Liverpool are to have their will tested after reports claimed that Barcelona are set to offer the Premier League runners-up Samuel Eto'o in a swap deal that would see Javier Mascherano move the other way.
It is the second time in a week the unsettled Argentina midfielder has been linked with the European champions, following reports that Liverpool turned down a £20 million offer from the Nou Camp, adding that not even £50m would be enough.

I know this is a football blog but the season is over so I have to turn my attentions elsewhere. Whilst the fashion sense of our players isn't my number one priority, I think there are certain exceptions to that rule.

Rio, what the fuck are you wearing mate?

Enjoying a lads holiday in Israel, accompanied by that twat Jody Morris, Rio managed to redeem himself somewhat by taking his United beach towel.

So, John Terry is apparently going to stay at Chelsea. That shouldn't exactly come as a surprise to anyone, though a few Chelsea fans might have worried themselves into a frenzy over the last several days about the possibility of losing their beloved captain to Manchester City.

Now that that situation looks to be resolved (possibly, maybe, I think.

Welcome to the latest installment of Your Questions Answered, where I field questions, take weeks to answer them, and then crank out some intriguing responses to get you talking and thinking that I'm either a soccer genius, or an idiot.

Yes, it once again took me a month to get to the Q&A, but given how busy the last month has been for the national team you might understand my issue.

The Blues appear to have turned their attentions to Real Madrid's Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder. Chelsea are reportedly set to make a move for unsettled Real Madrid ace Wesley Sneijder, according to a report in the News of the World. The Dutchman's position at the Bernabeu looks very uncertain, particularly following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo from [.

We could finally see Arsene Wenger splash the cash.

After being knocked back in their pursuit of Vidic, Pepe tries to snap up another United talent!

Barcelona are planning an audacious move for Manchester United defender Jonny Evans.
The La Liga club sounded out a move for Nemanja Vidic earlier this summer but were given short shrift by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Last night Man United defender Rio Ferdinand was down in London at the premiere of the film he helped to fund. Another one of the men to fund this film was Chelsea's Ashley Cole who was also there.
Cole's and Ferdinand's new gangster movie Dead Man Running features rapper 50 Cent, Brenda Blethyn, Ashley Walters and Danny Dyer.

"Of course I would like him to join. Who would not want to play with great players like Javier? I hope he can come here."
That was the message from Barcelona's Lionel Messi today after he was asked about the possibility of Javier Mascherano moving to the Camp Nou. The Liverpool midfielder has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Spanish and European Champions in recent weeks after he admitted a move to Barca would interest him.

by CARL ELDRIDGE TABLOID reporters talk to each other. A lot. They swap stories, concoct speculation and generally set the agenda on what we read about the Arsenal every day.

So you would think the respective reporters at the Sun and the Mail would have had a deadline summit on what is going on with Arsene Wenger's target Felipe Melo, wouldn't you?

The rumour mill is hotting up, with Manchester United preparing for life without Edwin Van Der Sar It is widely expected that this will be the Dutchman's last season, with Tomas Kuszczak also unhappy at being behind Ben Foster in the pecking order. As a result, United have turned their attentions to 23 year old highly [.

What the F**K?

I know this is a football blog but the season is over so I have to turn my attentions elsewhere. Whilst the fashion sense of our players isn't my number one priority, I think there are certain exceptions to that rule.

Rio, what the fuck are you wearing mate?

With out much in the news about Perth lately I've turned attentions to becoming a...

by CARL ELDRIDGE HMMM. You just don't know who to believe do you? Yes, I'm talking about the tabloids and their daily take on all things Arsenal. Well, Cesc Fabregas, actually.

What we need is for Arsene Wenger to come out publicly and announce Fab can move to the Nou Camp.

