Monday Paper Talk

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Liverpool's new owners are ready to back manager Roy Hodgson in the race for £10m-rated Ipswich teenage star Connor Wickham.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Striker Craig Bellamy has been linked with a move to Dutch side Feyenoord. The deal is certain to go through if Cardiff, where the 31-year-old is currently on loan from Manchester City, are promoted.
 Full story: IMScouting.com
Liverpool are also preparing to challenge Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of West Ham captain Scott Parker.
 Full story: footylatest.com But they may be too late with midfielder Parker on the brink of a £7m switch to Spurs.
 Full story: Daily Express
Palermo playmaker Josip Ilicic may be another option for Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson who is ready to battle Bayern Munich for the Slovenian.
 Full story: IMScouting.com
Ars*nal are poised to compete with Manchester United for the signature of 22-year-old Ajax defender Gregory van der Wiel.
 Full story: footylatest.com
Crystal Palace will reluctantly sell star right-back Nathaniel Clyne after the full-back rejected several offers to extend his contract. Birmingham, Aston Villa, Fulham and Everton are all interested.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
West Ham may recruit Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge on loan in January although Blackburn are also keen to secure a temporary deal for the 30-year-old.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Manchester United have reignited their interest in defender Ryan Shawcross, who is in the frame for a return to the club he left in 2007 to join Stoke.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier will fight Ars*nal for goalkeeper Jason Steele if Middlesbrough decide to cash in on the England Under-21 keeper.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Fulham are in the hunt for Freiburg forward Papiss Cisse, but the Cottagers will have to see off Juventus, Torino and Villarreal if they are to land the 25-year-old Senegalese.
 Full story: IM Scouting
Kilmarnock loan star Alexei Eremenko has his agents working on a January transfer to England or the Old Firm. (Daily Express)
Celtic are keen to take Aston Villa outcast Stephen Ireland on loan in January. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez wants more respect from manager Roberto Mancini after the Argentine was substituted late in his side's win over Bolton on Saturday.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has claimed he brought the Anfield club into the 21st century by nurturing talents like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson, who was Houllier's assistant during his time on Merseyside, has called on the Kop to remember the Frenchman's legacy when the Reds take on his Aston Villa side on Monday.
 Full story: the Guardian
Prospective owner Craig Whyte would approve a move upstairs for Rangers manager Walter Smith with Ally McCoist lined up to replace him as boss. (Daily Record)

Manchester City players showed their spots on Saturday night by wearing a wide range of polka dot fancy dress outfits for their Christmas party.
 Full story: Manchester Evening News

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A rift with club executives Garry Cook and Brian Marwood appears to have prompted Carlos Tevez's decision to leave Manchester City.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is ready to make a bid for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam - but he will have to pay £3m for him.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Marseille manager Didier Deschamps has revealed he failed in a bid to sign Chelsea's Didier Drogba - but the have not given up hope of taking the striker back to the Stade Velodrome.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Everton manager David Moyes has admitted he may have to sell midfielder Steven Pienaar in the January transfer window to revive his ailing strike force.
 Full story: Daily Mail
West Ham manager Avram Grant wants £10m to spend in the transfer window to get West Ham out of relegation trouble.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Gerard Houllier has given his Aston Villa squad two days off to clear their heads after Richard Dunne's training ground bust-up, and the Irishman could be on his way out of Villa Park.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has taken a swipe at Newcastle owner Mike Ashley by saying he prefers to work for people who understand football.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has revealed that his side's midweek visit to a casino helped their preparations for Saturday's victory over Stoke.
 Full story: Daily Mail

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Blackburn want to start their rebuilding process by signing Blackpool's Scottish midfielder Charlie Adam.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Nottingham Forest are keen to keep Ars*nal's Aaron Ramsey on loan as he continues his recovery from long-term injury.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Chelsea have put a possible £15m move for Blackburn's Phil Jones on hold after his season-ending knee injury.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Bayern Munich are lining up a £9m move for Everton defender Leighton Baines.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Liverpool's Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic could be allowed to leave in the January transfer window, having failed to make an impact since joining in the summer. Teams in Germany and Italy are interested.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Tottenham's Roman Pavlyuchenko has been told to get himself an English teacher as people still have to speak slowly for him to understand.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Former Blackburn hero Alan Shearer has declared himself out of the running to be the club's next manager.
 Full story: Daily Express
Ars*nal's Cesc Fabregas has admitted they suffer from a fear of losing big matches which is counter-productive.
 Full story: Guardian
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier says he wants any new signings to move closer to Birmingham as he takes a reluctance to do so as a sign of a lack of commitment.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Rafa Benitez's reign at Inter Milan could come to a swift end after his public criticism of club owner Massimo Moratti - just after Inter had won the world club championship.
 Full story: Daily Mail
A Belgian league game had to be suspended when Club Brugge fans pelted Anderlecht players with snowballs.
 Full story: Guardian

