Friday's gossip column
Last updated on .From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Brendan Rodgers is set to raid Swansea for three of his former players after he is unveiled as Liverpool's new manager - forward Scott Sinclair, 23, midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, 22, and defender Ashley Williams, 27. Sigurdsson was set to join the Swans after a successful loan spell but has not completed his move yet.
Swansea midfielder Joe Allen, 22, is also being lined up for a move to Anfield - although the youngster, who came through the ranks at the Welsh club, has three years left on his contract and would cost Liverpool £10m.
The arrival of Rodgers has thrown Joe Cole, 30, an Anfield lifeline. The Liverpool midfielder, who spent the 2011-12 season on loan at Lille, knows Rodgers from his spell as Chelsea's reserve team manager.
Chelsea have agreed a fee of £38m for Porto striker Hulk, 25, and the deal is ready to be closed subject to a medical.
Bayer Leverkusen have ruled out a summer move for Dimitar Berbatov, 31, unless Manchester United release the striker on a free transfer.
Manchester City are battling with Juventus and Wolfsburg to sign £15m-rated Bologna midfielder Gaston Ramirez, 21, who has also been linked with Liverpool and Tottenham.
QPR are stepping up interest in Birmingham keeper Ben Foster, 29, with a £5m bid after an impressive season on loan at West Brom.
Manchester United have joined the race to sign Valencia defender Jordi Alba, 23. The left-back is also a target for Barcelona.
Manchester City are set to pip neighbours United to the signing of Dutch international midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 27, from Inter Milan.
Norwich striker Grant Holt, 31, is set to follow Canaries boss Paul Lambert to Aston Villa.
OTHER GOSSIP
Norwich are preparing to make an approach to Celtic for Neil Lennon to replace Aston Villa-bound Paul Lambert.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan believes Aston Villa are not a big enough club for Latics boss Roberto Martinez.
Steve Clarke is expected to leave his role as assistant manager at Liverpool following the arrival of Brendan Rodgers.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will demand to know whether he still has the board's full backing as a Middle East consortium prepares to try to tempt him to Qatar.
Manchester United goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel, 48, is returning to the club - most likely as an ambassador but he could also be involved in the coaching.
Blackburn manager Steve Kean has had talks with former Rovers defender Colin Hendry, 46, about coaching the first team and act as a link to the fans.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, 33, has revealed for the first time he would like to be a Premier League manager when he retires from playing.
England are worried about the fitness of Scott Parker, 31, and face going into Euro 2012 with only one fully-fit, first-choice central midfielder.
Liverpool are expected to announce within weeks they intend to stay at Anfield and not build their long-planned new stadium on Stanley Park.
Former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, 34, received £12m in compensation when he was sacked by the club in March.
AND FINALLY
Chelsea's stars have been preparing for their pre-season tour of the United States by trying their hand at a range of American sports.
