MANYOO STILL EXPECTED TO CHASE BERBATOV
Quite sensibly, few publications are taking the leaked disclosure from Manchester United that they are ready to withdraw their interest in Tottenham's Dimi Berbatov entirely seriously.
Reports appeared over the weekend claiming that United were considering alternative targets after being told that the Bulgarian would cost £38m. Spurs have displayed a reluctance to do business with United having reported the Old Trafford club to the Premier League over their pursuit of their want-away striker.
Yet, given that their interest in Berbatov is longstanding, the claim that Sir Alex Ferguson has turned his attention elsewhere is being greeted with considerable scepticism. Instead it is being interpreted as an act of brinkmanship that would force Tottenham to consider the implications of not dealing with United. As The Daily Telegraph notes, 'Relations between the two men [Ferguson and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy] are glacial but Levy is a businessman and if United do pull out, he can either keep an unmotivated player at White Hart Lane or try to do a deal with a less-than-fully interested Barcelona.'
WHAT A HOOT
While many of the papers are being sensible, The Daily Star definitely cannot be put into that category. That's 'paper' or 'sensible'.
For they claim, with what presumably is an entirely straight face, that Manchester United are weighing up a £15million move for Thierry Henry.
Yep. Go out and look at a copy (don't buy it, obviously) if you don't believe us.
They seek to justify their lunacy by meekly pointing to some of the other 'left-field' signings made by Fergie in his time at Old Trafford, namely Henrik Larsson and Eric Cantona.
Far more realistic is the suggestion in the same piece that alternatives include Roque Santa Cruz and Klass-Jan Huntelaar.
Now stop being so ludicrous chaps and get back to watching Big Brother.
KEANE ON VERGE OF LIVERPOOL MOVE
Robbie Keane is expected to complete his transfer from Tottenham to Liverpool later today.
According to reports, a £20m fee for the Irish striker has been agreed and Keane is on the verge of finalising his move to Anfield. The Guardian reports that 'Keane will undergo a medical today and his £20m move from Tottenham Hotspur may be completed in time for the forward to make his debut for his boyhood heroes in Liverpool's friendly in Spain against Villarreal on Wednesday.'
For more on this story, click here
BIG EVERTON BID REJECTED
Sporting Lisbon have turned down a 15million euro bid from Everton for star midfielder Joao Moutinho, the Portuguese club confirmed on Sunday.
Moutinho has been linked with a move to the Barclays Premier League outfit all summer and the 21-year-old publicly declared his desire for a transfer recently.
But the Portugal international's pleas have fallen on deaf ears as Sporting have flatly refused to let one of their most promising youngsters leave.
ROMA WANT MALOUDA
Roma boss Luciano Spalletti has admitted the club are interested in Chelsea winger Florent Malouda.
Spalletti is in the market for a new attacking midfielder after seeing Amantino Mancini leave for Inter Milan.
Malouda has been strongly linked with a move to Roma in the Italian media after an indifferent first season at Chelsea. The former Lyon ace failed to establish himself as a regular in the Chelsea starting XI last season and Roma are monitoring his situation.
Spalletti has revealed Malouda and Valencia star David Silva are on his list of targets.
Meanwhile, one winger apparently not leaving Stamford Bridge is Mr Shaun Wright-Phillips, despite the no-doubt near irresistable lure of Portsmouth.
New head honcho Big Phil says the wee man is going nowhere, words that you can read just here.
CESC NOT YET READY FOR MADRID
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has hinted he is interested in a move to Real Madrid, but poured cold water on the idea he could move to the Bernabeu this summer.
Reports in Spain suggest Madrid president Ramon Calderon, resigned to missing out on Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, has prepared a big-money offer for the 21-year-old.
But while Fabregas, a product of the Barcelona youth academy, revealed he could move to Madrid in the future, he insists he wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium for the time being.
AND THE REST...
Brimingham City have lined up a £2m bid for Crystal Palace's Ben Watson. Should he go, Palace will use the cash to land Coventry striker Michael Mifsud...Bolton will make a new bid this week for Reading midfielder James Harper...Mark Hughes wants to bring Nigerian left-back Taye Taiwo to Manchester City...Michael Owen will sign a new contract at Newcastle in the next two to three weeks...Kanu has finally agreed a new one-year deal at Portsmouth...Celtic left-back Lee Naylor is an Aston Villa target after Wilfred Bouma's horror ankle injury at the weekend. The deal could see forward Shaun Maloney return to Celtic...Mick McCarthy and Wolves are ready to hijack Ben Thatcher's move to Ipswich...Michael Chretien has snubbbed a move from Nancy to Manchester City in favour of £3m switch to Real Betis...Coventry have offered former Liverpool right-back Stephen Wright a deal...Portsmouth will offer Celestine babayaro a one-year deal now he has beaten malaria...Palermo have triggered a Premier League scramble after they confirmed midfielder Mark Bresciano can leave for £5m.