Karl-Heinz Rumour Mill

[all_funkt_up]

I pity them slick.

They were in for Nugent but got priced out. Moyes has said publically that Everton are being priced out of lots of deals and as a consequence they will fall back from the rest of the pack.

I think Everton might have expected to have a decent season this year. But only managing to purchase Jagielka spells trouble for me. Vaughan will be injured for the first few months, they still havent off-loaded James Fatty, sorry Beattie and they cant afford anyone else.

[all_funkt_up]

Real Madrid expect to land Chelsea winger Arjen Robben for around £21 million this week. (Various)

Fuck me, I wish they'd just hurry up and get on with it. How long has this been dragging on for now?!?!?!

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce is trying to sign Abdoulaye Faye from his former club Bolton Wanderers. (People)

It was only a matter of time wasnt it. Give Sam 2 weeks, he'll have Kevin Davies up front and Henrik Pederson playing left back for the Mags.

Tottenham are ready to splash out £8 million on Swedish midfielder Kim Kallstrom from French champions Lyon. (Sunday Mirror)

Fuck me, Martin Jol must be some sort of shopaholic. Why does he need another midfielder? He must have compulsive urges to buy every cunt he sees on telly or on champ man or something.

Arsenal could be ready to make an £11 million bid for Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Luka Modric. (News of the World)

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson wants Nigeria international left-back Taye Taiwo from Marseille. (News of the World)

Portsmouth midfielder Sean Davis could be in for a return to Fulham as a replacement for Michael Brown, who is poised to join Wigan. (People)

Aston Villa defender Liam Ridgewell is a transfer target for Birmingham, Fulham and Bolton. (News of the World)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out a move for former Gunners striker Nicolas Anelka from Bolton. (Various)

But they will need to get their skates on as Valencia are set to trump the Gunners with a £13m bid. (Sunday Mirror)

Arsenal are poised to sign Chelsea's 22-year-old French midfielder Lassana Diarra this week. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs will be offered another one-year contract at the end of the season and then asked to become an ambassador for the club when he eventually retires. (Sunday Mirror)

Newcastle will table a £3m offer for Fulham's giant Papa Bouba Diop while there is doubts over landing Norwegian centre-half Brede Hangeland from FC Copenhagen. (People)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane hopes to strike a loan deal with his former club Manchester United for goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak. (People)

Chelsea have put a £27m price tag on Germany midfielder Michael Ballack to try and frighten off Real Madrid. (News of the World)

Egyptian midfielder Hossam Ghaly expects to complete his move to Birmingham from Tottenham this week. (News of the World)

Wigan striker Henri Camara could be on his way to either Portsmouth or Bolton. (People)

[all_funkt_up]

Bizarre Quote of the Day Award, goes to Mr Lee Bowyer. Violent, racist madman Bowyer (30), is quoted in today's Sunday papers begging Kieron Dyer to come to West Ham.

"He's a great player, another international, and I think that if he comes to West Ham the competition he would bring would be very good for the squad."

This being the same Lee Bowyer that was trying kick fuck out of Dyer on the St James' Park turf a couple of years back.

In his defence, Bowyer added ''Back then when it happened, it was just a crazy moment but I honestly don't have any worries about it at all now."

There's nowt queer as folk my old ma used to say. And she was right.

[christianu]

It was only a matter of time wasnt it. Give Sam 2 weeks, he'll have Kevin Davies up front and Henrik Pederson playing left back for the Mags.

[mrmuzeman]

I think Everton might have expected to have a decent season this year. But only managing to purchase Jagielka spells trouble for me. Vaughan will be injured for the first few months, they still havent off-loaded James Fatty, sorry Beattie and they cant afford anyone else.

Beattie will be on his way for 4m soon enough. And we do have money just not enough to be buying average players for 8m etc. I wouldnt be suprised if we get Baines and Alan Smith and then youll wonder what all the fuss was about. Its not like were selling anyone good either so well be stronger than last season, no crisis, although id know youd like or pretend there to be one AFU

[all_funkt_up]

Muze - its Everton's off year this time round.

They have a good season but dont have the backing to take it up a notch and consequently there's a lull the season after. It always happens.

One season challenging for Europe, the next fighting off relegation.

Look at the teams in the bracket from 5th down to 12th place. The likes of Spurs, Portsmouth, West Ham, Villa, Boro, Man City etc have all invested in talent this close season. I just cant see that Everton at this present moment have the strength in depth to cope.

