Ireland demands mega loyalty bonus and other red-hot gossip

(13-08-2010) Stephen Ireland is apparently holding Manchester City to ransom. According to reports, the Irish midfielder is demanding a £2m 'loyalty' payment to quit the club and join Aston Villa. Ireland is set to form part of the deal that will see England international James Milner moving the other way. Elsewhere, Scott Parker is close to signing an improved deal at West Ham thereby ending speculation that he could move to Liverpool; Manchester City look set to beat Chelsea in the race to land Benfica's £27m-rated Brazilian defender David Luiz; and Arsenal are considering a move for Lyon's Brazil international winger Michel Bastos.