There Is Only One Sinnacle

Tottenham are close to beating Arsenal and Manchester United to the £15m capture of teenage Ipswich striker Connor Wickham. Daily Mirror

Despite his young age with the service Tottenham’s midfielders can provide could easily see Wickham score double digits next season if this move were to happen.

Atletico Madrid’s Uruguay striker Diego Forlan said he would consider a good offer from Spurs this summer. Metro

Atletcio Madrid will end up selling Forlan one year too late.

Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar has warned Tottenham that he is ready to leave the club unless he gets more regular football before the end of the season. Daily Mirror

Some would say Kranjcar should of never joied Spurs in the first place but let’s hope for his sake Tottenham decides to sell him.

Arsenal are weighing up the option of signing Italy’s veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, 33, who will be available on a free transfer from Juventus this summer. Daily Mail

Even on a free transfer Arsenal are still too cheap to sign Buffon. What is Wenger going to offer him aone year contract?

Alberto Aquilani is willing to return to Liverpool at the end of the season if Juventus do not make the 26-year-old Italian’s loan deal permanent. The Times

Would be bad news for both club and player. Sell Aquilani take your loss and move on.

Arsenal and Manchester City are tracking Scotland and Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks.
Full story: Daily Mirror

This is more like the type of goalie Arsenal would sign.

Mario Balotelli is set to be fined a week’s wages of £100,000 and given an official warning about his behaviour after the Manchester City striker, 20, threw darts at youth team players from a window at the club’s training ground. the Sun

A complete fool

Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun has given Chelsea a huge lift by targeting a first-team return within a fortnight after six months out with a knee ligament injury. Daily Mirror

Benayoun is a good player but huge lift is over stating it. Not once when Chelsea were slumping did anyone say, “boy they sure miss Benayoun out there.”

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard believes midfielder Jack Wilshere and striker Andy Carroll should have the final say on whether they play for England in the Under-21 Euro Championship. Daily Mirror

Now that Andy Carroll has scored for England we can take the kid gloves off and just looking for goals with Liverpool.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to add “two or three” players to his squad this summer, with Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 25, Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 26, Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill, 25, and Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell, 19, likely to be his top targets.
Full story: the Sun

How is this news? Every top club looks to add two or three players. It’s not like Ferguson mentioned which three players he wants.

Chelsea want to sign Dutch international right-back Gregory van der Wiel from Ajax for £12m.
Full story: Daily Mirror

One thing is for sure and that is Gregory van der Wiel won’t be playing with Ajax come the fall.

Manchester City full-back Alexander Kolarov is a target for AC Milan, who hope to pay about £12m for the 25-year-old Serbia defender. Daily Mirror

Not including Kolarov to this list but it’s amazing the amount of money Manchester City has basically lit a match to in the transfer market these last couple of years.

Newcastle are weighing up a move for Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, who is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to agree an extension with the Midlands outfit.
Full story: Daily Mail

I’d replace Joey Barton with Nigel Reo-Coker either way on a free transfer Reo-Coker is very appealing.

Italian giants Juventus have put Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini on their shortlist to take over as manager in the summer. Luigi Del Neri is currently at the helm but his side have had a disappointing season. Full story: the Sun

Would be a win-win for Roberto Mancini and Manchester City fans who have to put up with his boring style of football.

Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 26, has hinted he is ready to listen to Manchester United’s overtures, possibly paving the way for a record-breaking £30m-plus transfer. Daily Mirror

Great player but at 30 million plus you really want a player who will play a full season. With Sneijder you’ll know he’ll miss at least a month every season.

Bayern Munich are the latest club to join the race for Arsenal’s 25-year-old defender Gael Clichy.
Full story: talkSPORT

Sometimes you just need a fresh start. Years of not winning have to drag Clichy down to the point where a Bayern Munich move would look appealing.

