29/12/2010 – Wednesday’s Paper Round-Up

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon is eager to bring out-of-favour Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne and midfielder Stephen Ireland to Parkhead on loan.

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to reinforce his Manchester United midfield with a £12m New Year move for Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra.

United are also preparing a summer move for CSKA Moscow keeper Igor Akinfeev, who Ferguson sees as a long-term replacement for current number one Edwin van der Sar.

Fulham hope to make Chris Samba their first signing of the January transfer window but the Blackburn defender wants assurances over Mark Hughes’s future first.

However, the Cottagers may face competition from Arsenal, who are keen on the £8m-rated centre-back.

The Gunners are also reportedly back in the hunt for Werder Bremen centre-back Per Mertesacker.

Liverpool have rejected a loan offer from Birmingham City for 24-year-old winger Ryan Babel, who has also attracted interest from West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur.

Liverpool’s new Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli was at Southampton yesterday to run the rule over the Saints’ latest teen sensation Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Juventus are preparing a £27m-offer for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie and the Italian side may also be willing to throw midfielder Felipe Melo into the deal.

Stoke are close to signing on-loan winger Jermaine Pennant, 27, on a permanent contract from Spanish side Real Zaragoza.

German side Werder Bremen are interested in Aston Villa’s 25-year-old defender Curtis Davies, who is currently on loan with Leicester City.

Villa manager Gerard Houllier has handed a trial to Colorado Rapids’ Jamaican striker Omar Cummings.

Villa are also keen to sign striker Nicklas Bendtner from Arsenal, who may also be joined out of the Emirates exit by fellow striker Carlos Vela, midfielder Denilson and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

Real Madrid centre-back Pepe has received a lucrative offer from Manchester City, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

Mick McCarthy wants to bring Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane back to Wolves, the club the Republic of Ireland forward first joined in 1997.

West Ham look set to sign Dieumerci Mbokani on loan from Monaco if they can get a work visa for the Congolese striker.

The Hammers may also look to sign Manchester United’s Michael Owen on loan after the striker admitted he may have to leave Old Trafford to reignite his career.

Valon Behrami has given Roma until 10 January to reach a deal over his transfer from West Ham. The Swiss midfielder is desperate to return to Italian football after an injury-hit spell in the Premier League.

Everton, Newcastle and Blackburn are chasing Barcelona’s teenage midfielder Oriol Romeu.

Hull have been put off a bid for James Vaughan after his club Everton put a £2m price-tag on the striker.

However, the Tigers are close to sealing a £1.5m-deal for Leicester striker Matty Fryatt after Foxes boss Sven Goran Eriksson admitted the player is almost certain to leave in January.

England boss Fabio Capello has risked angering Europe’s top clubs by backing calls for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be held during the winter. Capello, who is due to leave his role with England in 2012, believes it would be too hot to play in Qatar during June and July.

Blackburn caretaker boss Steve Kean has refuted accusations that there were underhand tactics at play when he was asked to take over from Sam Allardyce. “It was an absolute shock when I received the phone call from the chairman which was half an hour before it hit the press that Sam was going to leave,” said Kean.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech believes the side are struggling to find “the right chemistry” this season. The Blues are on their worst run in 11 years after a 3-1 loss at Arsenal left them six league games without a win.

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes that champions Chelsea are now out of the title race after the 3-1 defeat at the Emirates.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez believes that the attacking, passing football played by sides like his own and Arsenal will benefit the next generation of English footballers. “When you play in that sort of style players are forced to make decisions and think on the pitch,” said Martinez.

Former Portsmouth manager Paul Hart is poised to become the new manager of Sheffield United.

Liverpool are to reward striker David Ngog with a new long-term contract. The 21-year-old has 18 months remaining on his current deal.

Birmingham City have upped their contract offer to winger Sebastian Larsson. The Swede, 25, who cost £1m from Arsenal, can leave at the end of the season.

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier (pictured) has revealed why John Carew was late to report for his club’s Christmas programme – the striker was stuck in snow in his native Norway.

For full stories, head over to the BBC website.

15/10/2010 – Friday’s Paper Round-Up

Real Madrid will go to war with Manchester United to sign £75m-rated striker Wayne Rooney at the end of the season.

[picapp align=”left” wrap=”true” link=”term=wayne+rooney&iid=9944667″ src=”http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9944667/wayne-rooney-england-2010/wayne-rooney-england-2010.jpg?size=500&imageId=9944667″ width=”234″ height=”242″ /] But Real boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out a bid for Rooney (left) in the January transfer window. “We have an excellent squad with players who give me a lot of confidence and I don’t want any players in the winter market,” said Mourinho.

Man United have intensified their contract talks with Rooney’s advisors, illustrating his importance to Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has, for the umpteenth time, said it is his dream to play for boyhood heroes Barcelona.

Fabregas, meanwhile, says Barca’s Spanish rivals Real Madrid also tried to sign him in the summer.

Liverpool and Tottenham are lining up a bid for Lyon’s £14m-rated 27-year-old Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez.

PSV Eindhoven’s highly rated 24-year-old Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Affelay has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Man United and Liverpool.

Tottenham will consider making a renewed offer for Anderlecht’s teenage striker Romelu Lukaku after a £17.5m bid was rejected in the summer.

