Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has joined up with his team-mates for their pre-season tour of the Far East but the Real Madrid target has still left a question mark over his future at the club. He told Spanish newspaper AS: “It is always a great feeling when Madrid want you, especially considering the phase of the career I am in now.

“But at this point, whether or not that can happen is not up to me. It’s a matter that involves three parties, including myself. I do not like to force the issue. I prefer to talk.”

All this translate to Alonso willing to stay at Liverpool but he won’t be happy about it.

Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead has not travelled with the rest of the team to their pre-season training camp in the Algarve in order to complete a move to Stoke. Full story: The Shields Gazette

Hockey coach Mike Keenan whenever he took on a new job use to put a stamp on the team but either trading away the captain or one of the clubs most popular players. This way the message is sent that it’s now his club going forward. Don’t exactly think Steve Bruce is doing the same thing here but it wouldn’t be the worst idea he could have.

Manchester City will up their bid to £40m to try to prise centre-back John Terry out of Chelsea’s grasp. Daily Mail

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has urged fans not to criticise club “legend” and team-mate John Terry if he decides to leave the Stamford Bridge outfit. The England defender has been targeted by Manchester City. Daily Star

Somehow I doubt Chelsea fans being too understanding if the face of the club wishes to pack up for Manchester City. It’s one thing heading off to Italy like Frank Lampard had the chance to do. Out of sight out of mind in that case. It’s another when you are going to another club within the same division where you’ll have to face them twice a year.

Hull City are keen on Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin but want the Ukraine international on loan rather than as a permanent signing. Daily Mirror

Hull City would want just about any player who would be willing to play for them.

Manchester United are trying to negotiate down the price of Gremio midfielder Douglas Costa, while Chelsea, Real Madrid and Villarreal have entered the fray for the Brazilian. Guardian

Picked the wrong summer to try and lower the cost of a player.

Fulham have been offered the chance to sign Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen, who has turned down a £6m move to Fenerbahce. Times

Fenerbahce should of been the ones to turn Poulsen down for £6m. Poulsen was one of the biggest transfer flops last summer which most people predicted right when Juventus signed him from Sevilla.

Blackburn’s flirtation with signing former Inter Milan striker Christian Vieri has ended, with Rovers manager Sam Allardyce believing the Italian is too unfit. Daily Mirror

Can’t say I’m shocked by this. Robbie Fowler’s Blackburn career would of had more impact than Christian Vieri would offer this season.

Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy says he has no plans to leave the club, despite the increased competition for places up front following the signing of Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz and Emmanuel Adebayor. Daily Mirror

Bellamy plans to spend half the season injured anyway so it’s good to have so many strikers around.