Arsenal are on the verge of signing Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso for £16m. (Daily Star)

- Portsmouth will make a £9m swoop for Tottenham's Younes Kaboul and Reading's Nicky Shorey. (The Sun)

- Real Madrid's Robinho says he wants to complete a £27m move to Chelsea. (Daily Star)

- Gareth Barry's hopes of moving to Liverpool for £18m now lie in the hands of the Anfield club's American owners. (Daily Star)

- Fulham slice £4m off their valuation of Andrew Johnson, not being prepared to pay more than £8m for the Everton striker after his medical showed an old injury. (Daily Mail)

- Man City want to take Marseille striker Djibril Cisse on loan. (Daily Mirror)

- Celtic are close to signing the Barcelona midfielder Marc Crosas for up to £2m. (Independent)

- Blackburn make a £1.5m move for Lens midfielder Julien Sable, but face competition from Chievo Verona. (Daily Mirror)

- Coventry are set to land striker Clinton Morrison and defender Stephen Wright on free transfers. (The Sun)

MANYOO TO GIVE RONALDO A GET-OUT CLAUSE FOR NEXT YEAR
Manchester United's cunning plan to persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at the club will be to tell him he can leave next summer instead.

But that's not Fergie's plan. While The Sun's back page announces that United's owners will give Ronaldo a £65m get-out clause, the small print includes the intriguing detail that 'they will first have to sway boss Alex Ferguson who is dead against selling the Portugal winger'.

Ronaldo is due back in Manchester this week for a check-up on his injured ankle and is also expected to hold a meeting with Ferguson.

The Sun quotes a 'United insider saying: "Sir Alex is determined he will not let Ronaldo go now, if only on principle.

"But there are one or two people at United who are thinking 'What's the point of hanging on to him?' when Real are ready to offer so much money.

"And Ronaldo will miss the start of the season in any case through injury.

"One solution being looked at is for Ronaldo to stay one more season, with the guarantee he can go for an agreed fee at the end of next season."


SPURS TO ACTUALLY SIGN A DEFENDER RATHER THAN ANOTHER FORWARD
A host of newspapers claim this fine morning that Tottenham are close to signing Vedran Corluka from Manchester City in a deal worth almost £7m.

The Croatian was predominantly used as a right-back last season by City but Spurs apparently view him as a future partner for Jonathan Woodgate in the centre of their defence as doubts persist about Ledley King's long-term fitness.

According to The Times, 'City are willing to sell a player who made 35 league appearances last season so that they can fund a move for a recognised right-back. They have enough cover in central defence, with Richard Dunne, Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha, and Tal Ben-Haim, recently signed from Chelsea.'


BUT THEY ARE STILL CHASING TWO MORE FORWARDS
But the gossip about Spurs doesn't end there.

Zenit St Petersburg have confirmed that Spurs have bid around £16m for Andrei Arshavin and although that offer has been rejected, The Independent claims the North London outfit are hopeful that a deal can be brokered by the player's agent. Personal terms are said to have been agreed - with Arshavin set to earn a relatively modest £50k a week.

Meanwhile, The Sun makes the remarkable claim that 'Tottenham are ready to smash the British transfer record with a sensational £32million swoop for Valencia superstar David Villa.'

The deal will be financed by Dimitar Berbatov's sale to Manchester United. It's difficult not to be sceptical because if Berbatov leaves then Spurs will require a centre-forward rather than an in-the-hole striker and Villa is only an inch taller than a dwarf.

Anyway, The Sun reckons 'Levy is encouraged by recent comments from Villa's agent Jose Luis Tamargo and he is confident of snatching the star from under the noses of giants Real Madrid.

'The Spurs supremo is prepared to make Villa Tottenham's top earner with a huge £100,000-a-week deal.'

Ahem! Random extract from The Indy's story on Arshavin: 'Although Tottenham are far from being the most lucrative payers in the Premier League it is understood that Arshavin is prepared to settle for the best they can offer him, thought to be around £50,000-a-week.'


SENOR RED TO NORTH LONDON'S REDS
Real Madrid's De la Red is the latest midfielder to be linked with Arsenal.

And if you are also wondering why you haven't seen this chap play for Madrid, Transfer Gossip can reveal, courtesy of reading The Daily Telegraph, that De la Red has just returned to the club after what they can an 'impressive' loan spell at Getafe and the Spaniards are willing to sell him because they won't be able to accommodate him in their first team.


