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Tgif rumour mill...

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS
Barcelona are ready to offer Eidur Gudjohnsen in a swap deal for Manchester United defender Gerard Pique. (Various)

Ex-Nou Camp youngster Pique spent last season on loan at Real Zaragoza who are expected to table a improved offer after a £7m bid was rejected. (Daily Mail)

United spending spree this summer has seen them make a £10m bid for Sampdoria striker Fabio Quagliarella, according to the player's agent. (Various)

Chelsea have rejected a bid for striker Didier Drogba from AC Milan. (Times)

Keeper Jerzy Dudek did not have his contract at Liverpool extended and will now move to Real Madrid. (Daily Mail)

The investigation into irregularities in the transfer system have cited managers involved in deals which have not been signed off by Lord Stevens, but whether the Premier League will divulge the names is in doubt. (Daily Express)

Arsenal have begun talks over the £20m transfer of striker Thierry Henry to Barcelona. (Various) Not surprising....

Fulham have stepped up their attempts to get West Brom duo Diomansy Kamara and Jason Koumas by offering players-plus-cash. (Various)

The third-party who has a stake in Manuel Fernandes has scuppered a possible move for the winger to the Premiership. (Daily Express)

Former French World Cup-winning skipper and ex-Juventus boss Didier Deschamps is another in the frame for the Manchester City job. (The Sun)

Charlton striker Darren Bent is a target for Liverpool and Tottenham after turning down West Ham. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham being spurned will see them now target Shaun Wright-Phillips. (Daily Mirror)

Wolves and Norwich are battling it out for Southend striker Freddy Eastwood. (Daily Mirror)

Celtic will splash out £5m to bring Gennaro Delvecchio and Massimo Donati to Scotland from Serie A. (Daily Record)

Celtic are preparing a £350,000 bid for NAC Breda striker Maceo Rigters. (The Sun)

OTHER GOSSIP
Sheffield United want £20m from the Premier League if they are not reinstated back into the top flight. (The Sun)

Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen has turned down the chance of a switch to Valencia, who offered him more money. (Daily Mirror)

AND FINALLY
David Beckham is set to miss out on a knighthood but can console himself in the fact that England boss Steve McClaren has told him he will keep his international place while at LA Galaxy if his form does not drop. (Daily Mail)