Wednesday's gossip column: Football transfers & rumours

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Real Madrid's long-running pursuit of forward Gareth Bale, 24, is close to a conclusion with Tottenham poised to accept an offer of £93m plus 25-year-old Portuguese wing-back Fabio Coentrao.

Full story: Metro

Chelsea are set to make a £28m bid for Wayne Rooney after failing with two previous bids for the Manchester United striker, 27.

Full story: Daily Express

Geoffrey Kondogia made his France debut against Belgium on 14 August

Manchester United will return with an improved £35m joint bid for Everton pair Marouane Fellaini, 25, and Leighton Baines, 28, after an initial offer of £28m for the midfielder and defender was dismissed as "derisory and insulting".

Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal could face competition from Monaco and Juventus if they pursue an interest in 20-year-old Sevilla midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia.

Full story: Daily Express

Newcastle intend to spend the proceeds from the possible sale of 27-year-old midfielder Yohan Cabaye to Arsenal on Blackpool's Tom Ince, 21 - but could face competition from Tottenham for the attacker's signature.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Everton are keen to sign Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry on loan but the 32-year-old's wages are proving a stumbling block.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Manchester United have turned their attentions to Southampton's £10m-rated left-back Luke Shaw, 18, after being rebuffed in their pursuit of Everton's Leighton Baines.

Coates started two league games last season.

Full story: Daily Express

Southampton could sign Scott Sinclair on a permanent £5m deal with Manchester City keen to sell the 24-year-old winger rather than allow him to join West Brom on loan.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Stoke manager Mark Hughes is attempting to sign Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe with the 30-year-old potentially moving to the Britannia Stadium on an initial loan deal.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates, 22, could be out for six months after suffering a knee injury on international duty with Uruguay - prompting the Reds to step up their pursuit of Sporting Lisbon's 20-year-old centre-back Tiago Ilori.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool are closing in on a £6m deal for Derby's 18-year-old midfielder Will Hughes after sending chief scout Dave Fellows to assess him in action for England Under-21s.

Full story: Metro

David Vaughan made 28 appearances for Sunderland last season, scoring one goal

West Ham will make a move for Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo if they can get players off the wage bill to fund a bit for the Paraguayan, 30.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

Reading have made a £1m move for Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan after the 30-year-old was told he could leave the Stadium of Light.

Full story: Daily Mail

Arsenal will attempt to strengthen their goalkeeping options with an approach to Valencia for Vicente Guaita, 26.

Full story: talkSPORT

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew believes his side need another striker and still have not adequately replaced Demba Ba after the 28-year-old's move to Chelsea in January.

Full story: Newcastle Chronicle

Bologna midfielder Saphir Taider, 21, has completed a £4.7m move to Inter Milan.

Full story: Sky Sports

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, 27, is set for up to a month on the sidelines with a groin injury sustained in the 4-0 win over Newcastle.

Kompany joined City from Hamburg in 2008

Full story: The Times (subscription required)

Former sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has called on the Football Association to find a role in the women's game for Hope Powell after she was sacked as England boss on Tuesday.

Full story: the Guardian

Midfielder Scott Parker, 32, is sure he can win over the Fulham supporters after joining from Tottenham despite having played for bitter rivals Chelsea.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

AND FINALLY

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has posed as part of lederhosen-clad team photo for the European champions.

Full story: Daily Mail

Peterborough director of football Barry Fry helped deliver his granddaughter when his daughter Amber and her partner - Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith - were too late to reach hospital for the birth.

Full story: Metro