CHELSEA NOT KEEN, CITY ARE
The Daily Telegraph goes big with a big slice of rumour and hearsay this morning, claiming that Chelsea have pulled out of the race to sign winger de jour Angel di Maria.
Too much coin, apparently, with his club Benfica wanting £36million for the Argentine.
However, predictably enough that hefty price tag has not put off Manchester City, who are 'understood' to be keen to complete a deal next summer, although Benfica would apparently rather the move went through in January, because a lower buy-out clause in Di Maria's contract kicks in at the end of the season.
Chelsea have their attentions elsewhere, as keen followers of The Gossip Column will know.
Word yesterday was that they have the signing of Sergio Aguero wrapped up, while Franck Ribery is the next on their big spending list.
COLE STAYING PUT
There's been talk in some of the papers of late that the Premier League's big boys want Carlton Cole, and are prepared to pay top, top dollar for their man.
Not so, according to West Ham manager Franco Zola.
The Sun quotes him as saying: "Carlton is an important player for this team, not only because he scores goals but also for his presence.
"I know Carlton wants to stay and is happy here. The club has no intention of selling him or any of our important players.
"He plays for us and we're very happy with him.
"We're going to make sure we can help him keep on scoring."
KAKA TURNED DOWN CHELSEA
In case you missed it yesterday, come this way to read why Kaka chose to move to Real Madrid last summer, rather than join his old mucker Carlo at Chelsea.
ANTON HEADING FOR SUNDERLAND EXIT
With Michael Turner, Paolo da Silva and John Mensah doing well at the back for Sunderland, Anton Ferdinand has slipped down the pecking order somewhat at the Stadium of Light.
And according to The Daily Mirror and a few other rags, this means Ferdinand will be flogged to the highest bidder when the new year comes around.
Around £5million will do the trick, with Spurs inevitably seemingly keen.
Interestingly, The Mirror also mentions that Steve Bruce wants a new left-back, and likes the look of Newcastle's Jose Enrique.
BRUM COLLAPSE ALERTS BIG BOYS
Quick line from The Daily Mirror now, and according to that paper, Birmingham's 'ambitious' £4million bid for Standard Liege's Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic has fallen through.
And this has apparently alerted a number of big Premier League hitters to his availability, with Manchester United, Spurs, Aston Villa and Everton ready to take a look at him when Standard play Arsenal in the Champions League tonight.
Everton apparently made a £10million bid for him last season, but Liege are not keen to sell. They have 'bids on the table' from Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Panathinaikos.
AND THE REST...
Manchester City moved a step closer to signing QPR attacking sensation Raheem Sterling last night after he notified Rangers of his desire to leave...Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies is set to make an audacious £3million move for Spurs' Gareth Bale...Tony Capaldi admits he is ready to end his nightmare and quit Championship promotion-chasers Cardiff...Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell has lined up a £2m deal for Celtic captain Stephen McManus, 27...Stoke midfielder Tom Soares, 23, is set to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan...Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock is plotting a £400,000 move for Bournemouth hotshot Brett Pitman, 21...Chelsea have rejected Reading manager Brendan Rodgers' bid to take Italy Under-21 striker Fabio Borini, 18, on loan...Rochdale have signed Rotherham midfielder Jason Taylor, 22, on a month's loan...Rangers have joined the race for £3m-rated Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies, 19.
The Purple Gossip
Now let's hear what you've got to say about this item... or anything else happening in the world of football. Send in your opinions, rants, praise or abuse to: theeditor@football365.com
Your Comments
GFZs_Boots
"No. I just live in hope that one day idiots like you will be put to sleep and the rest of the football fans in the world will be free to have discussions about football, without simpletons like you constantly harping on about how great Utd are. Without actually knowing anything yet amazingly managing to wake up every day."
LiamSJ
"GFZs_Boots well done ur comment has actually bored me almost to sleep. Its quite sad that u live in hope that Uniteds dept could be their downfall¿.lets be honest, the only way Chelsea could come close to overtaking Uniteds status in world football is if we became bankrupt! Especially with that back stabbing, disloyal, money grabbing pansie Peter Kenyon leaving your club soon so you wont have him forcing Chelsea in African and Chinese faces to increase shirt sales abroad!
On the plus side your illegal signing Kakuta who u tapped up and stole (probably at gun point by Russian mafia similar to Mikel rent boy Obi) looks a good player.
"
GFZs_Boots
"No Liam. I can read.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/5130064/Manchester-United-debt-soars-to-700m-despite-record-season.html
The above article was written after Utd's financial results were released. So, really, we all have access to Utd's books. Having a memory and being able to read must mean I am nearly ready to start selling bananas. What do you think Liam? You are literally too stupid to insult. And "...soars to £700m..." would probably imply that the debt is over £700m. Whilst not to the nearest pound it is still a lot of money Liam, which was my point, rather than trying to be pedantic with the figures."
LiamSJ
"¿GFZs_Boots¿ United are £700mill in debt are they? Do you have access to the united books then? Accurate figure is that? Not a pound over or under? Blimey you are amazing with all your knowledge and accurate facts. Maybe u should be offered a job in football, ur wasted on that fruit stall! With all your wisdom which you enlighten us with each day surely you should be ahead of Capello taking England to the world cup? YOU are our best chance GFZs_Boots¿.YOU!! Amazing intellect for someone who stands at a stall shouting POOOUND A POOOOUND all day! Well done you¿.."
GFZs_Boots
"Make jokes about other clubs being poor all you like. I am sure you are very rich and have your very own Gary Neville lunchbox but, before you mock to heavily..."Manchester United debt soars to £700m despite record season..." Sadly, selling Ronaldo won't have touched that. I know 700m is probably 690m more than you can count but it is a very big number. Pride comes before the fall.
"
LiamSJ
"ErrrorWayz as Robdolphin said, how are Chelski about to go 8pts top? Your maths is clearly as good as most of your team are at staying on their feet.
End of the day I won¿t slag chelski off too much, they¿ve been playing some good football and im pleased to see Jo Cole back in action. Its Liverpool who I take the upmost delight in watching crash and burn each time they step foot on the pitch!!
PS. Rock_power if Liverpool do buy Carlton Cole (with no funds i dont c how they cud even buy you!) they will stick to the Liverpool tradition and stick to Torres up on his own before selling Carlton back to the hammers for a few quid and a shell suit."
GFZs_Boots
"Liam, once again you have proved to be the naive United-centric blinkered idiot that we have all known you to be for some time. Insult things you don't understand and look like a total tool. Stabbings and shootings happen in Manchester too I am sure you will be shocked to hear as you don't live there, Peggy Mitchell isn't real, so basically you have outlined why he would never join United either. Or any club in the world. If you can name one city in the world, with a major football club, that has never had stabbings, shootings, meat, fruit or council estates I will buy you an ice cream. Although, I am sure that where ever you live and Manchester are the only cities you "know". Good luck."
Rock_power
"If Liverpool go for Carlton Cole, I will burn my jersey. They should have gone for Darran Bent in the summer!!! "
willhehekaslike
"I couldnt imagine that Kaka, with all his millions would have to live on a council estate!!! Also, Brazil is not exactly the friendliest place in the world.....the estates of London may have reminded him too much of home!!!"
ROBDOLPHIN66
"How / why are Chelsea going 8 points clear?
Chelsea are away at Arsenal, Utd are away at Portsmouth.
You would get great odds on a Chelsea and Portsmouth double this weekend!"
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