Tuesday's gossip column: Football transfers and rumours
Last updated on .From the section Football
For a list of confirmed transfers, check out our transfers page.
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TRANSFER GOSSIP
Manchester United are planning a £25m bid to sign Luka Modric, 27, from Real Madrid after coming to the realisation that they are unlikely to secure any of their primary transfer targets.
Full story: the Times (subscription required)
Daniel Levy will reluctantly bow to Gareth Bale's desire to leave Tottenham if Real Madrid offer a world record £85m - plus a player - for the 24-year-old forward.
United are also keen on Bale if Tottenham decide they are ready to sell the 24-year-old this summer.
New Old Trafford boss David Moyes is returning to England to prepare for showdown talks with striker Wayne Rooney.
Chelsea are resolute in their refusal to entertain any bids for David Luiz after it emerged Bayern Munich are considering a £34.5m move for the 26-year-old defender.
Cesc Fabregas' agent has moved to reassure Barcelona the midfielder, 26, won't be quitting the Catalan club for Manchester United this summer.
Fabregas has also told friends he does not want to join United.
United manager Moyes wants to discuss Fabregas and the future of winger Nani, 26, with executive director Ed Woodward.
Arsene Wenger is determined not to raise Arsenal's £40m bid for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez - even if it means the transfer going to the wire.
Nottingham Forest hope to complete deals for Celtic defender Kelvin Wilson, 27, and Burnley striker Charlie Austin, 24, this week.
Tottenham have entered the running to sign Steaua Bucharest's 23-year-old defender Vlad Chiriches.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is desperate to bring striker Didier Drogba, 35, back to Stamford Bridge as a player or coach.
Norwich City manager Chris Hughton hopes to recruit more players this summer and admits being interested in 30-year-old Juventus striker Fabio Quagliarella.
Full story: Norwich Evening News
Liverpool are interested in taking Benfica's Lorenzo Melgarejo, 22, on a season-long deal as they look to add cover in the left-back position.
OTHER GOSSIP
Forward Michu, 27, insists he will become even better this season - thanks to the arrival of Swansea club-record signing of 24-year-old Wilfried Bony.
Manchester City are facing an anxious wait to discover the extent of the ankle injury suffered by 20-year-old defender Matija Nastasic.
West Ham captain Kevin Nolan says 24-year-old striker Andy Carroll could help the Hammers qualify for Europe next season.
GLOBAL GOSSIP
Sunderland target Lucas Orban, 24, is close to joining Bordeaux for about £3m. The Argentine defender had also been courted by Nice, Sevilla and Villareal.
Full story: Ouest France (French)
French side Bastia have signed Ivorian international midfielder Romaric, 30, following the end of his contract with Real Zaragoza.
Uruguayan striker Santiago "The Tank" Silva is to leave Argentine side Boca Juniors for Lanus.
AND FINALLY
Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski has become a big hit on the club's tour of Asia because of his unwitting impersonation of comedy cult hero Alan Partridge.
