Rumour Mill: Shearer, Modric

The Rumour Mill ... the lastest credible - and not so credible - transfer rumours. Source: FOX SPORTS

As the European football silly season heats up, foxsports.com.au brings you a daily dose of transfer rumours.

The Rumour Mill draws on foxsports.com.au's extensive resources to come up with the latest reputable (and some not so reputable) transfer speculation from around the globe.

The best bit is, we want you to send us any transfer rumours you may have heard on the grapevine - or ones you simply wish were true!

In this episode, we have a look at a former Premier League star hoping for an A-League stint; the future of Brazil protegee Neymar and more questions than answers in the managerial merry-go-around.

Get your daily dose of rumours and share your thoughts by leaving your comments at the bottom of the page.

And we're looking for scoops from all angles, so if you've heard of anything from around the football world, let us know!

FORMER CHELSEA STRIKER INTERESTED IN A-LEAGUE MOVE?

Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman’s agent says his client would be perfect for a stint in the A-League.

"Kezman is the perfect marquee player for the A League," agent James Hardy told FourFourTwo.

"It is not going to be easy (to get Kezman to Australia) - he has interest from all over the world.

"However. if we can bring him here the benefits for Australian football would be astronomical."

Kezman, who endured a difficult spell during his time at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, is a former PSV Eindhoven, Atletic Madrid, Fenerbache and Paris-Saint Germain journeyman, whose most recent stint was in Hong Kong with the South China club.

REAL MADRID V CHELSEA FOR NEYMAR

Neymar's agent Pini Zahavi will reportedly fly to Brazil for talks with Neymar’s club, Santos, and to try and head off a move by Real Madrid.

Chelsea had hoped to sign Neymar for around €30 million but The Telegraph reports that there are indications that Real might offer close to €40 million for the 19 year-old, who is a favourite of Roman Abramovich.

HIDDINK, HUGHES OR THE ANONYMOUS ONE TO BE APPOINTED SOON

Chelsea's chief executive says his club will name a new coach within two weeks and was looking to buy at least two players ahead of the new season.

Ron Gourlay said the team were close to announcing a new manager following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti after the club's poor performance last season.

"The process is moving along very well... We would look to have a new coach in place maybe within a week, two weeks," Gourlay told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

"We are certainly working to a week, two weeks. But it could be sooner," he said.

Blues captain John Terry has backed former Chelsea striker Mark Hughes or Turkey coach Guus Hiddink to take charge at Stamford Bridge.

But Gourlay, in Kuala Lumpur to launch a football training programme ahead of the Blues' visit next month, would not reveal who was in the running.

He said the squad, including a new manager and several more new players, would be unveiled when the Blues play their friendly against Malaysia's national side on July 21.

SHEARER MISSES OUT ON COACHING GIG

Former England captain Alan Shearer will not take over as coach of Championship club Cardiff City after "unsuccessful" talks.

The ex-Newcastle boss was one of the candidates considered for the vacant post, but announced in a statement he would not be taking up the role.

"I can confirm that I was one of the candidates that the club spoke to about the vacant manager's position at Cardiff City," Shearer said.

"During these talks I was most impressed with the vision, ambition and determination of the owner Dato Chan Tien Ghee and the board.

"Unfortunately those talks were unsuccessful on this occasion.

"Cardiff City is a great club and I wish them every success next season."

Cardiff have been without a manager since parting company with Dave Jones on May 30 in the wake of their Championship play-off semi-final defeat to Reading.

CESC STAYS QUIET ON BARCA FRONT

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas avoided discussing speculation over his possible return to Barcelona when he attended a ceremony in Madrid Wednesday, insisting he remains an Arsenal player. Read the full story here.

CHELSEA TEST MODRIC'S SPURS LOVE

Tottenham Hotspur have turned down a bid for their pivotal playmaker Luka Modric from Chelsea. Reports out of the UK suggest the £22 million play for the midfielder won't be the last from Chelsea. Modric arrived at White Hart Lane in 2008 and was the club's best player in the most recent Barclays Premier League season. Tottenham rejected the proposal but it is understood that the Blues are planning to return with an improved offer.