A SECOND YOUNG AT VILLA
Watch out Big Four! Villa have spotted the player they need to make a dramatic breakthrough next season: erm, Middlesbrough's Luke Young.

After an entire summer in which to find a solution to his problem position at right-back, Martin O'Neill has reputedly made an approach to Middlesbrough.

'The north-eastern club are reluctantly considering whether to sanction Young's departure little more than 12 months after the former England international arrived on Teesside from Charlton Athletic. Middlesbrough paid £2.5m for Young last July and it is likely that Gareth Southgate would demand significantly more than that to allow the 29-year-old to leave on the eve of the season,' reports The Guardian.

However, while Young is expected to favour a move to Villa Park, it remains a distinct possibility that Steve Finnan will be used as a makeweight in Gareth Barry's imminent transfer from Villa to Liverpool.


SAHA AND ONE OF ENGLAND'S WORST-EVER PLAYERS TO SUNDERLAND
Talk of Louis Saha moving from Manchester United to Sunderland has rumbled on for a few weeks now but The Sun believes that a resolution is close.

The paper claims that 'Roy Keane is on the brink of completing an £8.5million swoop for Manchester United striker Louis Saha. Sunderland boss Keano will make the out-of-favour Old Trafford star the biggest earner in the club's history on £50,000 a week.'

The Black Cats are also reported to be interested in Reading's soon-to-leave left-back Nicky Shorey. The England international (we know, we know) is also wanted at Villa and Pompey but 'Keane is ready to pounce with a £3m offer for the England left-back.'


DESPERATION STRIKES
David Moyes said yesterday that he was getting rather desperate in his chase for the 'five or six' new players he wants before the start of the season, and if the rumours this morning are true then he is damn well showing it.

For assorted rags report that he is lining up a bid for Newcastle's Alan Smith, described variously as a striker and a midfielder, but based on last season's showings he's neither.

Still, most of the reports claim Moyes will only pay £1.5million for Smith, proving that while he might be desperate, he isn't stupid.


AND THE REST...
Everton are ready to agree a compromise deal to allow Andy Johnson to join Fulham...Hull boss Phil Brown is making a shock move for Benfica's Ariza Makukula...Tottenham have pulled the plug on their move for Derby's Stephen Bywater...Ipswich and Hull are both in the chase to sign former Bolton star Ivan Campo...Hull chairman Paul Duffen won't take 'no' for an answer from Sir Alex Ferguson in his bid to land Fraizer Campbell on loan

SPURS FAILED WITH ASHTON BID?
Tottenham have reportedly failed in a £15m bid for West Ham striker Dean Ashton. According to The Guardian, Spurs have turned to Ashton as it becomes increasingly likely that Dimitar Berbatov will join Manchester United, leaving them with only Darren Bent in the striking department.

A bid of closer to £20m would probably tempt the Hammers, who have so far failed to get huge earners Lucas Neill and Freddie Ljungberg off their wage bill.




SAHA TO REPLACE HIM?
There's talk in The Times that brittle-boned striker Louis Saha would prefer to move to West Ham than Sunderland but also that the Hammers would struggle to match his £60,000-a-week wages. But that could soon change if they get a £20m boost from the transfer of Ashton to Spurs.

Why are we not the tiniest bit surprised that West Ham would buy someone who can barely get into his car without straining his back?


ADEBAYOR DOUBLES HIS MONEY
Well that worked then. After a summer of courting interest from Barcelona and AC Milan, Emmanuel Adebayor has agreed a new Gunners contract that will see him double his money to £80,000 a week. At least that's what The Sun says, and who are we to argue with The Sun?


THE RIGHT-BACK SEARCH GOES ON
According to The Times, 'Aston Villa appear to have narrowed down their options for a right back to Justin Hoyte, of Arsenal, Luke Young, of Middlesbrough, and Paulo Ferreira'.

Now this sounds like a scattergun approach to the Gossip Column, who would like to remind Martin O'Neill that Hoyte is pants. Our money (should we have any) would be on Young as Ferreira will play a fair few games at Chelsea next season as back-up to Jose Bosingwa. He'll be like a right-footed, better-looking Wayne Bridge.


TOON TO TAKE HIT ON SMITH
Just a year after buying jack of all trades, master of f*** all Alan Smith for £6m, they are now willing to sell him to Everton for just £3m in order to save themselves a massive £12.5m in wages over the rest of his contract. The Sun says that David Moyes 'believes Smith is the perfect partner for striker Yakubu', which is odd considering the Toffees usually play with one up front.


