There Is Only One Sinnacle

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Liverpool are set to sack Roy Hodgson and replace him with Dutchman Frank Rijkaard following Wednesday’s 1-0 home defeat to Wolves.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Anyone but Rafa at this point I’d be happy with.

Manchester United are ready to offer Anderlecht 20m euros for teenage striking sensation Romelu Lukaku.
Full story: imscouting.com

Only a matter of time before he gets sold but credit to Romelu Lukaku who says and does the right things. Most likely a deal doesn’t get done until the summer.

Wolfsburg have Manchester United defender John O’Shea in their sights, according to German sources.
Full story: imscouting.com

John O’Shea will go when Sir Alex wants him to go and I doubt that’s in the middle of the season.

Liverpool have made Ashley Young their top target for the January transfer window and are confident they can land the Aston Villa winger. goal.com

Don’t know who has it worse right now, Liverpool or Villa fans?

Tottenham head a list of six Premier League teams attempting to sign midfielder David Beckham on a two-month loan deal from Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy. Daily Mirror

If I’m Tottenham bringing in Beckham and all his attention would only mess things up.

Arsenal and Manchester United are on the trail of Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara. talkSPORT

With Alcantara not having signed a profesisonal contract it’s not a shock to see Arsenal and Manchester United sniffing around. How about Arsenal yesterday? Of course it’s the ref’s fault. Exactly why I wasn’t sold on them even after the Chelsea win.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who is set to join the Eastlands outfit, can fire his team to the Premier League title if he joins in a £35m deal.

Love to see how Mancini tries to fit Dzeko into the lineup. I smell bust

Hatem Ben Arfa will make his loan move from Marseille to Newcastle permanent next week in a £5.1m deal. The midfielder has been out injured since October with a broken leg.

Moody headcase but 5 million is good business for Newcastle.

Italian Serie A side Bari are poised to swoop for Wigan’s Argentine striker Mauro Boselli, who has scored only once since arriving for £6m last summer. the Sun

This transfer hasn’t quite worked out for Wigan.

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon is eager to bring out-of-favour Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne and midfielder Stephen Ireland to Parkhead on loan. Daily Mirror

With the way things are going for Aston Villa you would think Dunne and Ireland just might be interested in moving up north.

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to reinforce his Manchester United midfield with a £12m new year move for Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra. the Sun

Real Madrid may owe Manchester United one in the transfer market but unless Diarra whines his way out of Madrid can’t see him leaving til the summer.

United are also preparing a summer move for CSKA Moscow keeper Igor Akinfeev, who Ferguson sees as a long-term replacement for current number one Edwin van der Sar. caughtoffside.com

Been awhile since Akinfeev has been linked with Manchester United.

Fulham hope to make Chris Samba their first signing of the January transfer window but the Blackburn defender wants assurances over Mark Hughes’s future first. Daily Mail

However, the Cottagers may face competition from Arsenal, who are keen on the £8m-rated centre-back.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

If I was Arsenal I’d cut a cheque for 8 million if Samba was on the market.

Liverpool have rejected a loan offer from Birmingham City for 24-year-old winger Ryan Babel, who has also attracted interest from West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur. Football365

Highly unlikely Babel would go to Birmingham anyway.

Juventus are preparing a £27m offer for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie and the Italian side may also be willing to throw midfielder Felipe Melo into the deal. caughtoffside.com

Silly rumour of the day right here.

German side Werder Bremen are interested in Aston Villa’s 25-year-old defender Curtis Davies, who is currently on loan with Leicester City. Daily Mirror

I know his broken leg changed things a bit but if Villa wants to let go of Davies there should be clubs calling. I’d take a chance on him.

Real Madrid centre-back Pepe has received a lucrative offer from Manchester City, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
Full story: imscouting.com

Manchester City only wishes. Considering the money Real Madrid spends I’d be shocked if they don’t tie up Pepe.

The Hammers may also look to sign Manchester United’s Michael Owen on loan after the striker admitted he may have to leave Old Trafford to reignite his career. caughtoffside.com

It’s pretty much set in stone that Michael Owen will have to leave.

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Real Madrid anchorman Lassana Diarra is an £11m target for Manchester United after falling out of favour at the Bernabeu.
Full story: IMScouting

If Lass is unhappy with life in Madrid there is a good chance he’d be unhappy with life in Manchester. It’s not like he would be penciled in to start every match.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has made his admiration of Newcastle striker Andy Carroll public, but admits the Magpies would be reluctant to sell. However he might find it easier to snare Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko whose price has dropped to about £25m. Guardian

I wonder if Andy Carroll sees Alan Shearer career as a great thing, playing for his beloved club or a bad thing, never winning a thing with Newcastle?