LIVERPOOL LOOK TO RAID NEWCASTLE

Liverpool are reportedly planning a move to sign Newcastle United pair Jose Enrique and Jonas Gutierrez after seeing Magpies star Kevin Nolan leave for West Ham United. The midfielder's departure has sparked speculation that others will follow an assumption furthered by Joey Barton who announced on Twitter that he and the wide pair could be on their way to the St James' Park exit. Barton has been linked with a move to Everton. Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has been looking to bring in a winger and has been linked with moves for Stewart Downing, Charles N'Zogbia and Juan Mata, but Gutierrez is now on the radar.

KEEPER SNUBS ANFIELD MOVE

Roma's Brazilian goalkeeper Doni has snubbed a move to Liverpool because the Reds offered him less than he is currently on. Dalglish's search for a back-up to Pepe Reina continues.

THE RACE FOR KAKA BEGINS

Italian giants Inter Milan have started the bidding for Real Madrid flop Kaka with a £26 million offer. The Brazillian has failed to fire since joining the Spanish club from AC Milan two years ago. Inter aren't the only club interested, however, with Barclays Premier League duo Chelsea and Manchester City pondering a pursuit of the midfielder.

WOODGATE, VIERA NOW FREE AGENTS

The injury-riddled career of England defender is up in the air after Tottenham Hotspur released from his contract at White Hart Lane. Woodgate, who represented England eight times and spent four seasons at Real Madrid, was one of 123 names submitted to the Premier League who are now free agents. Matthew Upson (West Ham United) and Patrick Viera (Manchester City) are also on the list. Read them all here.

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Rumour Mill: Young, Sneijder, Crouch

The Rumour Mill ... the lastest credible - and not so credible - transfer rumours. Source: FOX SPORTS

As the European football silly season heats up, foxsports.com.au brings you a daily dose of transfer rumours.

The Rumour Mill draws on foxsports.com.au's extensive resources to come up with the latest reputable (and some not so reputable) transfer speculation from around the globe.

The best bit is, we want you to send us any transfer rumours your may have heard on the grapevine - or ones you simply wish were true!

This episode features Ashley Young, Wesley Sneijder (again) and Darren Prately.

Get your daily dose of rumours and share your thoughts by leaving your comments at the bottom of the page. And if you've heard of anything on the grapevine from around the football world, let us know!

FERGIE FOREVER YOUNG

Manchester United have signed Ashley Young in a £20 million swoop, The Sun reports.

The deal takes the club's off-season spending to £55 million while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has spent just £1m for Charlton Athletic defender Carl Jenkinson and Chelsea and Manchester City are yet to make a signing.

The arrival of young from Aston Villa completes an astonishing hat-trick of Ferguson buys, after the transfers of goalkeeper David De Gea from Atletico Madrid and Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers.

Young can play as a winger or second striker, and he is a major addition to United's attacking threat.

Young made his name at Watford before an £8m transfer to Aston Villa in January 2007.

He played 193 appearances for Villa, scoring 39 goals and making 54 goal assists.

FORGET LONDON, MRS SNEIJDER

Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder has dampened speculation linking him with Chelsea and Manchester United, saying he cannot see himself leaving Inter Milan.

"For the time being, I'm very happy here," Sneijder told Dutch magazine The Sport Editions a day after his wife had put Chelsea in pole position by suggesting she would prefer London to Manchester as a home town.

"I don't see why I would leave. "There's a family atmosphere at Inter and there's everything you need to aim high. Milan is a marvellous city ... I love it."

Sneijder was a key figure in Inter's league-cup-UEFA Champions League treble in 2010, his first season at the club, but he was dogged by injury in 2010-2011 and played just 25 matches in Serie A.

LIVERPOOL COMPLETE HENDERSON DEAL

Liverpool have completed the signing of highly rated midfielder Jordan Henderson from Barclays Premier League rivals Sunderland for a fee believed to be around £20 million.

Henderson, 20, signed what Merseyside club officials described as a "long-term deal", having agreed personal terms and visited their Melwood training complex before undergoing a medical.

Henderson's signing will be the third major transfer since Kenny Dalglish took over as manager in January, following the acquisition of Andy Carroll and Uruguayan international Luis Suarez.

Henderson has been a key figure for Sunderland in the past two seasons, and made his senior England debut against France in November last year.

