Wednesday's Footy Gossip

[Biff]

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea are preparing a £25m bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Full story: Daily Mirror

New Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is contemplating a surprise move to bring Michael Ballack to Spain.
Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is lining up a move for Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil, with the Gunners considering a £12m bid for Werder Bremen's 21-year-old.
Full story: http://www.caughtoffside.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Robinho's representatives will officially tell Manchester City next week that the £32.5m British record signing no longer wishes to play for the club under coach Roberto Mancini.
Full story: Daily Mail

Robinho's camp has expressed a desire to move to Barcelona, with Manchester City possibly offering the Brazilian in a swap deal for midfielder Yaya Toure.
Full story: The Guardian

The agent representing Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta says the Italian will be heading to Tottenham this summer.
Full story: The Sun

West Ham co-owner David Gold says England goalkeeper Robert Green is up for grabs this summer. The 29-year-old's contract expires next year and Gold revealed: "At this stage we are not going to have talks with him about a new deal."
Full story: The Sun

Rafael Benitez's first move when he is finally unveiled as Inter Milan manager will be to return to England and his former club Liverpool in an attempt to take Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano to the San Siro.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham have had a £2m bid for defender Onyekachi Apam rejected by Nice.
Full story: The Times (requires subscription)

Arsenal defender William Gallas is wanted by Greek side Panathinaikos.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fulham are close to completing the signing of Standard Liege striker Dieumerci Mbokani for a fee of £8m.
Full story: Daily Mail

Aston Villa lead a long list of clubs wanting to sign winger Martin Petrov, who has been released by Manchester City. Everton, Stoke, West Ham and Bolton are also interested in the 31-year-old.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is "totally sure" the Catalan club will sign Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Italian club Fiorentina are weighing up a £3.5m bid for Liverpool's 21-year-old left-back Emiliano Insua.
Full story: Daily Mail

Blackburn and Sunderland are set to battle it out for the signing of Stoke forward Tuncay.(Daily Mirror)

Rangers have lined up a £500,00 move for Lens striker Toifilou Maoulida.
Full story: Daily Record

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is mulling over a bid for Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, even though the 24-year-old only managed two goals in the 2009/10 campaign.
Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham are preparing an improved £8m offer for Ipswich's England Under-17 international Connor Wickham.
Full story: Daily Mail


OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool will make a formal approach for Fulham manager Roy Hodgson to become their new manager within the next 48 hours.
Full story: Daily Mirror

However, Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish has put himself forward to take over at Liverpool and has withdrawn from the panel to select the next boss. (Daily Express)

England manager Fabio Capello wants to hold talks with Wayne Rooney to tell the Manchester United striker to curb his temper.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Former England skipper Terry Butcher says if he was a United States defender he would "belt" Rooney in order to wind him up.
Full story: The Sun

England's players have told Capello that they want David James to be the number one goalkeeper during the World Cup as they feel his communication skills are better than his rivals.
Full story: Daily Star

The Finnish Football Association is trying to stop their national boss Stuart Baxter joining Celtic. The Glasgow club want Baxter in an advisory capacity, while he still keeps his job with Finland.
Full story: Daily Record


AND FINALLY

United States players had a pep talk from Commander Dan Jollota, the helicopter pilot who inspired the film Black Hawk Down, ahead of their opening World Cup game against England on Saturday.
Full story: Daily Mirror

[Biff]

Liverpool will make a formal approach for Fulham manager Roy Hodgson to become their new manager within the next 48 hours.
Full story: Daily Mirror

I really don't want Roy Hodgson, he reminds me of an English Houllier. We need someone with more verve.

[skybluearmy]

I think he's an excellent manager, clever bloke, just not high profile.

[Galea]

I think after having Rafa, you could pick any manager which has played football manager and would do a better job.