 June 08

BREAKING GOSSIP

Emmanuel Adebayor's agent Stephane Courbis claims that AC Milan have spoken to Arsenal about the Togo international striker and "know everything depends on what Arsenal want to do". (Il Corriere Dello Sport 2002 BST)

Liverpool and Juventus have finally agreed a £14m deal which will see Xabi Alonso head to Italy. (Il Corriere Dello Sport 1529 BST)

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi's proposed move to Ipswich could fall through as he waits for a Premier League lifeline. (Press Association 1435 BST)

Middlesbrough target Didier Digard has admitted he does not yet know whether he will join the club. (Le Parisien 1249 BST)

Leicester have failed in their attempt to appoint Paul Ince as their new boss. (BBC Sport 1208 BST)
Foxes thwarted in bid for Ince

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is flattered by reported interest from Manchester United and admitted he would "see what happens" following Euro 2008. (Press Association 1155 BST)

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has dismissed the possibility of Karim Benzema leaving the French champions either this summer or next. (setanta.com 1130 BST)

SCOLARI'S TRANSFER TARGETS

New Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari will be given an unlimited transfer budget to bring the best players in the world to Stamford Bridge. (The Times)

Scolari will target Fernando Torres, Frank Ribery and Kaka with the Chelsea boss prepared to pay £60m for the AC Milan star. (Various)
Chelsea warned off Milan's Kaka

Ronaldinho has sent out a come and get me plea to fellow Brazilian Scolari as he looks for a move away from Barcelona. (The Sun)

But Scolari will make Ronaldinho's Barcelona teammate Deco his first signing at Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

Scolari has already made his first signing as Chelsea boss with rumours he sanctioned the recent acquisition of Portuguese right-back Jose Boswinga. (The Independent)

The Brazilian has told the Chelsea board to break the bank to keep Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Star)

Scolari is also interested in Real Madrid striker Robinho as he prepares for the departure of Didier Drogba. (The Times)

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Real Madrid will tempt Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu by offering him £182,000-a-week. (Daily Telegraph)

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor is eager for a move away from the Emirates Stadium with AC Milan his preferred destination. (Daily Telegraph)

Tottenham are targeting PSV Eindhoven's Brazilian keeper Heurelho Gomes as a solution to their goalkeeping problems. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland are eyeing up a bid for Tottenham striker Darren Bent. (The Sun)

Arsenal's hopes of signing Marseille playmaker Samir Nasri could be hijacked by Atletico Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Manchester City have renewed their interest in Espanyol defender Pablo Zabaleta. (Daily Mail)

Portsmouth are keen on Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen who would cost around £4m. (Daily Mirror)

Bolton look set to land Birmingham midfielder Fabrice Muamba for £3.5m. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City have been given a week to sign Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin. (The Sun)

Aston Villa are to hold out for around £20m for Gareth Barry after rejecting a second bid from Liverpool. (Daily Star)

Hull lead the chase to sign £3m-rated Charlton striker Marcus Bent. (The Sun)

Middlesbrough are proposing a swap deal involving winger Gary O'Neil and Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard. (Daily Mail)

Derby's Kenny Miller looks set to leave the club with Rangers favourite to land the £1.9m-rated striker. (Daily Star)

Everton have joined West Brom in the chase for Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson. (Daily Record)

Rangers are lining up a £1.75m move for Sporting Lisbon striker Milan Purovic. (Daily Express)

Aston Villa are hopeful of signing Sheffield Wednesday defender Frank Simek for £2m. (The Times)

Xabi Alonso's proposed move to Juventus could be off with the Italian club unwilling to meet Liverpool's £15m valuation. (Daily Express)

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been linked with Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. (The Times)

Olivier Kapo, Garry O'Connor and Daniel De Ridder are all expected to quit Birmingham City. (Daily Mirror)

Swansea look set to sign Southend winger Mark Gower after he rejected the chance to stay at the club. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is still keen on Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, but is unwilling to pay the £10m asking price. (Daily Mirror)

OTHER GOSSIP

Sir Alex Ferguson and Luiz Felipe Scolari are already at war with the Manchester United manager telling the Brazilian to stop talking Cristiano Ronaldo into a move to Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Portugal will target Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz to replace Scolari as national coach. (Daily Express)

Sam Allardyce appears favourite to become the new manager at Blackburn Rovers. (The Independent)

AND FINALLY

Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell will sack any player that returns to training overweight. (Various)

Luton fan Monty Panesar says he will buy Luton Town FC if he wins $1m in cricket's money spinning Twenty20 international. (Daily Mirror)
Panesar eyeing Twenty20 team spot

Manchester United have been blasted by Roma for the signing of one of Italy's most promising young strikers after securing the services of 16-year-old sensation Davide Petrucci. (Daily Telegraph)


Luiz Felipe Scolari will ban Roman Abramovich from the Chelsea dressing room when he takes over as manager of the club. (Daily Express)

Cristiano Ronaldo has again teased his Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson by saying: "I just love playing in all white," after Portugal's victory against the Czech Republic on Wednesday. (Daily Star)