Transfers - Gossip Shop: Stoke in for Scholes

Eurosport - Fri, 29 May 18:48:00 2009

As Gossip Shop prepares for retirement, Paul Scholes could be set for a sensational exit from Manchester United after Stoke allegedly expressed an interest in the former England playmaker.

FOOTBALL Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes after the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in Rome. Scholes, 34, has been linked with a surprise move to Stoke City. - 0

Scholes, who turns 35 later this year, is frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities and was only on the bench for the Champions League final.

"Not playing every week is an adjustment you don't like making," Scholes said in the Daily Mail. "You train all week, and you want to play games."

Were Scholes to leave, it would come as something of a bombshell for United fans, who have always thought that the one-club man would only countenance leaving for boyhood heroes Oldham.

But Scholes is nothing if not realistic and, knowing his legs are fading, he is considering a route into management and starts his coaching qualifications this summer.

"I would have thought that next season will be my last one," he continued. "After that, I would not rule out management. Let's see how the coaching goes first."

And this is where Stoke would come in, according to The Mail.

Eager to add some quality to his midfield of massive bruisers, boss Tony Pulis wants Scholes for a season, with a view to coaching while learning the management ropes at the Britannia.

It would suit Scholes logistically, as he would not have to move from his Moors home, and professionally, both in the short and long-term. But, vitally, it is not Oldham.

Other United stars tipped to leave are, of course, Carlos Tevez , and somewhat more languid striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Furthermore, United's inability to match Barcelona in midfield could signal changes, with Michael Carrick, Anderson, Ryan Giggs and Ji-Sung Park shown up for being no more than 'pretty good' as opposed to Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Lionel Messi's 'bl**dy marvellous'.

Some of the names bandied about - Michael Essien, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas - are not options in the short-term, but an intriguing prospect is Yaya Toure.

Shunned by Arsene Wenger despite Kolo's recommendation, the younger of the Ivorian brothers is hard, fast and skilful. But he is also very, very good, as shown in his effortless conversion to centre-half in the build-up to the biggest game of his career.

Tevez, meanwhile, could oddly be the man that allows Sir Alex Ferguson to bring in some midfield steel.

Liverpool are top of the queue to sign him, but at £25m his purchase would rule out a bid for Gareth Barry unless Mascherano or Alonso were allowed to leave.

Whether the Reds would countenance the sale of a key midfielder to their bitter rivals is open to debate, but if Tevez joins it would be somewhat hypocritical of Rafael Benitez to stand in anyone's way.

A final edition of GS would not be complete without an obligatory Cristiano Ronaldo rumour. But, ever the maverick, GS has been decided that Ronaldo is one man who will be staying at Old Trafford, despite The Sun's insistence that he is due to hand in a transfer request.

The Portuguese heart-throb seemed to be playing for himself in the Champions League final, which may have put Real Madrid off making a £70 million bid.

Franck Ribery, however, would cost around half that and is eager to leave Bayern Munich, what with FC Hollywood being a bit alpha male for the shy winger.

That would annoy Chelsea, who - despite having no manager - were preparing to bring in the Frenchman for the constantly-crocked Joe Cole.

Anyway, the Blues would be better served by looking to bring in defensive cover and a good, young striker to fill the boots of the soon-to-depart Didier Drogba.

Converted left winger Yuri Zhirkov of CSKA Moscow would work as both back-up to full-back Ashley Cole and as a viable alternative to Florent Malouda.

Reports emerged that the Russia star had agreed to join Chelsea, who dismissed it as "paper talk", just how GS likes it.

On a striking tip, Lyon's Karim Benzema and Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero score goals for fun (both, eerily, have just over 40 in just over 110 appearances for their clubs) and are frighteningly young at 21 and 20 respectively.

Chelsea will have to splash some cash on those two, but Drogba and Malouda would both be amenable to part-exchange deals if the new manager at Stamford Bridge decides to dispense with their services.

With Liverpool edging closer to Tevez, a move for Barry (who, honestly, would add little to an already excellent midfield) is looking less likely.

