Sunday's gossip column - transfers and rumours
- From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Luka Modric, 26, is set to ignore renewed interest from Chelsea and move to Real Madrid this week.
Adam Johnson is set to leave Man City and return to his native north east, with Sunderland poised to make a £10m move for the England winger.
Roberto Mancini is not satisfied with the £12m acquisition of Jack Rodwell from Everton and is still frustrated at Man City's lack of summer transfer activity.
Andre Villas-Boas hopes to bring in a new striker to Tottenham before the end of this week.
Newcastle are braced for bids for Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye, with Chelsea and Manchester United keen on both midfielders.
Man City will make a move for Swansea winger Scott Sinclair after opening up a possible loan exit for England star Adam Johnson.
Chelsea are looking to loan out Josh McEachran, with Championship clubs sides Bolton, Blackburn and Middlesbrough interested in the 19-year-old.
OTHER GOSSIP
Sir Alex Ferguson intends to retire in two years' time after building a new team around Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
Arsene Wenger has admitted that he does not know whether Theo Walcott will sign a contract extension with Arsenal.
Roberto Di Matteo is hopeful that 34-year-old Frank Lampard will sign a new contract as he enters the final season of his current Chelsea deal.
Joey Barton launches a new attack on the FA, branding them a "firm of muppets" for its £45,000 fine of Rio Ferdinand.
Carlton Cole hits back those who have criticised footballers following the Olympics. "People say we don't give back to the community and we're spoilt brats. That's unfair."
Manchester City want to discuss a new contract with Mario Balotelli that could be worth up to £180,000-a-week.
AND FINALLY
A new book claims that Manchester City "accidentally" made an offer for Lionel Messi, swiftly rejected, on the night the club was taken over by Sheikh Mansour in 2008.