IT was quite apt that Xabi Alonso sat right next to the emergency exit on flight 7208 from Barcelona to Liverpool on Monday night.
It was, after all, that very door which he had been searching for at Anfield for some time previous.
Given the way the relationship between Alonso had Rafa Benitez had deteriorated many had expected a few barbed comments to be fired back and forth from Madrid and Merseyside once the midfielder's much-longed for moved to Real was completed a couple of days later.

The All-Star game is done and dusted, the mid-season friendlies with European clubs are at an end and the business half of Major League Soccer's 14th season is underway. So what better time to have a look at the movers and shakers and find out where the big stories will lead in the second half of the campaign?

Can this really be true?

Skysports.com understands Liverpool are closing in on a shock move for former Rangers defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos.

Liverpool are in the market for defensive reinforcements and it is believed they have lined up a move for AEK stopper Kyrgiakos.

Roma's Brazilian forward Julio Baptista could be set for a move to Italy's Serie A champions Inter Milan.

News has surfaced that the former Real Madrid star is due for discussions with Jose Mourinho's men over a transfer from the Stadio Olimpico, after falling out of favour with Luciano Spaletti.

Well, it's taken them nine straight wins and ten games unbeaten in all but Wolfsburg are finally top of the Bundesliga. And they're not top by a squeak either. There is in fact an enormous gulf of 3 (three) points behind the swarm of teams immediately behind them. OK that may not seem like much, but by this season's standards it's a gaping chasm.

Don't expect any big names for tonights game folks (not like it matters since it won't be televised). The struggling Red Bulls are taking on an equally inept San Jose side, as both teams hope to find a silver lining in this mire of frustration.

With both clubs primarily focused on righting the ship late into the season, the big guns should be getting a rest, and some bench players will have the opportunity to see the pitch and possibly compete for starting minutes in the process.

-
- Make one visit to the free-thinking and completely independent QPR Report Messageboard. Read the up-to-date QPR news and eclectic football developments....the serious discussions where football (and only football) matters are discussed...Experience a board where differing opinions are welcomed not denigrated: QPR Report Messageboard.

According to a report in the British tabloid The Daily Mail, Liverpool have yet again turned their attentions to Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing.
The left-sided winger has been linked with a move away from the Riverside Stadium for some time, with the Reds and Tottenham Hotspur said to be most interested in acquiring his services.

Inter's quest for silverware continues tonight as attentions turn to the Copa do Brasil with Tite's side competing with Flamengo for a place in the semi-finals at the famous Maracanã (21:50 local time).
Having already eliminated União Rondonópolis, Guarani and Náutico, Inter will be looking a positive result tonight to take back to the Beira-Rio for next week's second leg.

The CBF have confirmed this afternoon that the decisive second leg of the 2009 Copa do Brasil final will be played at the Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre.
The news will give Inter a huge boast as they turn their attentions to the first leg which kicks off in under two weeks' time at Corinthians' home - the Estádio Pacaembu.

Liverpool are in danger of missing out on another summer signing after David Silva's representatives held talks with Real Madrid last night.
Rafael Benítez had identified the midfield player as capable of bringing more flair to Liverpool's attacking play, but he may have to turn his attentions elsewhere.

Ashley Young appears to have caught the attentions of a few Premier League managers. It was reported earlier this week that Chelsea's new manager Carlo Anceolotti was interested in signing the PFA's Young Player of the Year, however Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is now looking to see off competition to bring Young to White Hart Lane.

Welcome to the latest installment of Your Questions Answered, where I field questions, take weeks to answer them, and then crank out some intriguing responses to get you talking and thinking that I'm either a soccer genius, or an idiot.

Yes, it once again took me a month to get to the Q&A, but given how busy the last month has been for the national team you might understand my issue.

With Fiorentina making no secret of their desire to bring in a top central defender before the start of the season, it seems the Viola are ready to turn their attentions back to Sao Paulo's Miranda, after making heavy work in luring current targets Luisao and Diego Lugano to the Franchi.
So it's a little slow at the moment.

