Saturday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

New Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez hopes to beat former club Inter Milan to Brazil international Paulinho by making the 24-year-old Corinthians midfielder his first signing at Stamford Bridge.

Full story: talkSPORT

Benitez, who has signed a seven-month deal at Chelsea, says the Blues' England duo Frank Lampard, 34, and 31-year-old Ashley Cole are set to leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the season.

Full story: Daily Mail

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao, 26, and 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle are top of Benitez's shopping list for the January transfer window.

Full story: Metro

Atletico Madrid have not given up on signing Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 25, for £40m in the summer.

Full story: the Sun

Michael Dawson has not started a Premier League game for Tottenham this season

Harry Redknapp's first transfer target when he is appointed Queens Park Rangers manager will be to raid his old club Tottenham for centre-half Michael Dawson, 29.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Brazil striker Leonardo Damiao is keen to join his former Internacional team-mate Oscar at Chelsea. The 23-year-old would cost the Blues around £15m.

Full story: the Sun

Liverpool and AC Milan are set to battle it out for Barcelona winger Christian Tello, 21, who is out of contract at the Nou Camp in the summer.

Full story: talkSPORT

Arsenal are ready to fight Italian side AC Milan for FC Copenhagen's 19-year-old Danish striker Andreas Cornelius, who is dubbed 'the new Nicklas Bendtner'.

Full story: Metro

Zenit St Petersburg have made a move to re-sign Andrey Arshavin from Arsenal. The Gunners bought the playmaker, now 31, from the Russian side for £12m in 2009, but will only expect to recoup around £3m.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Marseille's Ghana international winger Andre Ayew, 23, has admitted he would welcome interest from West Ham.

Full story: Daily Mirror

The agent of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Douglas Costa has welcomed Tottenham's reported interest in the 22-year-old Brazilian but insists that he is not looking to move.

Full story: Tuttomercatoweb (in Italian)

Liverpool and Stoke are set to battle it out for the signature of Lazio forward Mauro Zarate. The 25-year-old Argentine cost the Italians around £16m but could leave for as low as £7m.

Full story: Footylatest.com

OTHER GOSSIP

Mark Clattenburg will return as the fourth official at Tottenham v West Ham this weekend before taking charge of Southampton v Norwich on Wednesday

Chelsea will hold talks with referees' chief Mike Riley as part of a reconciliation attempt with Mark Clattenburg.

Full story: Daily Mail

However, Clattenburg fears his dreams of officiating at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil has been shattered by the John Mikel Obi racial abuse allegations.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Harry Redknapp will get a £1m-plus bonus on top of his £3m per year salary if he saves QPR from relegation this season.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted he may quit next year. The 70-year-old, who was at the unveiling of a statue to mark his quarter of a century in charge at Old Trafford, said: "I've had 26 years at the club so far. And when the time comes and I decide to hang up my boots at - who knows? - maybe 27 years, I think it will be a testimony to the work I've done at the club."

Full story: Daily Express

Wigan's Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone, 29, has revealed he decided to move to the DW Stadium despite interest from other Premier League clubs.

Full story: Guardian

Arsenal's 20-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere believes he is improving with every appearance but thinks it will be Christmas before he is 'back to his best'.

Full story: skysports.com

Tottenham goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, 39, believes Italian football must follow the example set by the English game if the hooligan element in his home country is to be eradicated.

Full story: Evening Standard

AND FINALLY

A hotel in west London has changed the name of its top floor suite to Rafa Benitez to 'honour' the new Chelsea coach - saying the room is perfect for short stays.

Full story: Metro