Transfers - Gossip Shop: Quick turnaround

Eurosport - Sun, 26 Oct 16:03:00 2008

With Tottenham's managerial position filled quicker than the Gossip shopkeeper's 1982 World Cup Panini sticker album, disappointingly there was no time to load the shelves with any of those much-loved replacement rumours.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Portsmouth Tony Adams - 0

The Redknapp-for-Ramos switch all happened so quickly, it left us feeling a little short-changed. After all, nothing quite beats the distinctive sound of fervent speculation on a whirring managerial merry-go-round.

So, to make up for it, we will turn our focus to Portsmouth instead and the burning question concerning the man who will fill Harry Redknapp's sizeable shoes at Fratton Park, now he's taken over the reigns at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp wanted Pompey coach Joe Jordan to make the trip up to London with him, but rumour has it that the Scot declined to up sticks, making it a straight battle for the hot seat with Tony Adams (pictured, physching himself up for the impending fight).

That's assuming the club want to keep it in-house, of course. If not, there are a wide range of potential incumbents of the hot-seat, including recently sacked Spurs assistant Gus Poyet , former Pompey director of football Avram Grant and Harry's son Jamie Redknapp.

And then of course there is Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho , whose name has also been mentioned, albeit mostly on fan forums. Quite why the former Chelsea man would want to swap Champions League football with the best team in Serie A for domestic cups and a scrap for a place in the UEFA Cup on the south coast is anyone's guess, but hey, Pompey fans are allowed to dream, just like anyone else.

Speaking of Mourinho, the News of the World led with its first edition back page (before the Redknapp-Ramos news broke) with the headline "Manchester United want Jose".

The Sunday Mirror also ran the story after the Special One had hinted earlier in the week he could return to the Premier League when his contract in Milan expires in 2011. With Alex Ferguson set to retire in two years, it all seemed to fit perfectly (or near enough).

Well, sorry to spoil your croissants and cornflakes, but it doesn't.

United have been quick to reject the idea and issued a statement to quash the talk.

"As we have said many times before, there has been no discussion about who will eventually succeed Sir Alex," a United spokesman said.

Staying at Old Trafford for a moment, it seems that Carlos Tevez is, er, staying at Old Trafford.

The Argentine hitman may have been linked with a move elsewhere by some "mischief-makers" but his agent has confirmed United's intention to hang onto the fans' favourite.

"Manchester United have assured us they intend to sign Carlos at the end of the season," Kia Joorabchian said. "We are looking at next year, then we will start to move the situation forward.

"Carlos is happy with his position at the club. He is a Manchester United player for the foreseeable future."

Meanwhile, there could be trouble ahead at Anfield. The News of the World is predicting a situation akin to Armageddon on Merseyside should Liverpool's owners fail to offer boss Rafa Benitez a new contract soon.

Should Benitez be forced out, as many as six key players are ready to follow suit, including Rafa's compatriots Fernando Torres, Jose Reina and Albert Riera, along with Javier Mascherano, Dirk Kuyt and Martin Skrtel.

Granted, the departures of last two are hardly likely to bring about the demise of Liverpool Football Club, but nevertheless, the message aimed across the Atlantic is loud and clear.

Down the M62 to Eastlands, where moneybags Manchester City are still looking to strengthen their strike force in January. Portsmouth ace Jermain Defoe has reappeared on their list of targets, with a tempting £20 million ready to be tabled according to the Sunday Mirror.

But the Sunday Express claim City boss Mark Hughes is not interested in making a move for Ronaldo, the overweight Brazilian one, despite the three-time World Player of the Year's desperation to join compatriots Elano, Jo and Robinho at the club.

But Hughes could be willing to splash a whopping £3.5m on Sheffield United starlet Kyle McNaughton - who has played just 10 games for the Blades - says the Daily Star Sunday.

The latest on the other Ronaldo, Manchester United's Cristiano, is that he will stay at Old Trafford for "another year at least". Or that's what he is saying for "the next 10 minutes at least".

The Portuguese said: "Only God knows the future. I insist that I am a Manchester United player and now I think that next year I will continue here."

More good news for United fans is that Serbia ace Milos Krasic wants to quit CSKA Moscow and try his luck in the Premier League. The Daily Star Sunday reports that both United and Portsmouth are interested in the highly-rated midfielder. "I have personal ambitions - and my wish is to play in England," he said.

In other news, Newcastle midfielder/striker/treatment room regular/benchwarmer Alan Smith could be set to escape from St James' Park, with Hull City prepared to offer him a lifeline. Around £3m would be needed to take the former England international to the KC Stadium.

David Nugent, who GS can only assume is still at Portsmouth (although doubts remain), is incredibly wanted by Bolton. The Trotters may just be able to get the one-cap England 'wonder' for slightly less than the £6m Pompey paid Preston for him last year.

And finally, it seems like Arsenal are set to reunite Yaya Toure with his brother Kolo, at least if the News of the World is to be believed. They report that the Gunners have upped their offer of personal terms after a summer bid was rejected by Yaya and are now confident of landing the Barcelona midfielder in the January window.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 9 of 9

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  1. If Rafa goes, there will be one more less liverpool­ supporter here. Tom and company pls leave b4 the Kop­ retaliate.

    From AsianFootie, on Mon 27 Oct 11:14AM
  2. Moggen deboogers

    From Sean, on Mon 27 Oct 5:06AM
  3. It has been reported that Rangers will be recieving­ bids from Newcastle Utd and West Brom for Allan­ Mcgregor and Keven Thomson respectively. As a die-hard­ 'Gers fan, I'd be gutted if we lost them -­ we've already sold Cousin and Hutton!!

    From ROBERT, on Mon 27 Oct 2:38AM
  4. No, Rafa will stay. If someone to be out, it will be­ Tom and Jerry (oooopps, Hick) first.

    From abeleekelate, on Mon 27 Oct 1:19AM
  5. Couldn't have put it better myself Scott!!
    Y.N.W.A

    From allyj67, on Mon 27 Oct 12:22AM
  6. I wonder what wheeling n dealing Arry 'as for Spurs­ then ?? Will be fascinating to watch this story unravel­ !!!

    From ispurs, on Sun 26 Oct 10:55PM
  7. with the appointment of harry redknapp at spurs and a­ vacancy now available at portsmouth and possibly more­ vacancies to come in the premiership i hope any­ chairman or owners don,t ever consider ruud gullit, he­ is the most boring pompous @#$% in football, closely­ followed by the way by glenn hoddle, what a tool.

    From STEPHEN, on Sun 26 Oct 9:41PM
  8. HONESTLY WHAT MORON WRITES THIS GUFF? SEEM TO BE HAVING­ A DIG AT SKRTEL AND KUYT! FOR ONE MARTIN SKRTEL IS ONE­ OF THE BEST CENTRAL DEFENDERS IN ONE OF THE BEST­ LEAGUES IN THE WORLD AND DIRK KUYT HAS BEEN PLAYED OUT­ OF POSITION FOR MONTHS! PUT HIM BACK UP FRONT AND HE­ SCORES 2 SO JOG ON @#$% HEAD!

    From scott a, on Sun 26 Oct 8:35PM
  9. Well hopefully Benitez stays, liverpool wiithout him­ would be poorer no doubt about it, plus if he goes and­ the rest follow, the next manager will have his work­ cut out to replace them, just look at tottenham in­ tryin to replace their strike-force...

    From Raaj, on Sun 26 Oct 8:02PM
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