For a start, legendary blood-from-a-stone merchant and Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas reckons that Manchester United have politely enquired about not only hot-shot youngster Karim Benzema, but also hot-shot youngster Hatem Ben Arfa.

Aulas - the man who managed to get £20-odd-million out of Chelsea for the admittedly brilliant Michael Essien - claims that only a swap deal involving the words 'Cristiano Ronaldo' and 'a pot full of cash' will persuade him to do business.




CHELSEA SPLASHING CASH? WHO KNEW?
This is more like it.

The Daily Mirror claims that, in their search for a new creative midfielder type, Chelsea are lining up a £15million bid for the really rather good Rafael van der Vaart.

Since the Dutch maestro (who, incidentally, has a rather tasty missus. Google her) has made it perfectly clear that he views current club Hamburg as a stepping stone to bigger things/paycheques, this one could be a goer.


THE INTERNET. A MARVELLOUS THING
People tell the Gossip Column that the internet is not just for pornography, and occasionally we believe them.

Further proof of that comes this morning, as The Daily Mirror reports that Manchester United are after the marvellously named and reasonably talented Udinese striker Fabio Quagliarella.

Football365 told you this yesterday (lookey here), but in truth it was only because we read some Italian newspaper online and whacked it up on site before the Mirror's presses could start whirring.

Still, small victories, eh?


REPEATING A MISTAKE
Hmmm, after a bullish start we're running out of steam a touch now.

After some reasonable performances in the Africa Cup of Nations, Forest striker Junior Agogo is apparently wanted by Portsmouth, according to The Sun.

Apparently unaware that one should never make the same mistake twice, 'Arry Redknapp is perfectly willing to spend £2.5million on Agogo, despite p***ing £5million up the wall on David Nugent last summer.

If one of the better players in the Championship can't cut it with the big boys, Agogo certainly won't.

Also, it's worth noting that Agogo is indeed African, thus providing 'Arry with yet more moaning ammo for ACN 2010.


OUT OF THE FRYING PAN, INTO ANOTHER FRYING PAN
Having escaped the shambles of Newcastle, Nigel Pearson appears to be wandering blindly into yet another shambles.

For the consensus among the papers this morn is that Pearson is the red-hot favourite to take over as new Coventry manager, following the booting of Iain Dowie yesterday.

Meanwhile, Simon Jordan is probably laughing his arse off somewhere.


AT LAST
Oh, and the FAI are apparently finally, finally set to appoint Giovanni Trapattoni as the new Ireland manager.

This a rare decent decision from an organisation that make the FA look like the model of Prussian efficiency.




AND THE REST...
Dietmar Hamann has agreed a new one-year deal at Manchester City...Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson wants to know how much money he will have to spend in the summer...Bryan Robson's future at Sheffield United will be decided at a summit meeting on Wednesday...Nottingham Forest want to sign Leicester midfielder James Chambers on loan...Former Bury boss Chris Casper has been recruited by old team-mate Steve Bruce as a European scout for Wigan...Defender Nuno Valente is desperate to stay at Everton...Kenny Miller admits he may return to Rangers this summer after admitting he doesn't fancy playing in the Championship...Ross County's Andy Barrowman is wanted by three SPL clubs.

30 odd and still a good player .

born August 27, 1973 in Waldsassen, Bavaria.

"celebrate2"He didn't expect to get a new deal as Thaksin had told him bluntly when he arrived that he was too old!

I heard some rumors about Drogba. Hope the're not true but seems to me he'll go.

To Italy perhaps?

Probably. Milan was mentioned I think. And he gave some inteview about that. Since Jose left he wasn't satisfied, but somehow I don't care whether he stays or not. I don't like disloyal players."thumbdown"