Gossip ... who is going where? It's the football silly season. Source: AFP
A weekend away from the Rumour Mill means there's plenty to catch up on in your Monday morning fix of gossip from Europe. There's your daily dose of the big three - Ronaldo, Bale and Suarez - plus the best of the rest.
‘SO-SO’ TORRES
Fernando Torres says he can’t wait to play under Jose Mourinho. Is the Special One as excited?
"Torres so far is so-so," said Mourinho. "Somebody could expect more because of his potential, because of what he did before. But not so bad as people sometimes try to say.
"There is a balance. Normally, the tendency is to say it was a big mistake. It was a big mistake because it didn't work.
"Shevchenko? It's not true the owner forced him on me.
"Never, never during my time did the owner interfere in the basic things of the manager - training sessions, team selection, the profile of player I want to bring."
Mourinho revealed he wanted to bring Samuel Eto’o to Stamford Bridge, ahead of Shevchenko, to play alongside Didier Drogba during his first stint at Chelsea.
ZIZOU’S PURSUIT
Zinedine Zidane, the Real Madrid sporting director, continues to publicly accost Tottenham star Gareth Bale.
We get it, already. The bank is ready to be broken.
"I think Real Madrid have made their admiration of Gareth Bale very clear - and it has been made clear that we would not be put off by the cost of the player," Zidane told the Sunday People.
"But if Gareth feels now is the time to move then he has to have a private discussion with his club and express that he wants to leave."
SO MUCH PHONEY WAR
The latest instalment from Luis Suarez, as he worries Liverpool and dangles himself in front of Real Madrid: "A player always aspires to be at the top of their profession and Madrid is at the top for any player.
"But do you know what it is like to play for Liverpool? It disturbs me that Liverpool are not in the Champions League every season."
But then again …
"I’ve suffered at Liverpool but when I think of what it represents to play for the club and the love my daughter has — she sings their song — the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I play at Anfield."
Liverpool will not budge below the £40million clause in his contract, the Daily Mirror suggest, as Brendan Rodgers plots a move for Alvaro Morata, the top scorer at the European under-21 Championships, as a replacement.
AND A PHONEY TWITTER WAR
How do you interpret Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent social media statement vehemently denying news of a renewed Real Madrid contract?
"All the news about my renewal with Real Madrid are false," Ronaldo proclaimed.
Cue Rumour Mills going into overdrive.
WENGER’S WORRIES
Just when Arsene Wenger had formed a solid centre-back combination, he has to contend with interest in Laurent Koscielny from both Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
The former Lorient defender’s agent Stephane Courbois said: "There is interest. I know that Laurent is part of a shortlist of three or four players for both clubs."
ISCO THE LATEST HOT PROPERTY
Mideast Israel U21 Europeans Soccer
Starlet ... Isco. Source: AP
Manchester City’s interest in Isco, the Malaga talent, has been long-term, but the Real Madrid recruitment machine might swoop on the prodigy.
The 21-year-old, who has shone at the UEFA under-21 event in Israel, said: "In seven days I will decide my future.
"After the U21 Euros I will analyse my situation and make the best choice for my future.
"At the moment I am calm and focused on my work with the national team.
"City or Madrid? I can't say. Pellegrini is a great coach, though, of that there is no question."
NANI NOT GOING JUST YET
Manchester United winger Nani has a year to go on his contract and it was widely assumed that the Portuguese international would be sold this summer by David Moyes. But it’s not so clear cut, says the man himself.
"My future? Nothing is certain.
"I am calm. I have everything in my hands.
"I am not saying that I will not continue at Manchester United. I will think about what is best for me."
While Nani confirmed he is not interested in a return home just yet, striker Bebe could be headed for the Portuguese league.
"I would love to play for Sporting (Lisbon)," he told Correio da Manha.
"The club would suit me and it is an ambition of mine to play for Sporting.
"They put faith in young players, appreciate them, and play an attractive game that suits my style. It is a club that can grow. I haven't found that in England."
PSG RUMOUR PERSISTS
The Guardian insists that "Paris St-Germain continue to covet the Tottenham Hotspur manager André Villas-Boas, having been offered no reason, as yet, to supposetheir desire to lure him to the Parc des Princes will be dismissed out of hand by the Portuguese".
Does the Portuguese need a sweetener? Oh, they’ll just do this, say the Daily Mirror …
"French champions hope world record Gareth Bale swoop and David Luiz capture would convince Spurs boss to make Paris switch"…
Bale first, AVB next. Hold your breath, Spurs fans.
SNIPPETS
It seems as though Pepe Reina’s departure from Liverpool seems a fait accompli. The Daily Mail report that Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre will try get a deal with Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet stitched up this week - £8million for the 24-year-old Belgium goalkeeper.
Carlos Tevez’s desire to leave Manchester City could depend on AC Milan making room by clearing Robinho, for a likely return back to Brazil, say the Daily Mirror.
Arsenal will offer more money, but Gonzalo Higuain looks like he’s leaning towards Juventus, The Daily Mail suggest.
'Tottenham are really interested' in Fredy Guarin, says Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti.
Steve Bruce could rescue Darren Bent from Aston Villa purgatory, with Newcastle hesitating on the striker’s £6million asking price and the ex-England striker’s £70,000-a-week wage demands, according to The Sun. Keep an eye on Newcastle, who have just brought in Joe Kinnear as director of football in a shock move.
CABAYE’S TEMPTATION?
Anything to read into this comment from Newcastle United’s French international Yohan Cabaye?
"Monaco have the means to build a strong team. It might interest everyone," he said after Newcastle denied speculation he was set for a medical at the French big spenders.
MUM, PLEASE!
Edinson Cavani's mum, Berta Gomez: "Napoli's president Aurelio De Laurentiis has spoken about the possibility of discussions with Chelsea but there is nothing definite with them at the moment.
"Edi is in talks with Manchester City and Real Madrid".
Thanks!
Elsewhere, Roberto Mancini has revealed that interest in Edinson Cavani has been a long-term obsession at City. "When I was at City I often spoke about Cavani with the management because he was somebody who could have been targeted," Mancini said in the Manchester Evening News.
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