On 5live this lovely morning: Phillips is leaving the mackums.

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

Answers

What did he say?

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

I was in the shower at the time so I'm not exactly sure but Man City were in the story as were the three big London teams

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

Nothing mentioned anywhere on the web...I would've thought if he'd confirmed he was leaving that it would have been big news...

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

I can't think of London clubs I consider to be big.....

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

BBC carrying the story that he wants to go south to Arse, Spurs or Chelsea but Man City and NUFC may also be interested. Don't think he would move except to London. Valued at £10M. Also story of Soernsen wants to go to Arse or Newton Heath and Makems looking at Harper as a replacement. Don't these players realize that not everyone can play for the "leading" two clubs and they would only warm the bench. Also if they play for a crap team, do they never think it may be crap because of them as well as their team mates?

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

"""Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips is reported to have asked for a transfer. Phillips, overlooked for England's friendly against Italy on Wednesday, is said to want a move to London.

The striker's goals - he has netted 121 times in just 191 Sunderland appearances - helped the Wearsiders to promotion from Division One and then to the verge of Uefa Cup qualification.

But this season has seen the Black Cats slump to a relegation battle after a disappointing run of form.

The Daily Express newspaper claims Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea are all keen to sign the striker, who is valued at about £10m.

Sunderland's fierce North East rivals Newcastle and Kevin Keegan's Manchester City have also been linked with the clinical front man.

But Phillips, who joined Sunderland from Watford in a £325,000 deal in 1997, is believed to be keen to move closer to his Hertfordshire roots.

BBC Sport Online understands that Phillips has not submitted a transfer request despite his frustration at his continued absence from the England squad.

Phillips insists he is concentrating on keeping the Black Cats in the Premiership.

He told Sunderland's official website: "It's about Sunderland for me.

"I've got to get on with things here as we have some massive games coming up.

"Our game against Leicester is massive. If we don't get something from that we deserve to be where we are."

Looks like bollocks to me. His only quotes are ones sayig he wants to stay. And that part about BBC online admitting that he hasn't handed in a transfer request.

This kind of story was bound to come ut shortly after he WASN'T picked for the England squad.

Obviously he will almost certainly go n the summer. But I think this story came from no-where and is speculation.

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

I bet he doesn't go to Ipswich.

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

Three big London clubs? That'll be Arsenal, Chelsea and erm - help me out here guys - oh yes - Newton Heath.

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

Howay Jonno...Chewsea aren't a big club.....

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

that's it Tony, finger on the pulse again.

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

".......have also been linked with the clinical front man".

Suspect this should have read ".......clinically- depressed front man". ;o{)

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002

Paper talk.

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2002