Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours
Last updated on .From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester City are ready to listen to offers for striker Edin Dzeko, which has alerted both Juventus and Real Madrid. The 26-year-old cost city £27m last summer.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to reinforce the holding midfield position with Rennes' Yann M'Vila, 21, and Lucas Biglia, 26, on his radar.
Goalkeeper Ben Foster is in the middle of an increasingly heated tug of war between West Brom, who want to buy him, and current club Birmingham City.
Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says he will have to try and sign more "gems" like Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye if they are to continue to compete with the Premier League's elite.
Aston Villa target Bas Dost is set to snub interest from Alex McLeish's side after labelling them "not very good". The Dutch striker has scored 23 times for Heerenveen this season.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is planning a £12m bid for Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, as Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen prepare to leave Old Trafford.
Tranmere Rovers defender Danny Holmes is wanted by Rangers and Celtic as well as Liverpool. The 22-year-old was released by Rovers before he had a spell in the League of Wales.
OTHER GOSSIP
France coach Laurent Blanc could become the highest-paid manager in Britain if he is interested in taking charge of Chelsea.
Full story: The Times (subscription only)
Didier Drogba faces a Benfica backlash tonight after being filmed mocking the Portuguese giants by Chelsea TV, as he apparently quaked with fear when the Champions League draw was made.
Chelsea will consider lobbying the Football Association to have their FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham or Bolton brought forward 48 hours should they progress in the Champions League.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is ready to hand Carlos Tevez his first start since September on Saturday.
Midfielder Gareth Barry and assistant manager David Platt say Manchester City cannot afford another slip-up in the title race.
Full story: Manchester Evening News
Defender Sam Ricketts has revealed that the Bolton players were worried sick about friend and team-mate Fabrice Muamba.
Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner has scored three goals in his last five matches - despite not being able to see thanks to his mask.
AND FINALLY
Former Argentina star Diego Maradona took touchline antics to a new level at the weekend by performing a roly-poly after his side, Al Wasl in the UAE, missed a clear chance in front of goal.
Ruben Negredo, the brother of Alvaro, enjoyed an amazing match for Spanish side Gimnastica Torrelavega against Burgos. He scored at one end before saving a penalty at the other.