Special to IMS

With the MLS All-star game finished, the attentions of players, coaches and fans turn toward the 2009 MLS Cup. Only 8 points separate the league leading Houston Dynamo and the final spot in a tight race for the eight team playoffs. In contention for the post-season is former Minnesota Thunder player Tony Sanneh's team the LA Galaxy.

Skysports.com understands Liverpool are closing in on a shock move for former Rangers defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos.
Liverpool are in the market for defensive reinforcements and it is believed they have lined up a move for AEK stopper Kyrgiakos.
The Reds have been linked with the likes of Stoke's Ryan Shawcross and Hull's Michael Turner, but Kyrgiakos appears to be a cheaper option for Rafa Benitez.

WSC Daily turns attentions to Serie A, and with a few minor exceptions, Juve's slight beefing up and Inter's maybe good/maybe not Ibra deal for Eto'o and a giant wad of Euros, declares the league financially and competitively milquetoast.
Not sure I entirely buy it, but I do like Amy Lawrence's and the Twofootedtackle podcast's predictions Napoli will rise out of the mediocre fray for a chance at the Scudetto/Champions League respectively.

Poor old Marouane Chamakh. He wants to move to a Premier League club, by God he does, but Bordeaux have slapped an enormous price tag on him which has ended the interest of Arsenal and countless other suitors. To his credit, however, Chamakh continues to bang in the goals and at this rate might attract the attentions of someone with rather more money sloshing around in the bank.

???

Over 400 Ashes tickets still available Click Here to Buy!

Liverpool are lining up a £15 million bid for West Ham and England centre back Matthew Upson.

The 30-year-old was expected to be the subject of a £12 million bid from Aston Villa, but now it appears the Anfield club are keen to add the services of Upson.

Liverpool have no plans to let Andriy Voronin leave the club, according to Hertha Berlin.
Hertha had Voronin on a season-long loan last term and he impressed with 11 goals in the German capital.
The Bundesliga club were hoping to bring him back, either on loan or on a permanent basis, but it seems Voronin is back in the plans of Reds boss Rafa Benitez.

Arsenal swept into the Champions League semi-finals with a 3-0 victory over Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium. Theo Walcott broke the deadock after 10 minutes before Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie, from the penalty spot, scored in the second-half to complete a 4-1 aggregate success.

The visitors had Sebastian Eguren sent-off for protesting the spot kick award and the Liga outfit were helpless to prevent the Gunners setting up an all-Premier League last four meeting with Manchester United.

1. Home Form.
It's not a surprise to see that Man United have picked up more points at home than any other team in the league on home soil. Sixteen victories, one draw and just one defeat has seen them pick up an unbelievable 49 points at Old Trafford this campaign and anyone with a bit of sense in the Soccer Betting department, would be foolish to bet against them making it 52 points this Saturday when they face Arsenal.

On yet another pulsating night in European football, Shakhtar Donetsk became the first ever Ukrainian side to lift the UEFA Cup following a 2-1 win over the German Bundesliga's Werder Bremen. In the process, they also became the last team to ever win the competition as it will be reprised as the Europa League next season.

Zero Hora is reporting that Fluminense are set to step up their efforts to sign Inter's on loan midfielder Rosinei.
The midfielder's loan with Inter ends this month and it is thought that the club are keen to negotiate a new deal with Murcia to extend Rosinei's stay at the Beira-Rio.

Well, well, well, well, well........well.

It looks like Ronaldo will be joining Kaka sooner rather than later. United have today accepted an astonishing £80 million bid from Real Madrid. (is he really £21 million better than the Brazilian??) Quite incredible.

It looked like initially we were going to have to endure the summer-long transfer saga again.

-
If you want constantly updated news about QPR: Visit the combination messageboard and quasi-blog: The QPR Report Messageboard. QPR and other football news; nostalgia; and posters' views: No focus on politics, films, music, etc. No ad-hominem attacks on fellow posters. Just an (usually) intelligent focus on QPR and Football
Highlights of The Week: Assessments of Magilton and QPR's Prospects.