Today’s gossip, rumours and damned lies

Arsene Wenger has idly watched Liverpool waste all summer trying to sign Gareth Barry, safe in the knowledge that the second they do, he can swoop to sign Alonso for £2 million less. Quite why Benitez is making such a fuss swapping a player who is virtually the same age, value and position as his Jason Bateman look-alike is a mystery, but at the moment it looks as though the Frenchman will have the last laugh.

Dean Ashton to Newcastle
Last month Aiden McGeady was supposedly destined for a move to Tyneside just days after signing a long-term deal with Celtic and now it’s being reported that West Ham are desperate to get rid of Ashton a month after giving him to a big-money five-year deal.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Nonsense

Andy Johnson to Fulham
Roy Hodgson proved that he’s a wily old fox by attempting to slice £4 million off the striker’s transfer fee after medicals showed that he has a dodgy knee. Everton are having none of it though, and have told Fulham to pay £13 million or send him back home.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Fulham are spending big this summer so will probably cave in

Robinho update
Abou Diaby has unintentionally dealt a blow to title rivals Chelsea after injuring Wesley Sneijder in the Emirates Cup. The Dutchman is expected to miss up to six months and with no progress on the Cristiano Ronaldo front, Real Madrid now need Robinho to fill the void.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: If Chelsea offer enough, Madrid may still sell

Jonny Evans to Sunderland
Evans ticks all three boxes on Roy Keane’s checklist. He’s played for Manchester United, he’s played in the Championship before - while on loan at Sunderland - and he’s Irish, well Northern Irish. As such, a £6 million bid has automatically been lodged.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Ferguson has considered giving Evans a chance but would sell if Sunderland offer enough, which they undoubtedly will