SO, ROONEY THEN...
Well. The papers are full. Full to bursting. Full to bursting with news that Wayne Rooney is set to leave Manchester United.
Let's start with The Daily Mail, who claim Rooney is 'face a desperate fight to save his Manchester United career'.
Apparently Sir Alex Ferguson has lost patience with Rooney's fitness and weight issues, so will get rid in the summer. Interestingly, the paper claims United will look for offers of 'more than £20million', which seems rather low. However, The Sun backs up those reports, saying 'Fergie now believes Danny Welbeck could be a better partner' for Robin van Persie.
The Daily Mirror suggests a fee closer to £35million, with United keen not to let Rooney enter the final year of his contract - his current deal expires in 2015 - so will sell this year when his value is still high.
So where will he go? PSG is the name that pops up most often, with Barcelona and Real Madrid also rather speculatively mentioned.
However, one place it seems that Rooney won't be going is Manchester City, who of course seemed to be the most likely suitors when he threw his hissy fit a couple of years ago.
The Guardian reports: 'But despite the wealth at City, they are not prepared to match the salary which, with add-ons, is believed to be around £300,000 a week. Since the collapse of the proposed deal more than two years ago, Uefa's financial fair play regulations have been introduced and, with City's intent to adhere to these, they would have to free up a sizeable chunk of their player wage bill to be able to offer Rooney similar terms.'
All very interesting. And if you wondered why United might want to sell such a theoretically important player, Nick Miller takes a look at some of the possible reasons here.
BARCA AFTER AGGER
Usually this would be the most eye-catching gossip around, but not today.
The Daily Mirror reports that Barcelona want Daniel Agger as a replacement for Carles Puyol.
Apparently they made a 'preliminary enquiry' last summer, but the Dane signed a new contract at Anfield instead. They are once more interested in their man, and will fling some cash Liverpool's way.
However: 'The Anfield club seem certain to resist, with manager Brendan Rodgers already facing up to the prospect of signing THREE central defenders in the summer.
'Jamie Carragher retires at the end of the season, struggling Martin Skrtel could be sold back to former Zenit St Petersburg, and Sebastian Coates has been linked with a return to South American football having failed to impress.'
SPURS OFFER BALE DEAL
It seems Spurs are quite understandably keen to keep Gareth Bale at the Lane, and will offer the Welshie a fair old whack to stick around.
The Daily Mail claim they will offer Bale a 'double your money' deal to keep him out of the evil clutches of...well...other clubs.
The paper reports: 'Bale signed a four-year contract worth a basic £75,000 a week last season which ties him to the club until 2016, but his increasing influence has prompted Tottenham to reassess that.
'Chairman Daniel Levy recognises the need to reward his prize asset, who has drawn comparisons with the world's best players Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and will propose a groundbreaking offer for the club of around £150,000 a week.'
Levy apparently values Bale at £60million and won't consider any lower offers.
CITY AFTER JENKINSON
Interesting one in The Daily Mirror, who report that Manchester City are sniffing around Carl Jenkinson.
Since their policy of buying young English talent is going so swimmingly so far (Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell), they're keen on more, and have identified Jenkinson as a potential target.
The paper claims: 'Arsenal are likely to sell Bacary Sagna this summer and have Feyenoord's Daryl Janmaat top of their hit-list.
'That may alert clubs to check on the availability of Jenkinson, whose impressive form earlier this season earned him an England call-up.'
Meanwhile, The Daily Star claims City are keeping tabs on Crystal Palace midfielder Jonathan Williams, 19, but face strong competition to land 17-year-old Derby County midfielder Will Hughes who is valued at £10m.
AND THE REST...
Striker Federico Macheda, 21, wants to make his current loan move to Stuttgart from Manchester United a permanent one...West Brom are planning a £3m summer move for 19-year-old Leeds United right-back Sam Byram...Jonathan De Guzman will hold talks with Swansea City about a second season on loan from Spanish side Villarreal...Newcastle and Reading are eyeing Watford keeper Jonathan Bond, 19, whose contract expires this summer...Tottenham, West Brom and Wigan are monitoring 17-year-old Sheffield Wednesday right-back Hayden White.
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