Mark Hughes look set to be given another shot at the Premier League where he is about to be unveiled as the new manager at Fulham Football Club which does not have a replacement since Roy Hodgson left Craven Cottage to manager Liverpool. Hughes was unceremoniously sacked by Manchester City and was replaced with Roberto Mancini last year.

It was reported that Hughes agreed to a £2 million-a-year contract and Mark Bowen will also be roped in to assist him. According to a spokesperson for Fulham, "I can confirm that we are hopeful of an announcement within the next 24/48 hours.''

 Chelsea has moved to quash the rumours of a Didier Drogba departure and that the Ivory Coast forward will still be at the club when the season starts. On top of that, the club also confirmed that there will be funds coming to the manager Carlo Ancelotti to beef up the squad. He has since the season ended signed Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool while Joe Cole was allowed to leave for free.

According to Ron Gourlay,t he Chief Executive of Chelsea, ''If Carlo wants to bring a player or two into the squad then we will look at that. It has to be the right player to fit into the squad and obviously at the right price. If these things all come together then fine, we'll strengthen the squad. But only if Carlo feels it's necessary. Didier will be a Chelsea player next year. Didier is under contract,'' he said. ''The thing about this time of year is we always get (this). For our players to be in the news - it's normal. But Didier Drogba will be a Chelsea player next year.''

 Argentinean captain Javier Mascherano has told Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson that he wants to leave the club and perhaps team up with his former boss Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan. This was confirmed by Hodgson after holding talks with the player. Hodgson however said that his star striker Fernando Torres is still committed to the club despite reports that he wants to leave and is expected to report for training starting next week.

Hodgson said "Yes, he wants to leave the club. He has made that perfectly clear. I think he wanted to leave a year go. He wants to leave now but he is contracted to Liverpool so whether he leaves or not will be our decision. As far as I know he (Torres) is looking forward to coming back here; he is back on Monday,'' Hodgson said. "He is enjoying a holiday - a well-deserved break as he has not had one for three years. He is spending a lot of time with his family, keeping a low profile and as far as I know he is not really speaking to anyone. But he has told us that he is looking forward to Monday, looking forward to getting back to work and looking forward to playing for Liverpool next season. That is what I know so other reports, I would suggest, are erroneous.''

 Liverpool’s vice-captain Jamie Carragher is looking forward to the new season and is confident that his teammate Fernando Torres will still be a player for the club when the season kicks off. Speculations have been rife about Torres’ wanting to leave Anfield with cash-rich clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City all said to be interested.

Carragher said ""There's been a lot of negativity and it's been like that for a while, but I'm sure that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will still be involved at the club next season. If they are, then the aim for Liverpool must be to get back into the Champions League. We have to build. Next season, rather than thinking too much about the title, we have to concentrate on getting back into the top four. It's a rebuilding process again and hopefully we can get ourselves right up there."

 Roy Hodgson, the new Liverpool manager who took over from Rafael Benitez has had a tough week after almost failing to convince prized striker Fernando Torres to stay in the club as well as a fresh bid from Real Madrid for Steven Gerrard which might be equally unsettling. But some good news came his way when Alberto Aquilani is reported to be fit to play in the upcoming Europa League clash with FK Rabotnicki.

Aquilani only started 9 times under Rafael Benitez and his return to fitness would be a boost for Hodgson who had to make do with what he got after most of the players are resting after the World Cup. He said "Peter [Brukner, head of sports medicine and sports science] told me he ran for the first time on Saturday. So I would expect him to be fit for Thursday. I don't know what to do at this stage. I will have to liaise with them and Peter Brukner and make a decision by Tuesday on what sort of team I can put out. I can promise the Liverpool fans we will put out the best possible team, without compromising the future."

 Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager who seemed to have endless money to spend to bring in players is looking to add on and make his biggest purchase where he gets ready to try and bring Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to the Eastlands.

This came in the wake of reports that Torres is believed to be unsettled in the club where new manager Roy Hodgson publicly admitted that he has done all he can to try and keep Torres at Anfield. speculation is going around that he might be allowed to spend up to £70 million to sign Torres.

He said "Torres is one of the best strikers in Europe and is already playing in the Premier League for three years and knows it very well. But it depends on his situation - his price and whether he wants to come. There are two or three strikers that we could go for, but it is the same situation as it is with James Milner. First there is the price and then it depends if the players want to change team. Until today, Liverpool haven't bought many players.''

 Liverpool suffered a new setback after Roy Hodgson revealed that he has had talks with star striker Fernando Torres and has done everything he could to keep him at Anfield but the problem is between Torres and the club and not him. Since signing Joe Cole, he has succeeded in keeping captain Steven Gerrard at the club and the big question mark is on whether Torres will stay too.

