thursday's gossip includes west ham

[cockney hammer]

the mirror

WEST HAM TURN TO FRENCH INTERNATIONAL DEFENDER TO REPLACE LUCAS NEILL

West Ham coach Gianfranco needs a replacement for the departing Lucas Neill, and he is looking at the 6ft Rennes right-back Rod Fanni, who made his debut for France this week.

The Socceroos captain Neill has refused a contract extension with the Hammers and has decided to look elsewhere next season, according to an announcement on West Hams official website, so Zola has to look around for a capable substitute.

According to todays Times, Rod Fanni is ready to make the transition to the Premier League, and Zola has inquired about his availability to the French Ligue 1 side.

Fanni is versatile and can play anywhere on the right or in midfield, and was included in this seasons Ligue 1 Team-of-the-Year, so obviously has bags of talent.


0912 BST: German side Bayern Munich are preparing a bid for Chelsea right-back Jose Bosingwa. (German newspaper Bild)

0745 BST: Notts County looks set to be taken over by a Middle Eastern consortium in a multi-million pound deal.
(Full story: BBC Sport website)

Manchester City believe they are close to the £20m signing of Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.
Daily Mail)

City are also battling it out with rivals Manchester United for the signature of Argentine forward Carlos Tevez, who has been on a : Daily Express)

Tevez will decide in the next seven days where his future lies, after United made a final take-it-or-leave-it offer to the 25-year-old.
Daily Star)

Chelsea have made a last-ditch £70m offer for AC Milan forward Kaka.
Daily Star)

The Blues are hopeful that Kaka's personal demands may also price Real Madrid out of the market.
Daily Mirror)

However, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has admitted that Madrid are favourites to land the Brazil star.
The Independent)

But new Chelsea manager and former AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has not given up on signing Kaka and even phoned the Brazilian and begged him not to join Real.
The Sun)

However, Chelsea have denied making a world record £73.5m bid for the Brazilian but say they still expect to make a major signing this summer.
Daily Telegraph)

If Chelsea miss out on Kaka then that acquisition could be his AC Milan team-mate Alexandre Pato and will offer £38m for the 19-year-old striker.
Daily Express)

However, Chelsea could also go after Samuel Eto'o after he was made available by Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
The Independent)

The Blues are also targeting Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Valencia forward David Villa.
The Guardian)

Chelsea have opened talks with Portsmouth to sign right-back Glen Johnson in a deal that could be worth £17m.
Daily Mail)

Blues midfielder Deco is on the verge of a move to Inter Milan on a free transfer.
Daily Mail)

Arsenal are closing in on the £10m signing of Ajax centre-half Thomas Vermaelen.
The Sun)

The Gunners are keen on Juventus and Italy central defender Giorgio Chiellini. (The Times)

But Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor could be on his way to AC Milan with the Italian side set to bid £15m for the Togo international.
The Sun)

AC Milan and Barcelona are lining up Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic in a £25m deal.
Daily Mail)

Real Madrid have tabled a £20m bid for unsettled Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Daily Mail)

Liverpool, meanwhile, are interested in Middlesbrough forward Tuncay.
The Mirror)

Reds boss Rafael Benitez has also met with Valencia forward David Silva this week and is keen to bring the Spaniard to Anfield.
The Mirror)

The Merseyside club have also offered Portsmouth £2m for defender Sylvain Distin.
The Times)

Aston Villa have bid £7m for Atletico Madrid midfielder Jose Manuel Jurado.
The Times)

Villa are also interested in bringing former Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb back to the Premier League from Barcelona in a £10m deal.
Daily Star)

Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan is attracting interest from Bolton, Blackburn and Hull. (The Guardian)

Tottenham defender Chris Gunter is wanted by Newcastle, Middlesbrough and West Brom. (The Guardian)

Manchester United trio Fraizer Campbell, Danny Simpson and Darron Gibson have been placed on the transfer list at Old Trafford.
Daily Mirror)

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is to make a fresh £5m bid for Manchester City centre-back Richard Dunne.
Daily Mail)

Manchester City midfielder Elano has issued a come and get me plea to Serie A champions Inter Milan.
The Sun)

Defender Lucas Neill has severed his ties with West Ham and is set to link up with old Blackburn boss Mark Hughes at Manchester City. (Daily Express)

Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka expects Croatia and Shakhtar Donetsk winger Darijo Srna to join him at Spurs.
The Sun)

Former Manchester United striker Alan Smith is set to sign for Blackburn in a £2.5m deal.
Daily Star)

