Football Gossip

Football Gossip

CHELSEA WANT KAKA, BUT...
So what is going on with Kaka?

The remarks of his advisor that Milan were prepared to sell the Brazilian prompted speculation on Saturday that Chelsea were on the verge of finalising his £80m transfer but that talk now looks hopelessly premature. However, that's not to say that Chelsea don't want to do business - whatever the price.

Although Milan have insisted that the player isn't for sale and Chelsea have denied making a formal bid, the papers are still convinced that they are intent on signing the forward this summer.

According to the Mail on Sunday, 'the God-fearing Kaka has become the man chosen by Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's Russian billionaire owner, to fulfil his ambition to bring a touch of footballing fantasy to the club that is his plaything', while The Observer maintains that 'Luiz Felipe Scolari has made 'a personal request to Chelsea that they must sign Kaká'.

The paper also claims that 'a representative from the Serie A club was in London last week to meet the Chelsea hierarchy'.

So wait and see.

Football Gossip
NOBODY HAS BID FOR ADEBAYOR
After all the fuss and talk about Emmanuel Adebayor being sold for £35m, it appears as if the Togo striker is destined to be an Arsenal player next season.

Why? Well, to quote The People, 'Adebayor will return to Arsenal training tomorrow and discover there's not been a single bid for him this summer.

'While the 24 year-old Togo international has repeatedly declared his intent to quit the Gunners to join the likes of AC Milan or Barcelona, he now faces an embarrassing truth,' the newspaper continues. 'At the moment there are no takers for him. He faces the prospect of starting next season in an Arsenal shirt and having to win over the Gunners fans who have been incensed by his lack of loyalty.'

Speaking after the friendly at Barnet, Arsene Wenger also insisted that Adebayor wouldn't be leaving.

"Adebayor is under contract and is in a completely different position to Hleb, and I expect he will be at training on Monday," the Arsenal manager commented. "Adebayor is a player of Arsenal Football Club and I'm confident he will be here at the start of the season."

Football Gossip
WENGER WANTS ONE MORE SIGNING
Meanwhile, Wenger's declaration that Arsenal are still looking to make one more signing this summer is being interpreted as a hint that he will bid for Gareth Barry. Perhaps, but the Frenchman wasn't exactly giving away much when he spoke to reporters. Take it away, Arsene:

"We are in the market and if there is a good opportunity we will take it.

"I cannot give you any names, but we are still thinking of bringing in one more. We will buy a player with experience."

Football Gossip
MANYOO INSIST AGAIN THAT RONALDO WON'T BE SOLD
ManYoo chief executive David Gill is adamant Cristiano Ronaldo will not receive a pay rise.

The 23-year-old is currently recovering from an ankle operation which will keep him out of action for three months.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already told the Portugal forward he will not be sold to Real Madrid after a very public transfer saga since the end of the last season.

When asked if Ronaldo would be offered a new contract, Gill said: "No.He only entered into the previous contract 18 months before and in terms of where he's at in our wage hierarchy he's doing pretty well."

When asked if the player's behaviour was partly to get a higher salary from United, Gill said: "Possibly, but not necessarily, and if the figures bandied around that Real Madrid are talking about are true, we wouldn't go anywhere near that. That would be lunacy."

Instead, Gill called on the player to show "commitment and loyalty".

"The player is under contract so the strength and the rights are with Manchester United," added Gill.

"I think we've been pretty clear all along that Ronaldo has got a contract until 2012, he's a valuable member of the team and that's the situation."

Football Gossip
ROBINHO FOR BARCA?
Robinho's agent insists Barcelona have made enquiries about the Brazil star, despite the Catalan club's strenuous denial of any contact.

Speculation has been rife that the Real Madrid forward is on his way to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Chelsea favourites for his signature.

But on Thursday reports suggested Madrid's bitter rivals Barcelona were preparing to table a bid for the player - something the Nou Camp outfit dismissed outright.

While Wagner Ribeiro believes his client will be staying at the Bernabeu, he still claims to have been contacted by Barca scout Pepe Costa.

Football Gossip