EPL Gossip Thursday August 28th
And City could make a move for Brazil striker Ronaldo, who is currently without a club after being released by Italian giants AC Milan. Boss Mark Hughes is also eyeing Espanyol’s £5m-rated right-back Pablo Zabaleta, as well as Sunderland’s Michael Ball. (Daily Mail)
I’m sure Ronaldo will be motivated to find his top form at Manchester City. This is another transfer that isn’t going to happen but let’s say it does, Ronaldo would only be playing for City to cash a pay cheque and he’ll hurt himself again within the first ten games.
Brazil striker Robinho is so close to completing his £28m move to Chelsea he could make his home debut against Tottenham on Sunday. (Daily Telegraph)
Best thing all things considered that Robinho moves on. Chelsea would pick up a player about to enter his prime that processes world class talent.
Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips could undergo a medical with Manchester City on Thursday as he nears a £9m return to Eastlands. (The Sun, Guardian)
If Wright-Phillips doesn’t leave Scolari just might send him an even clearer message by giving away his parking spot to the incoming Robinho.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is chasing Feyenoord’s tough-tackling Jonathan de Guzman as the ideal midfield foil for playmaker Cesc Fabregas. However, the Canadian-born 20-year-old will cost up to £12m. (The Sun)
Wenger is not going to pay £12m for a player so close to the transfer deadline. It would create the appearance of a panic buy while Wenger likes to maintain publicly that everything is fine at Arsenal.
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has told unsettled striker Mido he is not leaving the Riverside, despite rumours linking the Egyptian striker with moves to Wigan and German side Hamburg. (Mirror)
Scoring in all three games played including the Carling cup has that effect on coaches.
Southgate has also revived his interest in US international midfielder Michael Bradley, who plays for Dutch side Heerenveen. (Daily Mail)
They would have the inside track if Middlesbrough is ready to crack open the cheque book. Heerenveen will end up selling since Bradley’s contact is about to expire.
Spurs £12m target Roman Pavlyuchenko would not be able to play in the north London club’s Uefa Cup campaign having already played for Spartak Moscow in a third-round Champions League qualifier, a 4-1 defeat by Dynamo Kiev. (Guardian)
Tottenham should advance out of the UEFA Cup group stage with or without Pavlyuchenko. Mind you one would figure that Tottenham would win at least one out of their first two games.
West Ham boss Alan Curbishley insists he has the backing of the club’s board of directors, despite speculation about his future at Upton Park. (Various)
Where there is smoke there is fire. While it’s not a week to week thing Curbishley rope is shortening.