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Page last updated at 07:05 GMT, Friday, 2 May 2008 08:05 UK

Friday's gossip column

TransfersOther gossipAnd finallyNews image

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Manchester United are weighing up a summer bid for West Ham striker Dean Ashton, with boss Sir Alex Ferguson keen to add a player with physical presence to his options at Old Trafford. (Daily Star)

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has told team-mates that he is joining AC Milan, with the Frenchman purportedly intent on heading to the San Siro despite a recent offer from Juventus. (Daily Mail)

And fellow Gunners midfielder Alexander Hleb has also told friends that he does not expect to be at Arsenal next season, with Inter Milan the likely destination. (Daily Star)

Bayern Munich are interested in signing Fulham goalkeeper Kasey Keller when the 38-year-old's contract runs out in the summer. (The Times)

606: DEBATE
CW

Manchester United have bid �15.8m for Porto's marauding Portuguese right-back Jose Bosingwa, though his club want no less than �22m. (The Sun)

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is planning a summer clearout with Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant, John Arne Riise and Xabi Alonso in line to leave to create funds for Gareth Barry, Borussia Dortmund full-back Philipp Degen and Wigan's Antonio Valencia. (The Sun)

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray will make 17-goal Roman Bednar his first summer signing and pay Hearts �2.5m for the on-loan Czech striker. (The Sun)

Aston Villa and West Ham are showing interest in �5m-rated midfielder Gary O'Neil, who is set to quit Middlesbrough just 10 months after signing. (The Sun)

Hull boss Phil Brown is plotting a �5m swoop for Sheffield United's James Beattie if the Tigers win promotion. (Daily Star)

OTHER GOSSIP

Blackburn's Benni McCarthy has blamed his dip in form on having contact with former Porto boss Jose Mourinho last summer, over a potential move to Chelsea. He said: "I would have preferred it if there had been no talk of me joining him." (The Times)

Former Manchester United, Liverpool, and Inter Milan midfielder Paul Ince could make a shock comeback as a player for League Two champions MK Dons against Morecambe at the weekend - at the age of 40. (Daily Express)

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is banned from playing against former club Bolton on the last day of the season - a match which could decide the destiny of the Premier League title. (The Sun)

Everton manager David Moyes has reiterated the club's desire to keep midfielder Lee Carsley at Goodison Park amid reported interest from former club Derby. (The Independent)

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has been told his job is safe - even if the west Midlanders get relegated. (Various)

Manchester City believe they could lose club captain Richard Dunne amid a mass revolt among players over Thaksin Shinawatra's decision to sack manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. (The Independent)

And City owner Thaksin has offered Jose Mourinho the chance to replace current Eastlands boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. Intermediaries for the Thai have already approached Mourinho through his agent Jose Mendez. (Daily Express)

AND FINALLY

Reading's record signing Emerse Fae has vowed never to play for the club again after branding manager Steve Coppell "stupid". Fae refused to play in a reserve game on Monday evening and was punished with a two-week suspension, a two weeks' wages fine, and ordered to stay away from the club for that period. (Daily Mail)

Staunch Liverpudlian Jamie Carragher has already declared who he wants to win the Champions League, now his Liverpool side are out of the running. "I hope Chelsea win," said the honest defender. "I don't like Manchester United." (Daily Telegraph)




see also
Thursday's gossip column
01 May 08 |  Gossip
Wednesday's gossip column
30 Apr 08 |  Gossip
Tuesday's gossip column
29 Apr 08 |  Gossip
Monday's gossip column
28 Apr 08 |  Gossip
Sunday's gossip column
27 Apr 08 |  Gossip
Transfers - April 2008
15 Apr 08 |  Gossip


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