Jimbo

Sunderland have pulled out of the race for Preston striker David Nugent. According to the Black Cats website, they agreed a "substantial fee" with the North End for the 22-year-old but will now focus on other targets. Club chief executive Peter Walker said: "I can confirm we have withdrawn our offer for the player. "Naturally work continues behind the scenes to strengthen our squad ahead of the new season and talks are on-going with a number of targets." Nugent was given permission to speak to two clubs after he returned from duty with the England Under-21 squad at the European Championship last month. One of the teams was believed to be Sunderland, while West Ham and Everton were also linked with him. Nugent joined Preston from Bury in January 2005 for a fee believed to be in the region of £100,000. The Liverpool-born forward has made 94 Championship appearances for Preston, scoring 33 goals. Sheffield United tried to buy him in the January 2007 transfer window but North End rejected the offer. But the striker made it clear last season that he saw his future in the Premiership. "I want to be playing in the Premiership week in, week out, that's where I need to be," he said. "I want it to be with Preston, but if not, it'll have to be somewhere else." Preston finished seventh in last season's Championship, missing out on a place in the play-offs. Nugent is an Everton fan and has previously said: "My hero was Duncan Ferguson and, hopefully, I will play for them in my career and I'm confident I will do." He made his full England debut in the win over Andorra in March, scoring in the final minute of the game. The cap was the first by a Preston player since Sir Tom Finney and he became England's first outfield player from outside the top-flight since Michael Gray in 1999.

Eidur Gudjohnsen is determined to fight for his place at Barcelona despite reports linking him with a £4.5m move to Newcastle, according to his father. Arnor Gudjohnsen, who also acts as his agent, said the striker would be keen to form a partnership with new £16.1m signing Thierry Henry next season. "A lot of clubs are interested in Eidur," Gudjohnsen told BBC Sport. "But he is determined to prove himself at Barca. He would compliment Henry because they play differently." He added: "I don't think the forward partnership of Samuel Eto'o and Henry would work as well. "Eidur can drop deep and play off Henry, which I think would work much better." Earlier, reports suggested that representatives from Newcastle were in Barcelona to negotiate a deal with the club's Brazilian midfielder Edmilson and the 28-year-old Iceland international. Gudjohnsen played under Magpies boss Sam Allardyce when they were both at Bolton, before the forward moved to Chelsea in 2000 where he spent six years. He moved to the Nou Camp in June 2006 for £8m, but failed to cement a regular place in the starting XI last season. Last month, the forward suggested he was keen on a return to Britain, in particular Manchester United, if Barca were to sell him. The player's father said there had not been negotiations with any clubs, although he added he was unsure as to whether his son featured in Barcelona's plans for next season. "Eidur is away on holiday now and he has not been in contact with any clubs. He is planning to meet up with his Barcelona team-mates for pre-season later in July," he said. "Although he wants to stay, I don't know what Barcelona's intentions are."

£16.35m ! Thats the Henry money gone

Arsenal snap up striker Da Silva Eduardo is Arsenal's first signing since the departure of Thierry Henry Arsenal have swooped to sign Croatian international striker Eduardo da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb. The 24-year-old, who scored against England in a Euro 2008 qualifier in October, has signed a four-year contract at the Emirates Stadium. The fee is undisclosed and Da Silva will be unveiled as an Arsenal player after completing a medical at the club. Da Silva moved to Croatia when he was 15 and took nationality at 22. He has scored seven goals for his country. Da Silva scored the first competitive goal at the Emirates when Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb 5-1 on aggregate in last season's Champions League third qualifying round. He finished the Croatian season with a record 34 goals.

Its not something I welcome coming from a player that has yet to kick a ball for the club, all players are ambitious but its not something that needs stating in my opinion.

Just a stepping stone are we ?

any opinions on these? What are you wanting ? just broadband or a TV/Broadband/telephone service ?

I don't find him funny in the slightest.

Norwich City are Celtic's sole rivals for Maceo Rigters, although the NAC Breda striker favours a move to Parkhead. Rigters is available for a knockdown fee of £400,000 and impressed for Holland at the recent European Under 21 Championship. Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and Rangers have all been linked with the forward, while NAC confirmed Celtic made an approach last week. The Scottish champions are due to hold talks with the player in the coming days and currently only have to fend off interest from Norwich to add Rigters to their list of summer signings. "I would hope to be in Glasgow on Monday and make a final agreement with Celtic," the pacey attacker's agent Tom Smit told the Daily Record. "It is my hope that we can agree a deal soon. If I can't get into Scotland right away I'll be there on Tuesday. "There are no other clubs involved apart from Norwich, but Celtic are way ahead." NAC are resigned to Rigters quitting the club and will leave a decision in the hands of the 23-year-old, who has been unhappy at not playing in his preferred position at his current club. Theo Mommers, NAC's general director, said: "I think now it is accepted he will not be staying. "There are clubs interested and it is now up to Maceo to make a choice."

Surely it would be one for the horror section if there was one.

Lots of headlines today regarding Owen staying and commiting to the club, all the little twat has got to do is to make a fucking statement, he's got a column in the Times ffs.

As much as I begrudge saying it, SKY would get my vote.

Could come in handy Aye, he's a dead ringer for Cristiano Ronaldo

Try downloading and running this: http://www.download.com/Advanced-WindowsCa...tml?tag=nl.e415

Ghostbusters, watched it with my kids today, still bloody brilliant.

You try dancing wearing all that bling

It was condemed to page 2 of The Daily Express by the "Diana's death linked to asylum seekers" story.

Paris Hilton has been released you know.

I think she was last seen releasing white doves during the Michael Jackson verdict.

I didn't know Bowling for Soup were on the list 1) Jaret Reddick is anything but a twat. 2) Bowling For Soup are a great live band. 3) I'd imagine half of you who think they're shit haven't even heard them. 1) Clearly a matter of some debate 2) and your experience of great live bands is ???? 3) Heard them, and would rather lick a 9v battery than hear them again. 1) There is none. 2) The Who, Depeche Mode, Pixies, Placebo etc have all been awesome live. And BFS of course. 3) 13 years together as a band so they can't be doing badly. You're easier to get a bite out of than The Fish

You being serious or a sensationalist? If Lampard was on his way to us, you'd cream your pants tttt! I rate that pair over two lampards didn't think it was that controversial really So what do Hargreaves and Carrick bring that a 40 goal a season pair of Lampards don't ??

I didn't know Bowling for Soup were on the list 1) Jaret Reddick is anything but a twat. 2) Bowling For Soup are a great live band. 3) I'd imagine half of you who think they're shit haven't even heard them. 1) Clearly a matter of some debate 2) and your experience of great live bands is ???? 3) Heard them, and would rather lick a 9v battery than hear them again.

Fat Frank will be off to Barca.

I didn't know Bowling for Soup were on the list

Did Duran Duran play A view to a kill ?