A big shout out to all the weekend warriors as the F.A. Cup is once again on the horizon, there may well be a hiatus from the Premier League but there is not a hiatus from the gossip. So without further ado lets take a look at what is making the back pages this morning.
As always – gossip in plain text, my views in bold
Paris St-Germain’s Brazil forward Neymar, 25, would be allowed to join Real Madrid, but only if he delivers Champions League success to the French side, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says. (Goal) Well Neymar you know what you have to do then
Negotiations have stalled between Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund over a deal for the German club’s 28-year-old Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (Kicker – in German) They are basically squabbling over £2million pounds, it surely cannot be that difficult to pay what Dortmund want
The Bundesliga side have told Arsenal they will need to break their £52m transfer record to sign Aubameyang. (Star) £53m then.
Dortmund are also set to walk away from talks over signing Gunners striker Olivier Giroud. The 31-year-old France international reportedly wants more regular football. (Mail) Well it is a World Cup year after all.
Chelsea are considering a swoop for Giroud, hoping to convince him to swap north London for the west of the capital (Mirror) Chelsea continuing to work their way down the list as they continue their search for a striker.
Meanwhile, Blues owner Roman Abramovich is angry with manager Antonio Conte after the Italian distanced himself from the club’s signings this season. (Star) All does not seem well at Stamford Bridge, will Conte be departing come the end of the season?
Diafra Sakho has told West Ham he wants to leave with French side Rennes his likely destination. The 28-year-old Senegal striker has hardly featured for the Hammers this season. (Sun) Looks like his Sakhing off East London then
West Ham are targeting Fulham captain Tom Cairney and are set to offer £15m for the 27-year-old Scotland midfielder. (Sky Sports) West Ham’s quest for a midfielder continues
The Hammers have also made a £12m bid for Norwich City’s English midfielder James Maddison, 21. (Guardian) and it could also take them to Norwich too
Crystal Palace have had a second bid rejected for Lille defender Ibrahim Amadou. The Eagles were linked with a move for the 24-year-old Cameroon-born Frenchman earlier this month. (Sky Sports) Amadou, dou, dou push pineapple, grind coffee
Former Fulham, Reading and Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, 34, has been released by Dynamo Moscow because he attended a Juventus match in Italy, despite telling the club he was too ill to play in their game. (Sport Express – in Russian) That is great banter that from the Pog
Leicester and England striker Jamie Vardy is set to face a graduate from his own V9 Academy, Alex Penny, when the Foxes play Peterborough in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday. (Sky Sports) Magic of the F.A Cup and all that.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says he would rather work on a farm than manage Arsenal or Barcelona – but the 45-year-old Argentine also refused to rule out a move to Real Madrid.(Express) A story out of nothing to be honest.
Leicester boss Claude Puel says winger Riyad Mahrez will not be going anywhere during the transfer window. The 26-year-old Algeria international was pictured at Arsenal’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, but Puel insists he was just scouting for the Foxes. (Mirror) Player’s doing the scouting, that is a new one.
Sandro Ramirez has told Everton he wants to leave the club. The 22-year-old Spanish forward is keen for a return to his homeland with La Liga side Sevilla interested. (Mail) Obviously he is not a fan of Big Sam’s wine drinking antics.
West Brom and Northern Ireland midfielder Chris Brunt, 33, is close to signing a new contract at the club. (Birmingham Mail) A testimonial and a new contract all in the same week, it’s turning out nice for Mr Brunt.