sunday's gossip includes west ham

[cockney hammer]

the daily star

NEILL’S LOOKING UP AGAIN


GALATASARAY are confident they can fight off West Ham’s attempt to re-sign defender Lucas Neill.

Turkey’s most famous club want to reunite Neill with his Australia team-mate Harry Kewell – as the Daily Star Sunday revealed last season.


But West Ham, having announced that Neill was leaving on a free transfer as his contract had ended, are now back in talks with the Australia captain over a new deal.


It was claimed that former Blackburn right-back Neill, 31, had rejected a new contract at Upton Park when he was asked to take a 50 per cent cut on his £60,000-a-week deal.


But Galatasaray still believe they will get their man, despite Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola’s hopes of talking the player into returning for at least another season.


Neill’s fellow Aussie international and former Newcastle midfielder James Troisi, 28, has signed for Turkish club Kayserispor on a four-year deal.


As well as attempting to secure Neill’s services again, Zola is determined to make his Hammers squad the fittest in the Premier League.


He’s packed in trips to Austria and Asia and several friendlies, including a game against Italian club Napoli, before their opening game against promoted Wolves.


Zola said: “I had a very, very good rest and like everybody else, I recharged my batteries to start the new season.


“This is the most crucial time of the year.


“We need to make sure we work well because it will have a lot of benefits in the future.”


Zola’s new signing from Inter Milan Luis Jimenez, 25, will join up with the rest of the squad ahead of the trip to Austria.
the mirror


Osasuna compete with West Ham for Lille's Obraniak


Osasuna have approached Lille for midfielder Ludovic Obraniak.

Obraniak is also interesting Espanyol and West Ham United as he weighs up leaving French football this summer.

The talented midfielder will be capped by Poland next month.

obranik in west ham's sights??


Carlo Ancelotti is lining up moves for three defenders with John Terry’s future in the balance. Matthew Upson, Bruno Alves and Domencio Criscito are in the frame.
Chelsea and England captain John Terry has demanded the opportunity to speak to Manchester City during crisis talks with Blues owner Roman Abramovich. (Various)

If Terry does join City, Chelsea will replace him with Newcastle's England Under-21 centre-back Steven Taylor.
Sunday Express

City will switch their sights to Porto's Portuguese centre-back Bruno Alves if they miss out on Terry.
Star on Sunday

Chelsea are ready to offer £50m plus Portuguese duo Deco and Ricardo Carvalho for Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
News of the World

Liverpool have rejected an offer for striker Fernando Torres, believed to be around £60m, from an English club other than Manchester City, says Reds manager Rafael Benitez.

"It was a proper offer, a big one, but we said no and he wanted to stay here," said Benitez.
The Times

Alternatively, Liverpool have in fact received three such bids for Torres, from Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Star on Sunday

Liverpool will make a last-ditch plea to want-away duo Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso to stay another year and help the club win the Premier League title.
News of the World

Manchester United are poised to snatch Samuel Eto'o from under the noses of Manchester City with a £25m bid.
News of the World

United are set to sign 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa from Gremio for £20m.
Sunday Express

Aston Villa winger Ashley Young has emerged as Manchester United's top transfer target with Sir Alex Ferguson poised to offer £25million for the England winger.
Star on Sunday

Tottenham are preparing a £25m swap deal, involving midfielder David Bentley, to bring Young to White Hart Lane. (Mail on Sunday)

Villa will shell out £10million for Stewart Downing - even though the Middlesbrough winger will be out injured until November.
People

Spurs could help fund a move for Young by offloading Michael Dawson, with Sunderland reportedly set to bid for the defender.
News of the World

The Black Cats are also favourites to sign Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos for £5m. (Sunday Express)

Sunderland are also leading the race to sign Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch, with Fulham also keen. (Mail on Sunday)

Aston Villa will turn their attentions to Werder Bremen's German international midfielder Mesut Ozil after seeing a £6m offer for Leeds midfielder Fabian Delph rejected.
News of the World

