A further helping of transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City
Sky sources understand that Manchester City are ready to ruin our Premier League top-scorer theory by making a move for Adebayor. However, both clubs have refused to comment on the speculation.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Sky may just be trying to generate excitement on what is a slow news day. However, if City offer the £25 million that is being reported, Arsene Wenger may accept and swoop for Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh at a fraction of the cost.

Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid
The Liverpool Echo are reporting that Alonso has made it clear to Rafael Benitez that he wants to play for Real Madrid next season. Rafa is apparently

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

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies…

Michael Owen to Olympiakos
The Greek side have reportedly offered the charismatic striker a way of escaping from all the poeple pointing and laughing at him in England with a three-year-deal worth £50k-a-week in Athens

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Before tax, it’s not as much as the £60k-a-week Hull are offering, but the Government’s brilliant new 50 per cent tax laws will make the money go a lot further in Greece.

Samuel Eto’o and Carlos Tevez to Manchester City
The Daily Star believe the Citizens will bolster their attacking lineup with a £50m MEGABID for the man who plays for Barca and the man who plays for Kia Joorabchian.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: It is believed the Catalan giants have already accepted

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

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

David Villa to Manchester United
The Daily Mirror are reporting that Sir Alex Ferguson wants Valencia striker David Villa “above all other options” to replace Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and claim that he is willing to match whatever Barcelona offer for the Spanish international.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Villa is reluctant to test himself abroad and said recently: ”Next season I will play in Spain because it is the league that is best for me. I will not go abroad.” If he leaves the Mestalla this summer, it will almost certainly be for either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Samuel Eto’o to Manchester City
Barcelona’s attempts to sign Villa are good news for Manchester City, with the Telegraph claiming that Pep Guardiola will let Samuel Eto’o go if the Spain

Former Chelsea winger expected to leave Real Madrid this summer

The brilliant-yet-injury-prone Arjen Robben could be set for a return to the Premier League this summer after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez name-dropped him as someone who may leave to make way for new arrivals.

The Dutchman said he wanted to stay at the Bernabeu but as Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribery are two of Perez’s primary targets, the door has been opened for him and Wesley Sneijder to leave.

Manchester City and Liverpool have both been linked and Manchester United can’t be ruled out. Sir Alex Ferguson has tried to sign the 25-year-old in the past and, as the pursuit of Antonio Valencia shows, is looking for a new winger.

The three clubs are likely to face competition from Bayern Munich, who may request Robben as part of any deal that allows Ribery to move to Madrid.

Is Arsene Wenger really about to spend £20 million?

Tottenham have been linked with Andrei Arshavin ever since Euro 2008 but Zenit St Petersburg have confirmed to Sky Sports News that they are holding transfer talks with Arsenal regarding the Russian playmaker.

A quick glance at the reaction of Spurs fans online shows that some are pretending they never wanted him in the first place and gleefully predicting he will flop in England while others are fearful that he could make as big an impact as Dennis Bergkamp did upon his arrival in 1995.

Will Arsenal really pay almost £20 million for one player and if so, who will he replace in the starting line-up? Let us know what you think with a comment.