Arsenal, however, would love to have a man who can tie his own shoelaces, and could use some of the cash Wenger has allegedly been promised to fund a bid for the England international.

Wenger really should have spent the £4.5m Yaya Toure cost when he joined Monaco from Olympiacos after a failed trial with the Gunners, or even the £6m shelled out by Barca a year later. Barry, meanwhile, would cost at least £12m.

So, this is the end of the Shop, ordered to the knackers' yard after one libel suit too many.

Stay tuned, though, as the unfounded gossip and baseless rumour will continue in an all-new format starting on Monday.

Eurosport

Comment 313 - 332 of 332

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  1. I think there is every chance of the Scholes deal being­ pulled off.
    I have some inside info for all you potters­ Tevez and Santa cruz are done deals they will be Man­ City players on the 1/7/2009.
    By the end of next week­ you will see Man City sign a 30 million pound player­ but my friend would not disclose his identity Watch­ this space!!!!

    From Robert W, on Tue 9 Jun 10:33AM

  2. MAN UTD ARE GOING DOWN HILL

    From sophiecannell, on Thu 4 Jun 1:25AM

  3. come on stoke get scholes we wil be great for us graet­ play he will be a right good threat in mid field and he­ can score as well go and get he for stoke from­ the kent potters

    From C, on Wed 3 Jun 8:01PM

  4. I remember Sammy MaC coming to Stoke after his years of­ service to Man U. Great player did wonders for Stoke­ City at the time, I hope Scholes will join the Potters­ too, I've always admired him, I think he gave up­ his England shirt too soon as well. So Come on darn Pot­ Bonks Scholesy we'll mack thee welcome.

    From NIGE, on Tue 2 Jun 9:19PM

  5. to give up the shirt must be gut wrenching,scholes and­ the like,must be a bit like going to a funeral.great­ players done their time covered in glory.they have my­ respect.!

    From impactclean, on Tue 2 Jun 7:18AM

  6. Scholes has said he will never play for any other club.­ As for the final last week, get ovger it for goodness­ sake, we aren't L'pool. we don't wallow in­ self pity after a set back. Fergie needs to sort out­ Ronaldo once and for all and get Hargreaves fit or­ bring in a class replacement. Carrick will come good­ again once he is fully fit, same applies to Anderson.­ They both p.layed whilst carrying injuries on Wednesday­ last as did Ferdinand. Hope Wes B is over his injury­ spell cos United need back up for the ever more injury­ prone Rio and his sidekick Vidic. As for Tevez, iof he­ goes to city he must never be forgiven and his agent­ should be banned from Old Trafford for life! Oh and­ isn't Foster leaving too, he said he was going if­ he didn't get first team football ona regular­ basis.

    From redgeoff, on Mon 1 Jun 3:26PM

  7. Man U Past it this team will will take the lead for ­ the next 10 years BLAH BLAH BLAH i have heard it all­ before come the end of next season we will be there­ AGAIN yes we will be in front of LOSERPOO AGAIN and­ always will be.

    From keith j, on Mon 1 Jun 11:03AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    man ure IS the past,­ WELCOME to a new era, i give­ you­­ the mighty­ LIVERPOOL,now step aside old­­­ "hasbeens" and­ watch the future of English­­­ football unfold before your­ very eyes, with dazzling­­­ displays from such players as­ Gerrard, Torres and­ the­­ ICEMAN Alonso, Liverpool are­ near perfection,­ watch­­ and weep Manure...

    From Bike 69, mabaho ka !, on Mon 1 Jun 7:45AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    man ure IS the past,­ WELCOME to a new era, i give­ you­­ the mighty­ LIVERPOOL,now step aside old­­­ "hasbeens" and­ watch the future of English­­­ football unfold before your­ very eyes, with dazzling­­­ displays from such players as­ Gerrard, Torres and­ the­­ ICEMAN Alonso, Liverpool are­ near perfection,­ watch­­ and weep Manure...

