Transfer Gossip Early May

Henry on Barca's list, Chelsea eye Sporting ace and Fulham bid for Aufhauser...

BARCA BACK IN FOR HENRY
Barcelona are reportedly planning a summer raid for Arsenal striker Thierry Henry. The News of the World are of the opinion that the Catalan giants will tempt Arsene Wenger and the Gunners board with an offer in the region of £30million, despite already boasting the likes of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Maxi Lopez, Javier Saviola and Henrik Larsson. Henry is currently in talks over a two-year contract extension at Highbury.


Chelsea EYEING SPORTING ACE
Newly-crowned Premiership champions Chelsea are keeping their options open should they fail to land Steven Gerrard this summer. The Liverpool talisman looks set to make the switch to Stamford Bridge but, just in case he doesn't, Jose Mourinho has had his contacts back in Portugal send him the low-down on Sporting Lisbon's Joćo Alves. The midfielder has been influential in his club's success in the UEFA Cup this season.


FULHAM MAKE AUFHAUSER MOVE
Fulham have made the first move for Austria international Rene Aufhauser. The Grazer AK star has attracted the attention of a number of Premiership clubs, including Everton and Middlesbrough, but it is the Cottagers who have taken the initiative. Chris Coleman has tabled a bid in the region of £2million for the midfielder, with GAK general manager Hannes Weninger saying: "We have been asked to make a final decision within the next 14 days."


POMPEY NEED SIX PLAYERS
Portsmouth boss Alain Perrin says they will need six new players in the summer to be competitive. The south coast outfit only recently ensured their Premiership status for next season, and the Frenchman admits things will need to change if they want to avoid a repeat. He said: "We need another five or six players but it all depends on how many leave us. Now we are certain of where we will be this season, we can start talking to people but there is a question about Yakubu. We don't know if we can keep him or not."


BLUES NAB JAVIER
Chelsea have reportedly clinched the signing of River Plate midfielder Javier Mascherano. The 22-year-old Argentine international was set to join Brazilian giants join Corinthians, but according to The Times, a £10m deal has already been agreed with the London billionaires.


ARSE EYE GOVOU
According to the Daily Star, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has set his sights on Lyon skipper Sidney Govou. But with a £7m price-tag, the Gunners boss may have to look at offloading a player or two. And despite striker Jose Reyes recently committing himself to the club, with Arsenal also turning down a £10m bid from Real Madrid for the Spanish striker, Reyes' continual moaning about life and the weather in particular in London, may yet see him depart for sunnier climates.


REINA TO POOL
Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Villarreal goalkeeper Pepe Reina. Spanish reports say that Villarreal are already looking for a replacement for their highly rated stopper, who will join the Reds in the close season. Rafa Benitez has been a long time admirer of the youngster, and has made a goalkeeper his top priority.


AND THE REST
Aston Villa boss David O'Leary is unsure whether to sign on-loan Chelsea striker Carlton Cole...Newcastle will invite offers for Sporting Lisbon's on-loan midfielder Hugo Viana despite the Portuguese club saying they want to keep him...Charlton boss Alan Curbishley will make wholesale changes to his squad...And Newcastle boss Graeme Souness will not give up in his pursuit for Crystal Palace Andrew Johnson.


O'LEARY WANTS PRSO
Aston Villa boss David O'Leary wants to spend some of his Christmas money on Rangers striker Dado Prso. The Croatian has been a success since his free move from Monaco at the end of last season, bagging 19 goals already, and according to the BBC, Villa are prepared to offer Rangers £3.5m to see him released from his three-year contract.


MILAN WANT TO WARD OFF Chelsea
AC Milan have offered Chelsea their Georgian international wing-back Khaka Kaladze in part-exchange in the deal to make Hernan Crespo's move to Milan permanent - in order to be free to sign Udinese's wing-back Marek Jankulovski, who according to this morning's papers, is Chelsea's preferred target. The Czech Republic international has already reportedly agreed personal terms with Milan in a £6m deal, but the London billionaires will offer Udinese £8m and the player a £50,000-a-week contract.


SOUEY EYES EMRE
Inter Milan have reportedly given Newcastle permission to negotiate a deal with midfielder Emre. The Turkish international, who is also a target for Everton, has voiced his unhappiness at Inter and is desperate to move on. Toon boss Graeme Souness will be confident of signing Emre as he has a considerable knowledge of Turkish football from his stint with Galatasaray.


MILITO A NO-NO
Man Utd look set to miss out on transfer target Gabriel Milito with Barcelona reportedly in pole position to sign the Real Zaragoza defender. Utd have put a £2m-a-year contract on the table for the £8m-rated player, but according to reports from Spain, Barca have first refusal on the Argentine. Milito said: "If it was up to me, I would stay here. I'm very settled."


AND THE REST
Portsmouth boss Alain Perrin wants Chelsea midfielder Alexei Smertin and striker Mikael Forssell...Chelsea defender William Gallas will join Barcelona...Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri is wanted by Genoa...Juventus look set to beat Valencia to the signing of Arsenal midfielder Edu...Norwich want Rochdale goalkeeper Matthew Gilks...Aston Villa have targeted Wolves defender Joleon Lescott...Aston Villa keeper Stefan Postma is set to join FC Utrecht...And Guarani's Brazilian defender Paolo Andre wants to sign for Rangers after enjoying a successful trial.

Gunners TARGET STRIKER
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has contacted Parma over the possibility of signing striker Alberto Gilardino. The burley centre-forward is rumoured to be on his way to AC Milan, with Real Madrid also monitoring his situation, but reports naturally suggest Arsenal have a chance of signing him.

Arsenal have also reportedly turned down a paltry £8m bid from Real Madrid for Jose Antonio Reyes.


MOVE ON FOR MCCARTHY
Rumours that Mark Hughes had set his sights on Porto striker Benni McCarthy appear to be true with news that the Blackburn boss has sent scouts to watch the £3m-rated South African in action. Hughes said: "I do have targets I want to pursue this summer. I have money to spend but it wouldn't be a good idea to disclose how much."


CHAMPIONSHIP DUO FOR VILLA
Aston Villa boss David O'Leary wants to make Sheffield United defender turned midfielder Phil Jagielka and Derby goalkeeper Lee Camp his first signings for the new season. O'Leary believes 22-year-old Jagielka would be the perfect replacement for Stuttgart bound Thomas Hitzlsperger while 20-year-old Camp has been outstanding for the Rams this season. A fee of £6m for both has been quoted.


AND THE REST
Man Utd want Real Zaragoza's £3m-rated Argentine defender Gabriel Milito...Portsmouth boss Alain Perrin wants Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell...Patrick Kluivert could leave Newcastle for Valencia...And Blackburn are keen on Man City defender Danny Mills.