It just seems to me that all the clubs immediately around you are able to invest but you's cant.

[mrmuzeman]

Muze - its Everton's off year this time round.

Thats settled then

I only think thatll happen if we have a very good run in the uefa cup which could happen although I wouldnt count on it regarding our cup records in recent years. Itd be nice to have a wee run though.

Im not worried im not impressed by any teams signings particularly, just cos they spend a lot doesnt equal talent in my book, a lot of the signings probably wont do any better than the players already at the clubs.

I hope we do sign a couple tho, Baines and Smith would be sweet and then there would be no argument that we are stronger than last season. Signing on Arteta and Cahill was good, would have sucked if Arteta went.

Also you are forgetting, we got rid of Richard Wright, thats a guaranteed 1 or 2 points more per game in the games in which he would have played.

[all_funkt_up]

Originally Posted by Djakini

whats this?

What is what?

[all_funkt_up]

Winger Arjen Robben has been told to sign a new Chelsea contract this week or be sold to Real Madrid. (Various)

Real have increased their offer for Robben by £6m to £20m. (Daily Mail)

This is another one of those 'get a room' stories isnt it. Robben and Real have been flirting for so long now in the press, I wish they'd just get on with it and do the deed.

Would leave Chelsea short on wingers though would it not? Assuming that Jose still doesnt fancy SWP as a full time player....

Manchester City have agreed a £7.4m deal for Brazil midfielder Elano and he will complete his move from Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. (Daily Star)

Valencia are ready to pay £13m for Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka, who could be tempted by the lure of Champions League football. (Daily Star)

Newcastle have made a surprise £6m bid for Manchester United striker Alan Smith. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is considering a £7m move for Smith. (Telegraph)

Sheffield United's bid for Everton's James Beattie is likely to collapse over the striker's £40,000 a week wages. (Daily Star)

Reading want to sign Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glenn Whelan in a £1.4m deal. (Various)

Bolton could move for Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill with uncertainty over Jussi Jaaskelainen's future. (Telegraph)

Arsenal's £8m-rated midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes is set to sign for Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid, where the Spaniard spent last season on loan, are unwilling to pay more than £5m. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has admitted he is interested in Cork City striker Roy O'Donovan. (Independent)

Everton and Manchester City will battle it out for the signature of Leighton Baines after Wigan indicated their willingness to sell. (Daily Mirror)

But they could face competition from Manchester United, if they sell Gabriel Heinze. (Telegraph)

Portsmouth striker Lomana Lua Lua is being targeted by Sevilla and Espanyol. (Daily Mirror)

Derby are close to securing a £500,000 deal for Portsmouth defender Andy Griffin. (Telegraph)

Celtic have offered Jim O'Brien as part of their bid for Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith. (Daily Record)

[all_funkt_up]

Saw in yesterdays Sunday Sun in Newcastle (no relation to the scumbag Murdoch rag), that Freddy Shepherd announced to the world that Owen's buy out clause was only valid til this Tuesday.

The world famous clause that would allow Owen to leave for £9.5m. The clause that Newcastle are desperate not to be activated, as they would lose their best player.

So it begs the question, why should Fat Freddie go and mention the fact that it expires this week? Surely that would prompt any interested parties to bid now while they still can.

Sour grapes from the Fat Controller? Never....

[FC Basher]

We just sold Ghaly for 3m to Birmingham.

Read an article about Kallstrom the swedish international midfielder moving to Spurs,but ive been to the Lyon website and that states the club have afford him a new contract.

[all_funkt_up]

Basher - aye I saw that too. Kallstrom is an odd one, because Spurs already have quite a lot of central midfield players and I didnt think they needed any more. Kallstrom wouldnt be cheap either, £8m is the price I have seen in the press. Not cheap at all!

[all_funkt_up]

Plucked this from today's Independent

Three Thai players are being given trials as part of a move by new owner, the former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to bring in players from his home nation. Teerasil Daengda, Suree Sukha and Kaitprawat Saiwaeo play as striker, full-back and centre-back. The £7m deal for Giorgino Chiellini is being hurried along by manager Sven Goran Eriksson, who faces competition from Liverpool, given Manchester United's reluctance to sell Gabriel Heinze to them.

Thai footballers at Citeh, it was only a matter of time. They will stay on the books for 12 months tops before someone has the balls to tell Mr Miyagi that they're all absolutely gash.