CROUCH STAYING PUT

Tottenham Hostpur manager Harry Redknapp has rejected suggestions he is prepared to offload England striker Peter Crouch, 30, to Barclays Premier League rivals Sunderland.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has a major transfer budget to strengthen his squad after selling midfielder Jordan Henderson to Liverpool for £20 million, but Redknapp told The Sun that Crouch "is a great lad and I love him as a fella".

"He is not one I'm looking to shift," Redknapp said.

"We are looking to bring a striker in, but he is not one of those that we are looking to sell if we can help it."

PRATELY QUITS SWANSEA

Darren Prately is looking for a new club after rejecting an improved offer to stay with Barclays Premier League newcomers Swansea City.

Prately, who played a key role in the Swans' promotion from the nPower Championship, made 179 appearances for the Welsh club and scored 27 goals.

"I feel the time is right for a fresh challenge," Prately told The Sun.

"It's been a difficult decision for me and my family to make because Swansea is a fantastic club with such friendly and passionate supporters.

"It's not going to be easy for me but if there was a good time to leave then it's now, with the club having secured their place in the Premier League."

KLOSE BUT NO CIGAR FOR EVERTON

Germany striker Miroslav Klose has ignored a transfer bid from Everton, signing a two-year deal with Italian Serie A side Lazio after failing to agree a contract extension with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Klose, who turned 33 this week, joined on a free transfer with his Bayern contract to expire at the end of the month after four years in Munich.

He endured a disappointing season for Bayern making most of his 20 league appearances from the bench and scoring just one goal while Germany teammate Mario Gomez netted 28 goals in 32 Bundesliga games for Bayern. His record of 14 goals in World Cup finals is second only to Brazil's Ronaldo.

ARSENAL AFTER USBEKISTAN CAPTAIN

Arsenal want to sign Uzbekistan captain Odil Ahmedov, the Daily Mail reports.

The Pakhtakor Tashkent midfielder, 23, is on loan at ambitious Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, who signed Brazil legend Roberto Carlos in February, but Uzbekistan Football Federation president Mirabor Usmanov is reported as saying Ahmedov's tough-tackling style had caught the attention of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

Ahmedov can also play centre-back, a position in which Wenger desperately needs to strengthen.

YET ANOTHER CHELSEA RUMOUR

Chelsea continue to be linked with new talent, the Blues reported by the Daily Mail to be considering a £15 million approach for Uruguay defender Diego Gogin.

Chelsea scouted the Atletico Madrid defender earlier this year, when they seemed unlikely to complete the signing of David Luiz.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich reportedly sanctioned a bid of around £55m to land centre-half Godin and Atletico striker Sergio Aguero in January.

The latest reports come but one day after Chelsea were linked with Denmark star Christian Eriksen and Brazil wunderkind Neymar.

LIVERPOOL WANT GAEL CLICHY

Liverpool have made a £5m offer for Arsenal left-back Gaël Clichy after he rejected the Gunners' offer of a contract extension, the Guardian reports.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish wants to address a glaring weakness in his squad, having played right-back Glen Johnson and 17-year-old Jack Robinson at left-back last season, and he is reported already to have considered Newcastle United full-back Luis Enrique and Celtic player Emilio Izaguirre.

Clichy, 25, has been linked with a host of European clubs since, and he has been touted as a possible makeweight in several deals pursued by Arsène Wenger.

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Rumour Mill: Ronaldo, Modric, Cahill

The Rumour Mill ... the lastest credible - and not so credible - transfer rumours. Source: FOX SPORTS

As the European football silly season heats up, foxsports.com.au brings you a daily dose of transfer rumours.

The Rumour Mill draws on foxsports.com.au's extensive resources to come up with the latest reputable (and some not so reputable) transfer speculation from around the globe.

The best bit is, we want you to send us any transfer rumours your may have heard on the grapevine - or ones you simply wish were true!

This bumper episode features rumours of Manchester City's Ronaldo raid, the auction for Luka Modric, Charlie Adams's chances of a dream move and a managerial stand-off.

Get your daily dose of rumours and share your thoughts by leaving your comments at the bottom of the page.

And we're looking for scoops from all angles, so if you've heard of anything from around the football world, let us know!

