Friday's gossip column

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United boss David Moyes is ready to spend a world-record £85m to land Tottenham midfielder - and double Footballer of the Year award winner - Gareth Bale, 23.

Full story: the Sun

And Moyes is refusing to give up in his pursuit of £40m-rated Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, 26.

Full story: Daily Star

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to the Premier League is a step closer after the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward dismissed reports that he had signed a new contract with Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United for £80m in 2009

Full story: Daily Mail

West Ham hope to complete the permanent signing of £15.5m striker Andy Carroll, 24, from Liverpool as early as next week.

Full story: Evening Standard

Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has told midfielder Scott Parker, 32, and striker Jermain Defoe, 30, that they are among 10 players who can leave this summer.

Full story: Metro

Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder Odil Ahmedov, 25, claims he is wanted by Arsenal.

Full story: talkSPORT

Swansea are tracking Espanyol defender Jordi Amat, 21, as club captain Ashley Williams is poised to leave the Liberty Stadium.

Full story: Daily Mail

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has moved a step closer to signing Vitesse Arnhem's 20-year-old midfielder Marco van Ginkel after rivals Ajax admitted they could not compete with the Londoners.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Schalke's German playmaker Julian Draxler, 19, has issued a 'come and get me' plea to Chelsea and Manchester United after admitting it would be hard to turn down a move to either club.

Full story: Metro

Goalkeeper David Stockdale, 27, insists his future lies at Fulham despite interest from West Ham and Hull.

Full story: Daily Express

Stephen Ireland has not made a Premier League appearance for Aston Villa since 29 December

Midfielder Stephen Ireland, 26, has been told he is free to leave Aston Villa as manager Paul Lambert bids to slash the club's wage bill.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has told manager Mark Hughes he will not be restricted to bringing in young players.

Full story: Stoke Sentinel

West Brom hope to reach a deal with midfielder Zoltan Gera, 34, over a contract extension. The Hungarian will become a free agent this summer but could yet stay at The Hawthorns.

Full story: Sky Sports

OTHER GOSSIP

Manuel Pellegrini's appointment as Manchester City manager is being held up by a £3.2m contract dispute with former club Malaga.

Full story: Daily Mirror

City, though, are adamant that the deal is not under threat and that Pellegrini will be confirmed as their manager shortly.

Steve McClaren has been out of work since leaving Dutch side Twente in February

Full story: the Guardian

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan will decide on his new manager on Friday, with former England boss Steve McClaren and ex-Burnley manager Owen Coyle understood to be the leading contenders.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Paris Saint-Germain believe they will persuade Michael Laudrup, 48, to walk away from Swansea and become their new manager.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Roman Abramovich's senior adviser Marina Granovskaia will cement her status at Chelsea by joining the club's executive board.

Full story: the Independent

GLOBAL GOSSIP (sourced by BBC Monitoring)

Inter Milan have turned down a £19.5m offer from Barcelona for Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, 28.

Full story: Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian)

Former Spain international Marcos Senna, 36, has announced that he will join the New York Cosmos after his contract with Villarreal expired.

Full story: ABC (in Spanish)

German coach Bernd Schuster, 53, will replace Manchester City-bound boss Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga next season.

Full story: Marca

AND FINALLY

Manchester City and Real Madrid are leading the race to sign Napoli's 26-year-old striker Edinson Cavani - according to his mum.

Full story: the Sun