Thursday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

BREAKING GOSSIP

Sunderland have completed the permanent signing of Egypt midfielder Ahmed Elmohamady from Cairo-based club ENPPI.

1310 BST: Barcelona are in talks with Serie A outfit Udinese over Arsenal and Liverpool target Bojan Krkic - the 20-year-old Spain forward is reportedly being offered as part of a deal which would see Chile winger Alexis Sanchez move to the Nou Camp this summer.

1215: Former England boss Steve McClaren has distanced himself from the vacant hot-seat at Aston Villa and is in talks to become the new manager of Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem.
: Goal.com

1144: Palermo have rejected an offer £8.9m from Tottenham to sign Uruguay international forward Abel Hernandez, 20, according to the player's agent.

0955: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is prepared to let skipper Cesc Fabregas leave as long as he does not join another English team, clearing the way for Barcelona to launch a fresh attempt to sign him.
Mundo Deportivo

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Aston Villa have all but abandoned hope of convincing winger Ashley Young to agree to a contract extension, with a £16m move to Manchester United in the offing.
: Daily Mirror

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will attempt to finalise a deal for Young before the weekend.
: Daily Express

Chelsea have been told they will have to pay £41m to sign Brazil striker Neymar, who plays for Santos.
: the Sun

The Blues have stolen a march on Manchester United in the battle to bring Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder to the Premier League. Stamford Bridge officials are set to hold talks with Inter over a £30m deal, with Sneijder and his wife more keen on a move to London than Manchester.
: Metro

Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku hopes to finalise a £20m move to Chelsea on Saturday when his agent meets the Belgian club's general manager Herman van Holsbeeck and a delegation from Stamford Bridge.
: the Guardian

The Blues also plan to prise promising Denmark playmaker Christian Eriksen from Ajax, with former manager Guus Hiddink - who is widely expected to return to Stamford Bridge in some capacity this summer - keen on the 19-year-old.
: talkSPORT

Another player who could be arriving at Chelsea is £12m-rated Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin. The Uruguay centre-half confirmed the Blues made a bid for him in January but Atletico refused to sell.
: the Sun

Arsenal are in talks with both Bolton's Gary Cahill and Blackburn's Christopher Samba as Gunners manager Arsene Wenger looks to shore up the centre of his defence. Samba would cost about £12m, while a £15m deal would be enough to prise Cahill from the Reebok.
: Daily Mirror

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas fears his hopes of a dream move back to Barcelona, where he started his career, could be wrecked for a second successive year by the Gunners' £50m asking price.
: Daily Express

Liverpool are hoping to take advantage of the difficult task Jeffren faces of trying to earn a place in the Barcelona first team by signing the 23-year-old forward from the European champions.
: talkSPORT

Juventus have told midfielder Alberto Aquilani they will not be taking up the option to sign him on a permanent basis after his spell on loan from Liverpool.
: Daily Mail

Sunderland want to extend Danny Welbeck's loan from Manchester United for another year but face competition from Everton for the striker.
: Metro

Sunderland have moved quickly to replace the Liverpool-bound Jordan Henderson by submitting a bid for three Manchester United players. Black Cats boss Steve Bruce has tabled an offer of more than £12m for defenders Wes Brown and John O'Shea and midfielder Darron Gibson.
: the Guardian

Dutch defender John Heitinga is ready to quit Everton because he is fed up with the lack of European football.
: the Sun

West Ham have had a £3m offer for Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan rejected. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is eager to be reunited with the player, who was his captain when they were both at Bolton. Nolan has turned down the offer of a new contract at St James' Park.
: Daily Mail

New Fulham manager Martin Jol will raid his old side Ajax to supplement the Cottagers' forward line with Morocco international Mounir El Hamdaoui.
: talkSPORT

Jol also wants to be reunited with Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, who the Dutchman managed during his time in charge at White Hart Lane.
: the Sun

Bolton are in talks to sign striker Cameron Jerome from Birmingham. The Blues want £8m for the former England Under-21 international but the Trotters have offered £3m.
: the Sun

Newly promoted Swansea have made an approach for Spain midfielder Marcos Senna, who will be available on a free transfer when his Villarreal contract expires in July.
: Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIP

Bolton boss Owen Coyle is in contention to be the new Aston Villa manager but Roberto Martinez is the number one target.
: the Guardian

The Midlands club have, however, held talks with former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez after ex-England coach Steve McClaren was ruled out by Villa owner Randy Lerner.
: the Times (requires subscription)

Neil Warnock insists he will be in charge of Queens Park Rangers for start of their new Premier League campaign but admits his position may come under scrutiny if his side make a poor start to the Premier League campaign. Former Italy coach Marcello Lippi and ex-Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri have been touted as possible replacements.
: the Sun

AND FINALLY

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, Aston Villa caretaker manager Gary McAllister and Liverpool forward Andy Carroll have been photographed on holiday at the same exclusive beach resort in Barbados.
: Metro

Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo, 34, failed to score, despite having three good chances after coming off the bench for a 15-minute cameo for Brazil to mark the end of his professional career.
: Metro

United talk to Young - Report

Ashley Young's representatives are understood to have held talks with Manchester United over a transfer to Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old Aston Villa winger has been strongly linked with a move to the champions this summer after admitting he wants to challenge himself at a higher level.

No comment has been made by either club but Young's representatives have been in discussions with United this week.

The England international enjoyed a fruitful season with Villa last term, producing a number of impressive displays despite it being a difficult year of transition at the club.

Young has already revealed that he wants to play in the Champions League, suggesting that he is set on an exit from Villa Park.

The former Watford midfielder has risen to prominence in recent years and is now considered an important player by England coach Fabio Capello, most recently scoring against Switzerland in a Euro 2012 qualifier last weekend.

Villa open talks with Martinez

Aston Villa are hoping to appoint Roberto Martinez as their next boss after being given permission to speak to the Wigan Athletic manager.

It is believed that Martinez, who has just 12 months left on his deal with Wigan, has already held talks with Villa owner Randy Lerner after arriving back from holiday. But Wigan chief Dave Whelan expects Martinez to reject the chance to move to Villa.

