Wigan Athletic - Saturday 'The Back Pages`

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

The Sun

Manager Rafael Benitez is on collision course with Liverpool's owners after they refused to back him with the cash to buy Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has targeted Udinese's Swiss star Gokhan Inler to beef up his midfield.

Brazilian striker Robinho is still desperate to join Chelsea after Real Madrid rebuffed the Blues' opening £21m offer.

Everton have launched a £6.5m bid for Cameroon midfielder Stephane Mbia from Rennes.

Nottingham Forest new boy Rob Earnshaw has vowed to carry on with his celebratory flips, even though the new Championship side have a current striker injury crisis.

The Daily Mail

Everton are closing in on Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito while Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho is also a target.

Manchester City and Aston Villa each want to sign striker Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn.

Assistant boss Tony Adams admits financial constraints will prevent Portsmouth from challenging for a Premier League top four place.

The Mirror

Manchester United are expected to sign Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov next week after boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he is is close to signing a new striker.

Mark Hughes wants crisis talks with Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra after he discovered Croatian right-back Vedran Corluka is set for a knockdown £5m move to Tottenham.

Freddie Ljungberg is considering an offer to join David Beckham at LA Galaxy in a bid to crack America.


The Daily Star

Middlesbrough are confident they can land Arsenal's Justin Hoyte after selling Luke Young to Aston Villa.

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has promised boss Kevin Keegan will be given substantial funds to strengthen the club and insists he has no intention of selling the Tyneside outfit

The Daily Express

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is considering taking former Charlton left-back Ben Thatcher.

Andrei Arshavin is still eager for a move to Tottenham after White Hart Lane boss Juande Ramos phoned him personally to tell him he wanted to sign him.

Chairman Ken Bates has promised he will not be walking out on Leeds and aims to redevelop Elland Road.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson predicts Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Old Trafford for the rest of his career.

Wigan Evening Post

Former skipper Matt Jackson has tipped Latics to maintain their Premier League status with a top ten finish.

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