Wednesday's gossip column
Last updated on .From the section Football
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TRANSFER GOSSIP
Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen, 27, says he would consider leaving the Gunners in January to improve his chances of playing at the World Cup for Belgium.
Full story: The Times (subscription only)
Manchester United are ready to activate the £16m release clause of Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, 21, who is also a target for Barcelona.
Manchester United are winning the race to sign Brazilian Bruno Gomes with Real Madrid, Udinese and Sao Paolo all chasing the 17-year-old Desportivo Brazil forward.
Manchester United boss David Moyes could send Wilfried Zaha, 20, out on loan because he is unsure the winger is ready to play for the club.
Championship side Wigan Athletic are struggling to afford to take South Korean striker Park Chu-Young, 28, on loan from Arsenal because of his wages - even with the Gunners paying some of the cost.
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, 31, denies he is planning to join Barcelona next summer upon completion of his year-long loan in Italy with Napoli.
Arsenal target Karim Benzema, 25, could be sold by Real Madrid to fund a move for 27-year-old Monaco striker Radamel Falcao, the Spanish club's president Florentino Perez has admitted.
Benzema remains high on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's radar ahead of the January transfer window though, with the Frenchman confident he can sign the Real Madrid striker for £30m.
OTHER GOSSIP
Forward Gareth Bale, 24, looks set to return to La Liga action on Saturday, in preparation for Real Madrid's Champions League match with Juventus next week, after an injury-hit start to life in Spain.
Everton midfielder Darron Gibson, 25, faces a lengthy spell out injured after he suffered suspected knee ligament damage during the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has reached an agreement to sell 70% of the club to the Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir for a price of around £300m.
A Manchester United fans' group opposed to the club's US owners, the Glazer family, has attracted more than 200,000 members and has now set its sights on reaching one million.
Full story: Manchester Evening News
Former Derby County boss Nigel Clough has refused to apply for another managerial role until he has sorted his pay-off with Derby County after his dismissal a fortnight ago.
Scottish League One side Dunfermline were saved from going out of business with just 15 minutes to spare.
Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany may return to Premier League action at West Ham after missing Belgium's two World Cup qualifiers because of a thigh injury.
Former Newcastle and Peru midfielder Nolberto Solano, 38, has applied to become the new boss of League Two Bury.
WORLD CUP GOSSIP
Poland coach Waldemar Fornalik believes England will be "among the contenders for the title" at next year's World Cup in Brazil after his side lost 2-0 to Roy Hodgson's men on Tuesday.
World football's player union has denied that its vice-president had threatened a boycott of the 2022 World Cup if the tournament was not moved from the summer.
Wales gave a debut to Liverpool's 16-year-old striker Harry Wilson late in their 1-1 draw with Belgium to end any hope England might have had of capping him.
AND FINALLY
Italy players will be banned from using social media at the World Cup after AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 23, was labelled an 'imbecile' by an anti-mafia campaigner over a tweet.