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to be given at least £50m to spend in January and has again turned his attention to Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Although a possible alternative goalkeeper for Ferguson is Bayer Leverkusen's Rene Adler, who has an amazing escape clause in his contract allowing him to join United if they want him and meet the German club's valuation, thought to be nearly £20m.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Premier League rivals West Brom and Wigan are keeping tabs on Leeds midfielder Max Gradel.
 Full story: Daily Mail
New Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has revealed he is interested in signing LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham in January.
 Full story: talkSPORT
West Ham manager Avram Grant is hopeful of completing the signing of Aston Villa's Steve Sidwell after hinting the midfielder passed his medical on Wednesday.
 Full story: talkSPORT
While Sidwell's Villa team-mate John Carew snubs Birmingham and Fulham to set up a move across the Midlands to West Brom.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Leicester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson will launch an audacious bid next month to land goalkeeper Shay ­Given.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
But Eriksson could face competition from Gerard Houllier, who wants to bring the out-of-favour Manchester City goalkeeper to Villa Park.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Fulham midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise demands talks with manager Mark Hughes about his lack of first-team appearances.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Chelsea are the favourites to sign highly-rated Southampton youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey will be picked by the Great Britain Olympic team for the 2012 Games.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Former England captain Bryan Robson is fighting for his job as manager of Thailand.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has warned Liverpool fans he has no magic wand to turn his mid-table team into world-beaters.
 Full story: Daily Mirror

 Indeed Hodgson has gone further and blasted the wages at Anfield that have left him unable to offload players.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
West Ham owner David Sullivan admits he can't sleep at night and that his time at West Ham has been a disaster so far.
 Full story: Daily Mirror

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Blackburn Rovers are ready to offer Ronaldinho a stunning £130,000 a week to lure the Brazilian forward from AC Milan.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Manchester City's plans to sign striker Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg could be hijacked by Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Tottenham want to sign LA Galaxy winger David Beckham in time for the 35-year-old to face his former club Manchester United on 16 January.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Ars*nal striker Carlos Vela is wanted on loan by Bolton.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Aston Villa and Newcastle are in the running to sign Paris Saint Germain winger Stephane Sessegnon.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Tottenham will let striker Robbie Keane, midfielder Niko Kranjcar and winger David Bentley leave the club but only if the trio fetch £29m in the transfer market.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Everton manager David Moyes, keen to boost the club's goalscoring statistics, wants to sign Manchester United striker Federico Macheda on loan.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is in the running to replace George Burley at Crystal Palace.
 Full story: The Mail on Sunday
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed some of the staggering demands he has received from agents while at Old Trafford. He says that one agent asked for the club to buy a block of flats for a player as a condition of him joining United.
 Full story: The Guardian

