Wednesday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Frank Lampard has been told that his Chelsea career is over and that he can find a new team in the January transfer window. The 34-year-old midfielder was informed of the news before scoring in Sunday's 8-0 win over Aston Villa - his 500th Premier League start.

Full story: The Sun

Chelsea are ready to beat Arsenal and Liverpool to sign Barcelona striker David Villa. The Blues' interim boss Rafa Benitez is planning a £12m deal for the 31-year-old who cost the Spanish giants £33m in 2010 but who has made just a handful of first-team starts in the current campaign after suffering a broken leg last season.

David Villa's future at Barcelona is uncertain

Full story: Daily Mirror

QPR boss Harry Redknapp is set to make the first move to sign Newcastle striker Demba Ba when the transfer window reopens. Club chairman Tony Fernandes is so keen to sign the 27-year-old Senegal striker that he is prepared to build a clause into any deal to allow Ba to leave for a minimal fee if he joins the Loftus Road club and they are subsequently relegated.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea captain John Terry will not be offered a new contract by club owner Roman Abramovich with the Russian still angry at the 32-year-old for failing to back former boss Andre Villas-Boas.

Full story: Daily Star

Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland, 19, is set to leave the club in January after their latest takeover talks stalled. The £6m-rated England international, who has caught the eye of Liverpool, Everton, Manchester City and Southampton, may be sold to keep the Blues from going into administration.

Full story: The Sun

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand faces an agonising decision on his Old Trafford future in the new year. The 34-year-old is out of contract in the summer and will have talks after Christmas with manager Sir Alex Ferguson over the possibility of an extension.

Full story: Daily Express

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC monitoring)

David Villa is not leaving Barcelona despite a renewed interest shown by English club Arsenal.

Full story: Marca

Eric Abidal's return to football is getting closer and closer but the player is not looking at leaving Barcelona. The defender admits that he has received offers from Paris Saint-Germain but says his family is happy in Barcelona.

Full story: Marca

A little more than two weeks after leaving Lille, goalkeeper Mickael Landreau has decided to join Bastia until the end of the season. He will be presented at the club on 31 December.

Full story: L'Equipe

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool striker Raheem Sterling says he will not be tempted to reject England after winning his first non-competitive cap last month, despite being courted by the country of his birth, Jamaica.

Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure wants to end his career at the Etihad Stadium despite the 29-year-old being linked with a move back to Spain.

Full story: Daily Express