Friday's Gossip Column: Football transfers and rumours

Follow all of the day's breaking news every weekday with Sportsday.

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

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are set to swoop for Gil Vicente defender Pecks, 20, during the January transfer window after the Portuguese-based Cape Verde player was recommended by one of their scouts.

Full story: Metro

The Cape Verde defender Pecks signed for Gil Vicente in August 2012

Manchester United are plotting a £25m January move for Southampton defender Luke Shaw, 18.

Full story: Daily Star

Aston Villa midfielder Marc Albrighton, 23, is set to go on loan, with Championship side Derby County ready to snap him up.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal and West Ham target Ciprian Marica, 27, is close to revealing the identity of his next club after the former Schalke striker, who is a free agent, confirmed he is in negotiations with three teams.

Full story: Daily Star

Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio says he sold playmaker Stephane Sessegnon, 29, to West Brom on transfer deadline day because his heart was no longer in the club.

Full story: Daily Mail

Everton coach Alan Stubbs has admitted that left-back Leighton Baines, 28, wanted to join Manchester United during the summer.

Full story: the Sun (subscription required)

OTHER GOSSIP

Jarvis scored two goals in 32 appearances for the Hammers last season

Arsenal want Juventus legend Antonio Conte to lead them into a new era if Arsene Wenger decides to end his 17-year-tenure as manager.

Full story: Daily Star

Manchester United owners the Glazer family are considering a new share sale that could earn them more than £240m.

Full story: the Times (subscription required)

The Premier League is moving to weed out referees who see themselves as personalities in a bid to ensure officials do not get too close to players and managers.

Full story: Guardian

West Ham winger Matt Jarvis, 27, believes he can break into the England squad for the World Cup if he has a productive season for the Hammers.

Full story: Metro

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has pleaded with fans not to spoil Sunday's derby clash with neighbours United at the Etihad Stadium.

Full story: Manchester Evening News

The Football Association will debate the possibility of Premier League clubs developing lower league 'feeder teams' as new chairman Greg Dyke looks to sort out the dearth of English players at the top level.

Full story: Guardian

Midfielder Scott Parker joined Fulham from Tottenham this summer

Kenny Dalglish insists that he overachieved during his second spell as Liverpool's manager - during which he won the League Cup before being sacked in May 2012.

Full story: Daily Mirror

Alan Curbishley has admitted his great regret in football was having to sell England midfielder Scott Parker, 32, when he was manager of Charlton.

Full story: Metro

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce will offer striker Carlton Cole a new contract if he can prove his fitness. The 29-year-old striker had been released by the Hammers during the summer, but returned to train with the club.

Full story: Daily Star

Football could be kicked out of the Olympics if the 2022 World Cup is moved to winter.

Full story: The Sun (subscription required)

And the IOC has warned Fifa that the 2022 World Cup must not clash with that year's Winter Olympics

Full story: Daily Telegraph

GLOBAL GOSSIP

Paris St-Germain manager Laurent Blanc approached Real Madrid with an offer to buy midfielder Mesut Ozil, 24, but the German international decided instead to join Arsenal.

Full story: RMC (in French)

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says that the club have pulled out of plans to build a theme park in the United Arab Emirates.

Full story: Marca

AND FINALLY

Manchester United fan Usain Bolt has admitted to trying to tire out Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby. The world's fastest man sent the 25-year-old Argentine chasing wayward passes during a get-together at City's Etihad Stadium.

Full story: Daily Star