Transfers Speculations (February):

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Thursday 08th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Chelsea are in talks with 17-year-old Brazilian striker Lulinha - dubbed the new Ronaldinho - over an £8m move from Corinthians. (Independent)

Derby want to sign out-of-favour Celtic defender Bobo Balde in January. (Star)

Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa is keen on a £7m move to Manchester United. (Star)

Dimitar Berbatov's brother says the Bulgarian striker has "outgrown" Tottenham and wants to join Manchester United. (Sun)

Newcastle are considering an £8m bid for out-of-favour Villarreal midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme. (Sun)

The Magpies are also after £8m-rated Russia skipper Andrei Arshavin. (Mirror)

West Ham could bid £5m for Panathinaikos's Brazilian midfielder Marcelo. (Sun)

Atletico Madrid are hopeful of signing Manchester United defender Gerard Pique on loan in January ahead of a permanent deal. (Mirror)


OTHER GOSSIP
David Beckham could train with Watford as he bids to keep up his fitness ahead of England's upcoming games. (Mail)

Chelsea boss Avram Grant hauled his players in for an extra day's training on Wednesday following their 0-0 draw against Schalke. (Times)

Reading will make Nicky Shorey their highest-paid player to fend off interest from West Ham. (Star)

Ruud Gullit will be handed a multi-million dollar three-year contract to coach David Beckham's club LA Galaxy. (Telegraph)

Beckham's management company were involved in Gullit's recruitment and will supplement his wages. (Times)

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is set to sign a new £60,000 a week contract. (Mail)


AND FINALLY
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told by the Manchester United's nutritionists to lay off the pies. The Portuguese winger admitted: "I dated a girl from Manchester and she showed me that steak pies and chips are very good." (Star)

Dimitar Berbatov's brother says the Spurs striker gets "grumpy" when he is not the "centre of attention and main man". (Sun)

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Friday 09th November gossip column


TRANSFER RUMOURS

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is closing in on £10m-rated Russian international Roman Pavlyuchenko - the striker whose two goals have left England's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008 in tatters. (The Sun)

Eriksson is also trying to prise Partizan Belgrade teenager Stevan Jovetic away from rivals Manchester United. (The Sun)

Former Spurs boss Martin Jol is holding out for the Holland job after turning down the head coach role at PSV Eindhoven. (The Times)

Wigan are sounding out a potential move for England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce and are also interested in Scotland manager Alex McLeish. (Daily Mirror)

Southampton boss George Burley is keen to sign Plymouth midfielder David Norris on loan. (The Sun)

Leicester are eyeing former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill to fill the hole left by Gary Megson. (The Times)

Meanwhile former Fulham manager Jean Tigana will fly in for talks with Foxes chairman Milan Manderic, while Joe Royle has also been linked with the vacant manager's job. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal are watching Villarreal's Martin Caceres, currently at loan with Recreativo in La Liga. (The Sun)

Barcelona's Eidur Gudjohnsen could be set for a return to the Premier League with West Ham, Portsmouth and Manchester City all interested in signing the former Chelsea striker. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Sir Alex Ferguson says "he has absolutely no intention" of letting utility player Gerard Pique return to Spain, where Real Zaragoza lead a group of interested clubs. (The Times)

Scotland boss Alex McLeish believes the pressure will be on Italy when the world champions travel to Glasgow for next week's Euro 2008 crunch match at Hampden Park. (Daily Record)

Michael Essien admits Chelsea are missing John Terry - but are coping in his absence. (The Guardian)

West Ham are open-minded about a potential groundshare with Tottenham, believing it would boost their funds for a new stadium. (Daily Telegraph)

Rafael Benitez wants his Liverpool players to use the memory of the 8-0 thrashing of Besiktas and make Anfield an impenetrable fortress. (The Guardian)

Derby boss Billy Davies will not gamble on Kenny Miller's fitness against West Ham, handing Alex McLeish a massive boost ahead of Scotland's match against Italy. (Daily Record)

Didier Drogba insists he deserves to be named European Footballer of the Year ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. (Daily Mirror)


AND FINALLY
Jose Mourinho has been involved in a playground spat with a 12-year-old boy. The former Chelsea boss was not so special when he was forced to write a formal apology to one of his daughter's classmates after pulling the child's hair. (Various)

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Saturday 10th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson wants to sign Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson in the January transfer window. (The Sun)

New Norwich boss Glenn Roeder is planning to raid former club Newcastle for out-of-favour striker Shola Ameobi. (Sun)

