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The Clashing Gossip
IT SAYS HERE THAT KAKA WILL BE MOVING TO CHELSEA. AGAIN
The Observer just won't give up on their story that Kaka will be a Chelsea player this season.
Just weeks after announcing - somewhat inaccurately - that the Brazilian was on the verge of completing a world-record transfer, the newspaper has returned to declare that Kaka 'believes that a transfer to Chelsea remains a strong possibility and that he could be a Premier League player before the end of this month. Chelsea have made a €100m (£78m) offer for the Brazilian forward, who would be prepared to move to London if his club, Milan, accept it.'
As has become the norm for players seeking a transfer this summer, Kaka has not made a transfer request.
However, his personal Diogo Kotscho has apparently talked up a move. "I spoke with Kaká yesterday," he is quoted as saying. "We know that the clubs are talking about the transfer, although they have not reached a conclusion yet. I think an August transfer is still a possibility, though Kaká will only talk about that when they do a deal. He is waiting for a deal and then he will start to negotiate with Chelsea.
"Normally, Milan do not sell their best players. We think they like the proposal, but it is not so easy for them to accept it. For now we must just wait and see."
HENRY TO MANYOO? HMMM...
The Mail on Sunday reckons that Manchester United 'will launch an astonishing £20million bid to land Thierry Henry before next weekend's Premier League curtain-raiser against Newcastle United.'
Sir Alex has apparently 'made the ex-Arsenal hitman his top priority following the breakdown of United's attempt to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham.
'United will move quickly with their approach to Barcelona, the mercurial Frenchman's club, now that any interest they had in Berbatov is almost certainly at an end. The relationship between the domestic and European champions and Spurs has hit rock bottom, with bitterness deteriorating into open warfare,' the newspaper continues,' the newspaper continues.
'Tottenham are determined to press home with their charge that United made an illegal approach for the Bulgarian, despite strong indications that a Premier League inquiry will rule that the champions have no case to answer.'
But perhaps the most telling line in the article, which seems to have more words devoted to the Berbatov saga than the likelihood of Henry moving to Old Trafford, is: 'Only a totally unexpected and completely unforeseen climbdown by Spurs could put the Berbatov deal back on, but by then it is likely to be too late - and Henry could be in the bag for the big kick-off.'
Anyone else suspecting a bluff in order to persuade Tottenham to return to the negotiating table?
MADRID WANT RONALDO COMPENSATION
Real Madrid are reportedly set to demand £17m in compensation from Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese forward refused to demand a transfer from Manchester United.
Ronaldo's announcement last week that he would be remaining at Old Trafford heaped embarrassment on the Spanish giants and their president Ramon Calderon after their summer-long pursuit of the forward.
According to the News of the World, Madrid are adamant that they agreed personal terms with the Manchester United star and insisted on the compensation clause if the transfer was not completed.
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BENITEZ STILL OPEN TO ALONSO SALE
Rafael Benitez is still refusing to rule out the possibility that he could sell Xabi Alonso - despite the astonishing support the midfielder has received from Liverpool fans.
But the Anfield boss, who also insists that "Liverpool are ready for the Champions League" next week, maintains Alonso will only leave now if the club receives a massive offer for his services.
Benitez is still embroiled in the Gareth Barry saga, despite failing to receive financial backing from the club's American owners and their support for the £18million transfer.
And he clearly needs money to continue his stubborn pursuit of the Aston Villa midfielder just a week away from the Premier League opening weekend.
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KABOUL TO JOIN POMPEY ON MONDAY
Younes Kaboul seems to have been on the verge of leaving Tottenham for the entire summer but he's finally found a new destination to arrive at: Portsmouth.
The News of the World reckons that just as soon as they've finished with the Community Shield, Pompey will complete their six-week chase of the defender by finalising his £6m transfer.
Meanwhile, former England international (well, he must be 'former' now, mustn't he?) David Nugent is expected to move to Ipswich Town on a season-long loan deal.
What a flop he turned out to be.