AND THE REST
Bolton will take Paul Robinson from West Brom in exchange for Abdoulaye Meite...Bolton are also closing in on Danny Shittu for £2m...Wigan could make a £3m move for Ipswich striker Danny Haynes...Blackburn have swooped to sign Julio Santa Cruz - younger brother of Roque...Sunderland and Aston Villa have had bids accepted for Reading's Nicky Shorey...Geremi has pleaded with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley to buy some new players...Charlton are bracing themselves for bids for star midfielder Zheng Zhi...West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has approached West Ham to take James Collins on loan for the season...Dean Whitehead insists that his future lies with Roy Keane at Sunderland...Gary Megson is set to sign Watford defender Danny Shittu for £2million...Blackburn boss Paul Ince has taken Bordeaux defender Paul Baysse on trial...Hull have turned to David Nugent in a bid to solve their striker crisis at the KC Stadium...Paul Dickov is in talks with Milan Mandaric over a return to Leicester...Derby boss Paul Jewell hopes to conclude a loan deal for Latvian Andrei Pereplyotkin in time for the opening game of the season.

BARRY MOVE ON BRINK OF COLLAPSE
Christ alive, this will not be popular.

On the off chance you haven't seen the dirty great headline on the front of this fair sight, Liverpool's Yankee Doodle Dandy owners have apparently turned down an interest-free loan from a mystery millionaire Scouser (insert own 'That's an awful lot of Giros' joke here') to fund the purchase of Gareth Barry.




ARSENAL CLOSE IN ON THAT 'EXPERIENCED' MIDFIELDER
When Arsene Wenger said he wanted to sign an 'experienced' midfielder, we thought he meant exactly that.

However, it turns out he may instead have meant 24-year-old Swiss type Gokhan Inler, who while being pretty useful barely has 100 first team appearances under his belt.

However, The Daily Mirror claims Wenger will instead try to steal Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan (aged 22) from Blackburn.

Of course, those two are a relative coffin-dodgers in comparison to the likes of Jack Wilshere, but he still isn't quite what the Gossip Column had in mind.



IT'S 2+2=5 TIME AT OT
Inevitably, after Alex Ferguson said on Friday that he wanted to sign a striker before the start of the new season, the paps have gone into overdrive in speculating on who that forward might be.

And most rags seem to think - presumably in the absence of any imagination/fact - that Dimitar Berbatov is the man in question.

In summary, here's what The Sun and The Daily Mirror have to say on the subject:

'Alex Ferguson aims to land Dimitar Berbatov...blah blah blah...£25million deal...yadda yadda yadda...will be enough to secure the unsettled striker...rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb...'

Seriously. That's what it says. Check if you don't believe us.


NEW NAME IN FOR SANTA CRUZ
Lots and lots of people want the rather good and dashingly handsome (He is. We're a column secure with our sexuality) Roque Santa Cruz, and according to The Daily Mail this morn a new name in is the frame.

That name is Aston Villa, who according to everyone's favourite scare-rag have joined Manchester City in the race for the big Paraguayan.


THINGS LOOKING UP FOR EVERTON?
Word in the papers this morning is that Everton's hitherto barren transfer summer will be livened up in the coming days/weeks.

Encouragement comes from Cameroonian midfielder Stephane M'Bia, who claims Everton have made a £7million offer to Rennes for his services.

"This offer exists. It comes from Everton, who want to buy me for more than 8million euros" he told the usually reliable L'Equipe.

"I want to leave Rennes. Everton are offering me 1.5 million euros a year - Rennes could never offer me that much."

Meanwhile, The Sun reckons the Toffees are in an orderly queue along with Blackburn and Newcastle to bag Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Anatoliy Tymoschuk for around £7million, and The Daily Mail claims David Moyes is closing in on both Diego Milito and Joao Moutinho.

Makes a nice change from being linked with Alan Smith, eh Toffees?


AND THE REST...
Blackburn's out-of-favour striker Maceo Rigters is going to Barnsley on loan...Mark Hughes has rejected Torino's bid for Rolando Bianchi...Stoke plan a £1million move for Charlton midfielder Amdy Faye...Chairman Steve Gibson last night claimed Middlesbrough's shock decision to sell Luke Young to Aston Villa was a no-brainer...Hull are desperate to beat West Brom to the £2million signing of Abdoulaye Meite...Freddie Ljungberg is considering an offer to join David Beckham at LA Galaxy...Sam Sodje's move to Charlton has been put on hold after the Reading defender underwent knee surgery...Ipswich have moved close to signing David Nugent in a £5.5million deal from Portsmouth...Stoke are waiting to hear if their bid to sign giant Valencia striker Nikola Zigic has been successful....Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic are tracking Jimmy Bullard after Fulham refused to engage in contract negotiations

IT SAYS HERE THAT KAKA WILL BE MOVING TO CHELSEA. AGAIN
The Observer just won't give up on their story that Kaka will be a Chelsea player this season.

