Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United have joined the race for Arsenal's Theo Walcott, 23, in a move similar to Robin van Persie's switch to Old Trafford in August.

Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool are set to buy Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge, 23, and 20-year-old Blackpool forward Thomas Ince - as well as allowing Joe Cole, 31, to leave - in the January transfer window.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea will step up their pursuit of Corinthians midfielder Paulinho, 24, after Oriol Romeu was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Full story: The Times (subscription only)

Paulinho was a member of the Corinthians side that claimed the Brazilian league title in 2011

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is ready to replace Demba Ba with Dynamo Kiev striker Artem Milevskiy, 27.

Full story: the Sun

West Bromwich Albion striker Shane Long, 25, says he is not looking to leave The Hawthorns in the January transfer window.

Full story: Express & Star

Manchester City are monitoring developments with Paris Saint-Germain defender Mamadou Sakho, 23, as they consider allowing Joleon Lescott to leave in January.

Full story: Daily Mail

City are also weighing up a £5m move for Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael Cabral, 22, as manager Roberto Mancini looks to add competition for number one Joe Hart.

Full story: Metro

Reading are lining up a January swoop to bring former Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, 31, back to the Premier League.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Sunderland are facing competition from Italian club Palermo to sign Manchester City striker John Guidetti, 20.

Full story: talkSPORT

Wolves manager Stale Solbakken insists it is "out of the question" that midfielder Bakary Sako, 24, will leave the club in January.

Full story: Birmingham Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has three games to save his job.

Full story: Daily Star

Wally Downes has left his position as first-team coach at West Ham by mutual consent. The 51-year-old was appointed to the role after Sam Allardyce replaced Avram Grant as manager in 2011.

Full story: Daily Mail

Wally Downes, 51, has left his position as first-team coach at West Ham by mutual consent

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson, 32, has been left "shaken" after being attacked by Brentford supporters.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool have apologised to Fulham over the tapping-up of Clint Dempsey in the summer.

Full story: Daily Mail

Robin van Persie says his impressive start at Manchester United is down to the likes of younger strikers Javier Hernandez, 24, and Danny Welbeck, 22, keeping him fresh.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Burnley defender Jack Errington, 17, has undergone heart surgery as a result of a scan introduced following Fabrice Muamba's on-pitch cardiac arrest in March this year.

Full story: Daily Mail

Striker Michael Owen, who has only managed 51 minutes since joining Stoke on a free transfer in the summer, says he is eager to make up for lost time and is in contention to face Everton on Saturday after the 32-year-old played in a friendly against Preston.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

FA chairman David Bernstein says he is keen see David Beckham take up a role with the FA in the future. The former England midfielder, 37, ended his six-year spell with LA Galaxy by winning the MLS Cup at the beginning of December.

Full story: Goal.com

AND FINALLY

West Ham have become the first Premier League club to be featured in hit US television series The Simpsons.

Full story: the Sun