The Rivals: Odds slashed on Ribery joining Liverpool

Odds slashed on Ribery joining Liverpool – Daily Mirror
SkyBet are among a number of bookmakers to slash their odds on the Bayern Munich midfielder joining Liverpool. Bookmakers were forced to cut their price from 66/1 to 8-13 on in the wake of huge interest last night.

Gary Jacob’s verdict: Seems incredibly bizarre because of Liverpool’s lack of financial muscle, the price Bayern want for the winger and Ribery’s preferred destination of Real Madrid. Liverpool would need to sell at least three players, including Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, to fund the move. Rating: 1/10

City D-Day for Eto’o – The Sun
Manchester City have given Barcelona a weekend deadline over the deal to bring Samuel Eto’o to Eastlands, which would make the Cameroon striker the best-paid player in English football.

Gary’s verdict: It’s nothing to do with Barcelona, who are willing to sell. Bottom line is that the forward does not want to move to City, so he is ether looking for the Catalan team to improve their offer or he will try and find another Champions League team. Barcelona want him to sign or cash in, because he has one year left on his contract. 4/10

City bank on Terry swoop – Daily Mirror
Mark Hughes is increasingly confident of tempting the England captain away from Stamford Bridge despite Chelsea’s offer of a new contract which would make the 28-year-old their highest-paid player.

Gary’s verdict: Don’t be surprised if Terry signs an improved contract at Chelsea, using City’s interest as a lever. But if only Chelsea had the guts to pull the rug from under him and take the £40 million on offer. 5/10

Barca in new bid for Cesc – The Sun
Barcelona have stepped up their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal midfielder, after club president Joan Laporta claimed signing the £40m-rated Spaniard is high on their agenda this summer.

Gary’s verdict: Even if Arsenal agreed to let Fabregas leave, it would not be for another year to give them time to consider options to replace him. There is always one on-going transfer saga, remember Patrick Vieira and Ronaldo flirting with Real Madrid only to stay in England? Eventually Arsenal and Manchester United said yes when it was in their interest. Fabregas will go next summer. 3/10

Bruce told to up £12m bid for Bent – Daily Mirror
The Sunderland manager has made a club record £12m bid for Darren Bent – but Tottenham are holding out for £16m.

Gary’s verdict: As of a few weeks ago, Bent didn’t want to go to Sunderland and was hoping that Everton or Aston Villa would come in for him, both of whom are unwilling to spend more than £8 million on the forward. Tottenham always want to recoup the money they paid for a player, but maybe they should cut their losses on Bent. 6/10

Potteries of Gold – Daily Mirror
Stoke are willing pay a club-record £10m for Stephane M’bia, the Rennes midfielder.

Gary’s verdict: The player, previously linked with Everton, wants to move to Marseilles. M’bia’s desperation, or that of his agents, to link himself with English clubs each summer is tiresome. 2/10

Delph the top target for O’Neill – Daily Mail
The Leeds United midfielder has emerged as the Aston Villa manager’s top target but he will face competition from Everton.

Gary’s verdict: Linked with Fulham in January and will probably leave Elland Road this summer if a sizeable bid is forthcoming. 7/10