Monday's gossip column: Football transfers & rumours

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

For breaking transfer news, follow Sportsday Live every weekday.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are ready to enter the race to sign Tottenham star Gareth Bale, 24, who is still wanted by Real Madrid.

Full story: The Independent

David Luiz started every game as Brazil won the Confederations Cup

Barcelona will make a final offer for Chelsea defender David Luiz, 26, this week, amid reports he wants reassurances about his future from Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Chelsea are confident of signing striker Wayne Rooney, 27, from Manchester United but are weighing up a move for Anzhi Makhachkala forward Samuel Eto'o, 32, as a back up.

Full story: Daily Express

Arsenal are closing in on the capture of Brazil midfielder Luiz Gustavo from Bayern Munich in a £14m deal.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

West Brom hope to complete the signing of Udinese striker Matej Vydra, 21, on Monday and have also re-opened talks with Manchester City over a deal for Scott Sinclair, 24.

Full story: Birmingham Mail

However, Sunderland and West Ham could be set to sign Vydra, who spent last season on loan at Watford, scoring 20 goals.

Full story: The Metro

The Black Cats are also interested in trying to sign 30-year-old Juventus forward Fabio Quagliarella, who has also been linked with Norwich.

Full story: The Times (subscription required)

Liverpool are hopeful of completing the signing of Granada left-back Guilherme Siqueira, 27, for a fee believed to be around £6m.

Full story: Liverpool Echo

Reds defender Daniel Agger, 28, would be interested in a move to Barcelona, according to his representatives.

Full story: Daily Mail

Premier League newcomers Hull are set to sign Wolves striker Kevin Doyle for £3m if the 29-year-old takes a 50% pay cut on his £40,000-a-week wages.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Sheffield Wednesday have entered the race to sign 27-year-old striker Billy Sharp, who is a Sheffield United fan, from Southampton.

Full story: Daily Express

QPR have had a bid accepted by Argentine club Estudiantes for 22-year-old striker Duvan Zapata.

Full story: Daily Mirror

OTHER GOSSIP

Striker Luis Suarez refuses to apologise to Liverpool and sees no way back for him at the Merseyside club.

Full story: Daily Mirror

The top divisions in England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy have written to Fifa to oppose the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being played in winter.

Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United right-back Rafael da Silva is set to be sidelined for "four to five weeks" after suffering a hamstring injury in his side's 2-0 win over Wigan in the Community Shield.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

GLOBAL GOSSIP (From BBC Monitoring)

Eto'o earns £8.7m per season at Anzhi

Inter Milan and Napoli are interested in signing striker Samuel Eto'o, 32, from Anzhi Makhachkala.

Full story: La Stampa (in Italian)

Former centre back Breno, 23, is to take on a job at Bayern Munich while on day release from prison where he is serving a sentence for arson.

Full story: Die Welt (in German)

Angel Di Maria, 25, has told Real Madrid that he wants to stay at the club. The winger has been touted as part of a possible part exchange for Tottenham's Gareth Bale.

Full story: Marca (in Spanish)

AND FINALLY

The weight of expectation has proven too great for Antonio Valencia at Manchester United and he has requested to change his shirt number from seven. Instead, the former Wigan winger will wear 25 for the forthcoming season. This is also prompting speculation that Cristiano Ronaldo could also be set to return to Old Trafford.

Full story: Metro