Thursday's gossip column: Football transfers & rumours

Follow all of the day's breaking news with Sportsday - today featuring BBC Sport's annual Price of Football study.

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Liverpool are set to make a new approach to sign Derby County's highly rated 18-year-old midfielder Will Hughes during the January transfer window.

Full story: Metro

Sochaux defender Sebastien Corchia, 23, has refused to rule out the possibility of leaving the French club for Arsenal this winter.

Full story: talkSPORT

West Brom manager Steve Clarke is keen to see his Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long, 26, pledge his future to the club and sign a new contract - little more than a week after trying to sell him.

Long was set to move from West Brom to Hull in the transfer window

Full story: Daily Mirror

Barcelona want to bring Juan Mata back to Spain. But even though the 25-year-old playmaker has only made one appearance so far this season for Chelsea, ex-Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho may be unwilling to sell to the Catalans.

Full story: Daily Express

Wayne Rooney, 27, is yet to resume full training with Manchester United but is aiming to recover from a head injury in time for the derby against City on 22 September.

Full story: Daily Mail

Argentina defender Nicolas Spolli, 30, says he rejected interest from Tottenham to remain at Italian side Catania.

Full story: talkSPORT

OTHER GOSSIP

Former Anzhi Makhachkala team director Roberto Carlos has warned Chelsea that new striker Samuel Eto'o can have a "damaging" influence on the dressing room.

Full story: Daily Mail

Manchester United defender Phil Jones, 21, wants a written apology from Stuart Pearce after the former England Under 21 manager questioned his commitment.

Full story: Daily Telegraph

Striker Daniel Sturridge, 24, is set to start for Liverpool at Swansea despite pulling out of England's World Cup qualifiers with a thigh injury.

Full story: Daily Star

Keane has been out of football since leaving Ipswich in January 2011

FAI chief executive John Delaney says former manager Mick McCarthy would be perfect for the Republic of Ireland job after the departure of Giovanni Trapattoni.

Full story: Metro

But Brian McDermott would be willing to leave his post at Leeds United in order to take over from the veteran Italian.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy, 22, wants Roy Keane to succeed Trapattoni, however.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Former Republic goalkeeper Shay Given, 37, has not given up on his Aston Villa career despite falling behind Brad Guzan and Jed Steer in the Villa Park pecking order.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

Manchester City's Serbia defender Aleksandar Kolarov, 27, is determined to remain at Etihad Stadium despite being linked with a move to Juventus in the summer.

Full story: Daily Star

AND FINALLY

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio was clattered by Joey Barton but had the last laugh when he scored in a penalty shootout against a Newcastle XI as a Milan XI emerged victorious from Steve Harper's testimonial.

Full story: The Guardian