Just weeks after announcing - somewhat inaccurately - that the Brazilian was on the verge of completing a world-record transfer, the newspaper has returned to declare that Kaka 'believes that a transfer to Chelsea remains a strong possibility and that he could be a Premier League player before the end of this month. Chelsea have made a €100m (£78m) offer for the Brazilian forward, who would be prepared to move to London if his club, Milan, accept it.'

As has become the norm for players seeking a transfer this summer, Kaka has not made a transfer request.

However, his personal Diogo Kotscho has apparently talked up a move. "I spoke with Kaká yesterday," he is quoted as saying. "We know that the clubs are talking about the transfer, although they have not reached a conclusion yet. I think an August transfer is still a possibility, though Kaká will only talk about that when they do a deal. He is waiting for a deal and then he will start to negotiate with Chelsea.

"Normally, Milan do not sell their best players. We think they like the proposal, but it is not so easy for them to accept it. For now we must just wait and see."


HENRY TO MANYOO? HMMM...
The Mail on Sunday reckons that Manchester United 'will launch an astonishing £20million bid to land Thierry Henry before next weekend's Premier League curtain-raiser against Newcastle United.'

Sir Alex has apparently 'made the ex-Arsenal hitman his top priority following the breakdown of United's attempt to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham.

'United will move quickly with their approach to Barcelona, the mercurial Frenchman's club, now that any interest they had in Berbatov is almost certainly at an end. The relationship between the domestic and European champions and Spurs has hit rock bottom, with bitterness deteriorating into open warfare,' the newspaper continues,' the newspaper continues.

'Tottenham are determined to press home with their charge that United made an illegal approach for the Bulgarian, despite strong indications that a Premier League inquiry will rule that the champions have no case to answer.'

But perhaps the most telling line in the article, which seems to have more words devoted to the Berbatov saga than the likelihood of Henry moving to Old Trafford, is: 'Only a totally unexpected and completely unforeseen climbdown by Spurs could put the Berbatov deal back on, but by then it is likely to be too late - and Henry could be in the bag for the big kick-off.'

Anyone else suspecting a bluff in order to persuade Tottenham to return to the negotiating table?


MADRID WANT RONALDO COMPENSATION
Real Madrid are reportedly set to demand £17m in compensation from Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese forward refused to demand a transfer from Manchester United.

Ronaldo's announcement last week that he would be remaining at Old Trafford heaped embarrassment on the Spanish giants and their president Ramon Calderon after their summer-long pursuit of the forward.

According to the News of the World, Madrid are adamant that they agreed personal terms with the Manchester United star and insisted on the compensation clause if the transfer was not completed.




BENITEZ STILL OPEN TO ALONSO SALE
Rafael Benitez is still refusing to rule out the possibility that he could sell Xabi Alonso - despite the astonishing support the midfielder has received from Liverpool fans.

But the Anfield boss, who also insists that "Liverpool are ready for the Champions League" next week, maintains Alonso will only leave now if the club receives a massive offer for his services.

Benitez is still embroiled in the Gareth Barry saga, despite failing to receive financial backing from the club's American owners and their support for the £18million transfer.

And he clearly needs money to continue his stubborn pursuit of the Aston Villa midfielder just a week away from the Premier League opening weekend.




KABOUL TO JOIN POMPEY ON MONDAY
Younes Kaboul seems to have been on the verge of leaving Tottenham for the entire summer but he's finally found a new destination to arrive at: Portsmouth.

The News of the World reckons that just as soon as they've finished with the Community Shield, Pompey will complete their six-week chase of the defender by finalising his £6m transfer.

Meanwhile, former England international (well, he must be 'former' now, mustn't he?) David Nugent is expected to move to Ipswich Town on a season-long loan deal.

What a flop he turned out to be.