Tottenham coach Juande Ramos has begun clear-out plans to make room for a £5million swoop for Espanyol centre-half Dani Jarque. (Daily Mirror)

Aston Villa will have to pay a British record £10m for a goalkeeper to make Scott Carson's move from Liverpool permanent. (Daily Express, Daily Mail)

Andriy Shevchenko has been warned he must get himself 100% fit to persuade new coach Avram Grant to keep him at Chelsea. (Daily Express)

And Grant is ready to make Feyenoord midfielder Jonathan De Guzman his first signing in the transfer window with an £8m swoop. (Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he has never once thought of quitting the club during his 11-year reign at the club. (Daily Mail)

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric has made Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins his number one target as he bids to replace Gary Megson, now at Bolton. (Sun)

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is ready to copy Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Robson by going on for as long as he can in top-flight management. (Daily Star)

Pressure is mounting on Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce after reports he is already at odds with new owner Mike Ashley. (Daily Express)

Bryan Robson has won the dreaded vote of confidence from Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe. (Sun)


AND FINALLY
Tottenham coach Juande Ramos is considering bringing in a nutritionist Antonio Escribano, tagged "Doctor Baby Food", because of the liquidised concoctions he supplies to aid players after matches. (Sun)

[<<ELVIS>>]

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is preparing a move for Sheffield United target man James Beattie to solve his club's striker crisis. (People)

Cesc Fabregas insists he wants to stay at Arsenal for the rest of his career and will snub a return to Barcelona. (Sunday Mirror).

Chelsea's boardroom is split on whether to launch a record-breaking bid for Barcelona's Brazilian ace Ronaldinho. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester City have been offered the chance to sign Brazilian World Cup winner Adriano on loan with Ronaldo Bianchi going the other way. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is considering a move for Liverpool's Javier Mascherano to fend off a rival £16m bid from Barcelona. (People)

Manchester City may also be ready to mount a double raid on Tottenham for star striker Dimitar Berbatov and goalkeeper Paul Robinson. (News of the World)

Arsenal are lining up a £4m transfer window swoop for Congo international striker Tresor Mputu. (News of the World)

Ex-Spurs striker Freddie Kanoute has told Juande Ramos he does not want to quit Sevilla to join his former boss him at Tottenham. (People)

Bolton are willing to let Nicolas Anelka go in the transfer window - but only for a whopping £15m. (People)

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is chasing Burnley's Northern Ireland striker Kyle Laferty. (People)

Manchester City will splash £5m on Australia's midfielder Marco Bresciano, who plays at Palermo in Italy's Serie A. (Sunday Express)

Spurs boss Juande Ramos is plotting a move for 24-year-old Espanyol defender Dani Jarque, who will cost up to £8m. (News of the World)

Sunderland are planning a double raid on Portsmouth for out-of-favour Matt Taylor and fellow midfielder Sean Davis. (News of the World)

Sheffield United defender and skipper Chris Morgan is a target for new Bolton boss Gary Megson. (News of the World).


OTHER GOSSIP
New boss Avram Grant is set to sign a new £8.25m deal to stay at Chelsea until 2010. (News of the World)

Joe Royle has plunged Leicester into confusion by withdrawing from the Foxes' managerial race. (News of the World)

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is just two games away from the axe. (News of the World)

Everton manager David Moyes is ready to discuss a new five-year deal worth £15m to stay at the club. (News of the world)

Paul Jewell is set to open talks with Wigan this week over a stunning return to the JJB Stadium. (Sunday Express)

Former England manager Terry Venables has emerged as a candidate along with Gerard Houllier to be the next Ireland boss. (Sunday Express)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes the FA would be wrong to sack manager Steve McClaren if England fail to qualify for Euro 2008. (Sunday Mirror)

Middlesbrough are plotting to make a swoop in January for Rangers' striker Daniel Cousin for a fee of around £1.5m. (The Scottish Mail on Sunday)


AND FINALLY
Several Chelsea players were trapped in their mansions in Cobham, Surrey, when a powercut hit the area, meaning they couldn't open the electric front gates. (People)

[<<ELVIS>>]

Monday 12th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Cesc Fabregas insists he is ditching plans to move to Spain in order to see out his career with Arsenal. (The Sun)

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce fears Arsenal will not let Nicklas Bendtner join the Blues on loan in January. (Various)

Aston Villa's on-loan keeper Scott Carson wants to make his switch from Liverpool a permanent one. (Various)

