The award for "gutsiest approach" this summer has to go to Big Sam Allardyce who apparently inquired, matter of factly, as to the possibility of former world Player of the Year Ronaldinho leaving Barcelona for Newcastle (News of the World).

This would be akin to me approaching Jessica Alba, calm as you like, and asking for her mobile number. Ten out of ten for having the balls to test the water with Juan Laporta, Sam. It seems a lot more likely that Eidur Gudjohnsen may move to St James Park and that the £58m it would apparently cost to secure the Brazilian's services would probably get you at least four Eidur’s. Ronaldinho to become a Toon - NAY! Icelander to make the move up North a possible - YEA.

Gabriel Heinze is another player who is apparently attracting the attention of the new Newcastle boss, and it is rumoured that supremo Mike Ashley is keen to outbid any potential Liverpool move (News of the World). The Argentine full-back had apparently settled for staying at Man United to fight for his place (either that or the idea of going to see Sir Alex about a move to Anfield was just too scary a proposition). I think he will stick it out with the Champions. I think also that Patrice Evra is not such a great player and that Gabby could probably displace the Frenchman with some more solid performances. Heinze to stick with United - YEA.

'In the Red half of North London it appears that two players who were destined to leave the Emirates may in fact remain Gunners'


Spurs are set to pick up another young talent to go with the recent signings Gareth Bale and Adel Taarabt. This time they appear to be on the verge of beating Chelsea and Liverpool to the signing of 17-year-old midfielder ‘Broadway’ Danny Rose from Leeds United (Sunday Mirror). It appears that good links between Leeds and Spurs may again aid the signing as it did when White Hart Lane welcomed in former United favourites Paul Robinson, Aaron Lennon and Robbie Keane. Yet more evidence that things are rosy in Martin Jol’s house. Rose to WHL - YEA.

Jol has been busier than most during the summer break and it seems about to dispose of 26-year-old defender Anthony Gardner, who is the subject of a £3m bid from Aston Villa (Sunday Express). Any chance Gardner had of securing a regular first team place have been further hampered by the arrival of Younes Kaboul and there are many Spurs fans who have had enough of his comically bad defending and would welcome the departure of the England international (yes, I know it's shocking, but he has one cap)! Gardner to leave for Villa Park - YEA. Spurs fans to lose sleep over it - NAY!

In the Red half of North London it appears that two players who were destined to leave the Emirates may in fact remain Gunners. Freddie Ljungberg has been the subject of much speculation following a stop-start season and it seemed his nine year spell at the club (which has on the whole been a big success) was coming to an end. Fiorentina were sniffing around. However Arsene Wenger appears to want to keep the Swede (tribalfootball.com) to help guide his talented young squad back into the title race.

The second player said to have played his last game for Arsene is Mathieu Flamini, who was apparently on the verge of buying out his contract and looking for a guaranteed starting place elsewhere. Now it seems that he is sticking with Arsenal and willing to fight for his place (tribalfootball.com). Mathieu and Arsenal are both fortunate in the sense that the talented Frenchman can play in a number of positions and therefore he is worth keeping happy. The Swede and the Frenchman to remain in N5 - YEA.

After signing Torres, Babel, Benayoun and Voronin you would have thought it would be time to start handing out squad numbers rather than adding yet more players to the roster (note American term in keeping with Liverpool’s new Yank bank machine). Now it appears they have another world class player in their sights. Roma’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Alessandro Faiolhe Amantino, aka Mancini, is reported to be the subject of an Anfield bid (Radio Centro Suono Sport).

This rumour has been perpetuated by Mancini’s agent in the radio interview he gave to the aforementioned station. He is reported to have said: "There has been interest from Liverpool and I have spoken with Benitez. I replied that they must talk with Roma, but if the Giallorossi were to sell him I'd have no trouble striking a deal." While it is not shocking to hear an agent happy to arrange a move (and therefore pick up a nice percentage of the sale) I would be surprised if Benitez splashed even more cash given the near on £50m that he has already spent this summer. There is also the question of where yet another midfield player would fit into the squad, even one that will be fighting on several fronts. Mancini to Liverpool - NAY. Personally I think he is vastly over-rated!

Finally it has been suggested by a variety of sources that Andriy Shevchenko’s Chelsea nightmare (41 starts and 14 goals. Is it really THAT bad? Oh hang on, two of those were against Wycombe and one was against Forest) is about to end and that his former club, AC Milan, are going to be mad enough to fork out £15m to take him off the Stamford Bridge squad list. I am a big fan of the Ukrainian. He was a legend but now he is a shadow of his former self. Many have said he is a yard off the pace, but I think that it is more like three yards. I'm sure that Jose would be happy to offload, even at £5m. Sheva to flee - YEA.