Gossip column: Austin, Depay, Terry, De Gea, Benzema

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Spurs are keen to make a move for QPR's England striker Charlie Austin, 26, who would cost around £15m. (Daily Mirror)external-link

The White Hart Lane club are also set to beat PSV and Atletico Madrid to land 20-year-old Colombian winger Jeison Lucumi, who plays in the Colombian second division with America de Cali. (Daily Mail)external-link

Manchester United's new Dutch forward Memphis Depay, 21, has told manager Louis van Gaal that he wants to succeed Angel Di Maria in the number seven jersey. (Telegraph)external-link

The Sun's back page on Thursday
The Sun reports that Premier League managers are being encouraged to continue their feuds

Chelsea captain John Terry believes the Blues will be the first team in seven years to retain the Premier League title. (Evening Standard)external-link

Midfielder Joey Barton, 32, has admitted he would love to one day play for Newcastle United again - but only if the powers at the club change their approach. (Newcastle Chronicle)external-link

Former Inter Milan midfielder Alessandro Cannataro, 20, says he is 'evaluating' offers from a host of Premier League clubs after completing a trial with Leicester City with Crystal Palace and Watford also interested. (Independent)external-link

Real Madrid could be persuaded to part company with striker Karim Benzema, but Arsenal will need to break their transfer record and bid at least £45m for the 27-year-old Frenchman. (Daily Mail)external-link

David De Gea's popstar girlfriend Edurne Garcia, seems to have inadvertently confirmed the 24-year-old Manchester United goalkeeper's transfer to Real Madrid. (Metro)external-link

Asier Illarramendi has been told he does not have a place within the Real Madrid squad this season which could pave the way for the 25-year-old midfielder to move to Liverpool. (Daily Express/Fichajes.net - in Spanish)external-link

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore says he is not bothered whether rival managers shake hands, insisting that visible animosity is preferable to a staged display of friendship. (Guardian)external-link

Liverpool are in talks with Italian side Fiorentina over the transfer of 24-year-old striker Fabio Borini. (Talksport)external-link

Angel Di Maria, 27, is set to be unveiled as a Paris St-Germain player after the French club announced a media conference for Thursday afternoon in the French capital. (Daily Star)external-link

Augsburg left-back Baba Rahman, 21, has agreed to join Chelsea and all that is left is for the clubs to agree a fee, according to the player's agent. (Sky Sports)external-link

Manchester United have made another bid for Tottenham striker Harry Kane a couple of days ahead of the start of the new Premier League season. (Daily Express)external-link

Nigeria have made a bid to get rising Liverpool star Jordon Ibe, 19, to pledge his international future to them, rather than England, who he has represented at youth level. (Daily Mirror)external-link

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Rotherham are set to increase their bid for Hibs midfielder Scott Allan, 23, to £425,000 with Wigan Athletic also monitoring the situation closely. (Daily Express)external-link

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes, 33, was conspicuous by his absence as Manchester United players modelled their new training kit at Carrington on Wednesday. (Manchester Evening News)external-link

Thursday's Daily Mirror
The Mirror reports that Charlie Austin could be on the move in the transfer window

Manchester City trio Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Samir Nasri could miss the start of the new season after being sent home from training with a stomach bug. (Daily Star)external-link

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, 23, will have a scan on a suspected hairline fracture of his left fibula, amid fears he is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.(Guardian)external-link

Former Liverpool and Senegal forward El Hadji Diouf, 34, who now plays for Malaysia's Saba, has said he wants to enter politics when he retires from football. (Sun - subscription required)external-link

Championship club Blackburn Rovers want 6ft 4ins Bulgaria striker Andrey Galabinov, 26, who is a free agent after leaving Italian side Livorno. (Sun - subscription required)external-link

Sunderland's loan move for QPR midfielder Leroy Fer is off after the Netherlands player failed a medical. (Independent)external-link

Colombia's attacking midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero, 22, is being tracked by Premier League newcomers Norwich City. (Norwich Evening Times via tuttomercatoweb.com)external-link

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe believes he has assembled "the best AFC Bournemouth squad I have ever seen". (Bournemouth Daily Echo)external-link

Ukraine striker Andriy Yarmolenko, 25, has told Dynamo Kiev's chairman he will not renew his contract amid continued interest from Stoke. (Stoke Sentinel)external-link

Striker Saido Berahino's West Bromwich Albion future looks secure with the Baggies yet to hear from Spurs or Manchester City about their supposed interest in the 22-year-old. (Birmingham Mail)external-link

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has received a $10m million offer from an unknown MLS club, and has been given 24 hours to decide his future. (NBC Sports)external-link

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood believes his main aim of improving Aston Villa this season 'won't be too hard' after last year's Premier League campaign, where they finished 17th.(Birmingham Mail)external-link

Tottenham's Premier League preparations have suffered a setback after German authorities blocked their attempt to fly home early from the Audi Cup.(Daily Telegraph)external-link

Best of social media

Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge has posted a video of himself on Instagramexternal-link running and kicking and heading a ball as he continues his comeback from injury.

Manchester United trio Juan Mata, David de Gea and Ander Herrera
Mata, De Gea and Herrera take a stroll

Manchester United trio Juan Mata, David de Gea and Ander Herrera were spotted having a stroll around the town of Altrincham on Wednesday on a break from training. (Altrincham Today)external-link

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey got his priorities right when it came to his Wednesday night television viewing as he settled down to watch The Great British Bake-Off. "Great first episode of #GBBO," he tweeted.external-link

And finally...

Manchester City's goal of the season award did not go to the likes of Aguero, Silva or Toure. Instead it has gone to England Women's international Toni Duggan for her spectacular strike against Chelsea last year. (Manchester Evening News)external-link