Saturday's gossip column
Last updated on .From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester City are plotting a sensational bid to bring 22-year-old striker Daniel Sturridge back to the club after enquiring about the Chelsea striker's contract situation.
Real Madrid are prepared to ignore Chelsea and offer 24-year-old striker Gonzalo Higuain to Manchester City.
Meanwhile, AC Milan are believed to be desperate to sign Manchester City frontman Mario Balotelli, 21. The Italian giants are preparing a big-money move for the £30m-rated striker.
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has again indicated his desire to lure 25-year-old Porto striker Hulk to Stamford Bridge, saying the Brazil international "fits the profile" of the player he is looking for.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have been alerted to the availability of Sao Paulo 19-year-old midfielder Lucas Moura, after it was revealed the Brazilian playmaker has stepped up English lessons in a bid to attract Premier League interest.
Liverpool are believed to have expressed their interest in signing 20-year-old Barcelona forward Cristian Tello.
Ivica Olic is one of the names on Alex McLeish's summer wish-list. The 32-year-old Bayern Munich forward was scouted by Aston Villa a couple of weeks ago as the Scot looks to complete a major overhaul of his playing staff at the end of the season.
Rubin Kazan are ready to make an offer to take Manchester City's 19-year-old striker John Guidetti, who made his debut for Sweden last week, to Russia, after some superb performances while on loan at Feyenoord.
OTHER GOSSIP
Alan Shearer is anticipating one of Newcastle's toughest Tyne-Wear derbies for years against Sunderland this Sunday - but is confident that with the backing of the Geordie fans it can be another day to remember on Tyneside.
Full story: Newcastle Chronicle
QPR owner Tony Fernandes admits the club have made plans for relegation back to the Championship.
Roberto Mancini believes Mario Balotelli is Italy's best striker. But the Manchester City boss has warned he must improve his behaviour to get back on to the international scene.
Sir Alex Ferguson is on the trail of one of South America's top prospects after receiving glowing form reports on Vasco da Gama's emerging Brazil defender Dede, 23.
Midfielder Jamie O'Hara admits he is playing through the pain barrier to help Wolves' survival fight.
Manchester City midfielder David Silva says he has been playing with a wounded left ankle for the past four years.
The same newspaper reports that City manager Roberto Mancini has warned Real Madrid that Manchester City have no interest in swapping Sergio Agüero for Gonzalo Higuaín, but admitted he would welcome the Argentine forward to the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham will step up their attempts to sign Jan Vertonghen, 24, from Ajax, with sources in Holland claiming £10m could be enough to land the Belgium defender.
Full story: London Evening Standard
AND FINALLY
Arsenal teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took on 21-year-old Liverpool's Jordan Henderson in a 'keepy-uppy' challenge ahead of their Premier League clash this weekend.
