Saturday's gossip column: Football transfers & rumours

For up-to-the-minute transfer news, stats and analysis, follow Sportsday Live every weekday.

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United, Arsenal and Paris St-Germain all want to sign Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, 25. The Argentina international wants to stay and coach Carlo Ancelotti wants to keep him - but Real directors believe they can raise around £34m by selling him once Tottenham forward Gareth Bale arrives. United and Spurs are also considering moves for Real's Portugal left-back Fabio Coentrao, 25.

Full story: Marca (Spanish)

Di Maria joined Real from Benfica in 2010

Wales international Bale, 24, will sign a six-year deal, worth £8.6m net a year, when he completes an £85m move to Madrid.

Full story: Marca (Spanish)

The Spanish giants have already erected a platform to unveil Bale to fans as early as possible.

Full story: The Sun (subscription only)

Manchester United are poised to make a £30m bid for Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil, 24, after finally giving up any hope of signing Cesc Fabregas, 25, from Barcelona.

Full story: Daily Star

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accepts his hopes of bringing in Real Madrid's France forward Karim Benzema, 25, depend on the Spanish side signing Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, 26, from Liverpool.

Full story: The Guardian

Manchester United manager David Moyes says Everton are holding back the careers of midfielder Marouane Fellaini, 25, and defender Leighton Baines, 28, by refusing to allow them to move to Old Trafford.

Full story: The Guardian

Tottenham have opened talks with Steaua Bucharest over a £7.5m deal for Romania international centre-back Vlad Chiriches, 23.

Full story: Daily Mail

Chiriches has won 19 caps for Romania.

Arsenal are set to move for Espanyol's Spanish goalkeeper Kiko Casilla, 26.

Full story: Daily Express

But Gunners boss Wenger is once again scouting Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, 27, after being told that Espanyol will not let Casilla leave.

Full story: Daily Mail

Michael Laudrup has hinted that midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, 24, could leave Swansea, with a loan move to Sunderland a likely option for the South Korean.

Full story: The Sun (subscription only)

Liverpool must pay in the region of £6.1m if they want to sign Sporting Lisbon's Portugal Under-20 defender Tiago Ilori, 20.

Full story: A Bola (Portuguese)

Striker Luke Moore, 27, has joined Turkish side Elazigspor on a three-year contract after leaving Swansea by mutual consent.

Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United striker Bebe, 22, is a target for Portuguese club Pacos de Ferreira, but his high wages might be a stumbling block.

Full story: The Sun (subscription only)

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert believes striker Christian Benteke, 22, will remain at Villa Park despite strong interest from Liverpool.

Full story: Daily Star

Reading want to sign Croatian striker Mladen Petric, 32, who left Fulham at the end of last season.

Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

Chelsea have failed with two bids for Rooney.

Manchester United manager David Moyes is prepared to start Wayne Rooney against Chelsea on Monday despite Jose Mourinho's attempts to sign the England striker, 27.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Tottenham feel Chelsea manager Mourinho has only moved for Anzhi Makhachkala's Brazilian attacking midfielder Willian, 25, because they fear Spurs are serious contenders for the Premier League title.

Full story: Daily Mirror

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has no concerns about Mario Balotelli ahead of this weekend's trip to Verona, despite the town's mayor claiming that the former Manchester City striker, 23, brings abuse upon himself. Allegri said: "Balotelli is behaving well. Occasionally he gets worked up about something, but I think he has improved a lot and, with time, he will improve even more."

Full story: Gazzetta dello Sport (Italian)

AND FINALLY

Peruvian striker Jahirsino Baylon was forced to travel 900km to turn out for his former club Universitario in their away match against Melgar - a game in which he wasn't allowed to touch the ball and was immediately substituted.

Full story: Metro

As Everton's stars turn up for training in Ferraris, Bentleys and other luxury cars, striker Steven Naismith, 26, opts for a Mini.

Full story: Daily Mail