Saturday, February 25, 2012

The Saturday Gossip

Ashley Cole to Barcelona, Juventus want RVP, Liverpool and Newcastle duke it out for Seydou Keita and more...


COLE TO BARCELONAWe'll begin with a slice of balderdash from The Daily Star, who claim Ashley Cole could be set to leave Chelsea for Barcelona in the summer.

It's been widely reported that Cole and Andre Villas-Boas aren't BFFs, with the pair reportedly having an argument before the Champions League match with Napoli. Indeed, Jose Bosingwa was preferred to Cole at left-back in Italy (!) and the England international looked pretty smug when AVB was forced to bring him on.

It seems possible that Cole will look to leave Stamford Bridge if AVB remains in charge, but deducing that the left-back will move to Barcelona is a bit far-fetched, especially when you consider that Eric Abidal is just a year older than him.


RVP CHASE HEATS UP
Surely every European giant is going to be sniffing around Robin van Persie this summer, encouraged by the knowledge that he has just one year left on his contract.

According to SHOUTsport, Juventus - who are still unbeaten in Serie A this season - are the latest club to declare an interest in the prolific striker as he weighs up his options.

Arsenal are keen to open talks over a new deal with RVP but the Dutchman would prefer to wait and see where things lie at the end of the season. It could give the Gunners a tricky decision to make - if Van Persie wants to go should they sell in the summer or spend the next year trying to convince him to change his mind?


LIVERPOOL AND NEWCASTLE IN FOR KEITA
One of Barcelona's unsung heroes, Seydou Keita, is reportedly ready to quit the Nou Camp for a new challenge in the Premier League.

Keita has made over 100 appearances for the reigning European champions since his £12million move from Sevilla in 2008, totting up 14 trophies in that time. However, Pep Guardiola has indicated that he wants to promote several younger squad players - including Cristian Tello, Jonathan dos Santos and Sergi Roberto - for next season, which would limit Keita's opportunities.

The Metro are saying that both Liverpool and Newcastle are interested in the 32-year-old Mali international, who will command wages of around £80,000 a week but cost less than an Andy Carroll goal.



WEST BROM WANT GARDNER
The Mirror are talking-up a Baggies bid for Craig Gardner in the summer after they failed to sign the midfielder on loan in January.

Gardner's form has seen him become an important first-team player at Sunderland under Martin O'Neill, but there are still rumours that he's homesick in the north east.

To add to the speculation, Roy Hodgson has confirmed his interest if Gardner is available. The West Brom manager said, "The idea was first mooted because he was homesick."

"I don't know whether he still wants to come back to the Midlands.

"If he does, I'm sure we'll be interested in him."


AND THE REST
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he could have signed Gareth Bale...Steven Gerrard is desperate for Wembley glory tomorrow, after his last League Cup final date left him "suicidal"...Arsene Wenger snubbed the chance to make a deadline-day swoop for Louis Saha...Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is poised to join Middlesbrough on loan after tomorrow's Carling Cup final...Andre Villas-Boas faces Bolton Wanderers today knowing that it could be his last match as Chelsea manager...Steve Morgan has defended his decision to appoint Terry Connor as Wolves manager for the final 13 games of the season - only 11 days after insisting it was not a job for a novice.

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