Villa cancelled Steve McClaren's interview, originally scheduled for Thursday, and told Rafael Benitez and Mark Hughes that they are not in the running to replace Gerard Houllier. McClaren had been told he would be ''wasting his time'' by meeting with Lerner.

Villa are thought to have just two names left on their shortlist, Martinez and Bolton's Owen Coyle, but are believed to favour the man who kept Wigan in the Premier League against the odds.

The Daily Telegraph believes Martinez's move to Villa Park is far from a formality, though Whelan never likely to stand in the way of his close friend if a bigger club came calling. If Martinez goes then once again Whelan will have to find a manager to mastermind another Premier League escape plan as the vultures circle for their best players, such as Charles N'Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega.

Martinez, though, has strong emotional ties to Wigan. But the temptation to take another step on the managerial ladder may still prove too strong. Whelan will try to persuade him to stay at the DW by offering him a new deal.

''Aston Villa have acted above board and in a totally professional manner,'' he said. ''They wrote to me asking for permission to speak to Roberto. He was on holiday at the time and I granted Villa permission. He arrived back yesterday and I presume he has spoken to Villa. I have made it clear to him I will be extending his contract.

''I have never let him down on anything and he has never let me down. I know I can never say never in football, but I would be very surprised if he is Aston Villa's new manager.''

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner released a statement which read: ''The club is conscious of the keen interest in developments over the appointment of our new manager. When the process has reached an appropriate point we can assure our fans that we will be clear and forthright.

''We are focused right now on trying to secure the best candidate who will complement the club's commitment to being true to our heritage, competitiveness and passionate fan base.

''Until such time as the process is more advanced, there will be no further official comment.''

Whelan confident of keeping Martinez

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has exclusively told ESPNsoccernet that he believes there is a good chance that his manager Roberto Martinez will reject the overtures of Aston Villa and stay with the Latics.

Whelan gave permission for Martinez to talk with Villa, but feels his manager will remain loyal to Wigan after keeping them in the Premier League last season.

"I had a long chat with Roberto last night, and I think he will stay with Wigan, but I have left it to Roberto to make the final decision,'' Whelan told ESPNsoccernet.

"Contracts exist, the rules are in place, and I could have refused permission for my manager to talk to Villa, but that is not the way I go about things.

"I would never stop anyone talking to any club if that is what they want to do, that would be wrong in my book.

"I do believe that Roberto will go, one day, but it will be to a very big club in Europe, he is top drawer. But having had my meeting with him, I would be surprised if he was to leave, but it is up to him."

Martinez's contract at the club has 12 months left to run, but Whelan also maintained he had plans to extend it should the Spaniard opt to stay at the DW Stadium.

Barca announce €45m budget

Barcelona will be able to spend €45 million on new players this summer after the Catalan club's vice-president for economic affairs, Javier Faus, revealed the budget.

The European champions could also raise money from player sales, rumoured to include Bojan, Jeffren and Maxwell, as Faus explained the full extent of the financial situation at the Nou Camp.

"[Barcelona have] €45m for transfers, plus the money that can be obtained from sales [of players] in the close-season," he is quoted as saying by the club's official website. "When we speak about sales we will only consider those that are beneficial to the club."

He added: "The Spanish Supercup [to be played against Real Madrid in August] would bring in some €3m of extra income."

Faux also announced that a reduction in their pre-tax loss, to around €21m in the year to the end of June, and added that spending was trimmed from €495m to €441m.

"We are delighted with that outcome," Faus enthused. "It is the best possible investment because Barca has never been as recognised in brand terms as it is now."

Barcelona's gross debt stands at around €483m and the net debt is at €364, a fall from €532m and €431m respectively.

"There has been a very significant effort, which will continue over the next two years, to cut this debt," Faus added. "For this board of directors, this milestone is unavoidable and cannot be waived. FC Barcelona lost €83m last year and €21m this year and it cannot allow itself to continue losing money

Santos demand £41m for Neymar

Chelsea have been told that they will have to dig deep to the tune of £41 million if they are to prise Brazilian sensation Neymar away from Santos.

Neymar is one of the hottest properties in world football and has admirers all over Europe. Chelsea have long been in the frame and owner Roman Abramovich gave the green light to the deal last year, only to see the offer rebuffed.

Neymar's stock has continued to rise and that previous gambit from Stamford Bridge falls below Santos' valuation.

"Last year Santos received an offer of £32 million from Chelsea and it was rejected," the player's agent Wagner Ribeiro told The Sun. "Now he would not leave for less than £41 million."

Ribeiro is doing a decent job of talking up his client, likening him to world superstar Lionel Messi.

"Neymar is like Messi," he said. "Soon he will be the best in the world as he is a player like no other. "He is just 19 but all the big clubs are following him.

Kieran Gibbs out of England U21s squad with ankle injury

Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has withdrawn from the England Under-21 squad for the European Championship with an ankle injury.

The 21-year-old was set to travel with the squad to Denmark on Wednesday but aggravated the injury while playing in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Norway.

Manager Stuart Pearce now has a squad of only 22 players to choose from.

"It's unfortunate for Kieran, but he went for a scan on Tuesday and is in a medical boot," Pearce said.

"We have to deal with setbacks every now and again but we are fortunate to have a squad and a staff with previous tournament experience."

Gibbs, who has made 15 appearances for the Under-21 team, is the fourth full international to be ruled out of Pearce's original 40-man squad.

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll failed to recover from injury in time to make the final 23, while Gibbs' Arsenal team-mate Jack Wilshere withdrew through fear of exhaustion.

Manchester City full-back Micah Richards also pulled out after picking up a hamstring injury.

The European Championship begins on 11 June, with England playing Spain in their first group-stage game on Sunday before matches against the Ukraine and the Czech Republic the following week.

Nigeria to face Argentina again

Following their clash in Abuja earlier this month, Nigeria are set to play Argentina in another friendly in Bangladesh on 6 September.