Everton could step up their interest in Newcastle defender Steven Taylor if Bayern Munich make a move for the Toffees’ Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga. Heitinga says he would be interested in a move to Bayern but Magpies boss Chris Hughton insists he will not cash in on Taylor in January.

Stoke are ready to compete with Werder Bremen for the signature of Fulham’s Zoltan Gera.

New Leicester boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will sign Aston Villa’s Curtis Davies on a one-month loan.

Sevilla’s Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano, who was linked with Tottenham in the summer, says he will “seek a solution in January” if he does not get more first-team chances.

Spurs are also interested in Borussia Moenchengladbach’s 23-year-old Argentine striker Raul Marcelo Bobadilla, who could cost about £6m.

Sunderland midfielder Andy Reid, 28, admits he may have to quit the club to relaunch his career.

Denmark international goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard says he is “shocked” to have been linked with a move to Manchester United.

Ipswich are set to take Sunderland utility man Jack Colback, 20, on loan again after a successful spell last season.

David Beckham’s England career is almost certainly over after he formally refused boss Fabio Capello’s offer of a farewell game.

Portsmouth could go bust by next Monday after the Football League stopped them from coming out of administration.

[picapp align=”right” wrap=”true” link=”term=nigel+de+jong&iid=9351949″ src=”http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9351949/world-cup-2010-july-spain/world-cup-2010-july-spain.jpg?size=500&imageId=9351949″ width=”234″ height=”351″ /]

Manchester City’s Dutch international midfielder Nigel de Jong (right) is considering international retirement after recent criticism of his tackling by national coach Bert van Marwijk.

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has questioned the way Fabio Capello manages the national side, claiming the Italian is too strict, stern and aloof.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is set to miss another two weeks with his troublesome groin injury.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will grill England officials after striker Darren Bent picked up yet another injury on international duty.

Man City striker Mario Balotelli has suffered another minor setback as he bids to return from a knee injury and is now targeting the Manchester derby on 10 November.

West Bromwich Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo insists he has not fallen out with Paul Scharner despite the midfielder’s angry reaction to being substituted against Bolton.

West Brom’s Chilean international Gonzalo Jara is celebrating the rescue of his county’s miners, after donating a shirt and sending them an inspirational message.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman says the club does not need to buy a new keeper as he has seen how good Manuel Almunia and Lukas Fabianski are in training, but they need to fulfil their potential.

For full stories, head over to the BBC website.

14/10/2010 – Thursday’s Paper Round-Up

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has halted talks over a new contract as he considers leaving the Old Trafford outfit, with Real Madrid a possible destination.

[picapp align=”left” wrap=”true” link=”term=ibrahim+affelay&iid=8133043″ src=”http://view1.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/8133043/psv-eindhoven-rkc-waalwijk/psv-eindhoven-rkc-waalwijk.jpg?size=500&imageId=8133043″ width=”234″ height=”234″ /] Meanwhile, the Red Devils are among the clubs interested in PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Afellay (left). The 24-year-old Netherlands international has not signed a new contract so would be available on a free transfer next summer.

Thomas Hitzlsperger, still to make his debut for West Ham since signing from Lazio in the summer, faces a further four months on the sidelines with a torn thigh muscle. The 28-year-old midfielder had been hoping to play against Wolves on Saturday.

Juventus are eager to sign Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson in the January transfer window despite the 26-year-old having a contract until 2013.

Liverpool may sign Villarreal’s 26-year-old Brazil striker Nilmar in the January transfer window for £14m.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is considering spending £12m to acquire 25-year-old Brazilian striker Cleo from Serbian side FK Partizan.

Arsenal are tracking Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz after the 29-year-old admitted he wants a move from the Spanish side.

Philipp Lahm could be tempted to end his 15-year association with Bayern Munich and join Chelsea. Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti is keen to sign the German right-back, 26, despite Branislav Ivanovic impressing for the Premier League champions this season.

Scotland and Rangers keeper Allan McGregor could be set for a move to Old Trafford, with Manchester United willing to offer £7m as they search for current number one Edwin van der Sar’s long-term successor.

New Leicester boss Sven-Goran Eriksson would like to sign 32-year-old Blackburn striker Jason Roberts on loan, with a view to a £500,000 permanent deal in January.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Alan Irvine hopes to sign former Leeds, Reading and Charlton defender Sam Sodje as soon as the Owls’ transfer embargo is lifted.

Birmingham City are looking to make a bid for Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana in the January transfer window.

Aston Villa are being linked with France Under-21 international winger Franck Tabanou.

Former Leeds and Everton goalkeeper Nigel Martyn says England looked “frightened” in their goalless Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley on Tuesday.

Jack Wilshere will start for England in the friendly international against France on 17 November. The 18-year-old Arsenal midfielder was an unused substitute against Montenegro.

And Wilshere could be joined in the England midfield by Jordan Henderson, the 20-year-old having impressed for Sunderland this season.

Celtic captain Scott Brown faces 10 weeks on the sidelines, despite not needing surgery on his metatarsal injury.

Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher fears the club’s new owners will have a huge clear-out of players if results do not improve.

Former Tottenham coach Christian Gross has been sacked by Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart after only one win in the opening seven matches of the season.

For full stories, head over to the BBC website.