January 16th
Is Samuel Eto'o on his way to England, or is Drogba heading the other way?
Wednesday, 16, Jan 2008 01:09
It's like old times today as another transfer rumour involving Chelsea and Barcelona hits the top of the gossip columns.
This time it is not Ronaldinho, though.
Instead Didier Drogba has apparently pleaded with the Catalan giants to offer him a way out of Stamford Bridge as he is unhappy under the new regime.
However, Drogba's comments may have been misunderstood and he is in fact keen to link up with Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o at Stamford Bridge, rather than the other way around.
Tottenham Hotspur are still very much at the centre of the rumour mill, with strikers Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent both said to be available for a move this month.
Manager Juande Ramos has been unimpressed with record-signing Bent and the former Charlton man could be set for a move to goal-shy Middlesbrough.
Bolton Wanderers are another club in need of an out-and-out striker and Bent may feel he is better suited to Gary Megson's side, although the Trotters manager is also thought to be making enquiries about his team-mate Defoe as a cut-price option.
The other story revolving around White Hart Lane involves midfielder Teemu Tainio, who is a target of Fulham's new boss Roy Hodgson.
If they fail to land Bent, Middlesbrough are also in negotiation with Dutch side Heerenveen to sign Brazilian striker Afonso Alves, who will cost in the region of £12 million.
Manchester City are hoping to sign German international forward Lukas Podolski from Bayern Munich.
And Portsmouth are in the market for a midfielder, with Chelsea's Steve Sidwell and Arsenal's Lassana Diarra top of Harry Redknapp's wish-list.