Arsenal utility player Emmanuel Eboue says he is unsure whether he will be at the club next season. (Daily Express)

Birmingham hope to sign Ecuador centre-back Giovanny Espinoza after landing compatriot Christian Benitez in a club record fee.
(Full story: Daily Mirror)

Ipswich are lining up Sunderland trio, defender Paul McShane, winger Carlos Edwards and striker Daryl Murphy in a £3m deal.
The Sun)

Wolves are preparing a £2.6m deal for Red Star Belgrade midfielder Nenad Milijas.
The Sun)

However, Aston Villa are also interested in Serbian star Milijas.
(Full story: The Times)

Cardiff City are set to bid for Southampton midfielder Andrew Surman.
The Sun)

West Brom are interested in Espanyol midfielder Jordi Gomez who is valued at £2m. (Daily Star)

Crystal Palace striker Shefki Kuqi has rejected a one-year deal in favour of a move to German side Club Koblenz.
The Mirror)

Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson's move to West Brom has been delayed by uncertainty over manager Tony Mowbray's future. (The Herald)

Shunsuke Nakamura will seal his departure from Celtic in a few days and will re-join Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos. (Daily Express)

Barnsley and Reading have joined Blackpool in the chase for Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam but have failed to meet the £500,000 asking price. (The Herald)

United States winger DaMarcus Beasley is considering options in the Netherlands after being told he is not in Rangers' long-term plans. (The Herald)

Falkirk have told manager John Hughes he can only keep six of his 14 out-of-contract players. (The Sun)



Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has risked his England future after his late withdrawal through injury ahead of the World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan.
The Mirror)

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan says Swansea boss Roberto Martinez is his first choice to replace former manager Steve Bruce.
(Full story: The Sun)

Stoke manager Tony Pulis hopes to appoint Sheffield United number two Sam Ellis as his deputy at the Britannia Stadium.
Daily Mirror)

Watford manager Brendan Rodger is on the verge of becoming named as the new boss at Reading.
The Sun)

West Brom are targeting Preston boss Alan Irvine as their new manager if Tony Mowbray takes over at Celtic.
The Mirror)

However, West Brom have denied that Celtic have made an approach for Mowbray.
Daily Telegraph)

Burnley's Owen Coyle and West Brom's Tony Mowbray are in a straight fight for the Celtic manager's job. (The Herald)

Celtic have launched a last-ditch attempt to secure Roberto Martinez, but the Swansea boss is 90% certain to go to Wigan. (Daily Mail)

Irish billionaire Dermot Desmond will today be urged to finance compensation for Tony Mowbray or Roberto Martinez as manager. (The Sun)

Goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska would like Dundee United manager Craig Levein to follow him to Celtic. (Daily Record)

Former Celtic defender Steven Pressley wants to be the club's new manager. (Daily Record)

Former Iceland coach Atli Edvaldsson is a surprise contender for the Hibernian manager's job. (Daily Express)

Shamrock Rovers chairman Jonathan Roche says there has been no approach from Hibernian for manager Michael O'Neill. (The Scotsman)

The Scottish Premier League will take Setanta to court if the broadcaster fails to pay the final £3m instalment of last season's television money on Friday. (The Herald)

And three of Scotland's top clubs could fold if Setanta goes bankrupt in the summer. (Daily Record)

Setanta will find a solution to paying SPL clubs by Friday a late payment of £3m. (The Sun)


Meanwhile United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has vowed that he will play again, despite rumours that he will be forced to retire following a succession of knee injuries.
Daily Mirror)

[cockney hammer]

Arsenal are reportedly close to signing Ajax centre-back Thomas Vermaelen, while Vedran Corluka expects Darijo Srna to join him at Tottenham.

THE SUN

New Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti made a dramatic phone call to AC Milan's Kaka on Wednesday and begged: Don't join Real Madrid.

Steve Bruce admits he cannot wait to splash the cash at Sunderland.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is on the verge of sealing a £10million deal for Ajax's 23-year-old Belgium international centre-back Thomas Vermaelen.

Manchester United have clinched football's biggest shirt sponsor deal - £80million - with AON Corporation.

Vedran Corluka expects Croatia and Shakhtar Donetsk right wing-back Darijo Srna, 27, to join him at Tottenham.

AC Milan will make a bid of £15million for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor this week.

Newcastle midfielder Alan Smith is close to signing for Blackburn in a £2.25million deal.