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos has admitted he faces a battle to stop star striker Dimitar Berbatov quitting the club next summer. (Daily Mirror)

Rangers are lining up a January replacement after summer signing Daniel Cousin was linked with Middlesbrough, Bolton and Real Betis. (Daily Express)

Rangers and Portsmouth are considering taking Estrela de Amadora midfielder Tiago Gomes on loan from January. (The Scotsman)

Celtic defender Steven Pressley is a strong candidate to take over as Dunfermline player-boss should they sack Stephen Kenny. (The Scotsman)

Dundee United are nearing the January signing of Drogheda United midfielder Stephen Bradley. (The Scotsman)


OTHER GOSSIP
Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has insisted Chelsea's Michael Essien owes Leon Osman an apology for his over-the-top tackle in the 1-1 draw. (Various)

Cardiff City are expected to dismiss manager Dave Jones on Monday after Saturday's defeat by Charlton. (The Times)

Paul Jewell is a phone call away from becoming Wigan boss again. (Daily Mirror)

Chris Hutchings, who was sacked as Wigan boss last week, could be back at the club as assistant manager - if Jewell is persuaded to return. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wished Jens Lehmann a happy birthday but still refused to make him the Gunners' number one keeper again. (Various)

Wenger says Lehmann has plenty of time to become number one keeper before the January transfer window. (The Guardian)

AND FINALLY
David Bentley's shirt for the Manchester United clash at the weekend had the Blackburn winger's name spelt as 'Betnley". As The Sun points out: "If the Rovers staff struggle to spell 'Bentley' then maybe it explains why Zura Khizanishvili cannot get in the side. (Sun, Daily Mail, Times)

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Tuesday 13th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Manchester City and West Ham are in a fight to sign Marseille striker Djibril Cisse for £5m. (Daily Mirror)

LA Galaxy will not allow David Beckham to play on loan with a Premier League club during the Major League Soccer close-season. (The Sun)

Bolton want Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glen Whelan. (Daily Star)

Newcastle have rejected an approach from Norwich, who sought a loan deal for striker Shola Ameobi. (various)

Chelsea are leading the race to sign 23-year-old French striker Guillaume Hoarau. (The Sun)

Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill is set to permanently join Sheffield United in a £1.5m deal. (various)

Derby will only bring in new players in January if they have a real chance of avoiding relegation, otherwise they will wait until June. (Daily Star)

Darlington are poised to sign Southend's 27-year-old striker Richie Forlan on loan. (Daily Star)

Manchester United winger Lee Martin is wanted on loan by Plymouth manager Ian Holloway. (Daily Mirror)

Former Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha has vowed to stay and Hull and fight for his place after clear-the-air talks with manager Phil Brown. (Daily Mirror)

Sheffield Wednesday's Kenny Lunt is set to go on loan to Crewe. (Daily Star)

Derby are battling it out with Wigan and West Brom to sign Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard. (Daily Star)

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann claims he is ready to walk out on the club to get first-team football and make Germany's Euro 2008 squad. (various)

Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has insisted he wants to stay at Anfield despite being linked with a move to Aston Villa. (various)

Manchester City have played down reports they want midfielder Javier Mascherano or strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Adriano. (various)

Middlesbrough have insisted winger Stewart Downing is not seeking a transfer. (The Independent)

Chelsea have claimed Didier Drogba is not unsettled. (The Telegraph)

Fulham are looking at 15-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder John Bostock. Portsmouth have already had a £2m bid turned down. (The Times)

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has flown out to Bangkok to sign Thailand international full-back Suree Sukha. (The Telegraph)

Rangers say Daniel Cousin's exit clause does not kick in until the end of the season and only if they are offered £3m for the striker. (Daily Mail)


OTHER GOSSIP
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has sounded out Jose Mourinho's agent about the possibility of him replacing manager Frank Rijkaard. (Daily Mail)

Chris Coleman's future as Real Sociedad boss is in doubt after he arrived late for a media conference amid reports he was out clubbing until 5am. (various)

Former Wigan boss Paul Jewell has decided not to return as manager. The club may now turn to Joe Royle or Gary McAllister. (Daily Mirror)

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni says his side will attack Scotland on Saturday rather than settle for a draw. (The Herald)

Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith has already organised a squad training base for the Euro 2008 finals. (various)

West Brom midfielder James Morrison has had to put his Scotland debut on hold again after dislocating his knee. (Daily Express)

