Friday's gossip column
Last updated on .From the section Football
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TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is interested in signing Roma's Argentine forward Erik Lamela, 20, and Brazilian centre back Marquinhos, 18.
Arsenal will sign Spain international David Villa, 31, in the summer if they meet Barcelona's £17m asking price.
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has admitted it was a mistake to try to sell defender Michael Dawson in the summer, after the 29-year-old forced his way back into Tottenham's starting line-up.
Chelsea have been handed a potential transfer boost after Corinthians midfielder Paulinho, 24, said he will consider his future in the summer.
The future of Nani, 26, at Manchester United looks uncertain after he did not make the bench for the Champions League clash with Real Madrid, although manager Sir Alex Ferguson has played down his decision to omit the Portuguese winger.
West Ham will make another bid for Southampton striker Rickie Lambert, 31, in the summer after the south coast club rejected a bid in the January transfer window.
GLOBAL GOSSIP
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has admitted he was at fault for Danny Welbeck's goal in Wednesday night's game against Manchester United.
Barcelona striker David Villa has been re-admitted to hospital suffering "persistent pain" caused by colic.
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has been talking up his latest signing Mario Balotelli, describing the former Manchester City striker as "a smart guy" who has started making "sensible decisions about his private life" since returning to Italy.
OTHER GOSSIP
Winger Ryan Giggs says England manager Roy Hodgson is making a massive mistake by ignoring his Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, 34.
Manchester United defender Rafael, 22, believes his performance against Real Madrid should earn him a call-up for the Brazil squad.
Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, plans to end Manchester United's Champions League campaign in the second leg at Old Trafford.
Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez says defender John Terry's knee injury has locked the 32-year-old into a "vicious circle" in which he is not sufficiently fit to play but cannot regain his sharpness without time on the pitch.
Full story: The Times (Subscription only)
West Ham striker Modibo Maiga will have to explain why he returned to the club from the African Cup of Nations on Wednesday, 48 hours later than expected.
Former Blackburn and MK Dons manager Paul Ince, 45, is set to become the new manager of Blackpool after watching most of the games this season because of his son Tom.
Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna, 30, says manager Arsene Wenger has more options this season because the Gunners are no longer reliant on striker Robin van Persie, who joined Manchester United in the summer.
AND FINALLY
Football fans could be allowed to drink alcohol in their seats for the first time in almost 30 years if a campaign led by Ipswich Town gets the go-ahead.
Argentina legend Diego Maradona, 52, has become a father for the fourth time. His former girlfriend Veronica Ojeda has given birth to a boy called Diego Fernando in Buenos Aires. Maradona has two daughters and a son born in 1986 called Diego Armando, who he refuses to acknowledge.
