Chelsea are lining up a sensational £40 million bid for Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho (DiarioSport). Jose has had enough of Daniel Alves and Sevilla, and now feels the need to spend, spend, spend on someone - and that someone just happens to be the two-time World Player of the Year. It’s a deal that would definitely be quite a coup should it come off.

The speculation became rife following the spotting of Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, who was in London yesterday for Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Manchester City. He was seen in a private box along with agent Pini Zahavi, who is close to Roman Abramovich, and Kia Joorabchian, the agent of Manchester United ace Carlos Tevez, and you can only imagine the figures being mentioned. I am sure that if the Brazilian ace did come to London, which I very much doubt, he would become the first player to be paid £200,000 a week.

Glen Johnson's career started with a bang, impressing many from the outset as a teenager in West Ham's back four. But since his big-money move to Chelsea, his development has stagnated somewhat. Now it appears that he may be on his way out of Stamford Bridge with West Ham (various) and Arsenal (Evening Standard) both keen to help resurrect the 23-year-old's career.

'Johnson's indiscretions should not cloud any prospective buyer's judgement, knowing as they should that the England international is a talent well worth taking a chance on'


Johnson has become a figure of fun mainly due to two comical acts of stupidity, one being when he drunkenly forgot to bring his passport prior to a Champions League trip to Barcelona (we've all done that!) Secondly, and far more amusingly, was when he was caught trying to steal a toilet seat from B&Q, again a common occurrence. It's happened to me at least twice!

However, these indiscretions should not cloud any prospective buyer's judgement, knowing as they should that the England international is a talent well worth taking a chance on. He has experience and qualities that belie his years. Would Hammers fans welcome him back with open arms? Possibly . . . and possibly not.

Former Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann is to lead an American bid to buy the club (Sunday People). Recently considered as a potential replacement should Martin Jol be sacked, it seems that the former White Hart Lane legend may soon be the one calling the boardroom shots. Daniel Levy and his cohorts in the seats of power in N17 have been blasted in recent days due to their incredibly bad treatment of the Dutch manager, and it may be that the backlash evidently coming their way from Jol's loyal fans could lead to a takeover.

Leicester City have launched a £1.5m bid to sign unsettled Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy (Sunday Mirror). Is this the same Danny Murphy - the one who should have 'flatters to decieve' on the back of his shirt? If Spurs are offered £1.5m I can only assume they would take the money and run.

Arsenal back-up keeper Manuel Almunia admits he spends Gunners games on the bench hoping Jens Lehmann gets sent off (various)! Much like most of the Emirates faithful, I would imagine, especially given the clangers the German has already pulled off this season. Spaniard Almunia said: "You want to play but not because of a big injury. Therefore it has to be a red card. I am not upset when the referee shows a red card to Jens. I don't care. I just want to be on the pitch."

It's nice to hear such honesty and don't be surprised when Lehmann gets his own back by replying in the press:  "I hope that Manuel accidentally removes his hands in a chainsaw accident. I just want to play!"