The match in Dhaka will take place just two days after Nigeria's African Cup of Nations qualifier in Madagascar.

News of the fixture comes as Fifa is still investigating unusual betting patterns relating to Nigeria's 4-1 win over Argentina in Abuja on 1 June.

The South Americans will take on the Super Eagles after a date with Venezuela in the Indian city of Kolkata on 2 September.

Both matches are designed to boost football on the cricket-mad subcontinent.

On June 1, Argentina fielded an experimental side, with Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Sergio Aguero all absent.

But the Nigeria Football Federation's official match agent, Eurodata Sport Marketing, said all the big stars are expected to be in action in Dhaka.

"It's been agreed that Lionel Messi and other big names will be in the Argentina team for this game," Jairo Pachon of Eurodata told BBC Sport.

Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Sunderland will spend the money from the transfer of midfielder Jordan Henderson to Liverpool on defender Roger Johnson and midfielder Craig Gardner, who both play for Birmingham.
: Daily Mirror

Liverpool want to sign Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam, 25, who could cost £8m, while the Reds are also keen on Roma's Brazilian goalkeeper Doni, 31.
: the Guardian

Another player interesting Liverpool is Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing. (Daily Telegraph)

Villa are willing to let winger Ashley Young move to Manchester United for £16m.
: the Sun

Manchester United will also beat Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham to the signature of Blackburn defender Phil Jones, 19, but he will cost them £16m.
: Daily Mirror

Southampton will attempt to persuade Manchester United to part with two bit-part players, plus cash if the Old Trafford outfit want to sign highly rated 17-year-old midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
: Daily Express

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez will reject overtures from Real Madrid to remain with the Red Devils.
: the Sun

Chelsea have lodged a £9m bid with Belgian side Racing Genk for 19-year-old left-sided winger Kevin de Bruyne.
: Metro

Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona are battling to sign Udinese's much-vaunted forward Alexis Sanchez, 22, for about £30m.
: Daily Mirror

Shakhtar Donetsk are ready to let midfielder Willian join Arsenal, with Gunners midfielder Denilson going the other way in part-exchange, plus £4m.
: the Sun

Bolton have told Arsenal and Manchester City they will have to pay £17m to land centre-back Gary Cahill, who has a release clause in his contract at the Reebok allowing him to talk to clubs who hit that figure.
: the Sun

The Trotters have enquired about signing Dynamo Kiev's Senegalese defender Pape Diakhate, 26, fuelling speculation Cahill could leave.
: talkSPORT

Champions League winners Barcelona are keen on a move for Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique, 25.
: talkSPORT

Fulham have turned down a bid, thought to be worth £10m, from Tottenham Hotspur for striker Moussa Dembele.
: Daily Telegraph

Sebastian Larsson, who is a free agent after being released by Birmingham, will reject Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Newcastle to sign for Sunderland.
: Daily Mirror

Newcastle and Blackburn will go head to head in a race to sign 25-year-old Egyptian forward Shikabala from Zamalek.
: talkSPORT

Meanwhile, Newcastle have moved ahead of local rivals Sunderland in the race to sign Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia, who played for the St James' Park club between 2004 and 2009. (Daily Telegraph)

And Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan, along with Blackpool striker DJ Campbell, is a target for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce after rejecting a new contract with the Magpies.
(Daily Telegraph)

Newcastle midfielder Alan Smith is in line for a shock return to his first club Leeds.
: Daily Mirror

Meanwhile, Stoke and Queens Park Rangers are considering moves for Newcastle striker Nile Ranger. (Daily Mail)

West Ham are ready to bid £750,000 for 18-year-old Southend defender Kane Ferdinand, the cousin of Manchester United and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand.
: Daily Mail

Wolves are closing in on a deal for £4m-rated Reading centre-back Matt Mills.
: Daily Mirror

AC Milan could step in and buy midfielder Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool, with Juventus dithering over the £16m asking price.
: Metro

Leeds midfielder Neil Kilkenny, 25, will choose between five clubs when he returns from international action with Australia. He is out of contract and is wanted by Ipswich, Nottingham Forest, Burnley, Hull and Bristol City.
: talkSPORT

Nottingham Forest are keen on signing Fulham midfielder Jonathan Greening and Crewe midfielder Ashley Westwood.
: Daily Mirror

Reading and Millwall are competing with each other for the signing of striker Marlon Harewood, who had been offered a deal by Notts County but wants to sign for a Championship side. Harewood can leave Blackpool on a free transfer.
: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has flown in to interview prospective new managers, including ex-England coach Steve McClaren, former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and Mark Hughes, who had been at the helm at Fulham but resigned last week.
: Daily Mirror

Martin Jol's first task as Fulham manager will be to try to persuade former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton, who was the Dutchman's assistant at Tottenham, to join the club as his assistant.
: Daily Telegraph

Cardiff are ready to pay Watford £300,000 in compensation for their manager Malky Mackay. The Bluebirds are looking for a new boss after Dave Jones was sacked last month.
: Daily Mirror

Tottenham are not going to sell Luka Modric, fellow midfielder Sandro or left-sided player Gareth Bale, says manager Harry Redknapp.
: Daily Mirror

United States goalkeeper Brad Friedel says he has joined Tottenham to be the club's new number one, not to sit on the sidelines.
: talkSPORT

La Liga club Athletic Bilbao want Roberto Martinez as their new boss and if the Spanish outfit cannot land the Wigan manager they will turn their attention to out-of-work Mark Hughes, who recently resigned as Fulham boss.
: Daily Star

AND FINALLY

Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has defended the language he uses in his Twitter posts after coming bottom of a vocabulary league table among footballers who use the social networking site.
Full story: Metro

England are planning to stay in a Holiday Inn in Warsaw if they qualify for the 2012 European Championship.
: the Sun

Friedel: I'm here to be Tottenham No. 1

New Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel insists he has not moved to north London for the money and says he expects to be pushing Heurelho Gomes hard for the club's No. 1 jersey.
Friedel, 40, joined Spurs last week on a free transfer but many questioned his motives for leaving Aston Villa, where he was undisputed first choice between the posts, for White Hart Lane.

