Friday's gossip column (9.April.2010)

BREAKING GOSSIP

Atletico Madrid schemer Sergio Aguero, who has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea, has declared himself interested in a move to Inter Milan.


AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato will not be tempted away from the San Siro by Chelsea or Real Madrid, according to vice-president Adriano Galliani.

Manchester City have denied making a £40m bid to Sporting Lisbon for midfielder Miguel Veloso and defender Daniel Carrico.

Barcelona could turn to Aston Villa winger Ashley Young if their attempts to land Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribery fail.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sent his scouts to Valencia's Europa League quarter-final to monitor playmaker David Silva's form.


TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United turned down the chance to sign Valencia striker David Villa. With United burdened by debts in excess of £700m, the £40m fee quoted by the Spanish side will have to be lowered if a deal is to be done.

Manchester City are planning a surprise move for Bayern Munich striker, and Manchester United conqueror, Ivica Olic after the Croatia star impressed boss Roberto Mancini.

Mancini made the trip to Anfield on Thursday night to take a look at Benfica left winger Angel di Maria as he considers whether to bid for the Argentina international.

Aston Villa midfielder James Milner is a summer target for Manchester United with Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema also in Sir Alex Ferguson's sights.

Bordeaux striker Maroaune Chamakh's move to Arsenal is all but done, with the Morocco international expected to sign a four-year deal at the Emirates.

AC Milan's France midfielder Mathieu Flamini, 25, has quashed speculation linking him with Lyon and Manchester City - saying he wants to remain with the Italian side.

Birmingham midfielder Sebastian Larsson is attracting interest from Newcastle and Sunderland with Tynesiders' boss Chris Hughton weighing up a £2m bid.

But Larsson may be persuaded to stay and try and force his way back into the Birmingham starting line-up with a one-year contract extension on the table at St Andrew's. Defender Liam Ridgewell has been offered another two years.

Tottenham are weighing up a move for Real Madrid midfielder Guti, with the 33-year-old former Spain international expected to be available on a free transfer this summer.

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, 34, will join Sydney FC after the financial collapse of his current club North Queensland Fury.

Sporting Lisbon are lining up a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Hilario.


OTHER GOSSIP

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has said that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson failed to accept defeat like a gentleman after his side's Champions league quarter-final defeat to the German side.

United right-back Rafael da Silva was left in tears after his dismissal reduced Ferguson's side to 10 men early in the second half.

Defeat against Hull at the weekend could spell the end of Brian Laws' tenure as Burnley manager.

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are considering standing aside as co-chairman of the club. British Airways chairman Martin Broughton has been sounded out about the role.

American billionaire Stan Kroenke could launch a bid to take full control of Arsenal if he decides to sell his shareholding in American football franchise the St Louis Rams.

Striker James Beattie has suffered another snub at Stoke, with teenage rookie Louis Moult ahead of him in the pecking order for this weekend's clash with Wolves.

Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston says keeping manager Walter Smith at Ibrox next season is a "high priority" but admits he cannot guarantee the former Everton and Scotland boss money to spend on new players in the summer.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie could make his return from a serious ankle injury in Wednesday's derby against Tottenham.


AND FINALLY

On-loan Celtic striker Robbie Keane's top-of-the-range Range Rover was seized by police after a worker at the garage it was being repaired in took it for an unauthorised late-night spin.

Ipswich manager Roy Keane says he can feel the presence of legendary Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough every time he returns to the City Ground.

After their loss to Manchester United in the Carling Cup final at Wembley in February, manager Martin O'Neill has demanded Aston Villa change their suits, their hotel and stay in London one night rather than three ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

Notts County striker Luke Rodgers could be lining up alongside Barcelona striker Thierry Henry next season if both complete expected summer moves to Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.