The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Gareth Barry to Manchester City
Following last summer’s messy transfer saga, it’s thought that Rafa Benitez will use his beloved transfer kitty to finally land the Villa star in the closed season. The Birmingham Mail, however, are reporting that Manchester City could step in with a cheeky £14m bid.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: With twelve months remaining on his contract and a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque approach to loyalty, it seems Barry will move on in the summer. Rafa is reportedly only willing to offer £10m, so the Citizens might win this transfer battle.

Xabi Alonso not going to Juventus
The Mirror are claiming that The Old Lady are all set to launch a £15m bid for the Spaniard. His agent Ignacio Ibanez, however, has rubbished the story in an interview with Calciomercato.it:

“I don’t know anything about these reports.

“It is true that we negotiated his possible move to Juve last year, but we are talking about last summer. I have not spoken with Juve directors since.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Since Shevchenko’s agent turned out to be entirely ficticious, it’s harder to trust quotes like this. Alonso has been consistently been linked with Juve all year, and we think he could still head to Italy in the summer.

Jonjo Shelvey to Tottenham
Charlton’s most noted academy graduate since Scott Parker has caught the eye of Harry Redknapp, say the Daily Mail. The Spurs boss sent his assistant Kevin Bond to check on the seventeen-year-old midfielder.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Spurs are said to be his preferred destination, but Newcastle and Fulham are also keeping an eye on him.