FOOTBALL: CHAT ZONE

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Dec 9, 2001

ASTON VILLA'S unsettled England international GARETH BARRY could be on the way to Spurs. Glenn Hoddle prefers a 3-5-2 system, which would appeal to Barry. He has been out in the cold at Villa Park since John Gregory switched to 4-4-2. Gregory must sell before he can strengthen his squad and offloading the pounds 8million-rated Barry will generate some much-needed cash.

SPURS are also lining up a pounds 6m raid on Nottingham Forest for teenage sensation JERMAINE JENAS. The 18-year-old midfielder was again watched by Tottenham scouts during Forest's clash against Gillingham yesterday.

DERBY are locked in battle with West Ham United for the signature of former Germany Under-21 international midfielder ALEXANDER VOIGT. The tough-tackling 23-year-old plays for FC Cologne and helped them achieve promotion to the Bundesliga by scoring in their 4-3 victory over Hannover 96.

WEST Bromwich Albion are set to turn to LEICESTER midfielder STEFAN OAKES if their attempts to sign Tranmere's JASON KOUMAS continue to be frustrated. Cash-strapped Foxes boss Dave Bassett will listen to offers.

BLACKBURN'S Republic of Ireland's international fullback JEFF KENNA has returned to Ewood Park after being on-loan to Wigan, but the second division club want him back on a permanent basis.

TRANMERE want to extend the loan of LIVERPOOL'S 20-year-old defender ALAN NAVARRO, who has already spent two months at Prenton Park.

ARSENAL will send scouts to France this weekend to keep tabs on Troyes' highly-rated winger JEROME ROTHEN. Rothen, 23, who scored against Leeds in the UEFA Cup last month, would cost around pounds 2.5m.

FULHAM goalkeeper MAIK TAYLOR is considering slapping in a transfer request to boss Jean Tigana. Taylor, 30, has lost out to Dutch international Edwin van der Sar and is worried he will lose his place as Northern Ireland No.1.

LEEDS' forgotten man LUCAS RADEBE is determined to force his way back into the limelight. The South Africa skipper missed virtually all last season because of injury but insists his career is not over. "I'm looking to fight my way back," said the defender.

MIDDLESBROUGH striker JOSEPH DESIRE-JOB is wanted by Lens. Manager Steve McClaren is prepared to unload the Frenchman and will also listen to offers for former Coventry City schemer Noel Whelan as well as several other experienced first-team squad players.

MANCHESTER UNITED have cooled their interest in 19-year-old Argentinean central defender FABRIZIO COLOCCINI, after having him watched while on loan to Spanish club Alaves from AC Milan.

ROBERTO DI MATTEO may be offered the chance to make his long- awaited return to first-team football at First Division Portsmouth. CHELSEA ace Di Matteo is close to a comeback from a broken leg and former Stamford Bridge coach Graham Rix is keen to take him on loan.

NEWCASTLE UNITED centre back MARCELINO could finally be on his way back to Spain. His former club, Real Mallorca, are ready to table a cut-price pounds 1.5 million bid for the player.

SOUTHAMPTON manager GORDON STRACHAN is lining up his third signing from former club Coventry. Strachan's latest target is Republic of Ireland defender GARY BREEN who has turned down a new contract offer at Highfield Road.

KEEPER BEN ROBERTS is keen on a loan move to prove he is worthy of a first-team place at The Valley. Roberts, 26, left Middlesbrough for CHARLTON but has been left frustrated on the bench.

BOLTON have extended 35-year-old striker IAN MARSHALL'S loan to second division Blackpool by another month.

WEST HAM boss Glenn Roeder has given a trial to Slovenian international defender MUAMER VUGDALIC. The 24-year-old is currently on-loan with Slovenian outfit Maribor from Shaktar Donetsk and would cost pounds 1.5m.

IPSWICH are one of several Premiership clubs who have been sending scouts to Colchester. The twin targets are young Colchester midfielders KEM IZZET, kid brother of Leicester's Muzzy Izzet, and French playmaker THOMAS PINAULT. They have also been linked with pounds 1million-rated Hapoel Tel Aviv striker MILAN OSTERC.

EVERTON have fought off interest in 16-year-old WAYNE ROONEY from Manchester United, Liverpool, Leeds, Tottenham and Blackburn The England Under-17 international is set to sign a three-year contract.

SUNDERLAND have quoted First Division strugglers Barnsley pounds 350,000 for schemer CHRIS LUMSDON, who has just completed a two- month loan spell at Oakwell.