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Newcastle defender Sol Campbell could be in line for a remarkable third spell with Ars*nal as he is unhappy at a lack of first-team action with the Magpies.
 Full story: Daily Express
Ars*nal are to move for Bolton defender Gary Cahill or Werder Bremen's Per Mertesacker after Sebastien Squillaci joined Thomas Vermaelen on the injury list.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to put in a significant January bid to land Anderlecht teenager Romelu Lukaku. Wenger will look to complete a deal for the £16m-rated 17-year-old this month and will then immediately loan him back to the Belgian champions.
 Full story: Caughtoffside.com
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is believed to be keen on being reunited with AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato. Ancelotti coached the 21-year-old Brazilian when he was in charge at the San Siro.
 Full story: IM Scouting
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is set to beef up his squad with four big-name signings. Tottenham winger David Bentley, 26, is on the verge of completing his switch and moves are in the pipeline for his Spurs team-mate Robbie Keane, 30, Rangers striker Kenny Miller, 31, and Boca Juniors forward Pablo Mouche, 23.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
West Ham are in the hunt to sign Keane, despite having had one offer rejected.
 Full story: Daily Telegraph
The Hammers are also trying to put together a bid for £2.5m-rated Odense striker Peter Utaka to ward off interest from other clubs. The 26-year-old striker, the brother of Portsmouth forward John, is also being watched by Fulham.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Aston Villa will step up their bid to sign midfielder Joey Barton, 28, from Newcastle this week and could offer 26-year-old Nigel Reo-Coker in part exchange.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Italian side Fiorentina are weighing up a move for Bolton striker Johan Elmander. The 29-year-old's current deal expires at the end of the season.
 Full story: Inside Futbol
Bolton hope to finalise a £2m deal for Middlesbrough defender David Wheater over the next 24 hours. Wolves, Everton and Aston Villa are also interested in the 23-year-old centre-back.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Blackpool have turned down a £2m bid for skipper Charlie Adam from Birmingham, although Blues are expected to increase their offer this week. Sunderland and Blackburn are also weighing up the 25-year-old midfielder.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Derby have told Rangers that they will have to stump up £750,000 if they want to sign 27-year-old winger Kris Commons.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Cardiff have told Blackburn, Fulham and West Ham that they will have to wait until the summer if they want to sign 28-year-old striker Jay Bothroyd.
 Full story: Goal.com
West Ham are ready to give Sam Allardyce a six-month trial to save them from relegation. The Hammers want a replacement for Avram Grant and the move for Allardyce comes after Martin O'Neill told friends he did not want the job.
 Full story: the Sun
Former Ars*nal midfielder John Jensen will become Blackburn manager Steve Kean's number two.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Paul Jewell has seen off competition from Sean O'Driscoll, Alan Curbishley and Chris Hughton to land the vacant Ipswich manager's job.
 Full story: Daily Mail

Championship side Leeds United are the most northern team left in the FA Cup after Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Carlisle all crashed out in round three. The last time Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough were knocked out of the FA Cup on the same day was 54 years ago on 26 January, 1957.
 Full story: the Sun

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West Ham United are desperately trying to persuade Martin O'Neill to become their manager after the Northern Irishman was angered by reports on Saturday morning claiming he would be named as Avram Grant's successor later that evening.
 Full story: The Guardian
Ars*nal boss Arsene Wenger wants to bolster his defence with the signing of Roma centre-back Philippe Mexes.
 Full story: Caughtoffside.com
Southampton starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has edged closer to a £10m move to Ars*nal after Saints manager Nigel Adkins said they would prefer him to go to a club that would nurture him properly.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and Ajax are targeting Stoke forward Eidur Gudjohnsen.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
The Football Association will launch an investigation after a Sunderland fan attacked Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper during the closing stages of their 1-1 derby draw on Sunday.
 Full story: The Guardian

