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CHELSEA WANT BENITEZ/CAPELLO TO REPLACE AVB
Unusually today, the gossip is led - and led quite spectacularly - by talk of managerial jiggery-pokery, specifically at Chelsea.
And there are some belters, starting with The Daily Mail, who report that Chelsea are looking at one Rafa Benitez to take over should they finally tire of Andre Villas Boas.
The paper reports that AVB should find he has a lot more spare time on his hands should they not beat Napoli tonight, and that both Benitez and Fabio Capello (although he apparently wouldn't be that keen) are in the frame to replace him.
The Mail claims: 'Benitez is believed to be open-minded and would be immediately available, having not worked since leaving Inter Milan at the end of 2010.
'The Spaniard, 51, has a good track record at big clubs and a good history in the Champions League, the trophy Abramovich covets above all others.
'Benitez is also thought to be capable of inspiring £50million misfit striker Fernando Torres, having brought the best out of his fellow Spaniard at Liverpool.'
How very interesting...
OR, IT'S BIELSA...
...However, not quite as interesting as the theory put forward in The Daily Mirror, who also report that AVB could be out on his arse shortly, but suggest a rather more maverick replacement.
The paper claims (with, we think, plenty of help from Marca) that Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelo Bielsa is the man they want.
Wow.
If you don't know much about Bielsa, read up on him, but as a quick summary we'll tell you he's nuts, but absolutely awesome.
The Mirror claims: 'Barcelona were even linked with Bielsa in the Spanish media as a potential successor for Pep Guardiola if he stands down in 2013.
'Guardiola would be a dream ticket for Chelsea in the long term but owner Roman Abramovich saw Guus Hiddink take over at Anzhi last week and has few options. Ex-England boss Fabio Capello has also been linked.'
For what it's worth, we don't think Bielsa would take this sort of gig in a million years, because he doesn't like meddling from on high, and he turned down the Inter job last summer on the basis that it would be more trouble than it's worth.
ARSENAL WON'T SELL RVP
Interesting story in The Daily Mirror now.
The paper claims Arsenal will not sell Robin van Persie, even if he refuses to sign a new contract in the summer.
Van Persie's current deal runs out in 2013, and conventional wisdom states that if he refuses, the Gunners will flog him so at least they get something out of the whole deal.
However, The Mirror reports: 'Arsenal are determined to keep their prize asset this summer even if the Dutchman does not sign a new contract.
'Gunners boss Wenger ended up selling Samir Nasri to Manchester City for £22m last summer because he only had one year left on his deal and Wenger feared he could end up leaving on a free transfer.
'But Arsenal are prepared to take the risk of Van Persie running his current contract into next season before it expires in 2013.'
Yet they might not have to worry about that, for The Daily Telegraph reports, of new deal negotiations:
'It remains unlikely that any deal will be finalised before the end of the season - and there is clarity over Arsenal's Champions League status - but Van Persie's willingness to listen would still be an extremely positive step forward for the club.
'It is understood that Arsenal are considering an offer whereby Van Persie would be paid a substantial 'renewal' fee in addition to significantly improved terms on a salary that is currently around £80,000 a week.
'Van Persie will be aware that other players of comparable world-class quality are on around double that wage, with Arsenal considering a rise that would take him beyond £100,000 a week.'
BIDS FOR NAPOLI TRIO?
More from The Daily Mirror now, who claim an EXCLUSIVE! with quotes from pleasingly bonkers Napoli president Aurelio Di Laurentis.
Napoli's trio of attacking talent - Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik - have been subject of interest from every club in the world with a chunk of change in their pockets.
The Mirror quotes Di Laurentis as saying: "If they have the money to pay, I am waiting for the offers.
"There is never a real price. The price is what the clubs need and what is the hot moment of negotiation.
"They are all fantastic players. We have a lot of fantastic players. I don't expect anything. Thanks to God, I don't need the money from anyone. I am rich enough to survive. But if somebody wants to make an offer, we are here to listen. You never to close the door to anyone because we are polite.
"If someone wants to make an offer, they can make an offer. We can laugh off their offer if we are not satisfied or we can say: 'Let's sit down and discuss this'. In life, there is a always a price for everything. It is just a question of the right moment and the right people."
AND THE REST...
Gary Megson's days as Sheffield Wednesday boss look numbered...West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has warned Newcastle that striker Demba Ba could leave for £7million - and they might get just £3million...Chris Samba has made his first move towards a return to Blackburn's relegation scrap...Arsenal are in the hunt for Daniel Opare, who has impressed for Standard Liege this season...Spurs have made a move to sign Internacional striker Leandro Damiao....Former Portsmouth striker Danny Webber is being given a lifeline by new Leeds manager Neil Warnock...Norwegian goalkeeper Sondre Rossbach's arrival at Manchester United has been put on hold following an ankle operation.
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