Transfers - Gossip Shop: Drogba off

Eurosport - Wed, 31 Dec 08:29:00 2008

With just 48 hours to go before the transfer window is thrown wide open, the rumour mill is warming up nicely.

2008-2009 Chelsea Didier Drogba - 0

First up today is serial wantawayer Didier Drogba, who could, you've guessed it, still make a move away from Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea striker has suffered a traumatic 12 months during which he claims the club failed to support him through a series of injuries and the death of his grandmother.

"I've only one year left on my contract, so I'm going to go with the flow," Drogba said, rather ominously, in The Sun.

And with the Ivorian seemingly incapable of committing his future to the Blues - he has a history of telling French-speaking publications of his desire to leave - a move elsewhere is right back on the cards.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari could offset the loss with the recruitment of Hatem Ben Arfa, the young France star.

The highly-rated 21-year-old, who only moved to Marseille from French champions Lyon in the summer, could be tempted by a big-money move to the Bridge. According to the Daily Mirror, Scolari is lining up a £10 million bid.

And that could be good news for Arsenal who, along with Chelsea, are thought to be courting Karim Benzema, Ben Arfa's former Lyon team-mate.

How? Well, rumour has it that the French pair do not get along at all well - something to do with a clash of monstrous egos, apparently. Scolari would be crazy to bring both players into his dressing room; so with a swoop for Benzema ruled out, Arsenal would be left in the driving seat to capture the France international striker.

Another man Arsenal are fluttering their eyelids at is Shay Given , Newcastle's immense goalkeeper. You had to feel sorry for the Irishman at the weekend when, despite his heroics in between the sticks, he still had to pick the ball out of the net five times against Liverpool.

But nevertheless, that kind of performance made Arsene Wenger sit up and take notice - the Gunners boss is ready to pay £8m for Given's services, according to the Express.

That kind of money would allow Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear to strengthen his squad in other areas, while he could replace Given with Paddy Kenny of Sheffield United, who has fallen out with Blades' boss Kevin Blackwell.

Staying on the subject of goalkeepers, the Daily Mirror reports that Heurelho Gomes is wanted by the club who sold him to Spurs for £7.8m in the summer - PSV Eindhoven. But the Eredivisie club are likely to pay just half that figure for the man responsible for around 75 per cent of the content of any end-of-season blooper DVDs.

While Gomes could be leaving White Hart Lane, Jermain Defoe is still hoping to secure a return to Spurs, says the Daily Mail.

But The Independent claims Harry Redknapp is being frustrated by Portsmouth's £24m valuation of the England striker with Pompey denying any bids have been made for either Defoe or his team-mate Glen Johnson, who Liverpool have been linked with.

Halfway through Gossip Shop and still no mention of Manchester City?

Well, the Daily Star claims City boss Mark Hughes has been told he can have West Ham stars Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker for a combined £20m. Strange then, that Hammers' keeper Robert Green - another Spurs target - said in the Mirror: "We've been assured as senior players that there won't be a fire sale" and that The Sun reports that a massive £12m bid from Spurs for Bellamy has been rejected.

Who knows what to believe.

Meanwhile, City have been warned off Everton pair Mikel Arteta and Joleon Lescott but youngster Daniel Sturridge is on the verge of committing his future to the Eastlands outfit.

Striker-strapped Everton are interested in Fiorentina ace Giampaolo Pazzini - the first player to score at the new Wembley - with a loan deal on the cards after the Italy Under-21 international lost his place in the starting line-up to Alberto Gilardino.

Emile Heskey has been told he can leave Wigan if he so wishes, while Jermaine Pennant has been tipped by The Times to arrive at the JJB Stadium after having snubbed a move to Real Madrid. The Liverpool midfielder is wanted by the Latics to fill the void about to be left by Luis Antonio Valencia who, unlike Pennant, has had the good sense not to ignore the overtures of Real and is reportedly on the verge of joining the Spanish giants.

And finally, Fulham's connections with North American players look set to continue after Standard Liege and US defender Oguchi Onyewu caught Roy Hodgson's eye and West Brom are tracking Real Mallorca's Oscar Trejo, although the Baggies will have to break the bank if they are to land the Argentine striker.

Eurosport

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  1. tinybudd!if it is because drogba they lose in the champs league final,he is also the person that brought them to the champion league final.he was the scorer in the semi-final that brought them through to the final.come on chelsea fans.GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO PROVE HE IS GOOD

    From simret_chealseafan, on Wed 31 Dec 5:35AM

  2. come on liverpool get podolski,antonio valencia and david villa

    From choksang94, on Wed 31 Dec 4:45AM

  3. come on liverpool get podolski,antonio valencia and david villa

    From choksang94, on Wed 31 Dec 4:44AM

  4. common chelsea juz get podolski

    From lee zi sheng, on Wed 31 Dec 2:48AM

  5. Drogba should quit chelsea now or no clubs will want him later

    From musaz, on Wed 31 Dec 1:57AM

  6. They may move with permission from the FA. Said rule was only introduced to stop players "loaning" each other players. And anyway is there any gossip on this page that wasn't idly plagiarised from this mornings Sun?