Mike Newell has emerged as a leading candidate for the vacant managers' job at Burnley. (various)

Middlesbrough goalkeeping coach Paul Barron is looking to secure a similar move to Newcastle. (The Times)

Aberdeen's Uefa Cup Group B opponents, Lokomotiv Moscow, have sacked coach Anatoly Byshovets. (various)


AND FINALLY
Southend striker Matt Harold, who scored in the FA Cup against Rochdale at the weekend, is set to make a TV appearance as a double for Prince Harry. The 23-year-old bears a remarkable resemblance to the Queen's grandson and believes "it ought to be quite a good laugh". (Daily Star)

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Wednesday 14th November gossip column


TRANSFER RUMOURS

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is weighing up a £10m move for Racing Santander central defender Ezequiel Garay. (The Guardian)

Spurs manager Juande Ramos is preparing a list of players to axe ahead of the January transfer window. (Daily Express)

Manchester United defender Wes Brown is set to sign a deal to keep him at Old Trafford for another four years. (The Sun)

Man United team-mate Patrice Evra is also set to agree a five-year contract worth £15m. (Daily Star)

Celtic are planning a January bid for Everton forward James McFadden. (Daily Mail)

Hibernian are considering a move to sign Kilmarnock striker Colin Nish on a pre-contract agreement. (various)

Joe Royle is poised for talks with Wigan chairman about the vacant manager's job. (Daily Telegraph)

Meanwhile, MK Dons manager Paul Ince and Real Sociedad's Chris Coleman have also been linked with the role at the JJB Stadium. (Daily Mirror, Daily Express)

Chelsea manager Avram Grant says two players have confronted him to say they are unhappy at Stamford Bridge. (The Sun)

Reading have extended Turkey youth international Jem Karacan's loan deal by another month. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth face a Carlos Tevez-style wrangle over Tiago Gomes, whose club, Estrela da Amadora, own only half of his contract. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy is hoping to sign a new contract at Craven Cottage. (The Sun)


OTHER GOSSIP
David Beckham will train with Arsenal's stars over the winter to maintain his fitness during the MLS close season, which lasts until February. (The Times)

John Terry is stepping up his recovery from injury in a race to be fit for England's Euro 2008 crunch match against Croatia next Wednesday. (The Sun)

Israel goalkeeping coach and former Soviet Union international Alexander Ubarov says he wants Russia to qualify for Euro 2008. (The Independent)

Wembley officials will review security arrangements ahead of England's match against Croatia for potential fans protests should Russia beat Israel on Saturday. (Daily Telegraph)

England's FA is keen to resurrect a fixture with Scotland should Steve McClaren's side they fail to qualify for Euro 2008. (Daily Mail)

Scotland could be among the top seeds for the 2010 World Cup draw if they beat Italy and England lose to Croatia. (Daily Mirror)

Italy's Fabio Cannavaro admitted he did not expect Scotland to be in the running for a Euro 2008 slot. (Daily Record)

France coach Raymond Domenech will ban his players from watching Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy. (various)

Scotland's Under-21 side will rush over the border to Italy after their game against Slovenia on Saturday to watch the senior side on television. (The Sun)

The Scottish FA has completed a deal to begin work on a £17m training complex in Bothwell. (Daily Mail)

Hibernian manager John Collins has criticised Morocco for calling up Abdessalam Benjelloun despite the striker not being fully fit. (Daily Express)

Reading striker Dave Kitson hails Arsenal as "the best team on the planet" after their 3-1 victory at the Madejski Stadium. (Daily Telegraph)

Midfielder Stephen Hunt wants the Republic of Ireland to spend big to lure Terry Venables as the country's new manager. (The Guardian)

Tottenham have been given the green light for a new £30m training complex in north London. (The Independent)

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson believes Elano is the Premier League's version of Ronaldinho. (Daily Mirror)

Everton striker Victor Anichebe has opted to play for Nigeria ahead of England. (The Sun)
Bury's hat-trick hero Andy Bishop has put the match ball from their FA Cup 4-1 win over Workington on eBay to raise funds for the club. (The Sun)


AND FINALLY
David Beckham has signed a new three-year lucrative deal - to promote Giorgio Armani's latest underwear campaign. (Daily Telegraph)

Scotland fan Steve Burns has decorated an aquarium in his barber's shop with a picture of James McFadden's wonder-strike against France in honour of the Everton forward's comments about Glasgow being a goldfish bowl for Scottish footballers. (Daily Record)

[<<ELVIS>>]

