The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Christian Poulsen to Fulham
The Times report that the West London outfit have been given the opportunity to sign the Juventus midfielder, who has turned down a £6m move to Fenerbahçe.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: The Dane may be holding out for a move to the Premier League, but he won’t get the hero’s welcome he could have expected in Turkey.

Andriy Voronin to Hull
After losing out on Michael Owen, Phil Brown could make a move for Liverpool’s pony-tailed Ukrainian, according to the Mirror. Much like the arrangement that saw him return to the Bundesliga

Also appearing on a computer near you…

Awww, Becks and Landon are patching things up
[101GG]

Premier League clubs to reveal agent fees for the first time
[IM Scouting]

Villa agree a £12m fee for Stewart Downing
[BBC]

Craig Bellamy will make way for Manchester City’s army of strikers with a move to Sunderland
[Daily Mail]

Hull agree a £5m deal for Bobby Zamora
[Sky Sports]

For some bizarre reason, NFL quarterback Tony Romo broke up with Jessica Simpson
[Jersey Chaser]

A further helping of transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Kyle Naughton to Everton
BBC Radio Sheffield claim that Everton have agreed a fee of around £5 million for Sheffield United right-back Naughton. The talented 21-year-old isn’t expected to discuss terms with the Toffees until Monday though.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Everton could have a fantastic all-English back four of Baines, Lescott, Jagielka and Naughton next season, all capable of making the World Cup squad. It’s unbelievable that Coral are still offering 5/1 on Everton being the highest-placed team outside the Big Four next season.

Fraizer Campbell to Sunderland
Sky Sports are reporting that Sunderland have had an offer of around £5 million accepted for the England Under-21’s striker. Phil Brown confirmed

Without mentioning the fact they thought this was a good idea…

Fulham are the latest club hoping to make money from West Ham’s decision to compensate Sheffield United. According to The Independent. they will launch a legal claim on the basis that were it not for Carlos Tevez, they would have finished above the Hammers and would therefore have made an extra £700,000 in prize money.

Here are five flaws that The Spoiler has found in Fulham’s argument:

1) Fellow compensation-seeker Neil Warnock believes Fulham would have been relegated that season if Rafael Benitez hadn’t fielded reserves against them in the penultimate game of the season. Warnock has said since: “Maybe Rafa gets a yearly hamper from Harrods for his team selections.” That was Fulham’s only win from their final twelve games.

2) Carlos Tevez lasted only 13 minutes against them that season before getting injured at Craven Cottage. His replacement Bobby Zamora, West Ham’s top scorer that season, scored. Using Lord Griffiths magic calculator, it could be argued that the game may have finished 3-2 to the hosts had Zamora not replaced Tevez, a result which would have seen Fulham finish above West Ham

Reports claim there is a changing room divide at Manchester City

The Daily Mail claim that one of Manchester City’s four January signings is so frustrated with Robinho and Elano’s attitude that he has demanded that someone “sort them out”.

Considering three of those new arrivals are Wayne Bridge, Nigel de Jong and Shay Given, it seems fairly reasonable to assume that the loudmouth in question is Craig Bellamy, who despite a chronic lack of loyalty is renowned for his work-rate and dedication in training.

The mystery player is also reportedly angry that neither Brazilian has spoken to him since he joined the club. This scans with comments the Welsh striker made in December about being disappointed that vocal players Anton Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora had been replaced with silent foreigners like David Di Michele and Diego Tristan at West Ham.

Pantsil doesn’t enjoy first match against former club

Fulham’s John Pantsil earned cult hero status at West Ham last season and before moving west in search of regular football the Ghanaian was one of the only things that kept fans singing over the final few games as the club took their foot off the gas.

The scene was set today for a romantic reunion. Pantsil was one of four former Hammers in the Fulham team alongside Paul Konchesky, Jimmy Bullard and Bobby Zamora. He spoke in the matchday programme about never forgetting the way West Ham’s fans treated him and the away support responded with an enthusiastic cheer when his name was read out and a hearty rendition of their ironic chant: “he comes from Africa, he’s better than Kaka”

But the relationship turned sour late in the first half when Pantsil challenged for the ball after Robert Green palmed away a Bullard free-kick and followed through on the West Ham keeper. A large percentage of incensed fans began chanting “f*** off Pantsil” before demonstrating the childishness of their sudden turn with a chant of “we don’t like you any more” before booing him every time he touched the ball for the rest of the match.

Today’s rumours, gossip and damned lies

The new season kicks off in just 37 days, yet most clubs are still scrambling about like headless Dirk Kuyts to complete their desired lineups. Cristiano and Frank are still putting us to sleep with their predicaments, so here’s what’s going on in the rest of Transferland…

Robinho to Chelsea
The main reason Robinho appears interested in Chelsea is to punish Real Madrid for using him as a bargaining chip in their attempts to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. His agent has claimed he is “better or equal to” Ronaldo, and Chelsea are eager to find out if that’s true.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Strong possibility that Scolari will be listening to excuses from the Brazilian man-o’-sex in the near future

Andrei Arshavin to Arsenal

Zenit’s labelled Arsene Wenger a “cunning fox” for questioning Arshavin’s ability to play three straight top-level games, saying it was a ploy to put off suitors. Arsenal are now favourites to sign him so it looks like their perception of Wenger was spot on.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Would fit in perfectly but it depends on the price

David Villa latest
Rafael Benitez must be seen as an easy target in transfer negotiations given his willingness to be ripped off in his pursuit of Gareth Barry. That’s why Valencia priced up David Villa at £32 million, although

Veteran star grasses up former teammate for DVLA offences

During his days at West Ham, Shaun Newton received a seven month ban for lapping up a little too much tasty cocaine. The midfielder, who is currently unemployed, now finds himself in more trouble, as he stands accused of nine charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice:

[Teddy Sheringham], 42, said ex-West Ham colleague Shaun Newton offered to “get rid” of the ticket after he was clocked at 64mph in a 40mph zone in 2005.

Sheringham told Croydon Crown Court: “I was moaning about getting the ticket, and Shaun Newton said, ‘Give me £50 and I’ll sort it out’.”

Ex-West Ham player, Bobby Zamora, 27, said he paid Newton to “have a look” at a ticket.

Allegedly, Newton helped teammates escape fines by claiming fictitious drivers were actually behind the wheel.

We can’t say too much, as legal proceedings are still active on this case, but if any illegal activity is proven, let’s hope the judge throws the book at them. All too often, cocky footballers believe they are above the rules that govern the rest of society, and this would bring them right back down to earth.

[The Sun]