TRANSFER SPEC

UNITED TAKING THE MICHAEL?
Who? - Michael Owen
Where is he? - Real Madrid
Who is he linked with? - Manchester United


There are strong rumours circulating in the Manchester area that Sir Alex Ferguson has made Real Madrid misfit Michael Owen his number one target this summer. With Real happy to listen to offers on their super-sub, in order to try and purchase some sort of defensive unit, Fergie has made enquiries as to his availability. Wanderley Luxemburgo is very interested in taking Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu, but Fergie wants a straight cash deal. Ferguson has always been a big admirer of the England striker, and would like to link him with Wayne Rooney in a 4-4-2 formation. United fans would be opposed to any deal, but they have bigger fish to fry at the moment. Owen spent a week at Old Trafford whilst still at school, but chose Anfield over Old Trafford. Obviously Chelsea will now get involved - and could scupper any deal if it took their fancy.

NO WAY, JOSE
Who? - Samuel Eto'o
Where is he? - Barcelona
Who will he never, ever play for? - Chelsea


Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has told Chelsea to forget about making a summer move for his services. The 24-year-old Cameroon frontman has netted 24 La Liga goals this season to help Barca to the title, but says that the Blues have no chance of signing him, especially after the acrimonious Champions League clash between the two sides. He said: "I have no interest in signing for Chelsea because I am in the best club in the world. They lost their opportunity to sign me a year ago and now they do not have any possibility. Never will I sign for a team trained by Jose Mourinho. He wrecked things completely with his behaviour surrounding the two games between our sides. I insist Barca boss Frank Rijkaard is the better coach despite however many titles the Portuguese has won. Now my dream is to play Chelsea again because I have many things to resolve with them. I am a better player than Didier Drogba and Mourinho knows that and I am going to score more goals than Thierry Henry." Ooh, get her.

ANDY HANDY FOR BRUM RETURN
Who? - Andy Johnson
Where is he? - Crystal Palace
Who is he linked with? - Birmingham City


Birmingham City chairman David Gold says that the Blues are interested in bringing Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson back to St Andrews this summer. The 24-year-old left the Blues in the summer of 2002 and netted 22 goals for the relegated Eagles this season, forcing his way into the England set-up as a result. Johnson has vowed to stay with Palace despite their demotion, but Gold said: "Andrew Johnson is the sort of exciting player we want to come to Birmingham City although you've got to imagine that there will be a lot of Premiership clubs interested in him. What seems certain to me is that he will want to play in the Premiership. I'm aware that he has said he won't leave Palace and kissing the badge and all that is very romantic. The fact is that he is an England player and needs to remain in the Premiership. I will be stunned if Andy is still at Palace in August."

ROBBO THE RICH
Who? - Paul Robinson
Where is he? - Tottenham Hotspur
Who is he linked with? - Manchester United and Barcelona


Goalkeeper Paul Robinson is expected to sign a new deal at Spurs and end speculation linking him with both Barcelona and Manchester United. The 25-year-old England number one has been in talks over a pay rise with chairman Daniel Levy following an outstanding season for both club and country. Robinson reportedly took a pay cut when he signed from Leeds for ?1.5million last summer in order to come to White Hart Lane, but his new deal will make him one of the club's highest earners. His efforts have not gone unnoticed and both Barca and the Red Devils have been linked with an ?8million move for the player. Spurs have a policy of reviewing their top players' salaries in a bid to stave off predators - Jermain Defoe was given a bumper rise last month and captain Ledley King is also in line for a pay hike. Sporting director Frank Arnesen said: "It is up to us to make those players feel as comfortable as possible here, Paul has done fantastically for Tottenham."

ZOLTAN HOUNDED OUT?
Who? - Zoltan Gera
Where is he? - West Bromwich Albion
Who is he linked with? - Spurs and Aston Villa


West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace has dismissed reports claiming that Zoltan Gera is a target for Spurs and Aston Villa. The 26-year-old scored six goals in 38 Premiership appearances following his ?1.5million move from Ferencvaros, leading agent Vladan Filipovic to claim that the Hungary international was a wanted man. However, Baggies chief Peace hit back strongly, telling the club's official website: "The agent quoted in the stories does not act on behalf of Zoltan. As the manager has said on numerous occasions, Zoltan is very happy here and is very popular in the dressing room. He is contracted to Albion for a further two years, plus an extra year's option in the club's favour. We have had no contact from the clubs Mr Filipovic quotes - or any club - about Zoltan and we are looking to build on the squad we have - not dismantle it. Zoltan is very happy playing Premiership football and that is something we can offer at Albion."

WOP BOP A LOO BOP A LOP BAM BOOM!
Who? - Papa Bouba Diop
Where is he? - Fulham
Who is he linked with? - Most of Europe


Fulham's in-demand Senegalese midfielder Papa Bouba Diop is happy to stay at Craven Cottage according to his agent.

The 27-year-old powerhouse has been a big hit with the Cottagers this term, prompting talk of interest from a number of other clubs. However, Diop's representative, Willie McKay, told Sky Sports: "I have been contacted by clubs from Spain, Italy and England regarding Papa. But rather than thinking of a move away Papa is hoping to agree a new deal at Fulham.

"I have spoken to Chris Coleman about a new deal for Papa and Papa is happy to stay at Fulham. Papa is enjoying life at Fulham and he would be happy to extend his contract. He is enjoying his football and he believes that Fulham are going places after a good end to the season."

NOT GOTCHYA!
Who? - Gabriel Milito
Where is he? - Real Zaragoza
Who is he linked with? - Liverpool


Real Zaragoza have opened contract talks with Gabriel Milito after dismissing reports linking the defender with a move to Liverpool. The Argentine ace has also emerged as a target for Manchester United, Barcelona and Valencia, but Zaragoza insist they have received no formal approaches. Director of sport Miguel Pardeza told Sky Sports: "We have not received any formal proposition for Milito from Liverpool. Gabriel has a contract with us until June 2007 and at this moment we are negotiating about extending it for two more years." Milito himself is unaware of any interest from Liverpool or any other clubs and insists he is not seeking a move. "Personally I have not spoken with any director of Liverpool," he added. "Each month for 15 or 20 days the papers have spoken of a club interested in me, but I have no direct news. I am happy in Zaragoza."

JANSEN INTERCEPTER
Who? - Matt Jansen
Where is he? - Blackburn Rovers
Who is he linked with? - Blackburn Rovers


Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes is to offer striker Matt Jansen the chance to impress during pre-season training at Ewood Park. The 27-year-old has failed to recover full from serious injuries sustained in a motorbike crash three years ago and made just eight first-team appearances this season. He has not been formally offered a new contract by Hughes, but will have a chance to secure a future with Rovers when pre-season training gets underway. Hughes told BBC Radio Lancashire: "He was struggling to cope with the demands and the pressure of the game. We hope as a result of listening to people, we'll get him back, that's the aim. We spoke to his people and they felt earlier that it would be preferable for him just to get away from football and have a complete break. We were quite prepared to take that advice and do whatever was best for Matt and now we are very hopeful that he'll be back with us the first day of pre-season. Then it is a case of see how things go and see if we can get Matt Jansen back to the level he reached prior to his accident."

 

I just can't see Owen in a Manchester United uniform, but stranger things have happened.

 

I'm not the savviest financial guy in the world, but I don't understand how Glazer will be able to buy expensive players for Man U based on the amount of debt he is assuming.