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is ready to make a sensational comeback to the Premier League if his dream return to AC Milan falls through.
News of the World


Alan Shearer is holding out for the Newcastle job - but the long-running takeover saga is set to run for a further week.
Mail on Sunday

Southampton's prospective new owners are ready to offer Alan Shearer an emotional return to the south coast - after being turned down by old boy Gordon Strachan.
People

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has admitted he considered bringing Michael Owen "home" to Anfield this summer.
People

The takeover of Portsmouth by United Arab Emirates businessman Sulaiman Al Fahim could be delayed until next month, raising fresh concerns over the deal.
Observer


Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo will receive the same levels of protection given to Pope John Paul II 30 years ago during Real's pre-season tour of Ireland. (Sunday Express)


Five weeks from a new Premier League season, fans at a number of clubs are twitchy at the lack of signings. Surely it cannot be long before Harry Redknapp does a deal or two? Here are the players linked in the past week to top-flight clubs, plus those who put pen to paper.

ARSENAL Ever Banega (Valencia) mf; Sébastien Bassong (Newcastle) ch; Gary Cahill (Bolton) ch; Blaise Matuidi (St Etienne) mf.

ASTON VILLA Marcus Berg (Groningen) fw; Edinson Cavani (Palermo) fw; Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) mf; Radamel Falcao (River Plate) fw; Peter Crouch (Portsmouth) fw; Brede Hangeland (Fulham) ch; Kyle Naughton (Sheffield United) fb; Tuncay Sanli (Middlesbrough) fw; Matthew Upson (West Ham) ch. Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon) mf.

BIRMINGHAM Gareth Bale (Tottenham) fb; Joey Barton (Newcastle) mf; Barry Ferguson (Rangers) mf.

BLACKBURN Darren Bent (Tottenham) fw; Gregory Cerdan (Le Mans) ch; Luis Garcia (Atletico Madrid) fw; Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland) fw; Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid) fw.

BOLTON Ferrie Bodde (Swansea) mf; Achille Emana (Real Betis) mf; Gelson Fernandes (Manchester City) mf; Jonathan Greening (West Bromwich Albion) mf; Zat Knight (Aston Villa) ch; Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon) mf.

BURNLEY Brian Easton (Hamilton) ch; Fabrice Pancrate (free agent) mf; Stephen Sunday (Valencia) mf; Marcus Tudgay (Sheffield Wednesday) fw.

CHELSEA Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough) mf; Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich); Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid) mf. Signed: Daniel Sturridge (Manchester City) fw, Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow) fb/mf.

EVERTON Steven Defour (Standard Liège) mf; Kyle Naughton (Sheffield United) fb; Paul Scholes (Manchester United) mf; Sergio Sanchez (Espanyol) fb. Signed: Jo (Manchester City) fw; Anton Peterlin (Ventura County Fusion) mf.

FULHAM Keith Andrews (Blackburn) mf; Pawel Brozek (Wisla Krakow) fw; Peter Crouch (Portsmouth) fw; Luis Garcia (Atletico Madrid) fw; Jonathan Greening (West Bromwich Albion) mf; Dean Lewington (MK Dons) ch; Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows) ch; Neil Kilkenny (Leeds) mf; Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao) fw; Marcus Berg (Groningen) fw; Bolo Zenden (Twente Enschede) mf.

HULL Jonathan Greening (West Bromwich Albion) mf; Lauren (free agent) fb; Jason Scotland (Swansea) fw; Bobby Zamora (Fulham) fw.

LIVERPOOL Lee Cattermole (Wigan) mf; Alvaro Negredo (Real Madrid) fw; David Silva (Valencia) mf. Signed: Chris Mavinga (Paris St Germain) fb.

MANCHESTER CITY Joleon Lescott (Everton) ch; Lucio (Bayern Munich) ch; John Terry (Chelsea) ch; Carlos Tevez (Manchester United) fw.

MANCHESTER UNITED Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid) fw; Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona) fw; Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Real Madrid) fw; Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Internazionale) fw; Yaya Touré (Barcelona) mf. Signed: Gabriel Obertan (Bordeaux) mf.