The former USA international will have to compete with Gomes and Carlo Cudicini to be Harry Redknapp's No. 1 but the veteran 'keeper says he is ready for the challege and revealed that he rejected the opportunity to play second fiddle to Pepe Reina at Liverpool in order to fight for a starting berth at Spurs.

"I like what I heard coming out of Tottenham, they are a club on the up and it's well documented that had I moved to Liverpool it would have been as a No.2," Friedel said.

"I just felt that if I was to sign anywhere as a No.2 that would effectively be signing my retirement. I didn't sign anywhere for the money, I signed to play and the chance to compete for my place with the exciting players.

"I really feel Tottenham have the chance to get into that top four. I hope to be in the starting 11."

Friedel signed on a two-year deal from Villa, turning down the chance to return to Anfield, where he played between 1997 and 2000.

Gattuso turns down move to Anzhi

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has rejected a move to Russian-based club Anzhi Makhachkala and will remain with the Italian champions next season.

Gattuso, 33, is rumoured to be on his way out of the San Siro this summer, and had been mulling over an offer from the Dagestan club before deciding to turn it down.

''I evaluated the offer,'' Gattuso told Gazzetta dello Sport. "It was an important offer but in the end, I believe it is better to be with the family at home. I have been 12 years at Milan and it's my home.''

Gattuso has one more year remaining on his contract with the Rossoneri and the World Cup winner made 31 league appearances this season to help Milan clinch their first Scudetto since 2004, scoring two

Brasil Release Copa America Squad

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has surprisingly selected Fluminense captain Fred in his Copa America squad, with Villarreal striker Nilmar missing the cut at his expense.
Fred, 27, scored Brazil's winner in 1 -0 victory over Romania on Tuesday night, a game that saw Ronaldo's final appearance for the Selecao.

The former Lyon forward was withdrawn after half an hour, with O Fenomeno coming on in his place, but Fred's goal appeared to do enough to convince Menezes that he was worthy of a place in the Brazil squad for the continental showpiece in Argentina next month.

Fred is one of four strikers, alongside Robinho, Alexandre Pato and Neymar, and he also pipped Internacional striker Leandro Damiao, who has impressed recently with his displays in the Gaucho State Championship.

Brazil are defending champions and Menezes side are looking to win the tournament for the third time in a row and fifth time in six editions.

Santos star Ganso has also made the cut for the Selecao's campaign in Argentina, despite missing the last two matches through injury; he is expected to return for his club in their Copa Libertadores semi-final second leg against Penarol on June 22.

Brazil squad for Copa America:

Goalkeepers Victor (Gremio), Julio Cesar (Inter)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Inter), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Adriano (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter), Thiago Silva (Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea) Luisao (Benfica)

Midfielders: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Ramires (Chelsea), Sandro (Tottenham), Jadson (Shakhtar Donetsk), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Elano (Santos), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Lucas Silva (Sao Paulo)

Forwards: Robinho (Milan), Alexandre Pato (Milan), Fred (Fluminense), Neymar (Santos)

Udinese: No Barca deal for Sanchez

Udinese have denied that an agreement has been reached with Barcelona for Alexis Sanchez, with the Italians claiming that there has been no contact at all from Camp Nou.
Reports in Spain on Wednesday say a deal between the two clubs had been reached on Tuesday night for the Chilean forward, but Udinese president Franco Soldati has moved swiftly to reject those claims.

"Regarding reports of a possible transfer of Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez to FC Barcelona, I would like to point out that they are not true," he said.

"No agreement has been reached between Udinese and Barcelona for the transfer of this player. Moreover, no meeting has been scheduled between the two clubs to discuss such transfer.''

Despite Udinese's insistence that no dialogue has begun with European Champions Barca, Soldati appeared to talk up a possible move to Barca earlier this week.

Soldati told Futbol: "Barcelona would be a splendid destination. The interest of great clubs makes me proud. It means I am doing well.

"I want to progress, play and win important trophies and to do this you need to play for the most prestigious clubs. Therefore I hope to have this chance.

Inter Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are also thought to be in the race to acquire the 22-year-old, who is under contract with Udinese until June 2014.

Sanchez has enjoyed a fine campaign with Udinese, scoring 12 goals to help the Bianconeri qualify for the Champions League next season.

Kagawa keen on Man Utd move

Borussia Dortmund playmaker Shinji Kagawa has admitted he would be interested in a move to Manchester United if the club make a formal offer for his services.
Kagawa's performances for club and country this past year have led to interest from United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and the Red Devils are now reportedly weighing up a move as they seek to rebuild their squad.

And the Japan international says, if the Premier League champions came calling, a move to Old Trafford would be an intriguing prospect.

"If I get a formal offer, I'll be strongly interested in listening to what they have to say," Kagawa told Nikkan Sports. "The Premier League is one of the leagues I want to challenge. If it is Man Utd, I'll be still more eager to go and try how much I can do there."

Kagawa was a key component to Dortmund's capturing of this year's Bundesliga, and Die Borussen will be keen on tying the 22-year-old down to a new deal as they prepare for Champions League football next season.

Hernandez: I owe a great debt to Fergie

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez insists he intends to stay loyal to Sir Alex Ferguson after the veteran Scot took a gamble on bringing him to Europe last summer.
Hernandez, 23, was relatively unknown outside Mexico this time last year, when United announced that they had signed the forward from Guadalajara for £6 million.

But he burst onto the international scene at the World Cup in South Africa and made a big impression in his debut season at Old Trafford, scoring 20 goals as United won a record 19th league title and reached the Champions League final.

His ruthless finishing and impressive work-rate are believed to have caught the eye of Real Madrid, who are on the lookout for some new firepower up front, but Chicharito can only see his future at United - with Ferguson's belief in him a key reason for him wanting to stay.

"I'm very motivated after a great season with United," Hernandez said. "From now on I'll owe a great debt to Sir Alex for bringing me to Europe.

