Gossip column: Sterling, Falcao, Lloris, Afellay, Van Persie

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Negotiations between Liverpool and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich to sign unsettled forward Raheem Sterling, 20, appear to have broken down. (Bild - in German)external-link

The back page of the Sunday Telegraph
The back page of the Sunday Telegraph

Bayern's failed attempt to sign Sterling suggests Chelsea and Real Madrid will have to fight each other over the signing of the England international. (Sunday Express)external-link

Real Madrid second vice-president, Eduardo Fernandez de Blas, has let slip that Rafa Benitez will be the next coach of the Spanish giants. (AS English)external-link

Liverpool are exploring alternatives to Brendan Rodgers, in case the Reds' boss fails to convince owners Fenway Sports Group at his end-of-season appraisal that the club is progressing under his management.(Sunday Times - subscription required)external-link

Sterling will stay at Anfield if outgoing Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp lands the Liverpool job.(Sun on Sunday - subscription required)external-link

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet wants the club to bolster the Belgian contingent at Anfield by signing Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 24. (Liverpool Echo)external-link

Premier League champions Chelsea hope to beat Liverpool to the signing of the in-form Belgium international.(Sunday Express)external-link

Chelsea have missed out on signing Japan striker Yoshinori Muto after the 22-year-old opted to join Mainz in Germany from J-League side FC Tokyo. (Star on Sunday)external-link

Steve McClaren
Is Newcastle the next club on Steve McClaren's managerial CV?

Steve McClaren is expected to take over from John Carver as Newcastle United manager after the club made a third approach to the former England boss.(Sunday Telegraph)external-link

But Manchester City development coach Patrick Vieira is also understood to be in talks over taking charge at St James' Park.(Sky Sports)external-link

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insists goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, 28, wants to stay at White Hart Lane despite interest from Manchester United. (Mail on Sunday)external-link

However, the France international is thought to want to leave Tottenham to fulfil his ambition of playing in the Champions League.(Sunday Mirror)external-link

Former Manchester United loan striker Radamel Falcao, 29, looks set to agree a move to Premier League champions Chelsea from parent club Monaco.(Sky Sports)external-link

West Ham United will wait a few more days to see whether they can convince outgoing Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp or Real Sociedad boss David Moyes to become their new manager before moving on to other candidates. (Sunday Telegraph)external-link

Out-of-contract Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, 28, has settled on a move to join Serie A champions Juventus, according to one of the Italian club's directors.(Star on Sunday)external-link

Juventus are favourites to sign Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, 31, with the Premier League club ready to listen to offers for the Netherlands international. (Sun on Sunday - subscription required)external-link

Wolves and West Brom's hopes of signing Newcastle United winger Sammy Ameobi, 23, could be hampered with the player set to be offered a new contract at St James' Park.(Wolverhampton Express & Star)external-link

Stoke City are showing interest in Netherlands winger Ibrahim Afellay, 29, who is out of contract at Barcelona this summer. (Mail on Sunday)external-link

Nacho Monreal and Arsene Wenger
Nacho Monreal looks set to leave Arsenal with an FA Cup winners' medal

Reports in Spain suggest Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal, 29, has rejected a new deal at Emirates Stadium and looks set to join La Liga side Athletic Bilbao.(AS English)external-link

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said the only thing he would be buying was "drinks for his players" as he refused to discuss potential summer signings following their FA Cup final victory. (Sunday Mirror)external-link

The Gunners may make a summer move for Swansea City's South Korean international Ki Sung-Yeung, 26. (Sunday Express)external-link

Best of social media

Alexis Sanchez with the FA Cup
Alexis Sanchez with the FA Cup

Striker Alexis Sanchez was among those Arsenal playerstweeting celebratory picturesexternal-link with the FA Cup after their4-0 win against Aston Villa.

Another Arsenal goalscorer, Theo Walcott, posted his thanks to supporterson Instagram.external-link

Jack Wilshere Arsenal team selfie
Jack Wilshere and team-mates smile for an FA Cup winners selfie

Fellow midfielder Jack Wilshere tried to squeeze as many of his team-mates as possible in tothis Twitter selfie.external-link

Victory for Arsenal ensured Southampton will play in next season's Europa League, somethinggoalkeeper Fraser Forsterexternal-linkis already looking forward to.

Lionel Messi scores against Athletic Bilbao in Copa Del Rey Final
Lionel Messi's spectacular first goal against Athletic Bilbao was the talk of Twitter

Meanwhile in Spain,Lionel Messi's stunning opening goalfor Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao saw a swathe of reaction on Twitter. Manchester United defenderLuke Shaw,external-linkSwansea midfielderWayne Routledgeexternal-linkand his team-mateJefferson Monteroexternal-linkwere among the admirers.

Former England captain Rio Ferdinand, 36, shared an emotional messageon Twitterexternal-linkafter announcing his retirement from the game on Saturday.

Scottish FA Cup winners Inverness Caledonian Thistle poked fun at Celticin a tweetexternal-linkmoments after their 10-man victory against Falkirk at Hampden Park. It referred toCeltic's failure to beat the Highlanders in the semi-finalafter goalkeeper Craig Gordon was dismissed.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle cup winning tweet

And finally

Former Lyon boss Remi Garde, 44, turned down the Newcastle job because he felt the city was not "arty" enough.(Sunday People)external-link

One Aston Villa fan will be regretting his presumptuous decision to get an FA Cup winners tattoo before he witnessed his side lose 4-0 against Arsenal at Wembley. (Metro)external-link

While Barcelona completed the second part of what they hope will be a treble-winning season, Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo tried his best to get over a trophy less season by soaking up the sun in St Tropez.(Sunday Mirror)external-link