Thursday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night to watch Wigan winger Callum McManaman and midfielder James McCarthy, both 22.

Full story: The Times (subscription only)

Reported Liverpool target Tiago Ilori has made 12 appearances for Sporting Lisbon

Rodgers is ready to make a £4m bid for 20-year-old Sporting Lisbon central defender Tiago Ilori.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Manuel Pellegrini has handed Manchester City a five-man shortlist of transfer targets after agreeing a two-year contract to manage the Premier League runners-up.

Full story: Daily Star

But Malaga have denied reports they will let the Chilean, 59, leave the Spanish club this summer.

Full story: talkSPORT

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho, 28, wants the Ukrainian club to allow him to join Manchester City for less than his £40.5m release clause.

Full story: Daily Express

France full-back Bacary Sagna has shocked Arsenal by admitting he would not "close the door" on a move to Paris St-Germain or Monaco.

Full story: the Sun

Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund have joined Arsenal and AC Milan by showing an interest in Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, 22.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea are expected to confirm they have agreed terms with midfielder Frank Lampard, 34, over a new contract.

Full story: London Evening Standard

Hull manager Steve Bruce wants to sign Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel - son of his former Manchester United team-mate Peter - as the Tigers plan for their Premier League return.

Full story: the Sun

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, 32, will be invited to captain England against the Republic of Ireland on 29 May to commemorate his 100th cap.

Full story: Daily Mail

Roy Hodgson has urged England's youngsters to step up to take over from Rio Ferdinand, 34, after the Manchester United defender announced his international retirement.

Full story: The Sun

Hodgson could call up uncapped Swansea winger Wayne Routledge, 28, for the end-of-season friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Full story: The Independent

Chelsea's Belgian attacker Eden Hazard, 22, says he would welcome the chance to work with Jose Mourinho, who has been linked with the manager's job.

Full story: Daily Express

Mario Balotelli was sold by sacked Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini in January

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan remains confident that he can persuade Roberto Martinez, 39, to remain as Wigan Athletic manager despite the club's relegation from the Premier League.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Retiring Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has criticised the hire-and-fire culture of the club's Premier League rivals.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, 22, says he was not surprised that his former manager Roberto Mancini was sacked.

Full story: CNN

Meanwhile, City are set to announce plans to expand their Etihad Stadium by a further 6,000 seats to a capacity of 54,000 - making it the third biggest Premier League ground.

Full story: The Independent

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has hailed the "immense contribution" of Jamie Carragher, 35, and says there will always be a role for the retiring defender at Anfield.

Full story: Liverpool Echo

Relegated Wolves are lining up an ambitious move for former England manager Steve McClaren as they aim to return to the Championship at the first attempt.

Full story: Daily Mirror

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)

Juventus coach Antonio Conte, 43, has confirmed he will remain at the club next season following an agreement struck with directors on Wednesday.

Full story: Corriere della Serra (in Italian)

Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia, 39, is to become the sole coach of Bayer Leverkusen, a job he previously shared with Sascha Lewandowski.

Full story: L'Equipe (in French)

Fifa president Sepp Blatter says it is "not rational" to play football in the heat of the Qatari summer, as planned for the 2020 World Cup.

Full story: Sueddeutsche (in German)

AND FINALLY

Chelsea's Europa League final bid almost got off to the worst possible start when the team coach left their Amsterdam hotel without 30-year-old goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Full story: Metro

A sports news website linked to the company owned by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has apologised after claiming the Magpies were set to make a move for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, 27.

Full story: SportsDirect News