Tuesday's Footy Gossip

[Biff]

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres could be out for another two months after suffering a groin injury in Spain's World Cup final win over the Netherlands, which could scupper a possible move to Chelsea.
Full story: the Guardian

Striker Edin Dzeko remains confident that Wolfsburg will drop their £50m asking price and allow him to join Manchester City.
Full story: Daily Mail

Mexican winger Pablo Barrera is set to complete a £4m switch from Pumas to West Ham on a two-year contract, with the option of a third, subject to gaining a work permit.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Upton Park could also be the destination for Nice striker Loic Remy. The 23-year-old is keen to make the move and manager Avram Grant is closing in on a £12m deal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Premier League new boys Blackpool are weighing up a move for United States international midfielder Michael Bradley, who plays for Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool have blocked a proposed deal for French striker David Ngog to go to West Brom on a season-long loan deal in case they cannot bring in two new strikers before the transfer window shuts.
Full story: Daily Mail

Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill says there is "definitely a move on the cards" for Nigerian striker John Utaka, three years after he arrived for £7m. Sunderland have been linked with the 28-year-old.
Full story: the Independent

David James could also be leaving Portsmouth after the club ran out of patience with the veteran goalkeeper when he failed to make a decision over an offer of a new one-year contract. (Daily Express)

Newcastle are desperate to keep veteran goalkeeper Steve Harper at the club, despite interest from Celtic, whose first-choice stopper Artur Boruc is set to join Italian side Fiorentina.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Real Madrid have ended their interest in Liverpool's Steven Gerrard as they think the £30m price tag on the 30-year-old is excessive.
Full story: Daily Star

Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson could be the latest former Old Firm player to join ex-Celtic manager Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough after agreeing a £2m move. Kris Boyd, Chris Killen and Barry Robson are already at the Riverside Stadium.
Full story: Daily Record


OTHER GOSSIP

James Beattie and Dave Kitson have both been left out of Stoke's pre-season tour of Austria by manager Tony Pulis.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned England to stop relying on players like Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney if they want to win big tournaments and to work as a team.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Fulham are interested in recruiting United States coach Bob Bradley as manager following the departure of Roy Hodgson to Liverpool.
Full story: the Sun

World Cup final referee Howard Webb says Sunday's stormy game between Spain and the Netherlands was "the most difficult two hours of my career".
Full story: the Sun


AND FINALLY

World Cup star Paul 'the psychic' octopus has been accused of having a slippery past after his trainer said he is Italian, not British, and is younger than his German aquarium have claimed.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas had a Barcelona shirt put over his head and was referred to as "the future of Barcelona" by Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina as Spain's players celebrated their World Cup win in front of 200,000 fans in Madrid.
Full story: Daily Mail

Defender Louis Carey's pre-season training with Bristol City has been disrupted after he injured his heel cooking at a barbeque. (Daily Star)

[Ronaldinosa]

What price Gerrard and Torres now ? Both will have come out of the world cup with their individual valuations far different to what they took in . I would guess Gerrard would fetch £20m as he's the wrong side of 30 , expensive in wages and has no sell on value . Torres is undoubted class but has now got a terrible injury problem , I don't know that any insurance would allow a club to gin him until he is 100% fit - and that's a long way off . You wouldn't want to end up with an Owen Hargreaves on your books

[Biff]

Apparently, Torres' injury isn't as bad as first thought and it's a groin injury rather than anything to do with the previous knee injury. I think he came back too quickly and wasn't warmed up enough when he came on the other day.

I reckon both Gerrard and Torres will be Liverpool players in the coming season but may move next Summer if we don't improve and get new owners.