Transfer Gossip

SO WHERE WILL CARLOS BE?
Although it's difficult to have sympathy for millionaires, in their twenties, you have to feel a little bit sorry for Carlos Tevez.

Like most of the world, Tevez isn't sure whether he'll have a job in six months time, and is getting a little twitchy about it.

Manchester United have been dragging their feet over securing a permanent deal for the Argentinian, and now it seems there's a chance that they will boot him out all together.

Well, that's if you believe The Sun, who report that Real Madrid are all set to nip in and nab 'Carlitos' at the end of the season.

They seem to base their story around some quotes from Kia Joorabchian, who said: "I don't know if 'Carlitos' will go. It's difficult to say. Anything can happen.

"Madrid want him and have showed concrete interest. They're not the only club. There are many."

The paper reckons, not unreasonably, that interest from Real would irk Alex Ferguson rather, although it's tricky to see what he could do about it given that Mr Joorabchian 'owns' Tevez, and United only have him for the next six months.

Could be either interesting, or a repeat of the interminable saga of a couple of years ago when Tevez joined United in the first place.


BORO REJECT DOWNING BID - THE LATEST
Middlesbrough have rejected a £14.5million approach from Tottenham for winger Stewart Downing.

Spurs have been chasing the England international for some time and have already failed in two previous attempts to lure the winger to White Hart Lane.

An initial approach of £6million was branded 'derisory' by Boro, while an improved £11million bid was also knocked back.

Harry Redknapp appears determined to get his man, though, and has continued with his efforts to sign the 24-year-old.


WHO KNOWS BEST ABOUT ARSHAVIN?
The Wednesday morning newspapers are divided on the likelihood of Andrei Arshavin joining Arsenal this month.

The Gunners' interest in the Zenit St Petersburg playmaker was confirmed yesterday, with the player himself quoted as saying "I hope the clubs can come to an agreement" and his manager Dick Advocaat admitting he is resigned to the 27-year-old leaving. "I am aware Arsenal are interested," he said. "I am expecting Arshavin to leave. He is a top player and could play for any of the top teams in England."

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CITEH USE JOHNSON AS BAIT
Interesting stuff in The Times, who claim that Manchester City are all ready to go back in for Scott Parker, despite West Ham telling Sky Sports News on Monday that the midfielder was not for sale.

Like most of the country, City appear not to believe that, and will make a fresh bid to turn themselves into Chelsea's reserves by offering a stack of cash plus Michael Johnson for Parker.

Apparently a bid of around £15million for Parker and Craig Bellamy was turned down last week, but that has not deterred City and their uber-rich owners.

While we're discussing West Ham and have The Times open, the paper also claims that Matthew Etherington is about to make a £3.5million move to Stoke in the near future.


CITY ENDURING SLOW PURSUIT
No news is slow news in the Independent as the paper reports that Manchester City's pursuit of new recruits is moving at a 'snail's pace'.

Their attempt to buy Chelsea's Alex is described as a 'lost cause', while the long-mooted purchase of Kolo Toure from Arsenal is apparently proving somewhat problematic.

'Both Arsenal and player are blowing hot and cold, though City were heartened by a change of mood music from the Emirates last Friday, having all but conceded defeat on the issue days earlier. The proposed move for a player expected to cost £12-15m is still said by one source to be "on and off on a daily basis"', the newspaper says.

Rather confusingly, the Indy goes on to say that City are frustrated at the snail's pace of their pursuit of Santa Cruz but then adds that 'Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has indicated that a bid had still to be lodged for Santa Cruz'.


LIVERPOOL TO STICK WITH WHAT THEY'VE GOT
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes he can win the Barclays Premier League title with the players he has got.

It has become clear that the Anfield chief is highly unlikely to delve into the transfer market this month, with very little prospect of any of his first-team squad stars leaving the club.

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AND THE REST...
Bolton are in talks with Brazilian star Denilson over a possible free transfer...West Bromwich will consider a fresh move for Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood if if they cannot sign Ariza Makukula from Benfica...On-loan Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin has become unsettled at Hertha Berlin and is a target for their rivals Schalke...Joe Kinnear's hopes of selling misfit striker Xisco to raise funds have been dashed...Wigan are poised to capture £4.5million Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega from Mexican club Necaxa...Calum Davenport is poised to join Bolton for £3million today...Dean Windass has been told that he can leave Hull City, with Hartlepool leading the chase for his signature...Burnley are ready to let Ade Akinbiyi leave Turf Moor with Blackpool and QPR said to be keen on signing him...Birmingham are on the verge of sealing the sensational £3.5million capture of Rangers' top scorer Kris Boyd...Julian Faubert is in line for a shock move to Rangers as West Ham continue their plans to operate with a smaller squad...West Ham face competition from Spain and Germany for Brescia striker Savio...El Hadji Diouf is to be reunited with Sam Allardyce at Blackburn.