Soccer: January 8, 2007

Several Sunday newspapers in England claimed that Jose Mourinho could soon be on his way from Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea is believed to have rubbished the speculation. The gist of the stories in the papers was that Jose Mourinho's relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and chief executive Peter Kenyon allegedly had become strained and that Abramovich's good friend Guus Hiddink is in line to replace Mourinho in the summer. -- Goal.com

Croatia center-back Josip Simunic has claimed that Chelsea want him to be the man to solve their defensive problems. Chelsea is also said to be chasing Bolton's Israeli defender Tal Ben Haim, Manchester City's Micah Richards and PSV's Carlos Salcido. -- eurosports.com

Real Madrid is reported to be lining up a £30million swoop for Cristiano Ronaldo despite United insisting he is going nowhere. Alex Ferguson has already blasted reports suggesting he could lose the winger to Real. -- clubcall.com

Aston Villa and Bordeaux are competing to sign Sevilla striker Kepa Blanco on loan. -- eurosports.com

Celtic midfielder Stephen Pearson is poised to link up with his former Motherwell manager Billy Davies at Pride Park. -- fansfc.com

Everton manager David Moyes has dampened speculation linking the Toffees' ex-Spurs midfielder Simon Davies with a return to London. -- Goal.com

Blackburn Rovers have given a trial to Feyenoord forward Ali Boussaboun. The 27-year-old Morocco international has a further two-and-a-half years to run on his deal at Feyenoord, but has been told he can seek out a new club in January. -- eurosports.com

Newcastle is again being linked with Bordeaux full-back Gerald Cid. -- fansfc.com

Aston Villa is hoping to complete the loan signing of defender Phil Bardsley from Manchester United. -- Goal.com