He said "Unfortunately, I cannot do much more. His beef is with the club and not me. Fernando's situation has nothing to do with me, he made that perfectly clear over the phone during the World Cup and when I met him face-to-face. He knows what I would like to do with the club. He knows how much I value him. But his issues are with what has gone on in the past rather than the future. If he has problems with the club for things in the past, it is difficult for me to dismiss that. People forget he is a Liverpool player. One year ago he signed a four-year contract. I hope he will commit himself by honouring his contract."

Meanwhile, former Kop legend Kenny Dalglish said "When Torres sees that [Cole signing] and talks with Roy I am sure he will give us good news. I hope Torres stays. Only Fernando knows what is going to do. Unfortunately for him he is injured, but he is a fantastic player and is very happy around the club and the city. The fact that Stevie is staying will be a great help and players like Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson means there is buying for the present and the future. Roy is going to stamp his own authority on the club - but it is difficult at the moment because the players are coming back in dribs and drabs after the World Cup and you don't have everyone coming back together.''

 It appears that Dutch striker Rafael van der Vaart wants to leave Real Madrid and is interested to join the English Premier League. He spent 2 seasons in Spain and with the arrival of Jose Mourinho, it is becoming apparent that he might be missing out on first team football, which have become quite a rarity for him of late.

He said "I have heard of the interest from Liverpool and Chelsea - and that is very flattering. If either of them were willing to offer me first-team football, I will be honest that it would be very hard for me to not listen to what they had to say. I think I have the relationship with Madrid where they understand my position and would let me hold talks. I expect the majority of transfers to be concluded in the next two weeks, and if Chelsea or Liverpool wanted to talk with me I would at the very least listen to what they have to say. They are both giants, and if they could offer first-team football it may prove impossible to turn down. Real Madrid is the most prestigious club in the world and I am happy here and also in Spain, butI am at the age where I have to be playing first-team football.

Van der Vaart, who also did not feature much at the recently concluded World Cup added that "I am getting to the point where I will be hitting my peak years and I need to spend those years at a club where I will be playing regularly. The boss knows how much he plans to use me, and if he is willing to listen to offers for me. I wouldn't be willing to play for any clubs in Spain out of respect for Madrid, so in my eyes the only other place to go would be the Premier League. It's the only league that competes with the standard of La Liga."

 Martin O’Neill, the Aston Villa manager has said that his prized winger James Milner can leave club and join Manchester City if a deal can be struck between the 2 clubs. It seems that the relationship between the player and manager has soured following the reluctance of O’Neill to allow Milner to leave.

O’Neill said "The state of affairs is really straightforward. James and his agent came to see us before the World Cup and intimated that they would like to go. Then Manchester City made the offer, which we told them about. There is a difference of valuation at this moment between the buying club and the selling club. That may well be resolved and if that is the case then absolutely fine. I think James' agent has told our chief executive that he wouldn't be signing a new contract. Obviously that puts a different slant on things, like everything else. If a fee is agreed, at the end of the day, the player can leave.''

He also said that"There's no point in me mentioning names but, without wanting to lose players of the calibre of Milner, we would want to try to recruit some players. But, as the chairman said at the back end of last season, it's probably going to be a case of having to sell to buy and that's something I'm delving into at the moment. I think Aiden McGeady has the ability to play in the Premier League, without question.''

 Martin O’Neill, the Aston Villa manager has said that his prized winger James Milner can leave club and join Manchester City if a deal can be struck between the 2 clubs. It seems that the relationship between the player and manager has soured following the reluctance of O’Neill to allow Milner to leave.

O’Neill said "The state of affairs is really straightforward. James and his agent came to see us before the World Cup and intimated that they would like to go. Then Manchester City made the offer, which we told them about. There is a difference of valuation at this moment between the buying club and the selling club. That may well be resolved and if that is the case then absolutely fine. I think James' agent has told our chief executive that he wouldn't be signing a new contract. Obviously that puts a different slant on things, like everything else. If a fee is agreed, at the end of the day, the player can leave.''

He also said that"There's no point in me mentioning names but, without wanting to lose players of the calibre of Milner, we would want to try to recruit some players. But, as the chairman said at the back end of last season, it's probably going to be a case of having to sell to buy and that's something I'm delving into at the moment. I think Aiden McGeady has the ability to play in the Premier League, without question.''

 Albert Rieira, the Liverpool winger has signed for Greek side Olympiakos. The Spaniard has been linked with a move away from the club since his outburst when Rafael Benitez was at the helm and is now surplus to requirements managed by Roy Hodgson. It is believed that the deal is worth £3.3 million.