Middlesbrough sent their chief international scout to Amsterdam at the weekend to watch Arsenal right-back Justin Hoyte in action against Sevilla. (Northern Echo)



TRANSFER RUMOURS
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to rule out a move for Barcelona striker Thierry Henry, as Tottenham are stalling over the sale of Dimitar Berbatov. (Various)

Spurs boss Juande Ramos has told Berbatov he will make him stay at the club. (The Sun, Daily Telegraph)

AC Milan's Brazil star Kaka is set to join Chelsea before the end of the month in a world-record £78m deal. (Various)

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has now decided he will see out the remaining two years on his contract at Stamford Bridge. (Various)

Arsenal are considering a move for Udinese's Gokhan Inler and Real Madrid's Ruben de la Red. (Daily Telegraph)

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has finally won the race to sign £6m defender Younes Kaboul from Tottenham. (Various)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is ready with a £5m bid for Rangers keeper Allan McGregor. (The Sun)

Everton are close to signing Brazilian striker Vagner Love. (The Guardian)

Toffees boss David Moyes will also wrap up a deal for Newcastle striker Alan Smith this week. (Daily Mail)

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is fuming after the club tried to sell Vedran Corluka and Stephen Ireland behind his back. (Daily Mirror)

Corluka has insisted he wants to join Tottenham despite Man City issuing a statement saying he was staying at Eastlands. (The Sun)

Man City's Lee Martin is being tracked by Birmingham and Sheffield United. (The Sun)

Jimmy Bullard is considering his future at Fulham because the club have stalled on a new deal. (Daily Telegraph)

Blackburn boss Paul Ince hopes to finalise a £2m deal for MK Dons skipper Keith Andrews. (Daily Mail)

Aston Villa are to make a move for Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar. (Various)

Stoke want to sign Valencia striker Nikola Zigic. (The Sun)

Sheffield United left-back Chris Armstrong is a target for Reading. (The Sun)



OTHER GOSSIP
Dubai International Capital are still interested in buying Liverpool from American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks. (Daily Telegraph)

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho reckons Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side are too young to win the title this season. (The Sun)

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has refused to return to Thailand to face corruption charges - further harming his chances of releasing £800m of frozen assets. (Daily Mail)

St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson has accused Scottish referees of targeting certain managers in the SPL. (Daily Record)




AND FINALLY
Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is a big fan of new signing Fabricio Coloccini's haircut. "I like it - it's like mine and Terry Mac's in the 1970s. I can't say any more than that at the moment," he says. (The Guardian)

Former England skipper and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker says Cristiano Ronaldo is the most talented footballer he has ever seen. (The Sun)

Pascal Chimbonda risked upsetting Sunderland boss Roy Keane by parking his car in the manager's space on his first day at his new club. (Daily Mirror)

BREAKING GOSSIP
Wigan's Marlon King is set to sign for Hull City and could feature in the Tigers' opening Premier League game with Fulham. (Hull Daily Mail, 1410 BST)

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan could follow up his acquisition of Jonas Gutierrez by buying a couple of other Real Mallorca players. (Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 1404 BST)

Monaco forward Nene claims he is a target of Tottenham and Roma. (Brazilian newspaper Jornal do Brasil, 1237).

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to sign David Silva and either Dimitar Berbatov or Thierry Henry before the start of the season. (Manchester Evening News, 1029 BST)

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has made a tentative approach for Benfica's Portugal international forward Ariza Makukula. (The Northern Echo, 1025 BST)



TRANSFER RUMOURS
Barcelona look set to block a move by Manchester United for Thierry Henry by playing the former Arsenal striker in the Champions League on Wednesday. (Daily Star)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to land Spain's Euro 2008 star David Silva from Valencia. (Daily Mirror)

But Spanish forward Silva has delivered a huge snub to Liverpool and United by insisting he will not move to the Premier League. (Daily Star)

Manchester United are determined to complete the signing of Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov before the start of the season but relations between the two clubs remain frosty. (The Times)

Spurs have dismissed talk of Manchester United moving for Thierry Henry and expect them to renew their interest in Berbatov. (The Independent)

Chelsea will step up their bid to land Real Madrid striker Robinho by upping their offer to £25m. (Daily Mirror)

Chelsea's Joe Cole is demanding assurances over his future after Liverpool declared an interest in buying the midfielder. (Daily Mail)

The Blues are preparing to cut their losses by selling defender Branislav Ivanovic to AC Milan. (The Times)




Roque Santa Cruz is set for crunch talks at Blackburn in an attempt to resolve his future as the striker wants to leave for Manchester City. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool will discover in the next 24 hours whether their move for Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry has been scuppered. (Various)

