Gossip (Saturday , September 12)

TRANSFER GOSSIP
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The true cost of taking Carlos Tevez to Manchester City from rivals United may have cost the Eastlands club an astonishing £47m.

But a spokesman for Kia Joorabchian, who fronts the company that effectively owned Tevez before his switch to Eastlands, insists that figure is "not true".

Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley has rejected the club's first offer of a new contract.

Mexico striker Guillermo Franco claims he has signed a one-year deal with West Ham, bringing to an end Gianfranco Zola's long search for a new forward.

Chelsea intend to open new contract talks with Salomon Kalou to fend off an approach from former boss Jose Mourinho, the Inter Milan manager.

Former Middlesbrough and Newcastle striker Mark Viduka is returning home to live in Australia, according to his agent.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson expects negotiations over a new contract for Arsenal and Everton target Brede Hangeland to speed up now the transfer window has closed.

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OTHER GOSSIP:
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Goalkeeper Pepe Reina fears Liverpool's title assault may already be over after just four games.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has taken a swipe at Manchester City by insisting their money is not guaranteed to give them success.

Emmanuel Adebayor claims he wanted to stay at Arsenal but was forced to leave the club and join Manchester City because of financial reasons.

Scotland manager George Burley has demanded showdown talks with the Scottish FA after learning that it's bosses will discuss his possible sacking next week and are considering Gordon Strachan and Craig Levein as replacements.

Former Rangers and Liverpool manager Graeme Souness says he does not want the job of Scotland's national coach at this stage in his career.

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray fears that midfielder Scott Brown might have to undergo another operation on his injured ankle.

Celtic midfielder Scott Brown may need to rest his injured ankle and will visit a specialist later this month.

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee has threatened to withdraw Sone Aluko from the Nigeria Under-20 World Cup squad after the forward returned injured from an international training camp.

Henry McLeish, who is leading a wide-ranging review of Scottish football, says the government must provide money to improve facilities.

Emmanuel Adebayor claims he will not forgive Arsenal fans for the way they have treated him for as long as he lives.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has earmarked Owen Hargreaves for a return to action in early November.
Full story: Times

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AND FINALLY:
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Dimitar Berbatov has revealed chats with his grandad while helping with the gardening back in Bulgaria persuaded him to quit Spurs for Manchester United. "My grandfather is a very wise man and a great man to talk to. When I am home in the summer I will go to his allotment and help him dig. The allotment has been the place for some great chats and it was there where we talked about me moving to a club where I could win major trophies and I asked him what he thought about Manchester United," he said.