Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, 31, is to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season after rejecting a contract extension.

Full story: Daily Mail

Tottenham left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto, 28, has emerged as a shock January transfer target for Chelsea, with Ashley Cole looking for a route out of Stamford Bridge.

Full story: Caughtoffside.com

Tottenham are scouting Feyenoord's 21-year-old Dutch midfielder Jordy Clasie, who is also being watched by Juventus and Roma.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Ashley Cole joined Chelsea from Arsenal in 2006

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, is flattered by interest from Manchester United and Chelsea but will not be joining either during the January transfer window.

Full story: Metro

Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala are plotting a sensational move for Manchester United's 30-year-old captain Nemanja Vidic.

Full story: Daily Star

Genoa and Sweden defender Andreas Granqvist, 27, has revealed he would be keen on a transfer to Liverpool, after being linked with a January move to Anfield.

Full story: Metro

Aston Villa deny striker Darren Bent, 28, is in dispute with manager Paul Lambert.

Full story: Daily Express

Tomasz Kuszczak, 30, has accused Manchester United of pricing him out of the Premier League and the Europa League.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Didier Drogba does not intend to leave the Chinese Premier League. The 34-year-old former Chelsea striker said: "I will see out my contract. If I can still play after that then I would love to try some other places."

Full story: sohu.com

OTHER GOSSIP

England coach Roy Hodgson will drop six players from his first XI for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier in Poland.

Full story: The Times (subscription only)

Shearer won 63 caps for England

Former England striker Alan Shearer believes the national side have a good chance of winning Euro 2016.

Full story: The Sun

Wigan number two Graeme Jones is the shock target to become Burnley's new manager.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Drug cartels in South America and Europe are recruiting British ex-footballers to ply their trade in the UK.

Full story: the Sun

Former Scotland international Alan Hansen says England's new centre of excellence is too late to help the national team at the 2014 World Cup.

Full story: The Telegraph

Former Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka, 33, has attacked the Blues' treatment of ageing stars.

Full story: Daily Express

Chief executive Richard Scudamore says the Premier League is considering a winter break, but added that scrapping FA Cup replays could be the only way for it to be included in the season.

Full story: The Telegraph

Vancouver Whitecaps striker Kenny Miller, 32, says the players have let down Scotland coach Craig Levein. The national side face a tough task to qualify for the 2014 World Cup after losing to Wales on Friday.

Full story: Daily Record

Scott Brown and James Forrest are struggling to be fit for Celtic's Champions League meeting with Barcelona after the midfielders pulled out of the Scotland squad through injury.

Full story: Daily Record

AND FINALLY

Rangers chief executive Charles Green has apologised to Aston Villa for his derogatory remarks about the Premier League club.

Full story: skysports.com