Reds boss Rafa Benitez wants showdown talks with Liverpool's American owners in the hope of resurrecting the Barry deal. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle are closing in on a deal for Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock. (Daily Mail)

Magpies striker Shola Ameobi has begged Newcastle not to price him out of a move from the club. (Daily Star)

Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson has rejected a new contract, alerting interested clubs - including Arsenal and Everton. (Daily Mail)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is poised to swoop for £8m-rated Johnson. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal and Everton have been told by Marseille that they need to pay £20m for midfielder Lorik Cana. (The Times)

West Ham, Bolton and Newcastle are battling to secure the signature of ex-Spain international Diego Tristan. (The Sun)

Sunderland have launched a fresh bid for Leighton Baines from Everton for £6m. (Various)

Middlesbrough want an answer from Arsenal on their £3m bid for defender Justin Hoyte. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth are set to beat West Ham and Tottenham to sign Ghana skipper Stephen Appiah from Fenerbahce. (The Sun)

Spurs are furious after Vedran Corluka's £5m move was called off at the last minute by Manchester City. (Daily Express)

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is set to snap up Ecuador midfielder Segundo Castillo. (Daily Mirror)

Hull's proposed move for Claudio Pizarro has stalled over the player's wages. (Daily Telegraph)

The Tigers have asked Roman Abramovich to help fund the deal for the striker, who earns £3m a year. (Daily Star)

Birmingham winger Seb Larsson wants to join a Premier League side but Blues are refusing to let him leave. (Daily Mail)

Bayer Leverkusen have denied they are interested in Rangers forward Kris Boyd. (Daily Record)

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood has failed to persuade the Birmingham City winger, Sone Aluko, to return to Pittodrie for a second loan period. (The Herald)

Falkirk are considering a loan move for Crystal Palace's goalkeeper Scott Flinders after the out-of-favour 22-year-old trained with the Bairns on Monday . (Scottish Daily Express)

Motherwell have made a £50,000 offer for Livingston full-back Dave Mackay. (Scottish Daily Express)




OTHER GOSSIP
Tottenham striker Darren Bent could be a surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello's England squad to face the Czech Republic on 20 August. (Various)

The Premier League will open an inquiry on Wednesday into Tottenham's claims Manchester United tried to unsettle Dimitar Berbatov. (Daily Mail)

The Premier League is facing an unprecedented trial of its fit and proper persons test after arrest warrants were issued for Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra. (The Guardian)

Premier League bosses want urgent talks with Thaksin. (Daily Star)

Manager Mark Hughes is set to quit as the Manchester City crisis threatens to spiral out of control. (The Sun)

Celtic's Darren O'Dea, Aiden McGeady and Scott Brown were abused by drunken thugs after the club's Scottish Premier League game at the weekend. (Daily Record)




AND FINALLY
Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra, who is on bail for corruption charges in Thailand, was spotted shopping in Guildford on Monday. (Daily Telegraph)

Liverpool star Steven Gerrard texted a good luck message to fellow scouser David Price ahead of his Olympic boxing fight against Russia's Islam Timurziev. (The Sun)

Former Arsenal star Ian Wright said he would not blame Thierry Henry if he chose to join the Gunners' rivals Manchester United. (The Sun)

Portsmouth's new defender Younes Kaboul claims he was convinced to play for the club over a cup of Moroccan tea with manager Harry Redknapp two years ago. (Daily Star)

BERBA TO UNITED
It's been rumbling along not-so-quietly for a while, but the consensus among the slightly more reliable papers is that Dimitar Berbatov will be moving to Manchester United in the very near future.

The fee is somewhere between £25m and £28m, depending on which morning journal you take with your coffee and croissants, but all publications seem to agree that the deal is imminent.

For a few juicy details, clickety click here.


PROBLEMS AT ROVERS
We thought Paul Ince's comments that nobody else would be leaving Blackburn Rovers might come to bite him in the bottom, and it looks like the teeth are gnashing already, if word in the tittle-tattle columns is to be believed.

The Daily Mirror reports that Stephen Warnock - in the Gossip Column's irrelevant opinion, the most underrated Englishman in the Premier League - has handed in a transfer request.

What's slightly more embarrassing for the Guv'Nor and his boys is that the transfer request is designed to hurry through a £4million move to Newcastle, of all places.

Elsewhere, The Sun claims Manchester City have been hanging their nose over Roque Santa Cruz like a fat lady in a cake shop, but that Rovers have told them to keep their filthy, gluttonous hands off. Or that he's not for sale.

