There Is Only One Sinnacle

Bayern Munich have presented Schalke 04 an improved offer of 21m Euros (£18.3m) for Germany international goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Schalke are keen to cash in on the 25-year-old, who is out of contract next summer. Read more: Bild (in German)

It doesn’t make sense for Bayern Munich to wait another year but 21 million is a nice haul for Schalke to cash in on for a player who is leaving.

Manchester City want Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas to bolster their midfield after securing their place Champions League for next season. Boss Roberto Mancini says he also wants AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Eastlands. The Sun

Arsenal have done well selling players to Manchester City. It’s not like Toure and Adebayor have set the world on fire.

Liverpool are in pole position to sign Aston Villa’s Ashley Young for a £15m fee. The England forward rejected a new deal at Villa Park earlier this season and has also been linked with a move to Manchester United. Guardian

Would be a good way to start the summer transfer market if Liverpool can beat Manchester United to the signature of Ashley Young.

Real Madrid and Brazil midfielder Kaka’s mother Simone Leite has fuelled speculation linking her son with a move to Chelsea by revealing the family’s plans to move to London this summer on her Twitter feed.
Read more: Simone Leite’s Twitter feed

I believe what is said on twitter more than what is said on print.

Fulham have less than three weeks to secure a deal for manager Mark Hughes or risk losing him for nothing because of a “get-out” clause in his current contract. The Sun

After the 5-2 beating Fulham took against Liverpool I’m sure clubs are lining up for Mark Hughes at the moment.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini tells Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport that he wants to remain in charge at Eastlands amid reports of a return to Italy with Juventus and also wants to try to persuade Argentina striker Carlos Tevez to stay on at the club.

The jury is still out on Roberto Mancini but surely if he leads Manchester City to the Champions League and FA Cup this season both the club and coach would be foolish not to see it out.

Real Madrid have made Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez their top summer transfer target and have sounded out his adviser about a potential £35m move. Daily Mirror

Trades never happen in football but who says no to a Tevez for Benzema swap?

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp reckons Manchester City’s summer transfer targets will “blow your brains out”. Daily Express

Whine Whine Whine. If Harry Redknapp wasn’t English and a good quote the press would be giving him some serious heat for the way his team has played the last half of this season.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has advised Manchester United to sign 25-year-old Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder from his former club Inter Milan. Metro

Jose Mourinho is already plotting moves for when he takes over at Manchester United.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is considering Turkey boss Guus Hiddink and Porto’s André Villas Boas as possible replacements for manager Carlo Ancelotti. Both have previously worked at Stamford Bridge, Hiddink winning the FA Cup in 2009 as caretaker manager, while Boas helped ex-Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
Full story: the Guardian

Leave Andre Villas Boas alone. He should stay at Porto for another year then by all means he can go.

Former Netherlands internationals Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard are emerging as front-runners to replace coach Ancelotti at Chelsea – if the Italian is removed from his position.
Full story: Sporting Life

Neither can fill Ancelotti shoes. Something is wrong with Chelsea. To give up a goal in the first minute of the best game of the year means something is off. Sadly it’s easier to change the coach with that being the case then the players who are at the root of the problem.

Atletico Madrid manager Quique Sanchez Flores could replace Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa – if the Frenchman steps down following his recent health scare.
Full story: talkSPORT

Sanchez Flores is a prick who the players will surely turn on. There are better choices out there.

In a move most knew was in the pipeland for weeks Borussia Dortmund’s Nuri Sahin confirms that he’ll be linking up with Real Madrid next season as they have met his release clause of €10 million. At that price Sahin is pretty much a steal for Real Madrid who have raided German football for the likes of Mesut Özil and Sami Khedira in the last 12 months without breaking the bank.

On the transfer front now until a week or two after the season ends is always the best time to buy and smart of Real Madrid to strike early in the transfer market. Granted in this case the price would of been the same but I’m sure Real Madrid wouldn’t want to get other clubs interested which will drive up Sahin contract. In a perfect world get your transfers out of the way early and get all your new players in camp.

Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, 22, has turned down offers from Manchester United and Chelsea because he wants to see out his contract at the Estadio Vicente Calderon. Metro

You know what good for Aguero for wanting to stay with Atletico Madrid. Besides I’m not even sure the English game is right for him anyway. For the last couple of years papers have all but packed up his bags but he still keeps playing for Atletico Madrid.

Manchester City are tracking Udinese’s Chile international Alexis Sanchez, with chief executive Garry Cook travelling to Italy to watch the striker, 22, in action in his club’s 2-1 home victory against Lazio.
Full story: Goal.com

It’s one thing to know who Manchester City are tracking but it’s another to find out who Manchester City plan to get rid off and how considering most of their players are on huge contracts.

Portuguese club Benfica have blocked Bolton’s bid to keep 20-year-old forward Rodrigo Moreno Machado on loan at the Reebok Stadium. Daily Mirror

With Eduardo Salvio most likely going back to Atletico Madrid next season it makes sense for Benfica to make room for Rodrigo Moreno.

