EPL Gossip Wednesday February 9th
Chelsea had a £36m bid for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez rejected by the German club last month. “I only found out about the offer after the club had turned it down,” said the 25-year-old Germany international. “But it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. I am already at a top club and I am playing where I always wanted to.” (Full story: Sport Bild)
I’ll give Chelsea credit for bidding the right amount. Considering Bayern Munich spent 30 million to bring Gomez in you know it would of taken something over that for them to even consider it.
A memorabilia collector has claimed that David Trezeguet’s France shirt from the World Cup final win over Brazil in 1998, which was bought for £6,000, has been destroyed by French customs officers who wrongly thought it was fake. Le Dauphine (in French)
That’s a kick to the teeth.
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says he could follow Fernando Torres out of Anfield if the club do not qualify for the Champions League. the Guardian
Baldy better forget about going to Manchester United. I can’t blame him for wanting to play for a Champions League club but he’ll need to move abroad to do so.
Marseille are poised to tempt Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to move away from London with a £5m-a-year offer. Daily Express
I feel sorry for Marseille fans as the club keeps teasing a Drobga return every couple of months.
Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel says he would be open to a move to Tottenham when his short-term deal with AC Milan ends in the summer. (the Times)
Of course he would be, if your looking for a job you are not going to burn any bridges.
Barcelona have ruled out signing Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas at the end of the season.
Full story: Daily Express
Oh yeah I’m sure that will be the end of it.
Bolton striker Johan Elmander is ready to quit the club if a new contract is not sorted out.
Full story: Daily Mirror
Timing isn’t great as the goals have been dying up for Elmander.
Newcastle want to sign Finland forward Shefki Kuqi to cover their shortage of numbers in the striking department. The 34-year-old is a free agent after cancelling his contract with Swansea by mutual consent. Daily Mail
Newcastle are in talks over possible moves for two unemployed strikers – former Middlesbrough and Arsenal man Jeremie Aliadiere and Brazilian Ewerthon, who was released by Sao Paulo-based club Palmeiras in January. Metro
Ewerthon it is then.
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner says he could leave the club in the summer as he looks for more first-team opportunities. the Guardian
I really don’t know why Arsenal still keeps Bendtner around. Too much of a hassle for a player who isn’t an elite level striker.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will attempt to prise Roman Pavlyuchenko away from Tottenham this summer after the Russian striker said he was unhappy with his bit-part role at White Hart Lane.
Full story: Caughtoffside.com
I don’t know if Newcastle could land Pavlyuchenko but it would be a good move for the club. He may not track back but Pavlyuchenko can score.
Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese has criticised Liverpool and Arsenal for the way they have tried to sign their midfield star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Daily Star
Arsenal is worse for English football than Chelsea. Chelsea over pay for players in their prime. Teams like Arsenal (and to be fair Manchester United, Chelsea tries too but they never end up signing anyone good in the end.) try to rip off smaller clubs but stealing their prized assets before they can get anything out of them.
Manchester United have been linked to Barcelona’s former Liverpool player Javier Mascherano, with Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson keen to add a defensive midfielder to his ranks.
Full story: Caughtoffside.com
Makes sense, plus Mascherano gets to live close to Carlos Tevez. Barcelona may not take a loss but they will sell.