Thursday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

For updated transfer news and gossip throughout the day, read our breaking news service Sportsday Live.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Colombian forward and Chelsea target Radamel Falcao, 26, admits he is unsure whether he has a future at Atletico Madrid because of the deepening economic crisis in Spain.

Full story: Metro

Liverpool seem to have successfully warded off interest from Manchester City in their centre-back Daniel Agger - the 27-year-old is to agree a new four-year deal to remain at Anfield.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Everton will strive to keep hold of all of their talented players in January, according to 33-year-old goalkeeper Tim Howard, as they push for a Champions League place come the end of the season.

Full story: Sky Sports News

Daniel Agger is to sign a new Liverpool contract

Everton are lining up a fresh bid for Bruges and Belgium midfielder Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe, Fifa having refused to ratify a deal in August.

Full story: the Sun

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman admits his 19-year-old winger Wilfried Zaha could be bound for the top flight - alerting potential suitors Tottenham and Liverpool.

Full story: talkSPORT

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been told by Blackpool boss Ian Holloway that winger Tom Ince, 20, will not be sold on the cheap.

Full story: the Sun

Pep Guardiola is being targeted by AC Milan, who want to stop the former Barcelona coach taking his next job in the Premier League.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Burnley have issued a 'hands off' warning after manager Eddie Howe was linked with a return to his old club, AFC Bournemouth.

Full story: Lancashire Evening Telegraph

OTHER GOSSIP

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew denies suggestions from his 26-year-old midfielder Yohann Cabaye that Tottenham tried to sign the France international in the summer.

Full story: the Sun

Wilfried Zaha could soon be heading to the Premier League

England manager Roy Hodgson has taken a calculated risk and decided to let Stuart Pearce select a number of up-and-coming talents for the Under-21 squad, including 19-year-old deputy goalkeeper Jack Butland, 20-year-old Tottenham defender Steven Caulker and Liverpool's 17-year-old winger Raheem Sterling.

Full story: the Guardian

Meanwhile, West Ham are to seek assurances that Hodgson will treat 23-year-old striker Andy Carroll with care if he is selected for England's World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland in October - Carroll is only just returning to action from a hamstring injury.

Full story: Daily Mail

And it appears that veteran defender Rio Ferdinand's career as an England centre-half is at an end after Hodgson confided to commuters of a London Underground journey: "It is over for him and England. It has got to be the end of the road. He is pushing 34 and hasn't played for England for a long, long time."

Full story: Daily Mirror

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway insists his winger, 20-year-old Tom Ince, is as good if not better than Arsenal's England international pair Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott.

Full story: Daily Star

Celtic's Essex-born striker Gary Hooper, 24, is world class and should be considered for a place in Thursday's England squad announcement, according to manager Neil Lennon.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers backs Italian striker Fabio Borini, 21, to hit goalscoring form in the near future. "Over time he will come good," promised Rodgers.

Full story: the Times (subscription required)

Defender James Tomkins, 23, admits he wasted his time by going to the London Olympics and losing his West Ham place.

Full story: Daily Star

Rodgers has recruited former Swansea head of sports science Ryland Morgans to his coaching team at Liverpool.

Full story: Daily Mail

Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley is expected to make his return from injury in a friendly match on Thursday. The 27-year-old has not played this season because of an ankle injury.

Full story: Daily Express

AND FINALLY

Steven Gerrard has belatedly joined Twitter and already has over 56,500 followers, but he assures the powers that be at Anfield that @SGF08 "won't be anything too ambitious or controversial".

Full story: Daily Mail

Charlton chairman Michael Slater, who is a Manchester City supporter, is to complain to Uefa after being knocked unconscious after an alleged police charge outside the Bernabeu ahead of City's 3-2 defeat at Real Madrid last month.

Full story: the Independent