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Chelsea are preparing to smash the British transfer record with a £50m offer for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
 Full story: Daily Telegraph
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has targeted Newcastle forward Andy Carroll as a replacement for Torres and is prepared to spend £30m to lure the 22-year-old to Anfield.
 Full story: the Sun
The Merseysiders will only allow Torres to join Chelsea if they can secure the services of Nicolas Anelka in return.
 Full story: ESPNsoccernet
As they prepare for life without Torres, Liverpool are ready to make an £18m swoop for Aston Villa's Ashley Young - as well as finalising the transfers of Ajax striker Luis Suarez and Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam.
 Full story: the Guardian
Tottenham have had a £38.5m bid for Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero rejected.
 Full story: Sky Sports
Villarreal have rebuffed Tottenham's advances for former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi. The north London side have had a £30m bid rejected.
 Full story: IMScouting
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has also been denied in his attempts to sign Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Llorente for £33m.
 Full story: Goal.com
Redknapp may turn his attention to £16m-rated Bayern Munich frontman Mario Gomez.
 Full story: Caught Offside
Spurs are putting together a final-day bid to prise Everton captain Phil Neville away from Goodison Park.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has confirmed that the Spanish champions are interested in Tottenham's left-sided player Gareth Bale. The Welsh international is also being monitored by Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
 Full story: IMScouting
Manchester United have emerged as favourites to sign Sunderland's emerging England international Jordan Henderson.
 Full story: Daily Express
Chelsea are preparing to upset Liverpool further by swooping for Reds target Dimitri Payet. The 23-year-old winger plays for French side St Etienne.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Tottenham have set their sights on West Ham midfielder Scott Parker after striker Robbie Keane agreed a loan deal to Upton Park.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Fulham are lining up Brazil-born striker Amauri, who plays for Juventus, in a move worth about £8.5m.
 Full story: IMScouting
Birmingham hope to complete a loan deal for former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins, who is currently playing for Russian club Rubin Kazan.
 Full story: the Sun
Midfielder Steven Ireland, who has found himself our of favour at Aston Villa, will seal a loan move to Newcastle, with a view to completing a permanent deal in the summer.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Striker Tuncay has been offered a way out of Stoke, with Wolfsburg, managed by former England boss Steve McClaren, offering £4m for his services.
 Full story: the Sun
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that an injury to winger Adam Johnson may force his hand on the final day of the transfer window.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Leicester are preparing to approach Everton with a proposal to sign out-of-favour Toffees midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov on loan.
 Full story: the Sun
Foxes boss Sven Goran Eriksson is also interested in a temporary deal for Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given. (Daily Mirror)
Blackpool are preparing for the possibility of captain Charlie Adam heading to Liverpool by planning a bid for Sunderland midfielder Andy Reid.
 Full story: the Sun
Chelsea will loan striker Daniel Sturridge to Bolton for the rest of the season. (Daily Mirror)
West Brom are on the brink of agreeing a deal for Monaco's Togolese forward Serge Gakpe. (Daily Mirror)
Chelsea are taking a "huge gamble" on Fernando Torres, says former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore.
 Full story: talkSPORT
Former Manchester United number two Carlos Queiroz has reportedly agreed to take over as manager of Brazilian club Vasco da Gama.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Ars*nal's Samir Nasri is a doubt for the first leg of the Gunners' Champions League clash with Barcelona on 16 February after injurying his hamstring against Huddersfield in the FA Cup.
 Full story: the Sun
In what may be his final day at Liverpool's training ground Melwood ahead of a proposed move to Chelsea, striker Fernando Torres trained alone.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Notts County manager Paul Ince has claimed that Manchester City counterpart Roberto Mancini rejected his invitation to share a bottle of red wine after their teams drew 1-1 in the FA Cup fourth round.
 Full story: the Sun
Burnley defender Clarke Carlisle says he was more nervous about appearing on the BBC's Question Time programme than marking Wayne Rooney.
 Full story: Daily Mail
 

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Bolton manager Owen Coyle is in talks with Chelsea about keeping striker Daniel Sturridge on loan next season after the 21-year-old scored in each of his first two games for his new club.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko looks likely to leave White Hart Lane in the summer after telling a Russian newspaper he is unhappy with life on the bench under manager Harry Redknapp.
 Full story: the Sun
Manchester United are tracking Celtic's Honduran left-back Emilio Izaguirre and may make a bid in the summer for the 24-year-old.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Manchester United are planning a swoop for Newcastle's Ivory Coast midfielder Cheik Tiote.
 Full story: Caughtoffside
Former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson will be offered a quick return to football by West Brom as they draw up a shortlist to replace Roberto Di Matteo, who was relieved of his duties on Sunday.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Alternatively, former Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce could fill the Baggies vacancy. Allardyce was once a player and assistant manager at the Hawthorns.
 Full story: Daily Express
Sheffield United boss Micky Adams is fighting to save his job after only seven games in charge at Bramall Lane.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara, who is on loan at Wolves, says the Midlands side need to start beating the teams around them if they want to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Wolves have defeated Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United this season but are still in the relegation zone.
 Full story: talkSPORT
Ars*nal midfielder Jack Wilshere is unlikely to be punished by the Football Association for venting his anger at referee Phil Dowd on Twitter after Saturday's 4-4 draw against Newcastle.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Kris Commons believes Celtic could achieve the Treble after the midfielder scored on his Old Firm debut. (Daily Record)

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will hold talks with owner Dave Whelan about the poor state of the pitch at the DW Stadium, with the latter facing a £100,000 bill to replace the playing surface.
 Full story: Daily Mail

