Sunday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United have been told by Tottenham that it will cost them £70m - almost three times the sum required to secure Robin van Persie's signature - to sign 23-year-old winger Gareth Bale.

Full story: Daily Star Sunday

Meanwhile, United's Brazilian midfielder ­Anderson, 24, is set for a ­summer departure from Old Trafford, while 38-year-old midfielder Paul Scholes is likely to retire at the end of the season.

Radamel Falcao has won the Europa League with Porto (2010-11) and Atletico Madrid (2011-12)

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Manchester City are ready to break the British transfer record with a £52m bid for 27-year-old Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.

Full story: Sunday People

Roberto Mancini's City are also making a late attempt, along with Real Madrid, to persuade Brazil forward Neymar, 21, to change his mind about joining Barcelona.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

Samir Nasri could be on his way out of City as French side Paris Saint-Germain weigh up an offer for the 25-year-old attacking midfielder.

Full Story: The Sun

Chelsea captain John Terry, 32, is set to be offered a big-money deal to end his playing career in the Middle East, with clubs in the United Arab Emirates interested in the defender.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

West Bromwich Albion are in no rush to offer Scotland international midfielder Graham Dorrans, 25, a new contract.

Full story: Express & Star

OTHER GOSSIP

Everton will target Wigan Athletic's 39-year-old manager Roberto Martinez if David Moyes, who is out of contract in the summer, decides to leave the Toffees.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

England manager Roy Hodgson has assured Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson that defender Rio Ferdinand, 34, will be looked after properly on international duty following his call-up for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro.

Full story: The Sun

Hodgson also contacted Ferdinand to give his assurances, leaving a long message on the defender's phone.

Full story: Sunday Express

San Marino striker Andy Selva, 36, says his country's main aim when they face England in a World Cup qualifier next Friday is to avoid ridicule. "England are a super team and we are almost all amateurs," he adds. "The difference is ridiculous."

John Terry has made 19 appearances in an injury-hit season for the Chelsea defender so far

Full story: the Observer

Former Reading manager Brian McDermott is being lined-up as the successor to Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni, who celebrates his 74th birthday on Sunday.

Full story: Daily Star Sunday

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini flew back to Italy refusing to talk about the title race after his team's hopes of retaining the Premier League crown all but ended after defeat at Everton.

Full story: Sunday Mirror

Chelsea captain John Terry, 32, says interim manager Rafael Benitez is right to rotate him, even though he has found it frustrating not playing in every game since recovering from a knee injury.

Full story: Mail on Sunday

Tony Pulis says he will only quit Stoke City "when it's right - but that's not at the moment". Pulis has come in for criticism from some fans after one win in 11 Premier League games.

Fabrice Muamba retired from playing in August 2012, five months after suffering a cardiac arrest

Full story: Stoke Sentinel

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli, 22, says in an interview with Italian TV show Le lene that he used to argue with Jose Mourinho during their time together at Inter Milan and prefers Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini "as a person".

Full story: Mail on Sunday

Football shirts left by well-wishers as Fabrice Muamba's survival lay in the balance are to be shipped off to Africa. It is one year since the former Birmingham midfielder, 24, collapsed on the pitch playing for Bolton against Tottenham in an FA Cup tie at White Hart Lane.

Full story: Birmingham Mail

AND FINALLY

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill says his players were right to turn down an invitation from sponsors to attend the Cheltenham Festival following a poor run of form.

Full story: Sunderland Echo