Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours
Last updated on .From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, assistant David Platt and football administration officer Brian Marwood flew to France on Sunday to watch Lille playmaker Eden Hazard, 21, in his side's 4-0 win against Valenciennes.
Manchester United have targeted Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy, 26, as Sir Alex Ferguson continues his search for a new right-back.
Bayern Munich are set to offer Arjen Robben, 28, a bumper new deal to ward off interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.
Chelsea are keeping tabs on Havant & Waterlooville striker Ollie Palmer, 19, who has scored 14 goals since joining the club in September.
The Blues do face competition from AC Milan for the signature of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Willian, 23, in the summer.
Highly rated Ajax centre-back Jan Vertonghen, 24, is keen on a move to Arsenal this summer.
Luis Suarez has attempted to end speculation about his future by insisting that not only does he want to remain with Liverpool, but the Merseyside club are already looking to extend his contract.
Full story: the Times (subscription required)
OTHER GOSSIP
Bolton Wanderers are ready to pull out of the FA Cup after Fabrice Muamba's cardiac arrest in their quarter-final tie against Tottenham on Saturday. The club are said to be too distraught to return to White Hart Lane.
Muamba's chances of survival may have increased after Tottenham fan Dr Andrew Deaner, a consultant cardiologist at the London Chest Hospital, raced on to the pitch to give his assistance.
Former Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann has ruled himself out of the running to become Spurs manager if Harry Redknapp becomes the next England boss.
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew wants his side to win four more games this season to secure a top-six finish and European football.
Former England coach Fabio Capello maintains his decision to resign was correct because of the Football Association's decision to overrule him on the issue of removing the captaincy from John Terry.
West Brom have revealed that striker Shane Long missed two and a half months of action after suffering a heart scare.
AND FINALLY
Bayern Munich duo Franck Ribery and Toni Kroos came up with a novel way to decide who would take a penalty for the German side, a game of Schnick, Schnack, Schnuck or paper, scissors, stone.
Former Brazil forward Rivaldo - now 40 years old - scored a hat-trick for Angolan side Kabusciro on Saturday.
They might be Manchester rivals but Joe Hart, James Milner, Ashley Young and Chris Smalling have teamed up to help launch a computer game.