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to be given at least £50m to spend in January and has again turned his attention to Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina. Daily Mail

Boston Red Sox’s don’t plan on trading Carl Crawford to the Yankees and I’m sure Liverpool don’t plan on selling Reina to Manchester United. Time to move on now.

Although a possible alternative goalkeeper for Ferguson is Bayer Leverkusen’s Rene Adler, who has an escape clause in his contract allowing him to join United if they meet the German club’s valuation, thought to be nearly £20m. Daily Mail

I’m sure Bayer Leverkusen wouldn’t be too sad cashing in 20 million for a goalie.

Manchester United could also be close to a £13m deal for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young. caughtoffside.com

Villa fans are pissed off as it is. Reading this won’t help.

Manchester City and Chelsea target David Luiz will cost either club £35m if they are to prise the defender away from Portuguese club Benfica. Daily Mirror

In other words leave us alone til the summer.

New Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean has revealed he is interested in signing LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham in January. Full story: talkSPORT

Who wouldn’t want to play for Blackburn in January? Lovely part of the world that time of year.

West Ham manager Avram Grant is hopeful of completing the signing of Aston Villa’s Steve Sidwell after hinting the midfielder passed his medical on Wednesday. talkSPORT

Pretty big hint I would say.

Out-of-form Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole has emerged as a surprise target for West Ham. caughtoffside.com

Cole has been going downhill since his Chelsea days but I’m sure Roy Hodgson isn’t the coach to bring the best out of Cole.

Birmingham have held initial discussions with Tottenham over the possibility of signing striker Robbie Keane on loan.
Full story: Daily Mirror

This makes too much sense for it not to happen.

Wolves and Aston Villa are braced to battle each other for Middlesbrough pair Gary O’Neil and David Wheater.
Full story: Daily Mirror

I’m sure O’Neil and Wheater really want to go to Wolves and find themselves back in the Championship in the fall.

Former England manager Graham Taylor was so annoyed by the sacking of Sam Allardyce at Blackburn that he refused to eat chicken or turkey for Christmas dinner in protest at the decision by the club’s Indian owners, and chicken processing company, the Venky’s Group. (Daily Express)

What did he have to eat then?

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Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. Thank you for your support of this site.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is lining up a £5m bid for Stoke’s Robert Huth to boost the Reds defence. Daily Mirror

I think the press are linking Liverpool with average players just to annoy Liverpool fans.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has made signing Spurs striker Robbie Keane his priority for the January transfer window.
Full story: Guardian

Bitmingham needs someone who can score goals and Robbie Keane is just about the best choice out there.

McLeish is also busy preparing a bid to bring Rangers star striker Kenny Miller to St Andrew’s. (Daily Record)

Kenny Miller not so much unless we are talking about the SPL.

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has admitted winger Ashley Young may be offloaded if the right amount of money is offered. With 18 months left on the 25-year-old’s deal, Houllier said: “In January the best clubs keep their best players but you never know if someone comes with crazy money.” Daily Mirror

In other words Houllier is inviting a crazy bid for Ashley Young. Houllier is correct in saying any player can be sold but don’t see the sense in coming out and admitting it.

Liverpool are considering a move for Manchester City’s Michael Johnson. The midfielder has struggled to secure a first team spot at Eastlands because of injury problems and form. caughtoffside.com

I’d take a chance on Johnson, injuries and all since it’s clear he won’t get his chance with Manchester City.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been dropped to the bench for the Boxing Day trip to Newcastle for not showing enough “heart” and “strength” in recent performances. Boss Roberto Mancini said about the former Inter Milan star: “He must improve his situation and smile. Manchester is not like Milan but he has to accept it. If Mario doesn’t work, he doesn’t play.”
Full story: The Sun

Balotelli didn’t exactly work hard and smile in Milan either.

James McFadden’s goal in a 1-0 win over France at the Parc des Princes in 2007 has been voted Greatest Scotland Moment of the last 30 years in a poll conducted by the Scotland Supporters’ Club. (Various)

Great goal but this doesn’t say a lot about Scottish football these last 30 years.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hit back at Nani after the Manchester United winger dismissed the Gunners’ title hopes. Wenger said: “We live in a society where everybody knows everything. But I don’t know who will win the league. I managed 1,600 games so if Nani knows he must be 1,600 times more intelligent than I am!” Daily Star

Nani is smart enough to go by recent history and see how little has changed with Arsenal.