"My dream has not changed. I want to win many titles to give back to the team that opened the doors for me."

Hernandez scored a hat-trick in Mexico's CONCACAF Gold Cup demolition of El Salvador on Monday, but was quick to play down the plaudits he received after the game.

"I'm not a symbol or idol," Hernandez said. "Football is not a sport like golf but a team game."

Arsenal sign Charlton starlet Jenkinson

Arsenal have signed Charlton Athletic's Finland Under-21 defender Carl Jenkinson for an undisclosed fee.

Jenkinson, 19, came through the Charlton youth ranks and follows Jonjo Shelvey - who joined Liverpool last summer - in making the step up from the Addicks academy to the Premier League.

The teenager, who played for England Under-17s before switching allegiance to Finland - the country of his mother's birth, can play anywhere across the back four.

He only made his debut for Charlton in League Two last December, going on to play nine games in the 2010-11 campaign, but Arsenal have seen enough to invest in the defender.

The Gunners have also tied England youngsters Benik Afobe and Chuks Aneke to long-term deals, along with Dutch youth international midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup.

Manager Arsene Wenger is expected to add some experience to his first-team squad this summer, with Lille's Ivory Coast forward Gervinho, Bolton defender Gary Cahill and Blackburn centre-back Christopher Samba all reported targets.

Nasri plays down Arsenal exit talk

Samir Nasri has moved to quell speculation about his future, with the Arsenal midfielder telling the club's fans not to believe speculation that has been written in the newspapers.
Nasri is heading into the final year of his contract at Arsenal and cast doubt on his future at the club by refusing to dismiss talk of a move to Manchester United.

The midfielder also claimed talks with Arsenal are continuing, but the comments about United were seized on.

Nasri feels the comments have been blown out of proportion and has insisted he will speak about his future when there is something to clarify.

"I just want tell you don't listen (to) the newspapers and the rumours. I will let you know if something happens," Nasri wrote on Twitter.

United are in the market for a new creative force following the retirement of Paul Scholes, but Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said recently that the club would never sell Nasri to the Red Devils.

Walcott fears Nasri exit

Theo Walcott has stressed Samir Nasri's importance to Arsenal as speculation intensifies that the France international could be set to leave the club.
Nasri's contract runs out at the end of next season and talks over a new deal have stalled, with the midfielder reportedly unhappy with the salary on offer.

He struck fear into the heart of Gunners fans at the weekend by refusing to rule out a move to Manchester United - and Walcott concedes Nasri could be headed to one of Arsenal's rivals.

"I don't like getting involved in people's careers," Walcott told Sky Sports News. "We need to keep hold of our best players - but it's up to Samir, it's his decision. He had a great season, he showed people what he can do. He's a very important player to Arsenal and we'll see what happens in the summer."

Meanwhile, Walcott has backed manager Arsene Wenger's declaration that he will be more active than usual in the summer this year. Wenger is believed to be targeting defensive reinforcements - ideally ones with experience of Premier League football - as he looks for Arsenal's first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.

"Yeah [I'm expecting players to be signed], the manager's said so," Walcott said. "Hopefully we can keep hold of our best players, as we need to be winning something next season without a doubt. It's been so long and the fans have waited so long. And players don't like seeing every season go without winning anything."

MARTIN JOL NEW FULHAM BOSS

Martin Jol has been named as Fulham's new manager.

The 55-year-old former Tottenham boss has agreed an initial two-year contract at Craven Cottage with the option of a further 12 months.

The Dutchman replaces Mark Hughes, who resigned as Fulham manager last Thursday after one season at the helm.

Jol, who was sacked by Spurs in 2007, was linked with the Fulham role last year but Ajax refused to release him from his post as head coach at the Amsterdam ArenA.

He has been out of work since quitting the Dutch club last December and has now spoken of his excitement at returning to the Barclays Premier League.

"I am very happy to join Fulham Football Club, a wonderful traditional club," he told the club's official website.

"It is a club with good, solid foundations and a great fan base.

"I am looking forward to being part of the Fulham family and thank the chairman for the trust he's shown in me."

Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed said on the club's website: "I would like to welcome Martin Jol to Fulham. He understands my vision for the club, and believes in what we are striving to achieve here.

"I know that he will dedicate himself to helping us move forward, and is with us for the long term, to help us build and progress.

"We have enjoyed three incredibly successful years, and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue.

"I know that with his wealth of experience and success, Martin is the right man to help us do this."

Hughes also built on a reputation initially forged at Blackburn and then Manchester City, where many felt he was unlucky to lose his job, but departed insisting he had received no contact with any other club, despite being heavily linked with Aston Villa.

Jol will, though, have little time to get his feet under the table, with the Fulham players due to report back for pre-season training on June 23 and facing a Europa League qualifier in less than four weeks' time.

A club statement confirmed: "Martin joins Fulham on an initial two-year contract with the club having an option to extend for a further year.

"He will arrive at our Motspur Park training ground in advance of the players' return to training later this month."

Former West Brom and Coventry midfielder Jol moved to Spurs in summer 2004, initially as an assistant to Jacques Santini, after having started his coaching career with stints at Roda JC and RKC Waalwijk in his homeland.

The Dutchman was handed the top job at White Hart Lane when Santini left the following November and won many admirers for the attractive football played under him.

Following his dismissal in October 2007 - he was unceremoniously dumped following the UEFA Cup defeat by Getafe - Jol spent the 2008/09 campaign at Hamburg before succeeding Marco van Basten as Ajax coach in May 2009.

He helped the Amsterdammers to KNVB Beker glory in 2010 before stepping down last December with the club in fourth place in the Eredivisie standings in what turned out to be a title-winning campaign.

Martin Jol Factfile

1956: Born January 16 in The Hague, Holland.

Egypt sack coach Shehata

Egypt parted company with national team coach Hassan Shehata on Monday after a draw against South Africa sent the defending champions to the bottom of their African Nations Cup qualifying group.