[crowie]

Todays KHRM

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Everton have accepted a £4m offer from Sheffield United for James Beattie. (The Independent)

Bolton will start a bidding war for defender Abdoulaye Faye after deciding to cash in on the contract rebel. (The Sun)

And Newcastle are leading the chase for the versatile giant. (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland have rejoined the race to sign Manchester United striker Alan Smith. (The Sun)

But Middlesbrough are close to winning the battle after offering Smith a massive £60,000-a-week contract. (Daily Mirror)

Although Everton are said to be favourites to pip Newcastle to the signing of Smith. (Daily Mail)

West Ham are lining up a £17m move for Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen and Smith. (Daily Express)

The Hammers are also being linked with a £10m double deal for Gudjohnsen and Kieron Dyer. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley also inquired about Middlesbrough's Yakubu. (The Times)

Spurs are set to tie up the signing of £4.5m Hertha Berlin midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng this week. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are in talks about signing Dynamo Zagreb right-back Vedran Corluka. (The Times)

Winger Seol Ki-Hyeon is ready to leave Reading for Fulham in a £1m switch. (Various)

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez is making a £3m bid for Newcastle's Charles N'Zogbia. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle have told striker Obafemi Martins he can leave if they find a suitable buyer. (The Independent)

PSG defender Boukary Dreme is attracting interest from Magpies boss Sam Allardyce. (The Times)

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is considering making a £3m bid for FC Copenhagen defender Brede Hangeland. (The Independent)

Liverpool's Anthony Le Tallec has been offered to Fulham, West Ham and Birmingham. (The Times)

Robert Pires wants Bolton forward Nicolas Anelka to join him at Villarreal in Spain. (The Sun)

Wigan have told Everton they must stump up £6m for left-back Leighton Baines. (The Sun)

The Latics expect to agree a deal for West Brom defender Paul Robinson. (The Times)

Juventus have joined the race for Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze. (Daily Mail)

Barcelona star Deco has told Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho he would like to work with him again. (The Sun)

Serie A side Napoli have expressed an interest in Manchester United's Giuseppi Rossi. (The Independent)

Southampton are poised to swoop for Norwich's Youssef Safri and could offload Jhon Viafara to West Brom. (Daily Mirror)

US teenage star Freddy Adu has signed for Benfica for £1.5m. (Daily Mirror)

Leeds boss Dennis Wise wants Newcastle's Tim Krul on loan. (Daily Mail)

Hearts chairman Vladimir Romanov says he will not stand in the way if keeper Craig Gordon decides to leave. (Daily Record)

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has joined the race to sign Hibernian right-back Steve Whittaker. (The Independent)


OTHER GOSSIP
Sam Allardyce has held clear-the-air talks with Newcastle chairman Chris Mort over their lack of transfer funds. (The Sun)

Former Liverpool star Steve McManaman has written off the club's title hopes this season. (Various)

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is ready to smash through the £50m barrier in his summer spending spree. (Daily Star)

Premier League chief Richard Scudamore could be summoned to the High Court to give evidence over the Carlos Tevez saga. (Various)

Chelsea's Brazilian star Alex was barred from entering Britain by immigration officials. (Various)

Holland want Tottenham boss Martin Jol to take over as national boss after Euro 2008. (Daily Express)

Sir Trevor Brooking has warned that failure to qualify for Euro 2008 would severely hinder England's footballing progress. (Various)

LA Galaxy boss Frank Yallop believes Real Madrid's treatment of David Beckham's ankle injury has ruined the start to his American adventure. (Daily Express, Daily Star)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has played down reports of a major bust-up with striker Andy Cole. (Daily Express)

Chelsea's gruelling pre-season programme has taken its toll, with another six players added to their growing injury list ahead of the Community Shield. (Daily Mail)

Middlesbrough star James Morrison has turned his back on England coach Steve McClaren by choosing to play for Scotland. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY
Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock claims he and his family were reduced to tears by a foul-mouthed tirade by actor Sean Bean. (The Sun)

[all_funkt_up]

Once again, it seems Everton are priced out of the market, this time Alan Smith:

Sunderland have rejoined the race to sign Manchester United striker Alan Smith. (The Sun)

But Middlesbrough are close to winning the battle after offering Smith a massive £60,000-a-week contract. (Daily Mirror)

Although Everton are said to be favourites to pip Newcastle to the signing of Smith. (Daily Mail)

This isnt a dig at Muze or any other Evo's for that matter. I actually think they are right taking a principled stance and refusing to play a platinum blond prick like Smith a proposterous amount of cash to sign.