Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Valencia striker David Villa will decide on a move to either Real Madrid or Chelsea this week. (The Sun) 
Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has backed boss Martin O'Neill's attempts to outgun Everton and Roma in the battle for Newcastle striker Michael Owen. (Daily Mirror) 
Villa will also compete with Liverpool in trying to sign Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin (on photo). (Daily Mail) 
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, meanwhile, says he is not interested in signing striker Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli. (Daily Mail) 
AC Milan may have lost Kaka but they have overtaken Arsenal and Manchester City in the race to sign Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.(Daily Mirror) 
Blackburn could move for Austria striker Marc Janko if they sell Roque Santa Cruz, who is again a target for Manchester City. (Daily Mail) 
Meanwhile, Rovers are ready to sell defender Zurab Khizanishvili to Turkish outfit Galatasaray. 
(Daily Mirror) 
West Ham's takeover will result in manager Gianfranco Zola renewing his attempt to sign Inter Milan's £15m-rated attacking midfielder Luis Jimenez. (Daily Mirror) 
The Hammers also want Rennes right-back Rod Fanni and Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates. (Daily Mirror) 
But defender Matthew Upson could be sold by Zola after he was told by the club's new owners that he would have to generate his own transfer funds by selling players. (Daily Mail) 
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov and defender Nemanja Vidic will not be leaving the club, according to their agents.(Daily Star) 
Tottenham could make a £4.8m loss by offloading striker Roman Pavlyuchenko to Italian side Roma for £9m. (Daily Mirror) 
Birmingham will have to battle it out with Bolton for the signing of defender Danny Shittu, while the Midlands club have also set their sights on Newcastle defender David Edgar. (Daily Star)
Wolves are to sign centre-back Ronald Zubar from Marseille for £2.5m. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Andorra coach David Rodrigo believes his side can frustrate England in their World Cup qualifier on Wednesday and get the fans booing rival boss Fabio Capello. (Daily Star) 
Former Liverpool team-mates John Barnes and Jason McAteer are rivals to become the next Tranmere boss but could end up working together. (The Sun) 
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo will have tests to see whether he needs a hernia operation after pulling out of Portugal's friendly against Estonia. (Times) 
Watford are to appoint former defender Malky Mackay as their new manager. (Daily Star) 
Celtic will have to pay West Brom £2m in compensation if they want Baggies boss Tony Mowbray. (Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has had offers of £10, Oasis tickets and a Curly Wurly after inviting offers for the Tyneside outfit by e-mail. The Magpies have been given a £100m price tag. (The Sun)
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