This morning’s rumours, gossip and damned lies

The Spoiler recently questioned why Rafael Benitez was selling Peter Crouch, one of his few strikers, to raise money to buy yet another midfielder. It looks like he hasn’t learnt his lesson, as he is now attempting to offload Andrei Voronin for £3 million. The reason? You’ve guessed it: to fund the Barry bid. The fashion conscious England hater won’t be missed, despite five goals in 13 league starts.

Dimitar Berbatov to Man United
The Spoiler was impressed with Sir Alex Ferguson’s professionalism yesterday after he announced his bid for a player without naming him. That was until we picked up today’s copy of The Sun and saw it plastered with quotes about Fergie wanting Berbatov.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Maybe Real Madrid aren’t the only club without morals

Rob Green to Aston Villa
West Ham’s player of the season feels unappreciated because he is the club’s lowest-paid first-teamer and had his request for a new contract snubbed at the same time Dean Ashton got a rise. Hearing that Freddie Ljungberg could be given millions to disappear won’t have helped matters.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: The board know it would be a season ticket sales disaster if the fans’ favourite leaves

Sunderland get ripped off again
Any Mackems hoping Sunderland wouldn’t be burning millions on mediocre players will be suicidal at the news that they are spending £23 million on four Spurs reserves, none of which are even Darren Bent. The not-so-glamorous names arriving are Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque, Younes Kaboul and Teemu Tainio.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Spurs will be laughing

Scott Carson to West Brom
An embarrassing year for Carson - in which he was humiliated as England goalkeeper and got rejected by Aston Villa - got even worse yesterday when Stoke decided he wasn’t worth splurging £4 million on, and this is a club about to spend £5 million on Dave Kitson. West Brom now appear to be Carson’s only option.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: West Brom are favourites unless Middlesbrough make an offer

Andy Johnson to Wigan
Steve Bruce is undeterred by Everton’s decision to turn down a £9 million offer for their reserve striker and will come back with even more money, though we’re not sure where Wigan are getting it all from.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: West Ham and Spurs’ pursuit of Darren Bent triggered such ridiculous valuations for English strikers