Wednesday's gossip column
Last updated on .From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Lille attacker Eden Hazard, 21, has dropped the biggest hint yet about his preferred Premier League destination. The Belgian has declared that he will "definitely" be wearing blue next season, shortening the odds on a move to Manchester City or Chelsea.
In-demand Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen has urged the Amsterdam side not to price him out of a move to Tottenham.
Arsenal have agreed a fee of around £17m with Rennes for 21-year-old anchorman Yann M'Vila. The deal is set to be concluded at the end of the season.
The Gunners' spending could continue with the acquisition of Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm.
Tottenham full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto has denied reports he has a "gentleman's agreement" with chairman Daniel Levy to leave White Hart Lane this summer.
Liverpool are set to revive their interest in Dutchman Eljero Elia, who they first tracked when he was at Hamburg. The 25-year-old attacker has failed to settle at Juventus and is keen to leave Italy in search of first-team football.
Everton left-back Leighton Baines, 27, is a summer target for both Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green is ready to swap the Championship for the Champions League with a move to Spanish side Malaga.
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has identified 29-year-old Wolves midfielder Karl Henry as the man to add experience to his side in the summer.
Stoke are ready to make a £4m swoop for Swedish defender Martin Olsson, 23, who is likely to leave Blackburn following their relegation to the Championship.
Canadian forward Junior Hoilett, 21, another player set to depart Ewood Park, has been targeted by Sunderland.
MK Dons are preparing a double swoop for Dundee United pair Paul Dixon and Scott Robertson, while Aberdeen have joined Hibernian in the race to sign out-of-contract Tannadice midfielder Danny Swanson.
Full story: the Sun
OTHER GOSSIP
Chelsea defender John Terry could be the surprise omission from new manager Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2012.
Hodgson believes he cannot select Terry alongside Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and is ready to make a choice between the pair. Former captain Terry will appear in court accused of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother Anton in July.
The England boss already knows his Euro 2012 squad and will name the 23 players he wants to take to Poland and Ukraine on 16 May.
Veteran Everton defender Phil Neville, 35, could join Hodgson's backroom staff for the tournament.
West Brom are in talks with former Chelsea and Inter Milan boss Claudio Ranieri to replace England-bound Hodgson.
But the Baggies are also planning to speak to Birmingham City manager Chris Hughton this week - if the Blues fail to beat Blackpool in their Championship play-off semi-final tonight.
Full story: the Daily Telegraph
Wigan owner Dave Whelan feared the Football Association would approach his manager Roberto Martinez about replacing Fabio Capello as England boss. Whelan insists the Spaniard is "the best manager in the Premier League".
Full story: the Daily Telegraph
Manchester City are planning to offer a new four-year contract worth £22m to Roberto Mancini - putting the Italian alongside Sir Alex Ferguson as the Premier League's best-paid manager.
Wolves caretaker boss Terry Connor could get the job on a permanent basis after having a formal interview for the post.
Rangers owner Craig Whyte is on the verge of striking a deal to sell the club to a wealthy British consortium made up of a number of people with experience from clubs in England's Premier League.
Full story: the Sun
American trucking tycoon Bill Miller says he withdrew his bid for Rangers because he did not wish to risk a portion of his children's inheritance in a takover that involved such huge costs amid much uncertainty and facing hostility from the club's fans.
Full story: Daily Record
Furious Rangers players are set to demand showdown talks with the club's administrator as many of their contracts near expiry and they have complained to the players' union they are being kept in the dark.
Full story: Daily Record
AND FINALLY
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso, who spent five seasons at Liverpool before moving to the Bernabeu, kept boss Jose Mourinho, formerly Chelsea's manager, informed on how their old teams were getting on in Saturday's FA Cup final, despite Real being in the midst of a league match away to Malaga. Alonso, named as a substitute, kept abreast of the latest score via his mobile phone on the bench.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has made a cameo appearance in French singer Julia Channel's music video.