    From Joe, on Wed 31 Dec 12:18AM

  7. I thought there was an FA rule that says a player cannot return to a club within one year of leaving it. If so, then Defoe cannot go back to Spurs in the January window.

    From KEVIN G, on Wed 31 Dec 12:14AM

  8. I hope that Valencia stays put at least until the end of the season. If he is to move, I hope it is to a team in the EPL.
    Reasons, (some might be opinions, not facts but they are true anyway)
    1. I think Madrid is full of pompous f****s.
    2. La Liga is not as good as the EPL.
    3. Or half as interesting.
    4. I root for the underdog.
    5. I don't get any La Liga games in my satellite service.
    6. The Latics will play in Europe and will need him.
    Bruce and Valencia I think will make the right decision, and if he does go to Real Madrid is because Wheelan got greedy and decided to go for quick profits. 5mil for 15mil not bad business, but bad for fans who have come out and supported the team week after week.

    From Topollillo, on Wed 31 Dec 12:10AM

  9. jay you need to learn to spell bye is spelled buy not bye

    From haydnprobert, on Wed 31 Dec 12:08AM

  10. i am a clelsea fan and i think Drogba deserve a better team and is worth more than is weighted now. i am sure once he leaves he will start scoring more goals. Come Drogb you are the best.

    From denisayolie, on Tue 30 Dec 11:53PM

  11. I hope Mark Hughes doesnt sign parker or bellamy as they are yesterdays footballers and if city want to be considered a big club they should go for class players

    From iainbaxter49, on Tue 30 Dec 11:29PM

  12. I'm a Chelsea fan and I agree with a lot of comments particularly with drogba, he is a disloyal player and should just go. Also in respect to Deco, too old and a bad (panic) buy. Too many misfiring players, Ballack, Malouda, Kalou. Abramovich needs to dig deep to get us back up to the level where we can compete with ManU and Liverpool. Before anyone says it this is not buying the Premiership because all teams buy good players, just look at who ManU and Liverpool have bought in the last few years.
    Also just out of interest my beloved Chelsea were one single spot kick away from deservedly winning Champs League and I dont think they have recovered from the trauma of that loss. I think it will be a few years now before Chelsea will be a power to be recognised but it will happen but not with Scolari. Maybe the Special One will return and bring us more success.

    From Ian, on Tue 30 Dec 11:27PM

  13. pennent is right to ignor madrid.. because how many game will he play for maddrid in a injury free season?? 5 starts max? his a football man not a money addict he dont care about the money he just want to play his football so thats why he rather go wigan than real unlike valencia whos young and foolish and have a @#$% agent!

    From ray, on Tue 30 Dec 11:17PM

  14. quatt47 - do you actually know anything?

    Money put into the club can be chosen as repayable or non-repayable. As a directors loan or just putting money into the club.

    As a sheffield wednesday fan, i hope city push and buy some big names, because soon manure will fall.

    From Stevie G, on Tue 30 Dec 10:31PM

  15. Got to agree with my fellow City followers, we don't need the like of bellamy at the City of Manchester stadium, the guys is an "has been" and in his hayday wasn't that great. valued at 12 million, you have to be having a laugh..
    Would be nice to see a defensive midfielder and a couple of good multi-positional defenders, player who can use BOTH feet to control and pass a ball.. that means they wont be english..

    From karl s, on Tue 30 Dec 10:29PM

  16. looks like arsenal are planning something big, i can really see them winning the FA... (f*ck all) this season

    From mykie g, on Tue 30 Dec 9:43PM

  17. Man City are the richest club in the world coz they have the most money available to spend! END OF STORY!!

    From Stephen, on Tue 30 Dec 9:33PM

  18. exchange drogba with adriano.. anelka & adriano would be perfect !...

    From uveys, on Tue 30 Dec 9:26PM

  19. Too much EGO for Drogba...his days are finished.........Arshavin is the best one for Arsenal, and honestly I dont think Given would make a difference in Arsenal, as Almunia is very good, anyways Arsenal dont need a goalkeeper they need midfield creation and maybe a striker for substitution as Bendtner should go as well as Vela. City is talking too much, but Bellamy is not a great player either, if world class is what they want Bellamy is not for sure.The Robinho transfer says it all too much talking too much offers, too much bla bla bla... is all gossip and nothing is finished until they sign the paper.

    From peterpale006, on Tue 30 Dec 9:06PM

  20. lee croft to hull done deal

    From edunbar92, on Tue 30 Dec 9:03PM
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