Also in The Sun is word that Valencia will demand £10million for Nikola Zigic, after the Serb beanpole's loan move to Stoke fell through.


SO, WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT THIS CHAP?
The Gossip Column can hold court on a number of subjects. The life and career of Toto Schillaci, or mid-nineties indie-pop, to give just two examples.

However, one area on which we're not experts is Polish football, which explains why we've never heard of Borussia Dortmund winger Jakub Blaszczykowski.

However, The Times has, and if they're to be trusted then so has Rafa Benitez, for the report in the paper of record is that Liverpool want to sign the Pole for £8million, but have been told 'No dice' by Dortmund.

Blaszczykowski is apparently wanted to replace Yossi Benayoun, who is being admired from afar by AS Roma.


THIS MAKES SENSE
When we first heard the rumour about James Milner returning to Aston Villa on a permanent basis, we nodded our heads and stroked our chins approvingly, reasoning 'This makes perfect sense'.

However, the trail went quiet for a while, before The Daily Mail pops up this morn with word that a deal worth around £6million will be happening shortly.

And thus, all is right with the world.


HI-JACKING A HI-JACK
So, word from the papers over the weekend was that Arsenal were going to hi-jack Blackburn's move for Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan.

'Sounds reasonable' we thought.

However, The Daily Mirror claims that the hi-jackers are about to become hi-jackees, with the cheeky rapscallions at Racing Santander girding their collective loins to sneak in and nick Annan from right under Arsene Wenger's nose.

Meanwhile, apparently Middlesbrough are still waiting to hear from Arsenal over their £3million bid for Justin Hoyte.

Quite what the delay is we're not sure. After all, it doesn't take too long to blurt out 'Yes' while trying not to laugh, does it?


AND THE REST...
Marlon King has taken the first step towards being Hull's record buy...Paul Ince is ready to hand Robbie Fowler a Blackburn contract...Portsmouth are giving a trial to former Real Madrid winger Jordi Lopez...Nottingham Forest have signed Lee Martin on loan from Manchester United...Plymouth want Darron Gibson and Glenn Whelan...Reading want Dagenham full-back Scott Griffiths...Kasper Schmeichel has accused Sven-Goran Eriksson of duping him into signing a new contract after admitting he is desperate to leave Manchester City...Anton Ferdinand has rejected a £2million-a-year contract at West Ham...Fulham and Hull are preparing bids for Osasuna striker Walter Pandiani...Ipswich have finally signed Ben Thatcher...Crystal Palace have made a £550,000 bid for Ipswich striker Alan Lee...QPR are preparing a bid for Italian striker Davide Succi...Stoke have put in a £2million bid for Newcastle midfielder Abdoulaye Faye.

CHELSEA TO SIGN KAKA NEXT YEAR (AND ROBINHO NOW, NOT THAT THEY SOUND BOTHERED ABOUT HIM)
The cynic in the Gossip Column - no 'that must be uncomfortable, tell him to get out' jokes please - might think that the reason papers predict deals a year or so in advance is so no-one remembers when it never happens. After all, try to predict them for the next week and you can end up with egg on your face (see Lampard, Frank and Ronaldo, Cristiano).

However, impressed by the fancy accent on the second a of Kaka that we don't have on our keyboard, we'll give The Times the benefit of the doubt on their declaration that, 'Chelsea are determined to complete the world-record signing of Kaká, but they will have to wait until next year to do so.'

'The club view the pursuit of the Brazilian as a long-term project,' says the paper, before a worrying comparison for any Chelsea fans, 'similar to the one that led to them luring Andriy Shevchenko from the San Siro two years ago, and, after being rejected this summer, will make a renewed attempt to secure their dream signing in 12 months' time.'

However, it all depends on Chelsea smashing their own ridiculous wage structure. 'Kaká signed a new five-year contract worth £6.5million a year after tax in April, with its value rising every year until it expires in 2013,' says The Times, so 'Chelsea would have to smash their wage ceiling, based around the £135,000 a week earned by John Terry, to sign Kaká, which could cause problems with others in the dressing-room, particularly because Frank Lampard has just ended more than two years of tortuous negotiations by signing a deal that places him on the captain's level.'

The Blues are hopeful of bringing one Brazilian to Stamford Bridge this summer, though. 'Chelsea had a £19.7million bid rejected last week but are confident of success, particularly as the player's contract talks at Real appear to have stalled," the paper claims.

