Karl-Heinz Rumour Mill

[all_funkt_up]

Indeed Kiko - £6m he cost us.

If we could get even cost price, I would take it. Anything in excess of that for a little twat like him is crazy money.

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Oooooooh - it appears Fergie has bid £27.5m for Berbatov. Spurs have tabled an inproved contract offer but wow - thats a big chunk of money to turn down.

There's been no comment from Spurs as yet but Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev said: "In football you do not know what will happen tomorrow."

Would be a good bit of business if he left, £20m profit inside a year. Surely though, if Spurs want to break into the top 4 they have to keep him.

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Here's the latest bits of transfer titilation to hit the back pages today:

David Beckham, who is leaving Real Madrid for LA Galaxy this summer, could play for Newcastle on loan next season, joining the Magpies in January after the end of the Major League Soccer season. (The People)

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs is wanted by Tottenham manager Martin Jol to inject some experience into his side. (Sunday Mirror)

Liverpool have tabled a £5m bid for Portsmouth midfielder Matthew Taylor but face competition from Tottenham, Fulham and Aston Villa. (Sunday Mirror)

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants West Ham striker Carlos Tevez and is willing to offload forward Craig Bellamy to raise part of the likely £25m asking price. (The People)

Peterborough are set to sign the first player to have clinched a hat-trick at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium - Gunners teenager Jay Simpson, who scored the goals in the FA Youth Cup. (The People)

Crystal Palace striker Dougie Freedman is wanted by Carlisle. (The People)
Tell us your transfer rumours

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OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant was devastated to find that Real Madrid's David Beckham, Tottenham's Aaron Lennon and Blackburn's David Bentley were given the chance to play on the right wing for England by being included in the squad for the matches against Brazil and Estonia. (The People)

Parma coach Claudio Ranieri has accepted the Manchester City managerial job. (The People)

Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have held emergency talks with Rafael Benitez after the manager expressed concern over the direction the club was taking. (Sunday Mirror)

Yeovil's Paul Terry, brother of Chelsea's John, has praised the Blues for helping him recover from an injury that had threatened to rule him out of today's League One Play-off final against Blackpool. (Sunday Mirror)

Manager Sam Allardyce will be given only one season to prove he can bring back the good times to the Magpies, with a European place the target. (Sunday Mirror)

Brazil defender Alex will aim to show that he is been worth the three-year wait by Chelsea. The Blues defender has spent the time on loan while acquiring a work permit. (Sunday Mirror)

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o would love to play for Liverpool, not least because of their "fantastic fans". (Sunday Mirror)

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AND FINALLY

Stephen Bywater could be entrusted with a £60m penalty as the Derby keeper is likely to be the club's fifth penalty-taker - if spot-kicks are needed in Monday's Championship Play-off final against West Brom. (Sunday Mirror)

Former Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell will win Michael Ballack's Chelsea starting slot and then become a Chelsea legend, according to former Royals team-mate James Harper. (Sunday Mirror)

Sky Sports' Vinny O'Connor was embarrassed on Thursday during a live link-up with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez. O'Connor's mobile phone rang and played the Z Cars theme - Everton's tune as they run on to the pitch. (The People)

For what it's worth, here's my take on the stories:

1) The Newcastle loaning beckham story - typical Freddy Shepherd bollocks, trying desperately to sell season tickets. Fans arent inspired by the appointment of Sam, so lets create some rubbish story about Beckham - again.

2) Cant believe that after asking for world class players and world class money, Benitez would be interested in Matty Taylor. A red herring methinks

3) Sammy Eto'o - no ta

We want Tevez

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Interesting this from Sissoko:

Mohamed Sissoko has revealed his will have talks about his Liverpool future with manager Rafa Benitez.

The Malian international, who is said to be a summer target for Barcelona, was left out of the Reds' starting XI for the UEFA Champions League final clash with Milan and was far from happy.

22-year-old Sissoko was a regular earlier in the season, but since the arrival for Javier Mascherano - he has struggled to find a place in Benitez's side.

"The manager chooses the team, he thinks the team he picks is the best to in that game. I have to accept that." Sissoko told the Daily Star.

"At the beginning of the season I played a lot, but then I play, not play, play, not play - for for me I am not happy.

"When you are a young player you want to play every game. In every training session I work hard to prove to the manager that I have my place in the team.

"Now I'm 22, and I know I am still a young player, but now I need to progress because playing every game is important to me."

Sissoko, who is under contract at Anfield until 2009, admits he will talk about a new deal - but also insisted that he first wants to talk to Benitez about his future at the club.

"I've two years left on my contract and I'm happy with Liverpool, when you play for this club it's something very special," he said.

"So I need to know my situation, I've know Rafa Benitez since I was 17-years-old and I know he is the perfect manager.

"I know he has confidence in me. I'd like talks to stay longer and we've a meeting arranged with my agent.

"But I need to play football and now after the final I need to know my position."

Liverpool apparently chasing Eto'o - Barca apparently after Momo - cash and exchange deal likely?

[rene]

maybe the italian striker Luka Toni could play for Munich in the next season. The florenina president said that Luca Toni will leave the club in summer...