Palermo have suggested they are expecting bids from a number of English clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, for midfielder Javier Pastore, 21, in the summer. Metro

For a club who doesn’t want to sell Pastore they sure talk him up in the press a lot.

A host of Europe’s top clubs are gearing up for a summer battle for winger Gareth Bale after Tottenham made an approach to sign Lyon’s Michel Bastos as a replacement, according to reports in the Italian press. Full story: Daily Mirror

Oh yes I’m sure the Italian press has the scoop on a Welshmen playing in English football.

Germany World Cup star Miroslav Klose, 32, is set to seal a free transfer to Tottenham this summer.
Full story: Daily Mail

Klose has one good skill and what a skill it is being able to score from anywhere inside the box.

Chelsea want to reunite 27-year-old Fernando Torres with his former Atletico Madrid strike partner Sergio Aguero, 22, at Stamford Bridge. talkSPORT

Mind you it was Aguero’s first year in Europe and there is always an adjustment but it’s not like this duo set the world on fire.

Manchester United have agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid to sign 20-year-old keeper David de Gea this summer, according to reports in the Spanish press. Caughtoffside.com

David de Gea would be my choice in replacing Edwin van der Sar.

Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva is being lined up for a £3m move to Napoli as the Reds continue to track Blackpool star Charlie Adam, 25, as a central midfield replacement. Daily Mirror

I don’t even know how this mind it to press with such a low figure. Lucas has played well above a 3 million price tag.

England manager Fabio Capello is angry at Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho’s claims that he was “hours away” from accepting the England job after being sacked by Chelsea. Daily Express

Don’t think Mourinho cares and at least Mourinho would call Rio Ferdinand if he was going to take away the captain’s arm band.

Neymar didn’t do his stock any harm yesterday with his masterclass against Scotland. The story after the game however were reports of racial abuse being directed at Neymar. I do love the press that it gets and I do support how seriously the matter of rasicm gets dealt with. The sad truth however is in many parts of the world this is all too common place. When rasicm happens to big names like Roberto Carlos over in Russia last week it makes the press but in places like Spain, Italy and Russia I’d be more shocked if a game goes on without someone making a rasict comment. I’m not the greatest supporter of English football but one thing I must say when it comes to rasicm English fans get it. The crowd experience 99.9% of the time is bang on with the crowds being passionate without acting like a bunch of morons.

On to today’s rumours

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says he was “hours” away from taking the England manager’s job in 2007 before the appointment of Fabio Capello. A last-minute change of heart persuaded the Portuguese to stay in club management. L’Equipe

Mourinho feeds the press like old people feed pigeons.

Brazilian hot-shot Neymar, 19, who scored twice in a friendly against Scotland on Sunday, says he would prefer to move to Italy rather than England when he quits Santos to move to Europe.
Full story: Inside Futbol

Wonder if Chelsea is kicking themselves at not being able to lure Neymar to England last summer?

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish will try to sign Blackpool’s Charlie Adam, Aston Villa’s Ashley Young and Barcelona’s Jeffren for a combined £32m in a summer spending spree. Caught Offside

Or less then Andy Carroll.

Blackburn Rovers are in talks to sign Hamburg’s former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy on a free transfer. Daily Mirror

More like Blackburn Rovers picked up the phone and called van Nistelrooy’s agents. I doubt the agent jumped out of his seat when the call was made.

England manager Fabio Capello has risked the wrath of fans by declaring he plans to send out a team of reserves against Ghana at Wembley. Daily Mail

Which is exactly what he should do in a friendly. You really think most of the England starting 11 are going to run through a wall against Ghana in a friendly? At least the reserves will be trying to impress.

Football Association director of communications Adrian Bevington says Tuesday’s friendly is not meaningless and instead presents a chance for England to assess players at international level.
Full story: talkSPORT

Of course it’s not meaningless it’s a couple of extra million in the FA bank account.