    From Bike 69, mabaho ka !, on Mon 1 Jun 7:44AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    man ure IS the past,­ WELCOME to a new era, i give you­­ the mighty­ LIVERPOOL,now step aside old­­ "hasbeens" and­ watch the future of English­­ football unfold before your­ very eyes, with dazzling­­ displays from such players as­ Gerrard, Torres and the­­ ICEMAN Alonso, Liverpool are­ near perfection, watch­­ and weep Manure...

    From Bike 69, mabaho ka !, on Mon 1 Jun 7:39AM

  11. fergieisagenitalwart, your a Bigot

    From Fred, on Sun 31 May 9:27PM

  12. Post 386 you have been saying this for 20 years another­ 20 and you might be right and as i come from Liverpool­ that is how you spell it, COYB

    From Fred, on Sun 31 May 9:26PM

  13. i dont want scholes to go, but i could understand if he­ did. He has been at united all these but has had a­ first team place in most of them years. Now he hasnt­ and like he says it probably will be his last season so­ hes got to make the most of it. get 1st team football­ and going into coaching / management.

    From matthew_lilley, on Sun 31 May 8:52PM

  14. EH! EH! DIS IS OUR YEAR DIS IS! Sounds familiar?­­­ Remember the glory days, Cilla, Tarby, Sonia,­ it's­­ all in the past . BORING. YNWA = You'll­ Never Win­­ Anything! SCOUSER'S ARE SO BORING . . .­ Y A W N­ Same old drivel. BORING!
    Bryjones71 Dream on!­ Like I­ said­ 'What Success'? Sod all really.­ Typical­ thick­ Scouser­­ just like Gerrard . . .­ hungry for­ more­ success? What­­ success? That's a­ laugh, your­ head­ is about as­ empty­ as Gerrards­ trophy cabinet.­ 20­ years and counting ho,­ ho,­ ho.­ If Gerrard wants­­ success he should play for a­ team­­ that actually wins­­ something, AND THAT'S A FACT!

    From Mmmm000se, on Sun 31 May 6:20PM

  15. also scouse-assassin-michael-daz do not give him too­­­ much stick for being a cockney red as he will report­­­ abuse u,he has a multi personality disorder,and­­­ frequently talks to himself,between his ids,just­­­ remember dont give him stick otherwise he reports­­ u.and­ worse of all dont LAUGH at him

    From fergieisagenitalwart, on Sun 31 May 3:27PM

  16. also scouse-assassin-michael-daz do not give him too­­­ much stick for being a cockney red as he will report­­­ abuse u,he has a multi personality disorder,and­­­ frequently talks to himself,between his ids,just­­­ remember dont give him stick otherwise he reports­­ u.and­ worse of all dont LAUGH at him

    From fergieisagenitalwart, on Sun 31 May 3:26PM

  17. also scouse-assassin-michael-daz do not give him too­­­ much stick for being a cockney red as he will report­­­ abuse u,he has a multi personality disorder,and­­­ frequently talks to himself,between his ids,just­­­ remember dont give him stick otherwise he reports­­ u.and­ worse of all dont LAUGH at him

    From fergieisagenitalwart, on Sun 31 May 3:26PM

  18. also scouse-assassin-michael-daz do not give him too­­­ much stick for being a cockney red as he will report­­­ abuse u,he has a multi personality disorder,and­­­ frequently talks to himself,between his ids,just­­­ remember dont give him stick otherwise he reports­­ u.and­ worse of all dont LAUGH at him

    From fergieisagenitalwart, on Sun 31 May 3:26PM

  19. why should we care what you say, You're not exactly­ a Man United fan with a name like that. Go pester­ someone else.

    From redimaster, on Sun 31 May 2:48PM

  20. for anybody that comes across scouse hater-solent­ assassin-michael o-dazmanure,it is all 1 person that­ claims to be an avid mancunian,when infact he is from­ charlton east london,so beware he goes onto different­ pages trying to upset other peoples teams for­ banter,dont give the guy the time.

    From fergieisagenitalwart, on Sun 31 May 1:57PM
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