Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho, 28, after reaching a compromise on his buy-out clause of £42.5m.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Fernandinho moved to Shakhtar from Atletico Paranaense in 2005

Manchester United have increased their efforts to sign Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, and they are prepared to offer £65m plus a player to prise him from the Spanish club.

Full Story: The Sun

Tottenham have offered 30-year-old England striker Jermain Defoe plus cash to Aston Villa in exchange for Christian Benteke, 22. Spurs face competition from Atletico Madrid, who are ready to bid £25m for the Belgium forward.

Full story: Daily Mirror

New Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hopes to hijack Arsenal's £23m move for Fiorentina's Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic, 23.

Full story: The Times [subscription required]

Mourinho has made Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko, 27, his top transfer target at Chelsea.

Full story: Daily Star

And Mourinho faces a fight to persuade Romelu Lukaku, 20, to stay at the club, with the Belgian striker believed to favour another loan deal next season in order improve his chances of making the 2014 World Cup.

Full story: The Guardian

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, 32, is poised to join his former club Monaco - paving the way for Leighton Baines to move from Everton to Old Trafford.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Monaco will offer John Terry, 32, a tax-free salary of around £150,000 a week in an effort to persuade the Chelsea defender to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Bayern Munich want Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 26, and are prepared to offer winger Arjen Robben, 29, as part of a swap deal.

Full story: The Sun

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, 27, a £15m summer target for Bayern Munich, admits he could leave the Gunners if they fail to show ambition in the transfer market.

Full story: Daily Mail

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan says he would let Latics players join manager Roberto Martinez at Everton, with midfielders James McCarthy and Callum McManaman, both 22, the Toffees' targets.

Full story: The Guardian

France international midfielder Etienne Capoue, 24, has admitted he will be looking to leave Toulouse this summer, with Arsenal and Tottenham both interested.

Full story: Metro

Andy Carroll, 24, wants a pay rise to take his wages to £100,000-a-week to complete his £15.5m move from Liverpool for West Ham.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool hope to keep Denmark defender Daniel Agger, 28, at Anfield despite interest from big-spending Monaco.

Full story: The Guardian

Manchester City are lining up a £21m bid for Real Madrid defender Pepe, 30.

Full story: Daily Express

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, has fuelled speculation he could leave the Spanish capital this summer by putting his stunning villa up for sale.

Full story: Daily Express

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)

Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, 27, is on the verge of a move to Napoli, but incoming coach Rafael Benitez would reportedly prefer to sign Manchester City's Edin Dzeko, 27.

Full story: TuttoSport (in Italian)

Manchester City signed Edin Dzeko for £27m from Wolfsburg in January 2011

Corinthians' Brazilian midfielder Paulinho, 24, has spoken of his dream of playing for Inter Milan in an interview with Italian media.

Full story: La Gazetta dello Sport (in Italian)

Former France national coach Laurent Blanc, 47, is in discussions with Roma over a two-year contract, although Paris St-Germain are also said to be interested.

Full story: TuttoSport (in Italian)

OTHER GOSSIP

Hull City are facing a fight to keep hold of manager Steve Bruce, 52, after Wigan Athletic made an approach for the former Latics boss.

Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool fear captain Steven Gerrard, 33, could be out for longer than expected following shoulder surgery and he is facing a race against time to be fit for the start of next season.

Full story: The Sun

Stuart Pearce will open talks with the Football Association this month after stating a desire to stay on as England Under-21 head coach.

Full story: Daily Mail

Former Chelsea FA Cup winner Ruud Gullit, 50, believes Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge will be a big mistake.

Full story: Daily Star

AND FINALLY

Norway's Under-21 squad, who play England on Saturday, tried to get an upgrade on their flight to the European Championship by singing to their Turkish air hostesses. It did not work.

Full story: Metro