Wigan Athletic - Mondays Papers 'The Back Pages`

Vital Wigan takes a quick look at the stories making the headlines of the sports pages this Monday morning

The Star

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is on the brink of signing Liverpool's £16m-rated midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid striker Robinho says he wants to sign for Chelsea, who are still chasing a £27m deal for the Brazilian.

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry's hopes of completing his £18m move to Liverpool now lie in the hands of the Anfield club's American owners.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari reckons Blues misfit Nicolas Anelka has a big part to play for the club this term after a successful pre-season campaign.

The Sun

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will make a £9m swoop for Tottenham's Younes Kaboul and Reading's Nicky Shorey this week.

Birmingham expect to complete the loan signing of Spartak Moscow's former Arsenal striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie today.

Striker David Nugent is set for a battle with Portsmouth by refusing to join Championship side Ipswich in a £5m deal.

Coventry are close to signing striker Clinton Morrison and defender Stephen Wright on Bosman free transfers.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has a week to decide whether he wants to sell the club for £260m to Indian billionaire Anil Ambani.

Striker Didier Drogba will miss the first two games of Chelsea's season as he is still struggling for fitness after a knee injury.

Daily Mail

Fulham have stunned Everton by slicing £4m off their valuation of Andrew Johnson they will not pay more than £8m after his medical showed signs of an old knee injury.

Sunderland forward Kenwyne Jones will undergo exploratory knee surgery today that could rule him out for most of the season.

Former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill has landed a seven-week stint as manager of Minnesota Thunder.

Daily Mirror

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes wants to sign Marseille striker Djibril Cisse on loan.

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy reckons Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Manchester United for at least another year.

Blackburn are making a shock move for Lens French midfielder Julien Sable, 27, all though Chievo Verona are also keen on a £1.5m deal.

Premier League bosses have drafted new plans to take clubs around the world, with five mini-tournaments taking place from January 2010 that would be worth £5m plus to each team.

Manager Roy Keane will open talks on a new contract at Sunderland at the end of August.

Paul Scharner has a £6m 'price clause' in his new contract with Wigan, in case a big club comes in for his services.

Daily Express

Everton will give Fulham 48 hours to seal a £13m deal for striker Andy Johnson or order him to return to Goodison Park.

Daily Telegraph

West Ham have quashed reports striker Dean Ashton will be sold to another Premier League club this summer.

Wigan Evening Post

Chris Kirkland has given Latics a pre-season injury scare after an old back problem flared up.


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