PORTSMOUTH Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows) ch; Benjani Mwaruwari (Manchester City) fw.

STOKE Stéphane Mbia (Marseille) mf.

SUNDERLAND Moa Abdellaoue (Valarenga) fw; Darren Bent (Tottenham) fw; Peter Crouch (Portsmouth) fw; Richard Dunne (Manchester City) ch; Stephen Hunt (Reading) mf; Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao) fw; Mido (Middlesbrough); Paulo da Silva (Depotivo Toluca) ch. Signed: Fraizer Campbell (Tottenham) fw.

TOTTENHAM Craig Bellamy (Man City) fw; Marcus Berg (Groningen) fw; John Carew (Aston Villa) fw; Richard Dunne (Man City) ch; Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao) fw; Ryan Shawcross (Stoke) ch; Kyle Walker (Sheffield United) ch; Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland) fw; Kyle Naughton (Sheffield United) fb.

WEST HAM Signed: Jack Lampe (Harlow) ch.

WIGAN Stephen Hunt (Reading) mf. Signed: Jason Scotland (Swansea) fw.

WOLVES Michael Mancienne (Chelsea) ch; Zat Knight (Aston Villa) ch. Signed: Ronald Zubar (Marseille) ch.

Key: gk = goalkeeper; fb = full-back; ch = centre-half; mf = midfielder; fw = forward

[myrightpeg]

Cheers CH

[cockney hammer]

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is planning a £25million swap deal involving David Bentley and Aston Villa's Ashley Young.

DAILY STAR SUNDAY

Rafael Benitez claims three Premier League clubs have made £60million bids for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Liverpool look to have won their battle to keep hold of Xabi Alonso after Udinese confirmed they were in discussions with Real Madrid over the sale of midfielder Gaetano D'Agostino.

Ashley Young has emerged as Manchester United's top target, with Sir Alex Ferguson poised to offer £25million for the England winger.

Peter Crouch is set to leave Portsmouth - but insists he was right to Liverpool for Fratton Park.

Carlos Tevez will be paid £150,000 a week by Manchester City, who will switch their sights to Bruno Alves if they miss out on the signing of John Terry.

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer wants to end his career at the club.

Liverpool new boy Glen Johnson has accused Jose Mourinho of lying to him during his doomed spell at Chelsea.

Gareth Southgate says Chelsea target Adam Johnson is Middlesbrough's most sought-after player.

Paul Robinson is heading to Bolton in a £1.5million deal - and the Trotters are in talks with Matt Taylor over a new £40,000-a-week deal.

Spurs and Aston Villa will find out this week if Marcus Berg wants to join them.

Everton plan to follow up their capture of Kyle Naughton with a move for Espanyol right-back Sergio Sanchez.

Blackburn are chasing Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is targeting Arsenal centre-back Philippe Senderos.

Sebastien Bassong has hit out at the mess at Newcastle and warned of an exodus unless Alan Shearer is appointed as manager.

Fenerbahce have joined the battle for Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Arsenal are tracking Valencia's Ever Banega.

Adel Taarabt is heading for showdown talks with Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.

Barnsley have bid for Crystal Palace striker Alan Lee.

Former Portsmouth boss Tony Adams has emerged as a shock candidate to take over at Southampton.

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies has tabled a £1.6million bid for Coventry full-back Danny Fox.

Michael McIndoe's move to Sheffield United is in danger of collapsing.

Burnley midfielder Besart Berisha is set for a loan move to Arminia Bielefeld.

Lee Hughes is to hold talks with Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster.

Norwich midfielder Sammy Clingan has snubbed a £700,000 move to Coventry.

Charlton are fighting it out with Leeds for the signature of Warren Feeney.

Coventry and Leicester want Sunderland's Jordan Henderson and Manchester United's Tom Cleverley.

NEWS OF THE WORLD

John Terry demanded the chance to speak to Manchester City during two hours of crisis talks with Roman Abramovich yesterday.

Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to snatch Samuel Eto'o in a £25million move.

