Thursday's gossip column
Last updated on .From the section Football
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TRANSFER GOSSIP
Real Madrid are plotting a £15m move for Chelsea midfielder Ramires in the January transfer window.
Zenit St Petersburg are set to launch yet another bid to tempt Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel back to the club. The 28-year-old joined Liverpool from Zenit in 2008.
Chelsea are lining up a January bid for Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz, 28, and plan to offer 28-year-old Demba Ba in part exchange.
But Blues manager Jose Mourinho wants the club to make a big bid for Schalke star Julian Draxler, 20, in January.
Feyenoord's Norway international midfielder Harmeet Singh, 22, has put English clubs on alert by declaring he wants to play in the Premier League.
Tottenham are considering a January move for £15m-rated Basel winger Mohamed Salah. The 21-year-old scored in his side's 2-1 Champions League victory over Chelsea last month.
OTHER GOSSIP
Striker Wayne Rooney has blamed his disillusionment at Manchester United on former manager Sir Alex Ferguson playing him out of position after the signing of Robin van Persie.
But the 27-year-old insists he is enjoying his football again under new Old Trafford boss David Moyes.
Full story: Manchester Evening News
Former Crystal Palace and Tottenham midfielder John Bostock, 21, believes he is benefiting away from the spotlight at Belgian second division club Antwerp - admitting that he lost his way after making his professional debut aged 15.
Full story: The Times (subscription required)
Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, 37, insists his Manchester City protege Joe Hart, 26, will bounce back from a tough start to the season.
Full story: the Sun (subscription required)
Blackpool midfielder Tom Ince has demanded England's Under-21 side show a ruthless streak when they face San Marino in a Euro 2015 qualifier on Thursday.
Full story: The Times (subscription required)
GLOBAL GOSSIP
Swansea boss Michael Laudrup has revealed that he was approached over the Chelsea job during the summer before it went to Jose Mourinho.
Full story: A Bola (in Portuguese)
Real Madrid's new £85m signing Gareth Bale is close to being as good as team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, according to former Wales boss John Toshack.
Real Madrid could bid for Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, 25, in the January transfer market if Karim Benzema's "attitude and scoring efficiency" do not change.
Barcelona may be looking at French forward David Trezeguet, 35, to strengthen their striking capabilities while fellow veterans Miroslav Klose, 35, of Lazio, and Malaga's 32-year-old Roque Santa Cruz are also in the frame.
Full story: Le Figaro (in French)
AND FINALLY
New Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil says he is enjoying his football since his deadline-day move from Real Madrid but did not like the karaoke initiation he had to endure.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp has revealed that he used his pet dogs to cajole midfielder Amdy Faye into joining Portsmouth from Auxerre in 2003.
