Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

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

Walcott scored a hat-trick for Arsenal on Tuesday

Arsenal are set to meet with striker Theo Walcott, 23, next week as they attempt to prevent the England international from leaving the club when his contract expires next summer.

Full story: Metro

Manchester United are monitoring the performances of Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender. The 23-year-old has broken into the Germany side over the past year with a series of strong performances for Leverkusen.

Full story: Daily Mail

Portugal winger Nani, 25, is planning to leave Manchester United at the end of the season after talks over a new contract collapsed.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

United will consider offers of about £20m for Nani and look to replace him with Porto winger James Rodriguez.

Full story: Daily Star

France international Moussa Sissoko has spoken to Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye for advice on whether to join the north-east club.

Full story: Newcastle Chronicle

QPR are interested in signing Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho, in January. The 34-year-old centre-back has been told his contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season and could be tempted with a move back to the Premier League.

Full story: Caught Offside

Malaga are trying to keep midfield star Isco, 20, from Manchester City by increasing his release clause from £17m to £30m.

Full story: the Sun

Manchester United defensive duo Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are close to returning from long-term injury lay-offs.

Full story: the Times

MARK CLATTENBURG FALLOUT

Leeds manager Neil Warnock says he is "disgusted" by what he perceives as Chelsea's attempts to "kill" referee Mark Clattenburg. The Football Association and police are investigation an allegation by Chelsea that Clattenburg used racial language towards two of their players. "I'm sure he might have said a few things, but if Chelsea had won that game, there would not have been an iota of complaint," said Warnock.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Leading referees want the Football Association to take action against Chelsea if their racism case against Clattenburg collapses.

Full story: Daily Express

Chelsea will publish a message in the programme for tonight's League Cup meeting with Manchester United in which fans will be reminded of their responsibilities. A steward was admitted to hospital and a series of objects were thrown on to the pitch during Sunday's league game between the teams.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Blackburn defender Henning Berg is set to be named Rovers' boss on Wednesday, replacing Steve Kean who resigned in September.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Jamaica are hoping to convince Liverpool youngster Raheem Sterling, 17, that he should commit his international future to them rather than England, after the youngster's impressive form so far this season at Anfield.

Full story: Daily Mail

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has praised current boss Brendan Rodgers for "playing the right way" and giving opportunities to young players.

Full story: the Sun

Liverpool have issued an apology to a sports blogger for the "inappropriate behaviour" of the club's communications director Jen Chang.

Full story: Liverpool Echo

Everton defender Phil Jagielka, 30, has responded to criticism of the club's style of play by Steven Gerrard by saying "at least we don't pass it around for half an hour for the sake of it".

Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Chelsea are hoping their fans can "scare the life out of" Manchester United when the two sides meet in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday after asking them to wear frightening fancy dress.

Full story: Metro