Could the former Liverpool striker be heading to Old Trafford?
If the bookmakers are to be believed, Manchester United could be on the verge of filling the Carlos Tevez sized gap in their squad with a striker who is sincere, clean & fresh and, most importantly of all, first class.
The Red Devils are now down to evens with Sky Bet to sign former Newcastle forward Michael Owen, having previously been available at 20/1.
Coincidentally, Karim Benzema’s move to Real Madrid prompted discussion in The Spoiler office yesterday about the possibility of Sir Alex Ferguson signing a domestic striker to play second fiddle to Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov next season. Unfortunately, as we were only factoring Premier League strikers into the equation, Owen slipped our mind.
Do you think there is any substance to the rumour or have there simply been some misguided bets placed this afternoon? If not Owen, are there any strikers playing in England who it might be worth United gambling on? Let us know your opinion with a comment below.
UPDATE: Owen is now 4/7 4/9 to join Manchester United.
A further helping of transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Samuel Eto’o is going to snub Manchester City
Today’s papers are filled with talk of Eto’o moving to Eastlands for a pay packet ranging between £180,000-a-week and £250,000 depending on which tabloid, if any, you choose to believe. However, the striker’s agent has said: ”If there is not a 180-degree turnaround then he will stay with Barcelona.”
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: It looks like the 28-year-old isn’t interested in missing out on Champions League football in favour of more money, which is impressive considering he was linked with a move to Uzbekistan last summer.
Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid
The Liverpool midfielder is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding his future. The Spaniard told Don Balon magazine that he is happy to stay at
Even more transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Karim Benzema to Manchester United
The French striker’s agent Karim Djaziri revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson wants to sign his client this summer. Just last week, Djaziri was quoted as saying that Benzema was happy to stay with the Ligue 1 club for another year.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Djaziri doesn’t expect Lyon to demand more than 40 million euros but the French side are in a great bargaining position as they know that the Red Devils have plenty to spend and need a striker.
Michael Owen to Hull
Phil Brown has confirmed that he was deadly serious about trying to sign Owen after his Newcastle contract expires next week. He said: “Hopefully Michael
Will Tevez shock the world again or is Kia just being clever?
Nothing is ever simple where Kia Joorabchian is concerned so it wasn’t a huge surprise when he declared yesterday that there is a mystery club battling it out with Manchester City and Chelsea for Carlos Tevez.
The Telegraph claim that Barcelona are the team in question but Joorabchian stated last week that Tevez would “definitely” join a Premier League club.
The Argentine’s agent said he wouldn’t swap Man United for Liverpool, which would leave just Arsenal and potentially Aston Villa, Spurs, Everton and West Ham as even mildly viable options. It’s very unlikely that any of those clubs could afford to break their transfer record to buy him let alone pay his wages.
So do we therefore assume that the mystery team are based abroad after all, or has Joorabchian just invented this third party (ha!) in an attempt to pressure Chelsea and City into offering better terms. The Spoiler is leaning towards the latter but let us know what you think with a vote and comment below:
The current partner of Liverpool’s most endangered star
Yesterday, we informed you of the plight of millionth-choice Liverpool goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov, who finds himself on the wrong end of a disagreement with a Bulgarian mob boss after insulting his ex girlfriend Nikoleta Lozanova.
Now his former flame is engulfed in the world of organised crime, Mihaylov has continued to punch above the weight of most mortals with another Playboy model. So impressive is his current beau’s fame that she simply goes by one name: Nikol.
The Playboy model who has made a Liverpool star fear for his life
Thanks to their love of Bulgarian models with mafia connections, our friends at Dirty Tackle have cast a sexy light on Nikoleta Lozanova. The 2006 Bulgarian Playboy Playmate of the Year used to step out with Liverpool’s Nikolay Mihaylov, but her terrifying new man has been giving the on-loan goalkeeper some grief:
Mihailov, who ended last season on loan at Steve McClaren’s FC Twente, is being shadowed round the clock by at least three minders after an acid attack on his £170,000 Ferrari sports car.
Reports in Bulgaria claim that a violent row began when local mob godfather Georgi ‘The Head’ Stoilov began dating Mihailov’s former girlfriend, model Nikoleta Lozanova, who was crowned Bulgaria’s ‘Playmate of the Year’ in 2006.
Real Madrid are going to have to spend their millions elsewhere
Valencia have had a change of heart and told Real Madrid that they won’t be selling David Villa, according to reports in Spain.
Marca claim that Valencia president Manuel Llorente met with the Spain striker’s agent Jose Luis Tamargo this morning to tell him that Villa would be staying at the Mestalla and a statement is expected later today confirming this.
If the reports are accurate it could have massive implications on the transfer market. Cash-strapped Valencia may be forced to sell Liverpool target David Silva instead while Real Madrid will have to shop elsewhere for a striker.
UPDATE: Setanta are carrying quotes from Tamargo confirming the “very sad” news that Villa is no longer on the market.