A statement from the club read "Olympiakos announce the acquisition of Liverpool's Spanish international Albert Riera. The player has signed a four-year agreement.” The player said "I am eager for titles and honours. I am comfortable with my decision and I will be playing with a group hunting for trophies. I came to win titles, which are missing from my career. I was told the fans were coming but what I saw was much more than I expected. I did not expect so many people, honestly. It was a surprise for me. Such enthusiasm is good for the club. I understand how important the support of the people is, it's priceless."

 Arjen Robben, the Dutch forward has likened Liverpool with Barcelona in their attacking department after the acquisition of Joe Cole. He said that with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, they are as lethal as the Barcelona’s strikeforce of Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the latest signing David Villa.

Robben who was team mates with Cole during their time in Chelsea said "With a front three of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Cole I think Liverpool will be a real force in the Premier League. Last year was a freak year, but if those three click I can see them seriously challenging for the title. You look at those as a front three and you struggle to find a better front three in Europe - and I include Barcelona's in that. I read Gerrard's words about Joe being as good as Messi on the ball and I couldn't agree more. After training with him for so long I can tell you some of the things he can do with a football are as good as anything I have ever seen. If Joe is now played in a more central position he will score and create a lot of goals, I see him as a real runner for player of the season. He is not just about tricks, though his vision is fantastic. The chances he will create for Torres will help Liverpool to have a trophy-winning season."

"I think it was a big mistake of Chelsea's letting Joe go, and I am sure the fans feel the same way. At 28 even with his injuries Joe must still be a £15 million-pound player in the current market. I am sure Chelsea didn't want to sell him, he has already come out and said there are political reasons behind the move and I am sure we will hear more on that when he is ready. He loved London, he loved the Chelsea fans, and he loved the club so something must have really upset him for him to reject Chelsea's offer. I know Joe and the decision would have definitely been a footballing one and not a money one."

 Martin O’Neill, the Aston Villa manager has confirmed the claims that his star player James Milner is interested to move away Villa Park and join Manchester City who have had an earlier £20 million bid rejected. He said that should they agree for a fee, then Milner will be allowed to leave for City.

O’Neill said "There is a question mark over James Milner. I had a conversation with James before the World Cup and he intimated that he would like to go at that time. I haven't spoken to him since. I know there have been conversations with his agent and our chief executive. Manchester City have made an offer for the player but certainly there is a difference in valuation, but I'm sure things will get resolved. James is due back next week after an extended stay after the World Cup - the same as the rest of the World Cup players like Emile Heskey, Stephen Warnock and Brad Guzan. They are all due back next week and I imagine things will get resolved one way or the other in the very foreseeable future."

 Promoted back to the Premier League after 1 season in the Championship, Newcastle United has been working swiftly to beef up their squad after signing Dan Gosling from Everton who did not renew his contract when he walked away from Goodison Park at the close season.

He said "It's a brilliant move for me. Now that the deal is done, I just can't wait to get started. I've played at St James' Park before and know all about the amazing atmosphere. Playing there in a black-and-white shirt is something I've thought about already and it will be a great day when I finally get to walk out in front of 50,000 people. The gaffer, Chris Hughton, and all of the lads have been great with me and made me feel really welcome since I arrived and hopefully I can repay the faith they've shown in me."

Magpies boss Chirs Hughton said "He's the right age and the profile that he has is what makes it such an appealing capture for us. He's young but has Premier League experience and he's someone who can continue to develop his game. We see him as a high-energy player and a player that can play from box to box, but he's also a young player with experience, so he won't be phased by what is ahead of him."

 Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has opened the doors for Nemanja Vidic to leave if he wants to. He suggested that Vidic could leave after being linked with Real Madrid where he prefers the warmer climate and where he raised his disappointment for not having his wages readjusted.

Ferguson was non-committal on whether Vidic will still be a Devil when the season starts. Pailo Fabbri, Vidic’s agent had earlier said "We are waiting for Nemanja to tell us what we he wants to do. We are waiting - as it is up to him. We have requested some time from United to think about things. Any eventual transfer will take place only after the World Cup finals."

 Manchester United veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs said that the upcoming English Premier League season will be as competitive as ever and that one cannot rule out any possibilities and that Liverpool must be given much attention as they could be winners of the league. Liverpool finished a disappointing seventh last season where Rafael Benitez has since left to manage Inter Milan.

Giggs said "Two years ago they were close to winning the Premiership so you can never write them off. They have got a new manager - it just depends how it goes really. It is dangerous to write off a team with Liverpool's history. They have won the same amount of leagues as us and you can't just dismiss that really. They are a huge football club and a massive team."