Chelsea are planning a £70m double swoop for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, 21, and 28-year-old Rafael van der Vaart as they plan their Premier League campaign for next season. Caughtoffside.com

I like van der Vaart but going to Chelsea will be like his stint with Real Madrid where he’ll be frozen out in a numbers game. Chelsea, Inter, Bayern Munich and I’ll throw Liverpool in there, those are the clubs I’m most looking forward seeing what they do this summer.

Defender Christopher Samba, 27, could leave Blackburn after refusing to commit his future to the club beyond the summer. Daily Express

It must annoy Arsenal fans when Samba comes out and says he almost went to Arsenal. It would drive me up the wall as a Arsenal fan thinking that they can’t close a deal for a player on a club like Blackburn.

Sir Alex Ferguson, 69, says he has no intention of stepping down as Manchester United manager after closing in on his 12th Premier League title following the 2-1 win against Chelsea.
Full story: Daily Express

I understand Sir Alex Ferguson decided to walk away many moons ago but surely the press can stop asking these question. He is a king on his throne at Manchester United why in the world would he walk away?

West Brom are set to offer a new contract to leading scorer Peter Odemwingie, 29. The Nigeria international has netted 14 goals this season for the Baggies. Daily Express

Great little signing by West Brom. You will rarely find these players in England because most English players are over priced but if your scouting system in good enough players like Peter Odemwingie are out there in European football.

City boss Roberto Mancini wants to land Tottenham star Gareth Bale in a deal worth £30m, plus the club’s England midfielder James Milner. Daily Star

Unless you are an elite club this is why you sell any players if another club comes along with a crazy offer. I realize Aston Villa has had a forgettable year but good business is still good business. Milner is worth half now what Manchester City recently paid for him.

Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor is set to return from his loan spell at Real Madrid with the Spanish club unwilling to match City’s £14m valuation or agree to his £5.3m annual wage demands.
Full story: talkSPORT

We know that but the question is which club is waiting in the weeds to make their move.

Manchester United chiefs will fly to Lisbon to negotiate a deal for Sporting keeper Rui Patricio. But the Portuguese club believe they are being used as a tool by United in their bid to land main target David de Gea from Atletico Madrid. the Sun

Once of the few times Sporting has been bang on with regards to club matters these last couple of years. Patricio is not ready for the step up to Manchester United despite his talent.

Italian giants Juventus are eyeing a shock swoop for Ipswich striker Connor Wickham and Blackburn defender Phil Jones. metro.co.uk

Always bugs me about British players that the second they leave the island to play in Europe they just gettng shakes or something. If I was an 18 year old kid like Wickham I’d love to live in Italy.

Tottenham are willing to sell Aaron Lennon for £15m following a breakdown in his relationship with manager Harry Redknapp. goal.com

A tad better version than Shaun Wright-Phillips. A change may do Lennon good.

Meanwhile, former Blues boss Claudio Ranieri has warned his old club that they should stick with current manager Carlo Ancelotti if they want to win more trophies. Daily Mirror

After all the crap Ancelotti has had to deal with it says something about him to be in a position where if Chelsea wins this weekend they are in pole position for the EPL crown.

Having recalled £50m striker Fernando Torres for last week’s win over Tottenham, Ancelotti is ready to leave the former Liverpool man out of his starting XI for the title clash at Manchester United on Sunday.
Full story: Daily Mirror

What a story it would be if Fernando Torres scores to win the game for Chelsea. I imagine it will be the last time Liverpool fans will wish for Torres to get on the scoresheet.

On-loan David Bentley may never play for Birmingham again after walking out of the ground on Sunday when he learned he wasn’t in the squad to play Wolves. Daily Mirror

David Bentley might as well pack his bags for Blackburn as that is where he will be going too.

Manchester United and Birmingham City target Maxi Lopez could be heading to the Premier League this summer from Italian side Catania. talkSPORT

I realize Maxi Lopez once warmed the bench for Barcelona but since then he bounced around Spain, Russia, and Brazil before finding goal scoring success with Catanina. Let’s just say I pixture Birmingham City not Manchester United making this move.

Arsenal and Tottenham have been put on red alert after reports in France claimed coveted striker Gervinho has rejected a new deal at Lille. talkSPORT

Again the press loves to link Arsenal and Tottenham with the same player.

Chelsea are bracing themselves for a £25m bid from AC Milan for midfielder Michael Essien.
Full story: Metro

Unless Michael Essien is the one who wants to go I not expecting Chelsea to sell him.

Sunderland and West Brom are locked in a battle to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Simon Vukcevic.
Full story: talkSPORT

He has the frame to play in the EPL. Defenders and midfielders would bounce off him. Not exactly a game changer however.

Aston Villa, Blackburn and Sunderland have approached West Ham about striker Demba Ba.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Guess Ba knees are no longer an issue. Wonder what meat will be left on West Ham’s bone when they go done. Surely Scott Parker will also be sold.

Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng has agreed terms to join Bayern Munich in the summer – and the German club are also monitoring City striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who is currently on loan at Real Madrid. Muenchner Merkur (in German)

City’s technical director Mike Rigg insists Boateng is not for sale but admits Adebayor “would fit in” at Bayern.
Full story: Bild (in German)

After not spending last summer at the request of Louis van Gaal you know Bayern Munich are going to make a splash this summer. An Adebayor/Mario Gomez partnership up front would cause defenders a lot of problems.

Derby are lining up a shock move for Manchester United striker Michael Owen after manager Nigel Clough said he wanted “six or eight players, with at least one ‘biggish’ signing” over the summer.
Full story: Metro

Michael Owen is leaving Manchester United but his next club will be a bigger one than Derby.

Manchester City will not consider selling club captain Carlos Tevez for less than £50m this summer with the Argentine forward attracting the interest of Inter Milan. Daily Telegraph

Basically Manchester City are saying Carlos Tevez is for sale. Details like the price can be worked on.

Porto president Pinto da Costa has revealed he will listen to offers for the club’s star trio – defender Rolando and strikers Hulk and Radamel Falcao. Metro

Everyone knows Porto can’t hang on to their top players for very long. It’s the very nature of the best run club in Europe. Rolando who signed as a free transfer will be sold for 15-20 million and Hulk and Falcao will be sold for 25-30 million be it this summer or next.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is preparing to hijack Manchester United’s rumoured £20m transfer of Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell. Caught Offside

I don’t see Wenger spending 20 million on any players but if did Rodwell would be a good replacement for a certain Spanish midfielder.

Magpies defender Jose Enrique, who is being courted by Liverpool, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, has admitted his Newcastle future is in doubt and that he would be “happy” with a move. Daily Mirror

Good as gone come the summer. If local boy Andy Carroll moves on (I still believe he was pushed out once 35 million came knocking on Newcastle’s door) then surely Jose Enrique is going to leave too.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to spend up to £80m to add flair to the team. The likes of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Tottenham winger Gareth Bale are on his wanted list.
Full story: the Sun

Despite the connection don’t think Cesc going back to Barcelona is a good fit. If that is the case does he pull a Torres and take off to Cheslea? Can’t see him in Chelsea blue, then again 6 months ago I could of said the same about Torres.

Blackburn have made a move for £13m-rated striker Papiss Cisse, who plays for German club Freiburg. the Sun

At least Blackburn is making a move for a player they know they can sign.

Inter Milan’s President Massimo Moratti says the club have not held any talks about a move to sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez. the Guardian

Have a feeling Moratti would sign Tevez in a hearbeat if he could.

Bayern Munich are ready to offer £15m for Manchester City’s German defender Jerome Boateng.
Full story: Daily Mail

At that price I think Manchester City would send Jerome Boateng on his way.

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny says it is “ridiculous” that some of the club’s fans would like to see manager Arsene Wenger replaced following the Gunners’ sixth year without a trophy.
Full story: the Sun

But ex-Arsenal manager George Graham says he would have been sacked from the job had he gone as long without winning a trophy. Daily Express

Any coach in the world not named Wenger would of been canned by now.

Reports from Turkey suggest that Fenerbahce are keen on signing Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togolese player is currently on loan at Real Madrid. insidefutbol

There is little chance that Real Madrid would sign Adebayor but I’m sure Adebayor is hoping he rasied his profile enough to link up with a better team than Fenerbahce next season.

Manchester United are going head to head with rivals Manchester City in a £55m summer transfer tussle over midfielders Alexis Sanchez and Wesley Sneijder. Chilean Sanchez currently plays for Udinese, while Dutchman Sneijder is an Inter Milan player. Daily Mail

Sneijder despite his injuries is a great player but you know what you are getting. With Alexis Sanchez there is still a lot of upside from Manchester United to groom.

Manchester United will make a move for Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given as they look for a replacement for current keeper Edwin van der Sar, who is set to retire at the end of the season.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

I doubt this is going to happen. One team is not going to want to deal with the other.

Tottenham and Sunderland are in a £12m battle to land Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Both teams could use him. Tottenham of course would have the edge.

Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has turned down the manager’s job at Spartak Moscow as he awaits offers from England’s Premier League. Daily Mirror

Going to be a long wait.

Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been told to forget the idea he might be the man to replace Carlo Ancelotti – if the Italian leaves Chelsea. Apparently, Blues owner Roman Abramovich has no interest in recruiting Benitez, who has been out of work since he was sacked by Inter Milan in December.
Full story: Daily Mail

I’d be making a call to Tottenham if I was Benitez. Chelsea wouldn’t be a good fit.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has insisted that star midfielders Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart will not be leaving the club, even if Spurs do not qualify for next season’s Champions League. Daily Mirror

And Redknapp has warned he will resign as Spurs manager if the club sells any of his best players.
Full story: Daily Mail

Some would say Harry Redknapp should be fired after his club has limped towards the finish line this season. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you publicly.

Frank de Bleeckere, one of the five referees who had their credibility queried by Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho in his rant last Wednesday, has been awarded the potentially explosive Champions League semi-final, second leg between Barcelona and Real at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.
Full story: Daily Mail

but of course