Wednesday's gossip column
Last updated on .From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Spain's Santi Cazorla, 27, after the Malaga midfielder agreed terms with the Gunners.
Joe Allen, 22, can leave Swansea for £15m thanks to a clause in his contract but only to a 'top five' club, which includes Liverpool.
Paris Saint-Germain are ready to outbid Real Madrid for Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric, 26.
Tottenham have accused Arsenal of making a fake bid for French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, 25, who is a Spurs target.
Spurs have made an enquiry about long-term Chelsea target and Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Willian, 23.
Lucas Moura, 19, is staying with Sao Paulo and will not move to Manchester United this summer, according to the Brazilian midfielder's agent.
And Sao Paulo president Juvenal Juvencio is determined to hold on to Lucas, according to reports in Brazil.
United could be considering one final swoop for Lucas or face watching the deal collapse.
AC Milan want to open talks with Manchester City over the possibility of signing Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, 28.
Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov is close to a return to Serie A as Inter Milan look to finalise a £6.2m deal.
Oscar, 20, is edging nearer his move to Chelsea according to Internacional's president Giovanni Luigi, who claims discussions are at an advanced stage.
Roma have edged ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United in the race to sign Benfica midfielder Axel Witsel, 23.
Newcastle have dismissed claims that Rubin Kazan are set to sign Demba Ba, 27, as the Russian side look to trigger striker's £7m exit clause.
Loic Remy is moving closer to joining Newcastle after they contacted his club Marseille with a view to signing the £15m-rated France striker.
Everton defender Johnny Heitinga, 28, is set to move to Turkish side Fenerbahce in a £5m deal within the next few days.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez could beat Everton, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Celtic to sign Real Mallorca centre-back Ivan Ramis, 27.
Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo, 23, claims Swansea want to sign him from Italian club Udinese.
Full story: South Wales Evening Post
Aston Villa are set for a surprise £3.5m swoop for Ipswich left-back Aaron Cresswell, 22.
OTHER GOSSIP
Gareth Bale, 23, played for Tottenham before Team GB kick off their Olympic campaign, despite being unavailable for Stuart Pearce's squad because of injury.
Jermaine Pennant has been forced to miss Stoke's pre-season tour of the United States after being refused a working visa.
Liverpool's hopes of signing Poland captain Jakub Błaszczykowski, 26, have suffered a blow after the Borussia Dortmund winger penned a new four-year deal with the German champions.
Thierry Henry wants to return to Arsenal in a coaching role when his playing career ends.
Arsene Wenger is furious with the Football Association over Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong's tweet charge.
And the Premier League has issued new social media guidelines to players following the FA's action against Frimpong.
But Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand has defended his use of Twitter after being asked by the FA to explain a tweet about Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole.
Michael Dawson will be installed as Tottenham's new captain following the retirement of Ledley King.
AND FINALLY...
AC Milan say they will refund season tickets bought this summer after fans were left disgruntled by the sales of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 30, and Thiago Silva, 27, to Paris Saint-Germain.