CITY DREAM OF RONALDO SWOOP

Cristiano Ronaldo claims he is being wooed by relatives of the super-rich owners of Manchester City.

The Sunday Mirror reports that Ronaldo has been offered a world record-breaking £350,000 a week to quit Real Madrid, but the Portugese mega-star is demanding an astronomical £150million to seal the deal – and £400,000 a week, adding: "That’s what they’d have to pay to get the world’s best player."

The former Manchester United striker said he would also want to be made captain and get the No.7 shirt, currently worn by England international James Milner.

DROGBA SET FOR CHELSEA EXIT?

Serie A champions AC Milan have shown an interest in signing Didier Drogba as the Cote d'Ivoire international's future at Chelsea becomes more uncertain.

Il Corriere dello Sport reports that the San Siro side are keen to bring in a support act for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, so that he is not the club's only attacking focus in the Champions League next season and head coach Massimiliano Allegri is eyeing Drogba as the perfect acquisition.

MODRIC AUCTION BEGINS

Manchester City are set to spark a three-way auction for Luka Modric after declaring their intent to sign the Tottenham midfielder.

After being critised for his dour tactics, City boss Roberto Mancini thinks the Croatia midfield star is the creative spark to take his side to the next level.

The club could start bidding at around £30million, but Chelsea and Manchester United are also determined to sign the 25-year-old.

UNITED COMPLETE DOUBLE SIGNING

Phil Jones will finally move to Manchester United after the Barclays Premier League champions refused to budge on their £16.5million offer for the Blackburn defender.

Following a meeting with manager Steve Kean in India, Rovers owners Venky’s admitted defeat in their attempts to force United to pay more.

There were suggestions the deal could be in jeopardy or that United might at least agree to pay various add-ons that could push the eventual figure past £20m, but Soccernet reports that they are sticking to the £16.5m release clause in the 19-year-old’s contract, safe in the knowledge that Blackburn are powerless to stop him leaving.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa and England star Ashley Young, 25, is set to sign for Sir Alex Ferguson's side after he returns from holiday, ending his four-year spell in the Midlands. The winger has long been linked with a move away from the Birmingham outfit and is rumoured to have turned down a new contract at Villa Park.

The fee for the England international is thought to be around £16 million.

And Bebe could be heading for the exit door, with Turkish club Besiktas confirming they are in negotiations with Manchester United over the possible transfer of the out-of-favour forward.

ADAM TO LIVERPOOL?

Soccernet reports that Liverpool have agreed a fee with Blackpool for their talisman Charlie Adam.

Reports on Twitter suggest the fee could be £10 million.

MANAGERIAL MERRY-GO-ROUND

Birmingham City plan legal action, with Alex McLeish set to join bitter rivals Aston Villa after walking out on City.

McLeish resigned as manager in bizarre circumstances, emailing Birmingham’s acting chairman Peter Pannu with more than two years left on a £1.75million-a-year deal at St Andrews.

City planned on sticking by McLeish despite being relegated to The Championship, and have called in their legal team.

"I will leave no stones unturned," Pannu said.

"I am unfortunately not a person who gets pushed about."

Meanwhile, Steve McClaren will be named Nottingham Forest’s new boss after chairman Nigel Doughty sacked Billy Davies.

GUNNERS EYE CAHILL

Arsenal will consider offering Ignasi Miquel on loan to Bolton as part of a deal for England defender Gary Cahill.

The Daily Mail reports that manager Arsene Wenger wants Cahill and Blackburn's Chris Samba, which means limited opportunities for the highly rated young Spanish centre half.

The 18-year-old has already attracted interest from other Premier League sides but Bolton may consider him too inexperienced and look for a straight cash deal for Cahill.

VIDIC SLAMS TALK OF DEPARTURE

Nemanja Vidic's agent says Manchester United's skipper has no intention of leaving Old Trafford.

The Sun reports that the Serbia defender, 29, has been linked with a move to Juventus despite having three years left on his current contract.

But his agent Silvano Martina said: "He's a player everyone wants.

"I talked to him about a hypothetical transfer and he said 'I am the captain of Manchester United, earning well, I've won almost everything.

"Why should I go to Italy when Italian football is going through a turbulent period?' This response removes any doubt about where his future lies - he stays where he is."

