West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is looking to make another bid for Everton’s off-form striker Andy Johnson (The People).

Having already apparently made a bid for the England international during the summer, Curbs probably feels the fact the impish striker has been left on the bench for some matches indicates that David Moyes may be more amenable to another move by the Hammers. The figure of £12m has been mentioned, which seems about right for a striker who on his day is one of the best in the country.

Even if you take into account the former Crystal Palace and Birmingham City forward’s faults, such as his ability to fall to the floor at any given opportunity and his not-so-purple patches, he is still a quality player and his strike rate of 33 goals in his last 76 Premier League games speaks for itself. With Dean Ashton injured again, Upton Park may be in need of another striker and Johnson may just find himself back in London before the season is out.

'Bendtner is obviously upset about not getting a decent crack at the first team at the Emirates; however, you can hardly blame Arsene Wenger for sticking with a pairing that is doing so well'


It seems that Liverpool’s industrious midfielder Javier Mascherano has an agent similar to Cesc Fabregas, i.e. the kind who likes to keep his client's options open! It has been reported that the said agent, Walter Tamer, has been in talks with Barcelona about the Argentinian’s possible transfer to the Nou Camp (La Marca).

Obviously Mascherano’s situation is complicated further by his association with Kia Joorabchian but he does appear to have 18 months left to run on his Anfield contract. Apparently any move for the Reds' industrious midfielder by Frank Rijkaard will depend on Barca's ambitions to bring Arsenal’s sensational midfielder Cesc Fabregas back to the club where he started.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is looking to re-sign Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner on loan (The Sun).
Oddly enough, this could be a move that suits all parties. The young Dane is obviously upset about not getting a decent crack at the first team at the Emirates; however, you can hardly blame Arsene Wenger for sticking with a pairing that is doing so well.

Therefore a loan spell at a Premier League side should keep Bendtner progressing well and will ease the chances of him seeking a permanent move away from north London, which would be a real loss to the Gunners as he looks a great prospect.

Now for a story that falls in to the “did I read that correctly?” category. Everton striker James McFadden has been compared to Scottish greats Denis Law and Kenny Dalglish (Daily Record). These claims come from former Manchester United and Scotland defender Gordon McQueen, who said “James has become just as important to Scotland as Denis and Kenny were in their days at that level.”

Now don’t get me wrong, McFadden has scored some important goals in recent weeks. But to compare him to Law or Dalglish is baffling. First off, it probably doesn’t do the former Motherwell striker any favours - making comparisons to such legends can only do harm.

Secondly, if you take a close look at the  the 24-year-old's strike rate,  you would find a comparison to Kenny Sansom more relevant. In 127 games for the Toffees, albeit many as sub, he has managed a grand total of 17 goals - and his Premier League best for a season is six!