Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Sir Alex Ferguson has dampened speculation that Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, could make a dramatic return to Manchester United this summer.

Full story: Metro

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke maintains they will let Poland striker Robert Lewandowski leave for nothing when his contract ends in 2014 if they do not receive the right offer this summer. The 24-year-old has been linked with both Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Lewandowski has scored 21 goals this season.

Full story: Die Welt (German)

Chelsea could not only be on the hunt for a new manager at the end of the season but may also be forced to revise their transfer shopping list, as Bayern Munich prepare a colossal bid for long-term Blues target Neymar.

Full story: Metro

QPR turned down the chance to make a profit on defender Chris Samba, who only moved to Loftus Road for £12.5m from Anzhi in January, when Zenit St Petersburg moved for the defender, 28, before the Russian transfer deadline last week.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Bolton boss Dougie Freedman wants Fulham's Turkish midfield magician Kerim Frei, 19, to fill Mark Davies' talented boots by joining the Championship club on loan.

Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Midfielder Michael Carrick, 31, has warned Manchester United not to be too gung-ho in their Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid.

Full story: Express

Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil, 24, believes that Real Madrid's consecutive wins over Barcelona have answered any questions about their team spirit ahead of their trip to Old Trafford.

Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford for the first time since joining Real in 2009

Full story: Marca (Spanish)

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra believes his former United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo could be affected by the emotion of returning to Old Trafford for the first time.

Full story: Sport.es (Spanish)

Winger Stewart Downing, 26, believes Liverpool striker Luis Suarez's chances of winning the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award could be hampered by the negative perceptions of his fellow players.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini wants to see his players taking responsibility for the team's failings this year.

Full story: Daily Mail

The Middle East group plotting a £1.5bn takeover of Arsenal want talks with majority shareholder Stan Kroenke.

Full story: The Sun

GLOBAL GOSSIP

(Sourced by BBC Monitoring)

Monday's scheduled meeting of Barcelona's board of directors will take on "special importance following the team's recent results". Among the issues to be discussed will be the future of manager Tito Vilanova, who is in New York receiving treatment for cancer.

Full story: Sport.es (Spanish)

Juventus striker Nicklas Bendtner was arrested on Saturday night for driving while under the influence of alcohol. The 25-year-old Dane, on loan from Arsenal, took to Twitter, saying: "I am very sorry to all my friends and fans. It's not OK to drink and drive, I take full responsibility."

Full story: Tuttosport (Italian)

AND FINALLY

Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni will consider Antonio Cassano for Thursday's Europa League tie with Tottenham after dropping the Italy striker, 30, for Sunday's 3-2 win at Catania following a training ground row, which saw the pair reportedly come close to blows.

Full story: Gazzetta dello Sport (Italian)