Rumor Mill

BLUES CHASE TEVEZ

CHELSEA and big rivals Manchester United have joined Europe's top clubs in the battle to snap up Carlos Tevez.

West Ham's Argentine striker is already being chased by Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

The Hammers have first refusal to buy Tevez, 23, at the end of the season.

But they will not pay the £25million price tag even if they survive in the Premiership.

Chairman Eggert Magnusson has made no attempt to open talks with Kia Joorabchian, the man who owns the rights to Tevez.

Joorarchian was behind the loan deal that took Tevez and fellow Argy Javier Mascherano to Upton Park in August.

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JOSE MOURINHO is willing to become the next England manager.

The Chelsea boss WANTS to remain at Stamford Bridge but has become increasingly aware that Blues owner Roman Abramovich will oust him this summer.

And Mourinho has told pals that if he is axed by Chelsea and the England job becomes available he WILL talk to the FA.

A source admitted: "If Jose is out of Chelsea in the summer and there is a vacancy with England he would listen to what the FA have to say."

England boss Steve McClaren's position is under intense pressure. Should England fail to win their European Championship qualifier in Estonia on June 6 then McClaren will be sacked.

But there are senior figures at the FA who already think McClaren was the wrong choice to succeed Sven Goran Eriksson and want a change in the summer.

Key members of the FA's international committee will be intrigued to know that Mourinho would be willing to step in.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has been identified as the No1 choice to succeed McClaren. But Mourinho's potential availability will force a re-think.

In the past Mourinho, 44, has suggested running a national side would only happen later in his career and that he would like to coach his native Portugal.

But circumstances have changed. Mourinho wants to continue at Chelsea, until his deal ends in 2010. He and his family enjoy London but his relationship with Abramovich seems to have broken down irrevocably.

Mourinho recently hinted he would be interested in a move to Real Madrid. But it now seems Bernd Schuster is ready to take over there.

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RAUL TO KOP

LIVERPOOL are set to make a sensational swoop for Real Madrid legend Raul.

Rafael Benitez has been tipped off Real's skipper will be sold at a cut-price £5million at the end of the season.

And the Kop boss is in pole position to snap up the striker, who has been revered by Bernabeu fans for the last seven years.

Raul, 29, was a regular visitor to Anfield last season to watch close friend Fernando Morientes in action.

He developed a rapport with Benitez, whom he also knew when the Anfield chief was second-team coach at Real.

A Madrid source revealed: "Real president Ramon Calderon is starting to think it is time to overhaul the squad and bring in younger and fresher players."

Raul's agent, Gines Carvajal, declared: "If he leaves Real his destination would be easy to choose. It would be England."

Benitez would also like Barcelona hitman Samuel Eto'o but fears he may not be able to afford the Cameroon star.

OUCH!

Liverpool's Brazillian winger, Fabio Aurelio was streatchered off with a serious injury in last night's Champions League tie against PSV. Initial reports are a ruptured achilles and he may be out the rest of the season.

Bayern Munich and French defender, Willy Sagnol was also substituted during his match last night due to injury. Hitzfeld says, "He's got a serious meniscus injury...he won't be able to play for us again this season."

Liverpool 4 - 1 Arsenal

Liverpool's resident radio tower, Peter Crouch bagged the hat trick today! He had this to say,

"You don't care how they come but it was a nice hat-trick, I'm pleased
with it.
There was fantastic service. Up there on my own I had Stevie (Gerrard) around me. Sometimes you are a bit isolated but that wasn't the case today at all, my team-mates got round me and it makes it easier.
Today it was pleasing for us to get four goals and beat a class side. The manager let us
know beforehand we've had some disappointing results against Arsenal this season."

Bellamy Helps Wrexham

Liverpool's Craig Bellamy has donated part of his fine, for the bust up with Riise in Portugal, to help Wrexham survive.

Riise Declared Bankrupt

"Liverpool full-back John Arne Riise has been declared bankrupt by the courts for an unpaid debt of around £100,000."