REAL EYE GUNNERS DEFENDER
Who? - Lauren
Where is he? - Arsenal
Who is he linked with? - Real Madrid
Arsenal defender Lauren has rejected reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid. His contract with the Gunners is due to expire at the end of the season and negotiations have yet to start. The Cameroon star has hinted that he would like to remain at Highbury and insists that although he can speak to other clubs from January, he is leaving everything to his agent so he can concentrate on playing. This all contradicts a report in The Sun which said Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez had stated that a pre-contract agreement has already been reached. Real have since released a statement saying: "Real Madrid Football Club would like to make it totally clear that the report that the player Lauren of Arsenal FC is in negotiations with this club, is absolutely untrue. There have never existed, nor exist now, any contact regarding this player's recruitment. It is also absolutely false that the president of the club, Florentino Perez, has made any declaration in any sense to the daily newspaper 'The Sun'. This daily newspaper has thus invented, one by one, all the words of these supposed declarations. Moreover, the club would like to make it clear that relations between Real Madrid and Arsenal are excellent and founded on cordial and frank foundations." So there you go.  
 
 
STEVIE'S STAYING
Who? - Steven Gerrard
Where is he? - Liverpool
Who is he linked with? - Chelsea
Or rather, he has been unlinked with Chelsea, for the time being at least. Following on from last week's reports that the Blues were going to try, again, to sign Steven Gerrard when the transfer window opens, we can now report that this is highly unlikely. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said on Friday that while he rated Gerrard very highly, he was unlikely to bring ANY players in come the New Year. "He is a player I admire very much," said Mourinho of Gerrard. "I think Liverpool are lucky to have such a fantastic player." When asked if he would be strengthening his squad in January, the former Porto boss added: "No. In the open market in January, if we only have small injuries like that to Robert Huth, if we don't have big injuries, the market can be open but it is closed for us. So I don't think about players. The summer is too far ahead to think about."  
 
 
CRESP WANTS PERMANENT STAY IN MILAN
Who? - Hernan Crespo
Where is he? - Chelsea/AC Milan
Who is he linked with? - AC Milan
Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo is currently on-loan at AC Milan. The Italian giants are, however trying to secure the Argentinian's services on a more permanent basis. Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said: "We are negotiating already with the English executives. We have a very good relationship with them. We want Hernan Crespo to remain with us but we will have to reach an agreement." Crespo himself has admitted that he would like to stay at the San Siro, having fallen out of favour with new Blues boss Jose Mourinho in the summer. He added: "I want to remain here at Milan. I was not happy at Chelsea on a personal level, I just couldn't adapt to the English lifestyle."  
 
 
POMPEY EYE STRACH
Who? - Gordon Strachan
Where is he? - on the Match of the Day couch
Who is he linked with? - Portsmouth
After all the furore surrounding Harry Redknapp's appointment at Southampton, former Saints boss Gordon Strachan has been linked with the hotseat at Fratton Park. Milan Mandaric said at the weekend: "We would like to appoint a British manager and Gordon is on top of that list as far as I am concerned. I definitely want to talk to him and find out his situation and whether he would be prepared to join us. I met Gordon when we played our 'neighbours', and he was the manager there at the time. I have great respect for him as a man and as a manager. We know what we want to do and we are very serious about trying to persuade him to come to Fratton Park." Harry Redknapp has also backed Strachan to do well at his old club. "They could not make a better choice, and why shouldn't he go there? He lives up the road, only 15 to 20 minutes from Portsmouth, so why not? Why should he have to go and manage a team in Scotland or somewhere because he has managed Southampton?" said Harry. Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie has also been linked with the job at Fratton Park, but said: "It is very flattering to be linked with jobs the size of Portsmouth, but I have got a huge job on here. So we will see."  
 
 
SPURS WANT MAL TO BE THEIR STEED
Who? - Steed Malbranque
Where is he? - Fulham
Who is he linked with? - Tottenham
Rumour has it that Tottenham will try and sign Steed Malbranque in January. Fulham have braced themselves for an influx of offers from Premiership clubs and have valued the French playmaker at around £8million. Spurs can't really afford that, but could offer Jamie Redknapp as part of the deal...or so the rumour goes anyway.  
 
 
JUVE LOOK TO THE KING
Who? - Ledley King
Where is he? - Tottenham
Who is he linked with? - Juventus
Reports in the Italian media have suggested that Serie A giants Juventus are lining up an £18million bid to try and lure Tottenham and England defender Ledley King away from White Hart Lane. Juve are definitely in need of some defensive support and a club source was quoted as saying "He is the sort of calibre of player we are looking for, strong yet still young, he could be an integral part of our defence for many years to come."