TRANSFER GOSSIP
Barcelona are closing in on a deal for Manchester City forward Robinho. Initially, the European Champions will pay a £6m "arrangement fee" to take the player on loan in January ahead of a permanent move in the summer.(The Sun)
Alternatively, Robinho's reluctance to move on loan to the Nou Camp as opposed to a permanent deal could scupper the deal.(Daily Mail)
City manager Mark Hughes is keen on bringing highly rated, 14-year-old QPR striker Raheem Sterling to Eastlands. Hughes is willing to offer the London club £1m plus two of his fringe players on loan.(Daily Mirror)
After having their request for a 'stay' on the transfer ban imposed by Fifa for being found guilty of inducing Gaël Kakuta to break his contract, Chelsea have made Franck Ribery their top transfer target and hope to sign the Bayern Munich midfielder when the January window opens.(Daily Telegraph)
However, Manchester United and Manchester City are set to rival Chelsea for the signing of Ribery after reports suggested Bayern Munich are ready to cash in on the French international.(Independent)
Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is chasing Hadjuk Split's Bosnian winger Senijad Ibricic.(Daily Mirror)
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh, who was courted by Sunderland, West Ham and Arsenal in the summer.(Daily Mail)
Bolton are weighing up a £3m move for Everton striker James Vaughan, ending Derby's hopes of taking the player on loan.(Daily Mail)
OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher believes he is being targeted by referees because of the comments made about him by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger in September. Wenger accused one unnamed player, believed to be Fletcher, of constantly getting away with fouls against his side when the sides met at Old Trafford in August.(Various)
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is set to undergo a hernia operation and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.(Daily Mirror)
Chelsea defender Ashley Cole faces a race against time to be fit to face former club Arsenal on 29 November. The England international played against Manchester United on Sunday with a depressed fracture of the tibia, which he aggravated during the match.(Daily Star)
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure wants his younger brother, Barcelona midfielder Yaya, to join him at Eastlands.(Daily Star)
AND FINALLY
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway wore a £12.99 charity shop suit for last Saturday's win over Scunthorpe as a forfeit dished out by his players. "Anybody who has been late or forgotten their kit faces a hearing and I was found guilty," said Holloway. (The Sun)
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