Tuesday's gossip column
Last updated on .From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United winger Nani, 25, is close to signing a new contract, which will keep him at the club until 2016.
Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has ruled out a possible move to Manchester United this summer.
Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen, 24, who has been linked with Arsenal and Newcastle, says he has no intention of signing a new deal at Ajax and has reiterated his desire to join an English club.
Liverpool are watching Colombian striker Jackson Martinez but face competition from Porto for the 25-year-old, who plays for Mexican side Jaguares Chiapas.
Aston Villa are eyeing a move for Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks as they prepare to lose unsettled American keeper Brad Guzan, 27, who will be out of contract this summer.
Hamburg sporting director Frank Arnesen will fly in to London on Tuesday hoping that Chelsea will let him sign striker Romelu Lukaku on loan.
CHELSEA GOSSIP
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made indirect contact with Pep Guardiola to discover if the Barcelona coach would be interested in becoming Chelsea manager next season.
Full story: the Times (subscription required)
But Barcelona's players are convinced Guardiola will stay at the Nou Camp.
Abramovich will clear out some of Chelsea's biggest names this summer and is determined to see through the 'project' started by Andre Villas-Boas to create what one source described as a "hungry new team".
Chelsea target Jose Mourinho will demand £12m a year and the funds to bring winger Cristiano Ronaldo with him from Real Madrid before returning to Stamford Bridge.
Villas-Boas is reported to have left the training ground in tears after his sacking, as the majority of the club's players did not say goodbye to him.
Rafael Benitez has implied he would be interested in taking over at Stamford Bridge by talking up his relationship with former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and admitting he harbours ambitions to return to management with a "top club".
Former assistant boss Ray Wilkins says the Chelsea players should not be blamed for Villas-Boas's sacking - claiming they are a "delight to work with".
Abramovich told the players what he expected of them in a private meeting at the club's training ground only minutes after he had personally sacked Villas-Boas.
Villas-Boas had a secret meeting with Roma general manager Franco Baldini in February to discuss leading the team next season.
OTHER GOSSIP
West Brom boss Roy Hodgson is emerging as a serious rival to Harry Redknapp for the vacant England job.
Striker Carlos Tevez is set to his first public appearance for Manchester City since returning in a reserve game against Bolton Wanderers.
Full story: the Times (subscription required)
Former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce could be in line for a return to management with Turkish side Besiktas.
Blackburn manager Steve Kean believes goalkeeper Paul Robinson deserves an England recall. The 32-year-old retired from international duty after being ignored by former coach Fabio Capello.
Full story: Lancashire Telegraph
AND FINALLY
A South Korean environmental group is appealing to Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung, who wrote in his 2006 autobiography that he used to drink juice made from boiled frogs to build up his physique, to help it protect the amphibians from a surge in consumption.
Mario Balotelli's girlfriend has told the Manchester City striker said she is not ready for marriage yet — but is happy for him to visit strip clubs, so long as he behaves himself.