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Rumour Mill: Adam, Nasri, Liverpool

The Rumour Mill ... the lastest credible - and not so credible - transfer rumours. Source: FOX SPORTS

As the European football silly season heats up, foxsports.com.au brings you a daily dose of transfer rumours.

The Rumour Mill draws on foxsports.com.au's extensive resources to come up with the latest reputable (and some not so reputable) transfer speculation from around the globe.

The best bit is, we want you to send us any transfer rumours your may have heard on the grapevine - or ones you simply wish were true!

This episode features the future of Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam, an Arsenal star hovering around the exit, and Liverpool's latest signing.

Get your daily dose of rumours and share your thoughts by leaving your comments at the bottom of the page. And if you've heard of anything on the grapevine from around the football world, let us know!

ITALIAN GIANTS OFFER AQUILANI HOME
AC Milan and Juventus could be on a collision course for the services of Liverpool outcast Alberto Aquilani. The asking price of the Anfield club is holding up Aquilani's exit, reports suggest, and AC Milan are doing the sums to see if they can convince him his future lies with the Serie A champions. Aquilani is currently on loan at Juve and wants a permanent deal with the Turin giants, but could be tempted elsewhere if the price is right.

BARCELONA WANT NEWCASTLE TALENT
From St James' Park to the Nou Camp? Sounds a bit unlikely but it could be about to happen for Newcastle United defender Jose Enrique. Spanish giants Barcelona are, according to British radio station talkSPORT, set to move on the left-back. Enrique moved from Villarreal to Newcastle in 2007, and he shone in their return to the Barclays Premier League in the season just gone. Barcelona, fresh from their UEFA Champions League-La Liga double, are on the hunt for defensive reinforcements.

REDS SIGN BLACK CAT
Kenny Dalglish has lured talented Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson to Anfield, it is being reported. Negotiations were finalised between the two clubs when the Reds met an asking price around £20m. The 20-year-old made his England bow in the friendly defeat to France in November. Manchester United had been interested in Henderson, but they turned their attention elsewhere, leaving Liverpool to pounce. Liverool striker David Ngog is to move to Sunderland, subject to medicals for both players.

HEY CHARLIE, LEAVE THE 'POOL BEHIND
Blackpool's midfield maestro, Charlie Adam, is in the sights of Dalglish, too. Liverpool had a bid rejected by Blackpool on deadline day in January, as Ian Holloway fought to retain his influential midfielder and avoid relegation. Blackpool went down on the final day of the season, which triggered Liverpool's interest in the 25-year-old. Bitter Liverpool rivals Everton are also supposed to be in the race for Adam.

DONI DO IT
On a big day of Merseyside tittle-tattle, Liverpool are believed to be in talks with Roma to sign Brazilian goalkeeper Alexander Doni. Sky Sports cited the player's agent saying talks to take the 31-year-old to Merseyside were at an advanced stage. Liverpool are chasing an experienced goalkeeper to provide cover and competition for No.1 Jose Reina, and they turned their attention to Doni after missing out on Brad Friedel, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur.

LEHMANN TO REPLACE NEUER
UEFA Champions league semi-finalists FC Schalke 04 are said to be eyeing a move for Jens Lehmann as they bid to fill the gap left by Manuel Neuer. Lehmann, 41, came out of retirement to play out the end of last season with former club Arsenal, as the Gunners went through a goalkeeping crisis, and Schalke, another of his former sides, are considering making an approach for him. Schalke signed Ralf Faehrmann from Eintracht Frankfurt after Neuer joined Bayern Munich, and general manager Horst Heldt said Lehmann was in their thinking as well.

CHARLES N'ZOGBIA TALK OF THE TOON
Newcastle United are believed to want former Magpies player Charles N'Zogbia to return to St James' Park, with Wigan seeking £9 million. N'Zogbia has said he wants to play for a club that is not permanently involved in a relegation dogfight.

PLEASE DON'T GO, SAMIR
Theo Walcott has pleaded with Arsenal teammate Samir Nasri not to turn his back on the Gunners as Manchester United loom large. France international Nasri refused to rule out a move to United on the weekend, and speculation continues to grow that he wants out of the Emirates.

Nasri's contract expires at the end of next season, and talks about a new deal have stalled.

