Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Tottenham striker Darren Bent has seemingly launched a scathing attack on his chairman Daniel Levy with the help of social network site Twitter. (Various)
It appears the 25-year-old has become a little frustrated with his desired move to Sunderland currently stuttering. 
"This is the longest day in the world because I can't wait to get started," a tweet purportedly posted by Bent is reported to have read. 
"Why can't anything be simple. It's so frustrating hanging round."(The Times) 
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is holding out for £30m following Xabi Alonso's transfer request, with Real Madrid having already offered £24m.(The Guardian) 
Manchester United will launch a £35m bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery in two weeks.(The Sun) 
Mark Hughes is set to offer £22m for Joleon Lescott, with Everton so far unwilling to release their defender to Manchester City. (Daily Express) 
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is targeting Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi, with the Italian star valued at around £30m.(The Independent) 
It looks like a busy time for the Gunners with St Etienne's defensive midfielder Blaise Matuidi being lined up for a move, while midfield legend Patrick Vieira is set to return and be his mentor.(Daily Mail) 
Liverpool are keen on signing Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani.(The Independent) 
Having signed Southampton striker Stern John, Crystal Palace are closing in on the signing of Derby defender Claude Davis. (Daily Star)
Portsmouth are close to signing Australian striker Mark Viduka on a one-year deal after they failed to get Croatia's Nikola Kalinic.(Daily Mail) 
Ipswich boss Roy Keane may splash out £1m for Watford's Hungarian forward Tamas Priskin. (Daily Mail)
QPR have signed Italian striker Alessandro Pellicori on a three-year deal after a successful trial. (Sky Sports) 
West Brom have offered £1.5m for Real Betis winger David Odonkor. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP

Everton skipper Phil Neville has criticised Manchester City's chase of defender Joleon Lescott, with Mark Hughes about to table a third offer. 
"There are ways and means of doing things, and Everton do it the right way," Neville says.(Liverpool Echo) 
Ipswich boss Roy Keane has taken his players for a two-day pre-season mission on an army boot camp in Colchester.
"It was hard work and the players are tired but I think they enjoyed it and their attitude was spot on," Keane says. (Daily Telegraph) 

AND FINALLY

Man City boss Mark Hughes is refusing to get embroiled in any mind games with Sir Alex Ferguson. The United manager was recently unhappy with the Carlos Tevez poster erected in the city centre with the message: 'Welcome to Manchester'. 
"It was just a bit of fun. I didn't get too het up but Sir Alex did," Hughes says.(The Guardian)
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