Monday's transfer gossip
Jan 5 2009 By Graeme Whitfield
The Sun has Joe Kinner trying to sell Xisco, Jose Enrique, Alan Smith and Charles N’Zogbia in a bid to hold onto Shay Given. Lucas Neil is being linked to Newcastle (as well as other clubs) by the Daily Mirror, but The Daily Express is among a number of papers carrying Rangers’ boss Walter Smith saying no bid has been received for Barry Ferguson.
Sunderland’s Pascal Chimbonda could move back to Spurs in a loan deal, the Sun reckons. Chimbonda’s move to Lyon is “dead”, according to his agent. The Times has Sunderland linked with Marseilles midfielder Modeste M’Bami, along with Blackburn and Portsmouth.
Arsenal could lose Theo Walcott under a FIFA rule about young players, the Daily Mirror reckons. They’re dragging their feet over a new contract and that has alerted Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Aston Village are monitoring Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic, the Daily Mail reckons, while The Independent has them looking at Matthew Upson and Kenwyne Jones.
Blackburn are linked with French international defender Gael Givet, while The Independent has them going for Sunderland's Pascal Chimbonda and El Hadji Diouf.
Bolton are being linked with West Ham defender Calum Davenport.
Fulham and Hull could be competing for Sheffield United striker James Beattie, the Daily Mail says.
Manchester City will sign Roque Santa Cruz, Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker in the next 48 hours, the Daily Mirror reckons. Mark Hughes also wants to sign Kolo Toure. The Daily Mail has keeper Kasper Schmeicel looking to leave Man City. Jo, Ben Haim, Dietmar Hamann, Darius Vassell and Michael Ball could all be leaving, the Guardian says.
Stuart Downing is widely reported to be on the verge of asking for a transfer but Middlesbrough have told Spurs that they won’t sell him. Chairman Steve Gibson also wants to hold onto Tuncay and Gary O’Neil though The Times reckons they might sell Mido.
Portsmouth boss Tony Adams is planning a showdown with Jermain Defoe in a bid to keep him, the Sun says.
Stoke want to sign Wigan’s Henri Camara, the Daily Mirror reckons, while the Times has them linked with Lens striker Aruna Dindane.
Tottenham will land Jermain Defoe in a £15m deal, the Daily Mail says, or Lukas Podolski from Bayern Munich for £9.8m, if you believe The Times.
