The Rumour Mill: Will Joe Cole Be Heading to Manchester United on a Free?

Jon Naylor gives you the roundup of this week’s best sporting rumours...

The most speculation this week surrounds Joe Cole.

With Cole out of contract in the summer, the winger appears to be surplus to requirements at Chelsea, and replacements are already being lined up. Possible additions include Landon Donovan and Franck Ribery, but the Blues will have to fend off interest from Real Madrid for the highly rated Frenchman.

Cole is likely to head to Manchester United on a free should he be released, a move which is likely to anger many Chelsea fans.

Speculation has been mounting that Man City’s troublesome striker Robinho could be heading back to the club after a loan spell at Santos. The Brazilian had previously stated that he didn’t want to go back, but a £2 million payment on a converted barn in Manchester would hint otherwise.

Another striker who might be on the move is Mario Balotelli. The Italian has caught the eye of Arsene Wenger, who will have to shell out some serious money to bring the 21-year-old to Arsenal.

The Gunners look increasingly likely to have lost William Gallas to Roma. Gallas has been offered a contract for half his current wages at the Emirates, but Roma can pay him more and so he could well be on his way to Serie A.

In Formula One, Schumacher can either “absolutely win the title” or is “out of his mind” to return, depending on who you listen to.

IMPROBABLE RUMOUR OF THE WEEK:

Liverpool are lining up Alex McLeish to replace Rafa Benitez if the Spaniard heads to Juventus this summer.