May 14th, 2008Today’s Gossip…
West Ham will start talks with Dean Ashton about a new contract on Friday. Middlesbrough hope to beat Aston Villa and Everton to the signature of Chelsea’s Steve Sidwell but may struggle to meet his £50,000-a-week wage demands. Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen’s agent says the club want to speak to him about keeping the player, despite the breakdown of contract talks. Sven Goran Eriksson could be in line to become the next manager of the Mexico national team, replacing Hugo Sanchez. Japanese club JEF United Chiba are making ambitious moves to sign England striker Michael Owen, according to the Nikkan Sports Daily Newspaper. Cristiano Ronaldo tells Manchester United TV he is at the “right club” following reports that Real Madrid have still not given up hope of luring him to the Bernabeu. Tottenham and Newcastle are to battle it out for Manchester City defender Richard Dunne. Gary Megson is getting ready to make big changes at Bolton, with up to 12 players, including Stelios and Heidar Helguson, heading for the exit door . Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United are both looking to sign Derby striker Rob Earnshaw. West Ham are close to clinching a season-long loan deal for Juventus youngster Davide Lanzafame, who scored 10 goals in Italy’s second division this season and won U21 caps for Italy. Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann, who is available on a free transfer, has been approached by Stuttgart but may retire from football altogether.
