Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours
Last updated on .From the section Football
TRANSFER GOSSIP
Barcelona have watched Tottenham's Gareth Bale seven times this season and are thought to be planning a summer player-plus-cash offer for the Wales midfielder.
Arsenal have put Montpellier's 25-year-old striker Olivier Giroud, Ligue 1's leading scorer this season, at the top of their summer transfer targets.
Wealthy Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala remain hopeful of signing Carlos Tevez - but have yet to make a formal offer to Manchester City for the wantaway Argentine striker.
Aston Villa striker Darren Bent insists he is happy at Villa Park and that talk of a move to Liverpool is "laughable".
Everton defender Johnny Heitinga is wanted by Spartak Moscow, according to Russian newspaper Sovietsky Sports.
Brazil international midfielder Ganso, reportedly a target for Tottenham, says he is happy to stay with Santos.
Liverpool are considering moves for Atletico Madrid defenders Diego Godin and Alvaro Dominguez, according to reports on a Spanish radio station.
OTHER GOSSIP
England coach Fabio Capello is thought to be furious with the Football Association's decision to take the England captaincy from John Terry and checked his contract to see if he was able to veto the move.
Terry is ready to quit international football after feeling he has received a lack of support from FA bosses.
Capello has urged an "angry and devastated" Terry not to retire from the England set-up.
Full story: The Times [subscription required]
New West Bromwich Albion midfielder Keith Andrews admits he was desperate to leave Blackburn - and has lifted the lid on the way the Ewood Park club is being run by owners Venky's.
Arsene Wenger hints he may reconsider his much-criticised transfer policy this summer - if Arsenal miss out on the Champions League for the first time in 15 years.
Full story: The Times [subscription required]
Manchester United's 38-year-old midfielder Ryan Giggs is set to agree a new one-year contract at Old Trafford.
Full story: Manchester Evening News
Under-fire goalkeeper David de Gea has been backed to come good - by Manchester United's former stopper Massimo Taibi, the man infamous for his blunder in his Old Trafford debut against Southampton in 1999.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish says Luis Suarez will not be guaranteed his place back in the team when his eight-match suspension ends next week.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes the staging of his team's FA Cup tie at Crawley at 1200 GMT on 19 February will jeopardise their Europa League campaign, with matches against Valencia on the Thursday either side. "They could have given us an afternoon slot instead of one so early in the day," he says.
Returning Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar says going back to Goodison Park feels like going home.
Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill will consult the club's medical staff before deciding whether to select striker Fraizer Campbell for his third game in six days.
Full story: Newcastle Chronicle
Swansea are awaiting reports on Ferrie Bodde's knee injury, amid fears that it may force the Dutch midfielder, 29, to retire.
Full story: South Wales Evening Post
Leeds United players want caretaker boss Neil Redfearn to replace axed manager Simon Grayson on a permanent basis.
AND FINALLY
David Beckham, who was famously sent off during England's 1998 World Cup campaign, reveals he recently received another red card - at a kids' match where he was watching son Romeo, nine, play.
Tottenham's exuberant Brazilian midfielder Sandro has demonstrated his martial arts skills on Twitter.
