Tuesday's Gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident of signing Wilfried Zaha, 20, for £12m from Crystal Palace by the end of the week, with the aim of loaning the winger back to the Championship club for the remainder of the season.

Full story: the Guardian

Meanwhile, United striker Federico Macheda, 21, is poised to join Elche on loan, according to the Spanish club's president Jose Sepulchre.

Full story: talkSPORT

Mario Balotelli has scored 20 goals in 54 Premier League appearances for Manchester City

The decision by Victor Valdes to reject a new contract at Barcelona will ensure Manchester United consider the 31-year-old keeper to replace David de Gea, 22, at the end of the season.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Mario Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola claims Manchester City will not sell the 22-year-old striker to AC Milan this month.

Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is considering making a move for Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama, 21, as he attempts to improve the Gunners hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

Full story: Independent

Newcastle United's troubles are showing no signs of easing after Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, 23, did not arrive for a planned medical and captain Fabricio Coloccini, 31, failed to resolve his future at a meeting with club officials.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Liverpool are poised to snap up Inter Milan midfielder Philippe Coutinho, 20, after offering an improved fee of £8m.

Full story: Metro

New Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino has joined the chase for Anderlecht's £8m-rated midfielder Lucas Biglia, 26.

Full Story: Daily Mirror

John Terry's long-term future at Chelsea remains in doubt, with the club unlikely to open discussions about an extension to the 32-year-old's contract until the end of the season.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, 28, has not ruled out staying at the club beyond the end of his contract in 2014, but admits he would love to return home to play for his boyhood idols Boca Juniors.

Full story: Manchester Evening News

West Brom forward Peter Odemwingie, 31, wants to speak to QPR and may hand in a transfer request if Albion continue to block him.

Full story: Daily Mirror

France international Moussa Sissoko, 23, is ready to spurn interest from across Europe to push through a move to Newcastle United - although QPR could look to hijack the Magpies' bid for the midfielder.

Full story: talkSPORT

Fulham are considering a move for Blackpool midfielder Ludovic Sylvestre, 28.

Full story: Daily Mail

Ludovic Sylvestre scored against Fulham in the FA Cp third round at Craven Cottage on 5 January

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is considering whether to take Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff, 26, on loan.

Full story: Daily Star

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina's father says his son, 30, would love a return to Barcelona.

Full story: Metro

Long-serving Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, 34, says game-time could determine whether he will end his career with the club.

Full story: Daily Mirror

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)

Brazilian playmaker Kaka, 30, is likely to stay at Real Madrid after negotiations with AC Milan broke down over "tax issues".

Full story: futbol.as.com

French midfielder Yoann Gourcoff, 26, will not be leaving Lyon this month, despite interest from Arsenal, according to the Ligue 1 side's president Jean-Michel Aulas.

Full story: Sport24.com

Japanese side FC Tokyo are hoping to sign Spanish legend Raul, 35, from Qatari side Al-Sadd.

Full story: nikkansports.com

Marseilles manager Elie Baup says he does not expect to sign Moussa Sissoko, 23, from Toulouse, saying the midfielder appears to want to move to Newcastle.

Full story: lequipe.com

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, 49, has been paving the way for a remarkable return to Stamford Bridge by regularly texting and phoning club owner Roman Abramovich.

Full story: Daily Star

Arsenal striker Theo Walcott, 23, who signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal last week, admits he was distracted by his drawn-out contract saga.

Full story: the Sun

Steven Gerrard has scored 19 times in 100 appearances for England

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, 27, believes Arsenal are no longer a threat to the Blues in the race for Champions League places and is more concerned with catching Manchester United in the title race.

Full story: London's Evening Standard

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, 32, says he has set his sights on catching David Beckham's England haul of 115 caps.

Full story: the Sun

Midfielder Clint Dempsey, 29, is confident he can start repaying the £6m Tottenham paid for him in the summer, following a difficult start to his career at White Hart Lane.

Full story: London's Evening Standard

AND FINALLY

BBC 5 live's 606 newsletter reports that Manchester United players wore matching pairs of Bugs Bunny pyjamas for their journey to Qatar at the weekend. The United players jetted to the Middle East following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham for warm weather training and team bonding.

Oldham's chances of avoiding the big freeze to host Liverpool in their televised FA Cup fourth round tie on Sunday have been boosted after they took delivery of an inflatable pitch cover.

Full story: Daily Mail