Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal are ready to offer Liverpool Theo Walcott plus £8m for Raheem Sterling. Contract talks between the Gunners and Walcott, 23, have stalled, while fellow England winger Sterling, 17, has 18 months left on his deal at Anfield.

Full story: the Sun

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho wants to buy Chelsea's 31-year-old left-back Ashley Cole - out of contract next summer - in January.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Is Cole set to wave farewell to the Blues?

Manager Roberto Di Matteo, though, has told the Chelsea board that he wants midfielder Frank Lampard, 34, and Cole - who are both in the final year of their contracts - to remain at the club and hopes that Lampard can see out the remainder of his career at Stamford Bridge.

Full story: The Times (subscription required)

Di Matteo has also said that he has been impressed by the goal ratio of Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao over the past three seasons. Falcao, 26, has a £48m release clause in his contract and Chelsea have been linked with the Colombian for some time.

Full story: Daily Express

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has refused to rule out a loan move for Robbie Keane in January. The Los Angeles Galaxy striker, 32, had a two-month stint at Villa last season, scoring three goals in seven games.

Full story: Express & Star

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has blocked Sheffield Wednesday's attempt to land England Under-21 striker Connor Wickham, 19, on loan.

Full story: Newcastle Chronicle

OTHER GOSSIP

QPR manager Mark Hughes, whose team face Southampton at the weekend in a clash of the Premier League's bottom clubs, says he is angry and the "whole club is angry" at their start to the season.

Full story: Daily Mail

Meanwhile, the Guardian analyses the prospects of Hughes and his Saints counterpart Nigel Adkins in a piece titled: "Which of these coaches will survive El Sackico" - referring to the Spanish game between Real Madrid and Barcelona which is dubbed 'El Classico'.

Full story: the Guardian

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims Liverpool stopped Michael Owen, now 32 and playing for Stoke, from fulfilling his potential as a footballer. Owen played 44 first-team games for the Reds in his first season as a 17-year-old.

Full story: the Sun

Defender Chris Smalling, 22, believes Manchester United are being driven by fear of another trophy-less season.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Former Netherlands midfielder Edgar Davids, 39, now a player-manager of League Two Barnet, says Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini lacks people skills and describes ex-England manager Fabio Capello as a tactical genius.

Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has backed goalkeeper Pepe Reina, 30, to regain his place in the Reds starting line-up and prove he is still top class.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted the performance of 22-year-old striker Mario Balotelli in training has not been up to standard.

Full story: Manchester Evening News

AND FINALLY

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes is to appear on The Apprentice Asia.

Full story: Daily Mirror