The Rumour Mill begins to work overtime as the 2008-09 season draws to a close and silly season enters full flow.
This is the first of two parts covering the recent activity from Championship clubs as they continue to occupy inches in the gossip column.
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Blackpool |
Maligned Tangerines chairman Karl Oyston has poured scorn on a move linking defender Shaun Barker with a move away from Bloomfield Road.
Oyston was angered with reports linking his defender with a move to Derby County and hit out at the Rams in an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire: ‘The way people work sometimes defies belief,’ he said
‘We’ve not had an offer from Derby and I think that would have been an easy thing to clarify before any stories went in the paper.
‘I think they have problems because they’ve got 41 professionals on the books,’ he said.
‘They’re probably keen to try and offload some of those as swap deals rather than transfers to bring in more players.’
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Bristol City |
The Robins have resigned themselves to losing forward Dele Adebola after failing to meet his demands of a two-year deal.
The 33-year-old forward has courted the interest of Queens Park Rangers, Nottingham Forest and both sides of Sheffield but nothing is yet to be finalised on his future.
It seems however that Forest may have the edge in the deal for the veteran forward with manager Billy Davies prepared to offer the coveted two year deal and bring the saga to a close.
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Cardiff City |
Scottish goalkeeper David Marshall made the move from Norwich City to Ninian Park for a six-figure sum. The former Celtic man is the first of many due to leave Carrow Road with the Bluebirds the benefactors to boost their numbers between the sticks.
Scottish Newspaper, the Daily Record, have linked the Bluebirds with a move for young prodigy James McCarthy. The young Scotsman is currently being tracked by Europe`s elite and Cardiff have a battle on their hands to grasp the highly rated Hamilton player.
It`s not all good news for the side from the Welsh capital as the Sun reports that they may lost stalwart midfielder Joe Ledley in a cut price deal to Premier League Everton following the Bluebirds failure to achieve promotion.
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Coventry City |
A confusing departure from Coventry City has raised more questions than answers as assistant manager Steve Kean will leave his post.
Chris Coleman told CCFC.co.uk: ‘We have been together for six years and get on very well but we felt this was the right time for a change. It is totally amicable,
‘Steve remains an employee of Coventry City but should other opportunities arise for him he will be free to take them and I am sure that will happen sooner rather than later.’
The efforts of Premier League duo Fulham and Blackburn Rovers have been rebuffed by target Aron Gunnarsson as he reiterates his desire to stay at the Ricoh Arena.
Gunnarsson is currently in the process of negotiating a new deal with the Sky Blues and said: “I want to keep doing the same things, working really hard and hope for the best for this club.
“It is always nice to see that other clubs are interested in you because then you know you are doing something good.
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Crystal Palace |
The Eagles have cleared refreshed their backroom staff by releasing assistant physio Paul Timson and fitness coach Louis Langdown with manager Neil Warnock telling the South London Press: “It`s been on my mind for a while to make one or two changes.
“I think Louis is going to go on to other things in football and we`re not replacing Paul, I want to get another coaching member and saving on his salary will help with that.
“Paul has been very good since I`ve been here and it`s unfortunate that he has had to go.”
Paul Ifill has also departed Selhurst Park and in speaking to the Croydon Advertiser has revealed it wasn`t such a surprise for him: ‘It wasn’t really a shock,
‘After speaking to the gaffer a few times from when the deal was offered in January it was clear we weren’t going to agree on a deal. It’s a lot easier to take when you are expecting it.’
To complete the mass exodus from Crystal Palace Plymouth loanee Carl Fletcher appears to be making steps to make his move to the South West a permanent one.
The 29-year-old Welsh international is in the process of negotiation with the Pilgrims who face competition from several interested parties.
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Derby County |
Other than receiving a verbal lashing from Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston, Derby County are looking into non-league for another deal as they chase a midfielder from newly-promoted Ilkeston Town.
20-year old Ben Pringle was a product of West Bromwich Albion`s youth set-up but failed to make the grade at the Hawthornes.
Another player on the Rams radar appears to be winger Lee Croft from recently relegated Norwich City. Sky Sports reports that Nigel Clough has convinced the former Manchester City wide man to forget the remainder of the chasing pack as he pens a deal at Pride Park in the coming days.
One of the more surprising rumours of silly season has been the £400,000 offer from the Rams for rivals Nottingham Forest`s forward Nathan Tyson.
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Doncaster Rovers |
Doncaster Rovers are holding off bids from newly promoted Leicester City for their combative midfielder Richie Wellens.
The former Manchester United man had been the subject of a £1m bid from the Foxes, but it is believed they will have to up their bid to capture his signature.
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