Tuesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours
- From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken directly to his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger to try and ensure a new £20m bid for striker Robin van Persie, 29, is a success.
Liverpool will look to replace centre-back Daniel Agger with Swansea's Ashley Williams, 27, if they sell the Dane to Manchester City.
Agger, 27, wants to stay at Liverpool but accepts an increased offer of £27m from Manchester City could lead the Reds to sell him.
Inter Milan have joined Chelsea and Liverpool in expressing an interest in signing Arsenal winger Theo Walcott. The 23-year-old is out of contract next summer.
Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin will decide on his future this week - Arsenal and Liverpool two of a number of clubs to make loan offers for the 23-year-old.
Aston Villa could sell full-back Stephen Warnock after manager Paul Lambert decided to overlook him for the friendly against Werder Bremen. The club are yet to receive any enquiries for the 30-year-old, however.
OTHER GOSSIP
Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck, 21, has agreed a new five-year contract, worth £75,000-a-week.
Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, 27, will sign a new four-year deal this week to stay at Anfield.
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, 29, does not want to go through another "heartbreaking" year on the substitute's bench.
Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas is unsure whether to select Sandro, 23, for the club's Premier League opener against Newcastle on Saturday as he has not seen the midfielder in action while he has been away on international duty with Brazil at London 2012.
Everton are ready to join neighbours Liverpool in the race to sign Fulham striker Clint Dempsey, 29, as they look to replace Tim Cahill.
And the Toffees are also going head-to-head with Liverpool as they plan a move for Manchester City winger Adam Johnson, 25.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers wants to add Barcelona winger Christian Tello, 21, to his new side.
A groin injury could see Marouane Fellaini, 24, miss Everton's opening Premier League match of the season against Manchester United next Monday.
Arsenal face a battle to keep midfielder Alex Song, 24, after he admitted he has had interest from Barcelona about a move this summer.
AND FINALLY
Eye-witness video footage shows that Robin van Persie was actually cheered during Arsenal's friendly win against Cologne on Sunday, contradicting reports the striker was booed by the Gunners' travelling support.