Transfer Gossip

NEW BARRY BID TURNED DOWN
In case you missed it late last night, Aston Villa have turned down a new bid for Gareth Barry, who will presumably be sitting with his feet up, safe in the knowledge that he doesn't have to return to Villa Park following his 'punishment'.

The interesting bit is that both sides have denied it was the £17million (well, £15million plus £2million add-ons) that was widely reported yesterday.

More on that one here.


TWO ON THEIR WAY OUT OF THE BRIDGE
It's hardly a galloping shock, two chaps appear to be on their way out of Chelsea and pretty soonish.

The Daily Express reports that the club will offer a rather desperate £140,000 a week to persuade Frank Lampard to stay in London, despite reports that a move to Inter Milan was already signed and sealed.

However, even that might not be enough, with the paper claiming that Lampard is still holding out for £150,000, which would make him the highest-paid player at Chelsea by quite some distance.

Meanwhile, one player Big Phil doesn't seem quite so keen on keeping is Didier Drogba.

According to The Sun, Scolari has told Roman Abramovich to sell Drogba to whoever bloody well wants him. Providing they stump up £22million.

Apparently AC Milan are 'desperate' to get him, despite head-honcho Adriano Galliani saying Emmanuel Adebayor was their only transfer target this summer.

Mind, he did then say they're looking to buy Ronaldinho too, so make what you will of that one.


BARCA PAIR TO CHELSEA
Speaking of Ronaldinho, The Sun goes on to claim that Chelsea are very keen on getting the toothy chubster in, and are currently haggling over his wages.

He wants £160,000-a-week apparently, but Chelsea are 'confident signing-on and loyalty bonuses will reduce his wages'.

Also, in what seems like a bid to relieve Barca of all their party-boy bad apples, The Sun claims Chelsea will offer Florent Malouda as part of an exchange deal for Samuel Eto'o. Should be interesting to hear the howls of laughter when that fax comes through.

So Chelsea want to bring the three players being booted out of Barca for enjoying the Catalan nightlife too much to the notoriously quiet and sedate London.

What could possibly go wrong?


UNDIGNIFIED SCRAP FOR ARSHAVIN
Looks like there's going to be a rather undignified bun-fight for Russia maestro Andrei Arshavin if you believe what you read in the red-tops.

The Sun claims Arsenal are leading the chase for the Zenit St Petersburg man, after a Zenit official called the Arsenal boss a 'cunning fox'.

"In the morning he says Arshavin will play all the time at his club and during the day he says he doubts the capabilities of Andrei to play three games in a row at the highest level," said Dennis Lakhter.

"But this is a tactic to fool the competition. He calls Andrei a Tsar and then tries to deny interest in the player."

Meanwhile, if you'll all open your copies of The Daily Mirror, you'll find an EXCLUSIVE claiming Arshavin is due in London...but for talks with Chelsea. Had you fooled there, eh? No?

A Zenit 'source' said: "Chelsea have been in contact, a deal has been agreed and Arshavin will fly to London to discuss terms.

"He was very attracted by playing in Spain but feels English football would suit his style better - and with Roman Abramovich involved there is another link and reason."

So there you have it.


BARCA TO STEP UP ADEBAYOR INTEREST
In more news that you probably knew before, The Guardian claims that Barcelona are stepping up their interest in Emmanuel Adebayor, after AC Milan declared the price a little to steep for them.

Apparently Joan Laporta needs another big name signing before club members vote on a motion of no confidence at the weekend, and Adebayor is that man.

Whether he is desperate enough to pay £35million remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, we'd like you to enjoy these heart-warming quotes from Stephane Courbis, Adebayor's agent:

"It is vital that Arsenal show their motivation to keep him. There has been a love story between Adebayor and Arsenal and his relationship with Arsene Wenger is based on trust and respect.

"If this was a money problem, then he would have asked to leave. He is a man of heart, not of money. He is not greedy."


HEY BIG SPENDERS
Couple of quick lines from Fratton Park for you.

The Daily Mirror reports that Portsmouth are preparing a final £10million bid for Peter Crouch, and will pay no more.

Meanwhile, The Daily Star claims Pompey are about to step up their interest in Shaun Wright-Phillips, a moves presumably designed to make Crouch look even more like a great big gangly freak of nature.


AND THE REST...
Mark Hughes will make room for Ronaldinho at Manchester City...Fulham will step up their efforts to sign Dave Kitson from Reading...Manchester United have offered assistant manager Carlos Queiroz a new contract...David Bentley has rejected Paul Ince's attempts to persuade him to stay at Blackburn...Bolton have made a £5million offer for Sporting Lisbon's Simon Vukcevic...Hull are set to make a shock bid for Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras...Manchester City want to sign Blackburn defender Chris Samba...Birmingham are interested in Charlton striker Marcus Bent...Doncaster, Leeds and Swansea all want to sign former Bristol City striker Darren Byfield...Birmingham are set to place Olivier Kapo and Frank Queudrue on the transfer list...Sunderland have stepped up their bid to sign Darren Bent...Aston Villa want to sign Lee Naylor from Celtic in a move that could see Shaun Maloney move in the opposite direction...Watford have offered an initial £250,000 for Blackpool defender Kaspars Gorkks.