Friday’s gossip column

Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing’s move to Liverpool has seen talks open up between the clubs over a move in the opposite direction for midfielder Joe Cole.
Full story: Metro

Manchester United are ready to make a swift bid for Napoli playmaker Marek Hamsik if they fail to complete moves to sign either Wesley Sneijder or Samir Nasri from Inter Milan and Arsenal respectively.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

United and Manchester City target Alexis Sanchez is finally set to end speculation over his future by signing for Barcelona this week. Both Manchester clubs had approached Udinese about signing the Chile international forward.
Full story: Talksport

Talks between Chelsea and Anderlecht regarding a move for 18-year-old striker Romelu Lukaku have stalled after the Blues failed to agree with the Belgian club’s valuation of £30m.
Full story: footybunker.com

However, Chelsea have agreed a £5m fee with Belgian side Genk to make keeper Thibault Courtois the first signing of the Andre Villas-Boas era.
Full story: Daily Mirror

QPR winger Adel Taarabt is definitely leaving Loftus Road this summer, according to leading agent Marco Sommella.
Full story: Metro

Stoke chairman Peter Coates may have wrecked their £4.5m move for Carlton Cole by questioning the West Ham striker’s injury record in a TV interview. Angry Cole could now stay at Upton Park or move to QPR instead.
Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham expect to receive a £7m Aston Villa bid for midfielder Scott Parker once Stewart Downing makes his £20m move to Liverpool.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Reports from Italy indicate that both Milan sides, AC and Inter, are contemplating a bid for Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.

Full story: footieonline.com

Manchester City have already identified the man they want to replace striker Carlos Tevez – Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller. City are lining up a £45million move for the 21-year-old.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

Everton are again looking to take Real Madrid starlet Sergio Canales on a season-long loan. Aston Villa, QPR and Villarreal also want the young playmaker.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Tottenham are the latest side to express an interest in FC Basel midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri – who would cost around £5m.
Full story: Talksport

But Spurs and Sevilla are at loggerheads over a proposed deal to take Giovani dos Santos to Spain. The Mexican midfielder has failed to establish himself at White Hart Lane and Harry Redknapp is keen to off-load him this summer.
Full story: Talksport

Newcastle want to sell left-back Jose Enrique as soon as possible so they have time to buy a replacement. The Spaniard is a target for Liverpool and Arsenal.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool plan to continue to add to their squad and are preparing a bid for Barcelona attacker Jeffren.

Full story: caughtoffside.com

Wigan have increased the asking price for Charles N’Zogbia. They now want over £9m for the winger, who is wanted by Aston Villa and Everton.
Full story: Daily Mirror

German side Schalke believe they have beaten Blackburn in the race to sign £10m-rated Freiburg hotshot Papiss Demba Cisse. The 25-year-old scored 22 goals last season.

Full story: Talksport

Fulham are watching 20-year-old Hajduk Split and Croatia Under-21 striker Ante Vukusic.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Spurs are racing to sign 16-year-old Ivory Coast striking sensation Souleymane Coulibaly from Italy’s Siena for £2m before the transfer window closes at the end of August, but could be foiled by red tape.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Michael Dawson has given his support to Tottenham’s management over their tough stance towards Luka Modric and Chelsea.
Full story: Metro

Former Blackburn and West Ham striker Benni McCarthy is training with Ajax Cape Town as he looks to salvage his career. The 33-year-old struggled to make any impact at West Ham following his £2.5m move and was released.

Full story: Talksport

Emmanuel Adebayor says Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is a better manager than Arsene Wenger and Roberto Mancini.
Full story: Metro

Photos of Angelina Jolie’s daughter Shiloh at Heathrow airport have outed her as a closet Liverpool fan.

Full story: Metro