Monday's gossip column - transfers and rumours

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Newcastle striker Demba Ba, 27, is set to complete a £7.5m move to Chelsea - the first of three new signings at Stamford Bridge.

Full story: Daily Mirror

The Magpies will pay Ba a £2m "loyalty" fee if he joins Chelsea in January.

Demba Ba has scored 13 goals so far this term for Newcastle

Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole, 31, could be set for a January move to Queens Park Rangers as both clubs are set for talks.

Full story: Sky Sports

But Liverpool have dismissed suggestions that they have bid £9.5m for Inter Milan's attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 28.

Full story: the Sun

Manchester United could sign former player Cristiano Ronaldo, 27, for as little as £60m from Real Madrid, with Old Trafford keeper David de Gea, 22, and winger Nani, 26, both part of the deal.

Full story: the Sun

Former Italy manager Marcello Lippi has urged AC Milan to sign Shanghai Shenhua and ex-Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 34.

Full story: Daily Mirror

QPR will give manager Harry Redknapp £20m to sign Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila, 22, Marseille striker Loic Remy, 25, and West Ham midfielder Mohamed Diame, 25.

Full story: Daily Mail

Southampton have offered £8m for Italy international defender Davide Astori, 25, but face fierce competition from Serie A duo Napoli and Juventus.

Full story: Daily Star

Sunderland are in talks to sign former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, 33, on loan from current side New York Red Bulls.

(Press Association)

Reading are interested in signing Ivory Coast defender Steve Gohouri, 31, from Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Full story: the Sun

Standard Liege defender Rami Gershon is poised to join Celtic on loan until the end of the season.

Full story: Sun

Motherwell forward Jamie Murphy will hold talks about a proposed January move to Sheffield United.

Full story: Sun

OTHER GOSSIP

Real Madrid and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, 31, is considering a return to the Premier League.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal have given forward Theo Walcott, 23, two weeks to sign a new deal at the club.

Full story: Daily Mail

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has held talks with the club's owner Randy Lerner and has been told he will only be given £10m in the transfer window to help address their slump in form.

Full story: the Telegraph

Crystal Palace's sought-after winger Wilfried Zaha says he wants to move to a Premier League club in the January transfer window. Arsenal are reported to be one of the club's interested in the 20-year-old.

Full story: the Independent

AND FINALLY

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was struck down with the norovirus on Sunday before his side's win over QPR and was sent home while assistant boss Colin Pascoe was excluded from the dressing room at half-time for fear of passing it on.

Full story: Daily Telegraph