-Bayern Munich
- Real Madrid

thats the two possible goals for him ...

70/30 that he´ll be a bavarian next season...

[all_funkt_up]

I thought he had already signed Rene? But yes Toni would be a great buy. Would Bayern still be able to afford him? Only they didnt qualify for the Champions League this year did they and I know that has a massive effect on club's finances.

[rene]

I thought he had already signed Rene? But yes Toni would be a great buy. Would Bayern still be able to afford him? Only they didnt qualify for the Champions League this year did they and I know that has a massive effect on club's finances.

some secret sources said this yesterday.. but AC told this today on italian and german press.

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Heard today that we are once again in the hunt for Simao of Benfica. We were very close to obtaining his signature in 2005 but apparently the Benfica Chairman cancelled the deal as Simao was about to board the plane to England.

Rumour has it we may be offering Jib Cisse in a part ex deal.

Would be a strange one if it comes off because our right flank (Gerrard, Pennant, Garcia) is our strongest. We still dont have a left winger........ at all.

[all_funkt_up]

Some more transfer tosh, courtesy of football 365:

MALOUDA FOR LIVERPOOL
The Independent also reckons that Liverpool are interested in signing Florent Malouda - without quite going as far to state that the Reds will definitely bid for the France international. Instead, the player 'has emerged as a test of Liverpool's transfer resolve this summer with Rafael Benitez hoping to beat a host of leading European clubs to the £10m-rated Lyon midfielder'.

Rafa has publicly called on the club to get their act together in the transfer market and a move for the in-demand Malouda, who is believed to want to leave the French champs, 'would represent a statement of intent from the Americans - far more effectively than their public assurances have done - if they can conclude a deal in the face of intense competition for the Lyon winger.'


CROUCH VOWS HE IS STAYING
Just a day after suggesting that he would be allowed to leave Liverpool for Newcastle, The Times reports that 'Peter Crouch has been reassured about his Liverpool future by Rafael Benítez.'

"He's [Benítez] told me I'm part of his plans and that's good enough for me," Crouch is quoted as saying. "At a club like Liverpool, there's going to be competition for places, especially as the manager likes to chop and change."
It's difficult to know if these are either exclusive or fresh quotes, but Mediawatch has filed them away for future use regardless.

The Daily Telegraph carries the interesting little nugget that Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have gone over Rafa's head and asked George Gillett to bring Michael Owen back from Newcastle United this summer.

The paper says Gillett is keen but Benitez is less enthusiastic and 'any deal is unlikely'.


BORO DESPERATE TO SIGN A THUG
If Middlesbrough can't sign Joey Barton, says the Daily Mirror, they'll move for the only man in the Premiership who can compete with him in the thuggery stakes - Fulham's Michael Brown.

And if they can't land the man who headbutts or ankle-snaps someone every time the Gossip Column watches a Fulham game, they'll presumably try to bring in Mike Tyson.


HEINZE MEANS BUSINESS
The Gabriel Heinze to Real Madrid story just won't go away.

After the Argentinian was quoted yesterday as saying he was "sure" ManYoo would accept a good offer for him, the Daily Express thinks he's going to save them the bother.

They claim the left back will become the first high-profile player to take advantage of the very dodgy, very unclear law that allows a player to buy himself out his contract.

Heinze would have to pay United about £4million to secure his release.


SANCHEZ UNSURPRISINGLY LINKED WITH EVERY NORN IRISH PLAYER
The Daily Star reckons David Healy will join Fulham this week after the Premiership club agreed to pay Leeds £1m for the Norn Iron striker.

It's just the latest in a long line of Norn Irish players Sanchez has been linked to since taking the post. This weekend also saw rumours of a move for Aaron Hughes, who lost his place in the Aston Villa side to the on-loan Phil Bardsley in January and is expected to find himself behind a new right back in the Villa Park pecking order this summer.


AND THE REST
Ruud Gullit has become the latest big name to register his interest in the vacant manager's job at Man Citeh...Everton are set to bid £3m for Sheffield Wednesday defender Frankie Simek...Steve Bruce is prepared to offer Charlton winger Jerome Thomas a £1.8m Premiership lifeline...Berti Vogts wants Newcastle to throw the book at AWOL striker Obafemi Martins. Nigeria boss Vogts is fuming after his star man failed to arrive for a warm-up game ahead of a vital African Nations Cup clash with Uganda on Saturday...Phil Jagielka will meet new Sheffield United boss Bryan Robson this week - and tell him he wants to join Everton...Marcello Lippi is the clear favourite for the Juventus job.

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Liverpool have been linked once again with Florent Malouda of Lyon. The 26 year old winger is apparently available for around £6m (Guardian)

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Originally Posted by all_funkt_up

It would suprise me if the Evo's signed Jagiekla for anywhere near that much. Moyes is a shrewd customer and has never spent large amounts of cash on average players before. Im sure he can do better than that for £6m.

Tell you what, I'm good I am.

