Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, is set to turn down a move to Manchester United in favour of staying in Germany and switching to Bayern Munich for £25m.

Full story: the Sun

Chelsea could land manager Jose Mourinho on the cheap this summer and get former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, 31, as well if the Real Madrid coach returns to Stamford Bridge.

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso could be on his way to Chelsea in the summer

Full story: The Independent

However, it could cost the Blues £200m to appoint Mourinho as manager when taking into account the escape clause in his contract and the players he wants to sign.

Full story: Daily Star

Manchester City could make Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho, 27, the first signing of their summer.

Full story: Daily Mail

Aston Villa are ready to turn down offers of £30m in an effort to keep hold of 22-year-old striker Christian Benteke.

Full story: the Sun

Liverpool and Manchester United face another contender for the signature of Torino defender Angelo Ogbonna, 24, with Bayern Munich now on his trail.

Full story: talkSPORT

Chelsea have opened the door on a potential one-year contract extension for Frank Lampard, 34, just four months after the midfielder's agent claimed that "in no circumstances" would his player be offered a new deal.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Tottenham are hopeful of signing long-term target Leandro Damiao with the Brazil striker, 23, set to leave Internacional for Europe, with Napoli also expressing interest.

Full story: Daily Mail

Galatasaray are ready to offer Arsenal £15m for Germany forward Lukas Podolski, 27, after making him their top target.

Full story: Metro

Cardiff want to make £7m-rated Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones, 28, their first Premier League signing.

Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

England manager Roy Hodgson is ready to ask Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, who is on loan at West Ham, to revive his team's hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. The 24-year-old has scored four goals in his last five games.

Full story: the Sun

Jose Mourinho has been told he will have to accept working under technical director Michael Emenalo if he wants to return to Chelsea.

Mourinho would have to accept Emenalo being in charge of player recruitment at Chelsea

Full story: Daily Mirror

Former Arsenal defender Remi Garde believes the changing face of football may have altered Arsene Wenger's famous principles - but he still expects the Frenchman to snub Paris Saint-Germain's riches this summer.

Full story: talkSPORT

Newcastle United have not made provisions for relegation in all of the contracts they gave to the players who arrived at St James' Park in January.

Full story: The Independent

GLOBAL GOSSIP

(sourced by BBC Monitoring)

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 31, has said he will leave the club at the end of the season, with Juventus a possible destination.

Full story: Tuttosport

Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke has said he couldn't bear to watch the final minutes of Tuesday's match against Real Madrid, instead spending the time "locked in the toilet, with my ears plugged, watching the clock".

Full story: Sueddeutsche

A representative of interim Chelsea coach Rafael Benitez has denied any contact with Paris Saint-Germain over replacing Carlo Ancelotti next season.

Full story: Sport24

Paris Saint-Germain fans have written an open letter to Ancelotti, urging him to stay.

Full story: L'Equipe

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has spoken publicly for the first time on allegations of tax evasion, saying he made a "huge mistake" that he wants to correct. His statement came amid news that some sponsors are pressuring the club to have him removed as president of the supervisory board.

Full story: Faz.net

AND FINALLY

Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo, 33, has revealed the success behind enjoying such a long spell at the top of football - locking himself away and playing on his computer console.

Full story: Metro