The transfer rumours and gossip being bandied about in the press is as wild and unlikely as ever. This bulletin also embraces Barcelona, Rangers, Manchester City, Birmingham, Manchester United, Everton, Celtic, Reading and Blackburn.
'I wouldn’t rule out a return to north London for Henry at some stage, but not anytime soon'
Rumours are circulating that Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is not happy at the Nou Camp - and that has led to reports that he may be on his way out, with Arsenal said to be very interested (various).
The 20-year-old Argentinian was left out of the starting 11 at the weekend following a spell out with injury, but performed well once he took the field against Racing Santander. However, Barca are seven points back in La Liga and that has led to many tabloid hacks hinting at his supposed imminent departure.
You can apparently add Thierry Henry to that list, as the Frenchman is apparently unsettled at the Nou Camp and has also been linked with a move back to the Emirates (La Marca). Where does one begin with such stories? Well, the Henry issue has been raised many times since he left England in the summer; some sources say he is homesick, some say he just hasn’t got the heart for the game unless he is wearing a Gunners shirt.
Actually, he has managed 10 goals in 21 starts in a Barca shirt, which is no mean feat when you consider just how many attacking options Frank Rijkaard has at his disposal. That said, I wouldn’t rule out a return to north London at some stage, but not anytime soon. As for the Messi rumour, well that is pure speculation.
Rangers full-back Alan Hutton’s move away from Ibrox seems to be back on, with Spurs at the head of the queue to sign the £8million-rated defender (Daily Mail). It seemed the youngster had turned his back on a move to the Premier League after becoming the target of just about every major club south of the border, but now he has reportedly reconsidered.
It appears that the chance to up his weekly wages from under £10k a week to around £25k is just to good to turn down, and the move allegedly has the full blessing of Ibrox supremo Sir David Murray. However, has the chance passed? Man City, Everton, Birmingham City and Liverpool all seemed keen on 23-year-old Hutton, but will they trump Tottenham?
If all the players linked with a move to Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle were stood on top of each other, they would reach the moon. A slight exaggeration, maybe, but nonetheless the amount of players supposedly on the Toon wish-list is astonishing and therefore my attempts to cover said rumours will be done in the form of short sharp responses as to their validity or otherwise.
Scott Brown (Celtic) - £4m (various). Possible.
Carlos Cuellar (Rangers) - £2m (Sunday Express). Enjoying life too much at Ibrox, unlikely to leave?
Nicky Shorey (Reading) - £5m (Independent). Distinct possibility
Ledley King (Tottenham) - £15m (Mirror). Not going anywhere, apparently
Micah Richards (Man City) - £25m (Sun). Staying put at Eastlands
Pascal Chimbonda (Tottenham) - £8m (People). Not worth it
David Bentley (Blackburn) - £9m (Sun). Likely
Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham) - £30m (Mirror). Nope!Are you fed up with all the ridiculous rumours about Arsenal signing just about every superstar in the game when none of the deals ever take place? Post your comments below.