It’s a bad day to be the Daily Express, as they’ve angered little Mike. The paper has ticked off the smaller Michael (Owen, not Ashley) on Tyneside by creating a story claiming that the striker is ready to retire from the game at the end of the season and take up a new career as a full-time racehorse trainer.
Given that he’s only 29 and seems to have a bit more desire to prove himself worthy of that £17m fee and £115,000-a-week wage packet, it seems unlikely he’d want to retire. But it’s ok, footballnet can bring you the inevitable denial, lawyer-speak and a nice ”professionally offended” quote.
Well, now that’s out of the way, let’s have a look at some paper gossip. Starting, of course, with Manchester City. They already have one Brazilian who has shown a propensity to disappear from the pitch (and the country) at various times this season, so why not pick up another for a bargain basement price of £10m.
Kaka? Noooo. It is, however, his AC Milan teammate Ronaldinho. You might remember a few stories last summer surrounding the playmaker’s trip to Eastlands, before he signed up at the San Siro. So the Daily Mirror are pretty keen to get all that going again.
The Sun, though, have gone for Didier Drogba as their top City transfer target for the summer. A three-year deal, worth around £150,000 a week and all the camera shouting and referee abuse you can cram in? Better off going for Blackburn’s Roque Santa Cruz, eh?
In fact, Rovers are in the news more often than usual as Big Sam turns to France for his transfer fix. The Daily Mirror think that PSG winger Jerome Rothen will arrive , while Marseille defender Gael Givet will also be at Ewood Park next season, say the Sun. Might be a good chance to spend some of the cash they get from Roque’s sale.
The Daily Star are pretty bored with all the Carlos Tevez and Carlo Ancelotti talk, so have a nice new story about Porto defender Bruno Alves. He could become the latest Portuguese to arrive at Stamford Bridge, but Real Madrid are also in the market for a shiny new defender and could pounce with a £15m bid.
All the papers are boring everyone with Tevez’s latest. Manchester City, Real Madrid, Skegness… Barnsley, he could end up anywhere. The Guardian reckon that United want the fee lowered from £22m, although given the way he’s been performing recently, should count themselves lucky he only costs that. Just pay up already!
Ancelotti, too, is in the papers, with the Sun claiming he’ll be at Chelsea this weekend. At least the Daily Express have something on the fact that Carlo wants to sign Yuri Zhirkov and a few other players if he does join the club. Hang on, didn’t Guus want Zhirkov too. Coincidence? You be the judge.
The Times take the angle that Ancelotti will leave and AC are lining up former great Frank Rijkaard as his replacement. Ajax breathe a sigh of relief.
And finally, the Sun carry the nice news that Ronaldo has apologised to the United kitman for his snatch last week. Grabbing his training shirt was not the kind of behaviour poor old Alec Wyllie expected upon his substitution. But it does show passion, right?
Leave it to the Daily Record for the final word though, as Rangers full-back Kirk Broadfoot was left with egg on his face after a microwaved egg literally exploded in his face, scalding his cheek. It may sound funny, but it probably hurt quite a lot. So remember, not funny. Ok?
You might also find this interesting:
- Transfer Rumors (10 May 09) – Liverpool to sign Eredivisie star Pranjic, Celtic target Newcastle’s Owen, Barcelona star Xavi staying put, and more
- Man United close on Valencia deal
- Football transfer rumours: Ronaldinho to Man City?
- Michael Owen owes Newcastle a lot more than a passing glance
- Tevez teaser
May 11th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Yuri Zhirkov has finally started coming good for Chelsea, after injuries and settling in. He looks like a class act – especially when playing alongside Terry and Ashley Cole! Bringon 2010/11!