Sunday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea and Manchester City are leading the chase for Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao, 26, who has a release clause of £45m.

Full story: Sunday Express

Liverpool and Newcastle will both compete for the signature of Celtic's in-form striker Gary Hooper, 24.

Full story: Metro

Aston Villa bought Darren Bent in a £24m deal from Sunderland in January 2011

Aston Villa are ready to sell striker Darren Bent, 28, in the January transfer window.

Full story: People

Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton is an early favourite for the vacant managerial post at Burnley, following Eddie Howe's return to Bournemouth.

Full story: Lancashire Telegraph

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will need his team to be successful in the Champions League if the club are to spend big money on future signings.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be given £35m to spend in the January transfer window - but the Frenchman is still not sure whether to spend it.

Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

England winger Theo Walcott says his collision with San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini in Friday's World Cup qualifier felt like "[being] hit by a bus".

Full story: The Sun

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes Gunners striker Olivier Giroud, 26, is the "main man" at the club.

Full story: talkSPORT

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, 22, is not a good role model, says the club's football administrator Brian Marwood.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert says he often calls up former Villa manager Martin O'Neill for advice - and he has every intention of carrying on doing so.

Full story: Birmingham Mail

Defender John Terry, 31, has damaged Chelsea's reputation, says former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Former Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate says he rejected the chance to become the FA's technical director because he didn't have enough understanding of coaching.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

AND FINALLY

The FA's multi-million pound centre of excellence has attracted criticism for its admission charges. A basic visit to St George's Park in Burton costs £11 but the top tour, which features two hours of coaching and the use of the England dressing room, costs £2,275 for a group of 12.

The Sun

A new report on Brazilian players reveals there are 606 playing in 40 top-flight European leagues, and 1,169 playing outside their own country.

Full story: The Observer

Meanwhile, a Sun report claims 126 ex-footballers are in prison and that drug cartels in South America and Europe recruit vulnerable former players in the UK.

Full story: The Sun

Former Juventus and Italy striker Alessandro Del Piero was overshadowed by ex-England forward Emile Heskey as Newcastle Jets beat Sydney FC 3-2 in Australia.

Full story: Metro