He also commented on the chances of neighbours Manchester City where he said "I think so. The rivalry has always been there but I think it has been turned up a notch purely because of how much money they have got. I felt that last season with the first game. The build-up to it was huge. The world was watching because they were watching the biggest team in the world, which is us, and the richest team in the world, which is them. It is great for the city to have that kind of interest, the world watching you, but it has probably gone up a notch with the rivalry."

 New Liverpool signing Joe Cole has hailed the club as the ‘biggest club’ in England after his move to Anfield was finalized. Cole was released by Chelsea on a free transfer when the season closed and he was linked with a move to various clubs around Europe but has decided to join Liverpool.

He said "I set myself a deadline to make a decision and when I made it I sent a text to Christian Purslow and Steven Gerrard and then turned my phone off. I know I have made the right decision and I am looking forward to the challenge. This is a challenge for me. I have played in London all my life. I could have stayed at Chelsea because the fans loved me and I won things, but I wanted to challenge myself and when I knew Liverpool were interested it was a no-brainer because they are the biggest club in the country. This is a massive club. I tried to take everything out of the equation, take the financial and location side out and just thought in football terms. I thought about the semi-final of the Champions League in 2005 when I ran onto the field and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I was thinking about playing in that atmosphere every week and that swung it for me."

Team captain Steven Gerrard welcomed Cole to Anfield and for that he said "That was the best bit of news I could have had. I know Stevie, he is Liverpool through and through and I know from playing with and against him for the last ten years what a quality player he is. I know how much this club means to him. I think players can play for other clubs but with Liverpool you have to live and breathe it. It's that kind of a place. I am excited by the challenge. I am moving my family and everyone is excited and booking their weekends up here. I am going to make it work. I had a chat with the gaffer about football and was impressed with him. The club has had Spanish and French managers over the years and I think it's a breath of fresh air to get an Englishman in. The club finished seventh last year, which wasn't good enough, and he explained where the club wants to go. I jumped on board because with the players we have here and the players we are looking to bring in, it's definitely going in the right direction."

 Following the ban by Tottenham Hotspur on vuvuzelas, 2 other Premier League teams have followed suit which are Arsenal and Birmingham City. This follow the negative reports on how vuvuzelas which rose to popularity at the South Africa World Cup which is deafening and annoying.

According to a statement by Spurs, "Further to their hugely debated involvement at this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa, Arsenal Football Club has decided to forbid the use of vuvuzelas within Emirates Stadium with immediate effect. This decision has been taken to ensure the enjoyment and safety of supporters on matchdays, which is of paramount importance to the club."

Birmingham City joins the chorus by stating that "Blues can confirm that supporters will not be allowed to bring vuvuzelas into St. Andrew's on matchdays. The club took into account feedback from both supporters and relevant bodies such as the Safety Advisory Committee and have made the decision on health and safety grounds. An overwhelming majority of Blues supporters said they didn't want vuvuzelas to be allowed at St Andrew's."

 Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who has held talks with his new manager Roy Hodgson said that he will be happy to stay in Liverpool. He has since been linked with a move away from Anfield after last season where the team failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

He said "I made it clear that I simply needed to concentrate on the World Cup and then have a decent holiday with my family. I wanted the chance to meet Roy Hodgson privately and, having done so, I'm very impressed with his plans for the future. I can't wait for the new season to start. I've told him what a great club this is and I'm sure Joe's the sort of exciting talent our fans will love to see. It is a great signing for us. I know Joe well through the England set-up and have seen firsthand just how good a player he is. He has proved his ability over many years in the Premier League - sometimes against us - so it will be fantastic to play alongside him in a red shirt for Liverpool."

For that, Hodgson would be more than happy with Gerrard’s commitment who will be teaming up with his new signing Joe Cole. He said "It's a great piece of news. There won't be anyone in Liverpool today who isn't delighted to hear that. I'm really pleased about it because I've got great respect for Steven Gerrard. He's a player who I was really looking forward to working with when I came to Liverpool. It seems now with that commitment that this will happen. It gives everyone a boost without question. It will be a tough season, with a lot of matches and the disappointment of last season is going to take a while to dissipate, but it is very good that our best player is still going to be playing at this club. Hopefully with the signing of Joe Cole - and if we are lucky one or two others, to boost the squad - we will be going into this season's competition, maybe stronger on paper than we were last season."

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has chosen to sign for Liverpool next season after he accepted the £90,000-a-week salary. He is at the moment going through his medical at Anfield and could be confirmed very soon.

Cole has been the subject of speculation since his contract was not renewed by Chelsea and Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur has been on the radar but Cole surprised everyone when he opted to move to Merseyside while Yossi Benayoun has moved to Stamford Bridge.