Chelsea are ready to make a stunning £60million move for Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Liverpool will make a last-ditch plea to Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano by saying: "Stay one more year and we'll win the title."

David Beckham is ready to make a sensational return to the Premier League if his dream return to AC Milan falls through.

The American investors bidding to take control at troubled Newcastle fear the club could be facing a financial meltdown like Leeds.

Steve Bruce will make a bid for Spurs defender Michael Dawson.

Aston Villa plan to turn their attention to Werder Bremen star Mesut Ozil after refusing to up their bid for Leeds midfielder Fabian Delph.

Jonathan Woodgate has opened talks with Tottenham over a new deal.

Liverpool have signed French left-back Chris Mavinga from PSG.

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar wants talks over his future.

Alex McLeish hopes to take Armand Traore on a season-long loan to Birmingham.

Marcus Tudgay is a target for Burnley.

SUNDAY MIRROR

John Terry and Roman Abramovich were locked in crisis talks last night.

Michael Owen is still being paid by Newcastle despite his move to Manchester United.

Barcelona are fighting a losing battle in their bid to persuade Manchester City to resurrect a £25million offer for Samuel Eto'o.

Paul Robinson is set to sign for Bolton this week.

Robin van Persie turned down potential mega offers from Chelsea, Manchester City, Inter Milan and Juventus before signing his new Arsenal contract.

Glen Johnson says a breakdown in trust wrecked his career with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

Udinese have confirmed they are in talks with Real Madrid to sell midfielder Gaetano D'Agostino - which should delight Rafael Benitez.

THE PEOPLE

Rafa Benitez put a stop to Real Madrid's spending spree - by rejecting a massive £65million bid for Fernando Torres.

Aston Villa will shell out £10million for Stewart Downing.

Liverpool new boy Glen Johnson claims Jose Mourinho sold him a Euro dream - then went back on his word.

Rafa Benitez admits he considered signing Michael Owen this summer.

Carlo Ancelotti is lining up moves for three defenders with John Terry's future in the balance. Matthew Upson, Bruno Alves and Domencio Criscito are in the frame.

Peter Crouch insists he was right to leave Liverpool for Portsmouth - even if he is likely to move again after just a year.

Sam Allardyce wants Ricky Sbragia to join his staff at Blackburn - but he's also wanted at Sunderland as chief scout.

Steve Bruce is lining up an audacious move for Patrick Vieira - and will also table a bid for Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos.

Everton boss David Moyes is in a transfer tussle with Hull for Joe Ledley.

Portsmouth and Birmingham have joined Blackburn in the race for Jerome Rothen.

Jose Mourinho is ready to move again for Jermaine Jenas after his bid for Deco hit the skids.

Zat Knight's move to Bolton is on.

Hull have told Caleb Folan and Bryan Hughes they can go.

Manchester City's Ched Evans is wanted by Cardiff.

Alan Shearer insists he has not given up on his dream of becoming the next Newcastle boss.

Tottenham full-back Chris Gunter is a wanted man - by 10 Championship clubs.

Landry N'Guemo is set to snub Celtic, with Stoke and West Ham in the fray.

Sheffield Wednesday want £3million from Burnley for Marcus Tudgay.

Young Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton has pulled out of a move to QPR after failing to agree personal terms.

Coventry have made a £700,000 bid for Norwich midfielder Sammy Clingan.

Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies has bid £1.6million for Coventry's Daniel Fox.

MAIL ON SUNDAY

Alan Shearer is holding out for the Newcastle job - but the long-running takeover saga is set to drag on for at least another week.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is preparing a £25million swap deal involving David Bentley to take Ashley Young to White Hart Lane.

Chelsea and Manchester City are racing against time to make a big-name signing before departing for overseas pre-season tours this week.

Sunderland and Fulham are leading the way as four clubs vie to sign Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch.

Everton are set to sign Kyle Naughton and Stephen Hunt in a £10million double deal.

Chelsea target Adam Johnson is Middlesbrough's

landry n' guemo intresting stoke and the hammers?