DAILY MIRROR

Brazilian superstar Kaka has detailed an eye-watering list of demands that is threatening his world record move to Real Madrid.

Michael Carrick has put his England future in jeopardy after angering Fabio Capello by pulling out of World Cup duty through injury.

Mark Hughes claims Gareth Barry joined Manchester City to "make a mark in the game" - not money.

Manchester United have launched a last-gasp bid to sign Carlos Tevez.

West Brom will make a move for Preston boss Alan Irvine if Tony Mowbray takes the Celtic job.

Manchester United have told Fraizer Campbell, Danny Simpson and Darron Gibson they can leave Old Trafford.

Birmingham are chasing Ecuador defender Giovanny Espinoza from Barcelona Sporting Club.

Wolves are close to signing Nenad Mihjas from Red Star Belgrade for £2.6million and are weighing up a £1million bid for Millwall winger David Martin.

Brendan Rodgers will be named as Reading's new manager on Thursday.

Ipswich boss Roy Keane is lining up a £3million swoop for Sunderland trio Paul McShane, Carlos Edwards and Daryl Murphy.

Crystal Palace striker Shefki Kuqi has rejected a new deal in favour of a move to German second tier side Koblenz.

DAILY EXPRESS

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has given himself a full week to find a replacement for Steve Bruce - but is set to move quicker than that to tie up a deal for Swansea boss Roberto Martinez.

Gareth Barry has aimed a sideswipe at Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez by claiming Manchester City were the club that really wanted him.

Chelsea have tabled an improved £38million offer for Alexandre Pato as they concede defeat in their pursuit of his AC Milan team-mate Kaka.#

Manchester United have made a last-ditch attempt to keep Carlos Tevez by agreeing to pay the asking price - but he may still choose to go to Manchester City.

DAILY MAIL

Chelsea are locked in talks with Portsmouth over a deal to take England defender Glen Johnson back to Stamford Bridge, for a fee that could eventually reach £17million, despite interest from Liverpool.

Manchester City believe they are close to the £20million signing of Barcelona's Cameroon international striker Samuel Eto'o.

Real Madrid have tabled an offer of £20million for Liverpool's Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Chelsea's Portugal midfielder Deco is close to finalising his reunion with former manager Jose Mourinho on a free transfer to Inter Milan.

Manchester United face a battle to keep hold of Serbia centre-back Nemanja Vidic, with AC Milan and Barcelona eager to sign him.

DAILY STAR

Steve Bruce took charge of Sunderland on Wednesday - but only after getting approval from his dad.

Middlesbrough striker Tuncay has claimed Liverpool may offer him a Premier League lifeline.

Aston Villa are interested in bringing £10million-rated former Arsenal winger Alexander Hleb back from Barcelona.

Chelsea have made a stunning £70million offer to steal Kaka from under the noses of Real Madrid.

DAILY RECORD

Three of Scotland's top clubs could go bust if Setanta folds this summer.

Celtic are in talks with West Brom boss Tony Mowbray about succeeding Gordon Strachan - but plan to speak with other candidates.

THE TIMES

Manchester City are plotting a £50million double swoop for Samuel Eto'o and Carlos Tevez.

Carlo Ancelotti, the new Chelsea manager, has urged Roman Abramovich to redouble his efforts to sign Franck Ribery after the club conceded defeat in their pursuit of Kaka on Wednesday night.

THE GUARDIAN

Chelsea have conceded defeat in their pursuit of Kaka with the Brazilian due to be confirmed as a Real Madrid player for a world record £56.2million next Monday, leaving the Premier League club's attention fixed on Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and David Villa of Valencia as they attempt a marquee summer signing of their own.

The Premier League is planning to overhaul the way it sells its overseas rights as part of a drive to further grow the appeal of English top-flight football in emerging markets such as China, Africa and India.

THE INDEPENDENT

Chelsea finally admitted defeat on Wednesday night in their pursuit of AC Milan's Brazilian star Kaka.

[Eastbourne Hammer]

Cheers CH

[HammerMan2004]

Dunno if this has been posted but: -

West Ham United can confirm Lucas Neill has rejected the offer of a new one-year contract after the release of the retained list of players for the 2009/10 season.

Following discussions in recent weeks which saw the out-of-contract defender seeking a one-year deal to take him up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the club made the 31-year-old right-back a significant offer to retain his services. However, he rejected that contract proposal this week and is pursuing other opportunities. West Ham United wish him well after two-and-a-half years' service and will focus on improving the first-team squad for the new season.