Chelsea and Manchester City both want Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who is set to leave AC Milan on a free transfer after rejecting a new deal. Daily Mirror

Not that Arsenal would ever sign Pirlo but they should. The price is right and while Pirlo can’t play a full season you can’t buy his class and the effect he’d have in the locker room.

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is a top transfer target for Arsenal, according to ex-Gunners stopper Bob Wilson. Metro

Unless Reina wants to live in the same city as Torres I can’t see Arsenal being a massive step up if at all compared to Liverpool.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s hopes of bringing Manuel Neuer to Manchester United have been hit after the Schalke goalkeeper claimed he only wants to leave Germany to go on holiday. Daily Mirror

Playing in Germany is pretty good. The money is good plus you get a six week winter break. If I was an football player who has to give up the summer in order to play for the National team i’d be loving that winter break.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is considering a move for Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner, who he worked with when the pair were both at Birmingham. Wigan playmaker Charles N’Zogbia is also in Bruce’s sights. Full story: Daily Star

Bendtner ego won’t allow him to join Sunderland.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has joined Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan in the race for Roma defender Philippe Mexes – although Dalglish would prefer to sign Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Consider Mexes would be on a free transfer I’m sure John Henry would prefer Mexes.

Birmingham City defender Scott Dann has also been targeted by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish.
Full story: Caught Offside

Like Gary Cahill only cheaper.

Defender Wes Brown is considering leaving Manchester United at the end of the season as the 31-year-old believes he stands a better chance of signing a long-term deal elsewhere. Daily Mail

Wes Brown has been at the club since he was a kid but if he wants to play again it will be elsewhere.

As many as eight senior players – including winger Ashley Young and striker Gabriel Agbonlahor – are considering their Aston Villa futures after growing unhappy with manager Gerard Houllier’s strict regime. The Frenchman has banned mobile phones from the dressing room and imposed a system of fines for those breaking his rules. Daily Mail

Like Cappelo not the way to get the best out of your players. If I was Ashley Young i’d be asking if Mourinho allows for cell phones in the dressing room then tell Houllier to get his shoe shine box.

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi’s son has claimed Manchester City’s Italian striker Mario Balotelli would be a great signing for the Italian giants. Daily Mirror

I bet the son is waiting for the old man to kick the bucket or go to jail.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has denied that left-sided star Gareth Bale was injured before he joined up with the Wales squad. Bale, 21, has pulled out of Saturday’s match against England with a hamstring injury which international boss Gary Speed claims he picked up with his club.
Full story: Daily Mail

Not a good sign when Bale always seems to be nixed up and he is only 21.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti wants £60m-rated Palermo playmaker Javier Pastore to provide the ammunition for misfiring Fernando Torres but hopes to land him for £30m. Daily Mirror

Now that Chelsea is winning the press are linking Ancelotti with players again instead of him being out of a job. As for Javier Pastore I’m a big fan of his and think he could play on any team. My only question if this move were to happen would be for Pastore to shine he’ll need to take up the space Frank Lampard currently fits. Not going to be easy pushing Lampard to the side.

Liverpool are set to go head to head with Manchester United for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young. The 25-year-old tops a list of summer targets for the the Merseysiders that also includes Wolves wideman Matt Jarvis, Bolton defender Gary Cahill and Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam. the Times (requires subscription)

I do think Ashley Young is gone come this summer. I do think it would be a great coup if Liverpool could one up Manchester United and sign Young. At the very least it should drive the price up.

Manchester City have started to sound out possible replacements for controversial forward Mario Balotelli, with Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi at the top of their list. talkSPORT

Lavezzi is a very good player but it isn’t like he is of sound body and mind either.

Juventus have Liverpool and England’s Glen Johnson and Chelsea’s Jose Bosingwa on their list of right-back targets for next season. Daily Mirror

Glen Johnson like many English players would be a fish out of water playing in Italy.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is understood to have approached French club Lille about the possibility of securing both Moussa Sow and Gervinho on a deal that would result in the pair spearheading a £40m-rated Magpies attack next season. Metro

I’d rather stay in France.

