For a list of confirmed transfers, check out the

transfers page.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are close to signing Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, 26, for a British-record transfer fee that could be worth up to £56m.


(Sky Sports) 

Di Maria has told friends in Spain that he has accepted a £180,000-a-week offer to join United and wants to wear the famous number seven shirt.

(Mirror) 

United have made a second big-money bid for Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, 27, which also includes an unnamed player going the other way.


(Star) 

And manager Louis van Gaal is set to move for two of his fellow Dutchmen before the transfer window closes, Nigel de Jong, 29, of AC Milan and defender Daley Blind, 24 of Ajax.

(Star) 

Danny Welbeck – told by Manchester United he can leave the club – wants a move to Tottenham and the Lilywhites are keen to take the 23-year-old England forward either on a permanent £15m deal or on loan.


(Mirror) 

Mario Balotelli, 24, could become a Liverpool player in a £16m deal on Monday – but the Reds have ended their interest in former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o, 33.

(Liverpool Echo) 

Eto’o is thought to have demanded £100,000-a-week to join Liverpool but is now thought to be in talks with Everton, although the Toffees could face competition for his services from the Middle East.


(Mirror) 

Balotelli will not sign a special code of conduct clause at Anfield. The striker’s representative Mino Raiola claims the contract will be no different to any other future Liverpool deals and says Balotelli’s move should be finalised before Tuesday.

(Express) 

Arsenal are considering Atletico Madrid’s Toby Alderweireld, 25, as replacement for Thomas Vermaelen, who was recently sold to Barcelona.


(Star) 

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, 33, is set to leave the club after losing his place to Thibaut Courtois.

(Mail on Sunday) 

Jose Mourinho has added to speculation about the future of Fernando Torres, 30, by refusing to confirm he will remain a Chelsea player.


(GetWestLondon) 

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini wants England international James Milner to sign a new deal but the 28-year-old winger will make City wait.

(Sun on Sunday – subscription required)

Blackburn have rejected a club record bid from Hull in excess of £10m for Jordan Rhodes, 24, insisting they have no intention of selling the star striker.


(Lancashire Telegraph) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Louis Van Gaal already admits it would take a miracle for Manchester United to win the title this season.


(Sun on Sunday – subscription required) 

Caretaker boss Keith Millen believes he can still land the vacant Crystal Palace job despite a “lacklustre” 3-1 Premier League defeat by West Ham.

(London Evening Standard) 

Rangers boss Ally McCoist stressed he had had no contact with Palace over their managerial vacancy.


(HeraldScotland.com) 

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerard says there is “no more worthy candidate” than Wayne Rooney to replace him as England captain.

(Mail on Sunday) 

Frank Lampard, 36, is in the frame for a surprise place in the England squad despite not having played this season.


(Mail on Sunday) 

Malky Mackay is facing further allegations about his conduct, soon after giving a televised apology for what he claimed amounted to only three text messages during his time as manager of Cardiff.

(Sunday Times – subscription required) 

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Danny Baker tweets 

about the popular return of a Match of the Day commentator. “Barry Davies was the first true commentator. Would call a game/player like it was. His famous “Oh dear…” was devastating. A master.”

AND FINALLY

Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas Boas took a swipe at his former employers, by nominating Roman Abramovich and Daniel Levy for the Ice Bucket Challenge.


(Mail on Sunday) 

Port Vale chairman Norman Smurthwaite has taken the Ice Bucket Challenge and nominated Staffordshire Police and Crime commissioner Matthew Ellis to be next to get a soaking.

(Stoke Sentinel)