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Page last updated at 17:13 GMT, Friday, 24 December 2010

Friday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TransfersOther gossipAnd finallyNews image
TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is lining up a £5m bid for Stoke's Robert Huth to boost the Reds defence.
Full story: Daily Mirror

The Merseysiders, meanwhile, are considering a move for Manchester City's Michael Johnson. The midfielder has struggled to secure a first team spot at Eastlands because of injury problems and form.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has made signing Spurs striker Robbie Keane his priority for the January transfer window.
Full story: Guardian

McLeish is also busy preparing a bid to bring Rangers star striker Kenny Miller to St Andrew's. (Daily Record)

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has admitted winger Ashley Young may be offloaded if the right amount of money is offered. With 18 months left on the 25-year-old's deal, Houllier said: "In January the best clubs keep their best players but you never know if someone comes with crazy money."
Full story: Daily Mirror

Villa defender Curtis Davies, currently on loan at Leicester, has rejected Sven-Goran Eriksson's attempts to sign him permanently and will go back to Villa Park on 4 January when his loan deal expires.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Kevin Gameiro is set to shun his Premier League admirers Newcastle, Tottenham and Arsenal and move from French outfit Lorient to Valencia.
Full story: talksport.co.uk

Coventry boss Aidy Boothroyd wants Scunthorpe keeper Joe Murphy - if he can sell Keiren Westwood in the January transfer window.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool are considering a move for Manchester City's Michael Johnson. The midfielder has struggled to secure a first team spot at Eastlands because of injury problems and form.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Silberbauer, however, would be interested in a move to Celtic and will be available for just £500,000 from Utrecht in January. (The Sun)

Utrecht technical director Foeke Booy says Celtic have emerged as favourites to sign midfielder Michael Silberbauer, despite interest from Everton, West Brom, Bolton and Fulham. (The Herald)

Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen admits he would have to consider a January offer from Hearts for midfielder Craig Bryson should they make another approach following two failed bids in the summer. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has been dropped to the bench for the Boxing Day trip to Newcastle for not showing enough "heart" and "strength" in recent performances. Boss Roberto Mancini said about the former Inter Milan star: "He must improve his situation and smile. Manchester is not like Milan but he has to accept it. If Mario doesn't work, he doesn't play."
Full story: The Sun

Dutch star Rafael Van der Vaart admits he will find it hard to play over the Christmas period but is determined to help Tottenham force their way back into the Premier League top four. The 27-year-old star has previously enjoyed winter breaks when playing in Holland, Germany and Spain.
Full story: talksport.co.uk

John Terry has admitted that Chelsea's Premier League hopes have been dented because of a lack of depth in their squad. With the Blues picking up one win in seven and sitting in fourth place, Terry said: "In the past we had a big squad and could rotate and put other players in, we don't have that now."
Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar, 40, is likely to retire at the end of the season, according to boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Full story: Daily Telegraph

Alexander Hleb's poor form has Belarus coach Bernd Stange so worried he visited Birmingham to quiz the midfielder personally.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti thinks Arsenal are scared of Didier Drogba and that the west London side have every chance of extending their excellent run against the Gunners if he is at his best. The London rivals play on Monday night.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Former Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia, who is presently the club's chief scout, is the man Motherwell want as their new boss. (the Sun)

Six Scottish Premier League clubs sceptical about plans to create a 10-team top flight will meet league officials today for talks. (Daily Mail)

James McFadden's goal in a 1-0 win over France at the Parc des Princes in 2007 has been voted Greatest Scotland Moment of the last 30 years in a poll conducted by the Scotland Supporters' Club. (Various)

AND FINALLY

World Cup final referee Howard Webb has told Blackpool players to go down when caught by opponents rather than trying to stay on their feet if they want free-kicks.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hit back at Nani after the Manchester United winger dismissed the Gunners' title hopes. Wenger said: "We live in a society where everybody knows everything. But I don't know who will win the league. I managed 1,600 games so if Nani knows he must be 1,600 times more intelligent than I am!"
Full story: Daily Star



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see also
Friday's Scottish gossip
24 Dec 10 |  Scotland
Thursday's gossip column
23 Dec 10 |  Gossip
Thursday's Scottish gossip
23 Dec 10 |  Scotland
Wednesday's gossip column
22 Dec 10 |  Gossip
Wednesday's Scottish gossip
22 Dec 10 |  Scotland
Tuesday's gossip column
21 Dec 10 |  Gossip
Tuesday's Scottish gossip
21 Dec 10 |  Scotland
Transfers - December 2010
14 Dec 10 |  Football


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