AC Milan centre-back Thiago Silva has suggested he may be open to a summer move to Manchester United. Caught Offside

In other words Thiago Silva is open to more money but either A.C Milan or Manchester United this summer.

Scouts representing Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham will watch Ipswich striker Connor Wickham on England Under-21 duty against Denmark on Thursday night. Daily Mirror

Arsenal should sell Bendter sign Wickham and I’d be happy.

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted it would be “a dream” to return to Anfield. The Spaniard was sacked by Inter Milan in December. Sky Sports

At this point it would be a dream to coach any coach. I love how Rafa is doing all this media now.

England manager Fabio Capello, criticised by some for his strict regime during England’s unsuccessful 2010 World Cup campaign, refused to allow his players to play golf in the sun on Wednesday, instead instructing them to stay in their rooms at their hotel in Watford. the Independent

It’s one thing not letting your players go to a bar or nightclub. It’s another not letting them golf in the afternoon. Capello is just being a prick with that move.

Sorry I’m very late posting this. Was a tad busy this weekend.

Every once in awhile PR companies send me stuff out of the blue. Well, I got this video request from Disney XD’s Aim High Mentorship initiative asking me to post this link with Daniel Sturridge in it. The way I figure it if a PR agency is going to dig deep to find my site the least I could do is post the video.

Alright since you asked Steve…..

Representatives of Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi, 27, have sounded out Manchester United officials about the possibility of an £18m transfer in the summer. Daily Telegraph

Despite something going on with Roma to cause de Rossi to be unhappy I still can’t see him leaving his beloved club.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini wants AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 29, to replace Mario Balotelli after losing patience with the Italian because of his behaviour. Daily Star

Yes I know Ibrahimovic has won his domestic league for the last six or seven years now but I still can’t shake off the fact that Zlatan is a moody headcase who doesn’t show up for big games.

Richard Dunne’s recent off-field spat with Aston Villa’s coaching staff has made the Republic of Ireland centre-back, 31, a target for both Liverpool and Manchester United. Metro

In this case look for the swearing at back room staff to contiune.

West Ham manager Avram Grant is considering bringing Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand, 26, back to Upton Park. Daily Mirror

They better not do it for the 7 million they sold him for.

On-loan Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani is likely to sign a permanent deal for Juventus at the end of the season, the Italian’s agent has revealed. Daily Mirror

I’m sure there will be some fronting over price but at the end of the day Aquilani needs to stay in Italy.

Tottenham will attempt to sign Everton left-back Leighton Baines, 26, in the summer – although Liverpool are also keen on the £12.5m-rated star. Caught Offside

A senseable pricetag given to an English player for once.

Midfielder Lassana Diarra, 26, has put Manchester United and Tottenham on red alert by telling Real Madrid that they should play him or let him go. Daily Mirror

They will let him go then. Every couple of months you read these stories. Diarra is a good player but he isn’t an automatic starter on Real Madrid.

Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, 29, is wanted by Turkish giants Galatasaray. The Pole is reportedly keen on a move away from Old Trafford. Daily Mail

The writting is on the wall….if Kuszczak wants to play he’ll need to do it away from Manchester United.

Wolfsburg’s £15m-rated Brazilian playmaker Diego, 26, says he is honoured that Liverpool have shown an interest in acquiring his services. Caught Offside

Diego would get killed in the EPL. German football is perfect for him.

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has tightened the club’s disciplinary code following the controversy over the outbursts aimed at the club’s coaching staff by defensive duo James Collins and Richard Dunne a fortnight ago. Daily Mail

Not the best say when players don’t seem to respect you.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie says the Premier League title is theirs to lose, even though the Gunners are five points behind Manchester United with a game in hand. Daily Star

and they will lose it regardless.