"I don't know if I will sign a new contract. Anyway, the discussions are ongoing. For the moment, I don't think about this," Nasri said before the weekend's friendly clash with Poland."'Do I want to go to Man United? First, we should see if it's real and if it is concrete." More recently, on Twitter, Nasri posted: "I just want tell you don't listen (to) the newspaper and the rumours - I will let you know if something happens."

SPURS SAFE WITH MODRIC
Tottenham Hotspur won't lose Luka Modric to the Barclays Premier League champions, his agent has declared. Spurs ace Modric has been linked with the title holders but Mario Mamic said: "Luka will not go to Manchester United and he will also stay at Tottenham because I know that president Daniel Levy will not let him go. It's a done deal then."

BIG SAM ON WEST HAM
New West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has urged fans to be patient on signings for the relegated club. Joe Cole and El Hadji Diouf have been linked with the Hammers. "There has been a lot of speculation about players coming in or leaving the club, but I'm not aware of any bids," said Allardyce. "It's quiet this time of the year because everybody, like myself, is on holiday and things start up again in July. At the moment transfer activity is at a minimum."

ALEXIS NOT SO DIRTY SANCHEZ
Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona must pay £30million to sign Alexis Sanchez, after the Chile star's Serie A club, Udinese, upped the asking price.

United are prepared to pay £25million for Sanchez - seen as the perfect replacement for Paul Scholes - but they are belived to be backing off as Udinese raise the bar, the Daily Mirror has reported.

Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich, meanwhile, wants to sign Sanchez after failing to get their man in the last transfer window.

Barcelona are struggling to pay £30million, and they have offered Jeffren, Jonathan Soriano and even Bojan Krkic as potential makeweights.

WONDERKID WON'T COME CHEAP

Chelsea have been told they will have to pay £41million to sign Samba wonderkid Neymar. The warning comes from Neymar's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, who claims all the world's top clubs are chasing the striker.

"Neymar is like Messi," Ribeiro told The Sun. "Soon he will be the best in the world because he is a player unlike any other. He is just 19 but all the big clubs are following him." Blues owner, Roman Abramovich, has already had one bid knocked back by Brazilian club Santos.

Chelsea aim to complete the £20m signing of 18-year-old hot-shot Romelu Lukaku this weekend and are also in talks with fellow Belgium star Kevin de Bruyne.

 

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Rumour Mill: Young, Sneijder, Crouch

The Rumour Mill ... the lastest credible - and not so credible - transfer rumours. Source: FOX SPORTS

As the European football silly season heats up, foxsports.com.au brings you a daily dose of transfer rumours.

The Rumour Mill draws on foxsports.com.au's extensive resources to come up with the latest reputable (and some not so reputable) transfer speculation from around the globe.

The best bit is, we want you to send us any transfer rumours your may have heard on the grapevine - or ones you simply wish were true!

This episode features Ashley Young, Wesley Sneijder (again) and Darren Prately.

Get your daily dose of rumours and share your thoughts by leaving your comments at the bottom of the page. And if you've heard of anything on the grapevine from around the football world, let us know!

FERGIE FOREVER YOUNG

Manchester United have signed Ashley Young in a £20 million swoop, The Sun reports.

The deal takes the club's off-season spending to £55 million while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has spent just £1m for Charlton Athletic defender Carl Jenkinson and Chelsea and Manchester City are yet to make a signing.

The arrival of young from Aston Villa completes an astonishing hat-trick of Ferguson buys, after the transfers of goalkeeper David De Gea from Atletico Madrid and Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers.

Young can play as a winger or second striker, and he is a major addition to United's attacking threat.

Young made his name at Watford before an £8m transfer to Aston Villa in January 2007.

He played 193 appearances for Villa, scoring 39 goals and making 54 goal assists.

FORGET LONDON, MRS SNEIJDER

Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder has dampened speculation linking him with Chelsea and Manchester United, saying he cannot see himself leaving Inter Milan.

"For the time being, I'm very happy here," Sneijder told Dutch magazine The Sport Editions a day after his wife had put Chelsea in pole position by suggesting she would prefer London to Manchester as a home town.

"I don't see why I would leave. "There's a family atmosphere at Inter and there's everything you need to aim high. Milan is a marvellous city ... I love it."

