Barca in for Spurs star and other red-hot gossip

(02-11-2010) Barcelona are reportedly ready to make an enormous offer for sensational Tottenham left-back Gareth Bale. The Welshman has been in scintillating form this season, especially during Spurs Champions League clash with Inter Milan when he scored a hat-trick at the San Siro. Now the Spanish giants want to tempt him away from White Hart Lane and are believed to be ready to offer £40m for his services. Elsewhere, Liverpool think they can prise Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips away from Eastlands; Manchester United are monitoring £8m-rated midfielder Ilkay Gundogan of Bundesliga club Nurnberg, but have also been impressed by his team-mates midfielder Mehmet Ekici and striker Julien Schieber; and Manchester City are ready to offer Barcelona millions for their sensational Brazilian right-back Dani Alves.

No new signings – Fergie

(01-11-2010) Manchester United will make no new signings in the January transfer window, claims manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "We won't be buying in January, definitely not," Ferguson told the Independent newspaper on Sunday. "If you want someone to play in Europe, you are limited right away. There are hundreds of players cup-tied.” The fiery Scot added that he has two very good players set to make comebacks." I will have Antonio Valencia back hopefully towards the end of February, which is a new player coming back. If Michael Owen gets back, it is another new player coming back. So with the squad I've got, I don't see any reason for us to buy anyone." United’s last foray into the transfer market saw them sign Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling and Bebe ahead of the season.

Reds set to bolster squad

(01-11-2010) Liverpool could sign as many as six players in the January transfer window, reckons under-fire boss Roy Hodgson. The Merseysiders have had their worst ever start to a Premiership campaign and were languishing in the relegations zone until two recent wins lifted them to 12th place. Now Hodgson wants to bolster his resources, starting with his strikeforce. "We are going to be very interested in improving our squad in January," the 63-year-old Englishman told the Daily Star newspaper on Sunday. "I'm prepared to accept that a number of players we're looking to sign do make five or six - but I don't wish to specify positions other than one is obviously a front player.” He added: "Having three front players at the club, and that's if you include Ryan Babel, is nowhere near good enough."

Mutiny at City – report

(01-11-2010) Manchester City’s array of expensive stars are hell-bent on getting manager Roberto Mancini axed as manager. The big-spending club slumped to a low on Saturday, going down to minnows Wolves. The result, compounded by an on-pitch row between Emmanuel Adebayor and Vincent Kompany, leaves them eight points behind EPL leaders Chelsea. "There is hardly a player in the dressing room who has any time for Mancini. The place is a complete mess,” a City ‘inside’ source told The Sun newspaper on Monday. "There are times when he tries to be a hard man but no one takes any notice. Team spirit is falling apart because there is no respect for the manager and some players are even guessing when he could go.”

Houllier lambastes Ireland’s effort

(01-11-2010) Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has launched a scathing attack on midfielder Stephen Ireland. This comes after the Frenchman left the former Manchester City star on the bench for the club’s goalless draw with arch-rivals Birmingham over the weekend. "He needs to work harder,” said Houllier in explaining his decision. "He played against Chelsea and did well but against Sunderland he was not good enough for me. Simple as that. Skill is one thing but you need to compete as well." The 24-year-old Ireland moved to Villa Park as part of the deal that saw James Milner move to City. "It's a difficult period for him but the club will support him in that. He's come to a new club and then has a different manager. We know he is a good player, although he needs to work harder, his touch of the ball, his defensive effort."

Red Devils chasing teenage sensation and other red-hot gossip

(01-11-2010) Manchester United have been linked with Athletico Madrid's teenage goalkeeper David de Gea. The 19-year-old is being hailed as the new Iker Casilias in Spain and is valued at £18m. Elsewhere, Manchester City are set to outbid any of their EPL rivals when it comes to signing Spanish striker Fernando Torres from Liverpool next summer; Liverpool are planning a £9m January transfer window move for Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia; fringe Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz, wanted by Fulham, is on the verge of sealing a January loan move to Spanish side Getafe; and Manchester City hope to bring highly-rated 17-year-old Colombian goalkeeper Cristian Bonilla to Eastlands from the Boyaca Chico club in his home country.

Pep and Nando won’t insult fans – Red Roy

(31-10-2010) Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres will not demand transfers away from Liverpool, reckons club boss Roy Hodgson. This follows newspaper reports that the Spanish pair are unhappy on Merseyside and may seek to leave in January. "Torres and Reina are training very well and if they are unhappy and wanting to get away they are making a damn good job of disguising it,” Hodgson told the Daily Mail newspaper on Saturday. "They are great favourites here and I can't imagine for one minute they would insult Liverpool fans in any way by suggesting, "We are unhappy, and we are only here for the good times". Added the 63-year-old: "Players have to recognise their responsibilities when playing for Liverpool. Both of them I'm sure are as committed as I am to getting us high up the table."