Transfer Gossip

FOUR MORE FOR CITY
The Daily Mirror says that Man City are 'confident of unveiling Carlos Tevez by Monday'.

If the deal goes through, it will take Mark Hughes' spending past the £200m mark since he became boss. And he won't be stopping there. City are still waiting patiently for Samuel Eto'o and once either or both Tevez and Eto'o are on board then Hughes will seek to reinforce his defence.

In a repeat of what you may have heard before, The Mirror says that Hughes wants to recruit both Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott.


BARCA TO BID £26M FOR MASCHERANO
'Barcelona are ready to shell out their entire £26million summer transfer budget for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano', according to The Daily Mail.

The paper says that the Spaniards have given up on their hopes of signing Cesc Fabregas and are instead intent on recruiting the Liverpool midfielder.
'Barca's bid is well short of Liverpool's valuation of their Argentina international, but the Catalans are reluctant to follow Real Madrid's lead by spending beyond their means,' the newspaper reports.

The Mirror claims something similar but moves the story on by announcing that, although 'The £25m fee would help finance Benitez's rebuilding work at Anfield,' 'he can't afford to let Mascherano leave with Xabi Alonso set to join Real Madrid. The Reds boss will rebuff any bid from Barca, although he may have to hand Mascherano improved terms to keep him happy.'


CHELSEA BACK IN FOR RIBERY, AND LOTS OF NEW DEALS AT STAMFORD BRIDGE
The Mail is in gossipy mood this soon-to-be-extremely-hot morning. Their backpage also includes the news that 'Chelsea will make one final attempt to persuade Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery that his future is at Stamford Bridge.

'Bayern continue to maintain that Ribery, who is valued at more than £45m, will remain in Germany but new Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti is refusing to concede defeat,' it reports.

The paper also goes on to reveal that 'Florent Malouda is to sign a new contract next week and injured midfielder Joe Cole is also close to signing an extension to his existing deal' while 'Defender Michael Mancienne met chief executive Peter Kenyon yesterday for talks over an improved deal.'

Meanwhile, The Times says that 'Ashley Cole is ready to sign a new contract that is likely to see him end his career at the club. The England defender has agreed a four-year deal on improved wages of £120,000 a week, which he is expected to sign when he returns to the club for pre-season training next week.'

However, 'Salomon Kalou could be allowed to leave if Chelsea receive a significant offer. The Ivory Coast striker has yet to be approached over a new deal.'


ADEBAYOR RIFT?
The Guardian says that 'A rift appears to be developing between Arsène Wenger and Emmanuel Adebayor after Stephane Courbis, the striker's agent, revealed a lack of communication regarding the 25-year-old's future at the Emirates.'

It is, however, something of a peculiar story, hinging on a entirely subjective interpretation of the following remark from Courbis:

"You will have to ask Mr Wenger if there has been an offer from Milan, or any other clubs, to Arsenal because I have heard nothing about any contact or any offer that has been made, so I don't know what the situation is. Speak to Mr Wenger."

Hmm. Yes, that 'lack of communication' might be evidence of a growing rift. Then again, it might also be evidence that Wenger is not considering selling Adebayor.


GALLAS MAKES A VERY CHEAP 'THREAT'
The Mirror also seems to be making something of nothing in their claim - and note the word-play we're trying here - that 'William Gallas last night vowed to walk away from Arsenal for nothing next summer unless he is allowed to leave now.'

Hang on a mo. Gallas has threatened to leave for nothing? Whereas if he is allowed to leave next summer the 31-year-old would command a transfer fee of what? A million? Two?

Yup, Arsene must be reeling.

'The defender, axed as skipper by boss Arsene Wenger last season for blasting his team-mates, looked to have learned his lesson as he buckled down for the second half of the campaign. But he has now told Wenger there is no way he will sign another contract when his current deal runs out in 12 months' time.'

Blimey. We can hear Monsieur Wenger shaking from here.


AND THE REST...
Joey Barton has again been told by Newcastle he has no long-term future at the club while Peter Lovenkrands is set to join Wigan...Blackburn are keen on signing Chelsea youngster Franco di Santo...Burnley boss Owen Coyle is set for a double bid for Hamilton duo James McCarthy and Brian Easton...Alex McLeish has made Patrick Vieira a £5million take-it-or-leave-it offer to join Birmingham...Amr Zaki has urged new Wigan manager Roberto Martinez to spend some of that Antonio Valencia money on bringing him back to the club.