The club are working hard on a number of transfer targets for the coming campaign, having already secured many players on long-term deals. During the 2008/09 season, a dozen - all capped at various international levels - have pledged their future while highly-rated Hungary Under-21 goalkeeper Peter Kurucz has agreed a permanent four-year switch from Ujpest FC after a successful loan spell.

The 12 players were Herita Ilunga, whose own permanent transfer from Toulouse for an undisclosed fee comes into force this summer, Jack Collison, Mark Noble, Savio Nsereko, Freddie Sears, Junior Stanislas, Marek Stech, James Tomkins, Dean Ashton, Valon Behrami, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker, the new Hammer of the Year.

Diego Tristan, Lee Bowyer, Walter Lopez, Kyel Reid, Tony Stokes and Jimmy Walker are free to leave the Boleyn Ground, while Jan Lastuvka, Radoslav Kovac and David Di Michele have completed their initial loan spells and return to UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk, Spartak Moscow and Torino respectively.

The loans of Calum Davenport and Julien Faubert to Sunderland and Real Madrid respectively will both officially end this month. Academy youngsters Jack Jeffery, Ashley Miller, Tom Harvey and Ryan O'Neill have not been offered new professional deals while Joe Widdowson has joined Grimsby Town.

The club would like to wish all the departing players well in their future careers.

[szola]

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/boro-fc/boro-fc-news/2009/06/04/west-ham-step-up-chase-for-boro-defender-bates-84229-23787947/


West Ham step up chase for Boro defender Bates

WEST Ham United have firmed up their interest in Boro defender Matthew Bates.
Matthew Bates

In fact the Hammers may have emerged as favourites for the signature of the 22-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of this month.

Bates had been expected to agree to a move to Wigan Athletic, who are also prepared to make him a lucrative offer.

But the departure of Latics manager Steve Bruce to Wearside may have thrown this potential link-up into the air.

Bruce may yet be keen to try to take Bates to Sunderland, though West Ham’s positive approach could turn Bates’ head towards a London switch.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has regularly given chances to his young players with the result that lads like Jack Collison and James Tomkins have become established Premier League stars.

So Bates knows that if he goes to Upton Park, he will get a fair crack of the whip.

The right-back spot is already up for grabs at West Ham following Lucas Neill’s decision to turn down a contract extension in order to pursue “other opportunities”.

There will be other gaps in the Hammers’ squad because Zola has released Diego Tristan, Lee Bowyer, Walter Lopez, Kyel Reid, Tony Stokes and Jimmy Walker, while the loans of Jan Lastuvka, Radoslav Kovac and David Di Michele will not be renewed.

It’s possible Bates could still end up staying with Boro, though it is understood there is a huge gap between what might be on offer here and what Bates can potentially earn elsewhere.

As a career decision, it’s a simple one, while Bates is unhappy at the prospect of playing Championship football next season.

Meanwhile Tuncay has claimed that Liverpool have expressed an interest in signing him next season, though there has been no announcement from Anfield.

[kitthehammer]

and he is looking at right-back Rod Fanni, who made his debut for France this week.

Fanni is versatile and can play anywhere on the right or in midfield .....so obviously has bags of talent.


Why is it my first reaction to this news is...... Julien Faubert?
Rod Fanni has got to match paul dickov for comedy value alone though.

[Rocky_Balboa]

and he is looking at right-back Rod Fanni, who made his debut for France this week.

Fanni is versatile and can play anywhere on the right or in midfield .....so obviously has bags of talent.


Why is it my first reaction to this news is...... Julien Faubert?
Rod Fanni has got to match paul dickov for comedy value alone though.

"Fanni is versatile and can play anywhere on the right or in midfield, and was included in this seasons Ligue 1 Team-of-the-Year, so obviously has bags of talent."

Was Faubert ever included in Ligue 1 Team-of-the-Year?

[Fishbone]

So if we do sign Fanni and Bates, every weekend Zola will have to decide whether he will go for Fanni or master bates?

[Hummer_I_mean_Hammer]

So if we do sign Fanni and Bates, every weekend Zola will have to decide whether he will go for Fanni or master bates?

Simple, if we are playing a team full of c*nts, then its got to be a master bates, if the team in question is a load of pricks, then play with the fanni

[nobleforengland]

Cheers CH

[Hummer_I_mean_Hammer]

Cheers CH

[libero]

"Zola looking at Fanni"

Gotta be worth it for the headlines if nothing else