Egypt have not won a match in their group and were all but eliminated from the competition after Sunday's 0-0 draw.

Samir Zaher, head of the Egyptian federation, said in a statement that "the federation has full respect for the management team over the past six years in terms of accomplishments".

Shehata led Egypt to the last three Nations Cup titles as well as bringing the team one of its highest Fifa rankings ever.

Egypt were ranked ninth internationally last June but have since fallen to 36th position.

The federation did not name a successor to Shehata.

Egypt still has two qualifying matches to play against Sierra Leone and Niger.

Tottenham boss Redknapp hoping Man Utd, Chelsea target Modric stays one more year

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is convinced holding onto Luka Modric.

The People says Spurs manager Redknapp is confident Modric won’t rock the boat this summer and demand a move from White Hart Lane.

The Croatian’s decision will also mean Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini will have to look elsewhere for a ­play-maker, as well as Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson who is looking to replace Paul Scholes after the United star quit last week.

Had Modric been interested in moving Ferguson, as well as Chelsea, would have been at the front of the queue for the 25-year-old.

Thiago's Gunners link quashed

Thiago Alcantara's father has rejected reports that the Barcelona starlet could go to Arsenal as part of a swap deal for Cesc Fabregas.

Reports have suggested Barcelona were prepared to offer Thiago in part-exchange of a £50million swoop for long-term transfer target Fabregas.

Thiago, 20, is highly-rated at the Nou Camp, but he has found first-team opportunities hard to come by because of Barca's star studded line-up.

It had been suggested Barcelona were hoping to finally persuade Arsenal to part with Fabregas by offering Thiago as part of the deal.

However, Thiago's father, former Brazil international Mazinho, claims the midfielder is going nowhere as he remains part of Pep Guardiola's plans.

"We have seen the news in the papers, but I belive that Thiago enters in the plans of Guardiola for next season," Mazinho told EFE.

"My son stays at Barcelona. They have a contract and we have decided it's continuity.

"Thiago is developing and needs to evolve.

"This season was important, but next season could be better."

Ancelotti: I'm taking a break

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he will take a one-year sabbatical from coaching after being dismissed by Chelsea last month.

The Italian tactician had one year left on his contract with the Blues but was sacked on the final day of the campaign after two seasons in charge.

Ancelotti has been linked with the coaching position of newly-promoted QPR, who are managed by Neil Warnock, as well as the vacancies at Fulham and Aston Villa. He has also been a reported target of Serie A club Roma, for whom he enjoyed great success as a player.

"I am in no hurry to coach and I don't need to," Ancelotti told Italian newspaper La Stampa. "I have not been contacted by any club in England and I have not spoken to Roma. It is all fantasy.

"I have enjoyed this experience (of coaching in England). I will return to London to organise my life.

"Besides a six-month break, I have been coaching non-stop since 1995. I will take a year off and look around, study how my colleagues work."

Ancelotti enjoyed a successful playing career at Roma between 1979 and 1987 and has never hidden his wish to guide the capital city club in the future.

"I have always said and I reiterate it that one day I will coach Roma, but it's still early," he said.

Ancelotti led Chelsea to the Premier League and FA Cup Double in his first season in charge but finished trophyless at the end of the 2010-11 campaign.

Robin van Persie refutes 'misleading' reports

On Friday evening, Robin van Persie issued the following statement via Arsenal.com:

"I'm on international duty at the moment but following several reports in the media I think it's important to clarify some recent comments attributed to me.

"These reports falsely suggest that I recently made negative comments about Spanish and Chelsea players, I would like to make it perfectly clear that I haven't done an interview with Sport 1 or any other outlet in recent weeks and I've certainly not been rude as the comments suggest.

"I respect my colleagues of Spain and Chelsea and look forward to playing against them for many years to come. I sincerely hope that all football fans worldwide don't take these misleading reports seriously.

"I wish you all a great summer!"

Monday hot Gossip/Rummor

CHELSEA TO SHOW THEIR HAND

Word this morning is that Chelsea are set to stop pussyfooting around and lay what they've got out on the table.

And by 'what they've got' we mean 'a formal offer to Guus Hiddink', which The Guardian reports will happen at some point this week.

The paper claims Chelsa will make a formal approach to the Turkish FA, asking them to release their man post-haste, but it might not be as easy as all that.

The Guardian predicts the Turks will play hardball, and that Chelsea are reluctant to pay more than around £4million to get their man.

However, if you believe The Daily Express, the spending won't end there. It will cost £4m, but Hiddink will expect a £6million salary, and on top of the compo already being paid out to Carlo Ancelotti, this will be a very expensive personnel change indeed.

NASRI IS A COY ONE
One you may have missed yesterday, and Samir Nasri isn't exactly being entirely straightforward about his future.

Go here for the details, but the summary we're going to put on this one is 'Hmmmmm....interesting...'

BENDTNER '100%' WANTS OUT
Another man possibly leaving Arsenal, but one that we imagine Gunners will not exactly cry themselves to sleep over, is Niclas Bendtner.

And he '100%' is ready to leave, apparently. Look, he says so here.

MODRIC OUT, COLE IN?
If you'll excuse us for quoting an unnamed source from The Sun, this one summarises two transfer rumours quite nicely.

A 'top White Hart Lane source' apparently told The Sun:

"The word is that Sir Alex has already spoken directly to Harry and said how much he admires Modric and how much he wants him.

"And as much as Harry wants to keep him he knows United can make an offer we just can't refuse.

"So Harry's busy now trying to do the Joe Cole deal to bring in a new playmaker to compensate for the expected departure of Luka."

And according to the paper, that offer they can't refuse doesn't involve Luca Brasi, but around £20million in cash.

SWAPSIES FOR CESC
Here's a story that is in no way tedious.

Actually, at least The Daily Mirror have had the decency to come up with a slightly original slant on the Fabregas to Barcelona story, reporting that the Catalans with offer youngster Thiago Alcantara as part of a £50million deal.

And here's the paper's summary of the kid:

'Alcantara is due to play for Spain's under-20s at the World Cup and looked better than any English talent when he starred against the young Lions in last summer's European Championships at that age group.

