Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

New Reading boss Nigel Adkins wants to raid his former club Southampton for 27-year-old striker Billy Sharp, who is on loan at Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Billy Sharp has scored 11 times for Nottingham Forest this season.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Borussia Dortmund's stars have been telling Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, to turn down a move to Manchester United this summer.

Full story: the Sun

Wayne Bridge is wanted by both Cardiff and Brighton. The 32-year-old Manchester City defender has spent the season on loan at the Seagulls.

Full story: the Sun

Newcastle want Celtic's giant English centre-half Kelvin Wilson, 27, with Fabricio Coloccini possibly leaving in the summer.

Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Sacked Premier League managers Martin O'Neill and Brian McDermott have emerged as leading contenders to succeed Giovanni Trapattoni as Republic of Ireland manager.

Full story: ESPN

McDermott has spoken for the first time since he was sacked as manager of Reading. "It came as a real shock," the 51-year-old.

John O'Shea spent 11 years at Old Trafford with Manchester United

Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Chelsea owe their run in this year's FA Cup to easy draws.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini joked he wanted to "punch" midfielder Samir Nasri, 25, following the Blues' 4-0 win over Newcastle.

Full story: Guardian

Former Manchester United defender John O'Shea, 31, reckons the current crop of players at Old Trafford is one of the best in the history of the club.

Full story: Daily Mail

Reading midfielder Danny Guthrie, 25, says new Royals boss Nigel Adkins has given them fresh hope of staying up.

Full story: Daily Mirror

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)

German side Hamburg have invited fans to a barbecue on 20 April, following their 9-2 defeat by league leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday.

Full story: Bild

Brazil striker Neymar, 21, has refused to rule out extending his contract with Santos despite interest from Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Full story: Sambafoot.com

Valencia's Paraguayan striker Nelson Haedo Valdez, 29, saw off two burglars who broke into his home in early hours of Saturday morning by throwing ornamental stones from his garden at them.

Full story: Las Provincas

AND FINALLY

England midfielder Jack Wilshere got a taste of just how desperate Arsenal fans are to have him back in the side after he was mobbed at traffic lights while driving his car outside the Emirates.

Full story: Metro