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We are within spitting distance of a new season, the butterflies are churning in the stomach and I can hardly wait. But before all that, some more rumours!

It seems that Sevilla striker Fredi Kanoute may be keen on a return to North London. Not to Spurs, oh no - apparently he would be keen on a move to Arsenal should Arsene Wenger be interested in making an approach. He admits, or at least French sources (very vague) have said he'd listen to an offer from the Gunners if it materialised.

'For the moment, it's just talk, speculation. If my agent tells me they're serious, then I will listen to what they have to say' - Fredi Kanoute


According to these 'sources', Kanoute's people have been contacted by the Arsenal boss in recent days and when asked about the reports, the former Tottenham man said: "For the moment, it's just talk, speculation. If my agent tells me they're serious, then I will listen to what they have to say."

Well this is an interesting, if slightly baseless rumour from our friends tribalfootball.com. I am suspicious - could these French sources in fact be a figment of over-active imaginations? Who knows..I don’t, that's for sure. Either way, I very much doubt Kanoute is about to join Arsenal.

Talking of life-changing decisions, big Spurs signing Gareth Bale has announced: "I could've played for England" (various). Instead, he decided to opt for Wales, which is befitting for a player born and bred in Cardiff and therefore less of a fanfare-inducing claim. What are his motives? Does he have a book deal?

Imagine fellow countryman and football legend Ryan Giggs had been able to make a different choice? Maybe the Manchester United wing wizard would have led England to World Cup success instead of pulling out of meaningless friendlies and leading Wales to a series of unsuccessful qualifying campaigns. Seriously, you have to admire such displays of patriotism which leads me to ask the question: "Do wearers of other nations' shirts, be they Wales, Ireland, Scotland of whomever, wear them with more pride than those bearing three lions?" That question may be better answered on another forum.

The long-running saga surrounding West Ham striker Carlos Tevez will soon come to an end and the Argentinian will be free to join Manchester United this weekend (BBC). Amen to that. It seems that various sources are claiming that agent/character of disrepute Kia Joorabchian will pay £2m to the Hammers and then receive a reported £10m from the Old Trafford coffers in lieu of an apparent two- year loan deal for the striker. Will that be the end of it? Lets hope so!

Neil Warnock has revealed he was offered the manager's job at Chelsea . . . towards the end of the 1990-91 season (The Sun). Imagine he had taken the job, which ended up being given to Ian Porterfield - we might all live in a different world today, like some kind of altered reality. One where Chelsea would not be the powerhouse they are today, but instead a bruising mid-to-low Premier League table side whose dreams extended only to reaching finals of League Cups and occasionally upsetting their London rivals by snatching bore draws from White Hart Lane and Upton Park.

Thank God that Chelsea fans have been spared this rather archaic fantasy. You have to wonder why Warnock even bothered to bring this nugget of information up in the first place. I know he is eager to get back into football but will such an announcement help in the pursuit of that goal? I think not.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is still clinging to hopes of signing Reading full-back Nicky Shorey. The 26-year-old defender has still not signed a new deal with the Royals, despite long-drawn-out talks, and the Hammers are willing to pay him around £40,000-per-week (Daily Mail). I had hoped that Shorey would stick with Reading, a side he has helped grow in stature with seasons of consistency taking the Royals into the Premiership. But it appears a very real possibility that Shorey's head will be turned by such an offer, especially given he is a Hammers supporter.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has shocked the football world by announcing that he is not Thierry Henry (arsenal.com), which is undeniable. However, RVP is eager to avoid comparisons with his former teammate. The Dutchman then labours the point by adding: "Thierry is Thierry, I am Robin van Persie who plays for Arsenal in a team. I am not a tennis player who does it on their own - I am a football player in a team and we achieve things together."

Now out of the shadows, Arsenal's brightest hitman will continue to grow in stature and will no doubt become a Gunners legend in his own right. He's in my Fantasy Football team, that's for sure!

Meanwhile, Dirk Kuyt is convinced Liverpool will be challenging for the Premiership title this season (Liverpoolfc.tv). RVP's Dutch compatriot is quoted as saying: "We have signed a lot of quality, some very good new signings and they have already shown their worth. We have the quality players, but now is the time to show it on the pitch."

Curtis Davies has pleaded with West Brom to allow him a dream return to the Premier League with Tottenham. Spurs are trying to agree a fee with the Baggies for the England Under-21 international (Daily Mirror). I am guessing that the pleading should be with Martin Jol's men, who just need to make West Brom an offer they can't refuse, as Tony Mowbray has seemingly resigned himself to losing the promising centre-back. £10m should do it.

Newcastle are expected to complete the signing of striker Alan Smith from Manchester United for £6m today (various). Another protracted transfer seems to be nearing an ending - hooray! Big Sam Allardyce will follow up the signings of Smith and Brazilian Cacapa by paying Wigan £6m for Leighton Baines (Daily Mirror).

Portsmouth are closing in on Real Mallorca's Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez - known as 'Spiderman'. The 24-year-old caught Harry Redknapp's eye last season and will probably cost around £4m (Daily Mail). I am not sure why Jonas is dubbed 'Spiderman' but would have thought the ability to fling webs and flying through the air whilst possessing an array of superpowers would contravene some Premiership code or other. It would also make him an unstoppable opponent - but probably wouldn't prevent him from feeling the force of a super-villain Ben Thatcher elbowing!

All these new Premiership forces, with their renewed investment, have led me to a tricky dilemma. Who do I punt a tenner on for a top-six finish? West Ham, Newcastle, Aston Villa or Manchester City? I know what, I'll leave it up to you. Whoever gets the most votes via the comment function will dictate who I place the wager on! Now that's democracy.