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Liverpool are plotting a move for Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique, who was watched by Reds director of football strategy Damien Comolli in Saturday's draw with Blackburn.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
New West Brom manager Roy Hodgson is set to recall striker Ishmael Miller from his loan spell at Queens Park Rangers.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Three-time Fifa World Player of the Year Ronaldo is set to announce his retirement from the game. "I wanted to continue but I can't," Corinthians' 34-year-old former Brazil international is quoted in a Brazilian newspaper. "I think about making a play but I can't execute it." (AP)
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is giving serious consideration to dropping striker Didier Drogba for Monday's Premier League trip to Fulham.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Ancelotti has warned Blues captain John Terry that he should no longer expect to play in every match. Full story: Daily Mail
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is set to take a big risk on Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart by flying the injured midfield trio out for Tuesday's Champions League meeting with AC Milan. Full story: Daily Mirror
Ars*nal captain Cesc Fabregas has urged his team-mates to play "with no fear" when they host "the best team in the world", Barcelona, in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
 Full story: Daily Telegraph
Fabregas's midfield club-mate Jack Wilshere has suggested the Gunners must "get in the faces" of Barca and "be a bit nasty" if they are to gain an advantage at the Emirates Stadium.
 Full story: the Guardian
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, cancelled his side's scheduled Sunday training session because his players were too tired.
 Full story: Daily Mail
West Ham are expected to receive final approval as preferred bidders for the Olympic Stadium this week after sports minister Hugh Robertson confirmed he is satisfied with the bidding process that resulted in Tottenham being defeated.
 Full story: Daily Telegraph
The Football Association's plans to revamp the FA Cup have come under fire from the Football Supporters' Federation, which is frustrated at its lack of involvement in the process.
 Full story: Daily Telegraph
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini told his players to "go home and have a drink" after their 2-1 derby defeat at neighbours United on Saturday.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Jermaine Pennant says his move to Stoke cost him a £406 parking ticket. The winger sealed a loan move to the Potters from Real Zaragoza on transfer deadline day last summer, leaving his Porsche at a Spanish train station for three weeks after dashing to England to sign.
 Full story: Daily Mirror

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Barcelona are refusing to give up hope of signing Ars*nal captain Cesc Fabregas and believe they can land him with a £38m bid.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
However, the London club are looking to the future and are weighing up offers for Swedish teenagers Kristoffer Olsson, 15, and Robert Mirosavic, 16, after a successful second trial at the Emirates. Midfielder Olsson plays for IFK Norrkoping, while striker Mirosavic has been offered a youth contract by Helsingborg.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish ran the rule over Celtic left-back Emilio Izaguirre during the Old Firm derby against Rangers on Sunday.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is ready to sign United States international midfielder Alejandro Bedoya from Swedish side Orebro and is flying him in for talks this week.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Chelsea's under-pressure manager Carlo Ancelotti is set to be offered an escape route from Stamford Bridge by Roma after Claudio Ranieri resigned as boss of the Serie A side on Sunday.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Ancelotti, whose out-of-form Blues side went out of the FA Cup at the hands of Everton at the weekend, has come in for criticism but insists he will not quit the Stamford Bridge club.
 Full story: the Guardian
However, Ancelotti may have the decision made for him, depending on his side's result against Copenhagen in the first leg of the last-16 Champions League tie on Tuesday.
 Full story: the Independent
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was so furious that his side found it difficult to beat non-League Crawley in the FA Cup that he is ready to ship out Bebe and Gabriel Obertan at the end of the season.
 Full story: Daily Star
Marseille manager Didier Deschamps says he was asked by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish to take over the Reds in the summer before Roy Hodgson was appointed but could not take the job and go back on his word to stay at the French club.
 Full story: the Sun
West Ham captain Matthew Upson is set to miss the rest of the season because of a damaged Achilles tendon.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp wants to reward injury-prone defender Jonathan Woodgate with a new contract in the summer.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Rangers boss Walter Smith says his side's performance in the 3-0 defeat by Old Firm rivals Celtic was the worst of his second spell in charge of the club. (Daily Record)

Everton's cricket-loving captain Phil Neville says he should have done the Sprinkler dance - made famous earlier this winter by England's Ashes-winning team - after his penalty knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt insists the team's resurgence is down to him taking over the dressing room DJ duties. (the Sun)
Everton's cricket-loving captain Phil Neville says he should have done the Sprinkler dance - made famous earlier this winter by England's Ashes-winning team - after his penalty knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt insists the team's resurgence is down to him taking over the dressing room DJ duties. (the Sun)

[Chelmsford_yid]

