Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are increasingly confident they can bring Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 26, and Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, to Old Trafford this summer after being given private encouragement from both players.

Full story: Daily Mail

United boss David Moyes has also launched a £15m bid to sign Spain Under-21 captain Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona. The midfielder is also being linked with a move to Manchester City.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Meanwhile, Moyes will try to sign Southampton's 17-year-old left-back Luke Shaw if he fails to lure Leighton Baines from Everton.

Full story: Daily Star

Sneijder could be working again with Jose Mourinho

Juventus have been told they must wait until Real Madrid have appointed a new coach before they begin negotiations for Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain. Arsenal are also interested in signing the 25-year-old.

Full story: Guardian

New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been told a reunion with Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder will cost £12.75m. The 29-year-old Dutchman played for Mourinho at Inter Milan as they won the Italian domestic double and the Champions League three years ago.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina will not be joining former boss Rafa Benitez at Napoli or moving to Spanish giants Barcelona, according to his agent. The 30-year-old has been linked with a move but is keen to remain at Anfield.

Full story: Daily Express

Real Madrid confirm they will not baulk if Tottenham demand £85m for Tottenham's 23-year-old midfielder Gareth Bale.

Full story: the Sun

Sunderland are keen to sign Siena midfielder Alessandro Rosina, with the 29-year-old former Italy international seen as a possible replacement for Stephane Sessegnon, who is expected to leave the club this summer.

Full story: Daily Mail

Real Madrid are stepping up their interest in Chelsea target Edinson Cavani. The Spanish club held talks on Monday with the 26-year-old Napoli striker's representatives in Madrid and are known to be the player's preferred option if they can meet the £53m buy-out clause.

Full story: Daily Mail

Aspas could playing at Anfield soon

Tottenham target Bernard has been urged to join Borussia Dortmund instead by his Brazil international team-mate Dante. The White Hart Lane club are desperate to tempt the 5ft 4in 20-year-old attacking midfielder to join them, but Dortmund have also targeted the Atletico Mineiro star as a possible replacement for Bayern Munich-bound Mario Gotze.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Jose Mourinho has dropped a heavy hint that Chelsea will welcome 27-year-old striker Wayne Rooney to Stamford Bridge if he leaves Manchester United.

Full story: Daily Express

Liverpool boss Brendan ­Rodgers is planning to sign forwards Sevilla's Luis Alberto, 20, and Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas, 25, for a total of £13m this week.

Full story: Daily Star

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)

Jose Mourinho is said to be also interested in bringing Schalke's Julian Draxler, 19, to Stamford Bridge. The German midfielder recently signed a contract extension with his club, but Chelsea may consider triggering his 45m euros (£38m) exit clause.

Full story: Kicker

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, 24, says he expects the club to change their mind over their refusal to let him move to Bayern Munich this year.

Full story: Bild

Real Madrid have signed Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, 21, on a four-year deal worth an estimated £5m.

Full story: El Mundo

Nice manager Claude Puel has said he would like to see outgoing Barcelona defender Eric Abidal, 33, in his team.

Full story: Catalan Radio Cope

Portuguese side Benfica have signed Serb striker Lazar Markovic, 19, from Partizan Belgrade.

Full story: Diario de Noticas

OTHER GOSSIP

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is expected to name the club's new manager within the next week.

Full story: Guardian

Liverpool forward Luis Suarez admits that he "completely lost it" before biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic last season.

Full story: the Sun

AND FINALLY

Manchester United fans who want to get the name Cantona printed on the new home strip have been left baffled after the club's official shop refused to print the iconic Frenchman's name on the back of replica jerseys because of image rights issues.

Full story: Daily Mail