Friday's gossip column

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will switch his sights back to Borussia Dortmund's 24-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski if he is unable to sign Napoli's Edinson Cavani, 26.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal's hopes of signing Swansea City defender Ashley Williams, 28, are fading as the Welsh club are refusing to lower their £10m asking price.

Full story: The Times (subscription required)

Manchester United will turn their attention to Tottenham's Gareth Bale, 23, if they fail to convince Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, 28, to return to Old Trafford.

Full story: Daily Star

Gino Peruzzi has played four times for Argentina

But Bale's future at White Hart Lane has been made "clear" to Spurs target Paulinho. The 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder reveals he is on the verge of joining from Corinthians, with assurances given about Bale staying at the club.

Full story: Daily Mail

Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, 27, tops the list of targets for Manchester City as they look to replace Carlos Tevez. Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo, Roma's Pablo Osvaldo and Benfica's Oscar Cardozo are also in contention.

Full story: The Independent

West Bromwich Albion are interested in Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair, 24, with the former Swansea player hoping to go out on loan.

Full story: The Sun

Sunderland are close to signing Argentina right-back Gino Peruzzi, 21, who shot to prominence with Velez Sarsfield after he kept Neymar quiet over both legs of a Copa Libertadores tie.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool are monitoring Mamadou Sakho's situation as the Paris St-Germain defender, 23, stalls on signing a new contract. Sakho made his senior international debut for France in a 2-1 win over England at Wembley in November 2010.

Full story: Daily Express

Premier League newcomers Crystal Palace have agreed a fee to sign Peterborough United striker Dwight Gayle. The 22-year-old spent the 2011-12 season on loan at non-league Bishop's Stortford.

Full story: talkSPORT

Sunderland will receive £2m when they sell Egypt international Ahmed Elmohamady to Premier League rivals Hull City in the next 24 hours. The 25-year-old right-sided player helped Hull win promotion during a loan spell last season.

Full story: Sunderland Echo

Swansea City are hopeful they will complete the signing of Wilfried Bony from Vitesse Arnhem, despite the Dutch club's denial that a deal has been agreed for the 24-year-old Ivory Coast striker.

Full story: Guardian

Newcastle United could be poised to make a £15.2m offer for St Etienne's 24-year-old striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a graduate of the AC Milan youth team

Full story: Newcastle Chronicle

Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov, 27, has hinted he would be happy to follow striker Carlos Tevez in taking a pay cut and moving to Juventus.

Full story: Guardian

Marseille have confirmed the signing of Lille forward Dimitri Payet, 26, subject to a medical.

Full story: Sportinglife.com

Barcelona attacker Gerard Deulofeu, 19, is a loan target for a number of English clubs which include Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton. Brighton's new manager Oscar Garcia is also keen, though Arsenal are regarded as favourites.

Full story: Mundodeportivo

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Tottenham midfielder Glenn Hoddle has urged current forward Gareth Bale, 23, to remain in England despite interest from Real Madrid - even if it means moving to Manchester United or Manchester City.

Full story: The Sun

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, 33, is making no effort to hide his desire to see new Manchester United manager David Moyes "wobble" at Old Trafford, but concedes the Premier League champions will be in the title race this season.

Full story: Daily Star

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, 26, has backed Jose Mourinho to make a successful return to Chelsea, but says Real Madrid will not be weakened by the departure of the 'Special One'.

Full story: Skysports.com

The lawyers of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, 26, deny their client has reached a settlement with the Spanish tax authorities to avoid facing tax fraud charges in court. Both Messi and his father are due to appear at a court hearing on 17 September.

Full story: El Periodico

Newly promoted Monaco will start the French season on minus two points following crowd trouble during a game against Le Mans.

Full story: Sports247

Chelsea target Marco van Ginkel will seek assurances over first-team football before deciding to leave Vitesse Arnhem. The 20-year-old is reportedly a £9m target for Jose Mourinho's side, but the Dutchman does not want to jeopardise his chances of making the World Cup squad.

Full story: Daily Mail

AND FINALLY

The Euro 2016 logo has been launched in Paris - 1,080 days before the start of the tournament in France.

Full story: fcbusiness.co.uk

Fifa's official champagne of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil has been announced - as Brazilians demonstrate over high transport fares, corruption and the cost of staging next year's tournament.

Full story: Daily Mirror