OWEN TO BE OFFERED A LOVELY HORSE
We don't usually pay much attention to gossip from the Metro, but they relay a humdinger of a rumour from down under this morning.
They report, via the Newcastle Herald (the Newcastle in Australia, that is) that Owen will not only be offered a healthy wedge of Aussie dollars to sign for the A-League side, but also a racehorse to sweeten the deal.
To go straight to the source, the Herald rather amusingly - but quite accurately - describes Owen as a 'once-prolific 31-year-old striker'.
On Owen, Jets coach Branko Culina said: "I don't know about Michael Owen but there is no secret that we are looking for a player that will add to our strength on the park and also give us profile off the park, to ensure that we can attract additional supporters.
"You'll see in the next couple of weeks we'll announce a real big name which shows for the first time that Newcastle is able to go out there and match it with the very best."
Interesting.
CESC TO REAL, AGAIN
We rather doubt that this deal as a hope in hell of actually happening, but The Sun is nonetheless ploughing on with the notion that Real Madrid are going to make a whopping great offer for Cesc Fabregas.
The paper claims they will chuck £54million in the direction of Arsenal, hoping to scare off Chelsea with sheer volume of cash.
They reckon Real could offer a player as part of a deal, someone along the lines of Sergi Canales or Karim Benzema.
The paper seems to have completely written off the prospect of Barcelona having any say in a potential move, after they admitted earlier in the week that a deal was 'dead'.
We could be in for an auction this summer.
CHELSEA AFTER HAZARD
After their January spending spree, the papers are now clearly convinced that Chelsea will once again be throwing money around like confetti come the summer.
The Daily Mail reports Chelsea have 'made an enquiry' about Lille's highly-rated young winger Eden Hazard, around whom most of the Premier League has been sniffing of late.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all credited with an interest, so perhaps Chelsea just didn't want to feel left out.
ERIKSEN STAYING PUT FOR NOW
Another of the continent's highly-rated kids looks like he's going to disappoint the big boys chasing him.
Christian Eriksen, the kid who impressed everyone so much in the Denmark v England game, says he's quite happy where he is for now, thanks very much.
He said: "I owe the boss and am happy to continue progressing under him.
"I know what stage I am at in my development, and I know I am not ready yet for the Premier League in England or Serie A in Italy.
"I have a lot more growing up to do first, and I am at the right place for that at this club and with this manager. One thing I know is that I will stay at Ajax for at least another season after this one."
AND THE REST...
Jack Cork hopes to make his loan switch from Chelsea to Burnley permanent in a £2million summer deal...Blackpool have failed in attempts to bring in a goalkeeper on emergency loan. Enquiries for Ben Alnwick, Tomasz Kuszczak and Andy Lonergan were rebuffed...Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen - who is leaving the club in the summer - is a target for Real Madrid...Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has begged Sol Campbell to stay at the club despite interest from the Middle East.
Read more...
