Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Stoke City and Everton are the talk of the papers today.
All the rumour, gossip, and news you need to know from the last 24 hours
Exclusive: Didier Drogba to leave Chelsea claim the Mail this morning. They state that Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua are to offer him a deal worth £250,000 a week to seal the deal. It has not been a secret that the Ivorian is planning on leaving, but many had thought his Champions League triumph may dissuade him. We can see why Drogba would choose to go now though, there is no way he could ever top this moment. Drogba is still expected to hold talks with Chelsea’s management before any decision is made, and the Mail may be jumping the gun. Top European clubs are also expected to be interested, including Barcelona.
Eden Hazard is earning himself quite a reputation as a ‘big time Charlie’, and he hasn’t even set foot in the Premier League yet. Last night was supposed to be the night he revealed which club he would join, after months of flirting with any one who showed an interest. He was expected to announce Manchester City or Manchester United, but threw a curveball into the mix by saying Chelsea‘s Champions League success has made him reconsider his options. Chelsea, who started with Ryan Bertrand on the left wing, may be his most logical destination in many ways, but he is simply managing to infuriate fans with his stance.
ESPN are reporting that Stoke City are willing to take a punt on free agent Michael Owen. The striker confirmed he was being released by the Red Devils last week, and goal shy Stoke need somebody that can score goals; they netted the least of anyone in open play in the top flight last season. The worry has to be Stoke becoming a retirement home for ex-England internationals, with Upson, Crouch, and Woodgate all signed last season. Who next, Emile Heskey?
Everton face losing Tim Cahill to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, write the Mirror. The Riyadh-based side are not short of money, and have the capability to front up a big offer and lucrative wage package for the Australian. He still has two years left on his contract, and seems to be happy at Goodison Park, but the paper add that him leaving would free up Everton’s funds to sign Steven Pienaar from Spurs. This one sounds a bit far fetched to us, even though Cahill has struggled to be as effective this season as others, he surely has plenty to offer the Premier League yet.
The papers do have some bright news for Everton fans, reporting news of a potential signing this summer. The man in question is Stoke City defender Robert Huth, who is entering the final year of his contract at Potteries club. If he fails to put pen to paper on a new deal, Stoke could be tempted into a sale this summer, and David Moyes is believed to be monitoring the situation. The Mirror add that Sylvain Distin is likely to exit Goodison this summer and Huth would slot in as a replacement.
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