Friday's gossip column: Football transfers & rumours

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

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TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United are considering a bid for Real Madrid's 24-year-old midfielder Mesut Ozil.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool are favourites to sign Anzhi Makhachkala attacking midfielder Willian, 25, for £30m but face strong competition from Tottenham and Manchester United.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Chelsea are on the verge of giving up their pursuit of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. Jose Mourinho has failed with two bids for the England international, 27, and is now closing on a deal to sign Anzhi Makhachala's Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o, 32, who played under him at Inter Milan.

Full story: Daily Star

Tottenham are close to a £15m deal for Roma's Italy striker Pablo Osvaldo, 27.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

Manager Brendan Rodgers is concerned Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, 26, could sabotage the Reds' start to the Premier League season with his push for a move away from Anfield.

Michu scored 22 goals in his debut season at Swansea.

Full story: Guardian

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has warned Arsenal not to waste their time moving for Spanish striker Michu, 27, if they fail to sign Suarez.

Full story: Daily Star

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must double his opening £6m offer for Swansea defender Ashley Williams to have a chance of signing the 28-year-old Wales international.

Full story: Daily Mirror

West Ham striker Modibo Maiga, 25, is set to be loaned to St Etienne as Hammers manager Sam Allardyce considers a bid for Besiktas forward Hugo Almeida, 29.

Full story: Daily Mail

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has warned Manchester United that they will not get midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 25, on the cheap.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Schalke have turned down Celtic's seven-figure bid for Finnish striker Teemu Pukki.

Full story: Daily Express

Celtic striker Amido Balde, 22, has told goalkeeper Fraser Forster, 25, to turn down any move to Benfica.

Full story: The Times (subscription required)

OTHER GOSSIP

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta, 31, could face up to six weeks on the sideline with a suspected torn thigh muscle.

Full story: Daily Mail

England manager Roy Hodgson has warned goalkeeper Joe Hart, 26, that there is competition for his place in the national side after he made a mistake in England's 3-2 win over Scotland.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott, 30, is hoping to earn a new contract at the club as he enters the final year of his current deal.

Lescott started 17 league games last season.

Full story: talkSPORT

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, 23, is ready to show fans what he "is all about" after admitting he found it hard to settle before because "expectations were so high".

Full story: Liverpool Echo

Returning manager Jose Mourinho wants to "heal the Blue family" at Chelsea following Rafael Benitez's spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

Tom Huddlestone says Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas ignored him and did not give Spurs' young English players a chance. The 26-year-old midfielder has joined Hull for around £5m.

Full story: Daily Mirror

AND FINALLY

Morecambe have sold only four tickets for Saturday's League Two match at Portsmouth.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)