Thursday 15th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is considering a £7m move for Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin who plays for Zenit St Petersburg. (The Telegraph)

Meanwhile, Magpies striker Michael Owen is not impressed with new boss Allardyce and would jump at a move in the January transfer window. (Daily Express)

Celtic will have to pay more than £4m if they want to sign striker James McFadden from Everton in January. (Daily Record)

James McFadden's agent says Celtic would have to pay £20,000 per week in wages for the Scotland star. (Daily Express)

Arsenal's Abou Diaby may leave the club next year, but has ruled out a move in the January transfer window. (The Independent)

Derby boss Billy Davies is hoping to sign six new players in the transfer window with Portsmouth striker David Nugent top of his list. (Various)

Manchester City have taken three triallists from Chinese club Shanghai Shen Hua - striker Gao Lin, goalkeeper Wang Da Lei and midfielder Mao Jianqing. (Independent)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has dismissed speculation linking Matt Taylor with a move to Sunderland. (Independent)

And Redknapp has also warned Juventus off making a move for leading scorer Benjani. (Daily Star)

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is flying out to Dubai on a family holiday leaving City and Wigan to fight it out for his signature. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has admitted he would be tempted by the prospect of a move to Spanish giants Barcelona. (Various)

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick wants to see former Tottenham team-mate Dimitar Berbatov move to Old Trafford. (Various)

However, Spurs boss Juande Ramos is keen to bring Carrick back to White Hart Lane in an £18m deal. (Daily Express)

Meanwhile, Spurs are poised to beat Arsenal to the signing of Sevilla's £8m-rated teenage midfielder Diego Capel. (Daily Mirror)

And with around £40m to play with, Ramos is also looking at spending £5m on Espanyol defender Dani Jarque. (Daily Express)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane will launch a fresh loan bid for Manchester United's Jonny Evans after losing Nyron Nosworthy through injury. (The Sun)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking at Congo striker Tresor Mputu, dubbed the next Samuel Eto'o. (The Sun)

Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas has dashed any hopes Real Madrid and Barcelona might have retained of signing him by saying he has no intention of returning to Spain. (Various)

Reading are lining up a £3m move for Morocco defender Badr El Kaddouri in case they lose Nicky Shorey to West Ham. (Daily Mirror)

Burnley's approach to talk to Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws has been turned down by Owls chairman David Allen.

The Clarets are seeking a replacement for Steve Cotterill who is being linked with a move to Preston following Paul Simpson's sacking at Deepdale. (Various)

Belgian side Anderlecht are ready to sign forgotten Celtic striker Maciej Zurawski. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Former England defender Paul Parker says it would be a major bonus for English football if they don't qualify for Euro 2008. (Daily Mirror)

However, the economy stands to lose a staggering £1bn in extra revenue if Steve McClaren's side fail to make it to Austria and Switzerland.

Around 1,000 England fans are expected to be in the stadium to watch Israel's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Russia in Tel Aviv on Saturday. (Daily Star)

Watford will collect a £300,000 windfall if striker Ashley Young makes his England debut against Austria on Friday under the terms of his move to Aston Villa last January. (Daily Express)

Former England striker Alan Shearer is ready to ditch television punditry for a management role with either England or Newcastle. (Daily Express)

Midfielder Scott Brown is looking beyond Saturday's qualifier with Italy and is aiming for success in the group stages of the Euro 2008 finals. (Daily Record)

French players are poised to defy coach Raymond Domenech and watch Scotland face Italy on television. (Daily Record)

Reading boss Steve Coppell has told striker Leroy Lita that his days at the Madejski Stadium are numbered unless he adds to the solitary goal he has scored so far this season. (Various)

Derby are reported to be in takeover talks with Shamrock Holdings, an American company owned and run by Roy Disney, nephew of Walt. (Various)

Former Wigan boss Paul Jewell has been added to the list of candidates to succeed Steve Staunton as Republic of Ireland manager. (Daily Mail)

Gaizka Mendieta has denied falling out with Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate despite not playing for the club this season. (Various)

Wales have backed plans to resurrect a one-off Home Championship next summer should England and Scotland fail to qualify for Euro 2008. (Daily Mail)

Hibernian striker Abdessalam Benjelloun will defy manager John Collins and play for Morocco despite a lack of match fitness. (Daily Record)

The Celtic Trust has set up an internet petition against former Defence Secretary John Reid becoming the club's new chairman at Monday's annual meeting. (Daily Express)

Albion Rovers are considering an end to 125 years in Coatbridge by moving to East Kilbride. (The Sun)

East Stirlingshire shareholders will tonight decide whether to sell their ground to a housing firm and share with neighbours Stenhousemuir. (Daily Express)


AND FINALLY
In Italy, the number 17 is considered unlucky. Some Alitalia planes have no row 17, some Italian hotels have no room 17 and in Roman numerals XVII is an anagram of VIXI which translates into "I have lived" with the implication "my life is over" or "I am dead".

