Below is a current summary of the rumours / speculation / imagination / fantasy around the comings and goings, but by the time you read this there will no doubt be a dozen more!
Incoming: Some Substance.
Steve Simonsen: Many sites reported that the deal was done but just awaiting a loyalty (!) bonus from his current employers on July 1st. There are also strong rumours in the last couple of days that Blackpool are interested and that wages were the stumbling block for United.
Alternatives to Simo are inevitably Mark Bunn who is said to be Blackwell`s favourite if Simo deal falls through, or Carl Ikeme who is also talked about as an alternative.
Nyron Nosworthy: Steve Bruce is said to want £500k for the player, Blackwell says wage demands are outside United`s budget but he is clearly interested in having the player back, The Star says that Blades are pressing ahead to try and get Nyron back.
Charlie Mulgrew: Blackwell confirmed that an offer has been made to the full back, but it is reported in the Scottish press that Celtic have contacted Aberdeen about taking the 24 year old back to Celtic. Mulgrew has been away on holiday until last weekend.
Andrew Surman: Lots of speculation from many different directions, The Star says Blackwell may renew interest now that Dingle Mick says he can go. A number of web sites speculating that Surman is a Blades target. The Daily Mirror and Sun are saying United will make / have made a £1.2m offer for the left sided player. Both Norwich and Forest have enquired about taking Surman on loan.
Other Rumours
Matt Sparrow: Scunthorpe midfielder 28, with 300 appearances for Scunny being reported on one site, sounds like this one is coming out of left field.
Tommy Spurr ; Total fantasy, or a wicked wendy wind up?
Jay Demerit : The US full back, who was at Watford for six years, is now a free agent. Blackwell said that one of the quartet of players he was looking at was currently at the World Cup, is it Jay?
Marlon Harewood : Supposedly three clubs, Blades, Pompey & Celtic are interested. Wrong side of 30, big wages, big attitude and very ugly. Hopefully another one from out of left field.
Silvan Ebanks-Blake: Being reported on a couple of sites. The players wage demands would stop this one, surely a newly promoted Prem club would be favourite IF Wolves wanted rid.
Michael Mifsud: McCabe was reported in the Malta media to have said that he was going to speak to Blackwell about the possibility of taking Mifsud. Sponsors would love it; he is currently back in Malta playing for Valletta.
Michael Tonge : Always likely to be linked with Blades now that Pulis wants rid. Earlier speculation seems to have faded away.
Stephen Jordan : Out of contract at Turf Moor, linked with Billy Sharp`s move but not part of the deal as the player is OOC. 28yr old spent 3 injury prone years at Burnley before being released.
The Dreaded Loans
Kyle Bartley : Blackwell has said that he wouldn`t want more than two season-long loans?.ideally! Many Blades would like to see the youngster back to partner Morgs. Bartley has let it be known that he would welcome a return to BDTBL.
Kyle Naughton : Much talk of Kyle coming back on a season loan, probably wishful thinking as ‘arry is quoted as saying he would want Kyles to go out to Premier clubs on loan. Ah well.
Carl Dickenson : The 23yr old Left Back received rave reviews whilst on loan at Dingles last season.
Outgoing (maybe)
Billy Sharp: Burnley web sites have had it as a done deal for a while. Supposedly for a £1.2m fee. Leeds also said to be interested and Donny said to be making an increase to their original derisory £600k offer. Billy is just back from honeymoon so likely to be some movement shortly. Blackwell says he has no idea what`s happening with Billy.
Darrius Henderson: Lots of unfounded rumours that United are anxious to get Hendo`s £14,000 per week off the wage bill. Speculation that Warnock may return for a second dip at United, having tried to get him on loan last season. Would he pass a medical at the moment?
Jamie Ward : Earlier speculation of Forest interest seems to have gone away.
Ryan France : Circulated as available to other clubs?
Sam Ellis: Is Big Sam to be replaced by Gary Speed MBE?
However speculative the vast majority of the above might be, Blackie still has a number of seats on Air Malta to fill in a few short weeks time!
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