Friday's gossip column
Last updated on .From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Aston Villa have become the first Premier League club to try and snap up ex-Rangers winger Gregg Wylde, 20, who agreed to leave the financially-stricken SPL club this week. And they could soon be joined in the race by Bolton Wanderers.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reported to be lining up a bid to sign Dynamo Kiev's Ukrainian international striker Andriy Yarmolenko, 22.
Blackburn boss Steve Kean is hopeful of adding former Netherlands midfielder Bolo Zenden, 35, to his squad for the end-of-season relegation run-in.
Tottenham have joined Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to land Werder Bremen's 22-year-old midfield ace Marko Marin, according to German media reports.
OTHER GOSSIP
Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa, who guided the La Liga side to a famous victory over Manchester United on Thursday, has rejected two approaches from Roman Abramovich's staff over the Chelsea vacancy - because he will only talk to the owner himself.
Goalkeeper David de Gea has accused his team-mates of 'falling asleep' during United's shock Europa League defeat by his Spanish compatriots.
Harry Redknapp's son Jamie, the former England midfielder turned television pundit, is deeply worried about his dad becoming England manager because of the stress and pressure of the job.
Former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, 42, could be heading for a third Arsenal spell after being offered a temporary coaching role at the Emirates.
Stoke winger Jermaine Pennant has used his Twitter account to angrily deny he had been fined by manager Tony Pulis after claims he had broken club rules.
AND FINALLY
Former Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo abandoned his £200,000 black Lamborghini on the streets of Madrid - after it broke down on him.
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Lukas Podolski, 26, turned down a four-year deal worth £40m from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in favour of joining Arsenal this summer.
However, the Gunners risk losing club captain Robin van Persie, 28, for nothing in 2013 as the club plan to refuse all offers for the player.
AC Milan are plotting to reunite Carlos Tevez with Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano at the San Siro this summer.
Liverpool are the latest club to show an interest in Brazil defender Dede. The Vasco da Gama centre-back, 23, has been watched by Manchester United.
Juventus are ready to rile Manchester United by making a move for FC Basel star Granit Xhaka, 19, who is wanted by the Old Trafford club.
Swansea will have to pay £6m to sign loan star Gylfi Sigurdsson, 22, on a permanent basis from German club Hoffenheim.
Manchester City have agreed a deal for 15-year-old Anderlecht defender Mathias Bossaerts.
Everton are hoping to bring former Tottenham and Barnsley midfielder Emil Hallfredsson, 29, back to England but face a battle for his signature.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in signing 23-year-old Benfica midfielder Axel Witsel, according to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
OTHER GOSSIP
Tottenham are set to offer Harry Redknapp a new four-year deal and £50m in transfer funds in a bid to fend off any approach from the FA over the England manager's job.
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola will repel any attempt by Chelsea to lure him to Stamford Bridge, and plans to sign a new two-year contract in Spain.
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has told talkSPORT he's not sure if Lukas Podolski has what it takes to make it at Arsenal.
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona, who enjoyed a colourful career, has dismissed Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli's on-pitch antics as "calculated" and lacking "spontaneity."
David Beckham was involved in a sensational bust-up with Toronto fans on Wednesday night after he had a beer can thrown at him.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has brushed off speculation linking Luis Suarez with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Any hope the England squad had of their Euro 2012 base in Krakow providing rest and relaxation has been shattered by news that Poland's tourism board are advertising the town as an excellent fan-base for the tournament.
AND FINALLY
Newcastle chief Derek Llambias has admitted that the club's owner Mike Ashley still calls their home ground St James' Park - and says the fans should too.
High Flying Birds star and one-time Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher says Mario Balotelli is a "real rock star" and a "force of nature."
A former Portuguese Division Three player is suing the evangelical church which he claims cost him the chance to play for Manchester United.
Belgian footballer Julien Lecomte was sent off for diving while lying on a stretcher before being taken to hospital.