"He's the type of player who brings some difference to Chelsea and if we can bring that one off then he would add to the squad," says Peter Kenyon. "If it doesn't, then we're not going to win or lose because of Robinho."

They're not going to win or lose because of Daniel Sturridge either, but the Daily Mirror reckons they're putting in an £8m bid. Hmmm.


YAWN GARETH YAWN BARRY YAWN SAGA YAWN HERE
We're as bored of it as you, but if you want to know what the latest is after the Aston Villa midfielder scored in a European thrashing two days after suitors Liverpool bumbled to a 0-0 draw, have a look here.


MANYOO HOPE TO UNVEIL DIMITAR BERBATOV BEFORE SUNDAY
That subtle headline is intended to bring you the news that ManYoo hope to unveil Dimitar Berbatov before they kick off their Premier League campaign on Sunday.

'The Bulgarian striker is expected to join Sir Alex Ferguson's side for a staggering £28 after Spurs turned down a £23m offer,' says the Daily Star (we know, we know).

However, The Sun reckon Spurs would rather let the Bulgarian go to Barcelona on the cheap than sell him to ManYoo, so there could still be some twists and turns here.

He looks to be on his way though, which explains why...


...SPURS ARE IN FOR ROQUE SANTA CRUZ
Following rumoured interest from Aston Villa and a definite bid from Manchester City, Spurs have thrown their hat into the Roque Santa Cruz ring.

But The Independent is tipping Mark Hughes to see off the competition and arrange a reunion with his star signing from last summer, with Citeh apparently ready to increase their bid to £15m. That would be a ridiculously high percentage increase on what Blackburn paid for him, but still... they've sold Bentley, they've sold Friedel - if Santa Cruz goes too, could Rovers actually go down?

Oh wait, no, the Daily Mirror says they've included Robbie Fowler in their team photograph so look like they're definitely planning on having him around. Good stuff.

Meanwhile Man City are also interested in Spurs target (this is all a bit incestuous, isn't it?) Diego Milito, who would cost either of them £10m. But Sevilla have told Tottenham that Freddie Kanoute and Diego Capel are not for sale.

And Aston Villa, according to The Times, want to sign Kevin Doyle from Reading.


LET'S HAVE A SCOTTISH SECTION
Rangers are keen to appease their fans after selling their best player, and we can imagine the Ibrox faithful will be pleased to hear the Daily Telegraph's news that they could sign Pedro Mendes from Pompey for £3m.

No? Then how about the news that Cardiff defender Glenn Loovens has opted to sign for Celtic instead of Rangers?

Or the news that Rangers are scrabbling around for the change to afford Steve Davis. "We are being obliged to contemplate transfers of £6m, £8m and that type of figure, so it seems strange a club of that stature can only afford what they have offered us," says Roy Hodgson.

"I am perfectly happy to keep Steven. He is a good player and I would be very disappointed if the club allowed him to go for a sum of money that is below his worth."


EVERTON AND NEWCASTLE SCRAPPING OVER TIAGO
Rarely has as much money been spent on such an average player as the total amount that various clubs have wasted on Tiago over the years. And Everton and Newcastle are fighting to be the next.

The Daily Mail says Everton are favourites, with the midfielder apparently impressed by Bill Kenwright. Which is more than can be said right now for a few Everton fans we know.


AND THE REST
Bolton boss Gary Megson is hopeful of persuading striker Kevin Davies to sign a new deal before the start of the season...Olivier Kapo has told Steve Bruce he is unsettled at Wigan and wants to leave - just a month after joining the club from Birmingham...Derby midfielder Benny Feilhaber is set to sign for Danish side AGF Aarhus...Bristol Rovers have offered a deal to former Coventry striker Wayne Andrews...Ipswich are set to sign Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi in a £2.5million deal...Wycombe striker John Sutton is weighing up a surprise move to Motherwell...Man City, West Ham and Fulham are interested in Sparta Rotterdam's 19-year-old defender Dele Adeleye...Branislav Ivanovic's move from Chelsea to AC Milan is close to collapsing.

CHELSEA TO SEAL ROBINHO DEAL
The Daily Mail reports this morning that Chelsea are on the brink of completing the signing of Robinho from Real Madrid.

Apparently Peter Kenyon was spotted arriving in Madrid at some point yesterday, although we'd suggest that whoever saw him at Madrid airport yesterday and thought that was the important news should re-consider their priorities.

Anyway, according to the Mail a