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Everton left-back Leighton Baines has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Bayern Munich.
Full story: talkSPORT

Bayern Munich isn’t going to over pay for Leighton Baines and Everton wasn’t going to sell him unless someone came up with a crazy offer.

Manchester City’s efforts to sign Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko have been rocked by a stunning £38m price tag and they could instead turn their attentions to Liverpool’s Fernando Torres. Daily Mail

Surely Manchester City has known the price for Dzeko for at least 12 months now.

City may have plenty of cash but AC Milan hope to use the unsettled mood around the club to their advantage with plans to make a move for centre-back Vincent Kompany. The Italian side could offer Ronaldinho in part exchange. Daily Star

If City do part company with Kompany then it appears they have a replacement lined up with the club set to sign Victor Ruiz in a £7m deal with Espanyol. Full story: Daily Mirror

Don’t know why the papers still link Ronaldinho with Manchester City. This isn’t 2008 and Ronaldinho isn’t the same player he was in 2006.

Hamburg are to approach Manchester City misfit Jo with a way out of Eastlands. Daily Mail

If I was a club interested in Jo I’d hate to see what kind of money he is on at Manchester City.

Arsenal and Tottenham could be about to battle it out for the signature of giant Blackburn centre-back Christopher Samba.
Full story: Daily Express

Again Arsenal and Tottenham always after the same players according to the press.

Tottenham are also in the frame to sign Fenerbahce striker Semih Senturk which could hasten Robbie Keane’s exit out of White Hart Lane. Daily Mirror

Unless your name is Semih Senturk it appears.

West Ham are ready to sell Matthew Upson, Kieron Dyer, Lars Jacobsen, Jonathan Spector and Danny Gabbidon if they receive the right offers for them in the January transfer window. Guardian

They should change that to any offers.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie could be the target of a bid from Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. IMScouting

I’d send van Persie packing. Good player but you can only count on him half a season.

Everton are in a battle with Aston Villa to sign Middlesbrough defender David Wheater. Daily Mail

Buy low sell high with Wheater whose stock has fallen since 2008. Middlesbrough dropping down a division didn’t help matters.

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Inter Milan are trying to reduce the compensation they will have to pay to manager Rafael Benitez before officially announcing his departure from the club. Gazzetta dello Sport

Rafael Benitez could sit down for talks with Blackburn officials over their vacant managerial post before Christmas, with reports in Italy suggesting his agent is already negotiating a pay off ahead of his rumoured sacking by Inter Milan. Metro

Love how this is somehow Moratti fault for not spending in the summer. Last year people complain he has sent too much on players and this year it’s his fault because they haven’t when only six months ago they were the best in Europe. You don’t go from Champions League winners to 7th in Serie A because Inter are an old team, for crying out loud most of A.C Milan’s key players are over 30. It’s either Jose Mourinho did an unbelievable job guiding this “old” Inter team to the Champions League or Benitez failed in his Italian coaching adventure. Oh, I also laughed at the Blackburn rumours.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will have £50m to spend in the January transfer window with strikers Edin Dzeko of Wolfsburg and Porto’s Brazilian star Hulk top of the list along with Barcelona full-back Dani Alves. Daily Mirror

Wolfsburg is the only club I see willingly to sell mid season.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is looking to pull off a sensational double swoop for Manchester City pair Adam Johnson and Nedum Onuoha. Daily Mail

I have no idea what else Adam Johnson needs to do in order to start week in and week out.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes wants to sign former Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, who played under the Welshman at Eastlands but has fallen out of favour at Aston Villa. Daily Mirror

I’d make the call if I was Mark Hughes. You already know the player well and you know the price it will take to sign him.

Richard Dunne’s Aston Villa career has hit a new low after being told he is now the club’s fourth-choice centre-back.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Richard Dunne and Donovan McNabb have a lot in common it seems.

Villa boss Gerard Houllier could let as many as nine players go, including the likes of Stephen Warnock and John Carew, in a major squad overhaul. Guardian

Out with the old in with the new.

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has claimed Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is the only player in the world who is better than him. Daily Mirror

Interesting kid that Balotelli.

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West Ham are set to take Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane on a six-month loan deal in a bid to beat the drop.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Can’t see Tottenham wanting to send Keane out on loan again. At some point they surely want to sell him.

But Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has turned down the opportunity to move to relegation threatened West Ham in a similar deal. talksport

Out-of-favour forward Adebayor could now become a January target for Liverpool. caughtoffside

Adebayor does fit the buy low sell high mold. His value is dropping by the minute.

West Ham’s current star striker, Frederic Piquionne, has rejected reports that he will leave the Hammers for Aston Villa when the January transfer window opens. Goal.com

Piquionne is a good player but wouldn’t go as far to suggest he is there star striker. Also don’t think Aston Villa fans would be thrilled with a 31 year old striker coming in the transfer window.

The Hammers meanwhile are on the verge of signing Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell. Daily Mirror

This makes sense.

Liverpool flop Christian Poulsen is also a target for West Ham who believe they can sign the defensive midfielder for £3m in January. goal.com

This doesn’t. That would be 3 million too much.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has told Tottenham to forget about signing star striker Andy Carroll in January.
Full story: the Sun

And Pardew insists it is time for Newcastle to prove they are a big club and hang on to Carroll – who already has 10 goals this season.
Full story: Daily Mail

Like Pardew has any say in this matter. Newcastle shouldn’t sell Carroll but every player has his price.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City have been alerted to central defender Pepe’s contract dispute with Real Madrid. talksport

It may take the summer but a deal will get done. Not the brightest between the ears but few defenders have the physical gifts Pepe has.

Birmingham are bracing themselves for a battle with Liverpool to keep hold of highly rated centre-back Scott Dann.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Could see a back line of Scott Dann and Danny Wilson in Liverpool’s future. Like both players.

Liverpool will fund a move for Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips by selling right-back Glen Johnson.
Full story: Metro

Or, the Reds will use Johnson as part of a deal to sign Bayern Munich forward Mario Gomez.
Full story: caughtoffside

A pair of dumb rumours. Mario Gomez isn’t going anywhere. A) He is scoring goals in bunches. B) Bayern paid 30 million for him. They are not going to sell him at a loss.

Barcelona are considering a £10m move for Arsenal midfielder Denilson after conceding Cesc Fabregas’ price tag could once again spiral beyond their means. Full story: Daily Mail

Or, midfielder Denilson has used his Twitter account to deny speculation he will leave Arsenal in January.
Full story: Metro

Can’t believe all this press for Denilson, who I maintain should have to add a last name. He isn’t good enough to only go by one name.

Birmingham owner Carson Yeung has been forced to clarify ­the club’s spending plans after manager Alex McLeish bemoaned a lack of cash. Daily Mirror

When a manager isn’t winning it’s always ownerships fault. Weren’t these same players good enough for a top half finish last season?

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed the Gunners will not be shopping for big-name players in next month’s transfer window, despite the club’s £56m profit this year. Daily Mail

And Arsenal fans just sit there and take it. Granted it makes little sense to tell people you are spending plus January is a bad time to buy but even in the summer Arsenal rarely whips out the wallet despite having the highest ticket price in the EPL.

Good to see Super Mario taking to life in England. Shocked the hat doesn’t only have one finger and is directed to Juve fans.

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No has ever asked me and no one ever will but if someone did ask me to pick three people in the world of soccer I can choose to have dinner with my first and only choice would be Jose Mourinho. It just makes me laugh how he plays around with people in the press.

I just love these two quotes he gave yesterday.

“I am very happy and feel very proud for Inter Milan’s success in the FIFA Club World Cup. It was a great pleasure to train them, just as it is to coach Real Madrid. I thought Rafa Benitez would thank me for practically winning the title for him, but… Inter Milan fans would tell you how they really feel about it.”

You knew right or wrong he was going to take some of the limelight away from Rafa winning the Club World Cup. To be fair Rafa with his dumb comments to the press took the limelight away all by himself.

On a scale of one to ten, I would have to give myself an 11. 2010 has been the perfect year for me, the best year of my career. I won every title I played for last season and I have lost none of my chances to win more titles at Real Madrid this time.

Be Champions…

Out of the blue a twitter user by the name of @FootiePhantom was nice enough to link my EPL Gossip posts onto the EPLtalk.com website he provides content too. For example http://www.epltalk.com/premier-league-links-of-the-day-december-20-2010-27843

As this is the holiday season I figured it would be nice to give a big thank you and hopefully some google love by telling people to check out his new site Philadelphiaunion.us that he is getting off the ground. Best of luck with the site.

Hopefully my good deed for the day is done.