World Football Gossip Roundup: Di Matteo, Benzema, Giroud, Jovetic, Giovinco

As Euro 2012 keeps progressing, players and managers keep appearing in the rumor mill.

In today's B/R World Football Gossip Roundup, Roberto Di Matteo is reportedly in at Chelsea (this time full time), and Manchester City are reportedly in for Karim Benzema.

Olivier Giroud and Stevan Jovetic could be on the move, and Laurent Blanc could be crossing the Channel someday soon.

Finally, we bring news of a carrier pigeon bringing well wishes to a Euro 2012 team.

RDM Set for Full-Time Gig?

Interim Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo is set to be hired full time, according to "widespread reports" (per ESPNSoccernet).

Di Matteo, 42, took over as interim manager following the dismissal of Andre Villas-Boas in March. As interim manager, he guided Chelsea to triumphs in the FA Cup and Champions League.

Di Matteo has also managed West Bromwich Albion and MK Dons. He played for Chelsea from 1996-2002.

City Want Benzema?

English Premier League champions Manchester City are pondering a move for French international striker Karim Benzema, according to Sky Sports.

Benzema, 24, scored 32 goals in all competitions this past season for Real Madrid—second most on the team behind only Cristiano Ronaldo.

Previously, Benzema had been quoted as saying Manchester United have chased him for the past four seasons (per Metro).

Arsenal Set to Make Giroud Offer?

French international forward Olivier Giroud is the subject of intense interest from Arsenal, according to Metro.

The tabloid reports that Arsenal will offer £6.4 million and Marouane Chamakh to Montpellier in exchange for Giroud.

Giroud, 25, scored 25 goals in all competitions for Montpellier this past season.

Jovetic Can Leave?

Montenegrin midfielder Stevan Jovetic will be allowed to leave Fiorentina, according to a club official quoted by Goal.com.

The website reports that Fiorentina communications director Gianfranco Teotina has said Jovetic can leave the team if he does not want to stay.

"If he believes in this team, then he can wear the club's shirt for a long time," said Teotina. "If he does not, then he will not be missed."

Jovetic, 22, scored 14 league goals for Fiorentina this past season. He has been linked with a move to Chelsea.

Schalke Want VDV

Schalke manager Huub Stevens has verified the club's interest in Tottenham Hotspur and Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.

ESPNSoccernet cites a report from Dutch publication Voetbal International, which quotes Stevens.

Stevens coached Van der Vaart at Hamburg in 2008.

Inter Want Giovinco

Inter Milan have made contact with Parma about the availability of Italian international forward Sebastian Giovinco, according to Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio (per Goal.com).

Giovinco, 25, is co-owned by Parma and Juventus.

Blanc for United?

France manager Laurent Blanc has been tipped as a possible successor to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United (from the Daily Mail).

Ferguson, 70, has managed United since 1986.

Blanc, 46, is expected to step down as France coach after Euro 2012 (per the Daily Telegraph).

Russian FA to Fans: Behave

After being charged by UEFA with "improper conduct of supporters," the Russian FA is reportedly asking its fans to conduct themselves properly for the rest of the tournament (from the Daily Mail).

The Russian FA was charged after claims emerged of racist abuse targeted at Czech defender Theodor Gebre Selassie (pictured, left).

Pidgin English

Former England captain Gerry Francis has wished Roy Hodgson and the Three Lions good luck ahead of their match against France on Monday.

No big deal, right?

Well, Francis did the well wishing via carrier pigeon, according to the Daily Mirror.

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