Gossip column: Stones, Reus, Muller, Pogba, Lambert

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Liverpool are set to be disappointed in their attempts to make Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus, 26, their record £46m signing, with Real Madrid set to beat them to the Germany international's signature. (Liverpool Echo)external-link

Manchester United have had a record bid turned down for Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller, 25, according to Sport1external-link in Germany. (ESPN)external-link

But United have dismissed rumours linking them with a £70m bid for midfielder Muller. (Daily Mirror) external-link

Daily Star
Tuesday's Daily Star backpage

And the club will not sign Pole Robert Lewandowski, 26, either, according to former Manchester United youth player Markus Neumayr. (Daily Star)external-link

Chelsea will make a fresh £26m offer for Everton defender John Stones, 21, after the Premier League champions' initial £20m bid was rebuffed. (Daily Mail)external-link

But Everton are likely to demand more than £30m for Stones, which would make him the most expensive English defender ever. (The Guardian) external-link

Stones is keen on a move to Chelsea, despite being quoted as saying he was happy at Everton. (The Sun - subscription required)external-link

Chelsea are also pushing to conclude a £14m deal with Bundesliga side Augsburg for left-back Abdul Baba Rahman, 21. (Evening Standard) external-link

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood wants a reunion with Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor, 31, as a replacement for Liverpool-bound Christian Benteke, 24. (Daily Telegraph)external-link

Manchester United are interested in bringing Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero, 28, to Old Trafford to replace Victor Valdes.(Manchester Evening News)external-link

Crystal Palace are to sign England under-21 striker Patrick Bamford, 21, on loan from Chelsea after deciding against a move for Stamford Bridge team-mate Loic Remy, 28. (Sun - subscription required)external-link

West Ham are to increase their £6m offer for Everton winger Kevin Mirallas after an initial bid for the Belgium international, 27, was rejected. (Daily Telegraph)external-link

Newly promoted Norwich are interested in signing Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert, 33. (Daily Mirror)external-link

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini, 31, is on the verge of sealing a move to Galatasaray in a deal worth about £2.8m. (Evening Standard)external-link

Former Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says Christian Benteke's £32.5m move from Villa to Liverpool will prove to be money well spent. (Sky Sports)external-link

The future of Manchester City and Barcelona target Paul Pogba depends on his club Juventus, according to the 22-year-old's agent. (talkSPORT)external-link

Nemanja Matic has become the first Chelsea player to express his disappointment that goalkeeper Petr Cech, 33, was sold to rivals Arsenal. (Independent)external-link

Juventus are set to assess Arsenal target Julian Draxler, 21, before entering talks with Schalke. (Daily Express)external-link

Stuttgart and Borussia Monchengladbach have expressed an interest in taking Chelsea defender Nathan Ake, 20, on loan next season. (Daily Mail)external-link

England captain Wayne Rooney, 29, believes being elevated to Manchester United's main striker could allow him to surpass his best ever tally of 34 goals for the club. (The Guardian)external-link

Valencia have signed Australia goalkeeper Matt Ryan, 23, from Belgium side Club Brugge for a reported £4.9m. (AS)external-link

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Best of social media

John Arne Riise
John Arne Riise had the tattoo on his left leg

Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has gone to extreme lengths to ensure he does not forget his old club by having the club's slogan 'You'll never Walk Alone' tattooed on his leg.

"Proud to show my new tattoo," he wrote on Instagram. external-link"A tribute to the amazing club and fans of @liverpoolfc."

Andrea Pirlo
Andrea Pirlo (right) with Paul Pogba

Andrea Pirlo, 36, said his goodbyes to former Juventus team-mates as he visited the Turin club's training base before leaving to play for New York City in the MLS.

The Serie A club said on its official Instagramexternal-link account: "The Maestro swings by Juventus Centre to wish us good luck for the season ahead!"

And finally

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure has revealed he is terrified of animals, including his own dog who he hasn't touched in seven years. (Metro)external-link