World Football Gossip Roundup: Abramovich, Mario Balotelli, Fernando Torres

Welcome to B/R's world football gossip roundup. Today we have Roman Abramovich's fantasy wishlist, a possible rule change, a wolf in London, a king in London and El Niño in Turin.

If that sounds like fun, keep on reading. Inside, there's also the latest twist in the Mario Balotelli saga and a mention of Peter Crouch's pasty white thighs.

Now that we've all lost our breakfasts, let's get started.

Roman Abramovich's Wishlist

We still don't know who will serve as Chelsea's next full-time manager. However, if the rumors are true, he'll have quite a task ahead of him right away.

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made a wishlist of players he wants for the squad next season:

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Roman Abramovich will present his new manager with a list of potential star signings and tell him to take his pick.

And Chelsea's billionaire Russian owner has pinpointed four key roles - a centre forward, two full backs and an attacking midfielder - as the priorities for a summer spending spree.

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Oh, come on guys. You can do better than that.

Ah, here we go:

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The Blues are also targeting Atletico Madrid centre forward Radamel Falcao, Napoli midfielder Ezequiel Lavezzi, and Ajax central defender Jan Vertonghen, as Barcelona are keen to sign David Luiz.

Chelsea have already made contact with Porto over their interest in Hulk, and have had initial discussions with Real Madrid over the purchase of Gonzalo Higuain.

"

According to the article, Chelsea's departures this summer could include Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda and Daniel Sturridge.

Internazionale Boss Plays Down Mario Balotelli Talk

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was recently linked, by the Daily Mirror, to both Milan clubs.

However, Inter's president is today playing down the rumors.

From Goal.com:

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Inter president Massimo Moratti has declared that the club are not interested in re-signing Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli.

…

"Balotelli? He is not in our plans," Moratti told reporters. "For now he is at City, we have followed what has happened, he is always the same.

"He is a great player from a technical point of view, but we have not made any move for him, and he is honestly not part of our plans."

"

Balotelli joined Inter in 2006 as a teenager. He signed for Manchester City in 2010 for €22 million.

Ricky Van Wolfswinkel In, Ledley King out at White Hart Lane?

Tottenham Hotspur are the latest English club to show interest in Sporting Lisbon striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

According to A Bola (via InsideFutbol), the London club scouted van Wolfswinkel in the recent Lisbon derby.

Van Wolfswinkel's buyout clause is €22 million, according to InsideFutbol, and Manchester United have also been linked with him.

In other Tottenham news, captain Ledley King has still not received a new contract offer from the club. According to The Express, the 31-year-old defender is now contemplating his future.

Nemanja Vidic and Fernando Torres to Juventus?

Serie A leaders Juventus are being linked with a sensational Premier League double-swoop this summer.

The Italian giants are reportedly after Manchester United central defender Nemanja Vidic and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres.

From the Daily Mirror:

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Coach Antonio Conte has been promised funds to strengthen his side by the club - owned by the Agnelli family, who run auto giants Fiat - and has identified the Premier League duo as his prime target in a potential £50million-plus package.

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At this point, Abramovich might take a nice, antique Fiat for Torres.

Robert Huth to Snub Schalke?

According to The Sun, Stoke defender Robert Huth will snub Schalke and the country of his birth to remain with Stoke this summer.

Playing in the Champions League could never compare to watching Peter Crouch and his pasty white thighs for 90 minutes every Saturday, after all.

Time for FA Rule Change?

Finally, if you were wondering how in the world Mario Balotelli escaped punishment for his ugly studs-up lunge on Alex Song last weekend, you can take heart.

According to the Daily Mirror, FIFA has told the FA what's up.

The gist: If you don't like the rule, change it.