Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Inter Milan are all ready to battle for Mario Balotelli's signature in January, should Manchester City decide to sell the 22-year-old striker.

Full story: the Sun

Giuseppe Rossi left Manchester United in 2007 and is now a target for Liverpool

Arsenal's 24-year-old striker Nicklas Bendtner, on loan at Juventus, says he would not rule out a move to Tottenham if he has to leave the Gunners on a permanent basis next summer.

Full story: Sky Sports

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has insisted striker Luis Suarez will not be sold. "Absolutely not," the American said. "He's a beautiful player to watch."

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is considering a gamble on Villarreal's former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi, 25, as he bids to solve his striker shortage, even though the forward is out with knee ligament damage at the moment.

Full story: Metro

Rodgers is also poised to make a bid for Reading defender Alex Pearce, a player he coached during his time at the Berkshire club.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Juventus playmaker Andrea Pirlo has revealed he was very close to joining Chelsea three years ago when Carlo Ancelotti was in charge.

Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal will not allow Theo Walcott to leave the club in January, even if he refuses to sign a new contract before Christmas.

Full story: Daily Mail

Rio Ferdinand is seriously considering leaving Manchester United in the summer, with a move to China on the cards.

Full story: the Guardian

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he would welcome Cristiano Ronaldo back to the club, but believes he is "unbuyable".

Full story: Manchester Evening News

Gianni Paladini is close to finalising his takeover of Birmingham City. The prospective new owners plan to keep Lee Clark as manager and provide him with funds for the January transfer window.

Full story: Birmingham Post

OTHER GOSSIP

Hughes is under pressure at QPR

QPR manager Mark Hughes is battling to heal a dressing-room rift. Several of the club's senior players believe the new signings are not putting in enough effort for the cause.

Full story: the Sun

Hughes is likely to remain in his post until at least the Manchester United game on Saturday but further talks will take place this week between the club's main shareholders.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Referee Mark Clattenburg will be cleared of racially abusing John Mikel Obi by the Football Association.

Full story: Daily Star

Sunderland winger James McClean has received death threats on Twitter for not wearing a poppy to mark Remembrance Day. Police are investigating after images of bullets were allegedly posted on his timeline.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo may make wholesale changes to the side that lost to West Brom on Saturday by dropping striker Fernando Torres, 28, for their midweek Champions League match with Juventus and adopting a more defensive approach.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Di Matteo is fighting to save his job after Chelsea won just three of their last seven games, causing owner Roman Abramovich to lose patience.

Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool are set to offer 17-year-old winger Raheem Sterling a lucrative new contract worth £30,000 a week following his meteoric rise to the first team and full England honours.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says the club will have to produce the "perfect performance" if they are to beat Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Full story: the Times (subscription required)

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard says persuading manager David Moyes to sign a new contract will be essential to ensure the club's future success.

Full story: Liverpool Echo

AND FINALLY

American rapper Snoop Dogg, 41, has said he would like to invest in Scottish Premier League champions Celtic, after becoming a fan of the club when pictured with a Celtic shirt in 2005.

Full story: Daily Mail