Ars*nal are planning a £20m summer move for Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who has also been linked with Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Star
The Red Devils, meanwhile, are weighing up a swoop for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Neven Subotic as United manager Sir Alex Ferguson looks to strengthen his back line.
Full story: caughtoffside.com
Championship side Nottingham Forest are set to bring in Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie on loan to help their promotion push.
Full story: Daily Mail
Manchester City are eyeing Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel after dropping efforts to lure Barcelona's Daniel Alves.
Full story: imscouting.com Robert Pires and a number of Ashley Young's Aston Villa team-mates have urged the England forward to stay with the club beyond this season, despite reported interest from Liverpool. Full story: Metro Find out the full lowdown on Monday's Scottish football gossip
Birmingham City hero Obafemi Martins claims his winning goal in Sunday's Carling Cup final win over Ars*nal was the easiest he has scored.
Full story: the Sun
Referee Mark Clattenburg is due to submit an account of Wayne Rooney's clash with Wigan's James McCarthy to the Football Association, which will determine whether the Manchester United striker faces a three-match ban. Rooney's elbow appeared to make contact with McCarthy's head.
Full story: Daily Express
Ars*nal forward Robin van Persie fears he could miss the Champions League trip to Barcelona on 8 March after limping off in the club's Carling Cup final defeat with a knee injury.
Full story: Daily Mirror
West Ham manager Avram Grant has lauded his side's 3-1 win over Liverpool as one of their best performances of the season.
Full story: talkSPORT Grant also revealed that Hammers midfielder Scott Parker could not walk hours before the vital victory after falling on his shoulder five minutes before the end of training on Saturday. Intense treatment, including a painkilling injection, enabled Parker to take to the field.
Full story: Daily Mail
Bolton boss Owen Coyle has tipped on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge to follow in Jack Wilshere's footsteps after a strong start to his spell at the Reebok. Ars*nal midfielder Wilshire had an impressive spell on loan with the Trotters in 2010.
Full story: Daily Express
Newcastle midfielder Cheik Tiote has revealed why he rejected a deadline-day move to Chelsea in January to stay with the Magpies. He said that the players made him feel welcome and he added: "Newcastle life is good for me. It is not like London - London is too busy, there are too many people. That makes it easier to focus on your job."
Full story: Daily Mail Manchester United defender Chris Smalling believes the Premier League leaders are not worried about which of Chelsea's trio of strikers they will face when the teams meet on Tuesday.
Full story: talkSPORT
Nemanja Vidic insists he is intent on getting the better of Chelsea's new £50m striker Fernando Torres, who destroyed the United defender at Old Trafford two years ago in a 4-1 loss to Liverpool.
Full story: the Sun
Liverpool's record signing Andy Carroll has been ordered to lose weight before making his debut for the Reds.
Full story: The Mirror

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Manchester United target Wesley Sneijder says he will leave Inter Milan if the right offer comes in. Full story: Daily Mirror
The Gunners have pushed on with their pursuit of Bolton's Gary Cahill after Thomas Vermaelen was injured in Saturday's 2-1 friendly defeat by Benfica.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Tottenham's pursuit of a new striker could lead them to 25-year-old Costa Rican international Bryan Ruiz, who plays for FC Twente.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has backed team-mate David de Gea to recover from an underwhelming debut in goal during their 3-2 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield.
 Full story: talkSPORT
Tottenham fear riots could threaten opening Premier League match against Everton.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Russia takes steps to eradicate racism in football by banning BNP logo.
 Full story: talkSPORT
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini jokes that Mario Balotelli's unusual behaviour since joining the club have left the manager needing a psychologist.
 Full story: Metro
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has donated a signed Chelsea shirt to a charity auction for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. Robson took a 16-year-old Villas-Boas on as a coaching trainee at Porto in the mid 1990s.
 Full story: the Times (requires subscription)
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has made a personal check on Holland international Erik Pieters as he lines-up a replacement for left-back Jose Enrique.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Swansea are considering an ambitious move for former France striker David Trezeguet.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Newcastle United are considering a bid of £3.5m for Norwich City striker Grant Holt.
 Full story: footybunker.com
Tottenham have been linked with a move for £8m-rated Celtic playmaker Ki Sung-Yueng.
 Full story: fanatix.com
Blackburn Rovers are trying to sell a handful of players in a secret list that reveals the salaries of manager Steve Kean's unwanted men.
 Full story: Daily Mirror Striker Peter Crouch is determined to remain with Tottenham Hotspur and has urged midfielder Luka Modric to do likewise.
 Full story: the Guardian

[Chelmsford_yid]

