F365 Features

Every now and then the papers get it right, but they often get it spectacularly, hilariously & magnificently wrong. Here are our favourite nailed on, cast iron & in the bag transfer rumours of the summer so far...

* 'Emmanuel Adebayor has ended a year of uncertainty over his future at Arsenal by committing himself to the club and ending speculation that he would leave the Emirates after three seasons in north London' - As reported by The Observer, July 4. Adebayor left Arsenal on July 19.

* 'John Terry is maintaining his vow of silence as splits in the Chelsea camp began to emerge. Despite intense pressure from Chelsea's hierarchy, trying to persuade their captain to commit his future to Stamford Bridge, Terry is still refusing to offer any assurances. And that has given Manchester City major hope a deal will still be done' - As reported by The News on World, July 26. Later that day, Terry announced he was "totally committed" to staying at Chelsea.

* 'Chelsea also have an abundance of central midfield players and, given the club's desire for self-sufficiency, John Obi Mikel would have to be sold to make room for Alonso. The Nigeria midfield player has only one year left on his contract and has yet to be offered another' - As reported by The Times, July 22. It was also on the afternoon of July 22 that Chelsea announced that Mikel had signed a new five-year deal with the club.

* 'Some well-placed sources have claimed that Ferguson may not even sign a striker this summer and will instead look to Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov to spearhead United's attack next season" - As reported by The Times, July 1. Manchester United signed Michael Owen two days later.

* 'Michael Owen will turn his back on Everton - and join his former Liverpool strike partner Emile Heskey at Aston Villa. The 29-year-old will reject the chance to sign for the Toffees, the team he supported as a boy, because of his links to Anfield. Owen's contract with Newcastle has expired and, as reported in People Sport on January 25, he will slip quietly out of St James' Park - As reported by The People, June 7.

* 'Glen Johnson will move back to Chelsea this week in a deal worth £16million, once England's World Cup qualifying double header is out of the way. Portsmouth defender Johnson - sold for £4m by Jose Mourinho in 2007 - is a long-time Liverpool target but Chelsea are ready to price them out of the race. Kop boss Rafa Benitez cannot compete due to the financial problems of American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett' - As reported by The People, June 7. Johnson completed his £17.5m move to Liverpool on June 26.

* 'Manchester City were last night edging closer to the player they believe will be the stellar domestic signing of the summer - a spectacular deal for Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o that could cost £70million. Quite how the striker will react to the prospect of making his debut away to Blackburn at a compact Ewood Park remains to be seen, but the size of City's staggering purse will surely help overcome any doubts he may have. Barcelona sources say the deal, which Sportsmail exclusively revealed this month, is almost complete' - As reported by The Daily Mail, June 17. City withdrew their interest in signing Eto'o on July 10.

* 'Joe Kinnear is to make a sensational return to Newcastle as manager today. Owner Mike Ashley has turned again to the man he asked to take charge last September as the club, whose future remains uncertain, lurched into another unpopular move. In a crushing blow to Alan Shearer which will infuriate already angry fans, the 62-year-old is expected to step into the breach as Newcastle approach life in the Championship without a takeover imminent' - As reported by The Daily Mail, July 15. Newcastle rubbished the story by 10am.

* 'David Villa will decide between Chelsea and Real Madrid this week. Blues' sporting director Frank Arnesen and Real counterpart Jorge Valdano are in Valencia to thrash out their proposals with the striker's club and his agent. Reports suggest Chelsea are ready to offer a £38million cash deal while Real are hoping to lure him with a bid of £24m plus striker Alvaro Negredo' - As reported by The Sun, June 9. The week of June 9 came, went and Villa remained at Valencia. As he still does.

* '£16million Valencia is start of Fergie spree...Valencia's move leaves United with over £80million still to spend on new talent if Ferguson so wishes. He was handed the Real Madrid money for Ronaldo - paid in a lump sum - plus the cash that would have gone to keep Carlos Tevez at Old Trafford' - As reported by The Daily Mirror, July 1. Ferguson announced United would make no more signings this summer on July 13, after completing the free signing of Michael Owen.

Compiled by Pete Gill and Nick Miller