EPL Gossip Friday December 18th
Chelsea have given up on signing Franck Ribery and will concentrate on signing his £25m-rated Bayern Munich team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger in January instead. The Sun
Considering Bayern Munich got drawn up against Fiorentina a club they feel can be beaten it’s unlikely Bayern are going to sell a key player like Schweinsteiger mid season.
Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero expects to complete a £32m move to Chelsea next month. The Sun
Chelsea are also considering a £20m swoop for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko. Daily Telegraph
Above are some more names linked with Chelsea.
Tottenham have made an £8m move for West Ham defender Matthew Upson but face competition for the England defender from Manchester City. Daily Mirror
Could see both clubs making a move for Upson with injures effecting both the Spurs and Man City back line. Despite Upson playing on one of the worst defensive units in recent memory everyone knows West Ham is willing to sell at anytime.
Manchester City could also renew their attempts to sign Hammers midfielder Scott Parker, one of their transfer targets last January, and are also eyeing Barcelona duo Carlos Puyol and Eric Abidal. The Independent
Good luck signing Carlos Puyol is all I can say to this rumour.
City boss Mark Hughes will also target Fulham defender Brede Hangeland and out-of-favour Tottenham winger David Bentley in January. The Times
If you are Fulham do you settle for a penny less than Manchester City paid Everton for the injured Lescott?
Burnley manager Owen Coyle asked Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger if he could sign teenage Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere on loan when they spoke just before kick-off at Turf Moor on Wednesday. Daily Mirror
After Burnley’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal the answer should now be a no.
Manchester City want Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as their next manager. Daily Star
Wenger didn’t leave Arsenal for Real Madrid, it’s highly unlikely he would even consider jumping ship to Manchester City.
Former England manager Steve McClaren, currently in charge of Dutch side FC Twente, does not want his next job to be in the Premier League and would prefer to work in another foreign country, preferably Spain, next. Daily Mail
Good for McClaren whose FC Twente side has won 12 games in a row.