'The gifted ball player is the son of former Brazil and Barcelona star Mazinho and it would be a wrench for him to leave. But he may have to go for his own development.'

ARSENAL AND LIVERPOOL IN FOR MR BOJAN GOALS
Speaking of Arsenal and Barcelona, there's an interesting line in The Daily Mail, reporting that both the Gooners and Liverpool are sniffing around fun-sized forward Bojan Krkic.

And the paper reports that he's not the only player Liverpool want from the Nou Camp:

'Liverpool would consider spending £17million and could try to do a double deal involving Bojan's team-mate Jeffren, another forward set to slip further down the pecking order when Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola finalises a deal for Giuseppe Rossi from Villarreal.'

Slightly more curiously, the Mail also claims Arsenal are after former player and free agent Seb Larsson.

LIVERPOOL UP BID FOR HENDERSON
Now, this story was written by Alan Nixon, so treat it with the requisite caution, but The Daily Mirror reports Liverpool have upped their bid for Jordan Henderson to a whopping £18.5million, in an attempt to get the deal done sharpish.

And Sunderland might be laughing all the way to the bank:

'Sunderland insiders are shocked by how quickly Liverpool have upped their offer. They were thinking of a £16 million sale, but now their negotiators reckon they may get even more.'

The words 'snap', 'hand' and 'off' spring to mind.

Wigan supremo Dave Whelan will sell Charles N'Zogbia for £9million - if a Champions League club wants him...Wigan and Blackburn are interested in Bursaspor's Kenny Miller...West Brom are stepping up their efforts to sign Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima...Newcastle are closing in on Swansea defender Neil Taylor as they look to take advantage of a clause in his contract.
BREAKING GOSSIP

1300: Peter Crouch remains committed to playing for England despite starting just one match in 13 months. The Tottenham striker was reported to be ready to walk away from England, but sources close to the player say he will continue to make himself available.
Press Association

1145: Wolves have agreed to sign Jamie O'Hara from Tottenham for £5m. The mdifelder, 24, spent the latter half of last season on loan at Molineux: Goal.com

Wolves have confirmed "negotiations are ongoing" and have said that reports that the deal has already been done are "premature".
Press Association

1130: Veteran German striker Miroslav Klose is set to quit Bayern Munich to join Spanish side Valencia. Klose, who is 33 on Thursday, has also been linked with a move to Everton.
: Bild (in German)

0910: Tottenham defender William Gallas has "drawn a line" under his international career after being left out of the French squad their Euro 2012 qualifier against Belarus and this week's friendlies against Ukraine and Poland.
French sports daily L'Equipe

0905 BST: West Brom boss Roy Hodgson wants to be reunited with Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Gera, who he signed for Fulham from the Baggies in 2008. Gera was a fans' favourite at The Hawthorns.
Press Association


Arsenal are being offered Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara, 20, as part of a £50m swap deal for Cesc Fabregas.
: Daily Mirror

Arsenal and Liverpool are considering a bid for Barcelona's unwanted 20-year-old striker Bojan.
: Daily Mail

Liverpool have made a new £18.5m bid for Sunderland's 20-year-old midfielder Jordan Henderson - £5m more than last week's opening offer.
: Daily Mirror

Joe Cole looks set to be reunited with Harry Redknapp, after Tottenham agreed a £3m transfer fee to sign the 29-year-old Liverpool midfielder.
: Metro

Arsenal's Emmanuel Eboue, 28, has emerged as a QPR transfer target after the Gunners signalled they are willing to listen to offers for the utility player.
: Metro

Tottenham duo Jermaine Jenas and Robbie Keane could leave Spurs for newly promoted QPR. Midfielder Jenas, 28, would cost around £7m, while 30-year-old Keane is more likely to move on loan.
: Metro

Scott Parker says he is unlikely to remain at Upton Park - with Spurs favourites to swoop.
: Daily Mirror

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been told he will need to find in excess of £20m to sign Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric.
: The Sun

Ashley Young, 25, wants to quit Aston Villa for Champions League football, and Manchester United are favourites to sign the £20m-rated forward.
: The Sun

Villa, in the meantime, have been making discreet enquiries about Real Madrid's out-of-favour mdifielder Fernando Gago, 25.
: Insidefutbol.com

Everton are set to miss out on Bayern Munich and Germany striker Miroslav Klose.
: talkSPORT

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson will move to head off Arsenal and Chelsea's interest in the club's star striker Peter Odemwingie by handing the Nigerian a new deal at The Hawthorns.
: Daily Mail

Wigan will sell French winger Charles N'Zogbia, 25, for £9m - if a Champions League club wants him.
: Daily Mirror

Nicklas Bendtner has confirmed he will "100%" leave Arsenal this summer after growing frustrated at his lack of opportunities.
: Daily Mail

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has made a flying visit to check out Caen's 24-year-old Moroccan striker Youssef Al-Arabi.
: Daily Mirror

Scotland defender Danny Wilson is poised for a return to Rangers on a season-long loan from Liverpool. (Daily Record)

Emilson Cribari prefers a return to his native Brazil with Botafogo to a more lucrative offer from Rangers after the 31-year-old central defender came to the end of his contract with Napoli. (Daily Mail)

Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra says he will not invoke a clause allowing him to buy out the final year of his Rangers contract and will only leave Ibrox if manager Ally McCoist approves a transfer. (the Sun/Daily Express)

Rangers look likely to miss out on signing Maccabi Haifa's Tomer Hemed, with Serie A clubs Cagliari and Balogna, plus Anderlecht and Mechelen, interested in the Israel striker. (Daily Record)

Departing Hibernian forward Derek Riordan has been warned that a contract from Houston Dynamo might be the best he will get this summer after the Major League Soccer outfit increased their offer for the Scotland international. (the Scotsman)

Chelsea are to make a formal approach to the Turkish Football Federation this week to secure the services of national coach Guus Hiddink as their new manager.
: The Guardian