Sneijder was a key figure in Inter's league-cup-UEFA Champions League treble in 2010, his first season at the club, but he was dogged by injury in 2010-2011 and played just 25 matches in Serie A.

LIVERPOOL COMPLETE HENDERSON DEAL

Liverpool have completed the signing of highly rated midfielder Jordan Henderson from Barclays Premier League rivals Sunderland for a fee believed to be around £20 million.

Henderson, 20, signed what Merseyside club officials described as a "long-term deal", having agreed personal terms and visited their Melwood training complex before undergoing a medical.

Henderson's signing will be the third major transfer since Kenny Dalglish took over as manager in January, following the acquisition of Andy Carroll and Uruguayan international Luis Suarez.

Henderson has been a key figure for Sunderland in the past two seasons, and made his senior England debut against France in November last year.

CROUCH STAYING PUT

Tottenham Hostpur manager Harry Redknapp has rejected suggestions he is prepared to offload England striker Peter Crouch, 30, to Barclays Premier League rivals Sunderland.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has a major transfer budget to strengthen his squad after selling midfielder Jordan Henderson to Liverpool for £20 million, but Redknapp told The Sun that Crouch "is a great lad and I love him as a fella".

"He is not one I'm looking to shift," Redknapp said.

"We are looking to bring a striker in, but he is not one of those that we are looking to sell if we can help it."

PRATELY QUITS SWANSEA

Darren Prately is looking for a new club after rejecting an improved offer to stay with Barclays Premier League newcomers Swansea City.

Prately, who played a key role in the Swans' promotion from the nPower Championship, made 179 appearances for the Welsh club and scored 27 goals.

"I feel the time is right for a fresh challenge," Prately told The Sun.

"It's been a difficult decision for me and my family to make because Swansea is a fantastic club with such friendly and passionate supporters.

"It's not going to be easy for me but if there was a good time to leave then it's now, with the club having secured their place in the Premier League."

KLOSE BUT NO CIGAR FOR EVERTON

Germany striker Miroslav Klose has ignored a transfer bid from Everton, signing a two-year deal with Italian Serie A side Lazio after failing to agree a contract extension with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Klose, who turned 33 this week, joined on a free transfer with his Bayern contract to expire at the end of the month after four years in Munich.

He endured a disappointing season for Bayern making most of his 20 league appearances from the bench and scoring just one goal while Germany teammate Mario Gomez netted 28 goals in 32 Bundesliga games for Bayern. His record of 14 goals in World Cup finals is second only to Brazil's Ronaldo.

ARSENAL AFTER USBEKISTAN CAPTAIN

Arsenal want to sign Uzbekistan captain Odil Ahmedov, the Daily Mail reports.

The Pakhtakor Tashkent midfielder, 23, is on loan at ambitious Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, who signed Brazil legend Roberto Carlos in February, but Uzbekistan Football Federation president Mirabor Usmanov is reported as saying Ahmedov's tough-tackling style had caught the attention of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

Ahmedov can also play centre-back, a position in which Wenger desperately needs to strengthen.

YET ANOTHER CHELSEA RUMOUR

Chelsea continue to be linked with new talent, the Blues reported by the Daily Mail to be considering a £15 million approach for Uruguay defender Diego Gogin.

Chelsea scouted the Atletico Madrid defender earlier this year, when they seemed unlikely to complete the signing of David Luiz.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich reportedly sanctioned a bid of around £55m to land centre-half Godin and Atletico striker Sergio Aguero in January.

The latest reports come but one day after Chelsea were linked with Denmark star Christian Eriksen and Brazil wunderkind Neymar.

LIVERPOOL WANT GAEL CLICHY

Liverpool have made a £5m offer for Arsenal left-back Gaël Clichy after he rejected the Gunners' offer of a contract extension, the Guardian reports.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish wants to address a glaring weakness in his squad, having played right-back Glen Johnson and 17-year-old Jack Robinson at left-back last season, and he is reported already to have considered Newcastle United full-back Luis Enrique and Celtic player Emilio Izaguirre.

Clichy, 25, has been linked with a host of European clubs since, and he has been touted as a possible makeweight in several deals pursued by Arsène Wenger.

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