Sunday's gossip column
Last updated on .From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Sir Alex Ferguson has been told that Manchester United will have to pay a combined £72m to land his top targets - but he will not splash out that amount on the three players. They are Tottenham's Luka Modric, 26, Everton's Leighton Baines, 27, and Newcastle's Cheick Tiote, 25.
Manchester United are aiming to sign Valencia's Jordi Alba, 23, with a cash-plus-player deal involving their Brazilian midfielder Anderson.
The exit of Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt, 31, could be as part of a swap deal with Fiorentina for £12m-rated wing-back Juan Manuel Vargas, 28.
New Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed his intention to make Gylfi Sigurdsson, 22, his first Anfield signing after the midfielder's £6.8m move to Swansea stalled.
Liverpool are also rumoured to be chasing Fulham's Clint Dempsey.
Manchester City will begin their summer spending with a £25m offer for Athletic Bilbao's 23-year-old midfielder Javier Martinez.
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis will meet 300 fans on Wednesday to explain the club's transfer policy.
QPR are set to offer Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, 31, the chance to resurrect his career by making the switch to Loftus Road.
Arsenal are interested in signing Crewe's £10m-rated, 18-year-old striker Nick Powell.
Southampton are plotting a £2m raid for Millwall's 23-year-old midfielder Liam Trotter, who has also been linked with Fulham and Sunderland.
ENGLAND REACTION
Roy Hodgson may have a 100% England record but his team look unlikely to strike the fear of God into their main Euro 2012 rivals.
England were often careless in possession and their best department was the game's least beautiful, defending. But, for a second match under Hodgson, England wore down more expressive opponents and won 1-0. If they keep it going, they could make an impact at Euro 2012.
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The real tests await Hodgson's England far away in the east of Europe but they will travel with a measure of serenity. At this stage, and with this team, it is the most we can reasonably expect.
Hodgson has two wins from two and while there is a lot of work to do, England have at least a solid platform to work from.
Wembley paid homage to their heroes - it is just a pity they were Sir Bobby Charlton, Peter Shilton and David Beckham.
The Manchester United boys appear to be taking out their title frustration on England's opponents. For now, England will settle for a winning - if largely unimpressive - send-off to Euro 2012.
This was hardly a performance to return all the public confidence that has eroded in the preceding months and, at times, it was galling once again to see the absence of care that was applied to the ball, the lack of movement in advanced positions and the shortage of activity in the opposition penalty area.
Maybe, just maybe, there is life for England without Wayne Rooney for the first two matches of Euro 2012.
Patrice Evra claims the best thing about facing England in France's opening Euro 2012 game is the absence of his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney.
England's players stand to earn more than £100,000 each if they manage to pull off an unlikely championship win at Euro 2012.
Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane says England cannot win Euro 2012.
OTHER GOSSIP
Former Huddersfield manager Lee Clark, 39, is on the Norwich shortlist to replace Paul Lambert, who has taken over at Aston Villa, at Carrow Road.
But Cardiff manager Malky Mackay, 40, and Birmingham's Chris Hughton, 53, were installed as favourites for the Norwich vacancy.
Managerless Swansea will move for Blackpool manager Ian Holloway, 49, if Wigan number two Graeme Jones opts to stay at the DW Stadium.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is stalling over a new deal for manager Harry Redknapp, 65, who wants a new three-year contract including a significant pay increase.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, 38, has set his sights on the Tottenham job as Redknapp tries to sort out his White Hart Lane future.
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, 30, has received the all-clear to rejoin full training at the start of next month.
AND FINALLY
TIME magazine has done little to raise England fans' hopes for Euro 2012 after dubbing the national side "the world's most disappointing team".