Chelsea could face competition from Manchester City for one of their long-term transfer targets - Santos striker Neymar.
 Full story: Metro
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is considering a move for Celtic's Northern Ireland international winger Paddy McCourt after the 27-year-old starred for his country against the Faroe Islands last week.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
One man who appears to be on his way out of Anfield is midfielder Christian Poulsen, who hopes to seal a move away from the club this month. The Denmark international, who only joined last summer, is surplus to requirements and is keen for regular first-team football having only made nine league starts.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Shakhtar Donetsk head coach Mircea Lucescu has confirmed that Ars*nal are in contention to sign their Brazilian playmaker Jadson.
 Full story: Metro
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp may try to sign West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie if Peter Crouch leaves.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Tottenham have accepted a £1.8m bid from LA Galaxy for striker Robbie Keane.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Stoke defender Ryan Shotton is a £1m target for Championship sides Burnley and Ipswich, the 22-year-old has only made three league appearances for Stoke although he was a late substitute in Sunday's draw against Chelsea.
 Full story: the Sun
Newcastle have raised their bid for PSV Eindhoven left-back Erik Peters to £7m in the hope of tying up a deal in time for the Tyne-Wear derby on Saturday. The club sold regular left-back Jose Enrique to Liverpool last week.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Fulham are considering a move for Aston Villa right-back Luke Young. The ex-Charlton and Spurs defender, whose family live in Wimbledon, is keen on a return to the capital.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Blackburn's ambitious hopes of landing Raul from Schalke have been boosted by a stand-off between the Spaniard and coach Ralf Rangnick. The 34-year-old striker made a point of not celebrating after scoring against Cologne on Saturday and the Ewood Park club, Malaga and Russian side Anzhi are showing an interest in signing him.
 Full story: Daily Mail
Defender Kolo Toure is back in training at Manchester City, even though his six-month drugs ban does not officially end until 2 September.
 Full story: Daily Mail
 Ars*nal forward Theo Walcott has revealed the strict regime run by England coach Fabio Capello and that his confidence was dented by the Italian's criticism before his omission from the 2010 World Cup squad.
 Full story: the Sun
Bolton defender Zat Knight says Gary Cahill's goal in their 4-0 win over QPR was no surprise - because he scores ones like it in training all the time.
 Full story: talkSPORT

[Chelmsford_yid]

Ars*nal manager Arsene Wenger has made bids of £15m and more than £20m respectively for Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila and Lille forward Eden Hazard. The Frenchman may also return to Everton with a fresh approach for defender Phil Jagielka.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
The Gunners are reportedly offering striker Nicklas Bendtner to Werder Bremen in a swap deal for experienced centre back Per Mertesacker.
 Full story: Caught Offside
Tottenham could renew their efforts to sign Atletico Madrid frontman Diego Forlan as the Uruguayan has grown unsettled at the Vicente Calderon.
 Full story: Fanatix
Spurs have also again been linked with controversial Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, according to reports.
 Full story: Caught Offside
Out-of-favour Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has claimed he is close to joining AC Milan.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Chelsea will make a move for Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic as soon as their deal to sign Juan Mata from Valencia has been finalised. Full story: Fanatix
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Paris Saint-German attempted to sign Dimitar Berbatov, but that he wants to keep the striker at Old Trafford.
 Full story: Inside Futbol
Ferguson is reportedly monitoring Japanese international Shinji Kagawa, the 22-year-old midfielder currently with Borussia Dortmund.
 Full story: Caught Offside
Blackburn are on the verge of signing striker Vedad Ibisevic from Hoffenheim for £6m.
 Full story: Daily Mirror
Ars*nal are set to open talks with Lazio striker Mauro Zarate and hope to have the Argentine in the squad in time for the weekend's match against Manchester United.
 Full story: Footy Bunker
Liverpool are tempted by a possible swap deal that would send midfielder Raul Meireles to Chelsea in exchange for striker Daniel Sturridge.
 Full story: Caught Offside
The Reds are also considering a move for Wolves striker Kevin Doyle before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
 Full story: Daily Star
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has warned Ars*nal counterpart Arsene Wenger that he will abandon his pursuit of Samir Nasri if the midfielder plays against Udinese on Wednesday. (the Times)
England coach Fabio Capello has added his opinion on the unrest at Ars*nal by urging manager Arsene Wenger to make some signings.
 Full story: Daily Star