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Manchester City have moved quickly to quash speculation sparked by Sulaiman Al-Fahim over the possible signing of Lionel Messi.

The Gossip Shop rarely finds itself outside the confines of the M60 these days, and City have sharply distanced themselves from the bullish advances made by Al-Fahim in the direction of Messi.

The ever-bashful doctor said: "Messi is a player that makes me love Argentina again."

But City have strenuously refuted the claim, saying: "The story is untrue and this fact has been accepted by the newspaper in question. General comments about Lionel Messi, made by Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim, were mistakenly linked to Manchester City."

Meanwhile, City and Chelsea have been given the proverbial nudge by Valencia's chief executive, Javier Gomez, who revealed David Villa may have to leave the Mestalla.

Cash-strapped Los Che, with debts exceeding those of even Gordon Ramsey, may be forced to sell their Spanish Villa, with Gomez conceding: "Obviously we would consider that type; we have to control costs."

The club's integrity in tact, it is time for the Blues to fend off a potential move for one of their own. Joe Hart has barely been confined to the City of Manchester bench for two months, and already the 21-year-old is eyeing greener pastures, with Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill reported to be close to sealing a summer deal for the keeper.

The reported £3 million price on Hart's head would represent fantastic business for Villa, who are only thinly veiling their intentions to field an all-English side - who needs 6+5, eh?

On the red side of Manchester, Argentinian side Banfield suggest that they are awaiting contact from United over midfielder Nicolas Bertolo. Whether the South American club are waiting next to the phone is unclear, but Reds scouts are reportedly tracking the 23-year-old"s progress.

Despite trotting out the classic 'come and get me' line ("It's flattering to be linked with other clubs") David Healy insists that he is ready to fight for his place at Sunderland. As admirable a sentiment as this is, the nature of the fight in question has to be queried: are we talking an Audley Harrison approach to regaining his first-team spot, or something altogether more gung-ho.

The Northern Irishman has played just 96 minutes of Premier League action so far this season, but according to the 29-year-old, "It has never crossed my mind that I would go and play for Rangers."

A Gossip Shop offering would not be complete without Didier Drogba 's understated agent having his say. Thierno Seydi revealed in The Sun that the striker "may be one of the best-paid players in football, but humility is part of his personality. Chelsea were right to keep him." Now who can argue with that tribute?

West Ham are reportedly lining up a move for the prolific Croatia midfielder Danijel Pranjic. The winger has scored 15 goals in 22 league games for Dutch outfit Heerenveen and is apparently also being monitored by Sunderland. But lest the Hammers forget Kieron 'next season will be the one' Dyer - his personal medic team almost have him primed for meaningful action finally.

Onto more concrete matters, and Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has not lost his desire to acquire French midfielder Hassan Yebda . The Potters missed out on the 24-year-old Benfica man in January, but a summer move to the Britannia looks on the cards.

Manchester United's on-loan Angola striker, Manucho, has nudge-nudge, wink-wined Sir Alex Ferguson after netting Hull 's winner against Fulham, insisting that a return to Old Trafford 'would be good for everyone', (he hopes).

Charlton striker Izale McLeod's short fuse has left him in limbo after the striker had a barney with Millwall boss Kenny Jackett with his loan deal at the Lions duly cut short. But with Addicks manager Phil Parkinson insisting that 'we can't have him back and he can't play for the reserves or the first team', it looks like Izale will be cracking out the Wii this weekend

Dan Quarrell / Eurosport