Gossip column: Mourinho, Isco, Verratti, De Gea, Sturridge
Last updated on .From the section Football

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Jose Mourinho to be sacked?
Mourinho's representatives are finding out about the Portuguese moving to Paris St-Germain or back to Inter Milan if the 52-year-old is sacked by Chelsea. (Independent)

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola's contract does not expire until next summer and Carlo Ancelotti is expected to reject a return to Stamford Bridge on a temporary basis. However, another ex-Blues boss in Guus Hiddink may be a possibility. (Daily Telegraph)
But Ancelotti, 56, would consider the Chelsea job if he was offered it on a permanent basis. (Daily Mirror)
Former Barcelona coach Guardiola, 44, says he is "not going to answer questions" about his future anymore. (Daily Express)
Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Ramires, 28, insists there is "no mutiny against Mourinho" from the Stamford Bridge club's squad. (Independent, via ESPN Brazil)
Other gossip
Isco has told Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez he wants to leave the club and Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are set to battle it out for the 23-year-old Spain midfielder. (Daily Star)
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says his transfer targets are keen to move to Old Trafford but that they are being stopped by their clubs. (Daily Express)
The agent of Paris St-Germain and Italy midfielder Marco Verratti has told Europe's top clubs they can sign the 22-year-old if they pay £72m. (Daily Star)
Liverpool's 26-year-old striker Daniel Sturridge, who is out injured and yet to play for new manager Jurgen Klopp, has had his "attitude and desire" questioned by ex-Reds striker David Fairclough. (Talksport)
Brazil forward Alexandre Pato, 26, could sign for West Ham with Corinthians president Roberto de Andrade understood to be looking to offload the forward.(Daily Mail)
Barcelona are planning to give Argentina forward Lionel Messi, 28, a new contract, which will see him finish his career at the Nou Camp.(Daily Mail via Sport)

Former Juventus and New York City midfielder Andrea Pirlo, 36, has ruled out a loan move to Manchester City during the MLS off-season. (Gazzetta dello Sport via Talksport)
Aston Villa have lined up St Etienne coach Christophe Galtier, 49, should current favourite, former Lyon manager Remi Garde, stall over his chance to take over at the club. (The Sun - subscription required)
French prime minister Manuel Valls says Barcelona could play in his country's top division if Catalonia votes for independence and the Nou Camp club are kicked out of La Liga. (Daily Telegraph)
Real Madrid are set to offer Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, 28, an improved contract but that does not mean they have ended their interest in 24-year-old Manchester United stopper David De Gea. (Marca)
Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren has Queens Park Rangers' striker Charlie Austin on his 'radar' - but the 26-year-old is not targeting a move in the January transfer window.(Newcastle Chronicle)
Former Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert believes part of the reason his ex-club may want Frenchman Remi Garde as their new manager is to get the best out of the French players at the West Midlands outfit.(Daily Mirror)
Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has ruled himself out of the running for the Aston Villa job but believes the club should give a lower-division manager the job. (Talksport)
Barcelona and Brazil forward Neymar, 23, is looking for a new club in order to fulfil his aspirations of winning the Ballon d'Or. (Metro via Don Balon)
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 30, has agreed to play in Wayne Rooney's testimonial at Old Trafford in August.(Daily Star)
Former Sunderland and Brighton boss Gus Poyet, 47, is set to become the new manager of Greek side AEK Athens.(The Sun - subscription required)
Best of social media
Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has been back in his native Belgium as he tweeted a picture with the message: "Had a lovely two days in Antwerp. Always nice to see family and friends again. Now back to London."

Sheffield Wednesday knocked Arsenal out of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday and Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham, who spent spells on loan with the Owls, tweeted his congratulations to the Hillsborough club.

And finally
Venezuelan footballer Cesar Martinez celebrated a goal by making the ball levitate with the help of his team-mates.(Metro)