World Football Gossip Roundup: Mourinho, Paul Scholes, Gylfi Sigurdsson & More

As another work week begins, we at the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup have news about some potentially huge paydays.

Gylfi Sigurdsson will reportedly bring his parent club a big transfer fee this summer.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho will reportedly return to Chelsea for an even bigger fee.

However, that's nothing in comparison to Paul Scholes, who will apparently cost even more to replace.

All that and more await inside.

Gylfi Sigurdsson: The £10 Million Man?

Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has impressed for Swansea since joining on loan from Hoffenheim in January.

Sigurdsson, 22, has said he'd like to stay with the Swans after this season. However, Hoffenheim still own his rights.

The German club reportedly want £10 million for his services.

From the Daily Mirror:

"

Kop chief Kenny ­Dalglish, Everton coach Jimmy Lumsden and United spy Martin Ferguson all watched Sigurdsson dazzle against Bolton on Saturday. Swansea would love to extend the former Reading player’s loan for another year, but Hoffenheim­ know they can cash in – with Newcastle also admirers – and will sell to the highest bidder.

The loan deal has been controversial­ with the German side’s supporters.

They still sing Sigurdsson’s name every week and only a major fee for the 22-year-old will take the heat out of the ­decision.

"

I'm with the Hoffenheim fans. Why don't they just bring Sigurdsson back?

Jose Mourinho: The £25 Million Manager?

So, £10 million for Sigurdsson? That's nothing.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly willing to pay £25 million to bring Jose Mourinho back to the Bridge.

From the Daily Mail:

"

The Russian owner and Mourinho parted on bad terms in 2007 but relations have improved to such an extent since that wages of more than £9million a year - after tax - and a compensation bill from Madrid of £25m would be sanctioned.

A Chelsea source said: 'Such is Roman's determination to bring back Mourinho that he is prepared to top Jose's Madrid wages and pay compensation to buy out the remaining two years of his contract.'

Abramovich has conceded he needs a strong, experienced manager to take on the rebuilding job that is on the agenda for Chelsea this summer.

"

And I was just starting to like Roberto Di Matteo.

Scholes: The £40 Million Man?

So, £25 million for Mourinho? That's really nothing.

In a talkSport exclusive, there's news of Paul Scholes and something to do with £40 million.

Take it away, fellas:

"

Former Manchester United star Mickey Thomas has hailed the impact of Paul Scholes’ return this season, and believes it would cost the club £40million to replace him.

…

“Without doubt he’s incredible and I’m made up that he’s back,” Thomas told the Weekend Sports Breakfast. “He’s the player of the season if Man United win the title.

“It was crucial that he came back. We haven’t got a player like him at the club, someone who can unlock defences with his long range and short range passing.

"To get a player like him it would cost £30-40million and maybe more because there are not many like Paul Scholes about."

"

So, who wants to start the outlandish Xavi-to-United rumors? Can I nominate myself?

Alexandre Pato (Still) to Paris Saint-Germain?

Across the Channel, Paris St. Germain still want AC Milan's Brazilian forward Pato.

From Rai Sport (via Goal.com):

"

The Ligue 1 giants were believed to be close to signing the Brazil international in January, but the move eventually fell through.

Nevertheless, the 22-year-old remains one of PSG's main transfer objectives.

Ancelotti told Rai Sport: "Pato was one of our targets in January, and remains one of our transfer targets for the future.

"It's true that he has been injured a lot, but I still consider him to be an extraordinary talent who can prove himself to everybody.

"

In other PSG news, the new-money club also want Luis Suarez and Edin Dzeko, according to Metro.

Free Spending Sunderland?

Back in England, Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill wants to sign Victor Moses from Wigan.

First, though, he must sell somebody.

From the Daily Express:

"

Martin O'Neill could be heading for a frustrating summer after being told by Sunderland owner Ellis Short that there will be no extensive transfer budget for the Black Cats boss.

O’Neill is paying the price for the lavish spending of predecessors Steve Bruce and Roy Keane, with Short insisting the books now have to be balanced.

"

Here's a suggestion, Marty: Don't sign Nicklas Bendtner permanently.

Barcelona-Chelsea Chatter

Finally, we leave you today with a sampling of the pre-match chatter ahead of Chelsea's trip to Barcelona this week for their Champions League semifinal second leg.

From talkSport, Barca manager Pep Guardiola is saying the Catalans' season is at stake.

From The Sun, Barca midfielder Xavi says he and his teammates are "angry" after losing to Real Madrid over the weekend.

And from the Daily Star, Chelsea are waiting to see whether influential forward Didier Drogba will be fit.