EPL Gossip Wednesday December 29th
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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.