EPL Gossip Monday January 5th
Tottenham are closing in on Portsmouth’s Jermain Defoe, with Spurs set to pay £15m for the England striker. (Various)
At the end of the day it’s a good move for Tottenham but it’s still curious to see them pay 15 million pounds for a striker they sold for 7 million pounds 12 months ago.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is also hoping to secure the services of Sunderland defender Pascal Chimbonda on loan. (The Sun)
On loan means short term to cover the loss of Alan Hutton but it’s doubtful Tottenham fans will fully embrace the return of Chimbonda.
But Tottenham and Redknapp have had a £12m bid for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing turned down. (Daily Mirror)
Only a matter of time before this deal gets wrapped up it appears. Be interesting to see who Tottenham ship out in their crowded midfield.
Manchester City keeper Kasper Schmeichel is ready to quit the club after falling down the pecking order at Eastlands. (Daily Mail)
Schmeichel did get a raw deal signing a new contact when he was starting last year then finding himself on the bench soon after.
Rangers have denied that Newcastle have made an offer for captain Barry Ferguson. (Daily Express)
Ferguson may be Rangers captain but he is also 30. With Rangers having a big squad and not playing in European it wouldn’t be a shock to see them trim their roster by selling Ferguson.
Celtic midfielder Scott Brown, who has been linked to Portsmouth and West Ham, insists he is not interested in a big-money move to the English Premier League. (Daily Record)
To be fair to Scott Brown I wouldn’t be too keen on Portsmouth and West Ham at this point in time either.
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has been assured he has a future at the club, despite Saturday’s shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Nottingham Forest. (Daily Mirror)
If Manchester City was going to fire Hughes it would of been done after the loss to West Brom. Could only see Hughes getting the sack if Manchester City are in the bottom three with 8 games or so left in the season.
Midfielder Joe Cole will seek clear-the-air talks with Chelsea boss Phil Scolari after being substituted against Southend on Saturday. (Daily Express)
The only air that will be cleared in Scolari telling Cole to do what he tells him to do.