Italy play Scotland in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier at Hampden Park on Saturday, 17 November with kick-off at 1700 GMT - for the record, Italy have won four of their 11 matches played on the 17th of a month in the last 30 years. (Various)

[<<ELVIS>>]

Friday 16th November gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Arsenal are lining up a £15m transfer window swoop for Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor. (Daily Express)

Thomas Sorensen's future at Aston Villa again looks bleak after he spoke of his frustration at being left out of the first team. (The Independent)

And his mood will not be improved with the news that Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to pay £10m to make Scott Carson's loan move from Liverpool permanent. (Daily Star)

Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko is set for showdown talks with coach Rafa Benitez over his Anfield future. (Daily Mirror)

Inter Milan have been linked with Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, joining Manchester United, Arsenal and Fenerbahce in a growing list of admirers. (The Independent)

Chelsea are weighing up a £2.5m move for Hertha Berlin's Serbia international forward Marko Pantelic to cover Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba should they go to the African Cup of Nations. (The Guardian)

The Blues are also ready to step up their chase for Sevilla's Daniel Alves when the January transfer window opens. (Daily Star)

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is prepared to shelve plans to sign Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves because of work permit problems. (Daily Mirror)

And City's Swedish goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson has warned Eriksson that he will leave the club if he does not get his place back in the starting XI. (Daily Mirror)

Eriksson has also been linked with a move for Lokomotiv Moscow star Marat Izmailov. (The Sun)

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos says he will not sign any Sevilla players - despite reports linking the north London club with Freddie Kanoute and Daniel Alves. (The Guardian)

Reading want to sign Blackburn goalkeeper Jason Brown as they prepare for the loss of Marcus Hahnemann, who is currently involved in a contract row with the club. (Daily Star)

Everton have outlined their determination to retain the services of James McFadden after Celtic expressed their interest in the striker earlier this week. (Daily Record)


OTHER GOSSIP
Scotland manager Alex McLeish claims he had to stop a closed training session after spotting some strangers, one with a camera, watching the players preparing for the crucial match with Italy. (Daily Record)

Former Wigan manager Paul Jewell has held talks with the Football Association of Ireland with regard to becoming the new Republic of Ireland boss. (Various)

Real Sociedad have turned down Chris Coleman's request to resign as coach. (The Guardian)

England's players are set to receive a bonus of £150,000, even if they do not qualify for Euro 2008. (The Sun)

Italy goalkeeper Gigi Buffon says Scotland's Craig Gordon is one of the world's top stoppers. (Daily Record)


AND FINALLY
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has revealed he broke off his honeymoon in Naples in order to complete his move to the Gunners in 2004.

The 30-year-old Spaniard also said that when he was young, he used to take part in the famous bull-running festival in his native Pamplona, although he "couldn't do it now". (Daily Express)

Sven-Goran Eriksson has introduced the ancient art of Greco-Roman wrestling into his Manchester City training sessions. "Sven told his squad he used to wrestle at school and that it really helped him develop his strength as a player," a Man City source said. (The Sun)

[<<ELVIS>>]

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Everton have outlined their determination to retain the services of James McFadden after Celtic expressed their interest in the striker earlier this week

Reading want to sign Blackburn goalkeeper Jason Brown as they prepare for the loss of Marcus Hahnemann, who is currently involved in a contract row with the club

Eriksson has also been linked with a move for Lokomotiv Moscow star Marat Izmailov

The Blues are also ready to step up their chase for Sevilla's Daniel Alves when the January transfer window opens

Chelsea are weighing up a £2.5m move for Hertha Berlin's Serbia international forward Marko Pantelic to cover Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba should they go to the African Cup of Nations

Inter Milan have been linked with Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, joining Manchester United, Arsenal and Fenerbahce in a growing list of admirers


Thomas Sorensens mood will not be improved with the news that Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to pay £10m to make Scott Carson's loan move from Liverpool permanen

Arsenal are lining up a £15m transfer window swoop for Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor