Tuesday's Gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City could enter the fray to sign Real Madrid's French youngster Raphael Varane. The 19-year-old, who can play as either a defender or midfielder, has become a regular this season.

Varane scored Real's goal in their recent 1-1 draw with Barcelona

Full story: Daily Express

Dutch teenager Adam Maher says he will leave AZ Alkmaar in the summer but insists he won't be joining Arsenal. The 19-year-old midfielder had been tipped to join the Londoners by Alkmaar boss Gertjan Verbeek.

Full story: talkSPORT

Brazilian striker Neymar, 20, is set to disappoint Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid by staying with Santos in his native country until at least the 2014 World Cup.

Full story: The Sun

OTHER GOSSIP

Stuart Pearce is facing an uncertain future as England Under-21 manager after preliminary talks about whether the Football Association wants him to stay in the job were put off until the summer.

Full story: The Guardian

West Brom midfielder Steven Reid says the Baggies squad will only accept striker Peter Odemwingie back if the club order them to. Odemwingie, 31, drove to Loftus Road on transfer deadline day in an apparent attempt to negotiate a move to QPR without West Brom's permission.

Full story: Daily Mirror

QPR are still in a pay-off dispute with former manager Mark Hughes, who was sacked last November.

Man United's versatile Phil Jones may be out for some time with a bout of shingles

Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United could be without Phil Jones for up to four weeks after the 20-year-old defender was forced out of England's Under-21 international by a bout of shingles.

Full story: The Sun

New QPR signing Loic Remy, 25, could be out for up to two months with the groin strain the French striker picked up in training last week.

Full story: Daily Express

England captain Steven Gerrard, 32, insists team-mate Ashley Cole deserves respect from all England fans as his fellow 32-year-old left-back waits to earn his 100th cap for his country.

Full story: Daily Star

The owners of Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris St-Germain have been warned by Uefa that they cannot "cheat" their way around the rules for greater financial stability in football, following the publication of a report showing that combined losses among top European clubs have hit a record high.

Full story: The Times (subscription required)

David Beckham is at the centre of a political row in France because of his minimum wage deal at new club Paris St-Germain which will see the 37-year-old former England captain pay virtually no tax.

Full story: Daily Mail

Former England cricketer Ronnie Irani has revealed that he and BBC Radio 2's Chris Evans put Paul Gascoigne on a plane to Arizona where the former England midfielder is set to receive treatment for alcoholism.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Former Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker Ronaldinho, 32, who will be playing for Brazil against England at Wembley on Wednesday night, says that Italy's Paolo Maldini and John Terry are two of the toughest men he has met on a football field.

Full story: Daily Mirror

GLOBAL GOSSIP

Sourced by BBC Monitoring

Spanish midfielder Isco, 20, says he heard the news of his first international call-up from a message sent to his mother via a mobile messaging service.

Full story: Marca

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez is out for two weeks with a torn hamstring. The club hope he will be back in action for the first leg of the Champions League match against AC Milan at the San Siro on 20 February.

Full story: Marca

AND FINALLY

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has promised to get a 'mohican' haircut in the style of new AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli should his team win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Full story: Daily Mirror