The sad truth is that papers and many websites feel obligated to put something new on their site to retain their customers. Even if there is absolutely no news whatsoever, you will find half a dozen stories on their sites. As a result the content is complete nonsense and especially when involving transfer rumours. At On The Cross, I save you the hassle of trudging through the sites looking for the any hint of an actual news story. If it's new it will be on here, and so you don't miss out on the gossip, the rumour mill rounds it all up twice a week for you.
Anyway, back to the gossip...
Spurs left sided midfielder Matthew Etherington has handed in a transfer request. The price was rumoured to be around £3 million. Saints have been reported as having offered £750 000 for his services instead. Rupert Lowe, who should really think about investing in an answering machine which solely denies rumours all day said: "There is no truth in that report. We have not bid £750,000 for him as has been speculated."
Both Wolves and Saints are denying anything resembling a swap involving Kevin Davies and Lee Naylor. Chris Marsden has also been linked with a return to work with Dave Jones, but he's one of the last players on Earth I'd expect to see back there.
Another non-story had Gordon Strachan lined up to take over at Leeds. Strachan had given short shrift to a journalist already and Rupert added:
"I told Gordon when he came back that he was 5/1 at the bookies to succeed David O'Leary and he told me to keep my money in my pocket. Gordon is enjoying it here. There are big opportunities for him here and he knows our squad is the envy of many clubs in the Premiership.
"The way to do these things is through official channels and there has been no approach from Leeds for Gordon. I get on well with him and he is under contract with us."
Andreas Isaksson from Djurgarden has been linked with the club. Terry Cooper said: "The only thing we need is a goalkeeper and Isaksson has the qualities to succeed." The 20 year old had a spell with the Juventus reserves before returning to Sweden.
Isaksson realises that time is on his side saying: "Of course I want to play in one of the big leagues again but the important thing for me is to come to a club who have faith in me as their No 1 goalkeeper," he said.
"I have experience from my time at Juventus, even though I was only on the bench. But I am in no hurry to move abroad, I am only 20 and I am improving all the time."
The price tag for Isaksson is apparently between £1.4 and £2 million and Saints are reported to have a rival for the Swedish number 3's signature. Of course neither club is commenting about a switch despite rumours that Saints have already had a £1.3 million offer rejected.
A long time rumour has been Jesper Blomqvist. When failing to get a place at Man Utd he was linked, when looking around for another club he was linked, and now that he is about to depart the country, he's been linked again. This time, it's to fill the role left by Matthew Le Tissier. As if.
Fabrice Fernandes must be wondering what he did wrong. He's not long here and already the club are being linked with every left sided player going.