Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea are set to open talks with Bayer Leverkusen as they close in on a £20m deal for Germany striker Andre Schurrle, 22.

Schurrle has scored nine league goals for Bayer Leverkusen this season.

Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce wants to sign Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes. The Scotland international, 23, has scored 24 goals for Rovers since joining in an £8m deal from Huddersfield last summer.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has confirmed the club's interest in signing Dortmund's Germany defender Mats Hummels, 24.

Full story: Marca (Spanish)

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has postponed his wedding after Los Angeles Galaxy stepped up their efforts to bring the 34-year-old to Major League Soccer.

Full story: Daily Star

OTHER GOSSIP

Bradford manager Phil Parkinson is being lined up to take over as Sheffield United manager after the Blades sacked Danny Wilson.

Full story: the Sun

Wayne Rooney has played down the prospect of making a permanent move into midfield. The Manchester United striker, 27, played in a deeper role in the 2-0 win at Stoke on Sunday.

Full story: talkSPORT

Sergio Aguero caught David Luiz in the second half at Wembley.

Chelsea defender David Luiz is seeking an apology from Sergio Aguero after being caught by a two-footed challenge from the Manchester City forward in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.

Full story: the Guardian

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio believes seeing a vision of his dead mother Pierina before Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby was the inspiration for his side's historic victory over Newcastle.

Full story: the Independent

QPR manager Harry Redknapp admits it will be difficult to clear out the biggest earners at Loftus Road if his team is relegated to the Championship.

Full story: the Times (subscription required)

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, 35, is set for talks with manager Brendan Rodgers over delaying his retirement at the end of this season.

Full story: the Sun

Global Gossip (from BBC Monitoring)

Beckham has started one game for PSG.

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo claims David Beckham could stay at the club next season. He said: "The door is open for him to stay at PSG. If he wants to continue, we will continue." The Brazilian insists he plans to keep Carlo Ancelotti at the club despite interest from Real Madrid.

Full story: TFI (French)

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was in Germany on Saturday to watch Champions League semi-final opponents Borussia Dortmund thrash Greuther Furth 6-1.

Full story: Frankfurter Algemeine (German)

Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni says the team's season is "cursed" following a 2-0 defeat by Cagliari. The 2010 Champions League winners are currently seventh in Serie A, and may fail to qualify for European football next season.

Full story: La Stampa (Italian)

AND FINALLY

Former Spain and Real Madrid striker Raul, 35, won a seventh league title of his career when he captained Qatari side Al-Sadd to their 13th league title following a 3-1 victory over Al-Kharatiyat.

Full story: Gulf Times