Monday's gossip column

For a list of confirmed transfers, check out our transfers page.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, 25, is close to completing a £22m deal to join Arsenal, according to his father.

Full story: the Sun

Norwich are competing with Everton for Wigan striker Arouna Kone. The 29-year-old Ivory Coast international's contract has a £5m buy-out clause.

Full story: Daily Mail

Swansea captain Ashley Williams, 29, is preparing to tell his club he wants to leave this summer. Arsenal are the centre-back's preferred destination, ahead of Everton and Liverpool.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Sochaux defender Sebastien Corchia's agent says the 22-year-old full-back is more likely to stay in France with Lyon rather than move to Arsenal.

Full story: skysports.com

Midfielder Thiago started 15 La Liga games for Barcelona last season

Manchester United's hopes of landing Thiago Alcantara have suffered a blow after Barcelona suggested the possibility of offering the 22-year-old midfielder a new deal.

Full story: Metro

However, Thiago's father, Brazil World Cup winning defensive midfielder Mazinho, thinks his son should move to Manchester United, ahead of Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Chelsea. In a further boost, Thiago's younger brother, attacking midfielder Rafinha, 20, could move to the Premier League on loan, with the family planning to relocate to the north west of England.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Celtic defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama, 21, is being urged by agents to reject overtures from Southampton and move to Galatasaray or Fenerbahce because of the significantly lower rate of income tax paid in Turkey.

Full story: Daily Express

Stoke want to give 28-year-old defensive midfielder Wilson Palacios another chance to prove himself at the club. Last season, the £6m signing from Tottenham did not start a Premier League game for the Potters.

Full story: Stoke Sentinel

Birmingham centre-back Curtis Davies, 28, is expected to complete a £2.3m move to newly-promoted Premier League side Hull on Monday.

Full story: the Sun

Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino is set for a triple snub with Cagliari midfielder Radja Nainggolan, 25, Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama, 21, and Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo, 27, all set to reject moves to the club.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Bolton are close to signing Leicester striker Jermaine Beckford, 29, after the two clubs agreed a transfer fee.

Full story: Leicester Mercury

Paris St-Germain's new-coach-in-waiting Laurent Blanc will consider making an offer for Chelsea defender David Luiz when he takes over from Carlo Ancelotti.

Full story: Daily Mail

Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group are unlikely to want to keep Pepe Reina, 30, at the club if they complete a £9m deal to sign fellow goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, 24, from Sunderland.

Full story: The Times [subscription required]

GLOBAL GOSSIP

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has urged Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, 26, to make a decision about his future before the end of the Confederations Cup.

Blanc has managed Bordeaux and France after ending his playing career with Manchester United

Full story: Marca

Former France coach Laurent Blanc has broken his silence on his widely rumoured move to Paris St-Germain, saying "there is a good chance I'll sign".

Full story: Le Figaro

Meanwhile, the agent of Thiago Silva, 28, says the defender has received "no official contact" from Barcelona regarding a move away from the French club.

Full story: Le JDD

OTHER GOSSIP

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas wants to stay at White Hart Lane despite plenty of interest from French champions Paris St-Germain.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Three former England managers, 65-year-old Sven Goran Eriksson, 52-year-old Steve McLaren and 55-year-old Glenn Hoddle, have told Brighton they would like to replace sacked boss Gus Poyet.

Full story: Daily Star

AND FINALLY

LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant posed for pictures with the likes of Mario Balotelli and Neymar after visiting the dressing rooms following Brazil's 4-2 win over Italy in the Confederations Cup on Saturday

Full story: Daily Mail

Spaniard Pep Guardiola, 42, is expected to speak fluent German when he is unveiled as the new Bayern Munich head coach on Monday. His brother, Pere, said he had been "studying like a madman" during his year-long break in New York.

Full story: Independent