As reported on Sportingo earlier today, Carlos Tevez appears to have made up his mind to join Manchester United. The Daily Mirror expects the deal to be done within the next 48 hours and to be for more than £20m. But the Daily Mail have stressed that any deal may be challenged by West Ham, who still lay claim to the Argentine’s registration. Tevez to join Man United 10/10.

A new rumour in the papers today (or maybe I missed it previously) involves two sides who have nothing but contempt for each other. Chelsea are said to be keen on spending £12m of Roman’s cash on Spurs full-back Pascal Chimbonda (The Sun) who, quite frankly, would leave in the blink of an eye if this was an actual offer on the table.

Maybe I am being unkind, but I recall the despicable way he shamelessly manouvred his departure from Wigan. If you remember, he handed in his transfer request at the final whistle of their final game of the season against Arsenal. There is no doubting his talent, but I personally I have no time for such a character whose agents may well have concocted this rumour in the first place. 10/10 for Pascal to leave should the offer exist in reality.

'I realise this is speculation of the highest order, but if the others can do it then so can I. 10/10 Mutu to go to Arsenal!'


The Daily Star have speculated that Liverpool's Craig Bellamy will move to West Ham and Yossi Benayoun will go in the other direction. This is deal/rumour that has done the rounds for a while. For some reason, this tabloid seems to think that it should be West Ham who make up the short fall on the deal with some cold hard cash, whereas I think it would be more suitable for Liverpool to add the money. Yossi will probably leave Upton Park, but will Curbishley want Bellamy? That’s another question. Benayoun to leave for Liverpool 7/10, Curbs to take a chance on Craig 2/10.

Following Rangers pulling out of their move for Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith, Celtic and Hibs have entered the race. A tag of £1.5m seems to have been attached to the 20-year-old Scottish international, who surely, given the choice, could not turn down Celtic, even if it did mean he would be up against strong competition for a starting place as there are already the likes of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Kenny Miller and Maciej Żurawski to name but three. 9/10 Naismith to be in a hooped shirt next season.

Various sources are claming that Serie A side Fiorentina are said to be after Arsenal’s out of favour Freddie Ljungberg. Such rumours can lead to other rumours such as the one I am openly making myself and that is that should Ljungberg move to Florence then maybe Adrian Mutu, the reformed former Chelea misfit, could be heading to the Emirates? I realize this is speculation of the highest order, but if the others can do it then so can I. 7/10 Ljungberg to leave Arsenal, 4/10 he will go to Fiorentina, 10/10 Mutu to go to Arsenal!

David Nugent is a name on many rumour pieces. Everton are supposedly the side of his choice. Sunderland pulled out and now Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth are looking into the situation (sportinglife.com). The £6m that Preston are after is causing the delay in any move even though in today’s market the price doesn’t seem too wild. He won’t be at Preston when the Championship season kicks-off that’s for sure, so it will be a case of who blinks first on this one. My money is on Everton doing the business later rather than sooner. 9/10 Nugent to become a Toffee.

Abridged section: Bobby Zamora to Reading (Daily Mirror) Only if Shorey goes the other way 2/10. Nicolas Anelka to Lyon (Various) Anelka will not leave the Premiership 0/10. Curtis Davies to Spurs £4m + Wayne Routledge (The Times). Spurs need defenders and not poorly performing wingers 9/10.