[Hummer_I_mean_Hammer]

cheers CH

[Jarvo]

United are set to sign 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa from Gremio for £20m.
Sunday Express

Anyone else hoping for Kleberson Mark 2? :lol:

Cheers CH

[cockney hammer]

about time we pulled our fingers out and bought some new players now is the time to have your new signings in so that they can gel in pre season..

[Bill]

Getting a bit concerned at our lack of signings tbh. Look how far behind almost everybody else we are in getting players in.

In January we get fed the usual "we won't sign players now as prices are inflated" and then in the summer we fanny around chasing players who clearly don't want to come to West Ham and end up with pretty much nobody.

[EvilC]

Bill/CH - get ready to be disappointed, methinks. I think the best we can hope for would be getting Lucas Neill to sign on for another year.

[cockney hammer]

Bill/CH - get ready to be disappointed, methinks. I think the best we can hope for would be getting Lucas Neill to sign on for another year.

not expecting anything else to be honest mate.

[PrawnSandwich]

about time we pulled our fingers out and bought some new players now is the time to have your new signings in so that they can gel in pre season..

None too hopeful looking at this.

Cheers as always sir.

[cockney hammer]

thought duxbury said there would be three new players coming in in the next three weeks that was a month ago

[cockney hammer]

Chelsea want Terry to put up or shut up
Is it time JT showed his hand?



Alisher Usmanov in threat to Arsenal
Would he find himself with a lot of support?



Al-Fahim's proposed Portsmouth takeover delayed
Should Pompey be looking for other alternatives?



Mark Hughes blasts Rafa Benitez
Has the Spaniard got a valid point?



Al: I won't walk away
Says a lot about the man, considering the uncertainty.


Arnesen takes on new role at Chelsea
The dreaded Sporting Director role is back.



Rafa: Torres not for sale
What is a fair price for Fernando Torres?



Eto'o hopeful of United move
Would Eto'o be a welcome addition at Old Trafford?



David Beckham is heading home
Which PL side will take a gamble on Becks?



Mesut Ozil is top target for Villa
Is German ace really what Villa need?



Tottenham line up £25m swap for Ashley Young
Audacious bid, but will Spurs be able to pull it off?



Neill's looking up again
Would Lucas Neill be better off staying at West Ham?

[HammerMan2004]

I would piss myself if "Mr. Chelsea" ****ed off to Man City. Would probably be the funniest thing all summer.

[westlondonhammer]

Getting a bit concerned at our lack of signings tbh. Look how far behind almost everybody else we are in getting players in.

:lol:

Everyone? :lol:

Aston Villa, Tottenham, Sunderland and Stoke are all yet to sign anyone are they?

Arsenal, Bolton, Fulham, Hull, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Wigan have all only signed 1 player too

[Tel The Hammer]

WLH in accurate statement shocker! :shock:

[Happyhammer93]

Thanks CH.

[westlondonhammer]

WLH in accurate statement shocker! :shock:

Tel in backing up ott, dramaqueen, toys out of pram statement shocker :lol:

[Jarvo]

Everyone? :lol:

Aston Villa, T*ttenham, Sunderland and Stoke are all yet to sign anyone are they?

Arsenal, Bolton, Fulham, Hull, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Wigan have all only signed 1 player too

Signed Fraizer Campbell yesterday

[cockney hammer]

West Ham legend Dicks urges Terry to stick with Chelsea


West Ham United legend Julian Dicks has told Chelsea captain John Terry to reject the riches at Manchester City.

Former Liverpool defender Dicks told the Daily Star Sunday: “If I were John Terry I wouldn’t go.

“He’s Chelsea through and through and it’ll be a mistake if he leaves.

“He’s earning £130,000 a week so isn’t hard up. But don’t blame players for the money in the game these days.”

[Bill]

thought duxbury said there would be three new players coming in in the next three weeks that was a month ago

Yes he did. But then again the man isn't exactly known for telling the truth. I know some people on here seem to like and trust the bloke, but personally I don't to say the least.