The Blues face a £14m bill to sign Hiddink - £4m of which will be compensation for Turkey.
: Daily Express

Former Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is ready to end his 10-month exile from the Premier League by taking over at Fulham.
: Daily Mail

Fulham captain Danny Murphy, 34, has told the club's hierarchy to appoint him as the new manager, but Martin Jol appears most likely to succeed Mark Hughes.
: Daily Mail

Wembley could host the 2013 Champions League final after proving such a success last month.
: Daily Mail

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has admitted that he is glad he can finally put his feet up after playing twice as many games as last season.
Full story: The Sun

Shane Long has led the tributes to Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane after the striker wrote himself into the history books by becoming the first player from Great Britain and Ireland to score 50 international goals, with a match-winning display in Macedonia.
Full story: Daily Express

Hearts, who have previously used Murrayfield, expect to be told they will be unable to play Europa League group games at Tynecastle. (Daily Record) 

Argentina-Nigeria game faces probe

FIFA are investigating reports of unusual betting patterns relating to Wednesday's international between Nigeria and Argentina.

Nigeria ran out 4-1 winners against a largely second-string Argentinian side in the friendly encounter in Abuja.

Ike Uche scored twice and Victor Obinna once to put the hosts three up at the break, while Emmanuel Emenike made it four in the second half.

Argentina got on the scoreboard eight minutes into injury time - only five having been signalled - when Joseph Yobo was penalised for a handball by referee Ibrahim Chaibou of Niger, and Mauro Boselli scored from the penalty spot.

It is claimed a high number of bets were placed for there to be another goal with the score at 4-0.

FIFA said in statement released to the Daily Telegraph: ''FIFA can confirm that this match between Nigeria and Argentina was one that we had an active interest in, and forms part of a wider ongoing FIFA investigation.''

"There had been some crazy moves on the in-running market early in the game," Matthew Benham of SmartOdds, an online betting firm, said. "With 86 minutes played the odds for 4.50 [a fifth goal to be scored] were absolutely insane. The market was effectively saying it was odds against that there would be no more goals. It is hard to get an exact figure for how much would have been bet to force that kind of swing but we are certainly talking hundreds of thousands, possibly more than £1,000,000."

Warner backs down over e-mail claims

Suspended CONCACAF president Jack Warner has backed down after promising to release a 'tsunami' on the football world with his revelations about FIFA.
Warner had claimed he was about to release emails containing confidential discussions with FIFA president Sepp Blatter but, instead, said his lawyers had advised him against such action.

"I had plans to speak to you today a bit more on this matter but the best legal advice I received has suggested that I do not do so at this point in time and that advice I am going to respect," Warner, who is Trinidad's Minister of Works and Transport, told supporters from his political party at the rally.

Warner has been suspended amid an investigation into bribery and corruption at world football's governing body and is under the spotlight for an alleged meeting he organised with Asian Football Confederation head Mohammed Bin Hammam.

However, Warner has denied any wrongdoing, adding: "I haven't thieved anything, I haven't given anybody anything and I don't know what the hullabaloo is all about."

Meanwhile, the FIFA 'whistleblower' who was fired and then reinstated within the space of a few hours, Chuck Blazer, also refused to add fuel to the fire when speaking ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

"I can assure that things are normal, that it is business as usual. This is very much the Cup that you have seen before and the Cup you will see in the future and everything is being done by the direction of the executive committee and I am in place as the general secretary," he said.

"I think (the fans) can have confidence in the future because this is a major effort to do things in the right way and if we accomplish that by the end of this entire process, we will have done a lot of good and for the right reasons.''

Angry Gallas quits France after snub

Tottenham defender William Gallas claims he has ''drawn a line'' under his international career having not featured in any of national coach Laurent Blanc's squads to date.
Gallas, 33, was not included in the party for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Belarus and the friendlies against Ukraine and Poland this week, and in an interview with sports daily L'Equipe he appeared to indicate he would not want to be picked again.

He said: ''When I saw that I had returned to my top level [with Tottenham] I thought [Blanc] would recall me. It was said that the best would be selected and I think this season I was one of the best French players in my position.

''Well if it's like that... I have drawn a line under my international career.''

Gallas last featured for France in their disastrous campaign at the World Cup in South Africa last summer, which was overshadowed by a player strike after forward Nicolas Anelka was sent home following a row with then coach Raymond Domenech.

The former Arsenal man fears that is how he will be remembered as a France international, despite also featuring in the side which reached the 2006 World Cup final.

''We made decisions that were wrong, but at the time we were in a bubble, we were oblivious. This image haunts me and I know it will pursue me,'' he added. ''I've had 16 years at the top level and one decision, one mistake has screwed up everything.''

Xavi: Barcelona are the best

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has claimed the current European and Spanish champions are the best team of the last 20 years and hailed Lionel Messi as the best player of all time.
Barcelona swept all before them once again this season to pick up the La Liga and Champions League double and the Spain international was happy to indulge in some rare trumpet blowing.

He told German newspaper Bild: ''There have been some great teams in history, Pele's Brazil, (Johan) Cruyff's Ajax, (Arrigo) Sacchi's Milan but in the past 20 years this Barcelona team is the best.''

On Messi, he added: ''He is the best player of all time - better than Pele, Maradona or Cruyff. We have to protect him as he is crucial. Without him we would not be what we are.''

Coach Pep Guardiola has also received high praise for his work, and although reports suggested that he was on the verge of standing down, Xavi claimed he hopes the former Barcelona midfielder ''stays forever''.

He added: ''He (Guardiola) is very intelligent, very enthusiastic and very 'Barcelona-ish'. He is a great coach and I hope he stays forever, if not as coach then as sporting director or president.''

The only black mark in the Catalans' season was the Copa del Rey final defeat to arch-rivals Real Madrid. Xavi, though, was critical of the approach adopted by Jose Mourinho's men throughout the season.

He said: ''Madrid were the hardest opponents but not because they played football but because they wanted to destroy the game. I like Manchester United's approach a thousand times better. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Real did play.''