Davey Moyes must read this page

Jagielka in line for Everton after asking for a move



Dominic Fifield
Wednesday May 30, 2007
The Guardian


Everton expect to complete the signing of the versatile Sheffield United player Phil Jagielka before the weekend after the England B international formally requested a transfer from Bramall Lane. Jagielka met the new United manager, Bryan Robson, yesterday and told him that he wants to remain in the Premiership following the Blades' last-day relegation to the Championship. The south Yorkshire club had hoped to benefit from an auction to drive up the player's price, but the Manchester-born 24-year-old has a £4m release clause in his contract which Everton will now trigger as David Moyes begins planning for a Uefa Cup campaign.

That's it lad, you keep on haggling.

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More bits and bobs from various sources here. The Pompey one suprised me the most, £7m for a player I've never even heard of. Then again, Harry moves in mysterious ways

Portsmouth's £7m deal for Sulley Muntari has stalled over "minor details", with the midfielder's club, Udinese, claiming it is due to his personal demands. "Talks are ongoing. It is fine tuning, just minor details, but we are very hopeful they will be completed this week," said Peter Storrie, Pompey's chief executive, who also confirmed interest in the Lyon midfielder Alou Diarra and Rennes striker John Utaka.

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Sami Hyypia is considering a move to Wigan according to the Independent. For someone that is used to the area and has lived there for 8 years, it wouldnt be a bad decision. He would get a regular game and may even get the captaincy as I believe they are letting De Zeuw & Matt Jackson go this summer. Also on the way out of the JJB stadium apparently is Leighton Baines. Newcastle are rumoured to have been trailing him for a while and they certainly do need a new left back, as well as a right back and a couple of centrebacks.

[rcgills]

Good player, Malouda. Used to watch him regularly a few years back when I was living in France. Guingamp were my local team, they had Malouda and Drogba back then (2002/3), both looked class, took Guingamp up to their highest ever finish of 7th in Ligue 1 and a place in the Intertoto. Then Drogba went to Marseille, Malouda to Lyon, and Guingamp to Ligue 2

[crowie]

The BBC one

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is in the hunt for Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Ajax's Klass Jan Huntelaar. (Daily Star)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants to make £12m Valencia winger David Silva his first summer signing. (The Sun)

The Reds are ready to offer Djibril Cisse in part-exchange for Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa. (Daily Star)

Liverpool hope to make Lyon midfielder Florent Malouda their first signing. (The Guardian)

Newcastle want Manchester City's Joey Barton and are prepared to let fellow midfielder Scott Parker move to West Ham for £8m. (Daily Mirror)

AC Milan want Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko to return to the club on loan. (Daily Mirror)

West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas may lead the exodus from the club after the failure to gain promotion to the Premiership. (Various)

Arsenal are targeting West Brom captain Curtis Davies. (Daily Mirror)

Coventry want to sign Ipswich striker Alan Lee in a £400,000 swoop. (Daily Mirror)

Kanu's dispute at Portsmouth has alerted Spanish La Liga clubs Osasuna and Espanol. (Daily Mirror)

Reading are keen on Luton's Leon Barnett but the Hatters are asking for £3m. (Daily Mirror)

Cardiff skipper Darren Purse, who has been linked with Wigan, Sheffield United and Charlton, is poised to sign a new contract. (Daily Mirror)

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is lining up a £400,000 move for Nottingham Forest's out-of-contract winger Kris Commons. (Various)

Arjan de Zeeuw looks set to join Leicester after his release by Wigan. (Daily Star)

Wigan hope to convince Sami Hyypia to leave Anfield for the JJB Stadium. (The Independent)

Coventry are lining up a double swoop for Southend pair Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Luke Guttridge. (Daily Star)

Sheffield United midfielder Phil Jagielka is set to join Everton by the weekend. (Daily Mail)




OTHER GOSSIP
Reading defender Nicky Shorey is set to be drafted into the starting line-up for England. (Daily Express)

Ledley King could pip Michael Carrick for the holding role against Brazil on Friday. (The Independent)

Derby manager Billy Davies went to war with the club because of a dispute over bonus payments for players for gaining promotion. (The Sun)

Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri is on the brink of accepting the Manchester City job. (Daily Mirror)

Ranieri held talks in London on Tuesday with representatives of the consortium trying to buy the club. (Daily Mail)

Or alternatively, Ranieri is ready to snub City's offer and stay at Parma. (Various)

Premiership referee Graham Poll, who is retiring a year earlier than planned, has accused the Football Association of failing to protect match officials from unruly players and managers. (Daily Mail)

Wales and Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs is to announce his retirement from international football. (The Sun)

Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock believes he is the fans' choice to become the new boss of Northern Ireland. (Daily Star)


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AND FINALLY
Charlie Richardson, a female cousin of Manchester United midfielder Kieran Richardson, is to be part of the Big Brother television programme. (The Sun)

Former Coventry and West Brom striker Lee Hughes, who was jailed for six years in 2004, has agreed a deal with Oldham while still in prison. (Daily Mail)

Annoying/weirdo bits from today

1. Ledley King is a centre half who is passable in midfield. Michael Carrick is a midfielder who plays for the EPL champions. Why oh why oh why would Stevie Mac then play King in a role which wasn't his natural one at the expense of Carrick??

2. Lee Hughes - Oldham - been in jail for 3 years - thats going to go tits up.